File No. 33-53746
811-07318
As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 1998.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / X /
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ___ / /
Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 / X /
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
/ X /
Amendment No. 7 / X /
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Address of principal executive office) Zip Code
(617) 742-7825
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Joseph P. Barri, Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
(Name and address of agent for service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box):
____ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
_X_ on March 30, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (b)
____ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
____ on [date] pursuant to paragraph(a)(1)
____ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
____ on [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)of Rule 485
<PAGE>
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
Cross-Reference Sheet Showing Location in Prospectus and Statement
of Additional Information of Information
Required by Items of the Registration Form
Location in
Prospectus or
Statement of Additional
Form N-1A Item Number and Caption Information
1. Cover Page Prospectus - Cover Page
2. Synopsis Prospectus - Expense Information
3. Condensed Financial Information Prospectus - Financial Highlights
4.General Description of Registrant Prospectus -
Investment Objective and Policies;
Europe;
Management of the Fund; Fund Share
Alternatives;
Share Price; How to Buy Fund
Shares; How to Sell
Fund Shares; How to Exchange
Fund Shares;
The Fund
5.Management of the Fund Prospectus - Management
of the Fund
5A.Management's Discussion of Not Applicable
Fund Performance
6.Capital Stock and Other Securities Prospectus -
Investment Objective and Policies;
Fund Share
Alternatives; Share Price;
How to Buy Fund Shares;
How to Sell Fund Shares;
How to Exchange Fund
Shares; The Fund
7. Purchase of Securities Being Offered
Prospectus - Fund Share
Alternatives; Share Price;
How to Buy Fund Shares;
How to Sell Fund Shares;
How to Exchange Fund Shares;
The Fund; Shareholder
Services; Distribution Plans
8. Redemption or Repurchase Prospectus - Fund Share
Alternatives; Share Price;
How to Buy Fund Shares;
How to Sell Fund Shares;
How to Exchange Fund
Shares; The Fund; Shareholder
Services
9. Pending Legal Proceedings Not Applicable
10. Cover Page Statement of Additional
Information - Cover Page
11. Table of Contents Statement of Additional
Information - Cover Page
12. General Information and History Statement of
Additional Information
- Cover Page; Description of
Shares
13. Investment Objectives and Policy Statement of
Additional Information
- Investment Policies and
Restrictions
14. Management of the Fund Statement of Additional
Information - Management
of the Fund; Investment
Adviser
15.Control Persons and Principle
Holders of Securities Statement of Additional
Information - Management of the Fund
16. Investment Advisory and Other
Services Statement of Additional
Information - Management of the
Fund; Investment
Adviser; Principal Underwriter;
Distribution Plans;
Shareholder Servicing/Transfer Agent;
Custodian;
Independent Public Accountants
17. Brokerage Allocation and Other
Practices Statement of Additional
Information - Portfolio Transactions
18. Capital Stock and Other Securities Statement of
Additional Information
- Description of Shares;
Certain Liabilities
19. Purchase Redemption and Pricing of
Securities Being Offered Statement of Additional
Information - Letter of Intent;
Systematic
Withdrawal Plan;
Determination of Net Asset Value
20. Tax Status Statement of Additional
Information - Tax Status
21. Underwriters Statement of
Additional Information
- Principal Underwriter;
Distribution Plans
22.Calculation of Performance Data Statement of
Additional Information
- Investment Results
23. Financial Statements Statement of Additional
Information - Financial Statements
<PAGE>
[Pioneer Logo]
Pioneer
International
Growth Fund
Class A, Class B and Class C Shares
Prospectus
March 30, 1998
Pioneer International Growth Fund (the "Fund") seeks long-term growth of
capital by investing in a portfolio consisting primarily of foreign equity
securities and of depositary receipts for such securities. Any current income
generated from these securities is incidental to the investment objective of
the Fund. The Fund is a diversified open-end investment company designed for
investors seeking to achieve capital growth and diversification through foreign
investments. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily in equity and equity-related securities of companies organized and
domiciled in countries other than the United States (the "U.S."), which
securities are considered by the Fund's investment adviser to offer the
potential for long-term growth of capital. The Fund expects to employ certain
active management techniques in order to hedge the foreign currency and other
risks associated with the Fund's investments.
Fund returns and share prices fluctuate and the value of your account
upon redemption may be more or less than your purchase price. Shares in the
Fund are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank
or other depository institution, and the shares are not federally insured by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any
other government agency.
Investments in foreign securities, particularly in emerging markets,
entail risks in addition to those customarily associated with investing in U.S.
securities. The Fund is intended for investors who can accept the risks
associated with its investments and may not be suitable for all investors. See
"Investment Objective and Policies" for a discussion of these risks.
This Prospectus provides information about the Fund that you should know
before investing. Please read and retain it for your future reference. More
information about the Fund is included in the Statement of Additional
Information, also dated March 30, 1998, as supplemented or revised from time to
time, which is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference. A copy of the
Statement of Additional Information may be obtained free of charge by calling
Shareholder Services at 1-800-225-6292 or by written request to the Fund at 60
State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. Other information about the Fund has
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and is
available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-225-6292 or through
the SEC's Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
--------------------------------------------------------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
I. EXPENSE INFORMATION ..................................... 2
II. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS .................................... 3
III. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES ....................... 4
IV. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND .................................. 6
V. FUND SHARE ALTERNATIVES ................................. 7
VI. SHARE PRICE ............................................. 8
VII. HOW TO BUY FUND SHARES .................................. 8
VIII. HOW TO SELL FUND SHARES ................................. 12
IX. HOW TO EXCHANGE FUND SHARES ............................. 13
X. DISTRIBUTION PLANS ...................................... 13
XI. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXATION ................... 14
XII. SHAREHOLDER SERVICES .................................... 15
Account and Confirmation Statements .................... 15
Additional Investments ................................. 15
Automatic Investment Plans ............................. 15
Financial Reports and Tax Information .................. 16
Distribution Options ................................... 16
Directed Dividends ..................................... 16
Direct Deposit ......................................... 16
Voluntary Tax Withholding .............................. 16
Telephone Transactions ................................. 16
FactFoneSM ............................................. 16
Retirement Plans ....................................... 16
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) ........... 16
Systematic Withdrawal Plans ............................ 17
Reinstatement Privilege (Class A Shares Only) .......... 17
XIII. THE FUND ................................................ 17
XIV. INVESTMENT RESULTS ...................................... 17
APPENDIX--CERTAIN INVESTMENT PRACTICES .................. 18
</TABLE>
--------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
I. EXPENSE INFORMATION
This table is designed to help you understand the charges and expenses that
you, as a shareholder, will bear directly or indirectly when you invest in the
Fund. The table reflects annual operating expenses based upon actual expenses
incurred for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B Class C
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Initial Sales Charge on
Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price) ......... 5.75%(1) None None
Maximum Sales Charge on Reinvestment
of Dividends ................................ None None None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge
(as a percentage of purchase price or
redemption proceeds, as applicable) ......... None(1) 4.00% 1.00%
Redemption fee(2) ............................. None None None
Exchange fee .................................. None None None
Annual Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)3
Management fee ................................ 0.94% 0.94% 0.94%
12b-1 fees .................................... 0.25% 1.00% 1.00%
Other Expenses (including accounting and
transfer agent fees, custodian fees and
printing expenses) .......................... 0.48% 0.53% 0.53%
---- ---- ----
Total Operating Expenses ....................... 1.67% 2.47% 2.47%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
- --------------------
1 Purchases of $1 million or more and purchases by participants in certain
group plans are not subject to an initial sales charge but may be subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC"). See "How to Sell Fund
Shares."
2 Separate fees (currently $10 and $20, respectively) apply to U.S. and
international wire transfers of redemption proceeds.
3 Expenses are net of amounts paid in connection with certain expense offset
arrangements. See "Financial Highlights."
Example:
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, with or
without redemption at the end of each time period, assuming a 5% annual return,
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and that the percentage amounts
listed under "Annual Operating Expenses" remain the same each year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
------ ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Shares ................. $74 $107 $143 $244
Class B Shares*
--Assuming complete
redemption at end of
period ..................... $65 $107 $152 $261
--Assuming no redemption ...... $25 $ 77 $132 $261
Class C Shares**
--Assuming complete
redemption at end of
period ..................... $35 $ 77 $132 $281
--Assuming no redemption ...... $25 $ 77 $132 $281
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
*Class B shares convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase;
therefore, Class A share expenses are used after year eight.
**Class C shares redeemed during the first year after purchase are subject to a
1% CDSC.
THE EXAMPLE IS DESIGNED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY, AND SHOULD NOT BE
CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR RETURNS. ACTUAL FUND
EXPENSES AND RETURNS WILL VARY FROM YEAR TO YEAR AND MAY BE HIGHER OR LOWER
THAN THOSE SHOWN.
For further information regarding management fees, Rule 12b-1 fees and
other expenses of the Fund see "Management of the Fund," "Distribution Plans"
and "How to Buy Fund Shares" in this Prospectus and "Management of the Fund"
and "Underwriting Agreement and Distribution Plans" in the Statement of
Additional Information. The Fund's payment of a Rule 12b-1 fee may result in
long-term shareholders paying more than the economic equivalent of the maximum
sales charge permitted under the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers Inc.
The maximum initial sales charge is reduced on purchases of specified
amounts of Class A shares and the value of shares owned in other Pioneer mutual
funds is taken into account in determining the applicable initial sales charge.
See "How to Buy Fund Shares." No sales charge is applied to exchanges of shares
of the Fund for shares of other publicly available Pioneer mutual funds. See
"How to Exchange Fund Shares."
2
<PAGE>
II. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following information has been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants. Arthur Andersen LLP's report on the Fund's
financial statements as of November 30, 1997 appears in the Fund's Annual
Report, which is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional
Information. The information listed below should be read in conjunction with
financial statements contained in the Fund's Annual Report. The Annual Report
includes more information about the Fund's performance and is available free of
charge by calling Shareholder Services at 1-800-225-6292.
Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Class A Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Year Ended November 30,
------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994(a)
------------- ------------- -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period .................................. $ 23.39 $ 21.21 $ 21.55 $ 20.91
-------- -------- -------- --------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) ......................................... $ 0.13 $ 0.10 $ (0.04) $ 0.19
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign
currency transactions ................................................ 1.87 2.32 0.80 1.87
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations .................. $ 2.00 $ 2.42 $ 0.76 $ 2.06
Distributions to shareholders:
Net investment income ................................................ (0.26) -- -- (0.03)
Net realized capital gains ........................................... (1.47) (0.24) (1.10) (1.39)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value ............................ $ 0.27 $ 2.18 $ (0.34) $ 0.64
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of period ........................................ $ 23.66 $ 23.39 $ 21.21 $ 21.55
======== ======== ======== ========
Total return* ......................................................... 9.28% 11.40% 3.81% 10.03%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets ........................... 1.69%+ 1.77%+ 2.00%+ 1.95%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets ........... 0.51%+ 0.26%+ (0.23%)+ 0.84%
Portfolio turnover rate ............................................... 154% 173% 219% 275%
Average brokerage commission per share ................................ $ 0.0034 $ 0.0055 -- --
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) .............................. $395,572 $378,956 $308,488 $282,033
Ratios assuming no waiver of management fees and assumption of
expenses by Pioneering Management Corporation ("PMC") and no
reduction for fees paid indirectly:
Net expenses ........................................................ -- -- -- --
Net investment income (loss) ........................................ -- -- -- --
Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly:
Net expenses ........................................................ 1.67% 1.76% 1.98% --
Net investment income (loss) ........................................ 0.53% 0.27% (0.21%) --
<CAPTION>
April 1, 1993
to November 30,
1993(b)
-------------------
<S> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period .................................. $ 15.00
--------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) ......................................... $ (0.03)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign
currency transactions ................................................ 5.94
--------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations .................. $ 5.91
Distributions to shareholders:
Net investment income ................................................ --
Net realized capital gains ........................................... --
--------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value ............................ $ 5.91
--------
Net asset value, end of period ........................................ $ 20.91
========
Total return* ......................................................... 39.40%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets ........................... 1.73%**
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets ........... (0.48%)**
Portfolio turnover rate ............................................... 185%**
Average brokerage commission per share ................................ --
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) .............................. $ 86,923
Ratios assuming no waiver of management fees and assumption of
expenses by Pioneering Management Corporation ("PMC") and no
reduction for fees paid indirectly:
Net expenses ........................................................ 2.88%**
Net investment income (loss) ........................................ (1.63%)**
Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly:
Net expenses ........................................................ --
Net investment income (loss) ........................................ --
</TABLE>
Selected Data for a Class B Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Year Ended November 30,
------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---------------- ---------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period .................................. $ 22.89 $ 20.94 $ 21.45
------- ------- -------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) ......................................... $ (0.06) $ 0.15 $ (0.17)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign
currency transactions ................................................ 1.85 2.04 0.76
------- ------- -------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations .................. $ 1.79 $ 2.19 $ 0.59
Distribution to shareholders:
Net investment income ................................................ (0.12) -- --
Net realized gain .................................................... (1.47) (0.24) (1.10)
------- ------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value ............................ $ 0.20 $ 1.95 $ (0.51)
------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of period ........................................ $ 23.09 $ 22.89 $ 20.94
======= ======= =======
Total return* ......................................................... 8.44% 10.45% 3.00%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets ........................... 2.49%+ 2.60%+ 2.80%+
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets ........... (0.23)%+ (0.51)%+ (1.04%)+
Portfolio turnover rate ............................................... 154% 173% 219%
Average brokerage commission per share ................................ $0.0034 $0.0055 --
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) .............................. $81,438 $69,056 $34,385
Ratios assuming a reduction of fees paid indirectly:
Net expenses ........................................................ 2.47% 2.58% 2.77%
Net investment income (loss) ........................................ ( 0.21)% (0.49)% (1.01%)
<CAPTION>
April 4, 1994
to November 30
1994(a)
---------------
<S> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period .................................. $ 21.06
-------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) ......................................... $ 0.06
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign
currency transactions ................................................ 0.33
-------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations .................. $ 0.39
Distribution to shareholders:
Net investment income ................................................ --
Net realized gain .................................................... --
-------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value ............................ $ 0.39
-------
Net asset value, end of period ........................................ $ 21.45
=======
Total return* ......................................................... 1.85%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets ........................... 3.02%**
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets ........... 0.72%**
Portfolio turnover rate ............................................... 275%
Average brokerage commission per share ................................ --
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) .............................. $21,236
Ratios assuming a reduction of fees paid indirectly:
Net expenses ........................................................
Net investment income (loss) ........................................
</TABLE>
- -------------
(a)The per share data presented above is based upon the average shares
outstanding for the period presented.
(b)Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1993 balances to conform
with the 1994 presentation.
*Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales charge.
Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into account.
**Annualized.
+ Ratio assuming no reduction for fees paid indirectly.
3
<PAGE>
II. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data for a Class C Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Year Ended For the Period January 31, 1996
November 30, 1997(a) through November 30, 1996
---------------------- --------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period ................................ $ 22.84 $ 22.46
------- -------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) ....................................... $ -- $ 0.02
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign
currency transactions .............................................. 1.77 0.60
------- -------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations ................ $ 1.77 $ 0.62
Distribution to shareholders:
Net investment income .............................................. (0.24) --
Net realized gain .................................................. (1.47) (0.24)
------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value .......................... $ 0.06 $ 0.38
------- -------
Net asset value, end of period ...................................... $ 22.90 $ 22.84
------- -------
Total return* ....................................................... 8.45% 2.75%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets ......................... 2.50%+ 2.36%**+
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets ......... (0.03)%+ 0.13%**+
Portfolio turnover rate ............................................. 154% 173%
Average brokerage commission per share .............................. $0.0034 $0.0055
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) ............................ $ 9,303 $ 6,078
Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly:
Net expenses ...................................................... 2.47% 2.31%**
Net investment income (loss) ...................................... 0.00% 0.18%**
</TABLE>
- ----------------------------
(a) The per share data presented above is based upon the average shares
outstanding for the period presented.
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charge. Total return would be reduced if sale charges were taken into
account.
** Annualized.
+ Ratio assuming no reduction for fees paid indirectly.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Fund
pursues this objective by investing in a diversified portfolio consisting
primarily of the equity and equity-related securities of companies that are
organized and have principal offices in foreign countries ("Foreign Companies")
and depositary receipts for securities of such companies. There can be no
assurance that the Fund will achieve its objective.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's total assets are
invested in equity securities consisting of common stock and securities with
common stock characteristics, such as preferred stock, warrants and debt
securities convertible into common stock and depositary receipts for such
securities ("Equity Securities"). The Fund currently intends to invest in
securities of issuers located in the following developed countries: Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy,
Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
and the United Kingdom as well as the countries with emerging markets listed in
"Investments in Emerging Markets."
The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its total assets in Other Eligible
Investments (as defined below), consisting of money market and fixed-income
securities, and may employ certain other active management techniques. Certain
of these techniques may be used in an attempt to hedge foreign currency and
other risks associated with the Fund's investments. These techniques include
purchasing options on securities indices, entering into forward foreign
currency exchange contracts, purchasing options on foreign currencies, entering
into futures contracts on securities indices and currencies, purchasing and
selling options on such futures contracts, and lending portfolio securities.
The Fund may also enter into repurchase agreements and invest in restricted and
illiquid securities. See the Appendix to this Prospectus and the Statement of
Additional Information for a description of these investment practices and
securities and associated risks.
As to any specific investment in Equity Securities, PMC's analysis will
focus on evaluating the fundamental value of an enterprise. The Fund will
purchase securities for its portfolio when their market price appears to be
less than their fundamental value in the judgment of PMC. In selecting specific
investments, PMC will attempt to identify securities with strong potential for
appreciation relative to their downside exposure. In this regard PMC will also
use a macro-analysis of numerous economic and valuation variables to determine
the anticipated investment climate in specific countries.
In making these determinations, PMC will take into account price-earnings
ratios, cash flow, the relationship of asset value to market price of the
securities and other factors which it may determine from time to time to be
relevant. Because current income is not the Fund's investment objective, the
Fund will not restrict its investments in Equity Securities to those of issuers
with a record of timely dividend payments.
While investing in foreign Equity Securities involves certain risks, as
discussed below, PMC believes such investments offer opportunities for capital
growth and diversification. Today, more than two-thirds of the world's stock
market value is traded on markets outside the United States. Investing overseas
can help diversify a portfolio otherwise invested solely in U.S. securities.
Foreign stock and bond markets often do not parallel the performance of U.S.
markets, which means that, over time, diversifying investments across several
countries can help reduce portfolio volatility. Under nor-
4
<PAGE>
mal circumstances at least 65% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in
securities of companies domiciled in at least three different foreign
countries.
The Fund's investment objective and certain investment restrictions
designated as fundamental in the Statement of Additional Information may be
changed by the Board of Trustees only with shareholder approval.
Risk Factors
Investing in the securities of Foreign Companies and foreign governments
involves certain considerations and risks which are not typically associated
with investing in securities of U.S. companies and the U.S. government. In many
foreign countries, issuers are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S.
companies. Also in many foreign countries, there is less government supervision
and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies
than exists in the U.S. Interest and dividends or in some cases capital gains,
from foreign investments may be subject to withholding or other foreign taxes
which will decrease the net return on such investments as compared to the
income return of a fund from U.S. companies or the U.S. government.
In addition, the value of foreign securities may also be adversely
affected by fluctuations in the relative rates of exchange between the
currencies of different nations and by exchange control regulations. The Fund's
investment performance may be significantly affected, either positively or
negatively, by currency exchange rates because the U.S. dollar value of
securities denominated in a foreign currency will increase or decrease in
response to changes in the value of foreign currencies in relation to the U.S.
dollar. There may also be less publicly available information about Foreign
Companies compared to reports and ratings published about U.S. companies. Some
foreign securities markets generally have substantially less trading volume
than domestic markets and securities of some Foreign Companies are less liquid
and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies.
Brokerage commissions in foreign countries are generally fixed, and other
transaction costs related to securities exchanges are generally higher than in
the United States. Most foreign Equity Securities of the Fund are held by
foreign subcustodians that satisfy certain eligibility requirements. However,
foreign subcustodian arrangements are significantly more expensive than
domestic custody. In addition, foreign settlement of securities transactions is
subject to local law and custom that is not, generally, as well established or
as reliable as U.S. regulation and custom applicable to settlements of
securities transactions and, accordingly, there is generally perceived to be a
greater risk of loss in connection with securities transactions in many foreign
countries.
Additionally, in some foreign countries, there is the possibility of
expropriation, nationalization or confiscation of assets and property,
limitations on the removal of securities, property or other assets of the Fund,
political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect
U.S. investments in those countries. PMC will take these factors into
consideration in managing the Fund's investments.
Investment in Japan and the United Kingdom
The Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of
corporate issuers located in each of Japan and the United Kingdom and more than
25% of the Fund's total assets, adjusted to reflect currency transactions and
positions, may be denominated in the Japanese yen and the British pound.
Investment of a substantial portion of the Fund's assets in such countries or
currencies will subject the Fund to the risks of adverse securities markets,
exchange rates and social, political or economic events which may occur in
those countries.
Investments in Emerging Markets
The Fund may invest without limitation in securities of issuers located in
countries with emerging economies or securities markets, but will not invest
more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers located in any one
such country. Countries with emerging economies or securities markets currently
include: Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China,
Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong,
Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia,
Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal,
Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey,
Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. Political and economic structures in
many of such countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid
development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic
stability characteristic of more developed countries. As a result, the risks
described above relating to investments in foreign securities, including the
risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, may be heightened. In
addition, unanticipated political or social developments may affect the values
of the Fund's investments and the availability to the Fund of additional
investments in such countries. The small size and inexperience of the
securities markets in certain of such countries and the limited volume of
trading in securities in those countries may make the Fund's investments in
such countries less liquid and more volatile than investments in countries with
more developed securities markets (such as Japan or most Western European
countries).
Investments in Depositary Receipts
The Fund may hold securities of foreign issuers in the form of American
Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global
Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and other similar instruments or other securities
convertible into securities of eligible issuers. Generally, ADRs in registered
form are designed for use in U.S. securities markets, and EDRs, GDRs and other
similar global instruments in bearer form are designed for use in non-U.S.
securities markets.
ADRs are denominated in U.S. dollars and represent an interest in the
right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a U.S. bank or
correspondent bank. ADRs do not eliminate all the risk inherent in investing in
the securities of non-U.S. issuers. However, by investing in ADRs rather than
directly in equity securities of non-U.S. issuers, the Fund will avoid currency
risks during the settlement period for either purchases or sales. EDRs and GDRs
are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the underlying
securities which they represent. For purposes of the Fund's invest-
5
<PAGE>
ment policies, investments in ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and similar instruments will be
deemed to be investments in the underlying equity securities of the foreign
issuers. The Fund may acquire depositary receipts from banks that do not have a
contractual relationship with the issuer of the security underlying the
depositary receipt to issue and secure such depositary receipt. To the extent
the Fund invests in such unsponsored depositary receipts there may be an
increased possibility that the Fund may not become aware of events affecting
the underlying security and thus the value of the related depositary receipt.
In addition, certain benefits (e.g., rights offerings) which may be associated
with the security underlying the depositary receipt may not inure to the
benefit of the holder of such depositary receipt.
Other Eligible Investments
The Fund's Other Eligible Investments consist of: (a) corpo- rate
commercial paper and other short-term commercial obligations, in each case
rated or issued by foreign or U.S. companies with similar securities
outstanding that are rated Prime-1, Aa or better by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. ("Moody's"), or A-1, AA or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group
("Standard & Poor's"); (b) obligations (including certificates of deposit, time
deposits, demand deposits and bankers' acceptances) of banks (located in the
U.S. or foreign countries) with securities outstanding that are rated Prime-1,
Aa or better by Moody's, or A-1, AA or better by Standard & Poor's; (c)
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or the government of a
foreign country or their respective agencies or instrumentalities; (d) fixed-
income securities of foreign or U.S. companies which are rated, at the time of
investment, within the top four grades by the major rating services (Moody's
"Baa" or higher, Standard & Poor's "BBB" or higher) or, if unrated, judged to
be of comparable quality by PMC; and (e) repurchase agreements. These
securities may be denominated in U.S. dollars or in foreign currencies. In the
event that the credit quality of a security falls below investment grade
subsequent to purchase, the Fund may nevertheless retain such security as long
as PMC determines it is advisable to do so. However, at no time may the Fund
have more than 5% of its net assets invested in fixed-income securities rated
below investment grade. Securities rated "Baa" or "BBB" and securities of
comparable quality may have speculative characteristics and changes in economic
conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher
grade debt securities.
