Filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on October 1, 1999
File No. 2-78724
File No. 811-1444
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
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Post-Effective Amendment No. 34
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and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 34
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Value Equity Trust
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (617) 295-1000
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John Millette
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
/ / Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) (1)
/ / 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) (2)
/ / On __________________ pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ X / On December 1, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (a) (1)
/ / On __________________ pursuant to paragraph (a) (2) of Rule 485.
If Appropriate, check the following box:
/ / This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
<PAGE>
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
SCUDDER LARGE COMPANY VALUE FUND
VALUE FUND --
SCUDDER SELECT 500 FUND
SCUDDER SELECT 1000 GROWTH FUND
2
<PAGE>
SCUDDER
- -----------------------
EQUITY/VALUE
- -----------------------
Scudder
Large Company
Value Fund Fund #049
Prospectus
December 1, 1999
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not
approve or disapprove these shares or determine whether the information in this
prospectus is truthful or complete. It is a criminal offense for anyone to
inform you otherwise.
<PAGE>
Scudder Large Company Value Fund
How the fund works
4 Investment Approach
5 Main Risks to Investors
6 The Fund's Track Record
7 How Much Investors Pay
8 Other Policies and Risks
9 Who Manages and Oversees the Fund
11 Financial Highlights
How to invest in the fund
13 How to Buy Shares
14 How to Exchange or Sell Shares
15 Policies You Should Know About
20 Understanding Distributions and Taxes
<PAGE>
How the fund works
On the next few pages, you'll find information about this fund's investment
goal, the main strategies it uses to pursue that goal, and the main risks that
could affect its performance.
You'll also be able to look at the fund's track record and get an idea of the
costs you should expect to pay as a fund shareholder.
Whether you are considering investing in the fund or are already a shareholder,
you'll probably want to look this information over carefully. You may want to
keep it on hand for reference as well.
Remember that mutual funds are investments, not bank deposits. They're not
insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Their share
prices will go up and down, so be aware that you could lose money.
You can access all Scudder fund prospectuses online at: www.scudder.com
<PAGE>
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ticker symbol | SCDUX fund number | 049
Scudder Large Company Value Fund
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Investment Approach
The fund seeks maximum long-term capital appreciation through a value-oriented
investment approach. It does this by investing at least 65% of net assets in
equities of large U.S. companies (those with a market value of $1 billion or
more).
In choosing stocks, the portfolio managers begin by using a computer model.
Examining the companies in the Russell 1000 Index, the model seeks those whose
market values compared to factors such as earnings, book value, and sales place
them in the most undervalued 40% of companies in the index.
To further narrow the pool of potential stocks, the managers use bottom-up
analysis, looking for companies that seem poised for above-average growth,
whether through a rebound in their markets, a change in business strategy, or
other factors. The managers assemble the fund's portfolio from among the
qualifying stocks, drawing on analysis of economic outlooks for various
industries and the potential volatility of each stock.
The managers intend to diversify the fund's investments among many industries,
although, depending on their outlook, they may increase or reduce the fund's
exposure to a given industry.
The fund will normally sell a stock when it reaches a target price, when the
managers believe other investments offer better opportunities, or in the course
of adjusting its emphasis on a given industry.
THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING TWO PARAGRAPHS.
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OTHER INVESTMENTS
While most of the fund's equities are common stocks, some may be other types of
equities, such as convertible securities, preferred stocks, and depositary
receipts. The fund may also invest up to 20% of assets in debt securities,
including convertible bonds.
Although the managers are permitted to use various types of derivatives
(contracts whose value is based on, for example, indices, commodities,
currencies, or securities), the managers don't intend to use them as principal
investments.
4 | Scudder Large Company Value Fund
<PAGE>
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[ICON] This fund is designed for long-term investors who favor a
value investment style and want broadly diversified exposure
to large company stocks.
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Main Risks to Investors
There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund's performance, cause you
to lose money, or make the fund perform less well than other investments.
As with most stock funds, the most important factor with this fund is how stock
markets perform -- in this case, the large company portion of the U.S. market.
When large company stock prices fall, you should expect the value of your
investment to fall as well. Large company stocks may be less risky than shares
of smaller companies, but at times may not perform as well. Because a stock
represents ownership in its issuer, stock prices can be hurt by poor management,
shrinking product demand, and other business risks. These may affect single
companies as well as groups of companies.
To the extent that the fund emphasizes a given industry, any factors affecting
that industry could affect portfolio securities. For example, a rise in
unemployment could hurt manufacturers of consumer goods.
Other factors that could affect performance include:
o the managers could be wrong in their analysis of companies, industries,
economic trends, or other matters
o value stocks could become unpopular
o some derivatives could produce disproportionate losses
o at times, market conditions might make it hard to value some investments or
to get an attractive price for them
Scudder Large Company Value Fund | 5
<PAGE>
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[ICON] While a fund's past performance isn't necessarily a sign of
how it will do in the future, it can be valuable for an
investor to know. This page looks at fund performance two
different ways: year by year and over time.
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The Fund's Track Record
The bar chart shows how the fund's total returns have varied from year to year,
which may give some idea of risk. The table shows average annual total returns
for the fund and broad-based market indexes (which, unlike the fund, do not have
any fees or expenses). The performance of both the fund and the indexes varies
over time. All figures on this page assume reinvestment of dividends and
distributions.
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Annual Total Returns (%) as of 12/31 each year
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THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT CONTAINS A BAR CHART HERE
BAR CHART DATA:
00.00 00.00 00.00 00.00 00.00 00.00 00.00 00.00 00.00 00.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 Total Return as of September 30: 0.00%
Best Quarter: 0.00%, Q0 1990 Worst Quarter: -0.00%, Q0 1990
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Average Annual Total Returns (%) as of 12/31/98
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1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
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Fund __ __ __
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Index 1 __ __ __
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Index 2 __ __ __
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Index 1: Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index (S&P 500 Index), an
unmanaged capitalization-weighted measure of 500 widely held common stocks
listed on the New York Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange and traded on
the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
Index 2: The Russell 1000 Value Index, which consists of securities with
less-than-average growth orientation.
6 | Scudder Large Company Value Fund
<PAGE>
How Much Investors Pay
This fund has no sales charges or other shareholder fees. The fund does have
annual operating expenses, and as a shareholder you pay them indirectly.
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Fee Table
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Shareholder Fees (paid directly from your investment) None
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Operating Expenses (deducted from fund assets)
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Management Fee x.xx%
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Distribution (12b-1) Fee None
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Other Expenses* x.xx%
-------
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Total Annual Operating Expenses x.xx%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes costs of shareholder servicing, custody, accounting services and
similar expenses, which may vary with fund size and other factors.
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Expense Example
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Based on the costs above, this example is designed to help you compare this
fund's expenses to those of other funds. The example assumes you invested
$10,000, earned 5% annual returns, reinvested all dividends and distributions,
and sold your shares at the end of each period. This is only an example; your
actual expenses will be different.
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
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$xx $xxx $xxx $xxxx
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder Large Company Value Fund | 7
<PAGE>
Other Policies and Risks
While the sections on the previous pages describe the main points of the fund's
strategy and risks, there are a few other issues to know about:
o Although major changes tend to be infrequent, the fund's Board could change
the fund's investment goal without seeking shareholder approval.
o As a temporary defensive measure, the fund could shift up to 100% of assets
into defensive investments such as money market securities. This could
prevent losses, but would mean that the fund was not pursuing its goal.
Year 2000 and euro readiness
Like all mutual funds, this fund could be affected by the inability of some
computer systems to recognize the year 2000. Also, because it invests in foreign
securities, the fund could be affected by accounting differences, changes in tax
treatment or other issues related to the conversion of certain European
currencies into the euro, which is already underway. The investment adviser has
readiness programs designed to address these problems, and is also researching
the readiness of suppliers and business partners as well as issuers of
securities the fund owns. Still, there's some risk that one or both of these
problems could materially affect the fund's operations (such as its ability to
calculate net asset value and to handle purchases and redemptions), its
investments, or securities markets in general.
THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING TWO PARAGRAPHS.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus doesn't tell you about every policy or risk of investing in the
fund.
If you want more information on the fund's allowable securities and investment
practices and the characteristics and risks of each one, you may want to request
a copy of the SAI (the back cover has information on how to do this).
8 | Other Policies and Risks
<PAGE>
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[ICON] Scudder Kemper, the company with overall responsibility for
managing the fund, takes a team approach to asset
management.
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Who Manages and Oversees the Fund
The investment adviser
The fund's investment adviser is Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., located at
345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154-0010. Scudder Kemper has more than 80 years
of experience managing mutual funds, and currently has more than $290 billion in
assets under management.
The fund is managed by a team of investment professionals, who individually
represent different areas of expertise and who together develop investment
strategies and make buy and sell decisions. Supporting the fund managers are
Scudder Kemper's many economists, research analysts, traders, and other
investment specialists, located in offices across the United States and around
the world.
As payment for serving as investment adviser, Scudder Kemper receives a
management fee from the fund. For the most recent fiscal year, the actual amount
the fund paid in management fees was x.xx% of average daily net assets.
The portfolio managers
Below are the people who handle the day-to-day management of the fund.
Kathleen T. Millard Lois Friedman Roman
Co-Lead Manager Co-Lead Manager
o Began investment career in o Began investment career
1984 in 1984
o Joined the adviser in 1991 o Joined the adviser in 1994
o Joined the fund team in 1995 o Joined the fund team in
1995
Who Manages and Oversees the Fund | 9
<PAGE>
The Board
A mutual fund's Board is responsible for the general oversight of the fund's
business. The majority of the Board is not affiliated with Scudder Kemper. The
independent members have primary responsibility for assuring that the fund is
managed in the best interests of its shareholders. The following people comprise
the fund's Board:
[TO BE UPDATED]
10 | Who Manages and Oversees the Fund
<PAGE>
Financial Highlights
This table is designed to help you understand the fund's financial performance
in recent years. The figures in the first part of the table are for a single
share. The total return figures represent the percentage that an investor in the
fund would have earned (or lost), assuming all dividends and distributions were
reinvested. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the
annual report (see "Shareholder reports" on the back cover).
The following table includes selected data for a share outstanding throughout
each period and other performance information derived from the financial
statements.
Scudder Large Company Value Fund
Table to be inserted.
Financial Highlights | 11
<PAGE>
How to invest in the fund
The following pages tell you how to invest in the fund and what to expect as a
shareholder. If you're investing directly with Scudder, all of this information
applies to you.
If you're investing through a "third party provider" -- for example, a workplace
retirement plan, financial supermarket or financial adviser -- your provider may
have its own policies or instructions, and you should follow those.
<PAGE>
How to Buy Shares
Use these instructions to invest directly with Scudder. Make out your check to
"The Scudder Funds."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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First investment Additional investments
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<S> <C> <C>
$2,500 or more for regular $100 or more for regular accounts
accounts
$50 or more for IRAs
$1,000 or more for IRAs
$50 or more with an Automatic
Investment Plan
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By mail or o Fill out and sign an application o Send a check and a Scudder
express investment slip to us at the
(see below) o Send it to us at the appropriate appropriate address below
address, along with an
investment check o If you don't have an
investment slip, simply include
a letter with your name,
account number, the full name
of the fund, and your
investment instructions
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By wire o Call 1-800-SCUDDER for o Call 1-800-SCUDDER for
instructions instructions
By phone -- o Call 1-800-SCUDDER for
instructions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With an automatic -- o To set up regular investments
investment plan from a bank checking account,
call 1-800-SCUDDER
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Using -- o Call 1-800-SCUDDER
QuickBuy
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</TABLE>
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[ICON] Regular mail:
The Scudder Funds, PO Box 2291, Boston, MA 02107-2291
Express, registered or certified mail:
The Scudder Funds, 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA 02184-3839
Fax number: 1-800-821-6234 (for exchanging and selling only)
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How to Buy Shares | 13
<PAGE>
How to Exchange or Sell Shares
Use these instructions to exchange or sell shares in an account opened directly
with Scudder.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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Exchanging into another fund Selling shares
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<S> <C> <C>
$2,500 or more to open a new Some transactions, including
account ($1,000 for IRAs) most for over $100,000, can
only be ordered in writing; if
$100 or more for exchanges you're in doubt, see page 17
between existing accounts
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By phone or wire o Call 1-800-SCUDDER for o Call 1-800-SCUDDER for
instructions instructions
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Using SAIL(TM) o Call 1-800- 343-2890 and o Call 1-800-343-2890 and
follow the instructions follow the instructions
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By mail, express Write a letter that includes: Write a letter that includes:
or fax
(see previous o the fund, class, and account o the fund, class, and account
page) number you're exchanging number from which you want to
out of sell shares
o the dollar amount or number o the dollar amount or number
of shares you want to exchange of shares you want to sell
o the name and class of the o your name(s), signature(s),
fund you want to exchange into and address, as they appear on
your account
o your name(s), signature(s),
and address, as they appear on o a daytime telephone number
your account
o a daytime telephone number
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With an automatic -- o To set up regular cash
withdrawal plan payments from a Scudder fund
account, call 1-800-SCUDDER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using QuickSell -- o Call 1-800-SCUDDER
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</TABLE>
14 | How to Exchange or Sell Shares
<PAGE>
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[ICON] Questions? You can speak to a Scudder representative between
8 a.m. and 8 p.m. eastern time on any fund business day by
calling 1-800-SCUDDER.
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Policies You Should Know About
Along with the instructions on the previous pages, the policies below may affect
you as a shareholder. Some of this information, such as the section on dividends
and taxes, applies to all investors, including those investing through
investment providers.
If you are investing through an investment provider, check the materials you got
from them. As a general rule, you should follow the information in those
materials wherever it contradicts the information given here. Please note that
an investment provider may charge its own fees.
Policies about transactions
The fund is open for business whenever the New York Stock Exchange is open. The
fund calculates its share price every business day, as of the close of regular
trading on the Exchange (typically 4 p.m. eastern time, but sometimes earlier,
as in the case of scheduled half-day trading or unscheduled suspensions of
trading).
You can place an order to buy or sell shares at any time. Once your order is
received by Scudder Service Corporation, and they have determined that it is a
"good order," it will be processed at the next share price calculated.
Because orders placed through investment providers must be forwarded to Scudder
Service Corporation before they can be processed, you'll need to allow extra
time. A representative of your investment provider should be able to tell you
when your order will be processed.
Policies You Should Know About | 15
<PAGE>
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[ICON] The Scudder Web site can be a valuable resource for
shareholders with Internet access. Go to www.scudder.com to get
up-to-date information, review balances or
even place orders for exchanges.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAIL(TM), the Scudder Automated Information Line, is available 24 hours a day by
calling 1-800-343-2890. You can use SAIL to get information on Scudder funds
generally and on accounts held directly at Scudder. You can also use it to make
exchanges and to sell shares.
QuickBuy and QuickSell let you set up a link between a Scudder account and a
bank account. Once this link is in place, you can move money between the two
with a phone call. You'll need to make sure your bank has Automated Clearing
House (ACH) services. To set up QuickBuy or QuickSell on a new account, see the
account application; to add it to an existing account, call 1-800-SCUDDER.
When you call us to sell shares, we may record the call, ask you for certain
information, or take other steps designed to prevent fraudulent orders. It's
important to understand that as long as we take reasonable steps to ensure that
an order appears genuine, we are not responsible for any losses that may occur.
When you ask us to send or receive a wire, please note that while we don't
charge a fee to receive wires, we will deduct a $5 fee from all wires sent from
us to your bank. Your bank may charge its own fees for handling wires. The fund
can only accept wires of $100 or more.
16 | Policies You Should Know About
<PAGE>
Exchanges among Scudder funds are an option for shareholders who bought their
fund shares directly from Scudder and many other investors as well. Exchanges
are a shareholder privilege, not a right: we may reject any exchange order,
particularly when there appears to be a pattern of "market timing" or other
frequent purchases and sales. We may also reject purchase orders, for these or
other reasons.
When you want to sell more than $100,000 worth of shares, you'll usually need to
place your order in writing and include a signature guarantee. The only
exception is if you want money wired to a bank account that is already on file
with us; in that case, you don't need a signature guarantee. Also, you don't
need a signature guarantee for an exchange, although we may require one in
certain other circumstances.
A signature guarantee is simply a certification of your signature -- a valuable
safeguard against fraud. You can get a signature guarantee from most brokers and
most banks, savings institutions, and credit unions. Note that you can't get a
signature guarantee from a notary public.
Money from shares you sell is normally sent out within one business day of when
your order is processed (not when it is received), although it could be delayed
for up to seven days. There are also two circumstances when it could be longer:
when you are selling shares you bought recently by check and that check hasn't
cleared yet (maximum delay: 15 days) or when unusual circumstances prompt the
SEC to allow further delays.
Policies You Should Know About | 17
<PAGE>
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[ICON] If you ever have difficulty placing an order
by phone or fax, you can always send us your
order in writing.
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How the fund calculates share price
The fund's share price is its net asset value per share, or NAV. To calculate
NAV, the fund uses the following equation:
TOTAL ASSETS - TOTAL LIABILITIES
------------------------------------ = NAV
TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING
We typically use market prices to value securities. However, when a market price
isn't available, or when we have reason to believe it doesn't represent market
realities, we may use fair value methods approved by the fund's Board. In such a
case, the fund's value for a security is likely to be different from quoted
market prices.
To the extent that the fund invests in securities that are traded primarily in
foreign markets, the value of its holdings could change at a time when you
aren't able to buy or sell fund shares. This is because some foreign markets are
open on days when the fund doesn't price its shares.
18 | Policies You Should Know About
<PAGE>
Other rights we reserve
You should be aware that we may do any of the following:
o withhold 31% of your distributions as federal income tax if you have been
notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding, or if you
fail to provide us with a correct taxpayer ID number or certification that
you are exempt from backup withholding
o charge you $10 a year if your account balance falls below $2,500, and close
your account and send you the proceeds if your balance falls below $1,000;
in either case, we will give you 60 days' notice so you can either increase
your balance or close your account (these policies don't apply to
retirement accounts, to investors with $100,000 or more in Scudder fund
shares, or in any case where a fall in share price created the low balance)
o reject a new account application if you don't provide a correct Social
Security or other tax ID number; if the account has already been opened, we
may give you 30 days' notice to provide the correct number
o pay you for shares you sell by "redeeming in kind," that is, by giving you
marketable securities (which typically will involve brokerage costs for you
to liquidate) rather than cash; in most cases, the fund won't make a
redemption-in-kind unless your requests over a 90-day period total more
than $250,000 or 1% of the fund's assets, whichever is less
o change, add, or withdraw various services, fees, and account policies (for
example, we may change or terminate the exchange privilege at any time)
Policies You Should Know About | 19
<PAGE>
Understanding Distributions and Taxes
By law, a mutual fund is required to pass through to its shareholders virtually
all of its net earnings. A fund can earn money in two ways: by receiving
interest, dividends or other income from securities it holds, and by selling
securities for more than it paid for them. (A fund's earnings are separate from
any gains or losses stemming from your own purchase of shares.) A fund may not
always pay a distribution for a given period.
The fund intends to pay dividends and distributions to its shareholders in
December and, if necessary, may do so at other times as well.
You can choose how to receive your dividends and distributions. You can have
them all automatically reinvested in fund shares or all sent to you by check.
Tell us your preference on your application. If you don't indicate a preference,
your dividends and distributions will all be reinvested. For retirement plans,
reinvestment is the only option.
Buying and selling fund shares will usually have tax consequences for you
(except in an IRA or other tax-advantaged account). Your sales of shares may
result in a capital gain or loss for you; whether long-term or short-term
depends on how long you owned the shares. For tax purposes, an exchange is the
same as a sale.
20 | Understanding Distributions and Taxes
<PAGE>
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[ICON] Because each shareholder's tax situation is unique, it's
always a good idea to ask your tax professional about the
tax consequences of your investments, including any state
and local tax consequences.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The tax status of the fund earnings you receive, and your own fund transactions,
generally depends on their type:
Generally taxed at ordinary income rates
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
o short-term capital gains from selling fund shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
o taxable income dividends you receive from the fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
o short-term capital gains distributions you receive from the fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Generally taxed at capital gains rates
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
o long-term capital gains from selling fund shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
o long-term capital gains distributions you receive from the fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
You may be able to claim a tax credit or deduction for your shares of any
foreign taxes that the fund pays.
The fund will send you detailed tax information every January. These statements
tell you the amount and the tax category of any dividends or distributions you
received. They also have certain details on your purchases and sales of shares.
The tax status of dividends and distributions is the same whether you reinvest
them or not. Dividends or distributions declared in the last quarter of a given
year are taxed in that year, even though you may not receive the money until the
following January.
If you invest right before the fund pays a dividend, you'll be getting some of
your investment back as a taxable dividend. You can avoid this, if you want, by
investing after the fund declares a dividend. In tax-advantaged retirement
accounts you don't need to worry about this.
Corporations may be able to take a dividends-received deduction for a portion of
income dividends they receive.
Understanding Distributions and Taxes | 21
<PAGE>
Notes
<PAGE>
Notes
<PAGE>
To Get More Information
Shareholder reports -- These include commentary from the fund's management team
about recent market conditions and the effect of the fund's strategies on its
performance. They also have detailed performance figures, a list of everything
the fund owns, and the fund's financial statements. Shareholders get these
reports automatically. To reduce costs, we mail one copy per household. For more
copies, call 1-800-SCUDDER.
Statements of Additional Information (SAI) -- This tells you more about the
fund's features and policies, including additional risk information. The fund's
SAI is incorporated by reference into this document (meaning that it's legally
part of this prospectus).
If you'd like to ask for copies of these documents, or if you're a shareholder
and have questions, please contact Scudder or the SEC (see below). Materials you
get from Scudder are free; those from the SEC involve a copying fee. If you
like, you can look over these materials in person at the SEC's Public Reference
Room in Washington, DC.
Scudder Funds SEC
PO Box 2291 450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Boston, MA 02107-2291 Washington, DC 20549-6009
1-800-SCUDDER 1-800-SEC-0330
www.scudder.com www.sec.gov
SEC File Number 000-0000
<PAGE>
SCUDDER LARGE COMPANY VALUE FUND
A Series of Value Equity Trust
A No-Load (No Sales Charges) Diversified Mutual Fund which Seeks Maximum
Long-Term Capital Appreciation Through a Value-Oriented Investment Approach
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
December 1, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be read
in conjunction with the prospectus of Scudder Large Company Value Fund, dated
December 1, 1999, as amended from time to time. A copy of the Prospectus may be
obtained without charge by writing to Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Two
International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-4103.
The Annual Report to Shareholders of Scudder Large Company Value Fund dated July
31, 1999 is incorporated by reference into and is hereby deemed to be part of
this Statement of Additional Information. The Annual Report may be obtained
without charge by calling 1-800-SCUDDER.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES..........................................................................1
General Investment Objective and Policies....................................................................1
Master/feeder structure......................................................................................2
Investments and Investment Techniques........................................................................3
Investment Restrictions.....................................................................................14
Other Investment Policies...................................................................................15
PURCHASES............................................................................................................16
Additional Information About Opening An Account.............................................................16
Minimum balances............................................................................................16
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments..................................................17
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments by QuickBuy......................................17
Checks......................................................................................................18
Wire Transfer of Federal Funds..............................................................................18
Share Price.................................................................................................18
Share Certificates..........................................................................................18
Other Information...........................................................................................18
EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS............................................................................................19
Exchanges...................................................................................................19
Redemption by Telephone.....................................................................................20
Redemption By QuickSell.....................................................................................20
Redemption by Mail or Fax...................................................................................21
Redemption-in-Kind..........................................................................................21
Other Information...........................................................................................21
FEATURES AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THE FUND............................................................................22
The No-Load Concept........................................................................................22
Internet access.............................................................................................22
Dividends and Capital Gains Distribution Options............................................................23
Diversification.............................................................................................23
Reports to Shareholders.....................................................................................23
Transaction Summaries.......................................................................................24
THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS..........................................................................................24
SPECIAL PLAN ACCOUNTS................................................................................................26
Scudder Retirement Plans: Profit-Sharing and Money Purchase Pension Plans for Corporations and
Self-Employed Individuals................................................................................26
Scudder 401(k): Cash or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan for Corporations and Self-
Employed Individuals....................................................................................26
Scudder IRA: Individual Retirement Account.................................................................26
Scudder Roth IRA: Individual Retirement Account............................................................27
Scudder 403(b) Plan.........................................................................................27
Automatic Withdrawal Plan...................................................................................27
Group or Salary Deduction Plan..............................................................................28
Automatic Investment Plan...................................................................................28
Uniform Transfers/Gifts to Minors Act.......................................................................28
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS............................................................................28
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION..............................................................................................29
Average Annual Total Return.................................................................................29
Cumulative Total Return.....................................................................................30
Total Return................................................................................................30
Comparison of Fund Performance..............................................................................30
i
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Page
ORGANIZATION OF THE FUND.............................................................................................31
INVESTMENT ADVISER...................................................................................................33
Personal Investments by Employees of the Adviser............................................................35
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS................................................................................................38
REMUNERATION.........................................................................................................38
Responsibilities of the Board -- Board and Committee Meetings...............................................38
Compensation of Officers and Trustees.......................................................................39
DISTRIBUTOR..........................................................................................................40
TAXES................................................................................................................41
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS...............................................................................................44
Brokerage Commissions.......................................................................................44
Portfolio Turnover..........................................................................................45
NET ASSET VALUE......................................................................................................46
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...............................................................................................46
Experts.....................................................................................................46
Shareholder Indemnification.................................................................................47
Other Information...........................................................................................47
APPENDIX
</TABLE>
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THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Scudder Large Company Value Fund (the "Fund"), is a no-load,
diversified series of Value Equity Trust (the "Trust"), an open-end management
company which continuously offers and redeems its shares at net asset value. It
is a company of the type commonly known as a mutual fund.
Descriptions in this Statement of Additional Information of a
particular investment practice or technique in which the Fund may engage (such
as hedging, etc.) or a financial instrument which the Fund may purchase (such as
options, forward foreign currency contracts, etc.) are meant to describe the
spectrum of investments that Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. ( "the Adviser"),
in its discretion, might, but is not required to, use in managing the Fund's
portfolio assets. The Adviser may, in its discretion, at any time employ such
practice, technique or instrument for one or more funds but not for all funds
advised by it. Furthermore, it is possible that certain types of financial
instruments or investment techniques described herein may not be available,
permissible, economically feasible or effective for their intended purposes in
all markets. Certain practices, techniques, or instruments may not be principal
activities of the Fund, but, to the extent employed, could from time to time
have a material impact on the Fund's performance.
General Investment Objective and Policies of Scudder Large Company Value Fund
Scudder Large Company Value Fund (the "Fund") seeks maximum long-term
capital appreciation through a value-oriented investment approach. The Fund
seeks to achieve its objective by investing: (i) in marketable securities,
principally common stocks; (ii) up to 20% of its assets in debt securities where
capital appreciation from debt securities is expected to exceed the capital
appreciation available from common stocks; and (iii) for temporary defensive
purposes, during periods when market or economic conditions may warrant, in debt
securities, short-term indebtedness, cash and cash equivalents. Because this
defensive policy differs from the Fund's investment objective, the Fund may not
achieve its goal during a defensive period. The Fund may also invest in
preferred stocks consistent with its objective. Additionally, the Fund may
invest in debt securities, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase
agreements, convertible securities, rights, warrants, illiquid securities,
Standard and Poor's Depository Receipts, and may engage in strategic
transactions and derivatives.
The Fund uses a value-based investment approach to pursue a range of
investment opportunities, principally among larger, established U.S. companies.
Given this approach, the Fund may be appropriate as a core investment holding
for retirement or other long-term goals.
In seeking capital appreciation, the Fund looks for companies whose
securities appear to present a favorable relationship between market price and
opportunity. These may include securities of companies whose fundamentals or
products may be of only average promise.
Market misconceptions, temporary bad news, and other factors may cause
a security to be out of favor in the stock market and to trade at a price below
its potential value. Accordingly, the prices of such securities can raise either
as a result of improved business fundamentals, particularly when earning s grow
faster than general expectations, or as more investors come to recognize the
full extent of a company's underlying potential. These "undervalued" securities
can provide the opportunity for above-average market performance.
Investments in common stocks have a wide range of characteristics, and
management of the Fund believes that opportunity for long-term capital
appreciation may be found in all sectors of the market for publicly traded
equity securities. Thus the search for equity investments for the Fund may
encompass any sector of the market and companies of all sizes. It is a
fundamental policy of the Fund, which may not be changed without approval of a
majority of the Fund's outstanding shares, that the Fund will not concentrate
its investments in any particular industry. However, the Fund reserves the right
to invest up to 25% of its total assets (taken at market value) in any one
industry. The use of this tactic is, in the opinion of management, consistent
with the Fund's flexible approach of seeking to maximize long-term growth of
capital.
The Fund will normally invest at least 65% of its assets in the equity
securities of large U.S. companies, i.e. those with $1 billion or more in total
market capitalization. The Fund's investment flexibility enables it to pursue
investment value in all sectors of the stock market, including:
<PAGE>
o companies that generate or apply new technologies, new and
improved distribution techniques or new services, such as
those in the business equipment, electronics, specialty
merchandising and health service industries;
o companies that own or develop natural resources, such as
energy exploration companies;
o companies that may benefit from changing consumer demands and
lifestyles, such as financial service organizations and
telecommunications companies;
o foreign companies, including those in countries with more
rapid economic growth than the U.S; and
o companies whose earnings are temporarily depressed and are
currently out of favor with most investors.
The Fund may purchase, for capital appreciation, investment-grade debt
securities including zero coupon bonds. Investment-grade debt securities are
those rated Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or
AAA, AA, A or BBB by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or, if unrated, of
equivalent quality as determined by the Fund's investment adviser, Moody's
considers bonds it rates Baa to have speculative elements as well as
investment-grade characteristics.
