<PAGE>
BT INVESTMENT
PROSPECTUS: JANUARY 29, 1996
Please read this Prospectus carefully before investing and retain it for future
reference. It con- tains important information about the Fund that you should
know and can refer to in deciding whether the Funds goals match your own.
A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) with the same date has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is incorporated herein by
reference. You may request a free copy of the Statement by calling the Funds
Service Agent at 1-800-730-1313.
UNLIKE OTHER MUTUAL FUNDS, THE FUND SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE BY
INVESTING ALL OF ITS INVESTABLE ASSETS IN THE PORTFOLIO WHICH IS A SEPARATE FUND
WITH AN IDENTICAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. SEE SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING
MASTER-FEEDER FUND STRUCTURE ON PAGE 10.
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, BANKERS TRUST COMPANY AND THE SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER
AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS SUBJECT TO RISK THAT MAY CAUSE THE VALUE OF
THE INVESTMENT TO FLUCTUATE, AND WHEN THE INVESTMENT IS REDEEMED, THE VALUE MAY
BE HIGHER OR LOWER THAN THE AMOUNT ORIGINALLY INVESTED BY THE INVESTOR.
LIKE SHARES OF ALL MUTUAL FUNDS, THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Equity
Appreciation
Fund
Seeks capital growth over the long term through investment in medium-sized
companies that show growth potential. Current income is a secondary goal.
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
Investment Adviser of the
Portfolio and Administrator
SIGNATURE BROKER-
DEALER SERVICES, INC.
Distributor
6 St. James Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PAGE
..............................................................................
Summary of Fund Expenses 3
Fund Financial Highlights 5
Investment Objective, Policies and Risks 6
Risk Factors; Matching the Fund to Your Investment Needs 8
Net Asset Value 11
Purchase and Redemption of Shares 12
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes 15
Performance Information and Reports 15
Management of the Trust and Portfolio 16
Additional Information 21
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SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
The following table provides (i) a summary of expenses relating to purchases and
sales of the shares of the BT Investment Equity Appreciation Fund (the "Fund")
and the annual operating expenses of the Fund and the expenses of the Capital
Appreciation Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), as a percentage of average net assets
of the Fund; and (ii) an example illustrating the dollar cost of such expenses
on a $1,000 investment in the Fund. THE TRUSTEES OF BT PYRAMID MUTUAL FUNDS (THE
"TRUST") BELIEVE THAT THE AGGREGATE PER SHARE EXPENSES OF THE FUND AND THE
PORTFOLIO WILL BE LESS THAN OR APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE EXPENSES WHICH THE
FUND WOULD INCUR IF THE TRUST RETAINED THE SERVICES OF AN INVESTMENT ADVISER AND
THE INVESTABLE ASSETS ("ASSETS") OF THE FUND WERE INVESTED DIRECTLY IN THE TYPE
OF SECURITIES BEING HELD BY THE PORTFOLIO.
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ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund)
..............................................................................
Investment advisory fee (after waiver) 0.52%
12b-1 fees 0.00
Other expenses (after reimbursements or waivers) 0.48
..............................................................................
Total operating expenses (after reimbursements or waivers) 1.00%
..............................................................................
EXAMPLE 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 Years
..............................................................................
You would pay the following expenses on a
$1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual
return and (2) redemption at the end of
each time period $10 $32 $55 $122
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The expense table and the example above show the costs and expenses that an
investor will bear directly or indirectly as a shareholder of the Fund. While
reimbursement of distribution expenses in amounts up to 0.20% of average net
assets are authorized to be made pursuant to the Plan of Distribution under Rule
12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), it is
not expected that any payments will actually be made under that plan in the
foreseeable future. Bankers Trust Company ("Bankers Trust") has voluntarily
agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee. Without such waiver,
the Portfolio's investment advisory fee would be equal to 0.65%. The expense
table and the example reflect a voluntary undertaking by Bankers Trust or
Signature Broker-Dealer Services, Inc. ("Signature") to waive or reimburse
expenses such that the total operating expenses will not exceed 1.00% of the
Fund's average net assets annually. In the absence of this undertaking, for the
period from January 1, 1995 through September 30, 1995, the total operating
expenses would have been equal to approximately 1.33% of the Fund's average net
assets annually. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST
OR FUTURE EXPENSES AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
Moreover, while each example assumes a 5% annual return, actual performance will
vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%.
The Fund is sold by Signature as the Trust's distributor (the "Distributor") to
customers of Bankers Trust or to customers of another bank or a dealer or other
institution that has a sub-shareholder servicing agreement with Bankers Trust
(along with Bankers Trust, a "Service Agent"). Some Service Agents may impose
certain conditions on their customers in addition to or different from those
imposed by the Fund and may charge their customers a direct fee for their
services. Each Service Agent has agreed to transmit to shareholders who are its
customers appropriate disclosures of any fees that it may charge them directly.
Exclusive of Bankers Trust private banking clients, this Fund is available for
(a) accounts where an investment advisor or a financial planner has discretion
over such account and the account holder pays such person as compensation for
its advice and other services an annual fee of at least 0.50% on the assets in
the account; (b) accounts established under a "wrap fee" program or formal asset
allocation program where the account holder pays the program sponsor an annual
fee of at least 0.50% on the assets in the account; and (c) accounts established
through an automated clearing or similar system established for the use of
investment professionals and through which purchases and redemptions are
transmitted to the Fund on an omnibus basis.
For more information with respect to the expenses of the Fund and the Portfolio
see "Management of the Trust and Portfolio" herein.
FUND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following table shows the selected data for a share outstanding, total
investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data
for the Fund for each period indicated and has been audited by Coopers &
Lybrand L.L.P., the Fund's independent accountants, whose report thereon
appears in the Fund's Annual Report which is incorporated by reference in the
Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
OCTOBER 12, 1993
FOR THE PERIOD (COMMENCEMENT
JANUARY 1, 1995 TO FOR THE YEAR ENDED OF OPERATIONS) TO
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 DECEMBER 31, 1994 DECEMBER 31, 1993
.......................................................................................................
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA:
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $10.14 $ 9.80 $10.00
.......................................................................................................
Income from Investment Operations
Net Investment (Loss) (0.02) (0.03) (0.00)+
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
(Loss) on Securities 4.02 0.37 (0.20)
.......................................................................................................
Total from Investment Operations 4.00 0.34 (0.20)
.......................................................................................................
Net Asset Value, End of Period $14.14 $10.14 $ 9.80
.......................................................................................................
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN 39.45% 3.47% (8.81)%*
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of Net Investment (Loss) to
Average Net Assets (0.38)%* (0.32)% (0.11)%*
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets,
Including Expenses of the Capital
Appreciation Portfolio 1.00%* 1.00% 1.00%*
Decrease Reflected in Above Expense
Ratio Due to Absorption of Expenses
by Bankers Trust 0.33%* 0.46% 0.60%*
Net Assets, End of Period
(000's omitted) $92,033 $29,973 $19,465
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</TABLE>
*Annualized
+Represents less than $0.01 per share
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND RISKS
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital growth; the production of
any current income is secondary to this objective.
The Trust seeks to achieve the investment objective of the Fund by investing all
the Assets of the Fund in the Portfolio, which has the same investment objective
as the Fund. There can be no assurances that the investment objective of either
the Fund or the Portfolio will be achieved. The investment objective of each of
the Fund and the Portfolio is not a fundamental policy and may be changed upon
notice to but without the approval of the Fund's shareholders or the Portfolio's
investors, respectively. See "Special Information Concerning Master-Feeder Fund
Structure" on page 10 herein.
CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO
The Portfolio invests primarily in growth-oriented common stocks of domestic
corporations and, to a lesser extent, foreign corporations. Bankers Trust, as
the Portfolio's investment adviser (the "Adviser"), employs a flexible
investment program in pursuit of the Portfolio's investment objective. The
Portfolio is not restricted to investments in specific market sectors. The
Portfolio may invest in any market sectors and in companies of any size and may
take advantage of any investment opportunity with attractive long-term
prospects. The Adviser takes advantage of its market access and the research
available to it to select investments in promising growth companies that are
involved in new technologies, new products, foreign markets and special
developments, such as research discoveries, acquisitions, recapitalizations,
liquidations or management changes, and companies whose stock may be undervalued
by the market. These situations are only illustrative of the types of investment
the Portfolio may make. The Portfolio is free to invest in any common stock
which in the Adviser's judgment provides above average potential for long-term
growth of capital and income.
The Portfolio will generally invest a majority of its assets in securities of
medium-sized companies (companies with a market capitalization of between $500
million and $2 billion), but may invest in securities of companies having
various levels of market capitalization, including smaller companies whose
securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities issued by larger
companies with higher levels of net worth. Investments will be in companies in
various industries. Industry and company fundamentals along with key investment
themes and various quantitative screens will be used in the investment process.
Criteria for selection of individual securities include the issuer's competitive
environment and position, prospects for growth, managerial strength, earnings
momentum and quality, underlying asset value, relative market value, and overall
marketability. The Portfolio will follow a disciplined selling process to lessen
market risks.
The Portfolio may also invest up to 25% of its assets in similar securities of
foreign issuers. For further information on foreign investments and related
hedging techniques, see "Risk Factors; Matching the Fund to Your Investment
Needs," "Additional Information" and the Statement of Additional Information.
Equity Investments. The Portfolio invests primarily in common stock and other
securities with equity characteristics, such as trust or limited partnership
interests, rights and warrants. These investments may or may not pay dividends
and may or may not carry voting rights. The Portfolio may also invest in
convertible securities when, due to market conditions, it is more advantageous
to obtain a position in an attractive company by purchase of its convertible
securities than by purchase of its common stock. The convertible securities in
which the Portfolio invests may include any debt securities or preferred stock
which may be converted into common stock or which carries the right to purchase
common stock. Convertible securities entitle the holder to exchange the
securities for a specified number of shares of common stock, usually of the same
company, at specified prices within a certain period of time and to receive
interest or dividends until the holder elects to exercise the conversion
privilege. Since the Portfolio invests in both common stock and convertible
securities, the risks of the general equity markets may be tempered to a degree
by the Portfolio's investments in convertible securities which are often not as
volatile as equity securities.
Short-Term Instruments. The Portfolio intends to stay invested in the securities
described above to the extent practical in light of its objective and long-term
investment perspective. However, the Portfolio's assets may be invested in
short-term instruments with remaining maturities of 397 days or less to meet
anticipated redemptions and expenses or for day-to-day operating purposes and
when, in Bankers Trust's opinion, it is advisable to adopt a temporary defensive
position because of unusual and adverse conditions affecting the equity markets.
In addition, when the Portfolio experiences large cash inflows through the sale
of securities and desirable equity securities that are consistent with the
Portfolio's investment objective are unavailable in sufficient quantities or at
attractive prices, the Portfolio may hold short-term investments for a limited
time pending availability of such equity securities. Short-term instruments
consist of foreign and domestic: (i) short-term obligations of sovereign
governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political
subdivisions; (ii) other short-term debt securities rated Aa or higher by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or AA or higher by Standard & Poor's
Corporation ("S&P") or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of
Bankers Trust; (iii) commercial paper; (iv) bank obligations, including
negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances; and
(v) repurchase agreements. At the time the Portfolio invests in commercial
paper, bank obligations or repurchase agreements, the issuer or the issuer's
parent must have outstanding debt rated Aa or higher by Moody's or AA or higher
by S&P or outstanding commercial paper or bank obligations rated Prime-1 by
Moody's or A-1 by S&P; or, if no such ratings are available, the instrument must
be of comparable quality in the opinion of Bankers Trust. These instruments may
be denominated in U.S. dollars or in foreign currencies.
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
The Portfolio may also utilize the following investments and investment
techniques and practices: Rule 144A securities, when-issued and delayed delivery
securities, securities lending, repurchase agreements, foreign investments,
options on stocks, options on stock indices, futures contracts on stock indices,
options on futures contracts, foreign currency exchange transaction and options
on foreign currencies. See "Additional Information" for further information.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
As a diversified fund, no more than 5% of the assets of the Portfolio may be
invested in the securities of one issuer (other than U.S. Government
securities), except that up to 25% of the Portfolio's assets may be invested
without regard to this limitation. The Portfolio will not invest more than 25%
of its assets in the securities of issuers in any one industry. These are
fundamental investment policies of the Portfolio which may not be changed
without investor approval. No more than 15% of the Portfolio's net assets may be
invested in illiquid or not readily marketable securities (including repurchase
agreements and time deposits with remaining maturities of more than seven
calendar days). Additional investment policies of the Portfolio are contained in
the Statement of Additional Information.
RISK FACTORS; MATCHING THE FUND TO YOUR INVESTMENT NEEDS
By itself, the Fund does not constitute a balanced investment plan; the Fund and
the Portfolio seek to provide long-term capital growth, with the production of
any current income being incidental to this objective, by investments primarily
in growth-oriented common stocks of domestic corporations and, to a limited
extent, foreign corporations. The Fund is designed for those investors primarily
interested in capital growth from investments in medium-sized growth companies.
In view of the long-term capital growth objective of the Fund and the smaller
size of the companies, the risks of investment in the Fund may be greater than
the general equity markets, and changes in domestic and foreign interest rates
may also affect the value of the Portfolio's investments, and rising interest
rates can be expected to reduce the Fund's share value. A description of a
number of investments and investment techniques available to the Portfolio,
including foreign investments and the use of options and futures, and certain
risks associated with these investments and techniques is included under
"Additional Information." The Fund's share price, yield and total return
fluctuate and your investment may be worth more or less than your original cost
when you redeem your shares.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN FOREIGN SECURITIES
In seeking its investment objectives, the Portfolio may invest in securities of
foreign issuers. Foreign securities may involve a higher degree of risk and may
be less liquid or more volatile than domestic investments. Foreign securities
usually are denominated in foreign currencies, which means their value will be
affected by changes in the strength of foreign currencies relative to the U.S.
dollar as well as the other factors that affect security prices. Foreign
companies may not be subject to accounting standards or governmental supervision
comparable to U.S. companies, and there often is less publicly available
information about their operations. Generally, there is less governmental
regulation of foreign securities markets, and security trading practices abroad
may offer less protection to investors such as the Portfolio. The value of such
investments may be adversely affected by changes in political or social
conditions, diplomatic relations, confiscatory taxation, expropriation,
nationalization, limitation on the removal of funds or assets, or imposition of
(or change in) exchange control or tax regulations in those foreign countries.
Additional risks of foreign securities include settlement delays and costs,
difficulties in obtaining and enforcing judgments, and taxation of dividends at
the source of payment. The Portfolio will not invest more than 5% of the value
of its total assets in the securities of issuers based in developing countries,
including Eastern Europe.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Portfolio intends to manage its holdings actively to pursue its investment
objective. Since the Portfolio has a long-term investment perspective, it does
not intend to respond to short-term market fluctuations or to acquire securities
for the purpose of short-term trading; however, it may take advantage of
short-term trading opportunities that are consistent with its objective. The
annual portfolio turnover rate of the Portfolio may exceed 100%. Higher
portfolio turnover rates result in higher brokerage costs and possible adverse
tax consequences. For the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, the
year ended December 31, 1994 and the period from March 9, 1993 (commencement of
operations) to December 31, 1993, the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate was
125%, 157% and 137%, respectively.
DERIVATIVES
The Portfolio may invest in various instruments that are commonly known as
derivatives. Generally, a derivative is a financial arrangement, the value of
which is based on, or "derived" from, a traditional security, asset or market
index. There are, in fact, many different types of derivatives and many
different ways to use them. There are a range of risks associated with those
uses. Futures and options are commonly used for traditional hedging purposes to
attempt to protect a fund from exposure to changing interest rates, securities
prices or currency exchange rates and for cash management purposes as a low cost
method of gaining exposure to a particular securities market without investing
directly in those securities. However, some derivatives are used for leverage,
which tends to magnify the effects of an instrument's price changes as market
conditions change. Leverage involves the use of a small amount of money to
control a large amount of financial assets and can, in some circumstances, lead
to significant losses. The Adviser will use derivatives only in circumstances
where the Adviser believes they offer the most economic means of improving the
risk/reward profile of the Portfolio. Derivatives will not be used to increase
portfolio risk above the level that could be achieved using only traditional
investment securities or to acquire exposure to changes in the value of assets
or indices that by themselves would not be purchased for the Portfolio. The use
of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered speculative. A
description of the derivatives that the Portfolio may use and some of their
associated risks is found under "Additional Information."
SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING MASTER-FEEDER FUND STRUCTURE
Unlike other open-end management investment companies (mutual funds) which
directly acquire and manage their own portfolio securities, the Fund seeks to
achieve its investment objective by investing all of its Assets in the
Portfolio, a separate registered investment company with the same investment
objective as the Fund. Therefore, an investor's interest in the Portfolio's
securities is indirect. In addition to selling a beneficial interest to the
Fund, the Portfolio may sell beneficial interests to other mutual funds or
institutional investors. Such investors will invest in the Portfolio on the same
terms and conditions and will pay a proportionate share of the Portfolio's
expenses. However, the other investors investing in the Portfolio are not
required to sell their shares at the same public offering price as the Fund due
to variations in sales commissions and other operating expenses. Therefore,
investors in the Fund should be aware that these differences may result in
differences in returns experienced by investors in the different funds that
invest in the Portfolio. Such differences in returns are also present in other
mutual fund structures. Information concerning other holders of interests in the
Portfolio is available from Bankers Trust at (800) 730- 1313.