The Fund may on occasion, for temporary defensive purposes to preserve
capital, invest up to 100% of its total assets in Other Eligible Investments
except that when the Fund assumes a defensive posture, it will not invest in
fixed-income securities of foreign or U.S. companies rated below A by Moody's
or Standard & Poor's, or if unrated, judged to be of comparable credit quality
by PMC. The Fund will assume a temporary defensive posture only when political
and economic factors affect foreign equity markets to such an extent that PMC
believes there to be extraordinary risks in being substantially invested in
foreign Equity Securities.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may also seek to earn additional income by lending its portfolio
securities. Under present regulatory policies, such loans may be made to
institutions, such as certain broker-dealers, and are required to be secured
continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents or U.S. government
securities maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the
market value of the securities loaned. If PMC decides to make securities loans,
the value of the securities loaned would not exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the
total assets of the Fund. See "Investment Policy and Restrictions" in the
Statement of Additional Information. The Fund may experience a loss or delay in
the recovery of its securities if the institution with which it has engaged in
a portfolio securities loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund.
Certain Other Investment Techniques
As noted above, the Fund may purchase put and call options on securities
indices, purchase put and call options on currencies, enter into forward
foreign currency exchange contracts and enter into futures contracts on indices
and currencies and purchase and sell options on such futures contracts. These
techniques may be employed in an attempt to hedge currency or other risks
associated with the Fund's portfolio securities. While the successful use of
these techniques may reduce or eliminate certain risks, these techniques also
involve transaction costs as well as risks. These risks include the risk that
contractual positions once entered may not be easily closed out on a particular
market, the risk that the attempted hedge may be ineffective because changes in
the value of a hedged position may not correlate to the securities market or
currency being hedged and the risk that an incorrect prediction by PMC in the
movement of securities prices or exchange rates may cause the Fund to perform
less well than if the hedge had not been attempted. See the Appendix for a
further description of these techniques and associated risks.
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund avoids market-timing or speculating on broad market fluctuations.
Therefore, except as described above, the Fund is substantially fully invested
at all times. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves
correspondingly greater transaction costs which must be borne by the Fund and
its shareholders. Changes in the portfolio may be made promptly when determined
to be advisable by reason of developments not foreseen at the time of the
initial investment decision, and usually without reference to the length of
time a security has been held. Accordingly, portfolio turnover rates are not
considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions. See
"Financial Highlights" for the Fund's actual turnover rates.
IV. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Fund's Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for management and
supervision of the Fund. The Board meets at least quarterly. By virtue of the
functions performed by PMC as investment adviser, the Fund requires no
employees other than its executive officers, all of whom receive their
compensation from PMC or other sources. The Statement of Additional Information
contains the name and general
6
<PAGE>
business and professional background of each Trustee and executive officer of
the Fund.
The Fund is managed under a contract with PMC, which serves as investment
adviser to the Fund and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund's
business affairs, subject only to the authority of the Board of Trustees. PMC
is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Pioneer Group, Inc. ("PGI"), a publicly
traded Delaware corporation. Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. ("PFD"), an
indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of PGI, is the principal underwriter of the
Fund. John F. Cogan, Jr., Chairman and President of the Fund, Chairman and a
Director of PMC, Chairman of PFD, and President and a Director of PGI,
beneficially owned approximately 14% of the outstanding capital stock of PGI as
of the date of this Prospectus.
Mr. David Tripple, President and Chief Investment Officer of PMC and
Executive Vice President of each Pioneer mutual fund, has general
responsibility for PMC's investment operations and chairs a committee of PMC's
international equity managers which reviews PMC's research and portfolio
operations, including those of the Fund. Mr. Tripple joined PMC in 1974.
Research and management for the Fund is the responsibility of a team of
portfolio managers and analysts focusing on non-U.S. securities. Members of the
team meet regularly to discuss holdings, prospective investments and portfolio
composition. Dr. Norman Kurland is the senior member of the team.
Day-to-day management of the Fund has been the responsibility of Dr.
Kurland, Vice President of the Fund and Senior Vice President of PMC, since
inception, April 1993. Dr. Kurland joined PMC in 1990 and has over ten years of
investment experience.
In addition to the Fund, PMC also manages and serves as the investment
adviser for other mutual funds and is an investment adviser to certain other
institutional accounts. PMC's and PFD's executive offices are located at 60
State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. In an effort to avoid conflicts of
interest with the Fund, the Fund and PMC have adopted a Code of Ethics that is
designed to maintain a high standard of personal conduct by directing that all
personnel defer to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders in making
personal securities transactions.
Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by PMC pursuant to a
management contract between PMC and the Fund. PMC assists in the management of
the Fund and is authorized in its discretion to buy and sell securities for the
account of the Fund. PMC pays all the ordinary operating expenses, including
executive salaries and the rental of office space relating to its services for
the Fund with the exception of the following which are to be paid by the Fund:
(a) taxes and other governmental charges, if any; (b) interest on borrowed
money, if any; (c) legal fees and expenses; (d) auditing fees; (e) insurance
premiums; (f) dues and fees for membership in trade associations; (g) fees and
expenses of registering and maintaining registrations by the Fund of its shares
with the SEC, state securities agencies and foreign jurisdictions and of
preparing reports to regulatory agencies; (h) fees and expenses of Trustees not
affiliated with or interested persons of PMC; (i) fees and expenses of the
custodian, dividend disbursing agent, transfer agent and registrar; (j) issue
and transfer taxes chargeable to the Fund in connection with securities
transactions to which the Fund is a party; (k) costs of reports to
shareholders, shareholders' meetings and Trustees' meetings; (l) the cost of
certificates representing shares of the Fund; (m) charges and expenses for
determining from time to time the value of the Fund's net assets and the
keeping of its books and records; and (n) distribution fees in accordance with
Rule 12b-1 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The Fund also pays any brokerage commissions
in connection with its portfolio transactions.
Orders for the Fund's portfolio securities transactions are placed by PMC,
which strives to obtain the best price and execution for each transaction. In
circumstances in which two or more broker-dealers are in a position to offer
comparable prices and execution, consideration may be given to whether the
broker-dealer provides investment research or brokerage services or sells
shares of any Pioneer mutual fund or other funds for which PMC or any of its
affiliates serves as investment adviser or manager. See the Statement of
Additional Information for a further description of PMC's brokerage allocation
practices.
As compensation for its management services and certain expenses which PMC
incurs, PMC is entitled to a management fee equal to 1% per annum of the Fund's
average daily net assets up to $300 million, 0.85% of the next $200 million and
0.75% of the excess over $500 million. The fee is normally computed daily and
paid monthly. The management fee paid by the Fund is greater than those paid by
most funds. See "Expense Information" in this Prospectus and "Investment
Adviser" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Certain information technology experts currently predict the possibility
of a widespread failure of computer systems and certain other equipment which
will be triggered on or after certain dates -- primarily January 1, 2000 -- due
to a systematic inability to process date- related information. This scenario,
commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem," could have an adverse impact on
individuals and businesses, including the Fund and other mutual funds and
financial organizations. PMC and its affiliates are taking steps believed to be
adequate to address the Year 2000 Problem with respect to the systems and
equipment controlled by the Fund's investment adviser, broker-dealer and
transfer agent. In addition, other entities providing services to the Fund and
its shareholders are being asked to provide assurances that they have
undertaken similar measures with respect to their systems and equipment. There
can be no assurances that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any adverse
impact on the Fund.
V. FUND SHARE ALTERNATIVES
The Fund continuously offers three Classes of shares designated as Class
A, Class B and Class C shares, as described more fully in "How to Buy Fund
Shares." If you do not specify in your instructions to the Fund which Class of
shares you wish to purchase, exchange or redeem, the Fund will assume that your
instructions apply to Class A shares.
Class A Shares. If you invest less than $1 million in Class A shares, you
will pay an initial sales charge. Certain
7
<PAGE>
purchases may qualify for reduced initial sales charges. If you invest $1
million or more in Class A shares, no sales charge will be imposed at the time
of purchase. However, shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase may be
subject to a CDSC. Class A shares are subject to distribution and service fees
at a combined annual rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets
attributable to Class A shares.
Class B Shares. If you plan to invest up to $250,000, Class B shares are
available to you. Class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge, but
are subject to a CDSC of up to 4% if redeemed within six years. Class B shares
are subject to distribution and service fees at a combined annual rate of 1% of
the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. Your entire
investment in Class B shares is available to work for you from the time you
make your investment, but the higher distribution fee paid by Class B shares
will cause your Class B shares (until conversion) to have a higher expense
ratio and to pay lower dividends, to the extent dividends are paid, than Class
A shares. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares, based on
relative net asset value, eight years after the initial purchase.
Class C Shares. Class C shares are sold without an initial sales charge,
but are subject to a 1% CDSC if they are redeemed within the first year after
purchase. Class C shares are subject to distribution and service fees at a
combined annual rate of up to 1% of the Fund's average daily net assets
attributable to Class C shares. Your entire investment in Class C shares is
available to work for you from the time you make your investment, but the
higher distribution fee paid by Class C shares will cause your Class C shares
to have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower dividends, to the extent
dividends are paid, than Class A shares. Class C shares have no conversion
feature.
Selecting a Class of Shares The decision as to which Class to purchase
depends on the amount you invest, the intended length of the investment and
your personal situation. If you are making an investment that qualifies for
reduced sales charges, you might consider Class A shares. If you prefer not to
pay an initial sales charge on an investment of $250,000 or less and you plan
to hold the investment for at least six years, you might consider Class B
shares. If you prefer not to pay an initial sales charge and you plan to hold
your investment for one to eight years, you may prefer Class C shares.
Investment dealers or their representatives may receive different
compensation depending on which Class of shares they sell. Shares may be
exchanged only for shares of the same Class of another Pioneer mutual fund and
shares acquired in the exchange will continue to be subject to any CDSC
applicable to shares of the Pioneer mutual fund originally purchased. Shares
sold outside the U.S. to persons who are not U.S. citizens may be subject to
different sales charges, CDSCs and dealer compensation arrangements in
accordance with local laws and business practices.
VI. SHARE PRICE
Shares of the Fund are sold at the public offering price, which is the net
asset value per share, plus any applicable sales charge. Net asset value per
share of a Class of the Fund is determined by dividing the value of its assets,
less liabilities attributable to that Class, by the number of shares of that
Class outstanding. The net asset value is computed once daily, on each day the
New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is open, as of the close of regular
trading on the Exchange.
Securities are valued at the last sale price on the principal exchange or
market where they are traded. Securities which have not traded on the date of
valuation or securities for which sales prices are not generally reported are
valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices. Securities quoted
in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars utilizing foreign exchange
rates employed by the Fund's independent pricing services. Generally, trading
in securities on foreign exchanges is substantially completed each day at
various times prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange. The values
of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares
are determined as of such times. Foreign currency exchange rates are also
generally determined prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange.
Occasionally, events which affect the values of such securities and such
exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined and the
close of regular trading on the Exchange and will therefore not be reflected in
the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If events materially affecting
the value of such securities occur during such period, then these securities
are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with
procedures approved by the Trustees. All assets of the Fund for which there is
no other readily available valuation method are valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by the
Trustees.
VII. HOW TO BUY FUND SHARES
You may buy Fund shares from any securities broker-dealer which has a
sales agreement with PFD. If you do not have a securities broker-dealer, please
call 1-800-225-6292. Shares will be purchased at the public offering price,
that is, the net asset value per share plus any applicable sales charge, next
computed after receipt of a purchase order, except as set forth below.
The minimum initial investment is $1,000 for Class A, Class B and Class C
shares except as specified below. The minimum initial investment is $50 for
Class A accounts being established to utilize monthly bank drafts, government
allotments, payroll deduction and other similar automatic investment plans.