The Fund may also purchase debt securities which are rated below
investment-grade, commonly referred to as "junk bonds," (that is, rated below
Baa by Moody's or below BBB by S&P), and unrated securities of comparable
quality in the Adviser's judgment, which usually entail greater risk (including
the possibility of default or bankruptcy of the issuers of such securities),
generally involve greater volatility of price and risk of principal and income,
and may be less liquid and more difficult to value than securities in the higher
rating categories. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities
rated B or lower by Moody's or S&P and may invest in securities which are rated
as low as C by Moody's or D by S&P. Securities rated B or lower involve a high
degree of speculation with respect to the payment of principal and interest and
those securities rated C or D may be in default with respect to payment of
principal or interest. (See "High Yield, High Risk Securities.")
The Fund is limited to 5% of net assets for initial margin and premium
amounts on futures positions considered speculative by the Commodities Futures
Trading Commission.
The Fund may borrow money for temporary, emergency or other purposes,
including investment leverage purposes, as determined by the Trustees. The Fund
may also engage in reverse repurchase agreements.
Changes in portfolio securities are made on the basis of investment
considerations and it is against the policy of management to make changes for
trading purposes.
Unless otherwise stated, the investment objective and policies of the
Fund is not fundamental and may be changed by the Trustees without a vote of
shareholders. The Fund cannot guarantee a gain or eliminate the risk of loss.
The net asset value of the Fund's shares will increase or decrease with changes
in the market price of the Fund's investments and there is no assurance that the
Fund's objective will be achieved.
Master/feeder structure
The Board of Trustees has the discretion to retain the current
distribution arrangement for the Fund while investing in a master fund in a
master/feeder fund structure as described below.
A master/feeder fund structure is one in which a fund (a "feeder
fund"), instead of investing directly in a portfolio of securities, invests most
or all of its investment assets in a separate registered investment company (the
"master fund") with substantially the same investment objective and policies as
the feeder fund. Such a structure permits the pooling of assets of two or more
feeder funds, preserving separate identities or distribution channels at the
feeder fund level. Based on the premise that certain of the expenses of
operating an investment portfolio are relatively fixed, a larger investment
portfolio may eventually achieve a lower ratio of operating expenses to average
net assets. An existing investment company is able to convert to a feeder fund
by selling all of its investments, which involves brokerage and other
transaction costs and realization of a taxable gain or loss, or by contributing
its assets to the master fund and avoiding transaction costs and, if proper
procedures are followed, the realization of taxable gain or loss.
2
<PAGE>
Investments and Investment Techniques
Common Stocks. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invest primarily in common
stocks. Common stock is issued by companies to raise cash for business purposes
and represents a proportionate interest in the issuing companies. Therefore, the
Fund participates in the success or failure of any company in which it holds
stock. The market values of common stock can fluctuate significantly, reflecting
the business performance of the issuing company, investor perception and general
economic or financial market movements. Smaller companies are especially
sensitive to these factors and may even become valueless. Despite the risk of
price volatility, however, common stocks also offer a greater potential for gain
on investment, compared to other classes of financial assets such as bonds or
cash equivalents.
Foreign Securities. While the Fund generally emphasizes investments in companies
domiciled in the U.S., it may invest in listed and unlisted foreign securities
of the same types as the domestic securities in which it may invest, when the
anticipated performance of foreign securities is believed by the Adviser to
offer more potential than domestic alternatives, in keeping with the investment
objective of the Fund.
Investors should recognize that investing in foreign securities
involves certain special considerations, including those set forth below, which
are not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities and which may
favorably or unfavorably affect the Fund's performance. As foreign companies are
not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic
companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign
company than about a domestic company. Many foreign stock markets, while growing
in volume of trading activity, have substantially less volume than the U.S.
market and securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile
than securities of domestic companies. Similarly, volume and liquidity in most
foreign bond markets are less than the volume and liquidity in the U.S. and at
times, volatility of price can be greater than in the U.S. Further, foreign
markets have different clearance and settlement procedures and in certain
markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace
with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such
transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets
of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the
Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause
the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of
portfolio securities due to settlement problems either could result in losses to
the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or, if
the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in
possible liability to the purchaser. Fixed commissions on some foreign stock
exchanges and bid to asked spreads in foreign bond markets are generally higher
than negotiated commissions or bid to asked spreads on U.S. markets although the
Fund will endeavor to achieve the most favorable net results on its portfolio
transactions. Further, the Fund may encounter difficulties or be unable to
pursue legal remedies and obtain judgments in foreign courts. There is generally
less governmental supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers
and listed companies in most foreign countries than in the U.S. It may be more
difficult for the Fund's agents to keep currently informed about corporate
actions in foreign countries such as stock dividends or other matters, which may
affect the prices of portfolio securities. Communications between the U.S. and
foreign countries may be less reliable than within the U.S., thereby increasing
the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of
certificates for portfolio securities. Payment for securities without delivery
may be required in certain foreign markets. In addition, with respect to certain
foreign countries, there is the possibility of nationalization, expropriation,
the imposition of withholding or confiscatory taxes, political, social, or
economic instability, or diplomatic development, which could affect U.S.
investments in those countries. Investments in foreign securities may also
entail certain risks, such as possible currency blockages or transfer
restrictions, and the difficulty of enforcing rights in other countries.
Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from
the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of
inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of
payments position.
These considerations generally are more of a concern in developing
countries. For example, the possibility of revolution and the dependence on
foreign economic assistance may be greater in those countries than in developed
countries. The management of the Fund seeks to mitigate the risks associated
with these considerations through diversification and active professional
management. Although investments in companies domiciled in developing countries
may be subject to potentially greater risks than investments in developed
countries, the Fund will not invest in any securities of issuers located in
developing countries if the securities, in the judgment of the Adviser, are
speculative.
Investments in foreign securities usually will involve currencies of
foreign countries. Moreover, the Fund may temporarily hold funds in bank
deposits in foreign currencies during the completion of investment programs and
the value of the assets for the Fund, as measured in U.S. dollars, may be
affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign
3
<PAGE>
currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations, and the Fund may incur
costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. Although the
Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, the Fund does not intend
to convert its holdings of foreign currencies, if any, into U.S. dollars on a
daily basis. The Fund may do so from time to time, and investors should be aware
of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not
charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference
(the "spread") between the prices at which they are buying and selling various
currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at
one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to
resell that currency to the dealer. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency
exchange transactions, if any, either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot
rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or through forward
foreign currency exchange contracts.
To the extent that the Fund invests in foreign securities, the Fund's
share price could reflect the movements of both the different stock and bond
markets in which it is invested and the currencies in which the investments are
denominated: the strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar against foreign
currencies could account for part of the Fund's investment performance.
Debt Securities. When the Adviser believes that it is appropriate to do so in
order to achieve the Fund's objective of long-term capital appreciation, the
Fund may invest in debt securities, including bonds of private issuers.
Portfolio debt investments will be selected on the basis of, among other things,
credit quality, and the fundamental outlooks for currency, economic and interest
rate trends, taking into account the ability to hedge a degree of currency or
local bond price risk. The Fund may purchase "investment-grade" bonds, rated
Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody's or AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or, if unrated, judged
to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser.
The principal risks involved with investments in bonds include interest
rate risk, credit risk and pre-payment risk. Interest rate risk refers to the
likely decline in the value of bonds as interest rates rise. Generally,
longer-term securities are more susceptible to changes in value as a result of
interest-rate changes than are shorter-term securities. Credit risk refers to
the risk that an issuer of a bond may default with respect to the payment of
principal and interest. The lower a bond is rated, the more it is considered to
be a speculative or risky investment. Pre-payment risk is commonly associated
with pooled debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities and asset backed
securities, but may affect other debt securities as well. When the underlying
debt obligations are prepaid ahead of schedule, the return on the security will
be lower than expected. Pre-payment rates usually increase when interest rates
are falling.
High Yield, High Risk Securities. Below investment-grade securities (commonly
referred to as "junk bonds") (rated below Baa by Moody's and below BBB by S&P)
or unrated securities of equivalent quality in the Adviser's judgment, carry a
high degree of risk (including the possibility of default or bankruptcy of the
issuers of such securities), generally involve greater volatility of price and
risk of principal and income, may be less liquid and more difficult to value
than securities in the higher ratings categories and are considered speculative.
The lower the ratings of such debt securities the greater their risks render
them like equity securities. See the Appendix to this Statement of Additional
Information for a more complete description of the ratings assigned by ratings
organizations and their respective characteristics.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in debt securities rated
below investment-grade but will invest no more than 10% of its assets in
securities rated B or lower by Moody's or by S&P and may not invest more than 5%
of its assets in securities which are rated C by Moody's or D by S&P or of
equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser.
An economic downturn could disrupt the high yield market and impair the
ability of issuers to repay principal and interest. Also, an increase in
interest rates could adversely affect the value of such obligations held by the
Fund. Prices and yields of high yield securities will fluctuate over time and
may affect the Fund's net asset value. In addition, investments in high yield
zero coupon or pay-in-kind bonds, rather than income-bearing high yield
securities, may be more speculative and may be subject to greater fluctuations
in value due to changes in interest rates.
The trading market for high yield securities may be thin to the extent
that there is no established retail secondary market or because of a decline in
the value of such securities. A thin trading market may limit the ability of the
Fund to accurately value high yield securities in the Fund's portfolio and to
dispose of those securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions may
decrease the value and liquidity of high yield securities. These securities may
also involve special registration responsibilities, liabilities and costs.
Credit quality in the high-yield securities market can change suddenly
and unexpectedly and even recently issued credit ratings may not fully reflect
the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security. For these reasons,
it is
4
<PAGE>
the policy of the Adviser not to rely exclusively on ratings issued by
established credit rating agencies, but to supplement such ratings with its own
independent and on-going review of credit quality. The achievement of the Fund's
investment objective may be more dependent on the Adviser's credit analysis than
is the case for higher quality bonds. Should the rating of a portfolio security
be downgraded the Adviser will determine whether it is in the best interest of
the Fund to retain or dispose of the security.
Prices for below investment-grade securities may be affected by
legislative and regulatory developments. For example, federal rules require
savings and loan institutions to gradually reduce their holdings of this type of
security. Also, Congress has from time to time considered legislation, which
would restrict or eliminate the corporate tax deduction for interest payments in
these securities and regulate corporate restructurings. Such legislation may
significantly depress the prices of outstanding securities of this type. For
more information regarding tax issues related to high yield securities see
"TAXES."
Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in convertible securities, that is,
bonds, notes, debentures, preferred stocks and other securities which are
convertible into common stock. Investments in convertible securities can provide
an opportunity for capital appreciation and/or income through interest and
dividend payments by virtue of their conversion or exchange features. The Fund
will limit its purchases of convertible securities to debt securities
convertible into common stocks.
The convertible securities in which the Fund may invest are either
fixed income or zero coupon debt securities, which may be converted or exchanged
at a stated or determinable exchange ratio into underlying shares of common
stock. The exchange ratio for any particular convertible security may be
adjusted from time to time due to stock splits, dividends, spin-offs, other
corporate distributions or scheduled changes in the exchange ratio. Convertible
debt securities and convertible preferred stocks, until converted, have general
characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. Although to a lesser
extent than with debt securities generally, the market value of convertible
securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to
increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion or
exchange feature, the market value of convertible securities typically changes
as the market value of the underlying common stocks changes, and, therefore,
also tends to follow movements in the general market for equity securities. A
unique feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the
underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade
increasingly on a yield basis, and so may not experience market value declines
to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the
underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend
to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock, although
typically not as much as the underlying common stock. While no securities
investments are without risk, investments in convertible securities generally
entail less risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer.
As debt securities, convertible securities are investments, which
provide for a stream of income (or in the case of zero coupon securities,
accretion of income) with generally higher yields than common stocks. Of course,
like all debt securities, there can be no assurance of income or principal
payments because the issuers of the convertible securities may default on their
obligations. Convertible securities generally offer lower yields than
non-convertible securities of similar quality because of their conversion or
exchange features.
Convertible securities generally are subordinated to other similar but
non-convertible securities of the same issuer, although convertible bonds, as
corporate debt obligations, enjoy seniority in right of payment to all equity
securities, and convertible preferred stock is senior to common stock, of the
same issuer. However, because of the subordination feature, convertible bonds
and convertible preferred stock typically have lower ratings than similar
non-convertible securities.
Convertible securities may be issued as fixed income obligations that
pay current income or as zero coupon notes and bonds, including Liquid Yield
Option Notes ("LYONs"). Zero coupon securities pay no cash income and are sold
at substantial discounts from their value at maturity. When held to maturity,
their entire income, which consists of accretion of discount, comes from the
difference between the purchase price and their value at maturity. Zero coupon
convertible securities offer the opportunity for capital appreciation as
increases (or decreases) in market value of such securities closely follows the
movements in the market value of the underlying common stock. Zero coupon
convertible securities are generally expected to be less volatile than the
underlying common stocks as they are usually issued with short to medium length
maturities (15 years or less) and are issued with options and/or redemption
features exercisable by the holder of the obligation entitling the holder to
redeem the obligation and receive a defined cash payment.
5
<PAGE>
Illiquid Securities. The Fund may occasionally purchase securities other than in
the open market. While such purchases may often offer attractive opportunities
for investment not otherwise available on the open market, the securities so
purchased are often "restricted securities", i.e., securities which cannot be
sold to the public without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or the
availability of an exemption from registration (such as Rules 144 or 144A), or
which are "not readily marketable" because they are subject to other legal or
contractual delays in or restrictions on resale. The absence of a trading market
can make it difficult to ascertain a market value for these investments. This
investment practice, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the level of
illiquidity of the Fund. It is the Fund's policy that illiquid securities
(including repurchase agreements of more than seven days duration, certain
restricted securities, and other securities which are not readily marketable)
may not constitute, at the time of purchase, more than 15% of the value of the
Fund's net assets. The Fund's Board of Trustees has approved guidelines for use
by the Adviser in determining whether a security is illiquid.
The absence of a trading market can make it difficult to ascertain a
market value for illiquid investments. Disposing of illiquid investments may
involve time-consuming negotiation and legal expenses, and it may be difficult
or impossible for the Fund to sell them promptly at an acceptable price. The
Fund may have to bear the extra expense of registering such securities for
resale and the risk of substantial delay in effecting such registration. Also
market quotations are less readily available. The judgment of the Adviser may at
times play a greater role in valuing these securities than in the case of
unrestricted securities.
Generally speaking, restricted securities may be sold only to qualified
institutional buyers, or in a privately negotiated transaction to a limited
number of purchasers, or in limited quantities after they have been held for a
specified period of time and other conditions are met pursuant to an exemption
from registration, or in a public offering for which a registration statement is
in effect under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933 when selling restricted
securities to the public, and in such event the Fund may be liable to purchasers
of such securities if the registration statement prepared by the issuer, or the
prospectus forming a part of it, is materially inaccurate or misleading.
Borrowing. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will not borrow money,
except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"),
as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having
jurisdiction, from time to time. While the Trustees do not currently intend for
the Fund to borrow for investment leverage purposes, if such a strategy were
implemented in the future it would increase the Fund's volatility and the risk
of loss in a declining market. Borrowing by the Fund will involve special risk
considerations. Although the principal of the Fund's borrowings will be fixed,
the Fund's assets may change in value during the time a borrowing is
outstanding, thus increasing exposure to capital risk.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with any
member bank of the Federal Reserve System or any broker/dealer which is
recognized as a reporting government securities dealer if the creditworthiness
of the bank or broker/dealer has been determined by the Adviser to be at least
equal to that of issuers of commercial paper rated within the two highest grades
assigned by Moody's or by S&P.
A repurchase agreement provides a means for the Fund to earn income on
funds for periods as short as overnight. It is an arrangement under which the
Fund acquires a debt security ("Obligation") and the seller agrees, at the time
of sale, to repurchase the Obligation at a specified time and price. Obligations
subject to a repurchase agreement are held in a segregated account and the value
of such Obligations kept at least equal to the repurchase price on a daily
basis. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the
difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may
be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the Fund together with the
repurchase price upon repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund is
unrelated to the interest rate on the Obligation subject to the repurchase
agreement. Obligations will be held by the Fund's custodian or in the Federal
Reserve Book Entry system.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a
loan from the Fund to the seller of the Obligation subject to the repurchase
agreement and is therefore subject to the Fund's investment restriction
applicable to loans. It is not clear whether a court would consider the
Obligation purchased by the Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being
owned by the Fund or as being collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller.
In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with
respect to the seller of the Obligation before repurchase of the Obligation
under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs
before being able to sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or
decline in price of the Obligation. If the court characterizes the transaction
as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the Obligation,
the Fund may be required to
6
<PAGE>
return the Obligation to the seller's estate and be treated as an unsecured
creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the Fund would risk losing
some or all of the principal and income involved in the transaction. As with any
unsecured debt instrument purchased for the Fund, the Adviser seeks to minimize
the risk of loss through repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness
of the obligor, in this case the seller of the Obligation. Apart from the risk
of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller
may fail to repurchase the Obligation, in which case the Fund may incur a loss
if the proceeds to the Fund of the sale to a third party are less than the
repurchase price. However, if the market value of the Obligation subject to the
repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including
interest), the Fund will direct the seller of the Obligation to deliver
additional securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the
repurchase agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. It is possible
that the Fund will be unsuccessful in seeking to impose on the seller a
contractual obligation to deliver additional securities.
Depository Receipts. The Fund may also invest in Standard and Poor's Depository
Receipts ("SPDRs"). SPDRs should typically trade like a share of common stock
and provide investment results that generally correspond to the price and yield
performance of the component common stocks of the S&P 500. There can be no
assurance, however, that this can be accomplished as it may not be possible for
the SPDRs portfolio to replicate the composition and relative weightings of the
securities of the S&P 500. SPDRs are subject to the risks of an investment in a
broadly based portfolio of large-capitalization common stocks, including the
risk that the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely
affecting the value of such investment. SPDRs are also subject to risks other
than those associated with an investment in such a broadly based portfolio in
that the selection of the stocks included in the SPDRs portfolio may affect
trading in SPDRs, as compared with trading in a broadly based portfolio of
common stocks. In addition, there can be no assurance that that SPDRs will
experience similar trading patterns.
Warrants. The Fund may invest in warrants up to 5% of the value of its
respective net assets. The holder of a warrant has the right, until the warrant
expires, to purchase a given number of shares of a particular issuer at a
specified price. Such investments can provide a greater potential for profit or
loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security. Prices of
warrants do not necessarily move, however, in tandem with the prices of the
underlying securities and are, therefore, considered speculative investments.
Warrants pay no dividends and confer no rights other than a purchase option.
Thus, if a warrant held by a Fund were not exercised by the date of its
expiration, the Fund would lose the entire purchase price of the warrant.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells
a portfolio instrument to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in
return for cash and agrees to repurchase the instrument at a particular price
and time. While a reverse repurchase agreement is outstanding, the Fund will
maintain liquid assets in a segregated custodial account to cover its obligation
under the agreement. The Fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements only
with parties whose creditworthiness has been found satisfactory by the Adviser.
Such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of the Fund's
assets and may be viewed as a form of leverage.
Zero Coupon Securities. The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities, which pay
no cash income and are sold at substantial discounts from their value at
maturity. When held to maturity, their entire income, which consists of
accretion of discount, comes from the difference between the issue price and
their value at maturity. Zero coupon securities are subject to greater market
value fluctuations from changing interest rates than debt obligations of
comparable maturities which make current distributions of interest (cash). Zero
coupon convertible securities offer the opportunity for capital appreciation as
increases (or decreases) in market value of such securities closely follow the
movements in the market value of the underlying common stock. Zero coupon
convertible securities generally are expected to be less volatile than the
underlying common stocks as they usually are issued with short maturities (15
years or less) and are issued with options and/or redemption features
exercisable by the holder of the obligation entitling the holder to redeem the
obligation and receive a defined cash payment.
Zero coupon securities include securities issued directly by the U.S.
Treasury, and U.S. Treasury bonds or notes and their unmatured interest coupons
and receipts for their underlying principal ("coupons") which have been
separated by their holder, typically a custodian bank or investment brokerage
firm. A holder will separate the interest coupons from the underlying principal
(the "corpus") of the U.S. Treasury security. A number of securities firms and
banks have stripped the interest coupons and receipts and then resold them in
custodial receipt programs with a number of different names, including "Treasury
Income Growth Receipts" ("TIGRS") and Certificate of Accrual on Treasuries
("CATS"). The underlying U.S. Treasury bonds and notes themselves are held in
book-entry form at the Federal Reserve Bank or, in the case of bearer securities
(i.e., unregistered securities which are owned ostensibly by the bearer or
holder thereof), in trust on behalf of the owners thereof. Counsel to the
underwriters of these certificates or other evidences of ownership of
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the U.S. Treasury securities has stated that for federal tax and securities
purposes, in their opinion purchasers of such certificates, such as the Fund,
most likely will be deemed the beneficial holders of the underlying U.S.
Government securities.
The Treasury has facilitated transfers of ownership of zero coupon
securities by accounting separately for the beneficial ownership of particular
interest coupon and corpus payments on Treasury securities through the Federal
Reserve book-entry record-keeping system. The Federal Reserve program, as
established by the Treasury Department, is known as "STRIPS" or "Separate
Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities." Under the STRIPS
program, the Fund will be able to have its beneficial ownership of zero coupon
securities recorded directly in the book-entry record-keeping system in lieu of
having to hold certificates or other evidences of ownership of the underlying
U.S. Treasury securities.
When U.S. Treasury obligations have been stripped of their unmatured
interest coupons by the holder, the principal or corpus is sold at a deep
discount because the buyer receives only the right to receive a future fixed
payment on the security and does not receive any rights to periodic interest
(cash) payments. Once stripped or separated, the corpus and coupons may be sold
separately. Typically, the coupons are sold separately or grouped with other
coupons with like maturity dates and sold in such bundled form. Purchasers of
stripped obligations acquire, in effect, discount obligations that are
economically identical to the zero coupon securities that the Treasury sells.
(See "TAXES.")
Strategic Transactions and Derivatives. The Fund may, but is not required to,
utilize various other investment strategies as described below to hedge various
market risks (such as interest rates, currency exchange rates, and broad or
specific equity or fixed-income market movements), to manage the effective
maturity or duration of fixed-income securities of the Fund's portfolio, or to
enhance potential gain. These strategies may be executed through the use of
derivative contracts. Such strategies are generally accepted as a part of modern
portfolio management and are regularly utilized by many mutual funds and other
institutional investors. Techniques and instruments may change over time as new
instruments and strategies are developed or regulatory changes occur.
In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may
purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on
securities, equity and fixed-income indices and other financial instruments,
purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon, enter into
various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and
enter into various currency transactions such as currency forward contracts,
currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currencies or currency
futures (collectively, all the above are called "Strategic Transactions").
Strategic Transactions may be used without limit to attempt to protect against
possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased
for the Fund's portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange
rate fluctuations, to protect the Fund's unrealized gains in the value of its
portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment
purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of fixed-income
securities in the Fund's portfolio, or to establish a position in the
derivatives markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling
particular securities. Some Strategic Transactions may also be used to enhance
potential gain although no more than 5% of the Fund's assets will be committed
to Strategic Transactions entered into for non-hedging purposes. Any or all of
these investment techniques may be used at any time and in any combination, and
there is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather
than another, as use of any Strategic Transaction is a function of numerous
variables including market conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these
Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the Adviser's ability to
predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will
comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these
strategies, techniques and instruments. Strategic Transactions involving
financial futures and options thereon will be purchased, sold or entered into
only for bona fide hedging, risk management or portfolio management or return
enhancement purposes and not to create leveraged exposure in the Fund.
Strategic Transactions, including derivative contracts, have risks
associated with them including possible default by the other party to the
transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the Adviser's view as to certain
market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Strategic
Transactions could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. Use
of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale or
purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices higher than
(in the case of put options) or lower than (in the case of call options) current
market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its
investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The
use of currency transactions can result in the Fund incurring losses as a result
of a number of factors including the imposition of exchange controls, suspension
of settlements, or the inability to deliver or receive a specified currency. The
use of options and futures transactions entails certain other risks. In
particular, the
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variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and
price movements in the related portfolio position of the Fund creates the
possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be greater than gains in
the value of the Fund's position. In addition, futures and options markets may
not be liquid in all circumstances and certain over-the-counter options may have
no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close
out a transaction without incurring substantial losses, if at all. Although the
use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the
risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same
time they tend to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase
in value of such position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for
futures contracts would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than
would purchases of options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the
initial premium. Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would
reduce net asset value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than
if the Strategic Transactions had not been utilized.
General Characteristics of Options. Put options and call options typically have
similar structural characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the
underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following
general discussion relates to each of the particular types of options discussed
in greater detail below. In addition, many Strategic Transactions involving
options require segregation of the Fund assets in special accounts, as described
below under "Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts."
A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a
premium, the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying
security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price.
For instance, the Fund's purchase of a put option on a security might be
designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some
cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value
by giving a Fund the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise price.
A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the
right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument
at the exercise price. A Fund's purchase of a call option on a security,
financial future, index, currency or other instrument might be intended to
protect the Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying instrument
that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at which it may
purchase such instrument. An American style put or call option may be exercised
at any time during the option period while a European style put or call option
may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior thereto.
The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell exchange listed options and
over-the-counter options ("OTC options"). Exchange listed options are issued by
a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), which
guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to such options.
The discussion below uses the OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other
financial intermediaries.
With certain exceptions, OCC issued and exchange listed options
generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or currency,
although in the future cash settlement may become available. Index options and
Eurodollar instruments are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the
option is "in-the-money" (i.e., where the value of the underlying instrument
exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put
option, the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised.
Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument
through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by
entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in
ownership of the new option.
The Fund's ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller
of an OCC or exchange listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the
liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a
liquid option market on an exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in
certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii)
trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to
particular classes or series of options or underlying securities including
reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal operations of the
OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to
handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to
discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options),
in which event the relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease
to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange would generally continue
to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours
during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that
the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial
instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the
underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.
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OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial
institutions or other parties ("Counterparties") through direct bilateral
agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange listed options, which
generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all of the terms of
an OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise
price, premium, guarantees and security, are set by negotiation of the parties.
The Fund will only sell OTC options (other than OTC currency options) that are
subject to a buy-back provision permitting the Fund to require the Counterparty
to sell the option back to the Fund at a formula price within seven days. The
Fund expects generally to enter into OTC options that have cash settlement
provisions, although it is not required to do so.
Unless the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or
guaranty function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty fails to
make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying
an OTC option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash
settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund
will lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit
of the transaction. Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of
each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the
Counterparty's credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC
option will be satisfied. The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions only
with U.S. government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York as "primary dealers" or broker/dealers, domestic or foreign banks or
other financial institutions which have received (or the guarantors of the
obligation of which have received) a short-term credit rating of A-1 from S&P or
P-1 from Moody's or an equivalent rating from any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization ("NRSRO") or, in the case of OTC currency
transactions, are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Adviser.
The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") currently takes the
position that OTC options purchased by a Fund, and portfolio securities
"covering" the amount of the Fund's obligation pursuant to an OTC option sold by
it (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if any) are
illiquid, and are subject to the Federal limits for investing assets in them.
If the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve
as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in
the value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will
increase the Fund's income. The sale of put options can also provide income.
The Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities including
U.S. Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt
securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar
instruments that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the
over-the-counter markets, and on securities indices, currencies and futures
contracts. All calls sold by the Fund must be "covered" (i.e., the Fund must own
the securities or futures contract subject to the call) or must meet the asset
segregation requirements described below as long as the call is outstanding.
Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against
loss, a call sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to
possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the
underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or
instrument which it might otherwise have sold.
The Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities including U.S.
Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt
securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar
instruments (whether or not it holds the above securities in its portfolio), and
on securities, indices, currencies and futures contracts other than futures on
individual corporate debt and individual equity securities. The Fund will not
sell put options if, as a result, more than 50% of the Fund's assets would be
required to be segregated to cover its potential obligations under such put
options other than those with respect to futures and options thereon. In selling
put options, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying
security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.
General Characteristics of Futures. The Fund may enter into financial futures
contracts or purchase or sell put and call options on such futures as a hedge
against anticipated interest rate, currency or equity market changes, for
duration management and for risk management purposes. Futures are generally
bought and sold on the commodities exchanges where they are listed with payment
of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures
contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the
buyer the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a
specific future time for a specified price (or, with respect to index futures
and Eurodollar instruments, the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts
are similar to options on securities except that an option on a futures contract
gives the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a
position in a futures contract and obligates the seller to deliver such
position.
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The Fund's use of financial futures and options thereon will in all
cases be consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and in particular
the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and will
be entered into only for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration
management) or other portfolio management and return enhancement purposes.
Typically, maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires
the Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary as security for its
obligations an amount of cash or other specified assets (initial margin) which
initially is typically 1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be
higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may
be required to be deposited thereafter on a daily basis as the mark to market
value of the contract fluctuates. The purchase of an option on financial futures
involves payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on
the part of the Fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it
will be obligated to post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation
margin) for the resulting futures position just as it would for any position.
Futures contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an
offsetting transaction but there can be no assurance that the position can be
offset prior to settlement at an advantageous price, nor that delivery will
occur.
The Fund will not enter into a futures contract or related option
(except for closing transactions) if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the
amount of its initial margin and premiums on open futures contracts and options
thereon would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets (taken at current value);
however, in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of the
purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5%
limitation. The segregation requirements with respect to futures contracts and
options thereon are described below.