The master-feeder structure has been developed relatively recently, so
shareholders should carefully consider this investment approach.
Smaller funds investing in the Portfolio may be materially affected by the
actions of larger funds investing in the Portfolio. For example, if a large fund
withdraws from the Portfolio, the remaining funds may experience higher pro rata
operating expenses, thereby producing lower returns (however, this possibility
exists as well for traditionally structured funds which have large institutional
investors). Additionally, the Portfolio may become less diverse, resulting in
increased portfolio risk. Also, funds with a greater pro rata ownership in the
Portfolio could have effective voting control of the operations of the
Portfolio. Except as permitted by the SEC, whenever the Trust is requested to
vote on matters pertaining to the Portfolio, the Trust will hold a meeting of
shareholders of the Fund and will cast all of its votes in the same proportion
as the votes of the Fund's shareholders. Fund shareholders who do not vote will
not affect the Trust's votes at the Portfolio meeting. The percentage of the
Trust's votes representing Fund shareholders not voting will be voted by the
Trustees or officers of the Trust in the same proportion as the Fund
shareholders who do, in fact, vote.
Certain changes in the Portfolio's investment objectives, policies or
restrictions may require the Fund to withdraw its interest in the Portfolio. Any
such withdrawal could result in a distribution "in kind" of portfolio securities
(as opposed to a cash distribution from the Portfolio). If securities are
distributed, the Fund could incur brokerage, tax or other charges in converting
the securities to cash. In addition, the distribution in kind may result in a
less diversified portfolio of investments or adversely affect the liquidity of
the Fund. Notwithstanding the above, there are other means for meeting
redemption requests, such as borrowing.
The Fund may withdraw its investment from the Portfolio at any time, if the
Board of Trustees of the Trust determines that it is in the best interests of
the shareholders of the Fund to do so. Upon any such withdrawal, the Board of
Trustees of the Trust would consider what action might be taken, including the
investment of all the Assets of the Fund in another pooled investment entity
having the same investment objectives as the Fund or the retaining of an
investment adviser to manage the Fund's assets in accordance with the investment
policies described below with respect to the Portfolio.
The Fund's investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed
upon notice to but without the approval of the Fund's shareholders. If there is
a change in the Fund's investment objective, the Fund's shareholders should
consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of their
then-current needs. The investment objective of the Portfolio is also not a
fundamental policy. Shareholders of the Fund will receive 30 days prior written
notice with respect to any change in the investment objective of the Fund or the
Portfolio. See "Investment Objective, Policies and Risks" for a description of
the fundamental policies of the Portfolio that cannot be changed without
approval by the holders of "a majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Portfolio.
For descriptions of the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the
Portfolio, see "Investment Objective, Policies and Risks." For descriptions of
the management of the Portfolio, see "Management of the Trust and Portfolio"
herein and in the Statement of Additional Information. For descriptions of the
expenses of the Portfolio, see "Management of the Trust and Portfolios" herein.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated on each day on which the
New York Stock Exchange Inc. (the "NYSE") is open (each such day being a
"Valuation Day"). The NYSE is currently open on each day, Monday through Friday,
except: (a) January 1st, Presidents' Day (the third Monday in February), Good
Friday, Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), July 4th, Labor Day (the first
Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (the last Thursday in November) and
December 25th; and (b) the preceding Friday or the subsequent Monday when one of
the calendar-determined holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated once on each Valuation
Day as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (the "Valuation Time"), which
is currently 4:00 p.m., New York time or in the event that the NYSE closes
early, at the time of such early closing. The net asset value per share of the
Fund is computed by dividing the value of the Fund's Assets (i.e., the value of
its investment in the Portfolio and other assets), less all liabilities, by the
total number of its shares outstanding. The Portfolio's securities and other
assets are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations or, if quotations
are not readily available, by a method which the Portfolio's Board of Trustees
believes accurately reflects fair value.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
PURCHASE OF SHARES
The Trust accepts purchase orders for shares of the Fund at the net asset value
per share of the Fund next determined on each Valuation Day. See "Net Asset
Value" above. There is no sales charge on the purchase of shares, but costs of
distributing shares of the Fund may be reimbursed from its assets, as described
herein. Service Agents may impose initial and subsequent investment minimums
that differ from the amounts presented in the "Minimum Investments" table below.
Shares of the Fund may be purchased in only those states where they may be
lawfully sold.
Purchase orders for shares of the Fund that are received by a Service Agent and
transmitted to Bankers Trust, as the Trust's transfer agent (the "Transfer
Agent"), prior to the Valuation Time (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time or
earlier, should the NYSE close earlier) on any Valuation Day will be effective
at that day's Valuation Time. The Trust and Signature reserve the right to
reject any purchase order.
Shares must be purchased in accordance with procedures established by the
Transfer Agent and Service Agents, including Bankers Trust, in connection with
customers' accounts. It is the responsibility of each Service Agent to transmit
to the Transfer Agent purchase and redemption orders and to transmit to Bankers
Trust as the Trust's custodian (the "Custodian") purchase payments on behalf of
its customers in a timely manner, and a shareholder must settle with the Service
Agent his or her entitlement to an effective purchase or redemption order as of
a particular time. Because Bankers Trust is the Custodian and Transfer Agent of
the Trust, funds may be transferred directly from or to a customer's account
with Bankers Trust to or from the Fund without incurring the additional costs or
delays associated with the wiring of federal funds.
Certificates for shares will not be issued. Each shareholder's account will be
maintained by a Service Agent or the Transfer Agent.
Automatic Investment Plan. The Fund may offer shareholders an automatic
investment plan under which shareholders may authorize some Service Agents to
place a purchase order each month or quarter for Fund shares. For further
information regarding the automatic investment plan, shareholders should contact
their Service Agent.
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT $2,500
For retirement accounts $ 500
Through automatic investment plans $1,000
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT $ 250
For retirement accounts $ 100
Through automatic investment plan $ 100
MINIMUM BALANCE $1,000
For retirement accounts None
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Shareholders may redeem shares at the net asset value per share next determined
on each Valuation Day. Redemption requests should be transmitted by customers in
accordance with procedures established by the Transfer Agent and the
shareholder's Service Agent. Redemption requests for shares of the Fund received
by the Service Agent and transmitted to the Transfer Agent prior to the
Valuation Time (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time or earlier, should the NYSE
close earlier) on each Valuation Day will be effective at that day's Valuation
Time and the redemption proceeds normally will be delivered to the shareholder's
account with the Service Agent on the next day, but in any event within seven
calendar days following receipt of the request.
Service Agents may allow redemptions or exchanges by telephone and may also
disclaim liability for following instructions communicated by telephone that the
Service Agent reasonably believes to be genuine. The Service Agent must provide
the investor with an opportunity to choose whether or not to utilize the
telephone redemption or exchange privilege. The Service Agent must employ
reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are
genuine. If the Service Agent does not do so, it may be liable for any losses
due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Such procedures may include,
among others, requiring some form of personal identification prior to acting
upon instructions received by telephone, providing written confirmation of such
transactions and/or tape recording of telephone instructions.
Redemption orders are processed without charge by the Trust. A Service Agent may
on at least 30 days' notice involuntarily redeem a shareholder's account with
the Fund having a minimum market value, but not if an account is below the
minimum due to a change in market value. See "Minimum Investments" above for
minimum balance amounts.
Automatic Cash Withdrawal Plan. The Fund may offer shareholders an automatic
cash withdrawal plan, under which shareholders who own shares of the Fund may
elect to receive periodic cash payments. Retirement plan accounts are eligible
for automatic cash withdrawal plans only where the shareholder is eligible to
receive qualified distributions. For further information regarding the automatic
cash withdrawal plan, shareholders should contact their Service Agent.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Shareholders may exchange their shares for shares of certain other funds in the
BT Family of Funds registered in their state. The Fund reserves the right to
terminate or modify the exchange privilege in the future. To make an exchange,
follow the procedures indicated in "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption of
Shares" in that fund's prospectus. Before making an exchange, please note the
following:
* Call your Service Agent for information and a prospectus. Read the
prospectus for relevant information.
* Complete and sign an application, taking care to register your new account in
the same name, address, and taxpayer identification number as your existing
account(s).
* Each exchange represents the sale of shares of one fund and the purchase of
shares of another, which may produce a gain or loss for tax purposes. Your
Service Agent will send a written confirmation of each exchange transaction.
TAX-SAVING RETIREMENT PLANS
Retirement plans offer significant tax savings and are available to individuals,
partnerships, corporations, nonprofit organizations and educational
institutions. Contact your Service Agent or Bankers Trust for further
information. Bankers Trust can set up your new account in the Fund under one of
several tax-sheltered plans. These plans contain special tax advantages and let
you invest for retirement while sheltering your investment income from current
taxes. Minimums may differ from those listed elsewhere in the Prospectus.
* Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): personal savings plans that offer tax
advantages for individuals to set aside money for retirement and allow new
contributions of $2,000 per tax year.
* Rollover IRAs: tax-deferred retirement accounts that retain the special tax
advantages of lump sum distributions from qualified retirement plans and
transferred IRA accounts.
* Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEP): a relatively easy and inexpensive
alternative to retirement planning for sole proprietors, partnerships and
corporations. Under a SEP, employers make tax-deductible contributions to
their own and to eligible employees' IRA accounts. Employee contributions are
available through a "Salary Deferral" SEP for businesses with fewer than 25
eligible employees.
* Keogh Plans: defined contribution plans available to individuals with self-
employed income and nonincorporated businesses such as sole proprietors,
professionals and partnerships. Contributions are tax-deductible to the
employer and earnings are tax-sheltered until distribution.
* Corporate Profit-Sharing and Money-Purchase Plans: defined contribution
plans available to corporations to benefit their employees by making
contributions on their behalf and in some cases permitting their employees
to make contributions.
* 401(k) Programs: defined contribution plans available to corporations allowing
tax-deductible employer contributions and permitting employers to contribute a
percentage of their wages on a tax-deferred basis.
* 403(b) Custodian Accounts: defined contribution plans open to employees of
most nonprofit organizations and educational institutions.
* Deferred Benefit Plans: plan sponsors may invest all or part of their
pension assets in the Fund.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Distributions. The Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment
income and capital gains to shareholders each year. Income dividends are
distributed on the first business day in April, July and October. In December,
another income dividend will be distributed plus any net capital gains. Unless a
shareholder instructs the Trust to pay such dividends and distributions in cash,
they will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
Federal Taxes. Distributions from the Fund's income and short-term capital gains
are taxed as dividends, and long-term capital gain distributions are taxed as
long-term capital gains. The Fund's distributions are taxable when they are
paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares.
Distributions declared in December and paid in January are taxable as if paid on
December 31. The Fund will send each shareholder a tax statement by January 31
showing the tax status of the distributions received in the past year.
Capital Gains. You may realize a capital gain or loss when you redeem (sell) or
exchange shares. Because the tax treatment also depends on your purchase price
and your personal tax position, you should keep your regular account statements
to use in determining your tax.
"Buying a Dividend." On the ex-date for a distribution from income and/or
capital gains, the Fund's share value is reduced by the amount of the
distribution. If you buy shares just before the ex-date ("buying a dividend"),
you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the
price back as a taxable distribution.
Other Tax Information. In addition to Federal taxes, you may be subject to state
or local taxes on your investment, depending on the laws in your area. Income
received by the Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be subject
to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND REPORTS
The Fund's performance may be used from time to time in advertisements,
shareholder reports or other communications to shareholders or prospective
shareholders. Performance information may include the Fund's investment results
and/or comparisons of its investment results to the Standard and Poor's 500
Composite Stock Price Index, the Standard and Poor's Mid Cap 400 Index, the
Lipper General Equity Averages, the Lipper Mid Cap Average or other various
unmanaged indices or results of other mutual funds or investment or savings
vehicles. The Fund's investment results as used in such communications will be
calculated on a yield or total return basis in the manner set forth below. From
time to time, fund rankings may be quoted from various sources, such as Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., Value Line and Morningstar, Inc.
The Trust may provide period and average annualized "total return" quotations
for the Fund. The Fund's "total return" refers to the change in the value of an
investment in the Fund over a stated period based on any change in net asset
value per share and including the value of any shares purchasable with any
dividends or capital gains distributed during such period. Period total return
may be annualized. An annualized total return is a compounded total return which
assumes that the period total return is generated over a one-year period, and
that all dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested. An annualized
total return will be higher than a period total return if the period is shorter
than one year, because of the compounding effect.
The Trust may provide annualized "yield" quotations for the Fund. The "yield" of
the Fund refers to the income generated by an investment in the Fund over a
30-day or one-month period (which period shall be stated in any such
advertisement or communications). This income is then annualized; that is, the
amount generated by the investment over the period is assumed to be generated
over a one-year period and is shown as a percentage of investment.
Unlike some bank deposits or other investments which pay a fixed yield for a
stated period of time, the total return of the Fund will vary depending upon
interest rates, the current market value of the securities held by the Portfolio
and changes in the Fund's expenses. In addition, during certain periods for
which total return or yield quotations may be provided, Bankers Trust, as
Adviser, Service Agent or Administrator, or Signature, as Distributor, may have
voluntarily agreed to waive portions of their fees on a month-to-month basis.
Such waivers will have the effect of increasing the Fund's net income (and
therefore its total rate of return or yield) during the period such waivers are
in effect.
Shareholders will receive financial reports semi-annually that include the
Portfolio's financial statements, including listings of investment securities
held by the Portfolio at those dates. Annual reports are audited by independent
accountants.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST AND PORTFOLIO
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The affairs of the Trust and the Portfolio are managed under the supervision of
their respective Boards of Trustees. By virtue of the responsibilities assumed
by Bankers Trust, as the Administrator of the Trust and the Portfolio, neither
the Trust nor the Portfolio requires employees other than its officers. None of
the Trust's or the Portfolio's officers devotes full time to the affairs of the
Trust or the Portfolio.
The Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the
1940 Act) (the "Independent Trustees") of the Trust or of the Portfolio, as the
case may be, have adopted written procedures reasonably appropriate to deal with
potential conflicts of interest, up to and including creating separate boards of
trustees, arising from the fact that several of the same individuals are
trustees of the Trust and the Portfolio. For more information with respect to
the Trustees of both the Trust and the Portfolio, see "Management of the Trust
and Portfolios" in the Statement of Additional Information.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Trust has not retained the services of an investment adviser since the Trust
seeks to achieve the investment objective of the Fund by investing all the
Assets of the Fund in the Portfolio. The Portfolio has retained the services of
Bankers Trust, as investment adviser. Ms. Mary Lisanti, Managing Director of
Bankers Trust, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio.
Ms. Lisanti has been employed by Bankers Trust since February, 1993 and has
managed the Portfolio's assets since the Portfolio's commencement of operations.
Prior to 1993, she was a Vice President and Portfolio Manager with Lieber &
Company/The Evergreen Funds (since 1990).
Bankers Trust, a New York banking corporation with principal offices at 280 Park
Avenue, New York, New York 10017, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bankers Trust
New York Corporation. Bankers Trust conducts a variety of general banking and
trust activities and is a major wholesale supplier of financial services to the
international and domestic institutional market. As of September 30, 1995,
Bankers Trust New York Corporation was the ninth largest bank holding company in
the United States with total assets of approximately $104 billion. Bankers Trust
is a worldwide merchant bank dedicated to servicing the needs of corporations,
governments, financial institutions and private clients through a global network
of over 120 offices in more than 40 countries. Investment management is a core
business of Bankers Trust, built on a tradition of excellence from its roots as
a trust bank founded in 1903. The scope of Bankers Trust's investment management
capability is unique due to its leadership positions in both active and passive
quantitative management and its presence in major equity and fixed income
markets around the world. Bankers Trust is one of the nation's largest and most
experienced investment managers with approximately $200 billion in assets under
management globally.
Bankers Trust has more than 50 years of experience managing retirement assets
for the nation's largest corporations and institutions. In the past, these
clients have been serviced through separate account and commingled fund
structures. Now, the BT Family of Funds family brings Bankers Trust's extensive
investment management expertise -- once available to only the largest
institutions in the U.S. -- to individual investors for the first time. Bankers
Trust's officers have had extensive experience in managing investment portfolios
having objectives similar to those of the Portfolio.