Separate minimum investment requirements apply to retirement plans and to
telephone and wire orders placed by broker-dealers; no sales charges or minimum
requirements apply to the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. The minimum subsequent investment is $50 for Class A shares and
$500 for Class B and Class C shares except that the subsequent minimum
investment amount for Class B and Class C share accounts may be as little as
$50 if an automatic investment plan is established (see "Automatic Investment
Plans").
Telephone Purchases. Your account is automatically authorized to have the
telephone purchase privilege unless
8
<PAGE>
you indicate otherwise on your Account Application or by writing to Pioneering
Services Corporation ("PSC"). The telephone purchase option may be used to
purchase additional shares for an existing Pioneer mutual fund account; it may
not be used to establish a new account. Proper account identification will be
required for each telephone purchase. A maximum of $25,000 per account may be
purchased by telephone each day. The telephone purchase privilege is available
to Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs") but may not be available to other
types of retirement plan accounts. Call PSC for more information.
You are strongly urged to consult with your financial representative prior
to requesting a telephone purchase. To purchase shares by telephone, you must
establish your bank account of record by completing the appropriate section of
your Account Application or an Account Options Form. PSC will electronically
debit the amount of each purchase from this predesignated bank account.
Telephone purchases may not be made for 30 days after the establishment of your
bank of record or any change to your bank information.
Telephone purchases will be priced at the net asset value plus any
applicable sales charge next determined after PSC's receipt of a telephone
purchase instruction and receipt of good funds (usually three days after the
purchase instruction). You may always elect to deliver purchases to PSC by
mail. See "Telephone Transactions" for additional information.
Class A Shares
You may buy Class A shares at the public offering price, including a sales
charge as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sales Charge as a Dealer
Percentage of Allowance
----------------------- as a
Net Percentage of
Offering Amount Offering
Amount of Purchase Price Invested Price
- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than
$100,000 4.50 4.71 4.00
$100,000 but less than
$250,000 3.50 3.63 3.00
$250,000 but less than
$500,000 2.50 2.56 2.00
$500,000 but less than
$1,000,000 2.00 2.04 1.75
$1,000,000 or more -0- -0- see below
</TABLE>
The schedule of sales charges above is applicable to purchases of Class A
shares of the Fund by (i) an individual, (ii) an individual and his or her
spouse and children under the age of 21 and (iii) a trustee or other fiduciary
of a trust estate or fiduciary account or related trusts or accounts including
pension, profit-sharing and other employee benefit trusts qualified under
Section 401 or 408 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the
"Code"), although more than one beneficiary is involved. The sales charges
applicable to a current purchase of Class A shares of the Fund by a person
listed above is determined by adding the value of shares to be purchased to the
aggregate value (at the then current offering price) of shares of any of the
other Pioneer mutual funds previously purchased (except direct purchases of
Pioneer Money Market Trust's Class A shares) and then owned, provided PFD is
notified by such person or his or her broker-dealer each time a purchase is
made which would qualify. Pioneer mutual funds include all mutual funds for
which PFD serves as principal underwriter. At the sole discretion of PFD,
holdings of funds domiciled outside the U.S., but which are managed by
affiliates of PMC, may be included for this purpose.
No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1
million or more or for purchases by participants in certain group plans
(described below) subject to a CDSC of 1% which may be imposed in the event of
a redemption of Class A shares within 12 months of purchase. See "How to Sell
Fund Shares." PFD may, in its discretion, pay a commission to broker-dealers
who initiate and are responsible for such purchases as follows: 1% on the first
$5 million invested; 0.50% on the next $45 million; and 0.25% on the excess
over $50 million. These commissions will not be paid if the purchaser is
affiliated with the broker-dealer or if the purchase represents the
reinvestment of a redemption made during the previous 12 calendar months.
Broker-dealers who receive a commission in connection with Class A share
purchases at net asset value by 401(a) or 401(k) retirement plans with 1,000 or
more eligible participants or with at least $10 million in plan assets will be
required to return any commission paid or a pro rata portion thereof if the
retirement plan redeems its shares within 12 months of purchase. See "How to
Sell Fund Shares." In connection with PGI's acquisition of Mutual of Omaha Fund
Management Company and contingent upon the achievement of certain sales
objectives, PFD may pay to Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. 50% of PFD's
retention of any sales commission on sales of the Fund's Class A shares through
such dealer. From time to time, PFD may elect to reallow the entire initial
sales charge to participating dealers for all sales of Class A shares with
respect to which orders are placed during a particular period. Dealers to whom
substantially the entire sales charge is reallowed may be deemed to be
underwriters under the federal securities laws.
Qualifying for a Reduced Sales Charge. Class A shares of the Fund may be
sold at a reduced or eliminated sales charge to certain group plans ("Group
Plans") under which a sponsoring organization makes recommendations to, permits
group solicitation of, or otherwise facilitates purchases by, its employees,
members or participants. Information about such arrangements is available from
PFD.
Class A shares of the Fund may be sold at net asset value per share
without a sales charge to: (a) current or former Trustees and officers of the
Fund and partners and employees of its legal counsel; (b) current or former
directors, officers, employees or sales representatives of PGI or its
subsidiaries; (c) current or former directors, officers, employees or sales
representatives of any subadviser or predecessor investment adviser to any
investment company for which PMC serves as investment adviser, and the
subsidiaries or affiliates of such persons; (d) current or former officers,
partners, employees or registered representatives of broker-dealers which have
entered into sales agreements with PFD; (e) members of the immediate families
of any of the persons above; (f) any trust, custodian, pension, profit-sharing
or other benefit plan of the foregoing persons; (g) insurance company separate
accounts; (h) certain "wrap accounts" for the ben-
9
<PAGE>
efit of clients of financial planners adhering to standards established by PFD;
(i) other funds and accounts for which PMC or any of its affiliates serves as
investment adviser or manager; and (j) certain unit investment trusts. Shares
so purchased are purchased for investment purposes and may not be resold except
through redemption or repurchase by or on behalf of the Fund. The availability
of this privilege is conditioned upon the receipt by PFD of written
notification of eligibility. Class A shares of the Fund may be sold at net
asset value without a sales charge to 401(k) retirement plans with 100 or more
participants or at least $500,000 in plan assets. Class A shares of a Fund may
be sold at net asset value per share without a sales charge to Optional
Retirement Program (the "Program") participants if (i) the employer has
authorized a limited number of investment providers for the Program, (ii) all
authorized investment company providers offer their shares to Program
participants at net asset value, (iii) the employer has agreed in writing to
actively promote the authorized investment providers to Program participants
and (iv) the Program provides for a matching contribution for each participant
contribution. Class A shares may also be sold at net asset value in connection
with certain reorganization, liquidation, or acquisition transactions involving
other investment companies or personal holding companies.
Reduced sales charges are available for purchases of $50,000 or more of
Class A shares (excluding any reinvestments of dividends and capital gains
distributions) made within a 13-month period pursuant to a Letter of Intent
("LOI") which may be established by completing the Letter of Intent section of
the Account Application. The reduced sales charge will be the charge that would
be applicable to the purchase of the specified amount of Class A shares as if
the shares had all been purchased at the same time. A purchase not made
pursuant to an LOI may be included if the LOI is submitted to PSC within 90
days of such purchase. You may also obtain the reduced sales charge by
including the value (at current offering price) of all your Class A shares in
the Fund and all other Pioneer mutual funds held of record as of the date of
your LOI in the amount used to determine the applicable sales charge for the
Class A shares to be purchased under the LOI. Five percent of your total
intended purchase amount will be held in escrow by PSC, registered in your
name, until the terms of the LOI are fulfilled.
You are not obligated to purchase the amount specified in your LOI. If,
however, the amount actually purchased during the 13-month period is more or
less than that indicated in your LOI, an adjustment in the sales charge will be
made. If a payment to cover actual sales charges is due, it must be paid to PFD
within 20 days after PFD or your dealer sends you a written request otherwise
PFD will direct PSC to liquidate sufficient shares from your escrow account to
cover the amount due. See the Statement of Additional Information for more
information.
Investors who are clients of a broker-dealer with a current sales
agreement with PFD may purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value,
without a sales charge, to the extent that the purchase price is paid out of
proceeds from one or more redemptions by the investor of shares of certain
other mutual funds. In order for a purchase to qualify for this privilege, the
investor must document to the broker-dealer that the redemption occurred within
the 60 days immediately preceding the purchase of Class A shares; that the
client paid a sales charge on the original purchase of the shares redeemed; and
that the mutual fund whose shares were redeemed also offers net asset value
purchases to redeeming shareholders of any of the Pioneer mutual funds. Further
details may be obtained from PFD.
Class B Shares
You may buy Class B shares at the net asset value per share next computed
after receipt of a purchase order without the imposition of an initial sales
charge. However, Class B shares redeemed within six years of purchase will be
subject to a CDSC at the rates shown in the table below. The charge will be
assessed on the amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the
original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on
increases in account value above the initial purchase price, including shares
derived from the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.
The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years
from the time of purchase until the time of redemption of Class B shares. For
the purpose of determining the number of years from the time of any purchase,
all payments during a quarter will be aggregated and deemed to have been made
on the first day of that quarter. In processing redemptions of Class B shares,
the Fund will first redeem shares not subject to any CDSC, and then shares held
longest during the six-year period. As a result, you will pay the lowest
possible CDSC.
The CDSC for Class B shares subject to a CDSC upon redemption will be
determined as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Since CDSC as a Percentage of Dollar
Purchase Amount Subject to CDSC
- -------------------------------- -------------------------------
<S> <C>
First .......................... 4.0%
Second ......................... 4.0%
Third .......................... 3.0%
Fourth ......................... 3.0%
Fifth .......................... 2.0%
Sixth .......................... 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter ......... none
</TABLE>
Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to PFD and are used in whole or in part to
defray PFD's expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the
Fund in connection with the sale of Class B shares, including the payment of
compensation to broker-dealers.
Class B shares will automatically convert into Class A shares at the end
of the calendar quarter that is eight years after the purchase date, except as
noted below. Class B shares acquired by exchange from Class B shares of another
Pioneer mutual fund will convert into Class A shares based on the date of the
initial purchase and the applicable CDSC. Class B shares acquired through
reinvestment of distributions will convert into Class A shares based on the
date of the initial purchase to which such shares relate. For this purpose,
Class B shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions will be
attributed to particular purchases of Class B shares in accordance with such
procedures as the Trustees
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may determine from time to time. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares is subject to the continuing availability of a ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS"), which the Fund has obtained, or an opinion of counsel
that such conversions will not constitute taxable events for federal tax
purposes. There can be no assurance that such ruling will continue to be in
effect at the time any particular conversion would occur. The conversion of
Class B shares to Class A shares will not occur if such ruling is no longer in
effect and such an opinion is not available and, therefore, Class B shares
would continue to be subject to higher expenses than Class A shares for an
indeterminate period.
Class C Shares
You may buy Class C shares at the net asset value per share next computed
after receipt of a purchase order without the imposition of an initial sales
charge; however, Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be
subject to a CDSC of 1%. The charge will be assessed on the amount equal to the
lesser of the current market value or the original purchase cost of the shares
being redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in account value above the
initial purchase price, including shares derived from the reinvestment of
dividends or capital gains distributions, Class C shares do not convert to any
other Class of Fund shares.
For the purpose of determining the time of any purchase, all payments
during a quarter will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the first
day of that quarter. In processing redemptions of Class C shares, the Fund will
first redeem shares not subject to any CDSC, and then shares held for the
shortest period of time during the one-year period. As a result, you will pay
the lowest possible CDSC.
Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to PFD and are used in whole or in part to
defray PFD's expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the
Fund in connection with the sale of Class C shares, including the payment of
compensation to broker-dealers.
Waiver or Reduction of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. The CDSC on Class
B shares may be waived or reduced for non-retirement accounts if: (a) the
redemption results from the death of all registered owners of an account (in
the case of UGMA, UTMA or a trust account, waiver applies upon the death of all
beneficial owners) or a total and permanent disability (as defined in Section
72 of the Code) of all registered owners occurring after the purchase of the
shares being redeemed or (b) the redemption is made in connection with limited
automatic redemptions as set forth in "Systematic Withdrawal Plans" (limited in
any year to 10% of the value of the account in the Fund at the time the
withdrawal plan is established).