Options on Securities Indices and Other Financial Indices. The Fund also may
purchase and sell call and put options on securities indices and other financial
indices and in so doing can achieve many of the same objectives it would achieve
through the sale or purchase of options on individual securities or other
instruments. Options on securities indices and other financial indices are
similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than
settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, they settle by cash
settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive,
upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index
upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than,
in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option (except if, in the case
of an OTC option, physical delivery is specified). This amount of cash is equal
to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the
option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the
option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of
this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price
movements in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or
other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price
movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on
securities.
Currency Transactions. The Fund may engage in currency transactions with
Counterparties in order to hedge the value of portfolio holdings denominated in
particular currencies against fluctuations in relative value. Currency
transactions include forward currency contracts, exchange listed currency
futures, exchange listed and OTC options on currencies, and currency swaps. A
forward currency contract involves a privately negotiated obligation to purchase
or sell (with delivery generally required) a specific currency at a future date,
which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon
by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A currency swap is
an agreement to exchange cash flows based on the notional difference among two
or more currencies and operates similarly to an interest rate swap, which is
described below. The Fund may enter into currency transactions with
Counterparties which have received (or the guarantors of the obligations which
have received) a credit rating of A-1 or P-1 by S&P or Moody's, respectively, or
that have an equivalent rating from a NRSRO or are determined to be of
equivalent credit quality by the Adviser.
The Fund's dealings in forward currency contracts and other currency
transactions such as futures, options, options on futures and swaps will be
limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio
positions. Transaction hedging is entering into a currency transaction with
respect to specific assets or liabilities of the Fund, which will generally be
used in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities or the
receipt of income therefrom. Position hedging is entering into a currency
transaction with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or
generally quoted in that currency.
The Fund will not enter into a transaction to hedge currency exposure
to an extent greater, after netting all transactions intended wholly or
partially to offset other transactions, than the aggregate market value (at the
time of entering into the transaction) of the securities held in its portfolio
that are denominated or generally quoted in or currently convertible into such
currency, other than with respect to proxy hedging or cross hedging as described
below.
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The Fund may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into transactions
to purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value
relative to other currencies to which thd Fund has or in which the Fund expects
to have portfolio exposure.
To reduce the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of existing
or anticipated holdings of portfolio securities, the Fund may also engage in
proxy hedging. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which the Fund's
portfolio is exposed is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the dollar. Proxy
hedging entails entering into a commitment or option to sell a currency whose
changes in value are generally considered to be correlated to a currency or
currencies in which some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities are or are
expected to be denominated, in exchange for U.S. dollars. The amount of the
commitment or option would not exceed the value of the Fund's securities
denominated in correlated currencies. For example, if the Adviser considers that
the Austrian schilling is correlated to the German deutschemark (the "D-mark"),
the Fund holds securities denominated in schillings and the Adviser believes
that the value of schillings will decline against the U.S. dollar, the Adviser
may enter into a commitment or option to sell D-marks and buy dollars. Currency
hedging involves some of the same risks and considerations as other transactions
with similar instruments. Currency transactions can result in losses to the Fund
if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or in a direction
that is not anticipated. Further, there is the risk that the perceived
correlation between various currencies may not be present or may not be present
during the particular time that the Fund is engaging in proxy hedging. If the
Fund enters into a currency hedging transaction, the Fund will comply with the
asset segregation requirements described below.
Risks of Currency Transactions. Currency transactions are subject to risks
different from those of other portfolio transactions. Because currency control
is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic
planning and policy, government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations
or exchange restrictions imposed by governments can negatively affect purchases
and sales of currency and related instruments. These can result in losses to the
Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or funds in settlement of
obligations and could also cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered
useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring transaction
costs. Buyers and sellers of currency futures are subject to the same risks that
apply to the use of futures generally. Further, settlement of a currency futures
contract for the purchase of most currencies must occur at a bank based in the
issuing nation. Trading options on currency futures is relatively new, and the
ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to the
maintenance of a liquid market, which may not always be available. Currency
exchange rates may fluctuate based on factors extrinsic to that country's
economy.
Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including
multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency
transactions (including forward currency contracts) and multiple interest rate
transactions and any combination of futures, options, currency and interest rate
transactions ("component" transactions), instead of a single Strategic
Transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of
the Adviser, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A combined
transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of
its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered
into based on the Adviser's judgment that the combined strategies will reduce
risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management
goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or
hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.
Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. Among the Strategic Transactions into which the
Fund may enter are interest rate, currency and index swaps and the purchase or
sale of related caps, floors and collars. The Fund expects to enter into these
transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment
or portion of its portfolio, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a
duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of
securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund will not
sell interest rate caps or floors where it does not own securities or other
instruments providing the income stream the Fund may be obligated to pay.
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating
rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of
principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows on a notional
amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential among
them and an index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on a notional amount
based on changes in the values of the reference indices. The purchase of a cap
entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from
the party selling such cap to the extent that a specified index exceeds a
predetermined interest rate or amount. The purchase of a floor entitles the
purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party
selling such floor to the extent that a specified index falls below a
predetermined interest rate or amount.
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A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return
within a predetermined range of interest rates or values.
The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two
payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates
specified in the instrument, with a Fund receiving or paying, as the case may
be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Adviser and the Funds believe
such obligations do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and,
accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to its borrowing restrictions.
The Funds will not enter into any swap, cap, floor or collar transaction unless,
at the time of entering into such transaction, the unsecured long-term debt of
the Counterparty, combined with any credit enhancements, is rated at least A by
S&P or Moody's or has an equivalent rating from another NRSRO or is determined
to be of equivalent credit quality by the Adviser. If there is a default by the
Counterparty, a Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements
related to the transaction. The swap market has grown substantially in recent
years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as
principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result,
the swap market has become relatively liquid. Caps, floors and collars are more
recent innovations for which standardized documentation has not yet been fully
developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps.
Eurodollar Instruments. The Fund may make investments in Eurodollar instruments.
Eurodollar instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts or options
thereon which are linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"),
although foreign currency-denominated instruments are available from time to
time. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for
the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. The
Funds might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge
against changes in LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income
instruments are linked.
Risks of Strategic Transactions Outside the U.S. When conducted outside the
U.S., Strategic Transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as in the U.S.,
may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to
the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign
securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also
could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and
economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the U.S. of data on which to
make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon economic
events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the U.S., (iv)
the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and
margin requirements than in the U.S., and (v) lower trading volume and
liquidity.
Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts. Many Strategic Transactions, in
addition to other requirements, require that the Fund segregate cash or liquid
assets with its custodian to the extent that obligations of the Fund are not
otherwise "covered" through ownership of the underlying security, financial
instrument or currency. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by
the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by
the securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered, or, subject to
any regulatory restrictions, an amount of cash or liquid assets at least equal
to the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the custodian.
The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are
substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. For
example, a call option written by the Fund will require the Fund to hold the
securities subject to the call (or securities convertible into the needed
securities without additional consideration) or to segregate cash or liquid
assets sufficient to purchase and deliver the securities if the call is
exercised. A call option sold by the Fund on an index will require the Fund to
own portfolio securities which correlate with the index or to segregate cash or
liquid assets equal to the excess of the index value over the exercise price on
a current basis. A put option written by the Fund requires the Fund to segregate
cash or liquid assets equal to the exercise price.
Except when the Fund enters into a forward contract for the purchase or
sale of a security denominated in a particular currency, which requires no
segregation, a currency contract which obligates the Fund to buy or sell
currency will generally require the Fund to hold an amount of that currency or
liquid assets denominated in that currency equal to the Fund's obligations or to
segregate cash or liquid assets equal to the amount of the Fund's obligation.
OTC options entered into by the Fund, including those on securities,
currency, financial instruments or indices and OCC issued and exchange listed
index options, will generally provide for cash settlement. As a result, when the
Fund sells these instruments it will only segregate an amount of cash or liquid
assets equal to its accrued net obligations, as there is no requirement for
payment or delivery of amounts in excess of the net amount. These amounts will
equal 100% of the exercise price in the case of a non cash-settled put, the same
as an OCC guaranteed listed option sold by the Fund, or the in-the-money amount
plus any sell-back formula amount in the case of a cash-settled put or call. In
addition,
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when the Fund sells a call option on an index at a time when the in-the-money
amount exceeds the exercise price, the Fund will segregate, until the option
expires or is closed out, cash or cash equivalents equal in value to such
excess. OCC issued and exchange listed options sold by the Fund other than those
above generally settle with physical delivery, or with an election of either
physical delivery or cash settlement and, in connection with such options, the
Fund will segregate an amount of cash or liquid assets equal to the full value
of the option. OTC options settling with physical delivery or with an election
of either physical delivery or cash settlement will be treated the same as other
options settling with physical delivery.
In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon, the Fund must
deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to
segregating cash or liquid assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase
or provide securities or currencies, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration
of an index-based futures contract. Such liquid assets may consist of cash, cash
equivalents, liquid debt or equity securities or other acceptable assets.
With respect to swaps, the Fund will accrue the net amount of the
excess, if any, of its obligations over its entitlements with respect to each
swap on a daily basis and will segregate an amount of cash or liquid assets
having a value equal to the accrued excess. Caps, floors and collars require
segregation of assets with a value equal to the Fund's net obligation, if any.
Strategic Transactions may be covered by other means when consistent
with applicable regulatory policies. The Fund may also enter into offsetting
transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated assets,
equals its net outstanding obligation in related options and Strategic
Transactions. For example, the Fund could purchase a put option if the strike
price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put option
sold by the Fund. Moreover, if the Fund held a futures or forward contract
instead of segregating cash or liquid assets, it could purchase a put option on
the same futures or forward contract with a strike price as high or higher than
the price of the contract held. Other Strategic Transactions may also be offset
in combinations. If the offsetting transaction terminates at the time of or
after the primary transaction no segregation is required, but if it terminates
prior to such time, cash or liquid assets equal to any remaining obligation
would need to be segregated.
Euro Conversion
The introduction of a new European currency, the Euro, may result in
uncertainties for European securities and for the operation of the Fund. The
Euro was introduced on January 1, 1999 by eleven member countries of the
European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The introduction of the Euro
requires the redenomination of European debt and equity securities over a period
of time, which may result in various accounting differences and/or tax
treatments. Additional questions are raised by the fact that certain other
European Community members, including the United Kingdom, did not officially
implement the Euro on January 1, 1999.
The Adviser is actively working to address Euro-related issues and
understands that other key service providers are taking similar steps. At this
time, however, no one knows precisely what the degree of impact will be. To the
extent that the market impact or effect on fund holdings is negative, it could
hurt the Fund's performance.
Investment Restrictions
Unless specified to the contrary, the following restrictions are
fundamental policies of the Fund and may not be changed without the approval of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund which, under the
1940 Act and the rules thereunder and as used in this Statement of Additional
Information, means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund
present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares
of the Fund are present in person or represented by proxy; or (2) more than 50%
of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
If a percentage restriction on investment or utilization of assets as
set forth under "Investment Restrictions" and "Other Investment Policies" above
is adhered to at the time an investment is made, later change in percentage
resulting from changes in the value or the total cost of the Fund's assets will
not be considered a violation of the restriction.
The Fund has elected to be classified as a diversified series of an
open-end investment company.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not:
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(1) borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as
amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory
authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;
(2) issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940
Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory
authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;
(3) concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that
term is used in the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted
or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from
time to time;
(4) engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by
others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be
an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio
securities;
(5) purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include
securities of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages
or investments secured by real estate or interests therein,
except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to
sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund's ownership
of securities;
(6) purchase physical commodities or contracts relating to
physical commodities; or
(7) make loans except as permitted under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by
regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
Other Investment Policies
The Trustees of the Trust have voluntarily adopted certain policies and
restrictions, which are observed in the conduct of the Fund's affairs. These
represent intentions of the Trustees based upon current circumstances. They
differ from fundamental investment policies in that they may be changed or
amended by action of the Trustees without requiring prior notice to or approval
of shareholders.
As a matter of nonfundamental policy, the Fund currently does not
intend to:
(a) borrow money in an amount greater than 5% of its total assets,
except (i) for temporary or emergency purposes and (ii) by
engaging in reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, or
other investments or transactions described in the Fund's
registration statement which may be deemed to be borrowings;
(b) enter into either reverse repurchase agreements or dollar
rolls in an amount greater than 5% of its total assets;
(c) purchase securities on margin or make short sales, except (i)
short sales against the box, (ii) in connection with arbitrage
transactions, (iii) for margin deposits in connection with
futures contracts, options or other permitted investments,
(iv) that transactions in futures contracts and options shall
not be deemed to constitute selling securities short, and (v)
that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be
necessary for the clearance of securities transactions;
(d) purchase options, unless the aggregate premiums paid on all
such options held by the Fund at any time do not exceed 20% of
its total assets; or sell put options, if as a result, the
aggregate value of the obligations underlying such put options
would exceed 50% of its total assets;
(e) enter into futures contracts or purchase options thereon
unless immediately after the purchase, the value of the
aggregate initial margin with respect to such futures
contracts entered into on behalf of the Fund and the premiums
paid for such options on futures contracts does not exceed 5%
of the fair market value of the Fund's total assets; provided
that in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time
of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in
computing the 5% limit;
(f) purchase warrants if as a result, such securities, taken at
the lower of cost or market value, would represent more than
5% of the value of the Fund's total assets (for this purpose,
warrants acquired in units or attached to securities will be
deemed to have no value); and
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(g) lend portfolio securities in an amount greater than 5% of its
total assets.
If a percentage restriction on investment or utilization of assets as
set forth under "Investment Restrictions" and "Other Investment Policies" above
is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a later change in percentage
resulting from changes in the value or the total cost of a Fund's assets will
not be considered a violation of the restriction.
In addition, other nonfundamental policies may be established from time
to time by the Trust's Trustees and would not require the approval of
shareholders.
PURCHASES
The Fund requires a $2,500 minimum initial investment and a minimum
subsequent investment of $100. The minimum investment requirements may be waived
or lowered for investments effected through banks and other institutions that
have entered into special arrangements with the Funds and for investments
effected on a group basis by certain other entities and their employees, such as
pursuant to a payroll deduction plan and for investments made in an Individual
Retirement Account offered by the Fund. Investment minimums may also be waived
for Trustees and officers of the Fund. The Fund and Scudder Investor Services,
Inc., and Scudder Financial Intermediary Services Group each reserve the right
to reject any purchase order. All funds will be invested in full and fractional
shares.
Additional Information About Opening An Account
Clients having a regular investment counsel account with the Adviser or
its affiliates and members of their immediate families, officers and employees
of the Adviser or of any affiliated organization and their immediate families,
members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and
banks may, if they prefer, subscribe initially for at least $2,500 of Fund
shares through Scudder Investor Services, Inc. (the "Distributor") by letter,
fax, or telephone.
Shareholders of other Scudder funds who have submitted an account
application and have certified a tax identification number, clients having a
regular investment counsel account with the Adviser or its affiliates and
members of their immediate families, officers and employees of the Adviser or of
any affiliated organization and their immediate families, members of the NASD
and banks may open an account by wire. These investors must call 1-800-SCUDDER
to get an account number. During the call, the investor will be asked to
indicate the Fund name, amount to be wired ($2,500 minimum), name of bank or
trust company from which the wire will be sent, the exact registration of the
new account, the tax identification or Social Security number, address and
telephone number. The investor must then call the bank to arrange a wire
transfer to The Scudder Funds, State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA
02110, ABA Number 011000028, DDA Account Number 9903-5552. The investor must
give the Scudder fund name, account name and the new account number. Finally,
the investor must send the completed and signed application to the Fund
promptly.
The minimum initial purchase amount may be less than $2,500 under
certain special plan accounts.
Minimum balances
Shareholders should maintain a share balance worth at least $2,500
($1,000 for fiduciary accounts such as IRAs, and custodial accounts such as
Uniform Gift to Minor Act, and Uniform Trust to Minor Act accounts), which
amount may be changed by the Board of Trustees. A shareholder may open an
account with at least $1,000 ($500 for fiduciary/custodial accounts), if an
automatic investment plan (AIP) of $100/month ($50/month for fiduciary/custodial
accounts) is established. Scudder group retirement plans and certain other
accounts have similar or lower minimum share balance requirements.
The Fund reserves the right, following 60 days' written notice to
applicable shareholders, to:
o assess an annual $10 per Fund charge (with the fee to be paid
to the Fund) for any non-fiduciary/non-custodial account
without an automatic investment plan (AIP) in place and a
balance of less than $2,500; and
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o redeem all shares in the Fund account below $1,000 where a
reduction in value has occurred due to a redemption, exchange
or transfer out of the account. The Fund will mail the
proceeds of the redeemed account to the shareholder.
Reductions in value that result solely from market activity will not
trigger an involuntary redemption. Shareholders with a combined household
account balance in any of the Scudder Funds of $100,000 or more, as well as
group retirement and certain other accounts will not be subject to a fee or
automatic redemption.
Fiduciary (e.g., IRA or Roth IRA) and custodial accounts (e.g., UGMA or
UTMA) with balances below $100 are subject to automatic redemption following 60
days' written notice to applicable shareholders.
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments
Subsequent purchase orders for $10,000 or more and for an amount not
greater than four times the value of the shareholder's account may be placed by
telephone, fax, etc. by established shareholders (except by Scudder Individual
Retirement Account (IRA), Scudder Horizon Plan, Scudder Profit Sharing and Money
Purchase Pension Plans, Scudder 401(k) and Scudder 403(b) Plan holders), members
of the NASD, and banks. Orders placed in this manner may be directed to any
office of the Distributor listed in the respective prospectus. A confirmation of
the purchase will be mailed out promptly following receipt of a request to buy.
Federal regulations require that payment be received within three business days.
If payment is not received within that time, the order is subject to
cancellation. In the event of such cancellation or cancellation at the
purchaser's request, the purchaser will be responsible for any loss incurred by
the Fund or the principal underwriter by reason of such cancellation. If the
purchaser is a shareholder, the Trust shall have the authority, as agent of the
shareholder, to redeem shares in the account in order to reimburse the relevant
Fund or the principal underwriter for the loss incurred. Net losses on such
transactions, which are not recovered from the purchaser, will be absorbed by
the principal underwriter. Any net profit on the liquidation of unpaid shares
will accrue to the relevant Fund.
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments by QuickBuy
Shareholders, whose predesignated bank account of record is a member of
the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) and who have elected to participate
in the QuickBuy program, may purchase shares of the Fund by telephone. Through
this service shareholders may purchase up to $250,000. To purchase shares by
QuickBuy, shareholders should call before the close of regular trading on the
Exchange, normally 4 p.m. eastern time. Proceeds in the amount of your purchase
will be transferred from your bank checking account two or three business days
following your call. For requests received by the close of regular trading on
the Exchange, shares will be purchased at the net asset value per share
calculated at the close of trading on the day of your call. QuickBuy requests
received after the close of regular trading on the Exchange will begin their
processing and be purchased at the net asset value calculated the following
business day. If you purchase shares by QuickBuy and redeem them within seven
days of the purchase, the Fund may hold the redemption proceeds for a period of
up to seven business days. If you purchase shares and there are insufficient
funds in your bank account the purchase will be canceled and you will be subject
to any losses or fees incurred in the transaction. QuickBuy transactions are not
available for most retirement plan accounts. However, QuickBuy transactions are
available for Scudder IRA accounts.
In order to request purchases by QuickBuy, shareholders must have
completed and returned to Scudder Service Corporation, the Transfer Agent
("Service Corporation" or "Transfer Agent") the application, including the
designation of a bank account from which the purchase payment will be debited.
New investors wishing to establish QuickBuy may so indicate on the application.
Existing shareholders that wish to add QuickBuy to their account may do so by
completing a QuickBuy Enrollment Form. After sending in an enrollment form
shareholders should allow for 15 days for this service to be available.
The Fund employs procedures, including recording telephone calls,
testing a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of telephone
transactions, designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent
that the Fund does not follow such procedures, it may be liable for losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be
liable for acting upon instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably
believes to be genuine.
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Checks
A certified check is not necessary, but checks are accepted subject to
collection at full face value in U.S. funds and must be drawn on or payable
through, an U.S. bank.
If shares are purchased by a check, which proves to be uncollectible,
the Trust reserves the right to cancel the purchase immediately and the
purchaser will be responsible for any loss incurred by a Fund or the principal
underwriter by reason of such cancellation. If the purchaser is a shareholder,
the Trust will have the authority, as agent of the shareholder, to redeem shares
in the account in order to reimburse a Fund or the principal underwriter for the
loss incurred. Investors whose orders have been canceled may be prohibited from
or restricted in placing future orders in any of the Scudder funds.
Wire Transfer of Federal Funds
To obtain the net asset value determined as of the close of regular
trading on the Exchange (normally 4 p.m. eastern time) on a selected day, your
bank must forward federal funds by wire transfer and provide the required
account information so as to be available to the Fund prior to 4 p.m.
The bank sending an investor's federal funds by bank wire may charge
for the service. Presently the Distributor pays a fee for receipt by State
Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian") of "wired funds," but the right
to charge investors for this service is reserved.
Boston banks are closed on certain holidays although the Exchange may
be open. These holidays include: Columbus Day (the 2nd Monday in October) and
Veterans Day (November 11). Investors are not able to purchase shares by wiring
federal funds on such holidays because the Custodian is not open to receive such
federal funds on behalf of a Fund.
Share Price
Purchases will be filled without sales charge at the net asset value
(per Share for Value Fund) next computed after receipt of the application in
good order. Net asset value normally will be computed as of the close of regular
trading on each day during which the Exchange is open for trading. Orders
received after the close of regular trading on the Exchange will be executed at
the next business day's net asset value. If the order has been placed by a
member of the NASD, other than the Distributor, it is the responsibility of that
member broker, rather than the Fund, to forward the purchase order to Scudder
Service Corporation (the "Transfer Agent") by the close of regular trading on
the Exchange.
Share Certificates
Due to the desire of Trust management to afford ease of redemption,
certificates will not be issued to indicate ownership in the Fund. Share
certificates now in a shareholder's possession may be sent to the Transfer Agent
for cancellation and credit to such shareholder's account. Shareholders who
prefer may hold the certificates in their possession until they wish to exchange
or redeem such shares.
Other Information
The Fund has authorized certain members of the NASD other than the
Distributor to accept purchase and redemption orders for the Fund's shares.
Those brokers may also designate other parties to accept purchase and redemption
orders on the Fund's behalf. Orders for purchase or redemption will be deemed to
have been received by a Fund when such brokers or their authorized designees
accept the orders. Subject to the terms of the contract between a Fund and the
broker, ordinarily orders will be priced at the respective Fund's or Scudder
Share's net asset value next computed after acceptance by such brokers or their
authorized designees. Further, if purchases or redemptions of a Fund's shares
are arranged and settlement is made at an investor's election through any other
authorized NASD member, that member may, at its discretion, charge a fee for
that service. The Board of Trustees and the Distributor, also the Funds'
principal underwriter, each has the right to limit the amount of purchases by,
and to refuse to sell to, any person. The Trustees and the Distributor may
suspend or terminate the offering of Fund shares at any time for any reason.
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The Tax Identification Number section of the application must be
completed when opening an account. Applications and purchase orders without a
correct certified tax identification number and certain other certified
information (e.g., from exempt investors, certification of exempt status) may be
returned to the investor if a certified tax identification number and certain
other required certificates are not supplied. The Fund reserves the right,
following 30 days' notice, to redeem all shares in accounts without a correct
certifiied Social Security or tax identification number. A shareholder may avoid
involuntary redemption by providing the Fund with a tax identification number
during the 30-day notice period.
The Trust may issue shares at net asset value in connection with any
merger or consolidation with, or acquisition of the assets of, any investment
company or personal holding company, subject to the requirements of the 1940
Act.
EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS
Exchanges
Exchanges are comprised of a redemption from one Scudder fund and a
purchase into another Scudder fund. The purchase side of the exchange either may
be an additional investment into an existing account or may involve opening a
new account in the other fund. When an exchange involves a new account, the new
account will be established with the same registration, tax identification
number, address, telephone redemption option, "Scudder Automated Information
Line" (SAIL) transaction authorization and dividend option as the existing
account. Other features will not carry over automatically to the new account.
Exchanges to a new fund account must be for a minimum of $2,500. When an
exchange represents an additional investment into an existing account, the
account receiving the exchange proceeds must have identical registration,
address, and account options/features as the account of origin. Exchanges into
an existing account must be for $100 or more. If the account receiving the
exchange proceeds is to be different in any respect, the exchange request must
be in writing and must contain an original signature guarantee as described
under "Transaction Information -- Signature guarantees" in the Fund's
prospectuses.
Exchange orders received before the close of regular trading on the
Exchange on any business day ordinarily will be executed at the respective net
asset values determined on that day. Exchange orders received after the close of
regular trading on the Exchange will be executed on the following business day.
Investors may also request, at no extra charge, to have exchanges
automatically executed on a predetermined schedule from one Scudder fund to an
existing account in another Scudder fund at current net asset value through
Scudder's Automatic Exchange Program. Exchanges must be for a minimum of $50.
Shareholders may add this free feature over the phone or in writing. Automatic
Exchanges will continue until the shareholder requests by telephone or in
writing to have the feature removed, or until the originating account is
depleted. The Trust and the Transfer Agent each reserves the right to suspend or
terminate the privilege of the Automatic Exchange Program at any time.
There is no charge to the shareholder for any exchange described above.
An exchange into another Scudder fund is a redemption of shares, and therefore
may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder, and the
proceeds of such an exchange may be subject to backup withholding. (See
"TAXES.")
Investors currently receive the exchange privilege, including exchange
by telephone, automatically without having to elect it. The Trust employs
procedures, including recording telephone calls, testing a caller's identity,
and sending written confirmation of telephone transactions, designed to give
reasonable assurance that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine,
and to discourage fraud. To the extent that the Trust does not follow such
procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
telephone instructions. The Trust will not be liable for acting upon
instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to be
genuine. The Trust and the Transfer Agent each reserves the right to suspend or
terminate the privilege of exchanging by telephone or fax at any time.
The Scudder funds into which investors may make an exchange are listed
under "THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS" herein. Before making an exchange,
shareholders should obtain from the Distributor a prospectus of the Scudder fund
into which the exchange is being contemplated. The exchange privilege may not be
available for certain Scudder funds or classes thereof. For more information,
please call 1-800-SCUDDER.
Scudder retirement plans may have different exchange requirements.
Please refer to appropriate plan literature.
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Redemption by Telephone
Shareholders currently receive the right, automatically without having
to elect it, to redeem by telephone up to $100,000 and have the proceeds mailed
to their address of record. Shareholders may request to have the proceeds mailed
or wired to their pre-designated bank account. In order to request redemptions
by telephone, shareholders must have completed and returned to the Transfer
Agent the application, including the designation of a bank account to which the
redemption proceeds are to be sent.
(a) NEW INVESTORS wishing to establish telephone redemption to a
predesignated bank account must complete the appropriate
section on the application.
(b) EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS (except those who are Scudder IRA,
Scudder Pension and Profit-Sharing, Scudder 401(k) and Scudder
403(b) Planholders) who wish to establish telephone redemption
to a predesignated bank account or who want to change the bank
account previously designated to receive redemption payments
should either return a Telephone Redemption Option Form
(available upon request) or send a letter identifying the
account and specifying the exact information to be changed.
The letter must be signed exactly as the shareholder's name(s)
appears on the account. An original signature and an original
signature guarantee are required for each person in whose name
the account is registered.
Telephone redemption is not available with respect to shares
represented by share certificates for Large Company Value Fund, formerly known
as Scudder Capital Growth Fund, or shares held in certain retirement accounts
for the Fund.
If a request for redemption to a shareholder's bank account is made by
telephone or fax, payment will be by Federal Reserve bank wire to the bank
account designated on the application, unless a request is made that the
redemption check be mailed to the designated bank account. There will be a $5
charge for all wire redemptions.
Note: Investors designating a savings bank to receive their
telephone redemption proceeds are advised that if the savings
bank is not a participant in the Federal Reserve System,
redemption proceeds must be wired through a commercial bank
which is a correspondent of the savings bank. As this may
delay receipt by the shareholder's account, it is suggested
that investors wishing to use a savings bank discuss wire
procedures with their bank and submit any special wire
transfer information with the telephone redemption
authorization. If appropriate wire information is not
supplied, redemption proceeds will be mailed to the designated
bank.
The Fund employs procedures, including recording telephone calls,
testing a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of telephone
transactions, designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent
that the Fund does not follow such procedures, it may be liable for losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be
liable for acting upon instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably
believes to be genuine.
Redemption requests by telephone (technically a repurchase by agreement
between the Fund and the shareholder) of shares purchased by check will not be
accepted until the purchase check has cleared which may take up to seven
business days.
Redemption By QuickSell
Shareholders, whose predesignated bank account of record is a member of
the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) and who have elected to participate
in the QuickSell program may sell shares of a Fund by telephone. Redemptions
must be for at least $250. Proceeds in the amount of your redemption will be
transferred to your bank checking account two or three business days following
your call. For requests received by the close of regular trading on the
Exchange, normally 4 p.m. eastern time, shares will be redeemed at the net asset
value per share calculated at the close of trading on the day of your call.
QuickSell requests received after the close of regular trading on the Exchange
will begin their processing and be redeemed at the net asset value calculated
the following business day. QuickSell transactions are not available for Scudder
IRA accounts and most other retirement plan accounts.
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In order to request redemptions by QuickSell, shareholders must have
completed and returned to the Transfer Agent the application, including the
designation of a bank account to which redemption proceeds will be credited. New
investors wishing to establish QuickSell may so indicate on the application.
Existing shareholders that wish to add QuickSell to their account may do so by
completing a QuickSell Enrollment Form. After sending in an enrollment form,
shareholders should allow for 15 days for this service to be available.