Bankers Trust, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees
of the Portfolio, manages the Portfolio in accordance with the Portfolio's
investment objective and stated investment policies, makes investment decisions
for the Portfolio, places orders to purchase and sell securities and other
financial instruments on behalf of the Portfolio and employs professional
investment managers and securities analysts who provide research services to the
Portfolio. Bankers Trust may utilize the expertise of any of its worldwide
subsidiaries and affiliates to assist it in its role as investment adviser. All
orders for investment transactions on behalf of the Portfolio are placed by
Bankers Trust with broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries that it
selects, including those affiliated with Bankers Trust. A Bankers Trust
affiliate will be used in connection with a purchase or sale of an investment
for the Portfolio only if Bankers Trust believes that the affiliate's charge for
the transaction does not exceed usual and customary levels. The Portfolio will
not invest in obligations for which Bankers Trust or any of its affiliates is
the ultimate obligor or accepting bank. The Portfolio may, however, invest in
the obligations of correspondents or customers of Bankers Trust.
Under its Investment Advisory Agreement, Bankers Trust receives a fee from the
Portfolio computed daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 0.65% of the
average daily net assets of the Portfolio.
Bankers Trust has been advised by its counsel that, in counsel's opinion,
Bankers Trust currently may perform the services for the Trust and the Portfolio
described in this Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information without
violation of the Glass-Steagall Act or other applicable banking laws or
regulations. State laws on this issue may differ from the interpretations of
relevant Federal law and banks and financial institutions may be required to
register as dealers pursuant to state securities law.
ADMINISTRATOR
Under its Administration and Services Agreement with the Trust, Bankers Trust
calculates the net asset value of the Fund and generally assists the Board of
Trustees of the Trust in all aspects of the administration and operation of the
Trust. The Administration and Services Agreement provides for the Trust to pay
Bankers Trust a fee computed daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 0.40%
of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
Under an Administration and Services Agreement with the Portfolio, Bankers Trust
calculates the value of the assets of the Portfolio and generally assists the
Board of Trustees of the Portfolio in all aspects of the administration and
operation of the Portfolio. The Administration and Services Agreement provides
for the Portfolio to pay Bankers Trust a fee computed daily and paid monthly, at
the rate of 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio. Under each
Administration and Services Agreement, Bankers Trust may delegate one or more of
its responsibilities to others, including Signature, at Bankers Trust's expense.
For more information, see the Statement of Additional Information.
DISTRIBUTOR
Under its Distribution Agreement with the Trust, Signature, as Distributor,
serves as the Trust's principal underwriter on a best efforts basis. In
addition, Signature provides the Trust with office facilities. Signature is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Signature Financial Group, Inc. ("SFG"). SFG and its
affiliates currently provide administration and distribution services for other
registered investment companies. The principal business address of SFG and
Signature is 6 St. James Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
Pursuant to the terms of the Trust's Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act (the "Plan"), Signature may seek reimbursement in an amount
not exceeding 0.20% of the Fund's average daily net assets annually for expenses
incurred in connection with any activities primarily intended to result in the
sale of the Fund's shares, including, but not limited to: compensation to and
expenses (including overhead and telephone expenses) of account executives or
other employees of Signature who, as their primary activity, engage in or
support the distribution of shares; printing of prospectuses, statements of
additional information and reports for other than existing Fund shareholders in
amounts in excess of that typically used in connection with the distribution of
shares of the Fund; costs of placing advertising in various media; services of
parties other than Signature or its affiliates in formulating sales literature;
and typesetting, printing and distribution of sales literature. All costs and
expenses in connection with implementing and operating the Plan will be paid by
the Fund, subject to the 0.20% of net assets limitation. All costs and expenses
associated with preparing the prospectus and statement of additional information
and in connection with printing them for and distributing them to existing
shareholders and regulatory authorities, which costs and expenses would not be
considered distribution expenses for purposes of the Plan, will also be paid by
the Fund. To the extent expenses of Signature under the Plan in any fiscal year
of the Trust exceed amounts payable under the Plan during that year, those
expenses will not be reimbursed in any succeeding fiscal year. Expenses incurred
in connection with distribution activities will be identified to the Fund or the
other series of the Trust involved, although it is anticipated that some
activities may be conducted on a Trust-wide basis, with the result that those
activities will not be identifiable to any particular series. In the latter
case, expenses will be allocated among the series of the Trust on the basis of
their relative net assets. It is not expected that any payments will be made
under the Plan in the foreseeable future.
SERVICE AGENT
All shareholders must be represented by a Service Agent. Bankers Trust acts as a
Service Agent pursuant to its Administration and Services Agreement with the
Trust and receives no additional compensation from the Fund for such shareholder
services. The service fees of any other Service Agents, including
broker-dealers, will be paid by Bankers Trust from its fees. The services
provided by a Service Agent may include establishing and maintaining shareholder
accounts, processing purchase and redemption transactions, arranging for bank
wires, performing shareholder sub-accounting, answering client inquiries
regarding the Trust, assisting clients in changing dividend options, account
designations and addresses, providing periodic statements showing the client's
account balance, transmitting proxy statements, periodic reports, updated
prospectuses and other communications to shareholders and, with respect to
meetings of shareholders, collecting, tabulating and forwarding to the Trust
executed proxies and obtaining such other information and performing such other
services as the Administrator or the Service Agent's clients may reasonably
request and agree upon with the Service Agent. Service Agents may separately
charge their clients additional fees only to cover provision of additional or
more comprehensive services not already provided under the Administration and
Services Agreement with Bankers Trust, or of the type or scope not generally
offered by a mutual fund, such as cash management services or enhanced
retirement or trust reporting. In addition, investors may be charged a
transaction fee if they effect transactions in Fund shares through a broker or
agent. Each Service Agent has agreed to transmit to shareholders, who are its
customers, appropriate disclosures of any fees that it may charge them directly.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
Bankers Trust acts as Custodian of the assets of the Trust and the Portfolio and
serves as the Transfer Agent for the Trust and the Portfolio under the
Administration and Services Agreement with the Trust and the Portfolio.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST
The Trust was organized on February 28, 1992 under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. The Fund was established and designated as a separate series
of the Trust on June 23, 1992. The Trust offers shares of beneficial interest of
separate series, par value $0.001 per share. The shares of the other series of
the Trust are offered through separate prospectuses. No series of shares has any
preference over any other series.
The Trust is an entity commonly known as a "Massachusetts business trust." Under
Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a business trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its obligations.
However, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate
insurance existed and the Trust itself was unable to meet its obligations.
When matters are submitted for shareholder vote, shareholders of the Fund will
have one vote for each full share held and proportionate, fractional votes for
fractional shares held. A separate vote of the Fund is required on any matter
affecting the Fund on which shareholders are entitled to vote. Shareholders of
the Fund are not entitled to vote on Trust matters that do not affect the Fund.
There normally will be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing
Trustees unless and until such time as less than a majority of Trustees holding
office have been elected by shareholders, at which time the Trustees then in
office will call a shareholders' meeting for the election of Trustees. Any
Trustee may be removed from office upon the vote of shareholders holding at
least two-thirds of the Trust's outstanding shares at a meeting called for that
purpose. The Trustees are required to call such a meeting upon the written
request of shareholders holding at least 10% of the Trust's outstanding shares.
The Portfolio, in which all the Assets of the Fund will be invested, is
organized as a trust under the laws of the State of New York. The Portfolio's
Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund and other entities investing in the
Portfolio (e.g., other investment companies, insurance company separate accounts
and common and commingled trust funds) will each be liable for all obligations
of the Portfolio. However, the risk of the Fund incurring financial loss on
account of such liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate
insurance existed and the Portfolio itself was unable to meet its obligations.
Accordingly, the Trustees of the Trust believe that neither the Fund nor its
shareholders will be adversely affected by reason of the Fund's investing in the
Portfolio.
Each series of the Trust will not be involved in any vote involving a Portfolio
in which it does not invest its Assets. Shareholders of all of the series of the
Trust will, however, vote together to elect Trustees of the Trust and for
certain other matters. Under certain circumstances, the shareholders of one or
more series could control the outcome of these votes.
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
The Fund bears its own expenses. Operating expenses for the Fund generally
consist of all costs not specifically borne by Bankers Trust or Signature,
including administration and service fees, fees for necessary professional
services, amortization of organizational expenses, and costs associated with
regulatory compliance and maintaining legal existence and shareholder relations.
Bankers Trust and Signature have agreed to reimburse the Fund to the extent
required by applicable state law for certain expenses that are described in the
Statement of Additional Information. The Portfolio bears its own expenses.
Operating expenses for the Portfolio generally consist of all costs not
specifically borne by Bankers Trust or Signature, including investment advisory
and administration and services fees, fees for necessary professional services,
amortization of organizational expenses, the costs associated with regulatory
compliance and maintaining legal existence and investor relations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Rule 144A Securities. The Portfolio may purchase securities in the United States
that are not registered for sale under Federal securities laws but which can be
resold to institutions under the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC")
Rule 144A. Provided that a dealer or institutional trading market in such
securities exists, these restricted securities are treated as exempt from the
Portfolio's 15% limit on illiquid securities. Under the supervision of the Board
of Trustees of the Portfolio, Bankers Trust determines the liquidity of
restricted securities and, through reports from Bankers Trust, the Board will
monitor trading activity in restricted securities. Because Rule 144A is
relatively new, it is not possible to predict how these markets will develop. If
institutional trading in restricted securities were to decline, the liquidity of
the Portfolio could be adversely affected.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities. The Portfolio may purchase
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. Delivery of and payment
for these securities may take place as long as a month or more after the date of
the purchase commitment. The value of these securities is subject to market
fluctuation during this period and no income accrues to the Portfolio until
settlement takes place. The Portfolio maintains with the custodian a segregated
account containing high grade liquid securities in an amount at least equal to
these commitments. When entering into a when-issued or delayed delivery
transaction, the Portfolio will rely on the other party to consummate the
transaction; if the other party fails to do so, the Portfolio may be
disadvantaged.
Securities Lending. The Portfolio is permitted to lend up to 30% of the total
value of its securities. These loans must be secured continuously by cash or
equivalent collateral or by a letter of credit at least equal to the market
value of the securities loaned plus accrued income. By lending its securities,
the Portfolio can increase its income by continuing to receive income on the
loaned securities as well as by the opportunity to receive interest on the
collateral. Any gain or loss in the market price of the borrowed securities
which occurs during the term of the loan inures to the Portfolio and its
investors. In lending securities to brokers, dealers and other organizations,
the Portfolio is subject to risk which, like those associated with other
extensions of credit, include delays in recovery and possible loss of rights in
the collateral should the borrower fail financially.
Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement the Portfolio buys a security
and simultaneously agrees to sell it back at a higher price. In the event of the
bankruptcy of the other party to either a repurchase agreement or a securities
loan, the Portfolio could experience delays in recovering either its cash or the
securities it lent. To the extent that, in the meantime, the value of the
securities repurchased had decreased or the value of the securities lent had
increased, the Portfolio could experience a loss. In all cases, Bankers Trust
must find the creditworthiness of the other party to the transaction
satisfactory. A repurchase agreement is considered a collateralized loan under
the 1940 Act.
Foreign Investments. The Portfolio may invest in securities of foreign issuers
directly or in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), Global
Depositary Receipts ("GDRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") or other
similar securities representing securities of foreign issuers. These securities
may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities they
represent. Designed for use in U.S., international and European securities
markets, respectively, ADRs, GDRs and EDRs are alternatives to the purchase of
the underlying securities in their national markets and currencies. ADRs, GDRs
and EDRs are subject to the same risks as the foreign securities to which they
relate.
With respect to certain countries in which capital markets are either less
developed or not easily accessed, investments by the Portfolio may be made
through investment in other investment companies that in turn are authorized to
invest in the securities of such countries. Investment in other investment
companies is limited in amount by the 1940 Act, will involve the indirect
payment of a portion of the expenses, including advisory fees, of such other
investment companies and may result in a duplication of fees and expenses.
Options on Stocks. The Portfolio may write and purchase put and call options on
stocks. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and
obligates the writer to sell, the underlying stock at the exercise price at any
time during the option period. Similarly, a put option gives the purchaser of
the option the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying
stock at the exercise price at any time during the option period. A covered call
option, which is a call option with respect to which the Portfolio owns the
underlying stock, sold by the Portfolio exposes the Portfolio during the term of
the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market
price of the underlying stock or to possible continued holding of a stock which
might otherwise have been sold to protect against depreciation in the market
price of the stock. A covered put option sold by the Portfolio exposes the
Portfolio during the term of the option to a decline in price of the underlying
stock. A put option sold by the Portfolio is covered when, among other things,
cash or liquid securities are placed in a segregated account to fulfill the
obligations undertaken.
To close out a position when writing covered options, the Portfolio may make a
"closing purchase transaction," which involves purchasing an option on the same
stock with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option which it
has previously written on the stock. The Portfolio will realize a profit or loss
for a closing purchase transaction if the amount paid to purchase an option is
less or more, as the case may be, than the amount received from the sale
thereof. To close out a position as a purchaser of an option, the Portfolio may
make a "closing sale transaction," which involves liquidating the Portfolio's
position by selling the option previously purchased.
The Portfolio intends to treat over-the-counter options ("OTC Options")
purchased and the assets used to "cover" OTC Options written as not readily
marketable and therefore subject to the limitations described in "Investment
Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Options on Stock Indices. The Portfolio may purchase and write put and call
options on stock indices listed on stock exchanges. A stock index fluctuates
with changes in the market values of the stocks included in the index.
Options on stock indices are generally similar to options on stock except that
the delivery requirements are different. Instead of giving the right to take or
make delivery of stock at a specified price, an option on a stock index gives
the holder the right to receive a cash "exercise settlement amount" equal to (a)
the amount, if any, by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in
the case of a put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of
the underlying index on the date of exercise, multiplied by (b) a fixed "index
multiplier." Receipt of this cash amount will depend upon the closing level of
the stock index upon which the option is based being greater than, in the case
of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option.
The amount of cash received will be equal to such difference between the closing
price of the index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars
times a specified multiple. The writer of the option is obligated, in return for
the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The writer may offset its
position in stock index options prior to expiration by entering into a closing
transaction on an exchange or the option may expire unexercised.
Because the value of an index option depends upon movements in the level of the
index rather than the price of a particular stock, whether the Portfolio will
realize a gain or loss from the purchase or writing of options on an index
depends upon movements in the level of stock prices in the stock market
generally or, in the case of certain indices, in an industry or market segment,
rather than movements in the price of a particular stock. Accordingly,
successful use by the Portfolio of options on stock indices will be subject to
Bankers Trust's ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the
stock market generally or of a particular industry. This requires different
skills and techniques than predicting changes in the price of individual stocks.
Futures Contracts on Stock Indices. The Portfolio may enter into contracts
providing for the making and acceptance of a cash settlement based upon changes
in the value of an index of securities ("Futures Contracts"). This investment
technique is designed only to hedge against anticipated future change in general
market prices which otherwise might either adversely affect the value of
securities held by the Portfolio or adversely affect the prices of securities
which are intended to be purchased at a later date for the Portfolio. A Futures
Contract may also be entered into to close out or offset an existing futures
position.
In general, each transaction in Futures Contracts involves the establishment of
a position which will move in a direction opposite to that of the investment
being hedged. If these hedging transactions are successful, the futures
positions taken for the Portfolio will rise in value by an amount which
approximately offsets the decline in value of the portion of the Portfolio's
investments that are being hedged. Should general market prices move in an
unexpected manner, the full anticipated benefits of Futures Contracts may not be
achieved or a loss may be realized.
Although Futures Contracts would be entered into for hedging purposes only, such
transactions do involve certain risks. These risks could include a lack of
correlation between the Futures Contract and the equity market being hedged, a
potential lack of liquidity in the secondary market and incorrect assessments of
market trends which may result in poorer overall performance than if a Futures
Contract had not been entered into.
Brokerage costs will be incurred and "margin" will be required to be posted and
maintained as a good-faith deposit against performance of obligations under
Futures Contracts written for the Portfolio. The Portfolio may not purchase or
sell a Futures Contract if immediately thereafter its margin deposits on its
outstanding Futures Contracts would exceed 5% of the market value of the
Portfolio's total assets.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Portfolio may invest in options on such
Futures Contracts for similar purposes.
Foreign Currency Exchange Transactions. Because the Portfolio may buy and sell
securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and receives
interest, dividends and sale proceeds in currencies other than the U.S. dollar,
the Portfolio from time to time may enter into foreign currency exchange
transactions to convert to and from different foreign currencies and to convert
foreign currencies to and from the U.S. dollar. The Portfolio either enters into
these transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in
the foreign currency exchange market or uses forward contracts to purchase or
sell foreign currencies.
A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an obligation by the Portfolio
to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed
number of days from the date of the contract. Forward foreign currency exchange
contracts establish an exchange rate at a future date. These contracts are
transferable in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders
(usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward foreign currency
exchange contract generally has no deposit requirement and is traded at a net
price without commission. The Portfolio maintains with its custodian a
segregated account of high grade liquid assets in an amount at least equal to
its obligations under each forward foreign currency exchange contract. Neither
spot transactions nor forward foreign currency exchange contracts eliminate
fluctuations in the prices of the Portfolio's securities or in foreign exchange
rates, or prevent loss if the prices of these securities should decline.