The CDSC on Class B shares may be waived or reduced for retirement plan
accounts if: (a) the redemption results from the death or a total and permanent
disability (as defined in Section 72 of the Code) occurring after the purchase
of the shares being redeemed of a shareholder or participant in an
employer-sponsored retirement plan; (b) the distribution is to a participant in
an IRA, 403(b) or employer-sponsored retirement plan, is part of a series of
substantially equal payments made over the life expectancy of the participant
or the joint life expectancy of the participant and his or her beneficiary or
as scheduled periodic payments to a participant (limited in any year to 10% of
the value of the participant's account at the time the distribution amount is
established); a required minimum distribution due to the participant's
attainment of age 701/2 may exceed the 10% limit only if the distribution
amount is based on plan assets held in Pioneer mutual funds); (c) the
distribution is from a 401(a) or 401(k) retirement plan and is a return of
excess employee deferrals or employee contributions or a qualifying hardship
distribution as defined by the Code or results from a termination of employment
(limited with respect to a termination to 10% per year of the value of the
plan's assets in the Fund as of the later of the prior December 31 or the date
the account was established unless the plan's assets are being rolled over to
or reinvested in the same class of shares of a Pioneer mutual fund subject to
the CDSC of the shares originally held); (d) the distribution is from an IRA,
403(b) or employer-sponsored retirement plan and is to be rolled over to or
reinvested in the same class of shares in a Pioneer mutual fund and which will
be subject to the applicable CDSC upon redemption; (e) the distribution is in
the form of a loan to a participant in a plan which permits loans (each
repayment of the loan will constitute a new sale which will be subject to the
applicable CDSC upon redemption); or (f) the distribution is from a qualified
defined contribution plan and represents a participant's directed transfer
(provided that this privilege has been preauthorized through a prior agreement
with PFD regarding participant directed transfers).
The CDSC on Class C shares and on any Class A shares subject to a CDSC may
be waived or reduced as follows: (a) for automatic redemptions as described in
"Systematic Withdrawal Plans" (limited to 10% of the value of the account
subject to the CDSC); (b) if the redemption results from the death or a total
and permanent disability (as defined in Section 72 of the Code) occurring after
the purchase of the shares being redeemed of a shareholder or participant in an
employer-sponsored retirement plan; (c) if the distribution is part of a series
of substantially equal payments made over the life expectancy of the
participant or the joint life expectancy of the participant and his or her
beneficiary; or (d) if the distribution is to a participant in an
employer-sponsored retirement plan and is (i) a return of excess employee
deferrals or contributions, (ii) a qualifying hardship distribution as defined
by the Code, (iii) from a termination of employment, (iv) in the form of a loan
to a participant in a plan which permits loans, or (v) from a qualified defined
contribution plan and represents a participant's directed transfer (provided
that this privilege has been pre-authorized through a prior agreement with PFD
regarding participant directed transfers).
The CDSC on any shares subject to a CDSC may be waived or reduced for
either non-retirement or retirement plan accounts if the redemption is made
pursuant to the Fund's right to liquidate or involuntarily redeem shares in a
shareholder's account. The CDSC on any shares subject to a CDSC will not be
applicable if the selling broker-dealer elects, with PFD's approval, to waive
receipt of the commission normally paid at the time of the sale.
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Broker-Dealers. An order for any Class of Fund shares received by PFD from
a broker-dealer prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange is
confirmed at the price appropriate for that Class as determined at the close of
regular trading on the Exchange on the day the order is received, provided the
order is received by PFD prior to PFD's close of business (usually, 5:30 p.m.
Eastern time). It is the responsibility of broker-dealers to transmit orders so
that they will be received by PFD prior to its close of business. PFD or its
affiliates may provide additional compensation to certain dealers or such
dealers' affiliates based on certain objective criteria established from time
to time by PFD. All such payments are made out of PFD's or the affiliate's own
assets. These payments will not change the price an investor will pay for
shares or the amount that the Fund will receive from such sale.
General. The Fund reserves the right in its sole discretion to withdraw
all or any part of the offering of shares when, in the judgment of the Fund's
management, such withdrawal is in the best interest of the Fund. An order to
purchase shares is not binding on, and may be rejected by, PFD until it has
been confirmed in writing by PFD and payment has been received.
VIII. HOW TO SELL FUND SHARES
You can arrange to sell (redeem) Fund shares on any day the Exchange is
open by selling either some or all of your shares to the Fund.
You may sell your shares either through your broker-dealer or directly to
the Fund. Please note the following:
[bullet] If you are selling shares from a retirement account, other than an IRA,
you must make your request in writing (except for exchanges to other
Pioneer mutual funds which can be requested by phone or in writing).
Call 1-800-622-0176 for more information.
[bullet] If you are selling shares from a non-retirement account or an IRA, you
may use any of the methods described below.
Your shares will be sold at the share price next calculated after your
order is received in good order less any applicable CDSC. Sale proceeds
generally will be sent to you by check, bank wire, or electronic funds
transfer, normally within seven days after your order is received in good
order. The Fund reserves the right to withhold payment of the sale proceeds
until checks received by the Fund in payment for the shares being sold have
cleared, which may take up to 15 calendar days from the purchase date.
In Writing. You may sell your shares by delivering a written request,
signed by all registered owners, in good order to PSC; however, you must use a
written request, including a signature guarantee, to sell your shares if any of
the following applies:
[bullet] you wish to sell over $100,000 worth of shares,
[bullet] your account registration or address has changed within the last 30
days,
[bullet] the check is not being mailed to the address on your account (address
of record),
[bullet] the check is not being made out to the account owners, or
[bullet] the sale proceeds are being transferred to a Pioneer mutual fund
account with a different registration.
Your request should include your name, the Fund's name, your fund account
number, the Class of shares to be redeemed, the dollar amount or number of
shares to be redeemed, and any other applicable requirements as described below.
Unless instructed otherwise, PSC will send the proceeds of the sale to the
address of record. Fiduciaries and corporations are required to submit
additional documents. For more information, contact PSC at 1-800-225-6292.
Written requests will not be processed until they are received in good
order by PSC. Good order means that there are no outstanding claims or requests
to hold redemptions on the account, any certificates are endorsed by the record
owner(s) exactly as the shares are registered and the signature(s) are
guaranteed by an eligible guarantor. You should be able to obtain a signature
guarantee from a bank, broker, dealer, credit union (if authorized under state
law), securities exchange or association, clearing agency or savings
association. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee. Signature
guarantees are not accepted by facsimile ("fax"). For additional information
about the necessary documentation for redemption by mail, please contact PSC at
1-800-225-6292.
By Telephone or by Fax. Your account is automatically authorized to have
the telephone redemption privilege unless you indicate otherwise on your
Account Application or by writing to PSC. Proper account identification will be
required for each telephone redemption. The telephone redemption option is not
available to retirement plan accounts, except IRAs. A maximum of $100,000 per
account per day may be redeemed by telephone or fax and the proceeds may be
received by check or by bank wire or electronic funds transfer. To receive the
proceeds by check: the check must be made payable exactly as the account is
registered and the check must be sent to the address of record which must not
have changed in the last 30 days. To receive the proceeds by bank wire or by
electronic funds transfer: the proceeds must be sent to your bank address of
record which must have been properly pre-designated either on your Account
Application or on an Account Options Form and which must not have changed in
the last 30 days. To redeem by fax send your redemption request to
1-800-225-4240. You may always elect to deliver redemption instructions to PSC
by mail. See "Telephone Transactions" below. Telephone and fax redemptions will
be priced as described above. You are strongly urged to consult with your
financial representative prior to requesting a telephone redemption.
Selling Shares Through Your Broker-Dealer. The Fund has authorized PFD to
act as its agent in the repurchase of shares of the Fund from qualified
broker-dealers and reserves the right to terminate this procedure at any time.
Your broker-dealer must receive your request before the close of business on
the Exchange and transmit it to PFD before PFD's close of business to receive
that day's redemption price. Your broker-dealer is responsible for providing
all necessary documentation to PFD and may charge you for its services.
Small Accounts. The minimum account value is $500. If you hold shares of
the Fund in an account with a net asset
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value of less than the minimum required amount due to redemptions or exchanges,
the Fund may redeem the shares held in this account at net asset value if you
have not increased the net asset value of the account to at least the minimum
required amount within six months of notice by the Fund to you of the Fund's
intention to redeem the shares.
CDSC on Class A Shares. Purchases of Class A shares of $1 million or more,
or by participants in a Group Plan which were not subject to an initial sales
charge, may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption. A CDSC is payable to PFD on
these investments in the event of a share redemption within 12 months following
the share purchase, at the rate of 1% of the lesser of the value of the shares
redeemed (exclusive of reinvested dividend and capital gain distributions) or
the total cost of such shares. Shares subject to the CDSC which are exchanged
into another Pioneer mutual fund will continue to be subject to the CDSC of the
shares originally held until the original 12-month period expires. However, no
CDSC is payable upon redemption with respect to Class A shares purchased by
401(a) or 401(k) retirement plans with 1,000 or more eligible participants or
with at least $10 million in plan assets.
General. Redemptions may be suspended or payment postponed during any
period in which any of the following conditions exist: the Exchange is closed
or trading on the Exchange is restricted; an emergency exists as a result of
which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably
practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly
determine the value of the net assets of its portfolio; or the SEC, by order,
so permits.
Redemptions and repurchases are taxable transactions to shareholders. The
net asset value per share received upon redemption or repurchase may be more or
less than the cost of shares to an investor, depending on the market value of
the portfolio at the time of redemption or repurchase.
IX. HOW TO EXCHANGE FUND SHARES
Written Exchanges. You may exchange your shares by sending a letter of
instruction to PSC. Your letter should include your name, the name of the Fund
out of which you wish to exchange and the name of the Pioneer mutual fund into
which you wish to exchange, your fund account number(s), the Class of shares to
be exchanged and the dollar amount or number of shares to be exchanged. Written
exchange requests must be signed by all record owner(s) exactly as the shares
are registered.
Telephone Exchanges. Your account is automatically authorized to have the
telephone exchange privilege unless you indicate otherwise on your Account
Application or by writing to PSC. Proper account identification will be
required for each telephone exchange. Telephone exchanges may not exceed
$500,000 per account per day. Each telephone exchange request, whether by voice
or by FactFoneSM, will be recorded. You are strongly urged to consult with your
financial representative prior to requesting a telephone exchange. See
"Telephone Transactions" below.
Automatic Exchanges. You may automatically exchange shares from one
Pioneer mutual fund account for shares of the same Class in another Pioneer
mutual fund account on a monthly or quarterly basis. The accounts must have
identical registrations and the originating account must have a minimum balance
of $5,000. The exchange will be effective on the day of the month designated on
your Account Application or Account Options Form.
General. Exchanges must be at least $1,000. You may exchange your
investment from one Class of Fund shares at net asset value, without a sales
charge, for shares of the same Class of any other Pioneer mutual fund. Not all
Pioneer mutual funds offer more than one Class of shares. A new Pioneer mutual
fund account opened through an exchange must have a registration identical to
that on the original account.
Shares which would normally be subject to a CDSC upon redemption will not
be charged the applicable CDSC at the time of an exchange. Shares acquired in
an exchange will be subject to the CDSC of the shares originally held. For
purposes of determining the amount of any applicable CDSC, the length of time
you have owned Class B shares acquired by exchange will be measured from the
date you acquired the original shares and will not be affected by any
subsequent exchange.
Exchange requests received by PSC before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, will be
effective on that day if the requirements above have been met, otherwise, they
will be effective on the next business day. PSC will process exchanges only
after receiving an exchange request in good order. There are currently no fees
or sales charges imposed at the time of an exchange. An exchange of shares may
be made only in states where legally permitted. For federal and (generally)
state income tax purposes, an exchange is considered to be a sale of the shares
of the Fund exchanged and a purchase of shares in another Pioneer mutual fund.
Therefore, an exchange could result in a gain or loss on the shares sold,
depending on the tax basis of these shares and the timing of the transaction,
and special tax rules may apply.