The Fund employs procedures, including recording telephone calls,
testing a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of telephone
transactions, designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent
that the Fund does not follow such procedures, it may be liable for losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be
liable for acting upon instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably
believes to be genuine.
Redemption by Mail or Fax
Any existing share certificates for the Fund, formerly known as Scudder
Capital Growth Fund, representing shares being redeemed must accompany a request
for redemption and be duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper stock assignment
form with signature guaranteed, as explained in the Fund's prospectus in "About
Your Investment - Signature guarantees"..
In order to ensure proper authorization before redeeming shares, the
Transfer Agent may request additional documents such as, but not limited to,
stock powers, trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as
executor, certificates of corporate authority and waivers of tax (required in
some states when settling estates).
It is suggested that shareholders holding certificated shares or shares
registered in other than individual names contact the Transfer Agent prior to
redemptions to ensure that all necessary documents accompany the request. When
shares are held in the name of a corporation, trust, fiduciary agent, attorney
or partnership, the Transfer Agent requires, in addition to the stock power,
certified evidence of authority to sign. These procedures are for the protection
of shareholders and should be followed to ensure prompt payment. Redemption
requests must not be conditional as to date or price of the redemption. Proceeds
of a redemption will be sent within five business days after receipt by the
Transfer Agent of a request for redemption that complies with the above
requirements. Delays of more than seven days of payment for shares tendered for
repurchase or redemption may result but only until the purchase check has
cleared.
The requirements for IRA redemptions are different from those for
regular accounts. For more information call 1-800-SCUDDER.
Redemption-in-Kind
The Trust reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash
payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase order by
making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities chosen by a
Fund and valued as they are for purposes of computing the Fund's net asset value
(a redemption-in-kind). If payment is made in securities, a shareholder may
incur transaction expenses in converting these securities into cash. The Trust
has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act as a
result of which the Fund is obligated to redeem shares, with respect to any one
shareholder during any 90 day period, solely in cash up to the lesser of
$250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of that Fund at the beginning of the
period.
Other Information
Clients, officers or employees of the Adviser or of an affiliated
organization, and members of such clients', officers' or employees' immediate
families, banks and members of the NASD may direct redemption requests to the
Trust through Scudder Investor Services, Inc. at Two International Place,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-4103 by letter, fax, TWX, or telephone. A two-part
confirmation will be mailed out promptly after receipt of the request. A written
request in good order as described above and any certificates with a proper
original signature guarantee(s), as described in the Fund's prospectus, should
be sent with a copy of the invoice to Scudder Service Corporation, Confirmed
Processing Department, Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts
02110-4103. Failure to deliver shares or required documents (see above) by the
settlement date may result in cancellation of the trade and the shareholder will
be responsible for any loss incurred by the Fund or the principal
21
<PAGE>
underwriter by reason of such cancellation. The Trust shall have the authority,
as agent of the shareholder, to redeem shares in the account to reimburse the
Fund or the principal underwriter for the loss incurred. Net losses on such
transactions, which are not recovered from the shareholder, will be absorbed by
the principal underwriter. Any net gains so resulting will accrue to the Fund.
For this group, repurchases will be carried out at the net asset value next
computed after such repurchase requests have been received. The arrangements
described in this paragraph for repurchasing shares are discretionary and may be
discontinued at any time.
If a shareholder redeems all shares in the account after the record
date of a dividend, the shareholder will receive in addition to the net asset
value thereof, all declared but unpaid dividends thereon. The value of shares
redeemed or repurchased may be more or less than the shareholder's cost
depending on the net asset value at the time of redemption or repurchase. The
Fund does not impose a redemption or repurchase charge, although a wire charge
may be applicable for redemption proceeds wired to an investor's bank account.
Redemption of shares, including an exchange into another Scudder fund, may
result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and the proceeds of
such redemptions may be subject to backup withholding. (See "TAXES.")
Shareholders who wish to redeem shares from Special Plan Accounts
should contact the employer, trustee or custodian of the Plan for the
requirements.
The Trust's Declaration of Trust provides that the determination of net
asset value may be suspended and a shareholder's right to redeem shares and to
receive payments may be suspended at times during which a) the Exchange is
closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, (b) trading on the
Exchange is restricted, (c) an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by
the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net
assets, or (d) a governmental body having jurisdiction over the Trust may, by
order, permit such a suspension for the protection of the Fund's shareholders;
provided that applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (or any succeeding
governmental authority) shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in
(b), (c) or (d) exist.
FEATURES AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THE FUNDS
The No-Load Concept
Investors are encouraged to be aware of the full ramifications of
mutual fund fee structures, and of how Scudder distinguishes its Scudder Family
of Funds from the vast majority of mutual funds available today. The primary
distinction is between load and no-load funds.
Load funds generally are defined as mutual funds that charge a fee for
the sale and distribution of fund shares. There are three types of loads:
front-end loads, back-end loads, and asset-based 12b-1 fees. 12b-1 fees are
distribution-related fees charged against fund assets and are distinct from
service fees, which are charged for personal services and/or maintenance of
shareholder accounts. Asset-based sales charges and service fees are typically
paid pursuant to distribution plans adopted under 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
A front-end load is a sales charge, which can be as high as 8.50% of
the amount invested. A back-end load is a contingent deferred sales charge,
which can be as high as 8.50% of either the amount invested or redeemed. The
maximum front-end or back-end load varies, and depends upon whether or not a
fund also charges a 12b-1 fee and/or a service fee or offers investors various
sales-related services such as dividend reinvestment. The maximum charge for a
12b-1 fee is 0.75% of a fund's average annual net assets, and the maximum charge
for a service fee is 0.25% of a fund's average annual net assets.
A no-load fund does not charge a front-end or back-end load, but can
charge a small 12b-1 fee and/or service fee against fund assets. Under the
National Association of Securities Dealers Conduct Rules, a mutual fund can call
itself a "no-load" fund only if the 12b-1 fee and/or service fee does not exceed
0.25% of a fund's average annual net assets.
Scudder pioneered the no-load concept when it created the nation's
first no-load fund in 1928, and later developed the nation's first family of
no-load mutual funds.
Internet access
World Wide Web Site -- The address of the Scudder Funds site is
http://www.scudder.com. The site offers guidance on global investing and
developing strategies to help meet financial goals and provides access to the
Scudder investor
22
<PAGE>
relations department via e-mail. The site also enables users to access or view
fund prospectuses and profiles with links between summary information in
Profiles and details in the Prospectus. Users can fill out new account forms
on-line, order free software, and request literature on funds.
Account Access -- The Adviser is among the first mutual fund families to allow
shareholders to manage their fund accounts through the World Wide Web. Scudder
Fund shareholders can view a snapshot of current holdings, review account
activity and move assets between Scudder Fund accounts.
The Adviser's personal portfolio capabilities -- known as SEAS (Scudder
Electronic Account Services) -- are accessible only by current Scudder Fund
shareholders that have set up a Personal Page on the Adviser's Web site. Using a
secure Web browser, shareholders sign on to their account with their Social
Security number and their SAIL password. As an additional security measure,
users can change their current password or disable access to their portfolio
through the World Wide Web.
An Account Activity option reveals a financial history of transactions
for an account, with trade dates, type and amount of transaction, share price
and number of shares traded. For users who wish to trade shares between Scudder
Funds, the Fund Exchange option provides a step-by-step procedure to exchange
shares among existing fund accounts or to new Scudder Fund accounts.
Dividends and Capital Gains Distribution Options
Investors have freedom to choose whether to receive cash or to reinvest
any dividends from net investment income or distributions from realized capital
gains in additional shares of the Fund. A change of instructions for the method
of payment must be received by the Transfer Agent at least five days prior to a
dividend record date. Shareholders also may change their dividend option either
by calling 1-800-SCUDDER or by sending written instructions to the Transfer
Agent. Please include your account number with your written request.
Reinvestment is usually made at the closing net asset value determined on the
business day following the record date. Investors may leave standing
instructions with the Transfer Agent designating their option for either
reinvestment or cash distribution of any income dividends or capital gains
distributions. If no election is made, dividends and distributions will be
invested in additional shares of a Fund.
Investors may also have dividends and distributions automatically
deposited in their predesignated bank account through Scudder's
DistributionsDirect Program. Shareholders who elect to participate in the
DistributionsDirect Program, and whose predesignated checking account of record
is with a member bank of the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) can have
income and capital gain distributions automatically deposited to their personal
bank account usually within three business days after a Fund pays its
distribution. A DistributionsDirect request form can be obtained by calling
1-800-SCUDDER. Confirmation statements will be mailed to shareholders as
notification that distributions have been deposited.
Investors choosing to participate in Scudder's Automatic Withdrawal
Plan must reinvest any dividends or capital gains. For most retirement plan
accounts, the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains is also required.
Diversification
Your investment in the Fund represents an interest in a large,
diversified portfolio of carefully selected securities. Diversification may
protect you against the possible risks associated with concentrating in fewer
securities.
Reports to Shareholders
The Fund issues to its shareholders unaudited semiannual financial
statements and annual financial statements audited by independent accountants,
including a list of investments held and statements of assets and liabilities,
operations, changes in net assets and financial highlights. Each distribution
will be accompanied by a brief explanation of the source of the distribution.
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<PAGE>
Transaction Summaries
Annual summaries of all transactions in the Fund account are available
to shareholders. The summaries may be obtained by calling 1-800-SCUDDER.
THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS
The Scudder Family of Funds is America's first family of mutual funds
and the nation's oldest family of no-load mutual funds: a list of Scudder's
funds follows.
MONEY MARKET
Scudder U.S. Treasury Money Fund
Scudder Cash Investment Trust
Scudder Money Market Series
Scudder Government Money Market Series
TAX FREE MONEY MARKET
Scudder Tax Free Money Fund.
Scudder Tax Free Money Market Series
Scudder California Tax Free Money Fund*
Scudder New York Tax Free Money Fund*
TAX FREE
Scudder Limited Term Tax Free Fund
Scudder Medium Term Tax Free Fund
Scudder Managed Municipal Bonds
Scudder High Yield Tax Free Fund
Scudder California Tax Free Fund*
Scudder Massachusetts Limited Term Tax Free Fund*
Scudder Massachusetts Tax Free Fund*
Scudder New York Tax Free Fund*
Scudder Ohio Tax Free Fund*
Scudder Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund*
U.S. INCOME
Scudder Short Term Bond Fund
Scudder Zero Coupon 2000 Fund
Scudder GNMA Fund
Scudder Income Fund
Scudder Corporate Bond Fund
Scudder High Yield Bond Fund
GLOBAL INCOME
Scudder Global Bond Fund
Scudder International Bond Fund
Scudder Emerging Markets Income Fund
- ---------------------------------
* These funds are not available for sale in all states. For information,
contact Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
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<PAGE>
ASSET ALLOCATION
Scudder Pathway Series: Conservative Portfolio
Scudder Pathway Series: Balanced Portfolio
Scudder Pathway Series: Growth Portfolio
Scudder Pathway Series: International Portfolio
U.S. GROWTH AND INCOME
Scudder Balanced Fund
Scudder Dividend & Growth Fund
Scudder Growth and Income Fund
Scudder S&P 500 Index Fund
Scudder Real Estate Investment Fund
U.S. GROWTH
Value
Scudder Large Company Value Fund
Scudder Value Fund**
Scudder Small Company Value Fund
Scudder Micro Cap Fund
Growth
Scudder Classic Growth Fund**
Scudder Large Company Growth Fund
Scudder Development Fund
Scudder 21st Century Growth Fund
GLOBAL EQUITY
Worldwide
Scudder Global Fund
Scudder International Value Fund
Scudder International Growth and Income Fund
Scudder International Fund***
Scudder International Growth Fund
Scudder Global Discovery Fund**
Scudder Emerging Markets Growth Fund
Scudder Gold Fund
Regional
Scudder Greater Europe Growth Fund
Scudder Pacific Opportunities Fund
Scudder Latin America Fund
The Japan Fund, Inc.
INDUSTRY SECTOR FUNDS
Choice Series
Scudder Financial Services Fund
Scudder Health Care Fund
Scudder Technology Fund
- ----------------------------------
** Only the Scudder Shares are part of the Scudder Family of Funds.
*** Only the International Shares are part of the Scudder Family of Funds.
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<PAGE>
SCUDDER PREFERRED SERIES
Scudder Tax Managed Growth Fund
Scudder Tax Managed Small Company Fund
The net asset values of most Scudder funds can be found daily in the
"Mutual Funds" section of The Wall Street Journal under "Scudder Funds," and in
other leading newspapers throughout the country. Investors will notice the net
asset value and offering price are the same, reflecting the fact that no sales
commission or "load" is charged on the sale of shares of the Scudder funds. The
latest seven-day yields for the money-market funds can be found every Monday and
Thursday in the "Money-Market Funds" section of The Wall Street Journal. This
information also may be obtained by calling the Scudder Automated Information
Line (SAIL) at 1-800-343-2890.
Certain Scudder funds or classes thereof may not be available for
purchase or exchange. For more information, please call 1-800-SCUDDER.
SPECIAL PLAN ACCOUNTS
Detailed information on any Scudder investment plan, including the
applicable charges, minimum investment requirements and disclosures made
pursuant to Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") requirements, may be obtained
by contacting Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110-4103 or by calling toll free, 1-800-SCUDDER. The discussions
of the plans below describe only certain aspects of the federal income tax
treatment of the plan. The state tax treatment may be different and may vary
from state to state. It is advisable for an investor considering the funding of
the investment plans described below to consult with an attorney or other
investment or tax adviser with respect to the suitability requirements and tax
aspects thereof.
Shares of the Fund may also be a permitted investment under profit
sharing and pension plans and IRA's other than those offered by the Funds'
distributor depending on the provisions of the relevant plan or IRA.
None of the plans assures a profit or guarantees protection against
depreciation, especially in declining markets.
Scudder Retirement Plans: Profit-Sharing and Money Purchase
Pension Plans for Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the investment medium under a
plan in the form of a Scudder Profit-Sharing Plan (including a version of the
Plan which includes a cash-or-deferred feature) or a Scudder Money Purchase
Pension Plan (jointly referred to as the Scudder Retirement Plans) adopted by a
corporation, a self-employed individual or a group of self-employed individuals
(including sole proprietorships and partnerships), or other qualifying
organization. Each of these forms was approved by the IRS as a prototype. The
IRS's approval of an employer's plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code will be greatly facilitated if it is in such approved form. Under
certain circumstances, the IRS will assume that a plan, adopted in this form,
after special notice to any employees, meets the requirements of Section 401(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code as to form.
Scudder 401(k): Cash or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan
for Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the investment medium under a
plan in the form of a Scudder 401(k) Plan adopted by a corporation, a
self-employed individual or a group of self-employed individuals (including sole
proprietors and partnerships), or other qualifying organization. This plan has
been approved as a prototype by the IRS.
Scudder IRA: Individual Retirement Account
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the underlying investment for an
Individual Retirement Account that meets the requirements of Section 408(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code.
A single individual who is not an active participant in an
employer-maintained retirement plan, a simplified employee pension plan, or a
tax-deferred annuity program (a "qualified plan"), and a married individual who
is not an active participant in a qualified plan and whose spouse is also not an
active participant in a qualified plan, are eligible to make tax deductible
contributions of up to $2,000 to an IRA prior to the year such individual
attains age 70 1/2. In
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<PAGE>
addition, certain individuals who are active participants in qualified plans (or
who have spouses who are active participants) are also eligible to make
tax-deductible contributions to an IRA; the annual amount, if any, of the
contribution which such an individual will be eligible to deduct will be
determined by the amount of his, her, or their adjusted gross income for the
year. Whenever the adjusted gross income limitation prohibits an individual from
contributing what would otherwise be the maximum tax-deductible contribution he
or she could make, the individual will be eligible to contribute the difference
to an IRA in the form of nondeductible contributions.
An eligible individual may contribute as much as $2,000 of qualified
income (earned income or, under certain circumstances, alimony) to an IRA each
year (up to $2,000 per individual for married couples even if only one spouse
has earned income). All income and capital gains derived from IRA investments
are reinvested and compound tax-deferred until distributed. Such tax-deferred
compounding can lead to substantial retirement savings.
Scudder Roth IRA: Individual Retirement Account
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the underlying investment for a
Roth Individual Retirement Account which meets the requirements of Section 408A
of the Internal Revenue Code.
A single individual earning below $95,000 can contribute up to $2,000
per year to a Roth IRA. The maximum contribution amount diminishes and gradually
falls to zero for single filers with adjusted gross incomes ranging from $95,000
to $110,000. Married couples earning less than $150,000 combined, and filing
jointly, can contribute a full $4,000 per year ($2,000 per IRA). The maximum
contribution amount for married couples filing jointly phases out from $150,000
to $160,000.
An eligible individual can contribute money to a traditional IRA and a
Roth IRA as long as the total contribution to all IRAs does not exceed $2,000.
No tax deduction is allowed under Section 219 of the Internal Revenue Code for
contributions to a Roth IRA. Contributions to a Roth IRA may be made even after
the individual for whom the account is maintained has attained age 70 1/2.
All income and capital gains derived from Roth IRA investments are
reinvested and compounded tax-free. Such tax-free compounding can lead to
substantial retirement savings. No distributions are required to be taken prior
to the death of the original account holder. If a Roth IRA has been established
for a minimum of five years, distributions can be taken tax-free after reaching
age 59 1/2, for a first-time home purchase ($10,000 maximum, one-time use) or
upon death or disability. All other distributions of earnings from a Roth IRA
are taxable and subject to a 10% tax penalty unless an exception applies.
Exceptions to the 10% penalty include: disability, certain medical expenses, the
purchase of health insurance for an unemployed individual and qualified higher
education expenses.
An individual with an income of $100,000 or less (who is not married
filing separately) can roll his or her existing IRA into a Roth IRA. However,
the individual must pay taxes on the taxable amount in his or her traditional
IRA. Individuals who complete the rollover in 1998 will be allowed to spread the
tax payments over a four-year period. After 1998, all taxes on such a rollover
will have to be paid in the tax year in which the rollover is made.
Scudder 403(b) Plan
Shares of the Fund may also be purchased as the underlying investment
for tax sheltered annuity plans under the provisions of Section 403(b)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code. In general, employees of tax-exempt organizations
described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (such as hospitals,
churches, religious, scientific, or literary organizations and educational
institutions) or a public school system are eligible to participate in a 403(b)
plan.
Automatic Withdrawal Plan
Non-retirement plan shareholders may establish an Automatic Withdrawal
Plan to receive monthly, quarterly or periodic redemptions from his or her
account for any designated amount of $50 or more. Shareholders may designate
which day they want the automatic withdrawal to be processed. The check amounts
may be based on the redemption of a fixed dollar amount, fixed share amount,
percent of account value or declining balance. The Plan provides for income
dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, to be reinvested in
additional shares. Shares are then liquidated as necessary to provide for
withdrawal payments. Since the withdrawals are in amounts selected by the
investor and have no relationship to yield or income, payments received cannot
be considered as yield or income on the investment and the
27
<PAGE>
resulting liquidations may deplete or possibly extinguish the initial investment
and any reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions. Requests for
increases in withdrawal amounts or to change the payee must be submitted in
writing, signed exactly as the account is registered, and contain signature
guarantee(s) as described under "Transaction information--Redeeming
shares--Signature guarantees" in each Fund's respective Prospectus. Any such
requests must be received by each Fund's transfer agent ten days prior to the
date of the first automatic withdrawal. An Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be
terminated at any time by the shareholder, the Trust or its agent on written
notice, and will be terminated when all shares of the Fund under the Plan have
been liquidated or upon receipt by the Trust of notice of death of the
shareholder.
An Automatic Withdrawal Plan request form can be obtained by calling
1-800-SCUDDER.
Group or Salary Deduction Plan
An investor may join a Group or Salary Deduction Plan where
satisfactory arrangements have been made with Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
for forwarding regular investments through a single source. The minimum annual
investment is $240 per investor, which may be made in monthly, quarterly,
semiannual or annual payments. The minimum monthly deposit per investor is $20.
Except for trustees or custodian fees for certain retirement plans, at present
there is no separate charge for maintaining group or salary deduction plans;
however, the Trust and its agents reserve the right to establish a maintenance
charge in the future depending on the services required by the investor.
The Trust reserves the right, after notice has been given to the
shareholder, to redeem and close a shareholder's account in the event that the
shareholder ceases participating in the group plan prior to investment of $1,000
per individual or in the event of a redemption which occurs prior to the
accumulation of that amount or which reduces the account value to less than
$1,000 and the account value is not increased to $1,000 within a reasonable time
after notification. An investor in a plan who has not purchased shares for six
months shall be presumed to have stopped making payments under the plan.
Automatic Investment Plan
Shareholders may arrange to make periodic investments through automatic
deductions from checking accounts by completing the appropriate form and
providing the necessary documentation to establish this service. The minimum
investment is $50.
The Automatic Investment Plan involves an investment strategy called
dollar cost averaging. Dollar cost averaging is a method of investing whereby a
specific dollar amount is invested at regular intervals. By investing the same
dollar amount each period, when shares are priced low the investor will purchase
more shares than when the share price is higher. Over a period of time this
investment approach may allow the investor to reduce the average price of the
shares purchased. However, this investment approach does not assure a profit or
protect against loss. This type of regular investment program may be suitable
for various investment goals such as, but not limited to, college planning or
saving for a home.
Uniform Transfers/Gifts to Minors Act
Grandparents, parents or other donors may set up custodian accounts for
minors. The minimum initial investment is $1,000 unless the donor agrees to
continue to make regular share purchases for the account through Scudder's
Automatic Investment Plan (AIP). In this case, the minimum initial investment is
$500.
The Trust reserves the right, after notice has been given to the
shareholder and custodian, to redeem and close a shareholder's account in the
event that regular investments to the account cease before the $1,000 minimum is
reached.
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to follow the practice of distributing substantially
all of its investment company taxable income, which includes any excess of net
realized short-term capital gains over net realized long-term capital losses.
The Fund may follow the practice of distributing the entire excess of net
realized long-term capital gains over net realized short-term capital losses. If
it appears to be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders, the Fund
may retain all or part of such gain for reinvestment after paying the related
federal income taxes which shareholders may then claim as a
28
<PAGE>
credit on their returns. (See "TAXES.") If the Fund does not distribute the
amount of capital gain and/or ordinary income required to be distributed by an
excise tax provision of the Code, the Fund may be subject to that excise tax.
(See "TAXES.") In certain circumstances, the Fund may determine that it is in
the interest of shareholders to distribute less than the required amount.
The Fund intends to declare in December any net realized capital gains
resulting from its investment activity and any dividend from investment company
taxable income. The Fund intends to distribute the December dividends and
capital gains either in December or in the following January. Any dividends or
capital gains distributions declared in October, November, or December with a
record date in that month and paid during the following January will be treated
by shareholders for federal income tax purposes as if received on December 31 of
the calendar year declared. If a shareholder has elected to reinvest any
dividends and/or other distributions, such distributions will be made in shares
of the Fund and confirmations will be mailed to each shareholder. If a
shareholder has chosen to receive cash, a check will be sent.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, quotations of the Fund's performance may be included
in advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders or prospective
investors.
Average Annual Total Return
Average annual total return is the average annual compound rate of
return for the periods of one year, five years and ten years (or such shorter
periods as may be applicable dating from the commencement of a Fund's
operations), all ended on the last day of a recent calendar quarter. Average
annual total return quotations reflect changes in the price of the Fund's shares
and assume that all dividends and capital gains distributions during the
respective periods were reinvested in Fund shares. Average annual total return
is calculated by computing the average annual compound rates of return of a
hypothetical investment over such periods, according to the following formula
(average annual total return is then expressed as a percentage):
T = (ERV/P)^1/n - 1
Where:
T = Average Annual Total Return
P = a hypothetical initial investment of $10,000
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value: ERV is the value,
at the end of the applicable period, of a
hypothetical $10,000 investment made at the
beginning of the applicable period.
Average Annual Total Return for the periods ended July 31, 1999
One year Five years Ten years
-------- ---------- ---------
Large Company Value Fund % % %
As described above, average annual total return is based on historical
earnings and is not intended to indicate future performance. Average annual
total return for the Fund vary based on changes in market conditions and the
level of a Fund's expenses.
In connection with communicating its average annual total return to
current or prospective shareholders, the Fund also may compare these figures to
the performance of other mutual funds tracked by mutual fund rating services or
to unmanaged indices which may assume reinvestment of dividends but generally do
not reflect deductions for administrative and management costs.
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<PAGE>
Cumulative Total Return
Cumulative total return is the cumulative rate of return on a
hypothetical initial investment of $10,000 for a specified period. Cumulative
total return quotations reflect changes in the price of the Funds' shares and
assume that all dividends and capital gains distributions during the period were
reinvested in Fund shares. Cumulative total return is calculated by computing
the cumulative rates of return of a hypothetical investment over such periods,
according to the following formula (cumulative total return is then expressed as
a percentage):
C = (ERV/P) - 1
Where:
C = Cumulative Total Return
P = a hypothetical initial investment of $10,000
ERV = ending redeemable value: ERV is the value,
at the end of the applicable period, of a
hypothetical $10,000 investment made at the
beginning of the applicable period.
Cumulative Total Return for the periods ended July 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
One year Five years Ten years
-------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Large Company Value Fund % % %
</TABLE>
Total Return
Total return is the rate of return on an investment for a specified
period of time calculated in the same manner as cumulative total return.
From time to time, in advertisements, sales literature, and reports to
shareholders or prospective investors, figures relating to the growth in the
total net assets of the Fund apart from capital appreciation will be cited, as
an update to the information in this section, including, but not limited to: net
cash flow, net subscriptions, gross subscriptions, net asset growth, net account
growth, and subscription rates. Capital appreciation generally will be covered
by marketing literature as part of the Funds' and classes' performance data.
Comparison of Fund Performance
In connection with communicating its performance to current or
prospective shareholders, the Fund also may compare these figures to the
performance of unmanaged indices which may assume reinvestment of dividends or
interest but generally do not reflect deductions for administrative and
management costs.
From time to time, in advertising and marketing literature, the Fund's
performance may be compared to the performance of broad groups of mutual funds
with similar investment goals, as tracked by independent organizations .
From time to time, in marketing and other Fund literature, Trustees and
officers of the Trust, the Fund's portfolio manager, or members of the portfolio
management team may be depicted and quoted to give prospective and current
shareholders a better sense of the outlook and approach of those who manage the
Fund. In addition, the amount of assets that the Adviser has under management in
various geographical areas may be quoted in advertising and marketing materials.
The Fund may be advertised as an investment choice in Scudder's college
planning program.
Statistical and other information, as provided by the Social Security
Administration, may be used in marketing materials pertaining to retirement
planning in order to estimate future payouts of social security benefits.
Estimates may be used on demographic and economic data.
Marketing and other Fund literature may include a description of the
potential risks and rewards associated with an investment in the Fund. The
description may include a "risk/return spectrum" which compares each Fund to
other
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Scudder funds or broad categories of funds, such as money market, bond or equity
funds, in terms of potential risks and returns. Money market funds are designed
to maintain a constant $1.00 share price and have a fluctuating yield. Share
price, yield and total return of a bond fund will fluctuate. The share price and
return of an equity fund also will fluctuate. The description may also compare
the Fund to bank products, such as certificates of deposit. Unlike mutual funds,
certificates of deposit are insured up to $100,000 by the U.S. government and
offer a fixed rate of return.
Because bank products guarantee the principal value of an investment
and money market funds seek stability of principal, these investments are
considered to be less risky than investments in either bond or equity funds,
which may involve the loss of principal. However, all long-term investments,
including investments in bank products, may be subject to inflation risk, which
is the risk of erosion of the value of an investment as prices increase over a
long time period. The risks/returns associated with an investment in bond or
equity funds depend upon many factors. For bond funds these factors include, but
are not limited to, a fund's overall investment objective, the average portfolio
maturity, credit quality of the securities held, and interest rate movements.
For equity funds, factors include a fund's overall investment objective, the
types of equity securities held and the financial position of the issuers of the
securities. The risks/returns associated with an investment in international
bond or equity funds also will depend upon currency exchange rate fluctuation.
A risk/return spectrum generally will position the various investment
categories in the following order: bank products, money market funds, bond funds
and equity funds. Shorter-term bond funds generally are considered less risky
and offer the potential for less return than longer-term bond funds. The same is
true of domestic bond funds relative to international bond funds, and bond funds
that purchase higher quality securities relative to bond funds that purchase
lower quality securities. Growth and income equity funds are generally
considered to be less risky and offer the potential for less return than growth
funds. In addition, international equity funds usually are considered more risky
than domestic equity funds but generally offer the potential for greater return.
Evaluation of Fund performance or other relevant statistical
information made by independent sources may also be used in advertisements
concerning the Fund, including reprints of, or selections from, editorials or
articles about this Fund.
ORGANIZATION OF THE FUNDS
The Fund is a separate series of Value Equity Trust. Value Equity
Trust, formerly Scudder Equity Trust, is a Massachusetts business trust
established under a Declaration of Trust dated October 16, 1985, as amended. The
Trust's authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share. The Trustees have the authority
to issue additional series of shares. If more than one series of shares were
issued and a series were unable to meet its obligations, the remaining series
might have to assume the unsatisfied obligations of that series.
The Fund's activities are supervised by the Trust's Board of Trustees.
The Trust has adopted a plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 (the "Plan") under the 1940
Act to permit the Trust to establish a multiple class distribution system. All
shares of Scudder Large Company Value Fund are of one class and have equal
rights as to voting, dividends and liquidation. All shares issued and
outstanding will be fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust, and redeemable as
described in this Statement of Additional Information and in each Fund's
respective prospectus.