The Portfolio may enter into foreign currency hedging transactions in an attempt
to protect against changes in foreign currency exchange rates between the trade
and settlement dates of specific securities transactions or changes in foreign
currency exchange rates that would adversely affect a portfolio position or an
anticipated investment position. Since consideration of the prospect for
currency parities will be incorporated into Bankers Trust's long-term investment
decisions, the Portfolio will not routinely enter into foreign currency hedging
transactions with respect to security transactions; however, Bankers Trust
believes that it is important to have the flexibility to enter into foreign
currency hedging transactions when it determines that the transactions would be
in the Portfolio's best interest. Although these transactions tend to minimize
the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, at the
same time they tend to limit any potential gain that might be realized should
the value of the hedged currency increase. The precise matching of the forward
contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be
possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will
change as a consequence of market movements in the value of such securities
between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures.
The projection of currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the
successful execution of a hedging strategy is highly uncertain.
Options on Foreign Currencies. The Portfolio may write covered put and call
options and purchase put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose
of protecting against declines in the dollar value of portfolio securities and
against increases in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired. The Portfolio
may use options on currency to cross-hedge, which involves writing or purchasing
options on one currency to hedge against changes in exchange rates for a
different, but related currency. As with other types of options, however, the
writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge up
to the amount of the premium received, and the Portfolio could be required to
purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby
incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may be used to
hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event of exchange
rate movements adverse to the Portfolio's position, it may forfeit the entire
amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. In addition, the Portfolio
may purchase call options on currency when the Adviser anticipates that the
currency will appreciate in value.
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will
exist for any particular option, or at any particular time. If the Portfolio is
unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options
it has written, the Portfolio will not be able to sell the underlying currency
or dispose of assets held in a segregated account until the options expire or
are exercised. Similarly, if the Portfolio is unable to effect a closing sale
transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it would have to exercise
the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon
the purchase or sale of underlying currency. The Portfolio pays brokerage
commissions or spreads in connection with its options transactions.
As in the case of forward contracts, certain options on foreign currencies are
traded over-the-counter and involve liquidity and credit risks which may not be
present in the case of exchange-traded currency options. The Portfolio's ability
to terminate over-the-counter options ("OTC Options") will be more limited than
with exchange-traded options. It is also possible that broker-dealers
participating in OTC Options transactions will not fulfill their obligations.
Until such time as the staff of the SEC changes its position, the Portfolio will
treat purchased OTC Options and assets used to cover written OTC Options as
illiquid securities. With respect to options written with primary dealers in
U.S. Government securities pursuant to an agreement requiring a closing purchase
transaction at a formula price, the amount of illiquid securities may be
calculated with reference to the repurchase formula.
All options that the Portfolio writes will be covered under applicable
requirements of the SEC. The Portfolio will write and purchase options only to
the extent permitted by the policies of state securities authorities in states
where shares of the Fund are qualified for offer and sale.
There can be no assurance that the use of these portfolio strategies will be
successful.
Asset Coverage. To assure that the Portfolio's use of futures and related
options, as well as when-issued and delayed-delivery securities and foreign
currency exchange transactions, are not used to achieve investment leverage, the
Portfolio will cover such transactions, as required under applicable
interpretations of the SEC, either by owning the underlying securities or by
establishing a segregated account with the Portfolio's Custodian containing high
grade liquid debt securities in an amount at all times equal to or exceeding the
Portfolio's commitment with respect to these instruments or contracts.
<PAGE>
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISER OF THE PORTFOLIO AND ADMINISTRATOR
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
DISTRIBUTOR
SIGNATURE BROKER-DEALER SERVICES, INC.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
COUNSEL
WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER
.........................
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in the Trust's Prospectuses, its
Statements of Additional Information or the Trust's official sales literature
in connection with the offering of the Trust's shares and, if given or made,
such other information or representations must not be relied on as having been
authorized by the Trust. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer in any
state in which, or to any person to whom, such offer may not lawfully be made.
.........................
<PAGE>
BT0493
BT PYRAMID MUTUAL FUNDS
BT INVESTMENT EQUITY APPRECIATION FUND JANUARY 29, 1996
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BT Pyramid Mutual Funds (the "Trust") is an open-end management investment
company that offers investors a selection of investment portfolios, each having
distinct investment objectives and policies. This Statement of Additional
Information relates only to BT INVESTMENT EQUITY APPRECIATION FUND (the "Fund")
which seeks long-term capital growth through investment in growth-oriented
common stocks of medium-sized corporations.
As described in the Prospectus, the Trust seeks to achieve the investment
objective of the Fund by investing all the investable assets of the Fund in an
open-end management investment company having the same investment objective as
the Fund. This investment company is the Capital Appreciation Portfolio (the
"Portfolio").
Since the investment characteristics of the Fund will correspond directly to
those of the Portfolio in which the Fund invests all of its assets, the
following is a discussion of the various investments of and techniques employed
by the Portfolio.
Shares of the Fund are sold by Signature Broker-Dealer Services, Inc.
("Signature"), the Trust's Distributor, to clients and customers (including
affiliates and correspondents) of Bankers Trust Company ("Bankers Trust"), the
Portfolio's Adviser, and to clients and customers of other organizations.
The Trust's Prospectus for the Fund is dated January 29, 1996. The Prospectus
provides the basic information investors should know before investing, and may
be obtained without charge by calling the Trust at the telephone number listed
below or by contacting any Service Agent. This Statement of Additional
Information, which is not a Prospectus, is intended to provide additional
information regarding the activities and operations of the Trust and should be
read in conjunction with the Fund's Prospectus. This Statement of Additional
Information is not an offer of the Fund for which an investor has not received a
Prospectus. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Statement of
Additional Information have the meanings accorded to them in the Fund's
Prospectus.
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
INVESTMENT ADVISER OF THE PORTFOLIO AND ADMINISTRATOR
SIGNATURE BROKER-DEALER SERVICES, INC.
DISTRIBUTOR
6 ST. JAMES AVENUE BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02116 (800) 730-1313
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
The investment objective of the Fund is described in the Fund's Prospectus.
There can, of course, be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its
Assets in the Portfolio. The Trust may withdraw the Fund's investment from the
Portfolio at any time if the Board of Trustees of the Trust determines that it
is in the best interest of the Fund to do so.
Since the investment characteristics of the Fund will correspond directly to
those of the Portfolio, the following is a discussion of the various investments
of and techniques employed by the Portfolio.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT AND BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES. Certificates of deposit are
receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of
funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer
of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually
can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers' acceptances
typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable
businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an
acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to
obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is
then "accepted" by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the
face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be
held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the
secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although
maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have
maturities of six months or less.
COMMERCIAL PAPER. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270
days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance
their current operations. A variable amount master demand note (which is a type
of commercial paper) represents a direct borrowing arrangement involving
periodically fluctuating rates of interest under a letter agreement between a
commercial paper issuer and an institutional lender pursuant to which the lender
may determine to invest varying amounts.
For a description of commercial paper ratings, see the Appendix to this
Statement of Additional Information.
SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS. When a Portfolio experiences large cash inflows through
the sale of securities and desirable equity securities, that are consistent with
the Portfolio's investment objective, which are unavailable in sufficient
quantities or at attractive prices, the Portfolio may hold short-term
investments for a limited time pending availability of such equity securities.
Short-term
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instruments consist of foreign and domestic: (i) short-term obligations of
sovereign governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or
political subdivisions; (ii) other short-term debt securities rated AA or higher
by S&P or Aa or higher by Moody's or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the
opinion of Bankers Trust; (iii) commercial paper; (iv) bank obligations,
including negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits and banker's
acceptances; and (v) repurchase agreements. At the time the Portfolio invests in
commercial paper, bank obligations or repurchase agreements, the issuer of the
issuer's parent must have outstanding debt rated AA or higher by S&P or Aa or
higher by Moody's or outstanding commercial paper or bank obligations rated A-1
by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody's; or, if no such ratings are available, the
instrument must be of comparable quality in the opinion of Bankers Trust. These
instruments may be denominated in U.S dollars or in foreign currencies.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities
subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"),
securities which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements
having a remaining maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have not
been registered under the 1933 Act are referred to as private placements or
restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the
secondary market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount of
these restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential for
delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an
adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and a mutual fund
might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly
or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying
redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might also have to register such
restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional
expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering
of securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed for certain
securities that are not registered under the 1933 Act, including repurchase
agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and
corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient
institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or
on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that there are
contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the general
public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their liquidity.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted Rule 144A, which
allows a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject
to restriction on their resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a
"safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act of resales of
certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. The Adviser anticipates
that the market for certain restricted securities such as institutional
commercial paper will expand further as a result of this regulation and the
development of automated systems for the trading, clearance and settlement of
unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers, such as the PORTAL
System sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
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The Adviser will monitor the liquidity of Rule 144A securities in the
Portfolio's holdings under the supervision of the Portfolio's Board of Trustees.
In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser will consider, among other things,
the following factors: (i) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security;
(ii) the number of dealers and other potential purchasers or sellers of the
security; (iii) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (iv)
the nature of the security and of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed
to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of
the transfer).
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Portfolio has the authority to lend
portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations. The
Portfolio will not lend securities to Bankers Trust, Signature or their
affiliates. By lending its securities, the Portfolio can increase its income by
continuing to receive interest on the loaned securities as well as by either
investing the cash collateral in short-term securities or obtaining yield in the
form of interest paid by the borrower when U.S. Government obligations are used
as collateral. There may be risks of delay in receiving additional collateral or
risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. The Portfolio
will adhere to the following conditions whenever its securities are loaned: (i)
the Portfolio must receive at least 100 percent cash collateral or equivalent
securities from the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase this collateral
whenever the market value of the securities including accrued interest rises
above the level of the collateral; (iii) the Portfolio must be able to terminate
the loan at any time; (iv) the Portfolio must receive reasonable interest on the
loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned
securities, and any increase in market value; (v) the Portfolio may pay only
reasonable custodian fees in connection with the loan; and (vi) voting rights on
the loaned securities may pass to the borrower; provided, however, that if a
material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, the Board of Trustees
must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
GENERAL. The successful use of such instruments draws upon the Adviser's skill
and experience with respect to such instruments and usually depends on the
Adviser's ability to forecast interest rate and currency exchange rate movements
correctly. Should interest or exchange rates move in an unexpected manner, the
Portfolio may not achieve the anticipated benefits of futures contracts or
options on futures contracts or may realize losses and thus will be in a worse
position than if such strategies had not been used. In addition, the correlation
between movements in the price of futures contracts or options on futures
contracts and movements in the price of the securities and currencies hedged or
used for cover will not be perfect and could produce unanticipated losses.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Portfolio may enter into contracts for the purchase or
sale for future delivery of fixed-income securities, foreign currencies, or
contracts based on financial indices including any index of U.S. Government
securities, foreign government securities or corporate debt securities. U.S.
futures contracts have been designed by exchanges which have been designated
"contracts markets" by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), and
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<PAGE>
must be executed through a futures commission merchant, or brokerage firm, which
is a member of the relevant contract market. Futures contracts trade on a number
of exchange markets, and, through their clearing corporations, the exchanges
guarantee performance of the contracts as between the clearing members of the
exchange. The Portfolio may enter into futures contracts which are based on debt
securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government,
such as long-term U.S. Treasury Bonds, Treasury Notes, Government National
Mortgage Association modified pass-through mortgage-backed securities and
three-month U.S. Treasury Bills. The Portfolio may also enter into futures
contracts which are based on bonds issued by entities other than the U.S.
Government.
At the same time a futures contract is purchased or sold, the Portfolio must
allocate cash or securities as a deposit payment ("initial deposit"). It is
expected that the initial deposit would be approximately 1 1/2% to 5% of a
contract's face value. Daily thereafter, the futures contract is valued and the
payment of "variation margin" may be required, since each day the Portfolio
would provide or receive cash that reflects any decline or increase in the
contract's value.
At the time of delivery of securities pursuant to such a contract, adjustments
are made to recognize differences in value arising from the delivery of
securities with a different interest rate from that specified in the contract.
In some (but not many) cases, securities called for by a futures contract may
not have been issued when the contract was written.
Although futures contracts by their terms call for the actual delivery or
acquisition of securities, in most cases the contractual obligation is fulfilled
before the date of the contract without having to make or take delivery of the
securities. The offsetting of a contractual obligation is accomplished by buying
(or selling, as the case may be) on a commodities exchange an identical futures
contract calling for delivery in the same month. Such a transaction, which is
effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation to make or take
delivery of the securities. Since all transactions in the futures market are
made, offset or fulfilled through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange
on which the contracts are traded, the Portfolio will incur brokerage fees when
it purchases or sells futures contracts.
The purpose of the acquisition or sale of a futures contract, in the case of the
Portfolio holds or intends to acquire fixed-income securities, is to attempt to
protect the Portfolio from fluctuations in interest or foreign exchange rates
without actually buying or selling fixed-income securities or foreign
currencies. For example, if interest rates were expected to increase, the
Portfolio might enter into futures contracts for the sale of debt securities.
Such a sale would have much the same effect as selling an equivalent value of
the debt securities owned by the Portfolio. If interest rates did increase, the
value of the debt security in the Portfolio would decline, but the value of the
futures contracts to the Portfolio would increase at approximately the same
rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of the Portfolio from declining as
much as it otherwise would have. The Portfolio could accomplish similar results
by selling debt securities and investing in bonds with short maturities when
interest rates are expected to increase. However, since the futures market is
more liquid than the cash market,
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<PAGE>
the use of futures contracts as an investment technique allows the Portfolio to
maintain a defensive position without having to sell its portfolio securities.
Similarly, when it is expected that interest rates may decline, futures
contracts may be purchased to attempt to hedge against anticipated purchases of
debt securities at higher prices. Since the fluctuations in the value of futures
contracts should be similar to those of debt securities, the Portfolio could
take advantage of the anticipated rise in the value of debt securities without
actually buying them until the market had stabilized. At that time, the futures
contracts could be liquidated and the Portfolio could then buy debt securities
on the cash market. To the extent the Portfolio enters into futures contracts
for this purpose, the assets in the segregated asset account maintained to cover
the Portfolio's obligations with respect to such futures contracts will consist
of cash, cash equivalents or high quality liquid debt securities from its
portfolio in an amount equal to the difference between the fluctuating market
value of such futures contracts and the aggregate value of the initial and
variation margin payments made by the Portfolio with respect to such futures
contracts.
The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures market, due to
differences in the nature of those markets, are subject to distortions. First,
all participants in the futures market are subject to initial deposit and
variation margin requirements. Rather than meeting additional variation margin
requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting
transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and
futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on
participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking
delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity
in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from
the point of view of speculators, the margin deposit requirements in the futures
market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market.
Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may
cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of distortion, a
correct forecast of general interest rate trends by the Adviser may still not
result in a successful transaction.
In addition, futures contracts entail risks. Although the Adviser believes that
use of such contracts will benefit the Portfolio, if the Adviser's investment
judgment about the general direction of interest rates is incorrect, the
Portfolio's overall performance would be poorer than if it had not entered into
any such contract. For example, if the Portfolio has hedged against the
possibility of an increase in interest rates which would adversely affect the
price of debt securities held in its portfolio and interest rates decrease
instead, the Portfolio will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased
value of its debt securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting
losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the
Portfolio has insufficient cash, it may have to sell debt securities from its
portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements. Such sales of bonds may
be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising
market. The Portfolio may have to sell securities at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so.
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OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Portfolio may purchase and write options on
futures contracts for hedging purposes. The purchase of a call option on a
futures contract is similar in some respects to the purchase of a call option on
an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to
either the price of the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of
the underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership
of the futures contract or underlying debt securities. As with the purchase of
futures contracts, when the Portfolio is not fully invested it may purchase a
call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance due to
declining interest rates.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge
against declining prices of the underlying security or foreign currency which is
deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at
expiration of the option is below the exercise price, the Portfolio will retain
the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any
decline that may have occurred in the Portfolio's holdings. The writing of a put
option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing
prices of the underlying security or foreign currency which is deliverable upon
exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration of the
option is higher than the exercise price, the Portfolio will retain the full
amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any increase
in the price of securities which the Portfolio intends to purchase. If a put or
call option the Portfolio has written is exercised, the Portfolio will incur a
loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it receives. Depending
on the degree of correlation between changes in the value of its portfolio
securities and changes in the value of its futures positions, the Portfolio's
losses from existing options on futures may to some extent be reduced or
increased by changes in the value of portfolio securities.
The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar in some respects
to the purchase of protective put options on portfolio securities. For example,
the Portfolio may purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge its
portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.
The amount of risk the Portfolio assumes when it purchases an option on a
futures contract is the premium paid for the option plus related transaction
costs. In addition to the correlation risks discussed above, the purchase of an
option also entails the risk that changes in the value of the underlying futures
contract will not be fully reflected in the value of the option purchased.