You should consider the differences in objectives and policies of the
Pioneer mutual funds, as described in each fund's current prospectus, before
making any exchange. For the protection of the Fund's performance and
shareholders, the Fund and PFD reserve the right to refuse any exchange request
or restrict, at any time without notice, the number and/or frequency of
exchanges to prevent abuses of the exchange privilege. Such abuses may arise
from frequent trading in response to short-term market fluctuations, a pattern
of trading by an individual or group that appears to be an attempt to "time the
market," or any other exchange request which, in the view of management, will
have a detrimental effect on the Fund's portfolio management strategy or its
operations. In addition, the Fund and PFD reserve the right to charge a fee for
exchanges or to modify, limit, suspend or discontinue the exchange privilege
with notice to shareholders as required by law.
X. DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution for each Class of shares (the
"Class A Plan," "Class B Plan," and "Class C Plan") in accordance with Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to which certain distribution and service
fees are paid.
Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund reimburses PFD for its actual
expenditures to finance any activity primarily intended to
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result in the sale of Class A shares or to provide services to holders of Class
A shares, provided the categories of expenses for which reimbursement is made
are approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. As of the date of this
Prospectus, the Board of Trustees has approved the following categories of
expenses for Class A shares of the Fund: (i) a service fee to be paid to
qualified broker-dealers in an amount not to exceed 0.25% per annum of the
Fund's daily net assets attributable to Class A shares; (ii) reimbursement to
PFD for its expenditures for broker-dealer commissions and employee
compensation on certain sales of the Fund's Class A shares with no initial
sales charge (See "How to Buy Fund Shares"); and (iii) reimbursement to PFD for
expenses incurred in providing services to Class A shareholders and supporting
broker-dealers and other organizations (such as banks and trust companies) in
their efforts to provide such services. Banks are currently prohibited under
the Glass-Steagall Act from providing certain underwriting or distribution
services. If a bank was prohibited from acting in any capacity or providing any
of the described services, management would consider what action, if any, would
be appropriate.
Expenditures of the Fund pursuant to the Class A Plan are accrued daily
and may not exceed 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to
Class A shares. Distribution expenses of PFD are expected to substantially
exceed the distribution fees paid by the Fund in a given year. The Class A Plan
may not be amended to increase materially the annual percentage limitation of
average net assets which may be spent for the services described therein
without approval of the shareholders of the Fund. The Class A Plan does not
provide for the carryover of reimbursable expenses beyond twelve months from
the time the Fund is first invoiced for an expense. The limited carryover
provision in the Class A Plan may result in an expense invoiced to the Fund in
one fiscal year being paid in the subsequent fiscal year and thus being treated
for purposes of calculating the maximum expenditures of the Fund as having been
incurred in the subsequent fiscal year. In the event of termination or
non-continuance of the Class A Plan, the Fund has twelve months to reimburse
any expense which it incurs prior to such termination or non-continuance,
provided that payments by the Fund during such twelve-month period shall not
exceed 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to the Class A
shares during such period.
Both the Class B Plan and the Class C Plan provide that the Fund will pay
a distribution fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net
assets attributable to the applicable class of shares and will pay PFD a
service fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets
attributable to that class of shares. The distribution fee is intended to
compensate PFD for its distribution services to the Fund. The service fee is
intended to be additional compensation for personal services and/or account
maintenance services with respect to Class B or Class C shares. PFD also
receives the proceeds of any CDSC imposed on the redemption of Class B or Class
C shares.
Commissions of 4%, equal to 3.75% of the amount invested and a first
year's service fee equal to 0.25% of the amount invested in Class B shares, are
paid to broker-dealers who have sales agreements with PFD. PFD may advance to
dealers the first year service fee at a rate up to 0.25% of the purchase price
of such shares and, as compensation therefor, PFD may retain the service fee
paid by the Fund with respect to such shares for the first year after purchase.
Dealers will become eligible for additional service fees with respect to such
shares commencing in the 13th month following the purchase.
Commissions of up to 1% of the amount invested in Class C shares,
consisting of 0.75% of the amount invested and a first year's service fee of
0.25% of the amount invested, are paid to broker-dealers who have sales
agreements with PFD. PFD may advance to dealers the first year service fee at a
rate up to 0.25% of the purchase price of such shares and, as compensation
therefor, PFD may retain the service fee paid by the Fund with respect to such
shares for the first year after purchase. Commencing in the 13th month
following the purchase of Class C shares, dealers will become eligible for
additional annual distribution fees and service fees of up to 0.75% and 0.25%,
respectively, net asset value of such shares.
When a broker-dealer sells Class B or Class C shares and elects, with
PFD's approval, to waive its right to receive the commission normally paid at
the time of sale, PFD may cause all or a portion of the distribution fees
described above to be paid to the broker-dealer.
Dealers may from time to time be required to meet certain criteria in
order to receive service fees. PFD or its affiliates are entitled to retain all
service fees payable under the Class B Plan or the Class C Plan for which there
is no dealer of record or for which qualification standards have not been met
as partial consideration for personal services and/or account maintenance
services performed by PFD or its affiliates for shareholder accounts.
XI. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXATION
The Fund has elected to be treated, has qualified, and intends to qualify
each year as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code,
so that it will not pay federal income tax on income and capital gains
distributed to shareholders as required under the Code.
Under the Code, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal
excise tax on a portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital gains
if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to each
calendar year. The Fund intends to make distributions in a timely manner and
accordingly does not expect to be subject to the excise tax.
The Fund pays dividends from net investment income and distributes its net
realized short and long-term capital gains, if any, annually, usually in
December. Dividends from income and/or capital gains may also be paid at such
other times as may be necessary for the Fund to avoid federal income or excise
tax.
Unless shareholders specify otherwise, all distributions will be
automatically reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the Fund.
Generally, dividends from the Fund's net investment income, market discount
income certain net foreign exchange gains and net short-term capi-
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tal gains are taxable under the Code as ordinary income, and dividends from the
Fund's net long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains. The
Fund's distributions of long-term capital gains to individuals or other
noncorporate taxpayers are subject to different maximum tax rates, (which will
be indicated in the annual tax information the Fund provides to shareholders),
depending generally upon the sources of, and the Fund's holding periods for the
assets that produce, the gains. For federal income tax purposes, all dividends
are taxable as described above whether a shareholder takes them in cash or
reinvests them in additional shares of the Fund. Information as to the federal
tax status of dividends and distributions will be provided to shareholders
annually. For further information on the distribution options available to
shareholders, see "Distribution Options" and "Directed Dividends" below.
The Fund's dividends and distributions generally will not qualify for any
dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes or other foreign
taxes on income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) on certain
of its foreign investments, which will reduce the yield on or return from those
investments. In any year in which the Fund qualifies, it may make an election
that would permit certain of its shareholders to take a credit or a deduction
for their shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund. Each shareholder
would then include in gross income (in addition to dividends actually received)
his or her share of the amount of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If
this election is made, the Fund will notify its shareholders annually as to
their share of the amount of qualified foreign taxes paid and the foreign
source income of the Fund.
Dividends and other distributions and the proceeds of redemptions,
exchanges or repurchases of Fund shares paid to individuals and other
non-exempt payees will be subject to 31% backup withholding of federal income
tax if the Fund is not provided with the shareholder's correct taxpayer
identification number and certification that the number is correct and that the
shareholder is not subject to backup withholding or the Fund receives notice
from the IRS or a broker that such withholding applies. Please refer to the
Account Application for additional information.
The description above relates only to U.S. federal income tax consequences
for shareholders who are U.S. persons, i.e., U.S. citizens or residents or U.S.
corporations, partnerships, trust or estates, and who are subject to U.S.
federal income tax. Non-U.S. shareholders and tax-exempt shareholders are
subject to tax treatment that is different than described above. Shareholders
should consult their own tax advisors regarding state, local and other
applicable tax laws, including the effect of recent federal tax legislation, in
their particular circumstances.
XII. SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
PSC is the shareholder services and transfer agent for shares of the Fund.
PSC, a Massachusetts corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of PGI. PSC's
offices are located at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, and
inquiries to PSC should be mailed to Shareholder Services, Pioneering Services
Corporation, P.O. Box 9014, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9014. Brown Brothers
Harriman & Co. (the "Custodian") serves as custodian of the Fund's portfolio
securities and other assets. The principal business address of the mutual fund
division of the Custodian is 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. The
Custodian oversees a network of subcustodians and depositories in the countries
in which the Fund may invest.
Account and Confirmation Statements
PSC maintains an account for each shareholder and all transactions of the
shareholder are recorded in this account. Confirmation statements showing the
details of transactions are sent to shareholders as transactions occur, except
automatic investment plan transactions which are confirmed quarterly. The
Pioneer Combined Account Statement, mailed quarterly, is available to
shareholders who have more than one Pioneer mutual fund account.
Shareholders whose shares are held in the name of an investment
broker-dealer or other party will not normally have an account with the Fund
and might not be able to utilize some of the services available to shareholders
of record. Examples of services which might not be available are purchases,
exchanges or redemption of shares by mail or telephone, automatic reinvestment
of dividends and capital gains distributions, withdrawal plans, Letters of
Intent, rights of accumulation, telephone exchanges, and newsletters.
Additional Investments
You may add to your account by sending a check (minimum of $50 for Class A
shares and $500 for Class B and Class C shares) to PSC (account number and
Class of shares should be clearly indicated). The bottom portion of a
confirmation statement may be used as a remittance slip to make additional
investments. Additions to your account, whether by check or through an
Investomatic Plan, are invested in full and fractional shares of the Fund at
the applicable offering price in effect as of the close of regular trading on
the Exchange on the day of receipt.
Automatic Investment Plans
You may arrange for regular automatic investments of $50 or more through
government/military allotments, payroll deduction or through a Pioneer
Investomatic Plan. A Pioneer Investomatic Plan provides for a monthly or
quarterly investment by means of a preauthorized electronic funds transfer from
your bank account. Pioneer Investomatic Plan investments are voluntary, and you
may discontinue your plan at any time or change your plan elections for the
dollar amount, frequency or investment date by calling PSC at 1-800-225-6292,
or by sending a written request to Pioneering Servicing Corporation, P.O. Box
9014, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9014. A change to your bank information must
be made in writing on an Account Options Form. You should allow up to five
business days for PSC to make changes to an established plan. PSC acts as agent
for the purchaser, the broker-dealer and PFD in maintaining these plans.
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Financial Reports and Tax Information
As a shareholder, you will receive financial reports at least
semiannually. In January of each year, the Fund will mail you information about
the tax status of dividends and distributions.
Distribution Options
Dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, will automatically be
invested in additional shares of the Fund, at the applicable net asset value
per share, unless you indicate another option on the Account Application. Two
other options available are (a) dividends in cash and capital gains
distributions in additional shares; and (b) all dividends and capital gains
distributions in cash. These two options are not available, however, for
retirement plans or for an account with a net asset value of less than $500.
Changes in your distribution options may be made by written request to PSC.
If you elect to receive either dividends or capital gains or both in cash
and a distribution check issued to you is returned by the U.S. Postal Service
as not deliverable or a distribution check remains uncashed for six months or
more, the amount of the check may be reinvested in your account. Such
additional shares will be purchased at the then current net asset value.
Furthermore, the distribution option on the account will automatically be
changed to the reinvestment option until such time as you request a different
option by writing to PSC.
Directed Dividends
You may elect (in writing) to have the dividends paid by one Pioneer
mutual fund account invested in a second Pioneer fund account. The value of
this second account must be at least $1,000 ($500 for Pioneer Fund or Pioneer
II). Invested dividends may be in any amount, and there are no fees or charges
for this service. Retirement plan shareholders may only direct dividends to
accounts with identical registrations.
Direct Deposit
If you have elected to take distributions, whether dividends or dividends
and capital gains, in cash, or have established a Systematic Withdrawal Plan,
you may choose to have those cash payments deposited directly into your
savings, checking or NOW bank account. You may also establish this service by
completing the appropriate section on the Account Application when opening a
new account or the Account Options Form for an existing account.
Voluntary Tax Withholding
You may request (in writing) that PSC withhold 28% of the dividends and
capital gains distributions paid from your account (before any reinvestment)
and forward the amount withheld to the IRS as a credit against your federal
income taxes. This option is not available for retirement plan accounts or for
accounts subject to backup withholding.