Each share of each class of a Fund shall be entitled to one vote (or
fraction thereof in respect of a fractional share) on matters that such shares
(or class of shares) shall be entitled to vote. Shareholders of each Fund shall
vote together on any matter, except to the extent otherwise required by the 1940
Act, or when the Board of Trustees has determined that the matter affects only
the interest of shareholders of one or more classes of a Fund, in which case
only the shareholders of such class or classes of that Fund shall be entitled to
vote thereon. Any matter shall be deemed to have been effectively acted upon
with respect to a Fund if acted upon as provided in Rule 18f-2 under the 1940
Act, or any successor rule, and in the Fund's Declaration of Trust. As used in
this Statement of Additional Information, the term "majority", when referring to
the approvals to be obtained from shareholders in connection with general
matters affecting the Funds and all additional portfolios (e.g., election of
directors), means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the Fund's shares
represented at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares are present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund's
outstanding shares. The term "majority", when referring to the approvals to be
obtained from shareholders in connection with matters affecting a single Fund or
any other single portfolio (e.g., annual approval of investment management
contracts), means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of the
portfolio represented at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the portfolio are present in
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<PAGE>
person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
portfolio. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and
fractional votes for fractional shares held.
Each share of a Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that
Fund with each other share of the same Fund and is entitled to such dividends
and distributions out of the income earned on the assets belonging to that Fund
as are declared in the discretion of the Fund's Board of Trustees. In the event
of the liquidation or dissolution of the Fund, shares of a Fund are entitled to
receive the assets attributable to that Fund that are available for
distribution, and a proportionate distribution, based upon the relative net
assets of the Funds, of any general assets not attributable to a Fund that are
available for distribution.
The Trustees, in their discretion, may authorize the division of shares
of a Fund (or shares of a series) into different classes, permitting shares of
different classes to be distributed by different methods. Although shareholders
of different classes of a series would have an interest in the same portfolio of
assets, shareholders of different classes may bear different expenses in
connection with different methods of distribution.
Currently, the assets of Value Equity Trust received for the issue or
sale of the shares of each series and all income, earnings, profits and proceeds
thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, are specifically allocated to
such series and constitute the underlying assets of such series. The underlying
assets of each series are segregated on the books of account, and are to be
charged with the liabilities in respect to such series and with a proportionate
share of the general liabilities of Value Equity Trust. If a series were unable
to meet its obligations, the assets of all other series may in some
circumstances be available to creditors for that purpose, in which case the
assets of such other series could be used to meet liabilities which are not
otherwise properly chargeable to them. Expenses with respect to any two or more
series are to be allocated in proportion to the asset value of the respective
series except where allocations of direct expenses can otherwise be fairly made.
The officers of Value Equity Trust, subject to the general supervision of the
Trustees, have the power to determine which liabilities are allocable to a given
series, or which are general or allocable to two or more series. In the event of
the dissolution or liquidation of Value Equity Trust, the holders of the shares
of any series are entitled to receive as a class the underlying assets of such
shares available for distribution to shareholders.
The Trust's predecessor was organized in 1966 as a Delaware corporation
under the name "Scudder Duo-Vest Inc." as a closed-end, diversified dual-purpose
investment company. Effective April 1, 1982, its original dual-purpose nature
was terminated and it became an open-end investment company with only one class
of shares outstanding. At a Special Meeting of Shareholders held May 18, 1982,
the shareholders voted to amend the investment objective to seek to maximize
long-term growth of capital and to change the name of the corporation to
"Scudder Capital Growth Fund, Inc." ("SCGF, Inc."). The fiscal year end of SCGF,
Inc. was changed from March 31 to September 30 by action of its Directors on May
18, 1982. Effective as of September 30, 1982, Scudder Special Fund, Inc. was
merged into SCGF, Inc. In October 1985, the Fund's form of organization was
changed to a Massachusetts business trust upon approval of the shareholders.
Shares of Value Equity Trust entitle their holders to one vote per
share; however, separate votes are taken by each series on matters affecting an
individual series. For example, a change in investment policy for a series would
be voted upon only by shareholders of the series involved. Additionally,
approval of the investment advisory agreement is a matter to be determined
separately by each series. Approval by the shareholders of one series is
effective as to that series whether or not enough votes are received from the
shareholders of the other series to approve such agreement as to the other
series.
The Trust has a Declaration of Trust which provides that obligations of
a Fund are not binding upon the Trustees individually but only upon the property
of that Fund, that the Trustees and officers will not be liable for errors of
judgment or mistakes of fact or law, and that a Fund involved will indemnify the
Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection
with litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the
Trust, except if it is determined in the manner provided in the Declaration of
Trust that they have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their
actions were in the best interests of the Fund involved. Nothing in the
Declaration of Trust, however, protects or indemnifies a Trustee or officer
against any liability to which that person would otherwise be subject by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of
the duties involved in the conduct of that person's office.
No series of the Trust shall be liable for the obligations of any other
series.
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<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser"), an investment counsel
firm, acts as investment adviser to the Fund. This organization, the predecessor
of which is Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc., is one of the most experienced
investment counsel firms in the U. S. It was established as a partnership in
1919 and pioneered the practice of providing investment counsel to individual
clients on a fee basis. In 1928 it introduced the first no-load mutual fund to
the public. In 1953 the Adviser introduced Scudder International Fund, Inc., the
first mutual fund available in the U.S. investing internationally in securities
of issuers in several foreign countries. The predecessor firm reorganized from a
partnership to a corporation on June 28, 1985. On June 26, 1997, Scudder,
Stevens & Clark, Inc. ("Scudder") entered into an agreement with Zurich
Insurance Company ("Zurich") pursuant to which Scudder and Zurich agreed to form
an alliance. On December 31, 1997, Zurich acquired a majority interest in
Scudder, and Zurich Kemper Investments, Inc., a Zurich subsidiary, became part
of Scudder. Scudder's name has been changed to Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
On September 7, 1998, the businesses of Zurich (including Zurich's 70% interest
in the Adviser) and the financial services businesses of B.A.T Industries p.c.
("B.A.T") were combined to form a new global insurance and financial services
company known as Zurich Financial Services Group. By way of a dual holding
company structure, former Zurich shareholders initially owned approximately 57%
of Zurich Financial Services Group, with the balance initially owned by former
B.A.T shareholders.
Founded in 1872, Zurich is a multinational, public corporation
organized under the laws of Switzerland. Its home office is located at
Mythenquai 2, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland. Historically, Zurich's earnings have
resulted from its operations as an insurer as well as from its ownership of its
subsidiaries and affiliated companies (the "Zurich Insurance Group"). Zurich and
the Zurich Insurance Group provide an extensive range of insurance products and
services and have branch offices and subsidiaries in more than 40 countries
throughout the world.
The principal source of the Adviser's income is professional fees
received from providing continuous investment advice, and the firm derives no
income from brokerage or underwriting of securities. Today, it provides
investment counsel for many individuals and institutions, including insurance
companies, colleges, industrial corporations, and financial and banking
organizations as well as providing advice to over ___ open and closed-end mutual
funds.
The Adviser also provides investment advisory services to the mutual
funds which comprise the AARP Investment Program from Scudder. The AARP
Investment Program from Scudder has assets over $13 billion and includes the
AARP Growth Trust, AARP Income Trust, AARP Tax Free Income Trust, AARP Managed
Investment Portfolios Trust and AARP Cash Investment Funds.
Pursuant to an Agreement between the Adviser and AMA Solutions, Inc., a
subsidiary of the American Medical Association (the "AMA"), dated May 9, 1997,
the Adviser has agreed, subject to applicable state regulations, to pay AMA
Solutions, Inc. royalties in an amount equal to 5% of the management fee
received by the Adviser with respect to assets invested by AMA members in
Scudder funds in connection with the AMA InvestmentLink(SM) Program. The Adviser
will also pay AMA Solutions, Inc. a general monthly fee, currently in the amount
of $833. The AMA and AMA Solutions, Inc. are not engaged in the business of
providing investment advice and neither is registered as an investment adviser
or broker/dealer under federal securities laws. Any person who participates in
the AMA InvestmentLink(SM) Program will be a customer of the Adviser (or of a
subsidiary thereof) and not the AMA or AMA Solutions, Inc. AMA
InvestmentLink(SM) is a service mark of AMA Solutions, Inc.
The Adviser maintains a large research department, which conducts
ongoing studies of the factors that affect the position of various industries,
companies and individual securities. In this work, the Adviser utilizes certain
reports and statistics from a wide variety of sources, including brokers and
dealers who may execute portfolio transactions for a Fund and other clients of
the Adviser, but conclusions are based primarily on investigations and critical
analyses by its own research specialists.
Certain investments may be appropriate for more than one Fund and also
for other clients advised by the Adviser. Investment decisions for a Fund and
other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment
objectives and after consideration of such factors as their current holdings,
availability of cash for investment and the size of their investments generally.
Frequently, a particular security may be bought or sold for only one client or
in different
33
<PAGE>
amounts and at different times for more than one but less than all
clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients
when one or more other clients are selling the security. In addition, purchases
or sales of the same security may be made for two or more clients on the same
date. In such event, such transactions will be allocated among the clients in a
manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each. In some cases, this
procedure could have an adverse effect on the price or amount of the securities
purchased or sold by a Fund. Purchase and sale orders for a Fund may be combined
with those of other clients of the Adviser in the interest of the most favorable
net results to a Fund.
In certain cases the investments for the Fund are managed by the same
individuals who manage one or more other mutual funds advised by the Adviser
that have similar names, objectives and investment styles as the Fund. You
should be aware that the Fund is likely to differ from these other mutual funds
in size, cash flow pattern and tax matters. Accordingly, the holdings and
performance of the Fund can be expected to vary from those of the other mutual
funds.
Upon consummation of this transaction, the Fund's existing investment
management agreement with the Adviser was deemed to have been assigned and,
therefore, terminated. The Board approved new investment management agreements
with the Adviser, which are substantially identical to the investment management
agreements dated December 31, 1997, except for the dates of execution and
termination and the addition of breakpoints in the fee structures of the Fund.
These agreements became effective on September 7, 1998 and were approved at a
special shareholder meeting held on December 15, 1998 for Scudder Large Company
Value Fund.
The Agreement dated September 7, 1998 were approved by the Trustees on
August 6, 1998 and amended on September 15, 1998. The Agreement will continue in
effect until September 30, 2000 and from year to year thereafter only if its
continuance is approved annually by the vote of a majority of those Trustees who
are not parties to such Agreement or interested persons of the Adviser or the
Corporation, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval, and either by a vote of the Trust's Trustees or of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Agreement may be terminated
at any time without payment of penalty by either party on sixty days' notice and
automatically terminates in the event of its assignment. The Agreement was last
approved by the Trustees on September 13, 1999.
Under the Agreement, the Adviser regularly provides the Fund with
continuing investment management for the Fund's portfolio consistent with the
Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions and determines which
securities shall be purchased for the portfolio of that Fund, which portfolio
securities shall be held or sold by the Fund, and what portion of the Fund's
assets shall be held uninvested, subject always to the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, of the 1940 Act and the Code, and to the
Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions, and subject, further, to
such policies and instructions as the Trustees may from time to time establish.
The Adviser also advises and assists the officers of the Fund in taking such
steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of its Trustees
and the appropriate committees of the Trustees regarding the conduct of the
business of the Fund.
The Adviser renders significant administrative services (not otherwise
provided by third parties) necessary for the Fund's operations as an open-end
investment company including, but not limited to, preparing reports and notices
to the Trustees and shareholders; supervising, negotiating contractual
arrangements with, and monitoring various third-party service providers to the
Fund (such as the Fund's transfer agent, pricing agents, custodian, accountants
and others); preparing and making filings with the SEC and other regulatory
agencies; assisting in the preparation and filing of the Fund's federal, state
and local tax returns; preparing and filing the Fund's federal excise tax
returns; assisting with investor and public relations matters; monitoring the
valuation of securities and the calculation of net asset value, monitoring the
registration of shares of the Fund under applicable federal and state securities
laws; maintaining the Fund's books and records to the extent not otherwise
maintained by a third party; assisting in establishing accounting policies of
the Fund; assisting in the resolution of accounting and legal issues;
establishing and monitoring the Fund's operating budget; processing the payment
of the Fund's bills; assisting the Fund in, and otherwise arranging for, the
payment of distributions and dividends and otherwise assisting the Fund in the
conduct of its business, subject to the direction and control of the Trustees.
The Adviser pays the compensation and expenses (except those for
attending Board and Committee meetings outside New York, New York or Boston,
Massachusetts) of all Trustees, officers and executive employees of the Trust
affiliated with the Adviser and makes available, without expense to the Fund,
the services of the Adviser's directors, officers, and employees as may duly be
elected officers, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any
limitations imposed by law, and provides the Trust's office space and facilities
and provides investment advisory, research and statistical facilities and all
clerical services relating to research, statistical and investment work.
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<PAGE>
For the Adviser's services, Large Company Value Fund pays the Adviser a
fee equal to 0.75 of 1% on the first $500 million of average daily net assets;
0.65 of 1% on the next $500 million of such assets; 0.60 of 1% on the next $500
million of such assets, 0.55 of 1% on the next $500 million of such assets and
0.50 of 1% of such net assets in excess of $ 2 billion, payable monthly,
provided the Fund will make such interim payments as may be requested by the
Adviser not to exceed 75% of the amount of the fee then accrued on the books of
the Fund and unpaid.
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, Large
Company Value Fund incurred aggregate fees pursuant to its then effective
investment advisory agreement of $10,505,409, $12,187,280 and $14,296,878,
respectively. For the ten months ended July 31, 1999, Large Company Value Fund
incurred aggregate fees pursuant to its then effective investment advisory
agreement of $ .
--------
The Adviser retains the ability to be repaid by the Fund if expenses
fall below the specified limit prior to the end of the fiscal year. These
expense limitation arrangements can decrease the Fund's expenses and improve its
performance.
Under the Agreement, the Fund is responsible for all of its other
expenses including broker's commissions; legal, auditing and accounting
expenses; the calculation of net asset value; taxes and governmental fees; the
fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent; the cost of preparing share
certificates or any other expenses including clerical expenses of issue, sale,
underwriting, distribution, redemption or repurchase of shares; the expenses of
and the fees for registering or qualifying securities for sale; fees and
expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company
organizations; the fees and expenses of the Trustees, officers and employees of
the Fund who are not affiliated with the Adviser; the cost of printing and
distributing reports and notices to shareholders; and the fees and disbursements
of custodians. The Trust may arrange to have third parties assume all or part of
the expenses of sale, underwriting and distribution of shares of the Fund. The
Fund is also responsible for expenses incurred in connection with litigation,
proceedings and claims and the legal obligation it may have to indemnify its
officers and Trustees with respect thereto. The Agreement expressly provides
that the Adviser shall not be required to pay a pricing agent of any Fund for
portfolio pricing services, if any.
The Agreement identifies the Adviser as the exclusive licensee of the
rights to use and sublicense the names "Scudder," "Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc." and "Scudder Stevens and Clark, Inc." (together, the "Scudder Marks").
Under this license, the Trust, with respect to the Fund, has the non-exclusive
right to use and sublicense the Scudder name and marks as part of its name, and
to use the Scudder Marks in the Trust's investment products and services.
In reviewing the terms of the Agreement and in discussions with the
Adviser concerning the Agreement, Trustees who are not "interested persons" of
the Trust are represented by independent counsel at the Fund's expense.
The Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in
connection with matters to which the Agreement relates, except a loss resulting
from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the
Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the
Adviser of its obligations and duties under the Agreement.
Officers and employees of the Adviser from time to time may have
transactions with various banks, including the Fund's custodian bank. It is the
Adviser's opinion that the terms and conditions of those transactions were not
influenced by existing or potential custodial or other Fund relationships.
The Adviser may serve as adviser to other funds with investment
objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund that may have different
distribution arrangements or expenses, which may affect performance.
None of the officers or Trustees of the Trust may have dealings with
the Fund as principals in the purchase or sale of securities, except as
individual subscribers or holders of shares of a Fund.
Personal Investments by Employees of the Adviser
Employees of the Adviser are permitted to make personal securities
transactions, subject to requirements and restrictions set forth in the
Adviser's Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics contains provisions and
requirements designed to identify and address certain conflicts of interest
between personal investment activities and the interests of investment advisory
clients such as the Funds. Among other things, the Code of Ethics, which
generally complies with standards recommended by the Investment Company
Institute's Advisory Group on Personal Investing, prohibits certain types of
35
<PAGE>
transactions absent prior approval, imposes time periods during which personal
transactions may not be made in certain securities, and requires the submission
of duplicate broker confirmations and monthly reporting of securities
transactions. Additional restrictions apply to portfolio managers, traders,
research analysts and others involved in the investment advisory process.
Exceptions to these and other provisions of the Code of Ethics may be granted in
particular circumstances after review by appropriate personnel.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Position with
Underwriter,
Position Principal Scudder Investor
Name, Age and Address with Trust Occupation** Services, Inc.
- --------------------- ---------- ------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Lynn S. Birdsong (53)*#++ President and Managing Director of Scudder Senior Vice President
Trustee Kemper Investments, Inc.
Paul Bancroft III (68) Trustee Venture Capitalist and --
79 Pine Lane Consultant; Retired President,
Box 6639 Chief Executive Officer and
Snowmass Village, CO 81615 Director, Bessemer Securities
Corporation
Sheryle J. Bolton (53) Trustee Chief Executive Officer and --
Scientific Learning Corporation Director, Scientific Learning
1995 University Ave Corporation, Former
Suite 400 President and Chief
San Francisco, CA 94704 Operating Officer,
Physicians Online, Inc.
(electronic transmission of
clinical information for
physicians (1994-1995); Member,
Senior Management Team,
Rockefeller & Co. (1990-1993)
William T. Burgin (56) Trustee General Partner, Bessemer --
83 Walnut Street Venture Partners; General
Wellesley, MA 02481-2101 Partner, Deer & Company;
Director, James River Corp.;
Director Galile Corp., Director
of various privately held
companies
Keith R. Fox (45) Trustee Private Equity Investor, Exeter --
Exeter Capital Management Capital Management Corporation
Corporation
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022
36
<PAGE>
Position with
Underwriter,
Position Principal Scudder Investor
Name, Age and Address with Trust Occupation** Services, Inc.
- --------------------- ---------- ------------ --------------
William H. Luers (70) Trustee President, The Metropolitan
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Museum of Art (1986 to present)
1000 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10028
Kathryn L. Quirk (46)*#++ Trustee, Vice Managing Director of Scudder Senior Vice President,
President and Kemper Investments, Inc. Chief Legal Officer and
Assistant Secretary Assistant Clerk
Joan E. Spero (55) Trustee President, The Doris Duke --
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Charitable Foundation (1997 to
650 Fifth Avenue - 19th Floor present), Undersecretary of
New York, NY 10019 State for Economic, Business and
Agricultural Affairs, (1993-1997)
Thomas J. Devine (72) Honorary Trustee Consultant --
450 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Wilson Nolen (73) Honorary Trustee Consultant, June 1989 to
1120 Fifth Avenue present, Corporate Vice
New York, NY 10128-0144 President of Becton, Dickinson &
Company (manufacturer of medical
and scientific products),
from 1973 to June 1989
Robert G. Stone, Jr. (76) Honorary Trustee Chairman Emeritus and Director, --
405 Lexington Avenue Kirby Corporation (inland and
39th Floor offshore marine transportation
New York, NY 10174 and diesel repairs)
Donald E. Hall (47)@ Vice President Managing Director of Scudder --
Kemper Investments, Inc.
Ann M. McCreary( 43)++ Vice President Managing Director of Scudder --
Kemper Investments, Inc.
Kathleen T. Millard (37)++ Vice President Managing Director of Scudder --
Kemper Investments, Inc.
Robert D. Tymoczko Vice President Assistant Vice President of
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
since _________, 1997;
previously employed by
_______--.
37
<PAGE>
Position with
Underwriter,
Position Principal Scudder Investor
Name, Age and Address with Trust Occupation** Services, Inc.
- --------------------- ---------- ------------ --------------
John Millette (37) Vice President and Assistant Vice President of
Secretary Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
since September 1994; previously
employed by the law firm Kaye,
Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler
John R. Hebble (41)+ Treasurer Senior Vice President of Scudder --
Kemper Investments, Inc.
Caroline Pearson (37)+ Assistant Secretary Senior Vice President of --
Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc.; Associate, Dechert Price &
Rhoades (law firm) 1989-1997
</TABLE>
* Mr. Birdsong and Ms. Quirk are considered by the Trust and its counsel
to be persons who are "interested persons" of the Adviser or of the
Trust (within the meaning of the 1940 Act).
** Unless otherwise stated, all the Trustees and officers have been
associated with their respective companies for more than five years,
but not necessarily in the same capacity.
# Mr. Birdsong and Ms. Quirk are members of the Executive Committee,
which may exercise all of the powers of the Trustees when they are not
in session.
+ Address: Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts
++ Address: 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York
@ Address: 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California
As of October 31, 1999, all Trustees and officers of the Trust as a
group owned beneficially (as that term is defined in Section 13(d) under the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) __________ shares, or ____% of the shares
of Scudder Large Company Value Fund.
As of October 31, 1999, ________ shares in the aggregate, _____% of the
outstanding shares of Scudder Large Company Value Fund were held in the name of
Charles, Schwab & Co., 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104, who may
be deemed to be the beneficial owner of certain of these shares, but disclaims
any beneficial ownership therein.
To the best of the Trust's knowledge, as of October 31, 1999, no person
owned beneficially more than 5% of the Fund's outstanding shares, except as
stated above.
The Trustees and officers of the Trust also serve in similar capacities
with respect to other Scudder funds.
REMUNERATION
Responsibilities of the Board -- Board and Committee Meetings
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the general oversight of the
Fund's business. A majority of the Board's members are not affiliated with the
Adviser. These "Independent Trustees" have primary responsibility for assuring
that the Fund is managed in the best interests of its shareholders.
The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly to review the investment
performance of the Fund and other operational matters, including policies and
procedures designated to assure compliance with various regulatory requirements.
At least annually, the Independent Trustees review the fees paid to the Adviser
and its affiliates for investment advisory services and other administrative and
shareholder services. In this regard, they evaluate, among other things, the
Fund's investment performance, the quality and efficiency of the various other
services provided, costs incurred by the Adviser and its affiliates, and
comparative information regarding fees and expenses of competitive funds.
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<PAGE>
They are assisted in this process by the Fund's independent public accountants
and by independent legal counsel selected by the Independent Trustees.
All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Committee on Independent
Trustees, which nominates Independent Trustees and considers other related
matters, and the Audit Committee, which selects the Fund's independent public
accountants and reviews accounting policies and controls.
Compensation of Officers and Trustees
The Independent Trustees receive the following compensation from each
Fund of Value Equity Trust: an annual trustee's fee of $3,500; a fee of $325 for
attendance at each board meeting, audit committee meeting, or other meeting held
for the purposes of considering arrangements between the Trust on behalf of each
Fund and the Adviser or any affiliate of the Adviser; $100 for all other
committee meetings and reimbursement of expenses incurred for travel to and from
Board Meetings. No additional compensation is paid to any Independent Trustee
for travel time to meetings, attendance at trustees' educational seminars or
conferences, service on industry or association committees, participation as
speakers at trustees' conferences or service on special trustee task forces or
subcommittees. Independent Trustees do not receive any employee benefits such as
pension or retirement benefits or health insurance. Notwithstanding the schedule
of fees, the Independent Trustees have in the past and may in the future waive a
portion of their compensation. or other activities.
The Independent Trustees also serve in the same capacity for other
funds managed by the Adviser. These funds differ broadly in type and complexity
and in some cases have substantially different Trustee fee schedules. The
following table shows the aggregate compensation received by each Independent
Trustee during 1998 from the Trust and from all of Scudder funds as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Value Equity Trust* All Scudder Funds
------------------- -----------------
Paid by Paid by Paid by Paid by
Name the Trust the Adviser(1) the Funds the Adviser(1)
---- --------- -------------- --------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Paul Bancroft III, $14,750 $850 $174,200 (23 $ 8,925 (23 funds)
Trustee funds)
Sheryle J. Bolton, $14,750 $0.00 $149,050 $0.00 (23 funds)
Trustee** (23 funds)
William T. Burgin, $14,750 $850 $150,950 $8,925 (23 funds)
Trustee (23 funds)
Thomas J. Devine, $16,650 $850 $178,000 $8,925 (24 funds)
Honorary Trustee+ (24 funds)
Keith R. Fox, Trustee $17,150 $850 $172,350 $8,925 (21 funds)
(21 funds)
William H. Luers, $13,250 $850 $157,050 $8,925 (24 funds)
Trustee** (24 funds)
Wilson Nolen, Honorary $14,750 $850 $189,075 $6,375 (24 funds)
Trustee+ (24 funds)
Joan E. Spero,*** Trustee $2,685 $0.00 $29,736 $0.00 (21 funds)
(21 funds)
39
<PAGE>
Value Equity Trust* All Scudder Funds
------------------- -----------------
Paid by Paid by Paid by Paid by
Name the Trust the Adviser(1) the Funds the Adviser(1)
---- --------- -------------- --------- --------------
Robert G. Stone, Jr. $0.00 $0.00 $8,000# $0.00 (1 fund)
Honorary Trustee (1 fund)
</TABLE>
(1) The Adviser paid the compensation to the Trustees for meetings
associated with the Adviser's alliance with Zurich Insurance Company.
See "Investment Adviser" for additional information.
* Value Equity Trust consists of four funds: Scudder Large Company Value
Fund, Scudder Select 500 Fund, Scudder Select 1000 Growth Fund, and
Value Fund, .
** Elected as Trustee of the Trust in October 1997.
*** Elected as Trustee of the Trust in September 1998.
+ Elected as an Honorary Trustee in December 1998, after serving as a
Trustee.
# Includes pension or retirement benefits received as Director of The
Japan Fund.
Members of the Board of Trustees who are employees of the Adviser or
its affiliates receive no direct compensation from the Trust, although they are
compensated as employees of the Adviser, or its affiliates, as a result of which
they may be deemed to participate in fees paid by each Fund.
DISTRIBUTOR
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has an underwriting agreement with
Scudder Investor Services, Inc. Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110 (the
"Distributor"), a Massachusetts corporation, which is a subsidiary of the
Adviser. This underwriting agreement dated September 7, 1998 will remain in
effect until September 30, 2000 and from year to year thereafter only if its
continuance is approved annually by a majority of the Trustees who are not
parties to such agreement or interested persons of any such party and either by
vote of a majority of the Trustees or a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Trust. The underwriting agreement was last approved by the
Trustees on September 14, 1999.
Under the principal underwriting agreement, the Trust is responsible
for: the payment of all fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and
filing with the SEC of the Trust's registration statement and prospectuses and
any amendments and supplements thereto; the registration and qualification of
shares for sale in the various states, including registering the Trust or the
Fund as a broker/dealer in various states, as required; the fees and expenses of
preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses (see below for expenses relating to
prospectuses paid by the Distributor), notices, proxy statements, reports or
other communications (including newsletters) to shareholders of the Fund; the
cost of printing and mailing confirmations of purchases of shares and the
prospectuses accompanying such confirmations; any issuance taxes or any initial
transfer taxes; a portion of shareholder toll-free telephone charges and
expenses of service representatives; the cost of wiring funds for share
purchases and redemptions (unless paid by the shareholder who initiates the
transaction); the cost of printing and postage of business reply envelopes; and
a portion of the cost of computer terminals used by both the Fund and the
Distributor.
The Distributor will pay for printing and distributing prospectuses or
reports prepared for its use in connection with the offering of the Fund's
shares to the public and preparing, printing and mailing any other literature or
advertising in connection with the offering of shares of the Fund to the public.
The Distributor will pay all fees and expenses in connection with its
qualification and registration as a broker or dealer under federal and state
laws, a portion of the cost of toll-free telephone service and expenses of
service representatives, a portion of the cost of computer terminals, and of any
activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of the Fund's shares.
Note: Although Large Company Value Fund currently has no 12b-1 Plan
and shareholder approval would be required in order to adopt
such plans, the underwriting agreement provides that the Fund
will also pay those fees and expenses permitted to be paid or
assumed by the Fund pursuant to a 12b-1 Plan, if any, adopted
by the Fund, notwithstanding any other provision to the
contrary in the underwriting agreement and the Fund or a third
party will pay those fees and expenses not specifically
allocated to the Distributor in the underwriting agreement.
40
<PAGE>
As agent, the Distributor currently offers shares of the Fund on a
continuous basis to investors in all states. The underwriting agreement provides
that the Distributor accepts orders for shares at net asset value as no sales
commission or load is charged the investor. The Distributor has made no firm
commitment to acquire shares of the Fund.
TAXES
The Fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company
under Subchapter M of the Code or a predecessor statute and has qualified as
such from its inception. The Fund intends to continue to qualify for such
treatment. Such qualification does not involve governmental supervision of
management or investment practices or policies.
A regulated investment company qualifying under Subchapter M of the
Code is required to distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income (including net short-term capital gain in
excess of net long-term capital loss) and generally is not subject to federal
income tax to the extent that it distributes annually its investment company
taxable income and net realized capital gains in the manner required under the
Code.
Investment company taxable income generally is made up of dividends,
interest, and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital
losses, less expenses. Net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital
gain over net short-term capital loss) are computed by taking into account any
capital loss carryforward of the Fund. Presently, the Fund has no capital loss
carryforward.
The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on amounts
required to be but not distributed under a prescribed formula. The formula
requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions at
least equal to the sum of 98% of the Fund's ordinary income for the calendar
year, at least 98% of the excess of its capital gains over capital losses
(adjusted for certain ordinary losses as prescribed in the Code) realized during
the one-year period ending October 31 during such year, and all ordinary income
and capital gains for prior years that were not previously distributed.
Distributions of investment company taxable income are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income.