The Board of Trustees of the Portfolio has adopted the requirement that futures
contracts and options on futures contracts be used only as a hedge and not for
speculation. In addition to this requirement, the Board of Trustees of the
Portfolio has also adopted a restriction that the Portfolio will not enter into
any futures contracts or options on futures contracts if immediately thereafter
the amount of margin deposits on all the futures contracts of the Portfolio and
premiums paid on outstanding options on futures contracts owned by the Portfolio
(other than those entered into for bona fide hedging purposes) would exceed 5%
of the market value of the total assets of the Portfolio.
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OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. The Portfolio may purchase and write options on
foreign currencies for hedging purposes in a manner similar to that in which
futures contracts on foreign currencies, or forward contracts, will be utilized.
For example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which
portfolio securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such
securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In
order to protect against such diminutions in the value of portfolio securities,
the Portfolio may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of
the currency does decline, the Portfolio will have the right to sell such
currency for a fixed amount in dollars and will thereby offset, in whole or in
part, the adverse effect on its portfolio which otherwise would have resulted.
Conversely, where a rise in the dollar value of a currency in which securities
to be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby increasing the cost of such
securities, the Portfolio may purchase call options thereon. The purchase of
such options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse
movements in exchange rates. As in the case of other types of options, however,
the benefit to the Portfolio deriving from purchases of foreign currency options
will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In
addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the
extent anticipated, the Portfolio could sustain losses on transactions in
foreign currency options which would require it to forego a portion or all of
the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates.
The Portfolio may write options on foreign currencies for the same types of
hedging purposes. For example, where the Portfolio anticipates a decline in the
dollar value of foreign currency denominated securities due to adverse
fluctuations in exchange rates it could, instead of purchasing a put option,
write a call option on the relevant currency. If the expected decline occurs,
the options will most likely not be exercised, and the diminution in value of
portfolio securities will be offset by the amount of the premium received.
Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to hedge against an anticipated
increase in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired, the Portfolio could
write a put option on the relevant currency which, if rates move in the manner
projected, will expire unexercised and allow the Portfolio to hedge such
increased cost up to the amount of the premium. As in the case of other types of
options, however, the writing of a foreign currency option will constitute only
a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, and only if rates move in the
expected direction. If this does not occur, the option may be exercised and the
Portfolio would be required to purchase or sell the underlying currency at a
loss which may not be offset by the amount of the premium. Through the writing
of options on foreign currencies, the Portfolio also may be required to forego
all or a portion of the benefits which might otherwise have been obtained from
favorable movements in exchange rates.
The Portfolio may write covered call options on foreign currencies. A call
option written on a foreign currency by the Portfolio is "covered" if the
Portfolio owns the underlying foreign currency covered by the call or has an
absolute and immediate right to acquire that foreign currency without additional
cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated
account by its Custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other foreign currency
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held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if the Portfolio has a call
on the same foreign currency and in the same principal amount as the call
written where the exercise price of the call held (a) is equal to or less than
the exercise price of the call written or (b) is greater than the exercise price
of the call written if the difference is maintained by the Portfolio in cash,
U.S. Government securities and other high quality liquid debt securities in a
segregated account with its custodian.
The Portfolio also may write call options on foreign currencies that are not
covered for cross-hedging purposes. A call option on a foreign currency is for
cross-hedging purposes if it is not covered, but is designed to provide a hedge
against a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a security which the Portfolio
owns or has the right to acquire and which is denominated in the currency
underlying the option due to an adverse change in the exchange rate. In such
circumstances, the Portfolio collateralizes the option by maintaining in a
segregated account with its custodian, cash or U.S. Government securities or
other high quality liquid debt securities in an amount not less than the value
of the underlying foreign currency in U.S. dollars marked to market daily.
ADDITIONAL RISKS OF OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS, FORWARD CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. Unlike transactions entered into by the Portfolio in
futures contracts, options on foreign currencies and forward contracts are not
traded on contract markets regulated by the CFTC or (with the exception of
certain foreign currency options) by the SEC. To the contrary, such instruments
are traded through financial institutions acting as market-makers, although
foreign currency options are also traded on certain national securities
exchanges, such as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board Options
Exchange, subject to SEC regulation. Similarly, options on currencies may be
traded over-the-counter. In an over-the-counter trading environment, many of the
protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available. For
example, there are no daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market
movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time.
Although the purchaser of an option cannot lose more than the amount of the
premium plus related transaction costs, this entire amount could be lost.
Moreover, the option writer and a trader of forward contracts could lose amounts
substantially in excess of their initial investments, due to the margin and
collateral requirements associated with such positions.
Options on foreign currencies traded on national securities exchanges are within
the jurisdiction of the SEC, as are other securities traded on such exchanges.
As a result, many of the protections provided to traders on organized exchanges
will be available with respect to such transactions. In particular, all foreign
currency option positions entered into on a national securities exchange are
cleared and guaranteed by the Options Clearing Corporation (the "OCC"), thereby
reducing the risk of counterparty default. Further, a liquid secondary market in
options traded on a national securities exchange may be more readily available
than in the over-the-counter market, potentially permitting the Portfolio to
liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or expiration, or to
limit losses in the event of adverse market movements.
The purchase and sale of exchange-traded foreign currency options, however, is
subject to the risks of the availability of a liquid secondary market described
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above, as well as the risks regarding adverse market movements, margining of
options written, the nature of the foreign currency market, possible
intervention by governmental authorities and the effects of other political and
economic events. In addition, exchange-traded options on foreign currencies
involve certain risks not presented by the over-the-counter market. For example,
exercise and settlement of such options must be made exclusively through the
OCC, which has established banking relationships in applicable foreign countries
for this purpose. As a result, the OCC may, if it determines that foreign
governmental restrictions or taxes would prevent the orderly settlement of
foreign currency option exercises, or would result in undue burdens on the OCC
or its clearing member, impose special procedures on exercise and settlement,
such as technical changes in the mechanics of delivery of currency, the fixing
of dollar settlement prices or prohibitions on exercise.
As in the case of forward contracts, certain options on foreign currencies are
traded over-the-counter and involve liquidity and credit risks which may not be
present in the case of exchange-traded currency options. The Portfolio's ability
to terminate over-the-counter options will be more limited than with
exchange-traded options. It is also possible that broker-dealers participating
in over-the-counter options transactions will not fulfill their obligations.
Until such time as the staff of the SEC changes its position, the Portfolio will
treat purchased over-the-counter options and assets used to cover written
over-the-counter options as illiquid securities. With respect to options written
with primary dealers in U.S. Government securities pursuant to an agreement
requiring a closing purchase transaction at a formula price, the amount of
illiquid securities may be calculated with reference to the repurchase formula.
In addition, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts
and options on foreign currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such
transactions are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading
in or the prices of foreign currencies or securities. The value of such
positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign
political and economic factors; (ii) lesser availability than in the United
States of data on which to make trading decisions; (iii) delays in the
Portfolio's ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets
during nonbusiness hours in the United States; (iv) the imposition of different
exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the
United States; and (v) lesser trading volume.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. The Portfolio may write (sell) covered call and put
options to a limited extent on its portfolio securities ("covered options") in
an attempt to increase income. However, the Portfolio may forgo the benefits of
appreciation on securities sold or may pay more than the market price on
securities acquired pursuant to call and put options written by the Portfolio.
When the Portfolio writes a covered call option, it gives the purchaser of the
option the right to buy the underlying security at the price specified in the
option (the "exercise price") by exercising the option at any time during the
option period. If the option expires unexercised, the Portfolio will realize
income in an amount equal to the premium received for writing the option. If the
option is exercised, a decision over which the Portfolio has no control, the
Portfolio must sell the underlying security to the option holder at the exercise
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price. By writing a covered call option, the Portfolio forgoes, in exchange for
the premium less the commission ("net premium"), the opportunity to profit
during the option period from an increase in the market value of the underlying
security above the exercise price.
When the Portfolio writes a covered put option, it gives the purchaser of the
option the right to sell the underlying security to the Portfolio at the
specified exercise price at any time during the option period. If the option
expires unexercised, the Portfolio will realize income in the amount of the
premium received for writing the option. If the put option is exercised, a
decision over which the Portfolio has no control, the Portfolio must purchase
the underlying security from the option holder at the exercise price. By writing
a covered put option, the Portfolio, in exchange for the net premium received,
accepts the risk of a decline in the market value of the underlying security
below the exercise price. The Portfolio will only write put options involving
securities for which a determination is made at the time the option is written
that the Portfolio wishes to acquire the securities at the exercise price.
The Portfolio may terminate its obligation as the writer of a call or put option
by purchasing an option with the same exercise price and expiration date as the
option previously written. This transaction is called a "closing purchase
transaction." The Portfolio will realize a profit or loss from a closing
purchase transaction if the amount paid to purchase an option is less or more,
as the case may be, than the amount received from the sale thereof. To close out
a position as a purchaser of an option, the Portfolio, may make a "closing sale
transaction" which involves liquidating the Portfolio's position by selling the
option previously purchased. Where the Portfolio cannot effect a closing
purchase transaction, it may be forced to incur brokerage commissions or dealer
spreads in selling securities it receives or it may be forced to hold underlying
securities until an option is exercised or expires.
When the Portfolio writes an option, an amount equal to the net premium received
by the Portfolio is included in the liability section of the Portfolio's
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a deferred credit. The amount of the
deferred credit will be subsequently marked to market to reflect the current
market value of the option written. The current market value of a traded option
is the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the
closing bid and asked price. If an option expires on its stipulated expiration
date or if the Portfolio enters into a closing purchase transaction, the
Portfolio will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase
transaction exceeds the premium received when the option was sold), and the
deferred credit related to such option will be eliminated. If a call option is
exercised, the Portfolio will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the
underlying security and the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the
premium originally received. The writing of covered call options may be deemed
to involve the pledge of the securities against which the option is being
written. Securities against which call options are written will be segregated on
the books of the custodian for the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may purchase call and put options on any securities in which it
may invest. The Portfolio would normally purchase a call option in anticipation
of an increase in the market value of such securities. The purchase of a call
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option would entitle the Portfolio, in exchange for the premium paid, to
purchase a security at a specified price during the option period. The Portfolio
would ordinarily have a gain if the value of the securities increased above the
exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and would have a loss if the
value of the securities remained at or below the exercise price during the
option period.
The Portfolio would normally purchase put options in anticipation of a decline
in the market value of securities in its portfolio ("protective puts") or
securities of the type in which it is permitted to invest. The purchase of a put
option would entitle the Portfolio, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell a
security, which may or may not be held in the Portfolio's holdings, at a
specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is
designed merely to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of the
Portfolio's holdings. Put options also may be purchased by the Portfolio for the
purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities
which the Portfolio does not own. The Portfolio would ordinarily recognize a
gain if the value of the securities decreased below the exercise price
sufficiently to cover the premium and would recognize a loss if the value of the
securities remained at or above the exercise price. Gains and losses on the
purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing
changes in the value of underlying portfolio securities.
The Portfolio has adopted certain other nonfundamental policies concerning
option transactions which are discussed below. The Portfolio's activities in
options may also be restricted by the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for qualification as a regulated investment
company.
The hours of trading for options on securities may not conform to the hours
during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option
markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant
price and rate movements can take place in the underlying securities markets
that cannot be reflected in the option markets. It is impossible to predict the
volume of trading that may exist in such options, and there can be no assurance
that viable exchange markets will develop or continue.
The Portfolio may engage in over-the-counter options transactions with
broker-dealers who make markets in these options. At present, approximately ten
broker-dealers, including several of the largest primary dealers in U.S.
Government securities, make these markets. The ability to terminate
over-the-counter option positions is more limited than with exchange-traded
option positions because the predominant market is the issuing broker rather
than an exchange, and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in
such transactions will not fulfill their obligations. To reduce this risk, the
Portfolio will purchase such options only from broker-dealers who are primary
government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
and who agree to (and are expected to be capable of) entering into closing
transactions, although there can be no guarantee that any such option will be
liquidated at a favorable price prior to expiration. The Adviser will monitor
the creditworthiness of dealers with whom the Portfolio enters into such options
transactions under the general supervision of the Portfolio's Trustees.
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OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. In addition to options on securities, the
Portfolio may also purchase and write (sell) call and put options on securities
indices. Such options give the holder the right to receive a cash settlement
during the term of the option based upon the difference between the exercise
price and the value of the index. Such options will be used for the purposes
described above under "Options on Securities."
Options on securities indices entail risks in addition to the risks of options
on securities. The absence of a liquid secondary market to close out options
positions on securities indices is more likely to occur, although the Portfolio
generally will only purchase or write such an option if the Adviser believes the
option can be closed out.
Use of options on securities indices also entails the risk that trading in such
options may be interrupted if trading in certain securities included in the
index is interrupted. The Portfolio will not purchase such options unless the
Adviser believes the market is sufficiently developed such that the risk of
trading in such options is no greater than the risk of trading in options on
securities.
Price movements in the Portfolio's holdings may not correlate precisely with
movements in the level of an index and, therefore, the use of options on indices
cannot serve as a complete hedge. Because options on securities indices require
settlement in cash, the Adviser may be forced to liquidate portfolio securities
to meet settlement obligations.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. Because the Portfolio may buy and
sell securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and
receives interest, dividends and sale proceeds in currencies other than the U.S.
dollar, the Portfolio from time to time may enter into foreign currency exchange
transactions to convert to and from different foreign currencies and to convert
foreign currencies to and from the U.S. dollar. The Portfolio either enters into
these transactions on a spot (I.E., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in
the foreign currency exchange market or uses forward contracts to purchase or
sell foreign currencies.
A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an obligation by the Portfolio
to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed
number of days from the date of the contract. Forward foreign currency exchange
contracts establish an exchange rate at a future date. These contracts are
transferable in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders
(usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward foreign currency
exchange contract generally has no deposit requirement and is traded at a net
price without commission. The Portfolio maintains with its custodian a
segregated account of high grade liquid assets in an amount at least equal to
its obligations under each forward foreign currency exchange contract. Neither
spot transactions nor forward foreign currency exchange contracts eliminate
fluctuations in the prices of the Portfolio's securities or in foreign exchange
rates, or prevent loss if the prices of these securities should decline.
The Portfolio may enter into foreign currency hedging transactions in an attempt
to protect against changes in foreign currency exchange rates between the trade
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and settlement dates of specific securities transactions or changes in foreign
currency exchange rates that would adversely affect the portfolio position or an
anticipated investment position. Since consideration of the prospect for
currency parities will be incorporated into Bankers Trust's long-term investment
decisions, the Portfolio will not routinely enter into foreign currency hedging
transactions with respect to security transactions; however, Bankers Trust
believes that it is important to have the flexibility to enter into foreign
currency hedging transactions when it determines that the transactions would be
in the Portfolio's best interest. Although these transactions tend to minimize
the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, at the
same time they tend to limit any potential gain that might be realized should
the value of the hedged currency increase. The precise matching of the forward
contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be
possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will
change as a consequence of market movements in the value of such securities
between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures.
The projection of currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the
successful execution of a hedging strategy is highly uncertain.
While these contracts are not presently regulated by the CFTC, the CFTC may in
the future assert authority to regulate forward contracts. In such event, the
Portfolio's ability to utilize forward contracts in the manner set forth in the
Prospectus may be restricted. Forward contracts may reduce the potential gain
from a positive change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign
currencies. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer
overall performance for the Portfolio than if it had not entered into such
contracts. The use of foreign currency forward contracts may not eliminate
fluctuations in the underlying U.S. dollar equivalent value of the prices or
rates of return on the Portfolio's foreign currency denominated portfolio
securities and the use of such techniques will subject the Portfolio to certain
risks.
The matching of the increase in value of a forward contract and the decline in
the U.S. dollar equivalent value of the foreign currency denominated asset that
is the subject of the hedge generally will not be precise. In addition, the
Portfolio may not always be able to enter into foreign currency forward
contracts at attractive prices and this will limit the Portfolio's ability to
use such contract to hedge or cross-hedge its assets. Also, with regard to the
Portfolio's use of cross-hedges, there can be no assurance that historical
correlations between the movement of certain foreign currencies relative to the
U.S. dollar will continue. Thus, at any time poor correlation may exist between
movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies underlying the
Portfolio's cross-hedges and the movements in the exchange rates of the foreign
currencies in which the Portfolio's assets that are the subject of such
cross-hedges are denominated.
RATING SERVICES
The ratings of rating services represent their opinions as to the quality of the
securities that they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that
ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality.