Telephone Transactions
Your account is automatically authorized to have telephone transaction
privileges unless you indicate otherwise on your Account Application or by
writing to PSC. You may purchase, sell or exchange Fund shares by telephone.
See "How to Buy Fund Shares," "How to Sell Fund Shares" and "How to Exchange
Fund Shares" for more information. For personal assistance, call 1-800-225-6292
between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays. Computer-assisted
transactions may be available to shareholders who have pre-recorded certain
bank information (see FactFoneSM). You are strongly urged to consult with your
financial representative prior to requesting any telephone transaction. To
confirm that each transaction instruction received by telephone is genuine, PSC
will record each telephone transaction, require the caller to provide the
personal identification number ("PIN") for the account and send you a written
confirmation of each telephone transaction. Different procedures may apply to
accounts that are registered to non-U.S. citizens or that are held in the name
of an institution or in the name of an investment broker-dealer or other third
party. If reasonable procedures, such as those described above, are not
followed, the Fund may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions. The Fund may implement other procedures from time to time. In all
other cases, neither the Fund, PSC nor PFD will be responsible for the
authenticity of instructions received by telephone, therefore, you bear the
risk of loss for unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transactions.
During times of economic turmoil or market volatility or as a result of
severe weather or a natural disaster, it may be difficult to contact the Fund
by telephone to institute a redemption or exchange. You should communicate with
the Fund in writing if you are unable to reach the Fund by telephone.
FactFone(SM)
FactFone(SM) is an automated inquiry and telephone transaction system
available to Pioneer shareholders by dialing 1-800-225-4321. FactFoneSM allows
you to obtain current information on your Pioneer mutual fund accounts and to
inquire about the prices and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual
funds. In addition, you may use FactFone(SM) to make computer-assisted telephone
purchases, exchanges and redemptions from your Pioneer mutual fund accounts if
you have activated your PIN. Telephone purchases and redemptions require the
establishment of a bank account of record. You are strongly urged to consult
with your financial representative prior to requesting any telephone
transaction. Shareholders whose accounts are registered in the name of a
broker-dealer or other third party may not be able to use FactFoneSM. See "How
to Buy Fund Shares," "How to Exchange Fund Shares," "How to Sell Fund Shares"
and "Telephone Transactions." Call PSC for assistance.
Retirement Plans
You should contact the Retirement Plans Department of PSC at
1-800-622-0176 for information relating to tax-deferred retirement plans for
individuals, businesses and tax-exempt organizations, all of which are
available in conjunction with investments in the Fund. The Account Application
contained in this Prospectus should not be used to establish any of these
plans. Separate applications are required.
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)
If you have a hearing disability and access to TDD keyboard equipment, you
can call our TDD number toll-free at 1-800-225-1997, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. Eastern
16
<PAGE>
time to contact our telephone representatives with questions about your
account.
Systematic Withdrawal Plans
If your account has a total value of at least $10,000 you may establish a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan ("SWP") providing for fixed payments at regular
intervals. Withdrawals from Class B and Class C shares accounts are limited to
10% of the value of the account. See "Waiver or Reduction of Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge" for more information. Periodic payments of $50 or more
will be sent to you, or any person designated by you, monthly or quarterly and
your periodic redemptions may be taxable to you. Payments can be made either by
check or electronic transfer to a bank account designated by you. If you direct
that withdrawal payments be made to another person after you have opened your
account, a signature guarantee must accompany your instructions. Purchases of
Class A shares of the Fund at a time when you have a SWP in effect may result
in the payment of unnecessary sales charges and may, therefore, be
disadvantageous.
You may obtain additional information by calling PSC at 1-800-225-6292 or
by referring to the Statement of Additional Information.
Reinstatement Privilege (Class A Shares Only)
If you redeem all or part of your Class A shares of the Fund, you may
reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds without a sales charge in Class
A shares of the Fund if you send a written request to PSC not more than 90 days
after your shares were redeemed. Your redemption proceeds will be reinvested at
the next determined net asset value of the Class A shares of the Fund in effect
immediately after receipt of the written request for reinstatement. You may
realize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the
redemption and special tax rules may apply if a reinstatement occurs. In
addition, if redemption resulted in a loss and an investment is made in shares
of the Fund within 30 days before or after the redemption, you may not be able
to recognize the loss for federal income tax purposes. Subject to the
provisions outlined under "How to Exchange Fund Shares" above, you may also
reinvest in Class A shares of other Pioneer mutual funds; in this case, you
must meet the minimum investment requirement for each fund you enter.
The 90-day reinstatement period may be extended by PFD for periods of up
to one year for shareholders living in areas that have experienced a natural
disaster, such as a flood, hurricane, tornado or earthquake.
----------------------------------------------
The options and services available to shareholders, including the terms of
the Exchange Privilege and the Pioneer Investomatic Plan, may be revised,
suspended or terminated at any time by PFD or by the Fund. You may establish
the services described in this section when you open your account. You may also
establish or revise many of them on an existing account by completing an
Account Options Form, which you may request by calling 1-800-225-6292.
XIII. THE FUND
The Fund is a diversified, open-end management investment company
(commonly referred to as a mutual fund) organized as a Massachusetts business
trust on October 26, 1992. The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of
shares of beneficial interest. As an open-end management investment company,
the Fund continuously offers its shares to the public and under normal
conditions must redeem its shares upon the demand of any shareholder at the
then current net asset value per share, less any applicable CDSC. See "How to
Sell Fund Shares." The Fund is not required, and does not intend, to hold
annual shareholder meetings, although special meetings may be called for the
purposes of electing or removing Trustees, changing fundamental investment
restrictions or approving a management or subadvisory contract.
The Trustees have the authority, without further shareholder approval, to
classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund, or any additional series of the
Fund, into one or more classes. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Trustees
have authorized the issuance of three classes of shares, designated Class A,
Class B and Class C. The shares of each class represent an interest in the same
portfolio of investments of the Fund. Each class has equal rights as to voting,
redemption, dividends and liquidation, except that each class bears different
distribution and transfer agent fees and may bear other expenses properly
attributable to the particular class. Class A, Class B and Class C shareholders
have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Rule 12b-1 distribution plans
adopted by holders of those shares in connection with the distribution of
shares. The Fund reserves the right to create and issue additional series and
classes of shares.
When issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus
and Statement of Additional Information, shares of the Fund are fully-paid and
non-assessable by the Fund. Shares will remain on deposit with the Fund's
transfer agent and certificates will not normally be issued. The Fund reserves
the right to charge a fee for the issuance of Class A share certificates;
certificates will not be issued for Class B or Class C shares.
XIV. INVESTMENT RESULTS
The average annual total return (for a designated period of time) on an
investment in the Fund may be included in advertisements, and furnished to
existing or prospective shareholders. The average annual total return for each
Class is computed in accordance with the SEC's standardized formula. The
calculation for all Classes assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of federal or
state income taxes. In addition, for Class A shares the calculation assumes the
deduction of the maximum sales charge of 5.75%; for Class B and Class C shares
the calculation reflects the deduction of any applicable CDSC. The periods
illustrated would normally include one, five and ten years (or since the
commencement of the public offering of the shares of a Class, if shorter)
through the most recent calendar quarter.
One or more additional measures and assumptions, including but not limited
to historical total returns; distribution returns; results of actual or
hypothetical investments; changes in dividends, distributions or share values;
or any graphic illustration of such data may also be used. These data may cover
any period of the Fund's existence and may or may not include the impact of
sales charges, taxes or other factors.
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<PAGE>
Other investments or savings vehicles and/or unmanaged market indices,
indicators of economic activity or averages of mutual funds results may be
cited or compared with the investment results of the Fund. Rankings or listings
by magazines, newspapers or independent statistical or rating services, such as
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or Ibbotson Associates, may also be
referenced.
The Fund's investment results will vary from time to time depending on
market conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio and operating
expenses of the Fund. All quoted investment results are historical and should
not be considered representative of what an investment in the Fund may earn in
any future period. For further information about the calculation methods and
uses of the Fund's investment results, see the Statement of Additional
Information.
APPENDIX--CERTAIN INVESTMENT PRACTICES
RISKS AND LIMITATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSACTIONS IN OPTIONS, FUTURES
CONTRACTS AND FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
The Fund may employ certain active management techniques including options
on securities indices, options on currencies, futures contracts and options on
futures and forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Each of these active
management techniques involves (1) liquidity risk that contractual positions
cannot be easily closed out in the event of market changes or generally in the
absence of a liquid secondary market, (2) correlation risk that changes in the
value of hedging positions may not match the securities market and foreign
currency fluctuations intended to be hedged, and (3) market risk that an
incorrect prediction of securities prices or exchange rates by PMC may cause
the Fund to perform less well than if such positions had not been entered. The
ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with
exchange traded options and may involve the risk that the counter-party to the
option will not fulfill its obligations. The Fund will treat purchased
over-the-counter options as illiquid securities. The uses of options, futures
and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are highly specialized
activities which involve investment techniques and risks that are different
from those associated with ordinary portfolio transactions. The loss that may
be incurred by the Fund in entering into futures contracts and writing call
options thereon and entering into forward foreign currency exchange contracts
is potentially unlimited. Except as set forth below under "Futures Contracts
and Options on Futures Contracts" there is no limit on the percentage of the
Fund's assets that may be invested in futures contracts and related options or
forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The Fund may not invest more than
5% of its total assets in purchased options other than protective put options.
The Fund's transactions in options, forward foreign currency exchange
contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts may be limited by
the requirements for qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment
company for tax purposes. See "Tax Status" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
Options on Securities Indices
The Fund may purchase put and call options on indices that are based on
securities in which it may invest to manage cash flow and to manage its
exposure to foreign and domestic stocks or stock markets instead of, or in
addition to, buying and selling stock. The Fund may also purchase options in
order to hedge against risks of market-wide price fluctuations.
The Fund may purchase put options in an attempt to hedge against an
anticipated decline in securities prices that might adversely affect the value
of the Fund's portfolio securities. If the Fund purchases a put option on a
securities index, the amount of the payment it would receive upon exercising
the option would depend on the extent of any decline in the level of the
securities index below the exercise price. Such payments would tend to offset a
decline in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities. However, if the level
of the securities index increases and remains above the exercise price while
the put option is outstanding, the Fund will not be able to exercise the option
profitably and will lose the amount of the premium and any transaction costs.
Such loss may be partially offset by an increase in the value of the Fund's
portfolio securities.
The Fund may purchase call options on securities indices in order to
remain fully invested in a particular foreign stock market or to lock in a
favorable price on securities that it intends to buy in the future. If the Fund
purchases a call option on a securities index, the amount of the payment it
receives upon exercising the option depends on the extent of an increase in the
level of other securities indices above the exercise price. Such payments would
in effect allow the Fund to benefit from securities market appreciation even
though it may not have had sufficient cash to purchase the underlying
securities. Such payments may also offset increases in the price of securities
that the Fund intends to purchase. If, however, the level of the securities
index declines and remains below the exercise price while the call option is
outstanding, the Fund will not be able to exercise the option profitably and
will lose the amount of the premium and transaction costs. Such loss may be
partially offset by a reduction in the price the Fund pays to buy additional
securities for its portfolio.
The Fund may sell an option it has purchased or a similar option prior to
the expiration of the purchased option in order to close out its position in an
option which it has purchased. The Fund may also allow options to expire
unexercised, which would result in the loss of the premium paid.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts and Options on Foreign Currencies
The Fund has the ability to hold a portion of its assets in foreign
currencies and to enter into forward foreign currency contracts to facilitate
settlement of foreign securities transactions or to protect against changes in
foreign currency exchange rates. A forward foreign currency contract involves
an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency on a future date at a
price set at the time of the contract. The Fund might sell a foreign currency
on either a spot or forward basis to seek to hedge against an anticipated
decline in the dollar value of securities in its portfolio or securities it
intends or
18
<PAGE>
has contracted to sell or to preserve the U.S. dollar value of dividends,
interest or other amounts it expects to receive. Although this strategy could
minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged foreign
currency, it could also limit any potential gain which might result from an
increase in the value of the currency. Alternatively, the Fund might purchase a
foreign currency or enter into a forward purchase contract for the currency to
preserve the U.S. dollar price of securities it is authorized to purchase or
has contracted to purchase.