Dividends from domestic corporations are expected to comprise a
substantial part of the Fund's gross income. To the extent that such dividends
constitute a portion of the Fund's gross income, a portion of the income
distributions of the Fund may be eligible for the dividends received deduction
for corporations. Shareholders will be informed of the portion of dividends
which so qualify. The dividends-received deduction is reduced to the extent the
shares with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as
debt-financed under the federal income tax law and is eliminated if either those
shares or the shares of the Fund are deemed to have been held by the Fund or the
shareholder, as the case may be, for less than 46 days during the 90-day period
beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend..
Properly designated distributions of net capital gains are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the
shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders. Such distributions are
not eligible for the dividends received deduction. Any loss realized upon the
redemption of shares held at the time of redemption for six months or less will
be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as
long-term capital gain distributions during such six-month period.
If any net capital gains are retained by the Fund for reinvestment,
requiring federal income taxes to be paid thereon by the Fund, the Fund intends
to elect to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to shareholders.
As a result, each shareholder will report such capital gains as long-term
capital gains, will be able to claim a proportionate share of federal income
taxes paid by the Fund on such gains as a credit against the shareholder's
federal income tax liability, and will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax
basis of the shareholder's Fund shares by the difference between the
shareholder's pro-rata share of such gains and the shareholder's tax credit.
However, retention of such gains by the Fund may cause the Fund to be liable for
an excise tax on all or a portion of those gains.
Distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized
capital gains will be taxable as described above, whether received in shares or
in cash. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of
additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each
share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment
date.
41
<PAGE>
All distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized
capital gains, whether received in shares or cash, must be reported by each
shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends declared in
October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during
the following January will be treated by shareholders for federal income tax
purposes as if received on December 31 of the calendar year declared.
Redemptions of shares, including exchanges for shares of another Scudder fund,
may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also
subject to these reporting requirements.
An individual may make a deductible IRA contribution for any taxable
year only if (i) neither the individual nor his or her spouse (unless filing
separate returns) is an active participant in an employer's retirement plan, or
(ii) the individual (and his or her spouse, if applicable) has an adjusted gross
income below a certain level ($40,050 for married individuals filing a joint
return, with a phase-out of the deduction for adjusted gross income between
$40,050 and $50,000; $25,050 for a single individual, with a phase-out for
adjusted gross income between $25,050 and $35,000). However, an individual not
permitted to make a deductible contribution to an IRA for any such taxable year
may nonetheless make nondeductible contributions up to $2,000 to an IRA (up to
$2,250 to IRAs for an individual and his or her non-earning spouse) for that
year. There are special rules for determining how withdrawals are to be taxed if
an IRA contains both deductible and nondeductible amounts. In general, a
proportionate amount of each withdrawal will be deemed to be made from
nondeductible contributions; amounts treated as a return of nondeductible
contributions will not be taxable. Also, contributions may be made to a spousal
IRA even if the spouse has earnings in a given year, if the spouse elects to be
treated as having no earnings (for IRA contribution purposes) for the year.
Distributions by the Fund result in a reduction in the net asset value
of the Fund's shares. Should a distribution reduce the net asset value below a
shareholder's cost basis, such distribution would nevertheless be taxable to the
shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain as described above, even though,
from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In
particular, investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of
buying shares just prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at
that time includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing
just prior to a distribution will then receive a partial return of capital upon
the distribution, which will nevertheless be taxable to them.
If the Fund invests in stock of certain foreign investment companies,
the Fund may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a portion of any
"excess distribution" with respect to, or gain from the disposition of, such
stock. The tax would be determined by allocating such distribution or gain
ratably to each day of the Fund's holding period for the stock. The distribution
or gain so allocated to any taxable year of the Fund, other than the taxable
year of the excess distribution or disposition, would be taxed to the Fund at
the highest ordinary income rate in effect for such year, and the tax would be
further increased by an interest charge to reflect the value of the tax deferral
deemed to have resulted from the ownership of the foreign company's stock. Any
amount of distribution or gain allocated to the taxable year of the distribution
or disposition would be included in the Fund's investment company taxable income
and, accordingly, would not be taxable to the Fund to the extent distributed by
the Fund as a dividend to its shareholders.
The Fund may make an election to mark to market its shares of these
foreign investment companies in lieu of being subject to U.S. federal income
taxation. At the end of each taxable year to which the election applies, the
Fund would report as ordinary income the amount by which the fair market value
of the foreign company's stock exceeds the Fund's adjusted basis in these
shares. Any mark to market losses and any loss from an actual disposition of
shares would be deductible as ordinary losses to the extent of any net mark to
market gains included in income in prior years. The effect of the election would
be to treat excess distributions and gain on dispositions as ordinary income,
which is not subject to a fund level tax when distributed to shareholders as a
dividend. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to include as income and gain its
share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of certain foreign
investment companies in lieu of being taxed in the manner described above.
Equity options (including covered call options written on portfolio
stock) and over-the-counter options on debt securities written or purchased by
the Fund will be subject to tax under Section 1234 of the Code. In general, no
loss will be recognized by the Fund upon payment of a premium in connection with
the purchase of a put or call option. The character of any gain or loss
recognized (i.e. long-term or short-term) will generally depend, in the case of
a lapse or sale of the option, on the Fund's holding period for the option, and
in the case of the exercise of a put option, on the Fund's holding period for
the underlying property. The purchase of a put option may constitute a short
sale for federal income tax purposes, causing an adjustment in the holding
period of the underlying security or a substantially identical security in the
Fund's portfolio.
42
<PAGE>
If the Fund writes a covered call option on portfolio stock, no gain is
recognized upon its receipt of a premium. If the option lapses or is closed out,
any gain or loss is treated as short-term capital gain or loss. If the option is
exercised, the character of the gain or loss depends on the holding period of
the underlying stock.
Positions of the Fund which consist of at least one stock and at least
one stock option or other position with respect to a related security which
substantially diminishes the Fund's risk of loss with respect to such stock
could be treated as a "straddle" which is governed by Section 1092 of the Code,
the operation of which may cause deferral of losses, adjustments in the holding
periods of stocks or securities and conversion of short-term capital losses into
long-term capital losses. An exception to these straddle rules exists for
certain "qualified covered call options" on stock written by the Fund.
Many or all futures and forward contracts entered into by the Fund and
many or all listed non-equity options written or purchased by the Fund
(including options on debt securities, options on futures contracts, options on
foreign currencies and options on securities indices) will be governed by
Section 1256 of the Code. Absent a tax election to the contrary, gain or loss
attributable to the lapse, exercise or closing out of any such position
generally will be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or
loss, and on the last day of the Funds' fiscal year (as well as on October 31
for purposes of the 4% excise tax), all outstanding Section 1256 positions will
be marked to market (i.e. treated as if such positions were sold at their
closing price on such day), with any resulting gain or loss recognized as 60%
long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Under Section 988 of the
Code, discussed below, foreign currency gain or loss from foreign
currency-related forward contracts, certain futures and options, and similar
financial instruments entered into or acquired by the Fund will be treated as
ordinary income. Under certain circumstances, entry into a futures contract to
sell a security may constitute a short sale for federal income tax purposes,
causing an adjustment in the holding period of the underlying security or a
substantially identical security in the relevant Fund's portfolio.
Positions of the Fund which consist of at least one position not
governed by Section 1256 and at least one futures or forward contract or
non-equity option or other position governed by Section 1256 which substantially
diminishes the Fund's risk of loss with respect to such other position may be
treated as a "mixed straddle." Mixed straddles are subject to the straddle rules
of Section 1092 of the Code and may result in the deferral of losses if the
non-Section 1256 position is in an unrealized gain at the end of a reporting
period.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, recent tax law changes may
require the Fund to recognize gain (but not loss) from a constructive sale of
certain "appreciated financial positions" if the Fund enters into a short sale,
offsetting notional principal contract, futures or forward contract transaction
with respect to the appreciated position or substantially identical property.
Appreciated financial positions subject to this constructive sale treatment are
interests (including options, futures and forward contracts and short sales) in
stock, partnership interests, certain actively traded trust instruments and
certain debt instruments. Constructive sale treatment of appreciated financial
positions does not apply to certain transactions closed in the 90-day period
ending with the 30th day after the close of the Fund's taxable year, if certain
conditions are met.
Similarly, if the Fund enters into a short sale of property that
becomes substantially worthless, the Fund will be required to recognize gain at
that time as though it had closed the short sale. Future regulations may apply
similar treatment to other strategic transactions with respect to property that
becomes substantially worthless.
A portion of the difference between the issue price of zero coupon
securities and their face value ("original issue discount") is considered to be
income to the Fund each year, even though the Fund will not receive cash
interest payments from these securities. This original issue discount imputed
income will comprise a part of the investment company taxable income of the Fund
which must be distributed to shareholders in order to maintain the qualification
of the Fund as a regulated investment company and to avoid federal income tax at
the Fund's level. In addition, if the Fund invests in certain high yield
original issue discount obligations issued by corporations, a portion of the
original issue discount accruing on the obligation may be eligible for the
deduction for dividends received by corporations. In such event, dividends of
investment company taxable income received from the Fund by its corporate
shareholders, to the extent attributable to such portion of accrued original
issue discount, may be eligible for this deduction for dividends received by
corporations if so designated by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders.
Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in
exchange rates which occur between the time the Fund accrues receivables or
liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually
collects such receivables or pays such liabilities generally are treated as
ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly, on disposition of
43
<PAGE>
debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain
futures contracts, forward contracts and options, gains or losses attributable
to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the date of acquisition
of the security or contract and the date of disposition are also treated as
ordinary gain or loss. These gains or losses, referred to under the Code as
"Section 988" gains or losses, may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's
investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders as
ordinary income.
Income received by the Fund from sources within a foreign country may
be subject to foreign and other withholding taxes imposed by that country.
The Fund will be required to report to the IRS all distributions of
taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption
or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders.
Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code
distributions of taxable income and capital gains and proceeds from the
redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be
subject to withholding of federal income tax at the rate of 31% in the case of
nonexempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their
taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their
status under the federal income tax law. Withholding may also be required if the
Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that the taxpayer identification number
furnished by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder has previously
failed to report interest or dividend income. If the withholding provisions are
applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or
reinvested in shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.
Shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions
received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund's shares. A brief
explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each
distribution. By January 31 of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a
statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.
The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. Neither the
Trust nor the Fund is expected to be liable for any income or franchise tax in
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provided that the Fund qualifies as a
regulated investment company under the Code.
The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely
to the application of that law to U.S. persons, i.e., U.S. citizens and
residents and U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each
shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax
consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that
such a shareholder may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or
at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts constituting
ordinary income received by him or her, where such amounts are treated as income
from U.S. sources under the Code.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of
the provisions of tax law described in this statement of additional information
in light of their particular tax situations.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Brokerage Commissions
The Adviser supervises allocation of brokerage.
The primary objective of the Adviser in placing orders for the purchase
and sale of securities for the Fund is to obtain the most favorable net results,
taking into account such factors as price, commission where applicable, size of
order, difficulty of execution and skill required of the executing
broker/dealer. The Adviser seeks to evaluate the overall reasonableness of
brokerage commissions paid (to the extent applicable) through the familiarity of
the Distributor with commissions charged on comparable transactions, as well as
by comparing commissions paid by the Fund to reported commissions paid by
others. The Adviser reviews on a routine basis commission rates, execution and
settlement services performed, making internal and external comparisons.
The Adviser generally places the Fund's purchases and sales of
fixed-income securities with primary market makers for these securities on a net
basis, without any brokerage commission being paid by the Fund. Trading does,
however, involve transaction costs. Transactions with dealers serving as primary
market makers reflect the spread
44
<PAGE>
between the bid and asked prices. Purchases of underwritten issues may be made,
which will include an underwriting fee paid to the underwriter.
When it can be done consistently with the policy of obtaining the most
favorable net results, it is the Adviser's practice to place such orders with
broker/dealers who supply research, market and statistical information to the
Fund. The term "research, market and statistical information" includes advice as
to the value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing or
selling securities; the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of
securities; and analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities,
economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts.
The Adviser is authorized when placing portfolio transactions for the Fund to
pay a brokerage commission in excess of that which another broker might charge
for executing the same transaction on account of execution services and the
receipt of research, market or statistical information. The Adviser will not
place orders with a broker/dealer on the basis that the broker/dealer has or has
not sold shares of the Fund. In effecting transactions in over-the-counter
securities, orders are placed with the principal market makers for the security
being traded unless, after exercising care, it appears that more favorable
results are available elsewhere.
To the maximum extent feasible, it is expected that the Adviser will
place orders for portfolio transactions through the Distributor, which is a
corporation registered as a broker-dealer and a subsidiary of the Adviser; the
Distributor will place orders on behalf of the Fund with issuers, underwriters
or other brokers and dealers. The Distributor will not receive any commission,
fee or other remuneration from the Fund for this service.
Although certain research, market and statistical information from
broker/dealers may be useful to the Fund and to the Adviser, it is the opinion
of the Adviser that such information only supplements the Adviser's own research
effort since the information must still be analyzed, weighed, and reviewed by
the Adviser's staff. Such information may be useful to the Adviser in providing
services to clients other than the Fund, and the Adviser in connection with the
Fund uses not all such information. Conversely, such information provided to the
Adviser by broker/dealers through whom other clients of the Adviser effect
securities transactions may be useful to the Adviser in providing services to
the Fund.
The Trustees of the Fund review from time to time whether the recapture
for the benefit of the Fund of some portion of the brokerage commissions or
similar fees paid by the Fund on portfolio transactions is legally permissible
and advisable.
In the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, Large
Company Value Fund paid brokerage commissions of $5,768,334, $2,188,295 and
$1,318,544 respectively. For the ten months ended July 31, 1999, Large Company
Value Fund paid brokerage commissions of $___________. For the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1998, $1,260,550 , (95.60% of the total brokerage commissions
paid) resulted from orders placed, consistent with the policy of obtaining the
most favorable net results, with brokers and dealers who provided supplementary
research services to the Trust or Adviser. For the ten months ended July 31,
1999, $_____ , (____% of the total brokerage commissions paid) resulted from
orders placed, consistent with the policy of obtaining the most favorable net
results, with brokers and dealers who provided supplementary research services
to the Trust or Adviser. The total amount of brokerage transactions aggregated
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998 was $977,798,986 of which
$874,809,855 (89.47% of all brokerage transactions) were transactions which
included research commissions. The total amount of brokerage transactions
aggregated for the 10 months ended July 31, 1999 was $_____ of which $_________
(______% of all brokerage transactions) were transactions which included
research commissions.
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund's average annual portfolio turnover rate, i.e. the ratio of
the lesser of sales or purchases to the monthly average value of the portfolio
(excluding from both the numerator and the denominator all securities with
maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less), for the fiscal years
ended September 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998 was 150.7%, 43.02% and 39.5%,
respectively. Large Company Value Fund's average annual portfolio turnover rate
for the 10 months ended July 31, 1999 was _________%. Higher levels of activity
by the Fund result in higher transaction costs and may also result in taxes on
realized capital gains to be borne by the Fund's shareholders. Purchases and
sales are made for the Fund whenever necessary, in management's opinion, to meet
the Fund's objectives.
45
<PAGE>
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of shares of the Fund is computed as of the close
of regular trading on the Exchange on each day the Exchange is open for trading
(the "Value Time"). The Exchange is scheduled to be closed on the following
holidays: New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas,
and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when one of these holidays
falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. Net asset value per share is
determined by dividing the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all
liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding.
An exchange-traded equity security is valued at its most recent sale
price on the exchange it is traded as of the Value Time. Lacking any sales, the
security is valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid quotation
and the most recent asked quotation (the "Calculated Mean") on such exchange as
of the Value Time. Lacking a Calculated Mean, the security is valued at the most
recent bid quotation on such exchange as of the Value Time. An equity security
which is traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation ("Nasdaq") system will be valued at its most recent sale price on such
system as of the Value Time. Lacking any sales, the security is valued at the
most recent bid quotation as of the Value Time. The value of an equity security
not quoted on the Nasdaq System, but traded in another over-the-counter market,
is its most recent sale price if there are any sales of such security on such
market as of the Value Time. Lacking any sales, the security is valued at the
Calculated Mean quotation for such security as of the Value Time. Lacking a
Calculated Mean quotation, the security is valued at the most recent bid
quotation as of the Value Time.
Debt securities, other than money market instruments, are valued at
prices supplied by the Fund's pricing agent(s), which reflect broker/dealer
supplied valuations and electronic data processing techniques. Money market
instruments with an original maturity of sixty days or less maturing at par
shall be valued by the amortized cost, which the Board believes approximates
market value. If it is not possible to value a particular debt security pursuant
to these valuation methods, the value of such security is the most recent bid
quotation supplied by a bona fide marketmaker. If it is not possible to value a
particular debt security pursuant to the above methods, the Adviser may
calculate the price of that debt security, subject to limitations established by
the Board.
An exchange traded options contract on securities, currencies, futures
and other financial instruments is valued at its most recent sale price on such
exchange. Lacking any sales, the options contract is valued at the Calculated
Mean. Lacking any Calculated Mean, the options contract is valued at the most
recent bid quotation in the case of a purchased options contract, or the most
recent asked quotation in the case of a written options contract. An options
contract on securities, currencies and other financial instruments traded
over-the-counter is valued at the most recent bid quotation in the case of a
purchased options contract and at the most recent asked quotation in the case of
a written options contract. Futures contracts are valued at the most recent
settlement price. Foreign currency exchange forward contracts are valued at the
value of the underlying currency at the prevailing exchange rate.
If a security is traded on more than one exchange, or upon one or more
exchanges and in the over-the-counter market, quotations are taken from the
market in which the security is traded most extensively.
If, in the opinion of the Trust's Valuation Committee, the value of a
portfolio asset as determined in accordance with these procedures does not
represent the fair market value of the portfolio asset, the value of the
portfolio asset is taken to be an amount which, in the opinion of the Valuation
Committee, represents fair market value on the basis of all available
information. The value of other portfolio holdings owned by a Fund is determined
in a manner that, in the discretion of the Valuation Committee most fairly
reflects fair market value of the property on the valuation date.
Following the valuations of securities or other portfolio assets in
terms of the currency in which the market quotation used is expressed ("Local
Currency"), the value of these portfolio assets in terms of U.S. dollars is
calculated by converting the Local Currency into U.S. dollars at the prevailing
currency exchange rate on the valuation date.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Experts
The Financial Highlights of the Fund included in the Fund's prospectus
and the Financial Statements incorporated by reference in this Statement of
Additional Information have been so included or incorporated by reference
46
<PAGE>
in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 160 Federal Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110, independent accountants, and given on the authority
of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. PricewaterhouseCoopers , LLP
audits the financial statements of the Fund and provides other audit, tax, and
related services.
Shareholder Indemnification
The Trust is an organization of the type commonly known as a
"Massachusetts business trust". Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a
trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners
for the obligations of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability in connection with a Fund's property or the
acts, obligations or affairs of a Fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides
for indemnification out of a Fund's property of any shareholder of a Fund held
personally liable for the claims and liabilities to which a shareholder may
become subject by reason of being or having been a shareholder of a Fund. Thus,
the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder
liability is limited to circumstances in which a Fund itself would be unable to
meet its obligations.
Other Information
Many of the investment changes in the Fund will be made at prices
different from those prevailing at the time they may be reflected in regular
reports to shareholders of the Fund. These transactions will reflect investment
decisions made by the Adviser in light of the objectives and policies of the
Fund, and other factors, such as its other portfolio holdings and tax
considerations should not be construed as recommendations for similar action by
other investors.
The name "Value Equity Trust" is the designation of the Trustees for
the time being under a Declaration of Trust dated October 16, 1985, as amended,
and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the
Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the Trustees,
officers, agents, shareholders nor other series of the Trust assumes any
personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund. Upon the
initial purchase of shares of the Fund, the shareholder agrees to be bound by
the Trust's Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time. The Declaration
of Trust is on file at the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office in Boston,
Massachusetts. All persons dealing with the Fund must look only to the assets of
the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against a Fund as no other series of
the Trust assumes any liabilities for obligations entered into on behalf of a
Fund.
The CUSIP number of Large Company Value Fund is 920390-50-7.
On June 7, 1999, Large Company Value Fund changed its fiscal year to
July 31 from September 30.
The law firm of Dechert Price & Rhoads is counsel to the Fund.
The Trust employs State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 as custodian for each Fund.
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation, Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110-4103, a subsidiary of the Adviser, computes net asset values
for the Fund. The Fund pays Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation an annual fee
equal to 0.025% of the first $150 million of average daily net assets, 0.0075%
of such assets in excess of $150 million and 0.0045% of such assets in excess of
$1 billion, plus holding and transaction charges for this service. For the
fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 , 1997 and 1998, Large Company Value Fund
incurred annual fees of $158,045 ,$157,173and _____, respectively. For the 10
months ended July 31, 1999, Large Company Value Fund incurred fees of
$----------.
Scudder Service Corporation ("Service Corporation"), P.O. Box 2291,
Boston, Massachusetts 02107-2291, a subsidiary of the Adviser, is the transfer,
dividend disbursing and shareholder service agent for Large Company Value Fund.
Service Corporation also provides subaccounting and recordkeeping services for
shareholder accounts in certain retirement and employee benefit plans. The Fund
pays Service Corporation a fee for maintaining each account for a retail
participant of $26.00 and for each retirement participant of $29.00. For the
fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 , 1997, and 1998, Large Company Value Fund
incurred annual fees of $1,715,004 , $2,505,046, and $2,518,178. For the ten
months ended July 31, 1999, Large Company Value Fund incurred fees of $________.
47
<PAGE>
Scudder Trust Company ("STC"), a subsidiary of the Adviser, provides
recordkeeping and other services in connection with certain retirement and
employee benefit plans invested in the Fund. For the fiscal years ended
September 30, 1996 , 1997, and 1998, Large Company Value Fund incurred annual
fees of $1,715,004 , $1,562,194, and $1,835,663. For the ten months ended July
31, 1999, Large Company Value Fund incurred annual fees of $_________.
The Fund, or the Adviser (including any affiliate of the Adviser), or
both, may pay unaffiliated third parties for providing recordkeeping and other
administrative services with respect to accounts of participants in retirement
plans or other beneficial owners of Fund shares whose interests are held in an
omnibus account.
The prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information omit
certain information contained in the Registration Statement which the Trust has
filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 and reference is hereby made
to the Registration Statement for further information with respect to the Fund
and the securities offered hereby. The Registration Statement is available for
inspection by the public at the SEC in Washington, D.C.
48
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
The following is a description of the ratings given by Moody's and S&P
to corporate and municipal bonds.
Ratings of Municipal and Corporate Bonds
Standard & Poor's:
Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong. Debt rated AA has a very
strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the highest
rated issues only in small degree. 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. 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.
Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded as having predominantly
speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While
such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, large
uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions outweigh these.
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. 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.
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. The rating CC typically is applied to debt subordinated
to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC rating. The rating C
typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that 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. The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which no interest
is being paid. Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used
when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even
if the applicable grace period had not expired, unless S&P believes that such
payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used
upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.
Moody's:
Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues. 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. 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.
<PAGE>
Bonds that 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. Bonds that are rated Ba are
judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well
assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very
moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during other good and bad times over
the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class. Bonds
that 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.
Bonds that 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. Bonds that are rated Ca represent obligations that are speculative in
a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings. 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.
<PAGE>
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item 23. Exhibits.
-------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
(a) (1) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 17, 1988.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(2) Establishment and Designation of Series dated December 15, 1986.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(3) Amended Establishment and Designation of Series dated May 4, 1987.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(4) Certificate of Amendment dated December 13, 1990.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(5) Establishment and Designation of Series dated October 6, 1992.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(6) Redesignation of Series by the Registrant on behalf of Scudder Capital
Growth Fund, dated December 2, 1996.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(f) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(7) Establishment and Designation of Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest,
$0.01 Par Value, Kemper A, B & C Shares, and Scudder Shares.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the
Registration Statement.)
(8) Redesignation of Series, Scudder Value Fund to Value Fund.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the
Registration Statement.)
(b) (1) By-Laws as of October 16, 1985.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(2) Amendment to the By-Laws of Registrant as amended through December 9, 1985.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(3) Amendment to the Registrant's By-Laws dated December 12, 1991.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(4) Amendment to the Registrant's By-Laws dated September 17, 1992.
(Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 2(d) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
Part C - Page 1
<PAGE>
(c) Inapplicable.
(d) (1) Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Scudder
Large Company Value Fund, and Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. dated
September 7, 1998.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the
Registration Statement.)
(2) Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Value
Fund, and Scudder Kemper Investment, Inc. dated September 7, 1998.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the
Registration Statement.)
(3) Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of Scudder
Select 500 Fund and Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., dated March 31, 1999.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the
Registration Statement.)
(4) Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of Scudder
Select 1000 Growth Fund and Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., dated March
31, 1999.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the
Registration Statement.)
(e) (1) Underwriting and Distribution Services Agreement between the Registrant, on
behalf of Value Fund, and Kemper Distributors, Inc. dated September 7, 1998.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the
Registration Statement.)
(2) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Scudder Investor Services,
Inc. dated September 7, 1998.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the
Registration Statement.)
(f) Inapplicable.
(g) (1) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("State Street Bank") dated October 1, 1982.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(a)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
(1)(a) Fee schedule for Exhibit (g)(1).
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(a)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
(2) Amendment to Custodian Contract dated March 31, 1986.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(a)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
(3) Amendment to Custodian Contract dated October 1, 1982.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(a)(4)to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
Part C - Page 2
<PAGE>
(4) Amendment to Custodian Contract dated September 16, 1988.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(a)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
(5) Amendment to Custodian Contract dated December 13, 1990.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(a)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
(5)(a) Fee schedule for Exhibit (g)(5) dated August 1, 1994.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(a)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
(6) Agency Agreement between State Street Bank and trust Company and The Bank of
New York, London office dated January 1, 1979.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(7) Subcustody Agreement between State Street Bank and the Chase Manhattan Bank,
N.A. dated September 1, 1986.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(c)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
(h) (1) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and Scudder
Service Corporation dated October 2, 1989.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9(a)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
(1)(a) Fee schedule for Exhibit (h)(1).
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9(a)(2) to Post Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
(1)(b) Form of revised fee schedule for Exhibit (h)(1).
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9(a)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 23 to the Registration Statement.)
(2) Agency Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of Value Fund and Kemper
Service Company dated April 1998.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective No. 30 to the Registration
Statement.)
(3) COMPASS Service Agreement between Scudder Trust Company and the Registrant
dated October 1, 1995.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9(b)(3)to Post-Effective Amendment No.
24 to this Registration Statement.)
(4) Shareholder Services Agreement between the Registrant and Charles Schwab &
Co., Inc. dated June 1, 1990.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(5) Service Agreement between Copeland Associates, Inc. and Scudder Service
Corporation, on behalf of Scudder Equity Trust, dated June 8, 1995.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9(c)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 23 to this Registration Statement.)
Part C - Page 3
<PAGE>
(6) Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of
Scudder Capital Growth Fund, and Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation dated
October 19, 1994.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9(e)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
(7) Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of
Scudder Value Fund, and Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation dated October
24, 1994.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9(e)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 25 to the Registration Statement.)
(8) Special Servicing Agreement dated November 15, 1996 between Scudder Pathway
Series and the Registrant, on behalf of Scudder Capital Growth Fund and
Scudder Value Fund.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9(f) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
25 to the Registration Statement.)
(9) Administrative Services Agreement between the Registrant and Kemper
Distributors, Inc. dated April 1998.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the
Registration Statement.)
(10) Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of
Scudder Select 500 Fund, and Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation dated March
31, 1999.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the
Registration Statement.)
(11) Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of
Scudder Select 1000 Growth Fund, and Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation
dated March 31, 1999.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the
Registration Statement.)
(12) License Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Scudder Select 500
Fund, and Standard & Poor's Corporation, dated March 31, 1999.
Filed herein.
(13) Research License Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Scudder
Select 1000 Growth Fund, and Frank Russell Company dated March 31, 1999.
Filed herein.
(i) Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel.
(To be filed by Amendment.)
(j) Consent of Independent Accountants.
(To be filed by Amendment.)
(k) Inapplicable.
(l) Inapplicable.
(m) Inapplicable.
Part C - Page 4
<PAGE>
(n) Inapplicable.
(o) Mutual Funds Multi-Distribution System Plan, Rule 18f-3Plan.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 29
to the Registration Statement.)
</TABLE>
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Fund.
- -------- --------------------------------------------------------
None
Item 25. Indemnification.
- -------- ----------------
A policy of insurance covering Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc., its subsidiaries including Scudder Investor Services,
Inc., and all of the registered investment companies advised
by Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. insures the Registrant's
trustees and officers and others against liability arising by
reason of an alleged breach of duty caused by any negligent
act, error or accidental omission in the scope of their
duties.
Article IV, Sections 4.1 - 4.3 of the Registrant's Declaration
of Trust provide as follows:
Section 4.1. No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees,
etc. No Shareholder shall be subject to any personal liability
whatsoever to any Person in connection with Trust Property or
the acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust. No Trustee,
officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be subject to
any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than to
the Trust or its Shareholders, in connection with Trust
Property or the affairs of the Trust, save only that arising
from bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of his duties with respect to such Person;
and all such Persons shall look solely to the Trust Property
for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection
with the affairs of the Trust. If any Shareholder, Trustee,
officer, employee, or agent, as such, of the Trust, is made a
party to any suit or proceeding to enforce any such liability
of the Trust, he shall not, on account thereof, be held to any
personal liability. The Trust shall indemnify and hold each
Shareholder harmless from and against all claims and
liabilities, to which such Shareholder may become subject by
reason of his being or having been a Shareholder, and shall
reimburse such Shareholder for all legal and other expenses
reasonably incurred by him in connection with any such claim
or liability. The indemnification and reimbursement required
by the preceding sentence shall be made only out of the assets
of the one or more Series of which the Shareholder who is
entitled to indemnification or reimbursement was a Shareholder
at the time the act or event occurred which gave rise to the
claim against or liability of said Shareholder. The rights
accruing to a Shareholder under this Section 4.1 shall not
impair any other right to which such Shareholder may be
lawfully entitled, nor shall anything herein contained
restrict the right of the Trust to indemnify or reimburse a
Shareholder in any appropriate situation even though not
specifically provided herein.