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Although these ratings are an initial criterion for selection of portfolio
investments, Bankers Trust also makes its own evaluation of these securities,
subject to review by the Board of Trustees. After purchase by the Portfolio, an
obligation may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum
required for purchase by the Portfolio. Neither event would require the
Portfolio to eliminate the obligation from its portfolio, but Bankers Trust will
consider such an event in its determination of whether the Portfolio should
continue to hold the obligation. A description of the ratings used herein and in
the Fund's Prospectus is set forth in the Appendix to this Statement of
Additional Information.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following investment restrictions are "fundamental policies" of the Fund and
the Portfolio and may not be changed with respect to the Fund or the Portfolio
without the approval of a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the
Fund or the Portfolio, as the case may be. "Majority of the outstanding voting
securities" under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act"), and as used in this Statement of Additional Information and the
Prospectus, means, with respect to the Fund (or the Portfolio), the lesser of
(i) 67% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (or of the
total beneficial interests of the Portfolio) present at a meeting, if the
holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (or of
the total beneficial interests of the Portfolio) are present or represented by
proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (or
of the total beneficial interests of the Portfolio). Whenever the Trust is
requested to vote on a fundamental policy of the Portfolio, the Trust will hold
a meeting of the Fund's shareholders and will cast its vote as instructed by
that Fund's shareholders. Fund shareholders who do not vote will not affect the
Trust's votes at the Portfolio meeting. The percentage of the Trust's votes
representing Fund shareholders not voting will be voted by the Trustees of the
Trust in the same proportion as the Fund shareholders who do, in fact, vote.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Portfolio (or Fund) may not (except that
no investment restriction of the Fund shall prevent the Fund from investing all
of its Assets in an open-end investment company with substantially the same
investment objective):
(1) borrow money or mortgage or hypothecate assets of the Portfolio
(Fund), except that in an amount not to exceed 1/3 of the current value of the
Portfolio's (Fund's) assets, it may borrow money as a temporary measure for
extraordinary or emergency purposes and enter into reverse repurchase agreements
or dollar roll transactions, and except that it may pledge, mortgage or
hypothecate not more than 1/3 of such assets to secure such borrowings (it is
intended that money would be borrowed only from banks and only either to
accommodate requests for the withdrawal of beneficial interests (redemption of
shares) while effecting an orderly liquidation of portfolio securities or to
maintain liquidity in the event of an unanticipated failure to complete the
portfolio security transaction or other similar situations) or reverse
repurchase agreements, provided that collateral arrangements with respect to
options and futures, including deposits of initial deposit and variation margin,
are not
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considered a pledge of assets for purposes of this restriction and except that
assets may be pledged to secure letters of credit solely for the purpose of
participating in a captive insurance company sponsored by the Investment Company
Institute; for additional related restrictions, see clause (i) under the caption
"State and Federal Restrictions" below (as an operating policy, the Portfolio
may not engage in dollar-roll transactions);
(2) underwrite securities issued by other persons except insofar as the
Portfolio (Trust or the Fund) may technically be deemed an underwriter under the
1933 Act in selling the portfolio security;
(3) make loans to other persons except: (a) through the lending of the
Portfolio's (Fund's) portfolio securities and provided that any such loans not
exceed 30% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets (taken at market value); (b)
through the use of repurchase agreements or the purchase of short-term
obligations; or (c) by purchasing a portion of an issue of debt securities of
types distributed publicly or privately (under current regulations, the
Portfolio's (Fund's) fundamental policy with respect to 20% risk weighing for
financial institutions prevent the Portfolio (Fund) from engaging in securities
lending);
(4) purchase or sell real estate (including limited partnership
interests but excluding securities secured by real estate or interests therein),
interests in oil, gas or mineral leases, commodities or commodity contracts
(except futures and option contracts) in the ordinary course of business (except
that the Portfolio (Trust) may hold and sell, for the Portfolio's (Fund's)
portfolio, real estate acquired as a result of the Portfolio's (Fund's)
ownership of securities);
(5) concentrate its investments in any particular industry (excluding
U.S. Government securities), but if it is deemed appropriate for the achievement
of the Portfolio's (Fund's) investment objective, up to 25% of its total assets
may be invested in any one industry; and
(6) issue any senior security (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act)
if such issuance is specifically prohibited by the 1940 Act or the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, provided that collateral arrangements with
respect to options and futures, including deposits of initial deposit and
variation margin, are not considered to be the issuance of a senior security for
purposes of this restriction.
STATE AND FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS. In order to comply with certain state and
Federal statutes and policies, the Portfolio (or the Trust, on behalf of the
Fund) will not as a matter of operating policy (except that no operating policy
shall prevent the Fund from investing all of its Assets in an open-end
investment company with substantially the same investment objectives):
(i) borrow money (including through reverse repurchase or forward
roll transactions) for any purpose in excess of 5% of the Portfolio's (Fund's)
total assets (taken at cost), except that the Portfolio (Fund) may borrow for
temporary or emergency purposes up to 1/3 of its total assets;
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(ii) pledge, mortgage or hypothecate for any purpose in excess of 10%
of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at market value), provided that
collateral arrangements with respect to options and futures, including deposits
of initial deposit and variation margin, and reverse repurchase agreements are
not considered a pledge of assets for purposes of this restriction;
(iii) purchase any security or evidence of interest therein on margin,
except that such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of
purchases and sales of securities may be obtained and except that deposits of
initial deposit and variation margin may be made in connection with the
purchase, ownership, holding or sale of futures;
(iv) sell securities it does not own (short sells) such that the
dollar amount of such short sales at any one time exceeds 25% of the net equity
of the Portfolio (Fund), and the value of securities of any one issuer in which
the Portfolio (Fund) is short exceeds the lesser of 2.0% of the value of the
Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets or 2.0% of the securities of any class of any
U.S. issuer and, provided that short sales may be made only in those securities
which are fully listed on a national securities exchange or a foreign exchange
(This provision does not include the sale of securities that the Portfolio
(Fund) contemporaneously owns or where the Portfolio has the right to obtain
securities equivalent in kind and amount to those sold, i.e., short sales
against the box.) (The Portfolio (Fund) currently does not engage in short
selling.);
(v) invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of
another company;
(vi) purchase securities issued by any investment company except by
purchase in the open market where no commission or profit to a sponsor or dealer
results from such purchase other than the customary broker's commission, or
except when such purchase, though not made in the open market, is part of a plan
of merger or consolidation; provided, however, that securities of any investment
company will not be purchased for the Portfolio (Fund) if such purchase at the
time thereof would cause: (a) more than 10% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total
assets (taken at the greater of cost or market value) to be invested in the
securities of such issuers; (b) more than 5% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total
assets (taken at the greater of cost or market value) to be invested in any one
investment company; or (c) more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of
any such issuer to be held for the Portfolio (Fund); provided further that,
except in the case of a merger or consolidation, the Portfolio (Fund) shall not
purchase any securities of any open-end investment company unless (1) the
Portfolio's investment adviser waives the investment advisory fee with respect
to assets invested in other open-end investment companies and (2) the Portfolio
incurs no sales charge in connection with the investment;
(vii) invest more than 10% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets
(taken at the greater of cost or market value) in securities (excluding Rule
144A securities) that are restricted as to resale under the 1933 Act;
(viii) invest more than 15% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken
at the greater of cost or market value) in (a) securities (excluding Rule 144A
securities) that are restricted as to resale under the 1933 Act, and (b)
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securities that are issued by issuers which (including predecessors) have been
in operation less than three years (other than U.S. Government securities),
provided, however, that no more than 5% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets
are invested in securities issued by issuers which (including predecessors) have
been in operation less than three years;
(ix) invest more than 15% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets (taken
at the greater of cost or market value) in securities that are illiquid or not
readily marketable (excluding Rule 144A securities deemed by the Board of
Trustees of the Portfolio (Trust) to be liquid);
(x) with respect to 75% of its assets, invest more than 5% of its total
assets in the securities (excluding U.S. Government securities) of any one
issuer;
(xi) invest in securities issued by an issuer any of whose officers,
directors, trustees or security holders is an officer or Trustee of the
Portfolio (Trust), or is an officer or director of the Adviser, if after the
purchase of the securities of such issuer for the Portfolio (Fund) one or more
of such persons owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1% of the shares or
securities, or both, all taken at market value, of such issuer, and such persons
owning more than 1/2 of 1% of such shares or securities together own
beneficially more than 5% of such shares or securities, or both, all taken at
market value;
(xii) invest in warrants (other than warrants acquired by the Portfolio
(Fund) as part of a unit or attached to securities at the time of purchase) if,
as a result, the investments (valued at the lower of cost or market) would
exceed 5% of the value of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets or if, as a
result, more than 2% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets would be invested in
warrants not listed on a recognized United States or foreign stock exchange, to
the extent permitted by applicable state securities laws;
(xiii) write puts and calls on securities unless each of the following
conditions are met: (a) the security underlying the put or call is within the
investment practices of the Portfolio (Fund) and the option is issued by the
OCC, except for put and call options issued by non-U.S. entities or listed on
non-U.S. securities or commodities exchanges; (b) the aggregate value of the
obligations underlying the puts determined as of the date the options are sold
shall not exceed 5% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets; (c) the securities
subject to the exercise of the call written by the Portfolio (Fund) must be
owned by the Portfolio (Fund) at the time the call is sold and must continue to
be owned by the Portfolio (Fund) until the call has been exercised, has lapsed,
or the Portfolio (Fund) has purchased a closing call, and such purchase has been
confirmed, thereby extinguishing the Portfolio's (Fund's) obligation to deliver
securities pursuant to the call it has sold; and (d) at the time a put is
written, the Portfolio (Fund) establishes a segregated account with its
custodian consisting of cash or short-term U.S. Government securities equal in
value to the amount the Portfolio (Fund) will be obligated to pay upon exercise
of the put (this account must be maintained until the put is exercised, has
expired, or the Portfolio (Fund) has purchased a closing put, which is a put of
the same series as the one previously written); and
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(xiv) buy and sell puts and calls on securities, stock index futures or
options on stock index futures, or financial futures or options on financial
futures unless such options are written by other persons and: (a) the options or
futures are offered through the facilities of a national securities association
or are listed on a national securities or commodities exchange, except for put
and call options issued by non-U.S. entities or listed on non-U.S. securities or
commodities exchanges; (b) the aggregate premiums paid on all such options which
are held at any time do not exceed 20% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total net
assets; and (c) the aggregate margin deposits required on all such futures or
options thereon held at any time do not exceed 5% of the Portfolio's (Fund's)
total assets.
There will be no violation of any investment restriction if that restriction is
complied with at the time the relevant action is taken, notwithstanding a later
change in the market value of an investment, in net or total assets, or in the
change of securities rating of the investment, or any other later change.
The Fund will comply with the state securities laws and regulations of all
states in which it is registered. The Portfolio will comply with the permitted
investments and investment limitations in the securities laws and regulations of
all states in which the Fund, or any other registered investment company
investing in the Portfolio, is registered.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities, futures
contracts and options on such securities and futures for the Portfolio, the
selection of brokers, dealers and futures commission merchants to effect
transactions and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Broker-
dealers may receive brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions, including
options, futures and options on futures transactions and the purchase and sale
of underlying securities upon the exercise of options. Orders may be directed to
any broker-dealer or futures commission merchant, including to the extent and in
the manner permitted by applicable law, Bankers Trust or its subsidiaries or
affiliates. Purchases and sales of certain portfolio securities on behalf of the
Portfolio are frequently placed by the Adviser with the issuer or a primary or
secondary market-maker for these securities on a net basis, without any
brokerage commission being paid by the Portfolio. Trading does, however, involve
transaction costs. Transactions with dealers serving as market-makers reflect
the spread between the bid and asked prices. Transaction costs may also include
fees paid to third parties for information as to potential purchasers or sellers
of securities. Purchases of underwritten issues may be made which will include
an underwriting fee paid to the underwriter.
The Adviser seeks to evaluate the overall reasonableness of the brokerage
commissions paid (to the extent applicable) in placing orders for the purchase
and sale of securities for the Portfolio taking into account such factors as
price, commission (negotiable in the case of national securities exchange
transactions), if any, size of order, difficulty of execution and skill required
of the executing broker-dealer through familiarity with commissions charged on
comparable transactions, as well as by comparing commissions paid by the
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Portfolio 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 is authorized, consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, when placing portfolio transactions for the
Portfolio with a broker to pay a brokerage commission (to the extent applicable)
in excess of that which another broker might have charged for effecting the same
transaction on account of the receipt of research, market or statistical
information. The term "research, market or 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 furnishing analyses and reports concerning
issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy
and the performance of accounts.
Consistent with the policy stated above, the Rules of Fair Practice of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and such other policies as the
Trustees of the Portfolio may determine, the Adviser may consider sales of
shares of the Trust and of other investment company clients of Bankers Trust as
a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions.
Bankers Trust will make such allocations if commissions are comparable to those
charged by nonaffiliated, qualified broker-dealers for similar services.
Higher commissions may be paid to firms that provide research services to the
extent permitted by law. Bankers Trust may use this research information in
managing the Portfolio's assets, as well as the assets of other clients.
Except for implementing the policies stated above, there is no intention to
place portfolio transactions with particular brokers or dealers or groups
thereof. 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
otherwise.
Although certain research, market and statistical information from brokers and
dealers can be useful to the Portfolio and to the Adviser, it is the opinion of
the management of the Portfolio that such information is only supplementary to
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 Portfolio, and not
all such information is used by the Adviser in connection with the Portfolio.
Conversely, such information provided to the Adviser by brokers and dealers
through whom other clients of the Adviser effect securities transactions may be
useful to the Adviser in providing services to the Portfolio.
In certain instances there may be securities which are suitable for the
Portfolio as well as for one or more of the Adviser's other clients. Investment
decisions for the Portfolio and for the Adviser's other clients are made with a
view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a
particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might
be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular
security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are
20
<PAGE>
selling that same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when
several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser,
particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of
more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the
purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among
clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in
some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of
the security as far as the Portfolio in concerned. However, it is believed that
the ability of the Portfolio to participate in volume transactions will produce
better executions for the Portfolio.
For the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, the year ended
December 31, 1994 and the period March 9, 1993 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 1993, the Portfolio paid brokerage commissions in the
amount of $247,868, $162,941 and $58,016, respectively.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
STANDARD PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, quotations of the Fund's performance may be included in
advertisements, sales literature or shareholder reports. These performance
figures are calculated in the following manner:
TOTAL RETURN: The Fund's average annual total return is calculated for
certain periods by determining the average annual compounded rates of
return over those periods that would cause an investment of $1,000
(made at the maximum public offering price with all distributions
reinvested) to reach the value of that investment at the end of the
periods. The Fund may also calculate total return figures which
represent aggregate performance over a period or year-by-year
performance.
The Fund's total return for one year ended September 30, 1995 was 43.70%. The
Fund's cumulative total return for the period from commencement of operations,
October 12, 1993, through September 30, 1995 was 41.40%. The Fund's average
annual total return for the period from commencement of operations, October 12,
1993, through September 30, 1995 was 19.26%.
PERFORMANCE RESULTS: Any total return quotation provided for the Fund
should not be considered as representative of the performance of the
Fund in the future since the net asset value and public offering price
of shares of the Fund will vary based not only on the type, quality and
maturities of the securities held in the Portfolio, but also on changes
in the current value of such securities and on changes in the expenses
of the Fund and the Portfolio. These factors and possible differences
in the methods used to calculate total return should be considered when
comparing the total return of the Fund to total returns published for
other investment companies or other investment vehicles. Total return
reflects the performance of both principal and income.
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<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF FUND PERFORMANCE
Comparison of the quoted nonstandardized performance of various investments is
valid only if performance is calculated in the same manner. Since there are
different methods of calculating performance, investors should consider the
effect of the methods used to calculate performance when comparing performance
of the Fund with performance quoted with respect to other investment companies
or types of investments.
In connection with communicating its performance 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. Evaluations of the Fund's
performance made by independent sources may also be used in advertisements
concerning the Fund. Sources for the Fund's performance information could
include the following:
ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL, a weekly Asian newspaper that often reviews U.S.
mutual funds investing internationally.
BARRON'S, a Dow Jones and Company, Inc. business and financial weekly that
periodically reviews mutual fund performance data.
BUSINESS WEEK, a national business weekly that periodically reports the
performance rankings and ratings of a variety of mutual funds investing abroad.
CHANGING TIMES, THE KIPLINGER MAGAZINE, a monthly investment advisory
publication that periodically features the performance of a variety of
securities.
CONSUMER DIGEST, a monthly business/financial magazine that includes a "Money
Watch" section featuring financial news.
FINANCIAL TIMES, Europe's business newspaper, which features from time to time
articles on international or country-specific funds.
FINANCIAL WORLD, a general business/financial magazine that includes a "Market
Watch" department reporting on activities in the mutual fund industry.
FORBES, a national business publication that from time to time reports the
performance of specific investment companies in the mutual fund industry.
FORTUNE, a national business publication that periodically rates the performance
of a variety of mutual funds.
GLOBAL INVESTOR, a European publication that periodically reviews the
performance of U.S. mutual funds investing internationally.
INVESTOR'S DAILY, a daily newspaper that features financial, economic and
business news.
LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC.'S MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS, a weekly
publication of industry-wide mutual fund averages by type of fund.
22
<PAGE>
MONEY, a monthly magazine that from time to time features both specific funds
and the mutual fund industry as a whole.
MORNINGSTAR INC., a publisher of financial information and mutual fund research.
NEW YORK TIMES, a nationally distributed newspaper which regularly covers
financial news.
PERSONAL INVESTING NEWS, a monthly news publication that often reports on
investment opportunities and market conditions.
PERSONAL INVESTOR, a monthly investment advisory publication that includes a
"Mutual Funds Outlook" section reporting on mutual fund performance measures,
yields, indices and portfolio holdings.
SUCCESS, a monthly magazine targeted to the world of entrepreneurs and growing
business, often featuring mutual fund performance data.
U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT, a national business weekly that periodically reports
mutual fund performance data.
VALUE LINE, a biweekly publication that reports on the largest 15,000 mutual
funds.
WALL STREET JOURNAL, a Dow Jones and Company, Inc. newspaper which regularly
covers financial news.
WEISENBERGER INVESTMENT COMPANIES SERVICES, an annual compendium of information
about mutual funds and other investment companies, including comparative data on
funds' backgrounds, management policies, salient features, management results,
income and dividend records, and price ranges.
WORKING WOMEN, a monthly publication that features a "Financial Workshop"
section reporting on the mutual fund/financial industry.
VALUATION OF SECURITIES; REDEMPTIONS AND PURCHASES IN KIND
Equity and debt securities (other than short-term debt obligations maturing in
60 days or less), including listed securities and securities for which price
quotations are available, will normally be valued on the basis of market
valuations furnished by a pricing service. Short-term debt obligations and money
market securities maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost,
which approximates market.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued by
Bankers Trust pursuant to procedures adopted by the Portfolio's Board of
Trustees. It is generally agreed that securities for which market quotations are
not readily available should not be valued at the same value as that carried by
an equivalent security which is readily marketable.
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<PAGE>
The problems inherent in making a good faith determination of value are
recognized in the codification effected by SEC Financial Reporting Release No. 1
("FRR 1" (formerly Accounting Series Release No. 113)) which concludes that
there is "no automatic formula" for calculating the value of restricted
securities. It recommends that the best method simply is to consider all
relevant factors before making any calculation. According to FRR 1 such factors
would include consideration of the:
type of security involved, financial statements, cost at date
of purchase, size of holding, discount from market value of
unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of
purchase, special reports prepared by analysts, information as
to any transactions or offers with respect to the security,
existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the
security, price and extent of public trading in similar
securities of the issuer or comparable companies, and other
relevant matters.
To the extent that the Portfolio purchases securities which are restricted as to
resale or for which current market quotations are not readily available, the
Adviser of the Portfolio will value such securities based upon all relevant
factors as outlined in FRR 1.
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Portfolio reserve the right, if
conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable, to honor any request for
redemption or withdrawal by making payment in whole or in part in readily
marketable securities chosen by the Trust, or the Portfolio, as the case may be,
and valued as they are for purposes of computing the Fund's or the Portfolio's
net asset value, as the case may be (a redemption in kind). If payment is made
to a Fund shareholder in securities, an investor, including the Fund, may incur
transaction expenses in converting these securities into cash. The Trust, on
behalf of the Fund, and the Portfolio have elected, however, to be governed by
Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act as a result of which the Fund and the Portfolio
are obligated to redeem shares or beneficial interests, as the case may be, with
respect to any one investor during any 90-day period, solely in cash up to the
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund or the Portfolio, as
the case may be, at the beginning of the period.
The Portfolio has agreed to make a redemption in kind to the Fund whenever the
Fund wishes to make redemption in kind and therefore shareholders of the Fund
that receive redemptions in kind will receive portfolio securities of such
Portfolio, and in no case will they receive a security issued by the Portfolio.
The Portfolio has advised the Trust that the Portfolio will not redeem in kind
except in circumstances in which the Fund is permitted to redeem in kind or
unless requested by the Fund.
Each investor in a Portfolio, including the corresponding Fund, may add to or
reduce its investment in the Portfolio on each day the Portfolio determines its
net asset value. At the close of each such business day, the value of each
investor's beneficial interest in the Portfolio will be determined by
multiplying the net asset value of the Portfolio by the percentage effective for
that day,
24
<PAGE>
which represents that investor's share of the aggregate beneficial interests in
the Portfolio. Any additions or withdrawals which are to be effected as of the
close of business on that day will then be effected. The investor's percentage
of the aggregate beneficial interests in the Portfolio will then be recomputed
as the percentage equal to the fraction (i) the numerator of which is the value
of such investor's investment in the Portfolio as of the close of business on
such day plus or minus, as the case may be, the amount of net additions to or
withdrawals from the investor's investment in the Portfolio effected as of the
close of business on such day, and (ii) the denominator of which is the
aggregate net asset value of the Portfolio as of the close of business on such
day plus or minus, as the case may be, the amount of net additions to or
withdrawals from the aggregate investments in the Portfolio by all investors in
the Portfolio. The percentage so determined will then be applied to determine
the value of the investor's interest in the Portfolio as the close of business
on the following business day.
The Fund may, at its own option, accept securities in payment for shares. The
securities delivered in payment for shares are valued by the method described
under "Net Asset Value" as of the day the Fund receives the securities. This may
be a taxable transaction to the shareholder. (Consult your tax adviser for
future tax guidance.) Securities may be accepted in payment for shares only if
they are, in the judgment of Bankers Trust, appropriate investments for the
Fund's corresponding Portfolio. In addition, securities accepted in payment for
shares must: (i) meet the investment objective and policies of the acquiring
Fund's corresponding Portfolio; (ii) be acquired by the applicable Fund for
investment and not for resale (other than for resale to the Fund's corresponding
Portfolio); (iii) be liquid securities which are not restricted as to transfer
either by law or liquidity of the market; and (iv) if stock, have a value which
is readily ascertainable as evidenced by a listing on a stock exchange,
over-the-counter market or by readily available market quotations from a dealer
in such securities. The Fund reserves the right to accept or reject at its own
option any and all securities offered in payment for its shares.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST AND PORTFOLIO
Each Board of Trustees is composed of persons experienced in financial matters
who meet throughout the year to oversee the activities of the Fund or Portfolio
they represent. In addition, the Trustees review contractual arrangements with
companies that provide services to the Fund/Portfolio and review the Fund's
performance.
The Trustees and officers of the Trust and Portfolio, their age and their
principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. Their
titles may have varied during that period. Asterisks indicate those Trustees who
are "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust. Unless
otherwise indicated, the address of each Trustee and officer is 6 St. James
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts.
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<PAGE>
TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST
HARRY VAN BENSCHOTEN (aged 67) -- Trustee; retired (since 1987); Director,
Canada Life Insurance Corporation of New York and Competitive Technologies,
Inc., a public company listed on the American Stock Exchange; Corporate Vice
President, Newmont Mining Corporation (prior to 1987). His address is 6581
Ridgewood Drive, Naples, Florida 33963.
MARTIN J. GRUBER (aged 58) -- Trustee; Chairman of the Finance Department and
Nomura Professor of Finance, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York
University (since 1964).
KELVIN J. LANCASTER (aged 71) -- Trustee; Professor, Department of Economics,
Columbia University. His address is 35 Claremont Avenue, New York, New York
10027.
PHILIP W. COOLIDGE* (aged 44) -- President and Trustee; Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President, Signature Financial Group, Inc. ("SFG") (since
December, 1988) and Signature (since April, 1989).
TRUSTEES OF THE PORTFOLIO
PHILIP SAUNDERS, JR. (aged 60) -- Trustee; Principal, Philip Saunders Associates
(Consulting); former Director of Financial Industry Consulting, Wolf & Company;
President, John Hancock Home Mortgage Corporation; and Senior Vice President of
Treasury and Financial Services, John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company,
Inc. His address is 445 Glen Road, Weston, Massachusetts 02193.
CHARLES P. BIGGAR (aged 65) -- Trustee; Retired; Director of Chase/NBW Bank
Advisory Board; Director, Batemen, Eichler, Hill Richards Inc.; formerly Vice
President of International Business Machines and President of the National
Services and the Field Engineering Divisions of IBM. His address is 12 Hitching
Post Lane, Chappaqua, New York 10514.
S. LELAND DILL (aged 65) -- Trustee: Retired; Director, Coutts & Co. Group,
Coutts & Co. (U.S.A.) International; Director, Zwieg Series Trust; formerly,
Partner of KPMG Peat Marwick, Mitchell & Co.; Director, Vintners International
Company, Inc.; General Partner of Pemco (an investment company registered under
the 1940 Act). His address is 5070 North Ocean Drive, Singer Island, Florida
33404.
PHILIP W. COOLIDGE* (aged 44) -- Trustee and President; Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President, SFG (since December, 1988) and Signature (since
April, 1989).
OFFICERS OF THE TRUST AND PORTFOLIO
Unless otherwise specified, each officer listed below holds the same position
with the Trust and the Portfolio.
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<PAGE>
JOHN R. ELDER (aged 47) -- Treasurer; Vice President, SFG (since April, 1995);
Treasurer, Phoenix Family of Mutual Funds (prior to April, 1995); Audit Manager,
Price Waterhouse (prior to 1983).
DAVID G. DANIELSON (aged 30) -- Assistant Treasurer; Assistant Manager, SFG
(since May, 1991); Graduate Student, Northeastern University (from April, 1990
to March, 1991); Tax Accountant & Systems Analyst, Putnam Companies (prior to
March, 1990).
JAMES S. LELKO, JR. (aged 30) -- Assistant Treasurer; Assistant Manager, SFG
(since January 1993); Senior Tax Compliance Accountant, Putnam Investments
(prior to December 1992).
BARBARA M. O'DETTE (aged 36) -- Assistant Treasurer; Assistant Treasurer, SFG
(since December, 1988); and Signature (since April, 1989).
DANIEL E. SHEA (aged 33) -- Assistant Treasurer; Assistant Manager, SFG (since
November 1993); Supervisor and Senior Technical Advisor, Putnam Investments
(prior to November 1993).
THOMAS M. LENZ (aged 37) -- Assistant Secretary; Vice President and Associate
General Counsel, SFG (since November, 1989); Assistant Secretary, Signature
(since February, 1991); Attorney, Ropes & Gray (prior to November, 1989).
LINDA T. GIBSON (aged 30) -- Assistant Secretary; Legal Counsel and Assistant
Secretary, SFG (since May, 1992); Assistant Secretary, Signature (since October,
1992); student, Boston University School of Law (September, 1989 to May, 1992);
Product Manager, SFG (January, 1989 to September, 1989).
MOLLY S. MUGLER (aged 44) -- Assistant Secretary; Legal Counsel and Assistant
Secretary, SFG (since December, 1988); Assistant Secretary, Signature (since
April, 1989).
ANDRES E. SALDANA (aged 33) -- Assistant Secretary; Legal Counsel, SFG (since
November, 1992); Assistant Secretary, Signature (since September, 1993);
Attorney, Ropes & Gray (September, 1990 to November, 1992); student, Yale Law
School (September, 1987 to May, 1990).
Messrs. Coolidge, Danielson, Elder, Lelko, Lenz, Saldana and Shea and Mss.
Gibson, Mugler and O'Dette also hold similar positions for other investment
companies for which Signature or an affiliate serves as the principal
underwriter.
No person who is an officer or director of Bankers Trust is an officer or
Trustee of the Trust or the Portfolio. No director, officer or employee of
Signature or any of its affiliates will receive any compensation from the Trust
or the Portfolio for serving as an officer or Trustee of the Trust or the
Portfolio. The Trust pays each Trustee who is not a director, officer or
employee of the Adviser, the Distributor, the Administrator or any of their
affiliates an annual fee of $10,000, respectively, per annum plus $1,250,
respectively, per meeting attended and reimburses them for travel and
out-of-pocket expenses. The Portfolio, Cash Management Portfolio, Treasury Money
Portfolio, Tax Free Money
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<PAGE>
Portfolio, NY Tax Free Money Portfolio, International Equity Portfolio, Utility
Portfolio, Equity 500 Index Portfolio, Short/Intermediate U.S. Government
Securities Portfolio, Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio, Asset Management
Portfolio and BT Investment Portfolios (together with the Trust, the "Fund
Complex") collectively pay each Trustee who is not a director, officer or
employee of the Adviser, the Distributor, the Administrator or any of their
affiliates an annual fee of $10,000, respectively, per annum plus $1,250,
respectively, per meeting attended and reimburses them for travel and
out-of-pocket expenses.
For the period January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, BT Investment Equity
Appreciation Fund incurred Trustees fees equal to $3,980. For the same period,
the Trustees of Capital Appreciation Portfolio accrued Trustees fees equal to
$1,107.
The following table reflects fees paid to the Trustees of the Trust and
Portfolio for the year ended September 30, 1995.
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PENSION OR
RETIREMENT
BENEFITS ACCRUED
AGGREGATE AS PART OF TRUST ESTIMATED ANNUAL TOTAL COMPENSATION
NAME OF PERSON, COMPENSATION OR PORTFOLIO BENEFITS UPON FROM FUND COMPLEX
POSITION FROM TRUST EXPENSES RETIREMENT PAID TO TRUSTEES
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Harry Van Benschoten, $12,500 none none $12,500
Trustee of Trust
Martin J. Gruber, $12,500 none none $12,500
Trustee of Trust
Kelvin J. Lancaster, $12,500 none none $12,500
Trustee of Trust
Philip W. Coolidge, none none none none
Trustee of Trust
and Portfolio
Philip Saunders, Jr, none none none $12,500
Trustee of Portfolio
Charles P. Biggar, none none none $12,500
Trustee of Portfolio
S. Leland Dill, none none none $12,500
Trustee of Portfolio
</TABLE>
Bankers Trust reimbursed the Fund and Portfolio for a portion of their Trustees
fees for the period above. See "Investment Adviser" and "Administrator" below.
As of December 31, 1995, the Trustees and officers of the Trust and the
Portfolio owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the shares of the Fund or Trust
(all series taken together). As of December 31, 1995, Bankers Trust on behalf of
its customers is the record owner of 37.94% of the outstanding shares of the
Fund. As of the same date, Northern Telecom c/o Bankers Trust Co., 34 Exchange
Place, Jersey City, New Jersey was the beneficial owner of 60.45% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund.
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<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Under the terms of the Portfolio's investment advisory agreement with Bankers
Trust (the "Advisory Agreement"), Bankers Trust manages the Portfolio subject to
the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. Bankers
Trust will: (i) act in strict conformity with the Portfolio's Declaration of
Trust, the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as the same may
from time to time be amended; (ii) manage the Portfolio in accordance with the
Portfolio's investment objective, restrictions and policies; (iii) make
investment decisions for the Portfolio; and (iv) place purchase and sale orders
for securities and other financial instruments on behalf of the Portfolio.
Bankers Trust bears all expenses in connection with the performance of services
under the Advisory Agreement. The Trust and the Portfolio bears certain other
expenses incurred in its operation, including: taxes, interest, brokerage fees
and commissions, if any; fees of Trustees of the Trust or the Portfolio who are
not officers, directors or employees of Bankers Trust, Signature or any of their
affiliates; SEC fees and state Blue Sky qualification fees; charges of
custodians and transfer and dividend disbursing agents; certain insurance
premiums; outside auditing and legal expenses; costs of maintenance of corporate
existence; costs attributable to investor services, including, without
limitation, telephone and personnel expenses; costs of preparing and printing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for regulatory purposes
and for distribution to existing shareholders; costs of shareholders' reports
and meetings of shareholders, officers and Trustees of the Trust or the
Portfolio; and any extraordinary expenses.
For the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, the year ended
December 31, 1994 and the period from March 9, 1993 (commencement of operations
of the Portfolio) through December 31, 1993, Bankers Trust aggregated $482,453,
$329,399 and $67,695, respectively, in compensation for investment advisory
services provided to the Portfolio. During the same periods, Bankers Trust
reimbursed $131,702, $114,930 and $43,137, respectively, to the Portfolio to
cover expenses.
Bankers Trust may have deposit, loan and other commercial banking relationships
with the issuers of obligations which may be purchased on behalf of the
Portfolio, including outstanding loans to such issuers which could be repaid in
whole or in part with the proceeds of securities so purchased. Such affiliates
deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in such obligations and are among
the leading dealers of various types of such obligations. Bankers Trust has
informed the Portfolio that, in making its investment decisions, it does not
obtain or use material inside information in its possession or in the possession
of any of its affiliates. In making investment recommendations for the
Portfolio, Bankers Trust will not inquire or take into consideration whether an
issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by the Portfolio is a
customer of Bankers Trust, its parent or its subsidiaries or affiliates and, in
dealing with its customers, Bankers Trust, its parent, subsidiaries and
affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of
such customers are held by any fund managed by Bankers Trust or any such
affiliate.
29
<PAGE>
The Fund's prospectus contains disclosure as to the amount of Bankers Trust's
investment advisory and administration and services fees, including waivers
thereof. Bankers Trust may not recoup any of its waived investment advisory or
administration and services fees. Such waivers by Bankers Trust shall stay in
effect for at least 12 months.