Section 4.2. Non-Liability of Trustees, Etc. No Trustee,
officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be liable to the
Trust, its Shareholders, or to any Shareholder, Trustee,
officer, employee, or agent thereof for any action or failure
to act (including without limitation the failure to compel in
any way any former or acting Trustee to redress any breach of
trust) except for his own bad faith, willful misfeasance,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved
in the conduct of his office.
Part C - Page 5
<PAGE>
Section 4.3. Mandatory Indemnification. (a) Subject to the
exceptions and limitations contained in paragraph (b) below:
(i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or
officer of the Trust shall be indemnified by the Trust to the
fullest extent permitted by law against all liability and
against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in
connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which
he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his
being or having been a Trustee or officer and against amounts
paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof;
(ii) the words "claim," "action," "suit," or
"proceeding" shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or
proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other,
including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words
"liability" and "expenses" shall include, without limitation,
attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement,
fines, penalties and other liabilities.
(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a
Trustee or officer:
(i) against any liability to the Trust, a Series
thereof, or the Shareholders by reason of a final adjudication
by a court or other body before which a proceeding was brought
that he engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of his office;
(ii) with respect to any matter as to which he shall
have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith
in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best
interest of the Trust;
(iii) in the event of a settlement or other
disposition not involving a final adjudication as provided in
paragraph (b)(i) or (b)(ii) resulting in a payment by a
Trustee or officer, unless there has been a determination that
such Trustee or officer did not engage in willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his office:
(A) by the court or other body approving the
settlement or other disposition; or
(B) based upon a review of readily available
facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) by
(x) vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees
acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the
Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the
matter) or (y) written opinion of independent legal
counsel.
(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be
insured against by policies maintained by the Trust,
shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights
to which any Trustee or officer may now or hereafter
be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has
ceased to be such Trustee or officer and shall insure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors,
administrators and assigns of such a person. Nothing
contained herein shall affect any rights to
indemnification to which personnel of the Trust other
than Trustees and officers may be entitled by
contract or otherwise under law.
(d) Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense
to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the
character described in paragraph (a) of this Section
4.3 may be advanced by the Trust prior to final
disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by
or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if
it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled
to indemnification under this Section 4.3, provided
that either:
(i) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or
some other appropriate security provided by the recipient, or
the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any
such advances; or
Part C - Page 6
<PAGE>
(ii) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting
on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested
Trustees act on the matter) or an independent legal counsel in
a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of
readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type
inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the recipient
ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
As used in this Section 4.3, a "Disinterested
Trustee" is one who is not (i) an "Interested Person" of the
Trust (including anyone who has been exempted from being an
"Interested Person" by any rule, regulation or order of the
Commission), or (ii) involved in the claim, action, suit or
proceeding.
Item 26. Business or Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
- -------- ----------------------------------------------------
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. has stockholders and
employees who are denominated officers but do not as such have
corporation-wide responsibilities. Such persons are not
considered officers for the purpose of this Item 26.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Business and Other Connections of Board
Name of Directors of Registrant's Adviser
---- ------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Stephen R. Beckwith Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Vice President and Treasurer, Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation*
Director, Scudder Stevens & Clark Corporation**
Director and Chairman, Scudder Defined Contribution Services, Inc.**
Director and President, Scudder Capital Asset Corporation**
Director and President, Scudder Capital Stock Corporation**
Director and President, Scudder Capital Planning Corporation**
Director and President, SS&C Investment Corporation**
Director and President, SIS Investment Corporation**
Director and President, SRV Investment Corporation**
Lynn S. Birdsong Director and Vice President, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Director, Scudder, Stevens & Clark (Luxembourg) S.A.#
William H. Bolinder Director, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Member Group Executive Board, Zurich Financial Services, Inc. ##
Chairman, Zurich-American Insurance Company o
Laurence W. Cheng Director, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Member, Corporate Executive Board, Zurich Insurance Company of Switzerland ##
Director, ZKI Holding Corporation xx
Gunther Gose Director, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
CFO, Member Group Executive Board, Zurich Financial Services, Inc. ##
CEO/Branch Offices, Zurich Life Insurance Company ##
Rolf Huppi Director, Chairman of the Board, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Member, Corporate Executive Board, Zurich Insurance Company of Switzerland##
Director, Chairman of the Board, Zurich Holding Company of America o
Director, ZKI Holding Corporation xx
Kathryn L. Quirk Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary, Scudder Kemper
Investments, Inc.**
Director, Senior Vice President & Assistant Clerk, Scudder Investor Services, Inc.*
Director, Vice President & Secretary, Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation*
Part C - Page 7
<PAGE>
Director, Vice President & Secretary, Scudder Realty Holdings Corporation*
Director & Assistant Clerk, Scudder Service Corporation*
Director, SFA, Inc.*
Vice President, Director & Assistant Secretary, Scudder Precious Metals, Inc.***
Director, Scudder, Stevens & Clark Japan, Inc.***
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder, Stevens & Clark of Canada, Ltd.***
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder Canada Investor Services Limited***
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder Realty Advisers, Inc. x
Director and Secretary, Scudder, Stevens & Clark Corporation**
Director and Secretary, Scudder, Stevens & Clark Overseas Corporation oo
Director and Secretary, SFA, Inc.*
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder Defined Contribution Services, Inc.**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder Capital Asset Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder Capital Stock Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder Capital Planning Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, SS&C Investment Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, SIS Investment Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, SRV Investment Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder Brokerage Services, Inc.*
Director, Korea Bond Fund Management Co., Ltd. +
Cornelia M. Small Director and Vice President, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Edmond D. Villani Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Director, Scudder, Stevens & Clark Japan, Inc. ###
President and Director, Scudder, Stevens & Clark Overseas Corporation oo
President and Director, Scudder, Stevens & Clark Corporation**
Director, Scudder Realty Advisors, Inc. x
Director, IBJ Global Investment Management S.A. Luxembourg, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
</TABLE>
* Two International Place, Boston, MA
x 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA
** 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY
# Societe Anonyme, 47, Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg,
R.C. Luxembourg B 34.564
*** Toronto, Ontario, Canada
xxx Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies
oo 20-5, Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
### 1-7, Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
xx 222 S. Riverside, Chicago, IL
o Zurich Towers, 1400 American Ln., Schaumburg, IL
+ P.O. Box 309, Upland House, S. Church St., Grand Cayman,
British West Indies
## Mythenquai-2, P.O. Box CH-8022, Zurich, Switzerland
Item 27. Principal Underwriters.
- -------- -----------------------
(a)
Scudder Investor Services, Inc. acts as principal underwriter of the
Registrant's shares and also acts as principal underwriter for other
funds managed by Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
Part C - Page 8
<PAGE>
(b)
The Underwriter has employees who are denominated officers of an
operational area. Such persons do not have corporation-wide
responsibilities and are not considered officers for the purpose of
this Item 27.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(1) (2) (3)
Name and Principal Position and Offices with Positions and
Business Address Scudder Investor Services, Inc. Offices with Registrant
---------------- ------------------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Lynn S. Birdsong Senior Vice President Trustee and President
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Mary Elizabeth Beams Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Mark S. Casady Director, President and Assistant None
Two International Place Treasurer
Boston, MA 02110
Linda Coughlin Director and Senior Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Richard W. Desmond Vice President None
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Paul J. Elmlinger Senior Vice President and Assistant None
345 Park Avenue Clerk
New York, NY 10154
Philip S. Fortuna Vice President None
101 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
William F. Glavin Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Margaret D. Hadzima Assistant Treasurer None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
John R. Hebble Assistant Treasurer Treasurer
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
James J. McGovern Chief Financial Officer None
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Part C - Page 9
<PAGE>
Name and Principal Position and Offices with Positions and
Business Address Scudder Investor Services, Inc. Offices with Registrant
---------------- ------------------------------- -----------------------
Lorie C. O'Malley Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Caroline Pearson Clerk Assistant Secretary
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Kathryn L. Quirk Director, Senior Vice President, Chief Trustee, Vice President
345 Park Avenue Legal Officer and Assistant Clerk and Assistant Secretary
New York, NY 10154
Robert A. Rudell Director and Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
William M. Thomas Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Benjamin Thorndike Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Sydney S. Tucker Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Linda J. Wondrack Vice President and Chief Compliance None
Two International Place Officer
Boston, MA 02110
</TABLE>
(c)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Net Underwriting Compensation on
Name of Principal Discounts and Redemptions Brokerage Other
Underwriter Commissions and Repurchases Commissions Compensation
----------- ----------- --------------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Scudder Investor None None None None
Services, Inc.
</TABLE>
(d)
Kemper Distributors, Inc. acts as principal underwriters of the
Registrant's shares and acts as principal underwriter of the Kemper
Funds.
Part C - Page 10
<PAGE>
(e)
Information on the officers and directors of Kemper Distributors, Inc.,
principal underwriter for the Registrant is set forth below. The
principal business address is 222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago,
Illinois 60606.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(1) (2) (3)
Positions and Offices with Positions and
Name Kemper Distributors, Inc. Offices with Registrant
---- ------------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
James L. Greenawalt President None
Thomas W. Littauer Director, Chief Executive Officer None
Kathryn L. Quirk Director, Secretary, Chief Legal Trustee, Vice President and Assistant
Officer and Vice President Secretary
James J. McGovern Chief Financial Officer and Vice None
President
Linda J. Wondrack Vice President and Chief Compliance None
Officer
Paula Gaccione Vice President None
Michael E. Harrington Vice President None
Robert A. Rudell Vice President None
William M. Thomas Vice President None
Todd N. Gierke Assistant Treasurer None
Herbert A. Christiansen Vice President None
Philip J. Collora Assistant Secretary None
Paul J. Elmlinger Assistant Secretary None
Diane E. Ratekin Assistant Secretary None
Mark S. Casady Director, Vice Chairman None
Stephen R. Beckwith Director None
</TABLE>
(f) Not applicable
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records.
- -------- ---------------------------------
Certain accounts, books and other documents required to be
maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules
promulgated thereunder are maintained by Scudder Kemper
Investments Inc., Two International Place, Boston, MA
02110-4103. Records relating to the duties of the Registrant's
custodian are maintained by State Street Bank and Trust
Company, Heritage Drive, North Quincy, Massachusetts. Records
relating to the duties of the Registrant's transfer agent are
maintained by Scudder Service Corporation, Two International
Place, Boston, Massachusetts.
Part C - Page 11
<PAGE>
Item 29. Management Services.
- -------- --------------------
Inapplicable.
Item 30. Undertakings.
- -------- -------------
Inapplicable.
Part C - Page 12
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
----------
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this amendment to its Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 485(a) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly
caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts on the 30th day of September, 1999.
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
By: /s/Lynn S. Birdsong
-------------------------
Lynn S. Birdsong*
President (Principal Executive Officer) and Trustee
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
amendment to its Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/Lynn S. Birdsong
- ---------------------------------------
Lynn S. Birdsong* President and Trustee September 30, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
Paul Bancroft III Trustee September 30, 1999
/s/Sheryle J. Bolton
- ---------------------------------------
Sheryle J. Bolton* Trustee September 30, 1999
/s/William T. Burgin
- ---------------------------------------
William T. Burgin* Trustee September 30, 1999
/s/Keith R. Fox
- ---------------------------------------
Keith R. Fox* Trustee September 30, 1999
/s/William H. Luers
- ---------------------------------------
William H. Luers* Trustee September 30, 1999
/s/Kathryn L. Quirk
- ---------------------------------------
Kathryn L. Quirk* Trustee, Vice President and Assistant
Secretary September 30, 1999
/s/Joan E. Spero
- ---------------------------------------
Joan E. Spero* Trustee September 30, 1999
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
/s/John R. Hebble
- ---------------------------------------
John R. Hebble Treasurer September 30, 1999
</TABLE>
*By: /s/Caroline Pearson
------------------------
Caroline Pearson
Attorney-in-fact pursuant to powers of attorney for Lynn S.
Birdsong, Sheryle J. Bolton, William T. Burgin, Keith R.
Fox, William H. Luers, Kathryn L. Quirk, and Joan E. Spero
contained in this Post-Effective Amendment to the
Registration Statement.
2
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
-----------------
SCUDDER SECURITIES TRUST
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power
of Attorney has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated. By so signing, the undersigned in his/her capacity as
trustee or officer, or both, as the case may be of the Registrant, does hereby
appoint Caroline Pearson, Kathryn L. Quirk, John Millette and Sheldon A. Jones
and each of them, severally, or if more than one acts, a majority of them, his
true and lawful attorney and agent to execute in his name, place and stead (in
such capacity) any and all amendments to the Registration Statement and any
post-effective amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or desirable in
connection therewith, to attest the seal of the Registrant thereon and to file
the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys and
agents shall have power to act with or without the other and have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any
and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or advisable to be done in
the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys
and agents and each of them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/Sheryle J. Bolton
- ---------------------------------------
Sheryle J. Bolton Trustee October 1, 1999
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
-----------------
SCUDDER SECURITIES TRUST
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power
of Attorney has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated. By so signing, the undersigned in his/her capacity as
trustee or officer, or both, as the case may be of the Registrant, does hereby
appoint Caroline Pearson, Kathryn L. Quirk, John Millette and Sheldon A. Jones
and each of them, severally, or if more than one acts, a majority of them, his
true and lawful attorney and agent to execute in his name, place and stead (in
such capacity) any and all amendments to the Registration Statement and any
post-effective amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or desirable in
connection therewith, to attest the seal of the Registrant thereon and to file
the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys and
agents shall have power to act with or without the other and have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any
and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or advisable to be done in
the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys
and agents and each of them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/William T. Burgin
- ---------------------------------------
William T. Burgin Trustee October 1, 1999
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
-----------------
SCUDDER SECURITIES TRUST
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power
of Attorney has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated. By so signing, the undersigned in his/her capacity as
trustee or officer, or both, as the case may be of the Registrant, does hereby
appoint Caroline Pearson, Kathryn L. Quirk, John Millette and Sheldon A. Jones
and each of them, severally, or if more than one acts, a majority of them, his
true and lawful attorney and agent to execute in his name, place and stead (in
such capacity) any and all amendments to the Registration Statement and any
post-effective amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or desirable in
connection therewith, to attest the seal of the Registrant thereon and to file
the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys and
agents shall have power to act with or without the other and have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any
and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or advisable to be done in
the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys
and agents and each of them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/Keith R. Fox
- ---------------------------------------
Keith R. Fox Trustee October 1, 1999
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
-----------------
SCUDDER SECURITIES TRUST
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power
of Attorney has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated. By so signing, the undersigned in his/her capacity as
trustee or officer, or both, as the case may be of the Registrant, does hereby
appoint Caroline Pearson, Kathryn L. Quirk, John Millette and Sheldon A. Jones
and each of them, severally, or if more than one acts, a majority of them, his
true and lawful attorney and agent to execute in his name, place and stead (in
such capacity) any and all amendments to the Registration Statement and any
post-effective amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or desirable in
connection therewith, to attest the seal of the Registrant thereon and to file
the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys and
agents shall have power to act with or without the other and have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any
and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or advisable to be done in
the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys
and agents and each of them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/William H. Luers
- ---------------------------------------
William H. Luers Trustee October 1, 1999
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
-----------------
SCUDDER SECURITIES TRUST
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power
of Attorney has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated. By so signing, the undersigned in his/her capacity as
trustee or officer, or both, as the case may be of the Registrant, does hereby
appoint Caroline Pearson, Kathryn L. Quirk, John Millette and Sheldon A. Jones
and each of them, severally, or if more than one acts, a majority of them, his
true and lawful attorney and agent to execute in his name, place and stead (in
such capacity) any and all amendments to the Registration Statement and any
post-effective amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or desirable in
connection therewith, to attest the seal of the Registrant thereon and to file
the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys and
agents shall have power to act with or without the other and have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any
and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or advisable to be done in
the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys
and agents and each of them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/Joan E. Spero
- ---------------------------------------
Joan E. Spero Trustee October 1, 1999
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
-----------------
SCUDDER SECURITIES TRUST
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power
of Attorney has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated. By so signing, the undersigned in his/her capacity as
trustee or officer, or both, as the case may be of the Registrant, does hereby
appoint Caroline Pearson, John Millette and Sheldon A. Jones and each of them,
severally, or if more than one acts, a majority of them, his true and lawful
attorney and agent to execute in his name, place and stead (in such capacity)
any and all amendments to the Registration Statement and any post-effective
amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or desirable in connection
therewith, to attest the seal of the Registrant thereon and to file the same
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys and agents
shall have power to act with or without the other and have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any
and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or advisable to be done in
the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys
and agents and each of them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/Kathryn L. Quirk
- ---------------------------------------
Kathryn L. Quirk Trustee October 1, 1999
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
-----------------
SCUDDER SECURITIES TRUST
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power
of Attorney has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated. By so signing, the undersigned in his/her capacity as
trustee or officer, or both, as the case may be of the Registrant, does hereby
appoint Caroline Pearson, Kathryn L. Quirk, John Millette and Sheldon A. Jones
and each of them, severally, or if more than one acts, a majority of them, his
true and lawful attorney and agent to execute in his name, place and stead (in
such capacity) any and all amendments to the Registration Statement and any
post-effective amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or desirable in
connection therewith, to attest the seal of the Registrant thereon and to file
the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys and
agents shall have power to act with or without the other and have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any
and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or advisable to be done in
the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys
and agents and each of them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/Lynn S. Birdsong
- ---------------------------------------
Lynn S. Birdsong Trustee and President October 1, 1999
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
File No. 2-78724
File No. 811-1444
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
EXHIBITS
TO
FORM N-1A
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 34
TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AND
AMENDMENT NO. 34
TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
<PAGE>
VALUE EQUITY TRUST
EXHIBIT INDEX
(h)(12)
(h)(13)
(h)(12)
LICENSE AGREEMENT
-----------------
LICENSE AGREEMENT, dated as of March 31, 1999 (the "Commencement Date")
by and between STANDARD & POOR'S, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
("S&P"), a New York corporation, having an office at 25 Broadway, New York, NY
10004, and Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. ("Licensee") , a Delaware
corporation having an office at Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts
02110-4103.
WHEREAS, S&P compiles, calculates, maintains and owns rights in and to
the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index and to the proprietary data therein
contained (such rights being hereinafter individually and collectively referred
to as the "S&P 500 Index"); and
WHEREAS, S&P uses in commerce and has trade name and trademark rights
to the designations "Standard & Poor's(R)", "S&P(R)", "S&P 500(R)", "Standard &
Poor's 500" and "500", in connection with the S&P 500 Index (such rights being
hereinafter individually and collectively referred to as the "S&P Marks") ; and
WHEREAS, Licensee wishes to use the S&P 500 Index as a component of the
product or products described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part
hereof (individually and collectively referred to as the "Product") ; and
WHEREAS, Licensee wishes to use the S&P Marks in connection with the
marketing and/or promotion of the Product and in connection with making
disclosure about the Product under applicable law, rules and regulations in
order to indicate that S&P is the source of the S&P 500 Index; and
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund]
<PAGE>
WHEREAS, Licensee wishes to obtain S&P's authorization to use the S&P
500 Index and the S&P Marks in connection with the Product pursuant to the terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Grant of License.
----------------
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, S&P
hereby grants to Licensee a non-transferable, non-exclusive license (i) to use
the S&P 500 Index as a component of the Product to be marketed and/or promoted
by Licensee and (ii) to use and refer to the S&P Marks in connection with the
distribution, marketing and promotion of the Product (including in the name of
the Product) and in connection with making such disclosure about the Product as
Licensee deems necessary or desirable under any applicable law, rules,
regulations or provisions of this Agreement, but, in each case, only to the
extent necessary to indicate the source of the S&P 500 Index. It is expressly
agreed and understood by Licensee that no rights to use the S&P 500 Index and
the S&P Marks are granted hereunder other than those specifically described and
expressly granted herein.
(b) S&P agrees that no person or entity (other than the
Licensee) shall need to obtain a license from S&P with respect to the Product.
2. Term.
----
The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Commencement
Date and shall continue in effect thereafter until it is terminated in
accordance with its terms.
3. License Fees.
------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -2-
<PAGE>
(a) Licensee shall pay to S&P the license fees ("License
Fees") specified and provide the data called for in Exhibit B, attached hereto
and made a part hereof.
(b) During the term of this Agreement and for a period of one
(1) year after its termination, S&P shall have the right, during normal business
hours and upon reasonable notice to Licensee, to audit on a confidential basis
the relevant books and records of Licensee to determine that License Fees have
been accurately determined. The costs of such audit shall be borne by S&P unless
it determines that it has been underpaid by five percent (5%) or more; in such
case, costs of the audit shall be paid by Licensee.
4. Termination.
-----------
(a) At any time during the term of this Agreement, either
party may give the other party sixty (60) days prior written notice of
termination if the terminating party believes in good faith that material damage
or harm is occurring to the reputation or goodwill of that party by reason of
its continued performance hereunder, and such notice shall be effective on the
date specified therein of such termination, unless the other party shall correct
the condition causing such damage or harm within the notice period.
(b) In the case of breach of any of the material terms or
conditions of this Agreement by either party, the other party may terminate this
Agreement by giving sixty (60) days prior written notice of its intent to
terminate, and such notice shall be effective on the date specified therein for
such termination unless the breaching party shall correct such breach within the
notice period.
(c) S&P shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to cease
compilation and publication of the S&P 500 Index and, in such event, to
terminate this Agreement if S&P does not offer a
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -3-
<PAGE>
replacement or substitute index. In the event that S&P intends to discontinue
the S&P 500 Index, S&P shall give Licensee at least one (1) year's written
notice prior to such discontinuance, which notice shall specify whether a
replacement or substitute index will be made available.
Licensee shall have the option hereunder within sixty (60)
days after receiving such written notice from S&P to notify S&P in writing of
its intent to use the replacement or substitute index, if any, under the terms
of this Agreement. In the event that Licensee does not exercise such option or
no substitute or replacement index is made available, this Agreement shall be
terminated as of the date specified in the S&P notice and the License Fees to
the date of such termination shall be computed as provided in Subsection 4(f).
(d) Licensee may terminate this Agreement upon ninety (90)
days prior written notice to S&P if (i) Licensee is informed of the final
adoption of any legislation or regulation or the issuance of any interpretation
that in Licensee's reasonable judgment materially impairs Licensee's ability to
market and/or promote the Product; (ii) any material litigation or regulatory
proceeding regarding the Product is threatened or commenced; or (iii) Licensee
elects to terminate the public offering or other distribution of the Product, as
may be applicable. In such event the License Fees to the date of such
termination shall be computed as provided in Subsection 4(f).
(e) S&P may terminate this Agreement upon ninety (90) days
(or upon such lesser period of time if required pursuant to a court order) prior
written notice to Licensee if (i) S&P is informed of the final adoption of any
legislation or regulation or the issuance of any interpretation that in S&P's
reasonable judgment materially impairs S&P's ability to license and provide the
S&P 500 Index and S&P Marks under this Agreement in connection with such
Product; or (ii) any litigation or proceeding is
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -4-
<PAGE>
threatened or commenced and S&P reasonably believes that such litigation or
proceeding would have a material and adverse effect upon the S&P Marks and/or
the S&P 500 Index or upon the ability of S&P to perform under this Agreement. In
such event the License Fees to the date of such termination shall be computed as
provided in Subsection 4(f).
(f) In the event of termination of this Agreement as provided
in Subsections 4(a), (b), (c), (d) or (e), the License Fees to the date of such
termination shall be computed by prorating the amount of the applicable License
Fees shown in Exhibit B on the basis of the number of elapsed days in the
current term.
(g) Upon termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall cease
to use the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Marks in connection with the Product;
provided that Licensee may continue to utilize any previously printed materials
which contain the S&P Marks for a period of ninety (90) days following such
termination.
5. S&P's Obligations.
-----------------
(a) It is the policy of S&P to prohibit its employees who are
directly responsible for changes in the components of the S&P 500 Index from
purchasing or beneficially owning any interest in the Product and S&P believes
that its employees comply with such policy. Licensee shall have no
responsibility for ensuring that such S&P employees comply with such S&P policy
and shall have no duty to inquire whether any investors or sellers of the
Product are such S&P employees. S&P shall have no liability to the Licensee with
respect to its employees' adherence or failure to adhere to such policy.
(b) S&P shall not and is in no way obliged to engage in any
marketing or promotional activities in connection with the Product or in making
any representation or statement to investors or prospective investors
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -5-
<PAGE>
in connection with the promotion by Licensee of the Product.
(c) S&P agrees to provide reasonable support for Licensee's
development and educational efforts with respect to the Product as follows: (i)
S&P shall provide Licensee, upon request but subject to any agreements of
confidentiality with respect thereto, copies of the results of any marketing
research conducted by or on behalf of S&P with respect to the S&P 500 Index; and
(ii) S&P shall respond in a timely fashion to any reasonable requests for
information by Licensee regarding the S&P 500 Index.
(d) S&P or its agent shall calculate and disseminate the S&P
500 Index at least once each fifteen (15) seconds in accordance with its current
procedures, which procedures may be modified by S&P.
(e) S&P shall promptly correct or instruct its agent to
correct any mathematical errors made in S&P's computations of the S&P 500 Index
which are brought to S&P's attention by Licensee, provided that nothing in this
Section 5 shall give Licensee the right to exercise any judgment or require any
changes with respect to S&P's method of composing, calculating or determining
the S&P 500 Index; and, provided further, that nothing herein shall be deemed to
modify the provisions of Section 9 of this Agreement.
6. Informational Materials Review.
------------------------------
Licensee shall use its best efforts to protect the goodwill
and reputation of S&P and of the S&P Marks in connection with its use of the S&P
Marks under this Agreement. Licensee shall submit to S&P for its review and
approval all informational materials pertaining to and to be used in connection
with the Product, including, where applicable, all prospectuses, plans,
registration statements, application forms, contracts, videos, advertisements,
brochures and promotional and any other similar
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -6-
<PAGE>
informational materials (including documents required to be filed with
governmental or regulatory agencies) that in any way use or refer to S&P, the
S&P 500 Index, or the S&P Marks (the "Informational Materials"). S&P's approval
shall be required with respect to the use of and description of S&P, the S&P
Marks and the S&P 500 Index and shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by
S&P. Specifically, S&P shall notify Licensee of its approval or disapproval of
any Informational Materials within forty-eight (48) hours (excluding Saturday,
Sunday and New York Stock Exchange Holidays) following receipt thereof from
Licensee. Any disapproval shall indicate S&P's reasons therefor. Any failure by
S&P to respond within such forty-eight (48) hour period shall be deemed to
constitute a waiver of S&P's right to review such Informational Materials.
Informational Materials shall be addressed to S&P, c/o Sandra
Weinberger, Specialist - Index Licensing/Marketing, Equity Index Services, at
the address specified in Subsection 12(d). Informational Materials may be
submitted via facsimile (to 212-208-8911 or 212-412-0429) if they are less than
20 pages and legible after transmission. Once Informational Materials have been
approved by S&P, subsequent Informational Materials which do not alter the use
or description of S&P, the S&P Marks or the S&P 500 Index need not be submitted
for review and approval by S&P.
7. Protection of Value of License.
------------------------------
(a) During the term of this Agreement, S&P shall use its best
efforts to maintain in full force and effect federal registrations for "Standard
& Poor's(R)," "S&P(R)", and S&P 500(R)". S&P shall at S&P's own expense and sole
discretion exercise S&P's common law and statutory rights against infringement
of the S&P Marks, copyrights and other proprietary rights.
(b) Licensee shall cooperate with S&P in the maintenance of
such rights and registrations and shall take such actions and execute such
instruments as S&P may from time to time reasonably request, and shall use the
following notice when
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -7-
<PAGE>
referring to the S&P 500 Index or the S&P Marks in any Informational Material:
"Standard & Poor's(R)", "S&P(R)", "S&P 500(R)", "Standard &
Poor's 500", and "500" are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Scudder
Kemper Investments, Inc. The Scudder Select 500 Fund is not
sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's and
Standard & Poor's makes no representation regarding the
advisability of investing in the Scudder Select 500 Fund.
or such similar language as may be approved in advance by S&P, it being
understood that such notice need only refer to the specific S&P Marks referred
to in the Informational Material.
8. Proprietary Rights.
------------------
(a) Licensee acknowledges that the S&P 500 Index is selected,
coordinated, arranged and prepared by S&P through the application of methods and
standards of judgment used and developed through the expenditure of considerable
work, time and money by S&P. Licensee also acknowledges that the S&P 500 Index
and the S&P Marks are the exclusive property of S&P, that S&P has and retains
all proprietary rights therein (including, but not limited to trademarks and
copyrights) and that the S&P 500 Index and its compilation and composition and
changes therein are in the control and discretion of S&P.
(b) S&P reserves all rights with respect to the S&P 500 Index
and the S&P Marks except those expressly licensed to Licensee hereunder.