ADMINISTRATOR
Under the administration and services agreements, Bankers Trust is obligated on
a continuous basis to provide such administrative services as the Board of
Trustees of the Trust and the Portfolio reasonably deem necessary for the proper
administration of the Trust or the Portfolio. Bankers Trust will generally
assist in all aspects of the Fund's and Portfolio's operations; supply and
maintain office facilities (which may be in Bankers Trust's own offices),
statistical and research data, data processing services, clerical, accounting,
bookkeeping and recordkeeping services (including without limitation the
maintenance of such books and records as are required under the 1940 Act and the
rules thereunder, except as maintained by other agents), executive and
administrative services, and stationery and office supplies; prepare reports to
shareholders or investors; prepare and file tax returns; supply financial
information and supporting data for reports to and filings with the SEC and
various state Blue Sky authorities; supply supporting documentation for meetings
of the Board of Trustees; provide monitoring reports and assistance regarding
compliance with Declarations of Trust, by-laws, investment objectives and
policies and with Federal and state securities laws; arrange for appropriate
insurance coverage; calculate net asset values, net income and realized capital
gains or losses; and negotiate arrangements with, and supervise and coordinate
the activities of, agents and others to supply services.
Pursuant to a sub-administration agreement, (the "Sub-Administration Agreement")
Signature performs such sub-administration duties for the Trust and the
Portfolio as from time to time may be agreed upon by Bankers Trust and
Signature. The Sub- Administration Agreement provides that Signature will
receive such compensation as from time to time may be agreed upon by Signature
and Bankers Trust. All such compensation will be paid by Bankers Trust.
For the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, the year ended
December 31, 1994 and the period from October 12, 1993 (commencement of
operations) through December 31, 1993, Bankers Trust aggregated $155,327,
$101,002 and $14,862, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other
services provided to the Fund. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed
$57,346, $59,973 and $10,467, respectively, to the Fund to cover expenses.
For the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, the year ended
December 31, 1994 and the period from March 9, 1993 (commencement of operations
of the Portfolio) through December 31, 1993, Bankers Trust aggregated $74,224,
$50,677 and $10,415, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other
services provided to the Portfolio.
Bankers Trust has agreed that if in any fiscal year the aggregate expenses of
the Fund and the Portfolio (including fees pursuant to the Advisory Agreement,
but
30
<PAGE>
excluding interest, taxes, brokerage and, if permitted by the relevant state
securities commissions, extraordinary expenses) exceed the expense limitation of
any state having jurisdiction over the Fund, Bankers Trust will reimburse the
Fund for the excess expense to the extent required by state law. As of the date
of this Statement of Additional Information, the most restrictive annual expense
limitation applicable to any Fund is 2.50% of the Fund's first $30 million of
average annual net assets, 2.00% of the next $70 million of average annual net
assets and 1.50% of the remaining average annual net assets.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
Bankers Trust, 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, serves as Custodian
for the Trust and for the Portfolio pursuant to the administration and services
agreements. As Custodian, it holds the Fund's and the Portfolio's assets.
Bankers Trust also serves as transfer agent of the Trust and of the Portfolio
pursuant to the respective administration and services agreement. Under its
transfer agency agreement with the Trust, Bankers Trust maintains the
shareholder account records for the Fund, handles certain communications between
shareholders and the Trust and causes to be distributed any dividends and
distributions payable by the Trust. Bankers Trust may be reimbursed by the Fund
or the Portfolio for its out-of-pocket expenses. Bankers Trust will comply with
the self-custodian provisions of Rule 17f-2 under the 1940 Act.
USE OF NAME
The Trust and Bankers Trust have agreed that the Trust may use "BT" as part of
its name for so long as Bankers Trust serves as investment adviser to the
Portfolio. The Trust has acknowledged that the term "BT" is used by and is a
property right of certain subsidiaries of Bankers Trust and that those
subsidiaries and/or Bankers Trust may at any time permit others to use that
term.
The Trust may be required, on 60 days' notice from Bankers Trust at any time, to
abandon use of the acronym "BT" as part of its name. If this were to occur, the
Trustees would select an appropriate new name for the Trust, but there would be
no other material effect on the Trust, its shareholders or activities.
BANKING REGULATORY MATTERS
Bankers Trust has been advised by its counsel that in its opinion Bankers Trust
may perform the services for the Portfolio contemplated by the Advisory
Agreement and other activities for the Fund and the Portfolio described in the
Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information without violation of the
Glass-Steagall Act or other applicable banking laws or regulations. However,
counsel has pointed out that future changes in either Federal or state statutes
and regulations concerning the permissible activities of banks or trust
companies, as well as future judicial or administrative decisions or
interpretations of present and future statutes and regulations, might prevent
Bankers Trust from continuing to perform those services for the Trust and the
Portfolio. State laws on this issue may differ from the interpretations of
relevant Federal law and banks and financial institutions may be required to
register as dealers pursuant to state securities law. If the circumstances
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described above should change, the Boards of Trustees would review the
relationships with Bankers Trust and consider taking all actions necessary in
the circumstances.
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Willkie Farr & Gallagher, One Citicorp Center, 153 East 53rd Street, New York,
New York 10022-4669, serves as Counsel to the Trust and the Portfolio. Coopers &
Lybrand L.L.P., 1100 Main Street, Suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 acts as
Independent Accountants of the Trust and the Portfolio.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST
Shares of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that
holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can
elect all Trustees. Shares are transferable but have no preemptive, conversion
or subscription rights. Shareholders generally vote by Fund, except with respect
to the election of Trustees and the ratification of the selection of independent
accountants.
Massachusetts law provides that shareholders could under certain circumstances
be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust's
Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of
the Trust and requires that notice of this disclaimer be given in each
agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or a
Trustee. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification from the Trust's
property for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable
for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder's incurring
financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances
in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet its obligations, a possibility
that the Trust believes is remote. Upon payment of any liability incurred by the
Trust, the shareholder paying the liability will be entitled to reimbursement
from the general assets of the Trust. The Trustees intend to conduct the
operations of the Trust in a manner so as to avoid, as far as possible, ultimate
liability of the shareholders for liabilities of the Trust.
The Trust was organized on February 28, 1992.
Except as described below, whenever the Trust is requested to vote on a
fundamental policy of the Portfolio, the Trust will hold a meeting of the Fund's
shareholders and will cast its vote as instructed by the Fund's shareholders.
Fund shareholders who do not vote will not affect the Trust's votes at the
Portfolio meeting. The percentage of the Trust's votes representing Fund
shareholders not voting will be voted by the Trustees of the Trust in the same
proportion as the Fund shareholders who do, in fact, vote.
Except as described below, whenever the Fund is requested to vote on matters
pertaining to the Portfolio, the Fund will hold a meeting of its shareholders
and will cast its votes proportionately as instructed by Fund shareholders.
However, subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, the Fund
would not request a vote of its shareholders with respect to (a) any proposal
relating to
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the Portfolio, which proposal, if made with respect to the Fund, would not
require the vote of the shareholders of the Fund, or (b) any proposal with
respect to the Portfolio that is identical in all material respects to a
proposal that has previously been approved by shareholders of the Fund. Any
proposal submitted to holders in the Portfolio, and that is not required to be
voted on by shareholders of the Fund, would nonetheless be voted on by the
Trustees of the Trust.
TAXATION
TAXATION OF THE FUND
The Trust intends to qualify annually and to elect the Fund to be treated as a
regulated investment company under the Code.
To qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must, among other things:
(a) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or
other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies or other income
derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or
currencies; (b) derive less than 30% of its gross income from the sale or other
disposition of certain assets (namely, in the case of the Fund: (i) stock or
securities; (ii) options, futures, and forward contracts (other than those on
foreign currencies); and (iii) foreign currencies (including options, futures,
and forward contracts on such currencies) not directly related to the Fund's
principal business of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures
with respect to stocks or securities)) held less than three months (the "30%
Limitation"); (c) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of
the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's assets is
represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government
securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other
securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the
purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of
the Fund's total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total
assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S.
Government securities or the securities of other regulated investment
companies); and (d) distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable
income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest and net
short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) and its net
tax-exempt interest income, if any, each taxable year.
As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. Federal
income tax on its investment company taxable income and net capital gains (the
excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses), if
any, that it distributes to shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute to its
shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company
taxable income and net capital gains. Amounts not distributed on a timely basis
in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a
nondeductible 4% excise tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund
must distribute during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of: (1) at
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least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or
losses) for the calendar year; (2) at least 98% of its capital gains in excess
of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses, as prescribed by
the Code) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year; and
(3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that was not
distributed during those years. A distribution will be treated as paid on
December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in
October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the
Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be
taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are
declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.
To prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund intends to make its
distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement.
The Fund shareholder will also receive, if appropriate, various written notices
after the close of the Fund's prior taxable year as to the Federal income status
of his dividends and distributions which were received from the Fund during the
Fund's prior taxable year. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers as to
any state and local taxes that may apply to these dividends and distributions.
The dollar amount of dividends excluded from Federal income taxation and the
dollar amount subject to such income taxation, if any, will vary for each
shareholder depending upon the size and duration of each shareholder's
investment in the Fund. To the extent that the Fund earns taxable net investment
income, the Fund intends to designate as taxable dividends the same percentage
of each dividend as its taxable net investment income bears to its total net
investment income earned. Therefore, the percentage of each dividend designated
as taxable, if any, may vary.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United
States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is impossible to determine the
effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Portfolio's
assets to be invested in various countries will vary.
If the Portfolio is liable for foreign taxes, and if more than 50% of the value
of the Portfolio's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of
stocks or securities of foreign corporations, it may make an election pursuant
to which certain foreign taxes paid by it would be treated as having been paid
directly by shareholders of the entities, such as the Fund, which have invested
in the Portfolio. Pursuant to such election, the amount of foreign taxes paid
will be included in the income of the Fund's shareholders, and such Fund
shareholders (except tax-exempt shareholders) may, subject to certain
limitations, claim either a credit or deduction for the taxes. Each such Fund
shareholder will be notified after the close of the Portfolio's taxable year
whether the foreign taxes paid will "pass through" for that year and, if so,
such notification will designate (a) the shareholder's portion of the foreign
taxes paid to each such country and (b) the portion which represents income
derived from sources within each such country.
The amount of foreign taxes for which a shareholder may claim a credit in any
year will generally be subject to a separate limitation for "passive income,"
which includes, among other items of income, dividends, interest and certain
foreign currency gains. Because capital gains realized by the Portfolio on the
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sale of foreign securities will be treated as U.S. source income, the available
credit of foreign taxes paid with respect to such gains may be restricted by
this limitation.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends paid out of the Fund's investment company taxable income will be
taxable to a U.S. shareholder as ordinary income. Distributions of net capital
gains, if any, designated as capital gain dividends are taxable as long-term
capital gains, regardless of how long the shareholder has held the Fund's
shares, and are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Shareholders
receiving distributions in the form of additional shares, rather than cash,
generally will have a cost basis in each such share equal to the net asset value
of a share of the Fund on the reinvestment date. Shareholders will be notified
annually as to the U.S. Federal tax status of distributions.
TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIO
The Portfolio is not subject to Federal income taxation. Instead, the Fund and
other investors investing in the Portfolio must take into account, in computing
their Federal income tax liability, their share of the Portfolio's income,
gains, losses, deductions, credits and tax preference items, without regard to
whether they have received any cash distributions from the Portfolio.
Distributions received by the Fund from the Portfolio generally will not result
in the Fund recognizing any gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes, except
that: (1) gain will be recognized to the extent that any cash distributed
exceeds the Fund's basis in its interest in the Portfolio prior to the
distribution; (2) income or gain may be realized if the distribution is made in
liquidation of the Fund's entire interest in the Portfolio and includes a
disproportionate share of any unrealized receivables held by the Portfolio; and
(3) loss may be recognized if the distribution is made in liquidation of the
Fund's entire interest in the Portfolio and consists solely of cash and/or
unrealized receivables. The Fund's basis in its interest in the Portfolio
generally will equal the amount of cash and the basis of any property which the
Fund invests in the Portfolio, increased by the Fund's share of income from the
Portfolio, and decreased by the amount of any cash distributions and the basis
of any property distributed from the Portfolio.
SALE OF SHARES
Any gain or loss realized by a shareholder upon the sale or other disposition of
shares of the Fund, or upon receipt of a distribution in complete liquidation of
the Fund, generally will be a capital gain or loss which will be long-term or
short-term, generally depending upon the shareholder's holding period for the
shares. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent
the shares disposed of are replaced (including shares acquired pursuant to a
dividend reinvestment plan) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before
and ending 30 days after disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of
the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss
realized by a shareholder on a disposition of Fund shares held by the
shareholder for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss
to the extent
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of any distributions of net capital gains received by the shareholder with
respect to such shares.
FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAXES
Income received by the Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be
subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. Federal income tax at the rate of 31%
of all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the
Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required
certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that
they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other
shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup
withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld
may be credited against the shareholder's U.S. Federal income tax liability.
FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS
The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder of an investment in the Fund may
be different from those described herein. Foreign shareholders are advised to
consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences
to them of an investment in the Fund.
OTHER TAXATION
The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and, under current law,
neither the Trust nor the Fund is liable for any income or franchise tax in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provided that the Fund continues to qualify as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. The investment by
the Fund in the Portfolio does not cause the Fund to be liable for any income or
franchise tax in the State of New York.
The Portfolio is organized as a New York trust. The Portfolio is not subject to
any income or franchise tax in the State of New York or the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
Fund shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on the Fund
distributions. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following financial statements for the Fund and Portfolio have been filed
with the SEC pursuant to section 30(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 30b2-1
thereunder and are hereby incorporated herein by reference. A copy of such
financial statement will be provided, without charge, to each person receiving
this statement of additional information.
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BT INVESTMENT EQUITY APPRECIATION FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities, September 30, 1995
Statement of Operations for the period January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the period from January 1, 1995 to
September 30, 1995 and the year ended December 31, 1994 Financial Highlights:
Supplemental data for each period indicated Notes to Financial Statements Report
of Independent Accountants
CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO
Statement of Assets and Liabilities, September 30, 1995
Statement of Operations for the period January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the period from January 1, 1995 to
September 30, 1995 and the year ended December 31, 1994 Financial Highlights:
Supplemental data for each period indicated Schedule of Portfolio Investments,
September 30, 1995 Notes to Financial Statements Report of Independent
Accountants
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APPENDIX
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
S&P'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
A is the highest commercial paper rating category utilized by S&P,
which uses the numbers 1+, 1, 2 and 3 to denote relative strength within its A
classification. Commercial paper issues rated A by S&P have the following
characteristics: Liquidity ratios are better than industry average. Long-term
debt rating is A or better. The issuer has access to at least two additional
channels of borrowing. Basic earnings and cash flow are in an upward trend.
Typically, the issuer is a strong company in a well-established industry and has
superior management.
MOODY'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a
superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1
repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:
leading market positions in well-established industries; high rates of return on
funds employed; conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on
debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed
financial charges and high internal cash generation; well-established access to
a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a
strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will
normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser
degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject
to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be
more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Issuers rated Prime-3 (or related supporting institutions) have an
acceptable capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. The
effect of industry characteristics and market composition may be more
pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in
the level of debt protection measurements and the requirement for relatively
high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE AND DUFF & PHELPS COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Commercial paper rated "Fitch-1" is considered to be the highest grade
paper and is regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely
payment. "Fitch-2" is considered very good grade paper and reflects an assurance
of timely payment only slightly less in degree than the strangest issue.
A-1
<PAGE>
Commercial paper issues rated "Duff 1" by Duff & Phelps, Inc. have the
following characteristics: very high certainty of timely payment, excellent
liquidity factors supported by strong fundamental protection factors, and risk
factors which are very small. Issues rated "Duff 2" have a good certainty of
timely payment, sound liquidity factors and company fundamentals, small risk
factors, and good access to capital markets.
A-2
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CONTENTS
Investment Objectives, Policies and Restrictions........................ 2
Performance Information................................................. 21
Valuation of Securities; Redemptions and Purchases in Kind.............. 23
Management of the Trust and Portfolio................................... 25
Organization of the Trust............................................... 32
Taxation................................................................ 33
Financial Statements.................................................... 36
Appendix: Commercial Paper Ratings..................................... A-1
INVESTMENT ADVISER OF THE PORTFOLIO AND ADMINISTRATOR
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
DISTRIBUTOR
SIGNATURE BROKER-DEALER SERVICES, INC.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
COUNSEL
WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER
--------------------
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in the Trust's Prospectus, its
Statement of Additional Information or the Trust's official sales literature in
connection with the offering of the Trust's shares and, if given or made, such
other information or representations must not be relied on as having been
authorized by the Trust. Neither the Prospectus nor this Statement of Additional
Information constitutes an offer in any state in which, or to any person to
whom, such offer may not lawfully be made.
--------------------