(c) Each party shall treat as confidential and shall not
disclose or transmit to any third party any documentation or other written
materials that are marked as "Confidential and
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -8-
<PAGE>
Proprietary" by the providing party ("Confidential Information"). Confidential
Information shall not include (i) any information that is available to the
public or to the receiving party hereunder from sources other than the providing
party (provided that such source is not subject to a confidentiality agreement
with regard to such information) or (ii) any information that is independently
developed by the receiving party without use of or reference to information from
the providing party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may reveal
Confidential Information to any regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction if such information to be disclosed is (a) approved in writing by
the other party for disclosure or (b) required by law, regulatory agency or
court order to be disclosed by a party, provided, if expressly permitted by law,
that prior written notice of such required disclosure is given to the other
party and provided further that the providing party shall cooperate with the
other party to limit the extent of such disclosure. The provisions of this
Subsection 8(c) shall survive any termination of this Agreement for a period of
five (5) years from disclosure by either party to the other of the last item of
such Confidential Information.
9. Warranties; Disclaimers.
-----------------------
(a) S&P represents and warrants that S&P has the right to
grant the rights granted to Licensee herein and that the license granted herein
shall not infringe any trademark, copyright or other proprietary right of any
person not a party to this Agreement.
(b) Licensee agrees expressly to be bound itself by and
furthermore to include all of the following disclaimers and limitations in each
prospectus or each Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") relating to the
Product, provided the SAI is incorporated by reference into the prospectus and
the prospectus contains disclosure regarding the S&P 500 Index that conforms to
the notice in Subsection 7(b), including a cross reference to the
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -9-
<PAGE>
SAI disclosure. Licensee shall furnish a copy of the prospectus and SAI thereof
to S&P:
The Scudder Select 500 Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or
promoted by Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
("S&P"). S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the
owners of the Scudder Select 500 Fund or any member of the public regarding the
advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Scudder Select 500
Fund particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 Index to track general stock
market performance. S&P's only relationship to the Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc. is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P and of the
S&P 500 Index which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P without regard
to the Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. or the Scudder Select 500 Fund. S&P has
no obligation to take the needs of Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. or the
owners of the Scudder Select 500 Fund into consideration in determining,
composing or calculating the S&P 500 Index. S&P is not responsible for and has
not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Scudder
Select 500 Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Scudder Select 500
Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Scudder
Select 500 Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability
in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Scudder
Select 500 Fund.
S&P DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P
500 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND S&P SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY
ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY SCUDDER KEMPER INVESTMENTS, INC.,
OWNERS OF THE SCUDDER SELECT 500 FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE
USE OF THE S&P 500 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -10-
<PAGE>
PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE S&P 500 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED
THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL S&P HAVE ANY
LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) , EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Any changes in the foregoing disclaimers and limitations must be
approved in advance in writing by an authorized officer of S&P.
(c) Each party represents and warrants to the other that it has the
authority to enter into this Agreement according to its terms and that its
performance does not violate any laws, regulations or agreements applicable to
it.
(d) Licensee represents and warrants to S&P that the Product shall at
all times comply with the description in Exhibit A.
(e) Licensee represents and warrants to S&P that the Product shall not
violate any applicable law, including but not limited to banking, commodities
and securities laws.
(f) Neither party shall have any liability for lost profits or
indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages arising out of this
Agreement, even if notified of the possibility of such damages. Without
diminishing the disclaimers and limitations set forth in Subsection 9(b), in no
event shall the cumulative liability of S&P to Licensee exceed the average
annual License Fees actually paid to S&P hereunder.
(g) Use of any marks by Licensee in connection with its Product
(including in the name of such Product) which are not the S&P Marks is at
Licensee's sole risk.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -11-
<PAGE>
(h) The provisions of this Section 9 shall survive any termination of
this Agreement.
10. Indemnification.
---------------
(a) Licensee shall indemnify and hold harmless S&P, its
affiliates and their officers, directors, employees and agents against any and
all judgments, damages, costs or losses of any kind (including reasonable
attorneys' and experts' fees) as a result of any claim, action, or proceeding
that arises out of or relates to (a) its actions or inactions under this
Agreement, except insofar as it relates to a breach by S&P of its
representations or warranties hereunder, or (b) the Product; provided, however,
that S&P notifies Licensee promptly of any such claim, action or proceeding.
Licensee shall periodically reimburse S&P for its reasonable expenses incurred
under this Subsection 10 (a). S&P shall have the right, at its own expense, to
participate in the defense of any claim, action or proceeding against which it
is indemnified hereunder; provided, however, it shall have no right to control
the defense, consent to judgment, or agree to settle any such claim, action or
proceeding without the written consent of Licensee without waiving the indemnity
hereunder. Licensee, in the defense of any such claim, action or proceeding
except with the written consent of S&P, shall not consent to entry of any
judgment or enter into any settlement which either (a) does not include, as an
unconditional term, the grant by the claimant to S&P of a release of all
liabilities in respect of such claims or (b) otherwise adversely affects the
rights of S&P. This provision shall survive the termination or expiration of
this Agreement.
(b) S&P shall indemnify and hold harmless Licensee, its affiliates and
their officers, directors, employees and agents against any and all judgments,
damages, costs or losses of any kind (including reasonable attorneys' and
experts' fees) as a result of any claim, action, or proceeding that arises out
of or relates to any breach by S&P of this Agreement or its
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -12-
<PAGE>
representations or warranties under this Agreement; provided, however, that (a)
Licensee notifies S&P promptly of any such claim, action or proceeding; (b)
Licensee grants S&P control of its defense and/or settlement; and (c) Licensee
cooperates with S&P in the defense thereof. S&P shall periodically reimburse
Licensee for its reasonable expenses incurred under this Subsection 10(b).
Licensee shall have the right, at its own expense, to participate in the defense
of any claim, action or proceeding against which it is indemnified hereunder;
provided, however, it shall have no right to control the defense, consent to
judgment, or agree to settle any such claim, action or proceeding without the
written consent of S&P without waiving the indemnity hereunder. S&P, in the
defense of any such claim, action or proceeding, except with the written consent
of Licensee, shall not consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any
settlement which either (a) does not include, as an unconditional term, the
grant by the claimant to Licensee of a release of all liabilities in respect of
such claims or (b) otherwise adversely affects the rights of Licensee. This
provision shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
11. Suspension of Performance.
-------------------------
Neither S&P nor Licensee shall bear responsibility or
liability for any losses arising out of any delay in or interruptions of their
respective performance of their obligations under this Agreement due to any act
of God, act of governmental authority, act of the public enemy or due to war,
the outbreak or escalation of hostilities, riot, fire, flood, civil commotion,
insurrection, labor difficulty (including, without limitation, any strike, or
other work stoppage or slow down), severe or adverse weather conditions,
communications line failure, or other similar cause beyond the reasonable
control of the party so affected.
12. Other Matters.
-------------
(a) This Agreement is solely and exclusively between the
parties hereto and shall not be assigned or transferred by
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -13
<PAGE>
either party, without prior written consent of the other party, and any attempt
to so assign or transfer this Agreement without such written consent shall be
null and void.
(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties
hereto with respect to its subject matter and may be amended or modified only by
a writing signed by duly authorized officers of both parties. This Agreement
supersedes all previous agreements between the parties with respect to the
subject matter of this Agreement. There are no oral or written collateral
representations, agreements, or understandings except as provided herein.
(c) No breach, default, or threatened breach of this Agreement by
either party shall relieve the other party of its obligations or liabilities
under this Agreement with respect to the protection of the property or
proprietary nature of any property which is the subject of this Agreement.
(d) Except as set forth in Section 6 hereof with respect to
Informational Materials, all notices and other communications under this
Agreement shall be (i) in writing, (ii) delivered by hand, by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, or by facsimile transmission to the
address or facsimile number set forth below or such address or facsimile number
as either party shall specify by a written notice to the other and (iii) deemed
given upon receipt.
Notice to S&P: Standard & Poor's
------------- 25 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Attn.: Robert Shakotko
Senior Vice President
Index Services
Fax #: (212) 208-8911
Notice to Licensee: Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
------------------ Two International Place
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -14-
<PAGE>
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-4103
Attn.: Caroline Pearson
Fax #: (617) 443 7059
(e) This Agreement shall be interpreted, construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
(f) Each party agrees that in connection with any legal action or
proceeding arising with respect to this Agreement, they will bring such action
or proceeding only in the United States District Court for the Southern District
of New York or in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in and for the
First Judicial Department and each party agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of
such court and venue in such court and to waive any claim that such court is an
inconvenient forum.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the date first set forth above.
SCUDDER KEMPER INVESTMENTS, INC. STANDARD & POOR'S
a division of
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
BY: /s/Daniel Pierce BY: /s/Robert A. Shakotko
------------------------------ ---------------------------------
Daniel Pierce Robert A. Shakotko
------------------------------ ---------------------------------
(Print Name) (Print Name)
Managing Director Senior V.P. Index Services
------------------------------ ---------------------------------
(Print Title) (Print Title)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -15-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
---------
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
-------------------
Product: Scudder Select 500 Fund (the "Product") is a public mutual fund whose
investment objective is that it seeks to provide long term growth and income
through investment in selected stocks of the S&P 500 Index.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -16-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
---------
LICENSE FEES
------------
Licensee shall pay S&P License Fees computed as follows:
The annual License Fees shall be the greater of $10,000 (the "Minimum Annual
Fee") or one basis point (.0001) of the average daily net assets of the Product
computed quarterly. The Minimum Annual Fee shall be payable on the Commencement
Date and each one-year anniversary thereof. Amounts in excess of the Minimum
Annual Fee shall be paid to S&P within thirty (30) days after the close of each
calendar quarter in which they are incurred; each such payment shall be
accompanied by a statement setting forth the basis for its calculation.
The parties agree that the terms upon which License Fees are calculated pursuant
to this Exhibit B shall be considered "Confidential Information" for purposes of
Subsection 8(c) of this Agreement.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Scudder Enhanced fund] -17-
(h)(13) YOUR COPY
RUSSELL EQUITY INDEXES
RESEARCH LICENSE AGREEMENT
This License Agreement (hereinafter the "Agreement") is entered into this 3rd
day of MARCH 1999 (hereinafter the "Effective Date"), by and between FRANK
RUSSELL COMPANY (hereinafter "FRC"), a Washington corporation with offices at
909 A Street, Tacoma, Washington 98402 and SCUDDER KEMPER INVESTMENTS, INC., a
corporation of DELAWARE, having its place of business at 345 PARK AVENUE, NEW
YORK, NY 10154-0010 (hereinafter "USER").
The parties agree as follows:
1.0 DEFINITIONS:
1.1 "The Russell Indexes" shall mean the U.S. equity security indexes set forth
in Exhibit A and the associated Performance Values.
1.2 "Russell Mark" shall mean the trademark or service mark set forth in Exhibit
A for the indicated Russell Index.
1.3 "Confidential Information" shall mean the information and know how of FRC
that is the subject of Section 15.1.
1.4 "OnLine Agreement" shall mean FRC's OnLine Agreement for Russell OnLine
Product Support Service.
1.5 "Subscription Level I" shall include the following for the Russell Indexes:
i) Economic sector weights;
ii) Total returns by economic sector;
iii) Selected Russell Indexes characteristics; and
iv) Other selected data in the Russell Indexes Book.
1.6 "Subscription Level II" shall include the same items as provided for
Subscription Level I plus a monthly list of constituent holdings for the Russell
Indexes.
1.7 "Subscription Level III" shall include the same items as provided for
Subscription Level II plus a daily list of changes of the constituent holdings
for the Russell Index(es).
1.8 "Subscription Level IV" shall include the same items as Subscription Level I
plus a daily list of the constituent holdings for the Russell Index(es).
1.9 "Performance Value" shall mean the following at the aggregate index level:
the percentage total return or total return index value of the Russell Index.
2.0 LICENSE GRANT:
2.1 Subject to Section 7.0 below, FRC grants USER a non-exclusive personal
license to internally use the Russell Indexes only for research purposes.
2.2 FRC reserves the right, at any time, for any reason and without prior
notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the Russell Indexes;
provided, however that FRC shall notify USER of any such alteration, amendment,
change or termination promptly and in accordance with FRC's then current
practices for notification of other licensees of the Russell Indexes.
3.0 ACCEPTANCE AND FRC SUPPORT:
3.1 FRC agrees to supply directly, or through other authorized distributors, the
information and materials set forth above for the Subscription Level designated
in Exhibit A, as well as the rules as to the make-up of the Russell Indexes.
Such information and materials, including the rules, shall be used in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
3.2 The reports referenced in Section 1.5(i)-(iii) and 1.6 shall be provided on
or before the tenth business day of the subsequent month.
3.3 USER shall be deemed to have accepted the information and materials supplied
pursuant to Section 3.1 upon delivery.
3.4 If FRC discovers what it determines, in its sole discretion, to be a
material error in the Russell Indexes it will attempt to correct such error in
accordance with its then current practices for index amendment.
4.0 PRICE AND PAYMENT:
4.1 USER agrees to pay FRC or its invoicing subsidiary the amounts, and within
the times stated in this Section 4.0 and Exhibit A, for the Subscription Level
designated in Exhibit A.
4.2 Payments shall be due thirty (30) days after receipt of invoice.
4.3 Prices stated are exclusive of any and all federal, state or other
governmental taxes, duties, licenses, fees, excises or tariffs now or
hereinafter arising out of, or imposed in connection with the transactions
covered by this Agreement, including without means of limitation, USER's use of
the Russell Indexes. Such charges shall be paid by USER. FRC, however, shall be
responsible for all taxes based upon its net income or personal property
ownership.
4.4 FRC may change its prices at anytime upon at least ninety (90) days prior
notice.
4.5 USER agrees to make such payments to the address on the above-referenced
invoice(s) or to such address or account as FRC may specify from time to time.
USER agrees to specify the FRC or invoicing subsidiary invoice number, if any,
with respect to which payment is made.
4.6 Payment made to FRC by USER by directing commissions to Frank Russell
Securities shall be credited at Frank Russell Securities' current applicable
rate at the time payment is received.
4.7 Provided USER and FRC have entered into an OnLine Agreement covering at
least one of the Russell Indexes covered under this Agreement and USER has at
all times complied with the terms and conditions of such OnLine Agreement and
this Agreement, then FRC shall grant USER a credit equal to ____ hours of
Prepaid Hours for the then current term of that OnLine Agreement. The credit
shall be applicable to fees owed under that OnLine Agreement and may only be
used pursuant to the terms and conditions of that OnLine Agreement.
5.0 FRC WARRANTIES:
5.1 FRC warrants that: (a) it has sufficient right, title, and interest in the
Russell Indexes to enter into this Agreement; (b) the Russell Indexes do not
infringe upon any U.S. patent or U.S. copyright; and (c) the Russell Indexes do
not violate the trade secret rights of any third party.
5.2 FRC agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend USER from and against any
and all damages, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees,
incurred in connection with a claim which, if true, would constitute a breach of
the foregoing warranties (hereinafter "Infringement Claims"); provided FRC is
notified promptly in writing of the Infringement Claim and has sole control over
its defense or settlement, and USER provides reasonable assistance in the
defense of the same.
<PAGE>
5.3 Following notice of an Infringement Claim, FRC may, at its expense, without
obligation to do so, procure for USER the right to continue to use the alleged
infringing Russell Indexes or, without obligation to do so, may replace or
modify the Russell Indexes to make it non-infringing.
5.4 FRC shall have no liability for any Infringement Claim based on USER's: i)
use of any Russell Index after FRC's notice that USER should cease use of such
Russell Index, or ii) use of any release of a Russell Index other than the
latest release of that Russell Index. For all Infringement Claims arising under
Section 5.4, USER agrees to indemnify and hold FRC harmless from and against all
damages, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees.
5.5 FRC's obligations to USER for any Infringement Claims made against USER
shall only extend to those arising from the use of a Russell Index inside the
geographical boundaries of the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and the
EC and USER releases and discharges FRC from any and all other Infringement
Claims.
6.0 OWNERSHIP:
6.1 This Agreement is a license and not a sale of the Russell Indexes.
6.2 All rights not expressly granted are reserved by FRC including, without
means of limitation, the right to alter, modify, adapt, translate or create
derivative works.
6.3 USER agrees its use of the Russell Indexes shall not directly or indirectly
create in or for USER any right, title or interest in the Russell Indexes.
7.0 LIMITATIONS ON USE OF RUSSELL INDEXES:
7.1 USER will not, without the prior written consent of FRC, transfer, loan,
sell, lease, rent, assign, disclose, publish, or copy in whole or in part: (a)
the Russell Indexes; (b) the list of constituents and available shares held for
any Russell Index; (c) the rules as to the make-up of any Russell Index; or (d)
any supporting documentation or other data supplied by FRC including, without
means of limitation, economic sector weights, total returns by sector, and
Russell Index characteristics at the index or security level. The above
limitation regarding disclosure and publication is not applicable to the Russell
Indexes' Performance Values; provided, USER gives FRC proper attribution
pursuant to Section 14.0.
7.2 USER shall not use the Russell Indexes or any part thereof in any fashion
that may infringe any copyrights or other proprietary interests FRC or any third
party may have therein.
7.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, USER shall only use the
Russell Indexes inside the geographical boundaries of the country(ies) listed in
Exhibit A.
7.4 USER shall only use the Russell Indexes for the operation of USER's
business.
7.5 USER shall not use the Russell Indexes for the passive management of assets,
e.g., index funds.
7.6 USER shall not use the Russell Indexes as part of any timesharing service,
service bureau or similar arrangement.
7.7 The Russell Indexes may only be used in conjunction with a single
microcomputer (i.e.. with a single CPU) permitting access by one individual user
at a time and shall not be made available to multiple users at any one time by
any means.
8.0 DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND RISK OF PERFORMANCE:
8.1 FRC MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OTHER THAN THE EXPRESS
WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN SECTION 5.0 OF THE AGREEMENT. ANY AND ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, WITHOUT MEANS OF LIMITATION, THOSE
FOR MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSLY
DISCLAIMED WITH RESPECT TO THE RUSSELL INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR
ANY SECURITY (OR COMBINATION THEREOF) COMPRISING THE RUSSELL INDEXES. FRC MAKES
NO REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE AS TO THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS,
RELIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE OF THE RUSSELL INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN.
FRC does not warrant, guarantee or make any representations regarding the use,
or the results of use, of the Russell Indexes or any data included therein or
any security (or combination thereof) comprising the Russell Indexes. The entire
risk as to such use, results of use and the performance of the Russell Indexes
and the above-referenced data and securities are assumed by USER.
8.2 FRC will obtain data from sources it believes to be reliable, but the
accuracy and completeness of the Russell Indexes and the data included therein
are not guaranteed and they are supplied on an "AS IS" basis.
8.3 FRC'S PUBLICATION OF THE RUSSELL INDEXES IN NO WAY SUGGESTS OR IMPLIES AN
OPINION BY FRC AS TO THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF INVESTMENT IN ANY OR ALL OF THE
SECURITIES UPON WHICH THE RUSSELL INDEXES ARE BASED.
9.0 TERM:
9.1 Provided this Agreement has been properly executed by an authorized officer
of USER and an authorized officer of FRC, the term of this Agreement shall run
from the Effective Date until the earlier of:
a) termination in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement; or
b) one (1) year from the Effective Date.
9.2 Provided that this Agreement has not been terminated by either party prior
to the expiration of its term, as extended, and USER has complied with all the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, then each year upon expiration of its
then current term the Agreement shall automatically extend for an additional one
(1) year period unless either party gives the other at least ninety (90) days
prior written notice of its intention to not so extend the term of the
Agreement.
10.0 DEFAULT AND TERMINATION:
10.1 After the first year of this Agreement either party may terminate this
Agreement without cause upon at least ninety (90) days prior notice.
10.2 This Agreement may terminate if any of the following events of default
occurs:
a) if either party materially fails to perform or comply with this
Agreement or any provision hereof;
b) if USER fails to strictly comply with the provisions of Sections 15.0
and 16.0;
c) if USER becomes insolvent or admits in writing its inability to pay its
debts as they mature, or makes an assignment for the benefit of
creditors;
d) if a petition under any foreign, state or United States bankruptcy act,
receivership statute, or the like, as they now exist, or as they may be
amended is filed by USER;
e) if such a petition is filed by any third party, or an application for a
receiver is filed by anyone and such petition or application is not
resolved favorably to USER within sixty (60) days; or
10.3 Termination due to a breach of Section 7.0, 15.0 or 16.0 shall be effective
upon notice. In all other cases termination arising under Section 10.2 shall be
effective thirty (30) days after notice of termination to the defaulting party
if the defaults have not been cured within such thirty (30) day period.
10.4 USER acknowledges that monetary damages may not be a sufficient remedy for
unauthorized disclosure or use of Confidential Information or the Russell
Indexes or the associated trademarks and service marks and that FRC shall be
entitled, without waiving any other rights or remedies, to such injunctive or
equitable relief as may be deemed proper by a court of competent jurisdiction.
10.5 The rights and remedies of the parties provided herein shall not be
exclusive and are in addition to any other rights or remedies provided by law or
this Agreement.
2
<PAGE>
11.0 OBLIGATIONS ON TERMINATION:
11.1 Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, USER shall cease using
the Russell Indexes and shall return or destroy all full or partial copies of
the Russell Indexes and associated data and comply with Section 14.6.
11.2 Sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18 shall survive the termination of
this Agreement.
12.0 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:
12.1 FRC's liability to USER under any provision of this Agreement, including,
without means of limitation, Section 5, or any transaction contemplated by this
Agreement, shall not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the amount having then
been actually paid by USER to FRC in the most recent twelve (12) calendar month
period under Section 4.0. FRC's limitation of liability is cumulative with all
FRC's expenditures being aggregated to determine satisfaction of the limit. The
existence of claims or suits against more than one Russell Index will not
enlarge or extend the limit. USER releases FRC from all obligations, liability,
claims or demands in excess of the limitation. The parties acknowledge the other
parts of this Agreement rely upon the inclusion of Section 12.
13.0 DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES AND LIMITATION OF REMEDY:
13.1 The rights and remedies granted under Section 5.0 constitute USER's sole
and exclusive remedy against FRC, its officers, agents and employees for
negligence, inexcusable delay, breach of warranty, express or implied, or for
any default whatsoever relating to the condition of the Russell Indexes and any
data included therein.
13.2 USER AGREES FRC SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL,
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, ECONOMIC OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR FOR ANY CLAIMS AGAINST USER
BY ANY OTHER PARTY EVEN IF FRC HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES OR CLAIMS.
13.3 USER agrees to indemnify and hold FRC harmless from any claim arising out
of, or in connection with, USER's use of the Russell Indexes including, without
means of limitation, those made by employees, customers or clients of USER.
13.4 USER may not bring any action pertaining to this Agreement more than one
(1) year after the event giving rise to the cause of action has occurred.
14.0 TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHT NOTICES:
14.1 All materials, including advertising, sales promotion, or demonstration
materials which refer directly to the Russell Indexes shall expressly state that
Frank Russell Company is the owner of the trademarks and service marks relating
to the Russell Indexes in language consistent with Exhibit A and substantially
similar to the following:
"The Russell 1000(R) index is a trademark/service mark of the Frank
Russell Company. Russell(TM) is a trademark of the Frank Russell
Company."
USER shall make no other use of Russell Marks.
14.2 For each Russell Mark USER agrees to use the appropriate trademark symbol
(either "(TM)" or "(SM)" or "(R)"), as set forth in Exhibit A or FRC designates
by written notice from time to time, in a superscript whenever such a Russell
Mark is first mentioned in the above-referenced materials or in any other manner
in connection with the associated Russell Index.
14.3 USER agrees its use of the above shall not directly or indirectly create in
or for USER any right, title or interest in such service mark(s), trademark(s)
or tradename(s) and their attendant goodwill.
14.4 USER shall undertake no action that will interfere with or diminish FRC's
right, title and interest in FRC's trademarks, service marks and Russell
Indexes. USER will not at any time use any name, trademark or service mark
confusingly similar to a FRC name, trademark or service mark.
14.5 Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, USER shall cease and
desist from all use of any of the above-referenced product or service name(s)
and associated trademark(s) and service mark(s) and, upon request, deliver to
FRC or destroy all material upon which the same appear.
14.6 USER shall also indicate that FRC is the owner of the copyrights relating
to the Russell Indexes and is the source of the Russell Indexes Performance
Values. USER shall include such copyright notices as FRC shall supply or
designate from time to time.
15.0 NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT:
15.1 USER expressly undertakes to retain in confidence all information and know
how transmitted to USER by FRC that FRC has identified as being proprietary
and/or confidential or that, by the nature of the circumstances surrounding the
disclosure, ought in good faith to be treated as proprietary or confidential,
and will make no use of such information and know how except under the terms and
during the existence of this Agreement. However, USER shall have no obligation
to maintain the confidentiality of information that: (i) it received rightfully
from another party prior to its receipt from FRC; (ii) FRC has disclosed to a
third party without any obligation to maintain such information in confidence;
or (iii) is independently developed by USER. USER shall take all necessary
security measures to ensure the above. USER's obligations under this section
shall extend to the earlier of such time as the information protected hereby is
in the public domain through no fault of USER or ten (10) years following the
termination or expiration of this Agreement. The confidential relationship
arising hereunder shall not be affected by Section 21.3.
16.0 ASSIGNMENT AND ENTIRE AGREEMENT:
16.1 This Agreement and any rights or obligations hereunder, shall not be
assigned, delegated or sublicensed by USER without the prior written permission
of FRC. It will inure to the benefit of and is binding upon USER, FRC, their
affiliates and successors.
16.2 Any attempted assignment, delegation or sublicense in violation of this
section shall be void.
16.3 This Agreement, including Exhibit A, is the entire Agreement between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and
contemporaneous communications. It shall not be modified except in writing
signed by both parties.
17.0 NOTICES:
17.1 All notices in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed given on the
day they are (a) deposited in the U.S. mails, postage prepaid, certified or
registered, return receipt requested; or (b) sent by international air express,
air courier, (e.g., DHL, Federal Express or Airborne Express), charges prepaid,
certified or registered, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:
USER: Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
--------------------------------
345 Park Avenue
--------------------------------
New York, NY 10154
--------------------------------
Attention: Caroline Pearson
--------------------------------
With a Copy To: --------------------------------
--------------------------------
--------------------------------
--------------------------------
Attention: Mary Fleisch
--------------------------------
Joan Shaughnessy
FRC: Frank Russell Company
909 A Street
Tacoma, WA 98402
Attention: Janice Harding
Managing Director
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<PAGE>
18.0 APPLICABLE LAW:
18.1 This Agreement shall be construed and controlled by the laws of the state
of Washington and USER consents to jurisdiction and venue of the state and
federal courts sitting in the state of Washington.
19.0 ATTORNEYS' FEES:
19.1 If either FRC or USER employs attorneys to enforce any rights arising out
of or relating to this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to
recover its reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and other expenses.
20.0 DELAY IN PERFORMANCE:
20.1 Neither party shall be liable for failure or delay in the performance of
any of its obligations, except obligations for the payment of money, under this
Agreement, if such failure or delay is caused by circumstances beyond its
reasonable control such as acts of God, riot, or war. Strikes or other labor
difficulties which are capable of being terminated on terms unacceptable to the
party so affected shall not be considered circumstances within the control of
such party.
21.0 MISCELLANEOUS:
21.1 No waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall constitute
a waiver of any prior, concurrent or subsequent breach of the same or any other
provisions hereof, and no waiver shall be effective unless made in writing and
signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party.
21.2 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions
shall remain in full force and effect.
21.3 Neither this Agreement, nor any terms or conditions contained herein, shall
be construed as creating a fiduciary relationship of any kind between the
parties or between FRC and USER's clients, customers or perspective clients or
customers.
21.4 Neither this Agreement, nor any terms and conditions contained herein,
shall be construed as creating a partnership, franchise, joint venture, agency
or employment relationship between the parties.
21.5 Time is of the essence in this Agreement.
21.6 The section headings used in this Agreement and the attached Exhibits are
intended for convenience only and shall not be deemed to supersede or modify any
provisions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates set
forth below. All signed copies of this Agreement shall be deemed to be
originals.
FRANK RUSSELL COMPANY Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
- --------------------- --------------------------------
FRC (USER)
/s/Tammy Wood Howard Schneider
- --------------------- --------------------------------
BY BY
TAMMY WOOD /s/Howard Schneider
- --------------------- --------------------------------
NAME (PRINT) NAME (PRINT)
CLIENT EXECUTIVE Managing Director
- --------------------- --------------------------------
TITLE TITLE
MARCH 26, 1999 March 31, 1999
- --------------------- --------------------------------
DATE DATE
EXHIBIT A
Russell Indexes:
- ----------------
The Russell Indexes shall mean the following US equity security indexes and the
associated Performance Values:
- -- Russell 1000(R) Index
- -- Russell 1000(R) Growth Index
- -- Russell 1000(R) Value Index
- -- Russell 2000(R) Index
- -- Russell 2000(R) Growth Index
- -- Russell 2000(R) Value Index
- -- Russell 2500(TM) Index
- -- Russell 2500(TM) Growth Index
- -- Russell 2500(TM) Value Index
- -- Russell 3000(R) Index
- -- Russell 3000(R) Growth Index
- -- Russell 3000(R) Value Index
- -- Russell Midcap(TM) Index
- -- Russell Midcap(TM) Growth Index
- -- Russell Midcap(TM) Value Index
- -- Russell Top 200(TM) Index
- -- Russell Top 200(TM) Growth Index
- -- Russell Top 200(TM) Value Index
X All of the above
- -- --------------------------------
- --
--------------------------------
- --
--------------------------------
Annual License Fee:
- -------------------
General USERS:
- --------------
USER agrees to pay FRC the annual license fee set forth below for a license to
use the Russell Indexes, as designated above, at the designated Subscription
Level:
Annual License Fee ($US):
-------------------------
Subscription Level I
---------------------------
Subscription Level II $10,000 per site
---------------------------
Subscription Level III
---------------------------
Subscription Level IV
---------------------------
Additional Provisions:
- ----------------------
(a) Country of Use: USA
-------------
REIRAFER060992(2)
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