The Fund may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in
one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities
denominated in a different currency, if PMC determines that there is a pattern
of correlation between the two currencies. Cross-hedging may also include
entering into a forward transaction involving two foreign currencies, using one
foreign currency as a proxy for the U.S. dollar to hedge against variations in
the other foreign currency, if PMC determines that there is a pattern of
correlation between the proxy currency and the U.S. dollar.
If the Fund enters into a forward contract to buy foreign currency for any
purpose, the Fund will be required to place cash or liquid, high grade
securities in a segregated account of the Fund maintained by the Fund's
custodian in an amount equal to the value of the Fund's total assets committed
to the consummation of the forward contract.
The Fund may purchase put and call options on foreign cur rencies for the
purpose of protecting against declines in the dollar value of foreign portfolio
securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities
to be acquired. The Fund may also use options on currency to cross-hedge. The
purchase of an option on a foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge
against exchange rate fluctuations. In addition, the Fund may purchase call or
put options on currency for non-hedging purposes when PMC anticipates that the
currency will appreciate or depreciate but the securities denominated in that
currency do not present attractive investment opportunities and are not held in
the Fund's portfolio.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
To hedge against changes in securities prices, currency exchange rates, or
interest rates, the Fund may purchase and sell various kinds of futures
contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on any of such futures
contracts. The Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions
with respect to any of such contracts and options. The futures contracts may be
based on various stock and other securities indices, foreign currencies and
other financial instruments and indices. The Fund will engage in futures and
related options transactions for bona fide hedging or other non-hedging
purposes as are permitted by regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission.
The Fund may not purchase or sell non-hedging futures contracts or
purchase or sell related non-hedging options, except for closing purchase or
sale transactions, if immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of initial
margin deposits on the Fund's existing non-hedging futures and related
non-hedging options positions and the amount of premiums paid for existing
non-hedging options on futures (net of the amount the positions are "in the
money") would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's net assets. These
transactions involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in the case
of contracts and options obligating the Fund to purchase securities or
currencies, require the Fund to segregate assets to cover such contracts and
options.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements not exceeding seven days in
duration. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (e.g., the Fund) purchases a
debt security from a seller which undertakes to repurchase the security at a
specified resale price on an agreed future date (ordinarily a week or less).
The resale price generally exceeds the purchase price by an amount which
reflects an agreed-upon market interest rate for the term of the repurchase
agreement. Repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund will be fully
collateralized with U.S. Treasury and/or U.S. government agency obligations
with a market value of not less than 100% of the obligation, valued daily.
Collateral will be held in a segregated, safekeeping account for the benefit of
the Fund. In the event that a repurchase agreement is not fulfilled, the Fund
could suffer a loss to the extent that the value of the collateral falls below
the repurchase price or if the Fund is prevented from realizing the value of
the collateral by reason of an order of a court with jurisdiction over an
insolvency proceeding with respect to the other party to the repurchase
agreement.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities
The Fund may invest in restricted securities (i.e., securities that would
be required to be registered prior to distribution to the public), including
restricted securities eligible for resale to certain institutional investors
pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. In addition, the Fund
may invest up to 15% of its net assets in restricted securities sold and
offered under Rule 144A that are illiquid either as a result of legal or
contractual restrictions or the absence of a trading market.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has adopted guidelines and delegated to
PMC the daily function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of
restricted securities. The Board, however, retains sufficient oversight and is
ultimately responsible for the determinations. Since it is not possible to
predict with assurance exactly how the market for restricted securities sold
and offered under Rule 144A will develop, the Board carefully monitors the
Fund's investments in these securities, focusing on such important factors,
among others, as valuation, liquidity and availability of information. This
investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of
illiquidity in the Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers
become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities.
Securities of non-U.S. issuers that the Fund acquires in Rule 144A
transactions, but which the Fund may resell publicly in a non-U.S. securities
market, are not considered restricted securities.
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<PAGE>
[Pioneer Logo]
Pioneer
International
Growth Fund
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
OFFICERS
JOHN F. COGAN, JR., Chairman and President
DAVID D. TRIPPLE, Executive Vice President
NORMAN KURLAND, Ph.D., Vice President
WILLIAM H. KEOUGH, Treasurer
JOSEPH P. BARRI, Secretary
INVESTMENT ADVISER
PIONEERING MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
CUSTODIAN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
LEGAL COUNSEL
HALE AND DORR LLP
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
PIONEER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AND TRANSFER AGENT
PIONEERING SERVICES CORPORATION
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Telephone: 1-800-225-6292
SERVICE INFORMATION
If you would like information on the following, please call:
Existing and new accounts, prospectuses,
applications, service forms
and telephone transactions..................... 1-800-225-6292
Retirement plans................................ 1-800-622-0176
FactFone(SM)
Automated fund yields, automated prices
and account information........................ 1-800-225-4321
Toll-free fax................................... 1-800-225-4240
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD).... 1-800-225-1997
Visit our website: www.pioneerfunds.com
0398-5053
(c)Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
<PAGE>
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Class A, Class B and Class C Shares
March 30, 1998
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus, but should be read
in conjunction with the Prospectus (the "Prospectus") dated March 30, 1998 as
supplemented and/or amended from time to time, of Pioneer International Growth
Fund (the "Fund"). A copy of the Prospectus can be obtained free of charge by
calling Shareholder Services at 1-800-225-6292 or by written request to the Fund
at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. The most recent Annual Report
to Shareholders is attached to this Statement of Additional Information and is
hereby incorporated by reference.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Investment Policies and Restrictions..................... 2
2. Management of the Fund................................... 11
3. Investment Adviser....................................... 15
4. Principal Underwriter.................................... 15
5. Distribution Plans....................................... 16
6. Shareholder Servicing/Transfer Agent..................... 19
7. Custodian................................................ 19
8. Independent Public Accountants........................... 19
9. Portfolio Transactions................................... 20
10. Tax Status............................................... 21
11. Description of Shares.................................... 25
12. Certain Liabilities...................................... 26
13. Determination of Net Asset Value......................... 27
14. Systematic Withdrawal Plan............................... 27
15. Letter of Intent......................................... 28
16. Investment Results....................................... 28
17. Financial Statements..................................... 31
APPENDIX A -- Description of Short-Term Debt and
Corporate Bond Ratings...... 32
APPENDIX B -- Performance Statistics .................... 37
APPENDIX C -- Other Pioneer Information.................. 50
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS
AND IS AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE
INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY AN EFFECTIVE
PROSPECTUS.
<PAGE>
1. INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
The Prospectus identifies the investment objective and the principal
investment policies of the Fund. Other investment policies of the Fund are set
forth below. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meaning
given to them in the Prospectus.
Securities Index Options
The Fund may purchase call and put options on securities indices for
the purpose of hedging against the risk of unfavorable price movements adversely
affecting the value of the Fund's securities or securities the Fund intends to
buy. Securities index options will not be used for speculative purposes.
Currently, options on stock indices are traded only on national
securities exchanges and over-the-counter, both in the United States ("U.S.")
and in foreign countries. A securities index fluctuates with changes in the
market values of the securities included in the index. For example, some stock
index options are based on a broad market index such as the S&P 500 or the Value
Line Composite Index in the U.S., the Nikkei in Japan or the FTSE 100 in the
United Kingdom. Index options may also be based on a narrower market index such
as the S&P 100 or on an industry or market segment such as the AMEX Oil and Gas
Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index.
The Fund may purchase put options in an attempt to hedge against an
anticipated decline in securities prices that might adversely affect the value
of the Fund's portfolio securities. If the Fund purchases a put option on a
securities index, the amount of the payment it would receive upon exercising the
option would depend on the extent of any decline in the level of the securities
index below the exercise price. Such payments would tend to offset a decline in
the value of the Fund's portfolio securities. However, if the level of the
securities index increases and remains above the exercise price while the put
option is outstanding, the Fund will not be able to profitably exercise the
option and will lose the amount of the premium and any transaction costs. Such
loss may be partially offset by an increase in the value of the Fund's portfolio
securities.
The Fund may purchase call options on securities indices in order to
remain fully invested in a particular foreign stock market or to lock in a
favorable price on securities that it intends to buy in the future. If the Fund
purchases a call option on a securities index, the amount of the payment it
receives upon exercising the option depends on the extent of an increase in the
level of other securities indices above the exercise price. Such payments would
in effect allow the Fund to benefit from securities market appreciation even
though it may not have had sufficient cash to purchase the underlying
securities. Such payments may also offset increases in the price of securities
that the Fund intends to purchase. If, however, the level of the securities
index declines and remains below the exercise price while the call option is
outstanding, the Fund will not be able to exercise the option profitably and
will lose the amount of the premium and transaction costs. Such loss may be
partially offset by a reduction in the price the Fund pays to buy additional
securities for its portfolio.
The Fund may sell the securities index option it has purchased or write
a similar offsetting securities index option in order to close out a position in
a securities index option which it has purchased. These closing sale
transactions enable the Fund to immediately realize gains or minimize losses on
its options positions. However, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any
particular time, and for some options no secondary market may exist. In
addition, securities index prices may be distorted by interruptions in the
trading of securities of certain companies or of issuers in certain industries,
or by restrictions that may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing
transactions, or both, which would disrupt trading in options on such indices
and preclude the Fund from closing out its options positions. If the Fund is
unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options that it has
purchased, it would have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during
which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options
markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant
price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that can not
be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly
specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different
from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
In addition to the risks of imperfect correlation between the Fund's
portfolio and the index underlying the option, the purchase of securities index
options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the
Fund in purchasing an option will be lost. This could occur as a result of
unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the securities
index on which the option is based.
Forward Foreign Currency Transactions
The foreign currency transactions of the Fund may be conducted on a
spot, i.e. cash basis at the spot rate for purchasing or selling currency
prevailing in the foreign exchange market. The Fund also has authority to enter
into forward foreign currency exchange contracts involving currencies of the
different countries in which it will invest as a hedge against possible
variations in the foreign exchange rate between these currencies and the U.S.
dollar. This is accomplished through contractual agreements to purchase or sell
a specified currency at a specified future date and price set at the time of the
contract. The Fund's transactions in forward foreign currency contracts will be
limited to hedging either specific transactions or portfolio positions.
Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward foreign currency
contracts with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund accruing
in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities denominated
in foreign currencies. Portfolio hedging is the use of forward foreign currency
contracts to offset portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in such
foreign currencies. There is no guarantee that the Fund will be engaged in
hedging activities when adverse exchange rate movements occur. The Fund may not
necessarily attempt to hedge all of its foreign portfolio positions and will
enter into such transactions only to the extent, if any, deemed appropriate by
Pioneering Management Corporation ("PMC"). The Fund will not enter into
speculative forward foreign currency contracts.
If the Fund enters into a forward contract to purchase foreign
currency, its custodian bank will segregate cash or liquid securities in a
separate account of the Fund in an amount equal to the value of the Fund's total
assets committed to the consummation of such forward contract. Those assets will
be valued at market daily and if the value of the assets in the separate account
declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the accounts so that
the value of the account will equal the amount of the Fund's commitment with
respect to such contracts.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate
fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the
prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also limit the opportunity
for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not
be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally
anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a
price above the devaluation level it anticipates.
The cost to the Fund of engaging in foreign currency transactions
varies with such factors as the currency involved, the size of the contract, the
length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Since
transactions in foreign currency and forward contracts are usually conducted on
a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved. The Fund may close out a
forward position in a currency by selling the forward contract or entering into
an offsetting forward contract.
Options on Foreign Currencies
The Fund may purchase options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes in a manner similar to that of transactions in forward contracts. 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 an attempt to
protect against such decreases in the value of portfolio securities, the Fund
may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency
declines, the Fund will have the right to sell such currency for a fixed amount
of dollars which exceeds the market value of such currency. This would result in
a gain that may offset, in whole or in part, the negative effect of currency
depreciation on the value of the Fund's securities denominated in that currency.
Conversely, if a rise in the dollar value of a currency is projected
for those securities to be acquired, thereby increasing the cost of such
securities, the Fund may purchase call options on such currency. If the value of
such currency increased, the purchase of such call options would enable the Fund
to purchase currency for a fixed amount of dollars which is less than the market
value of such currency. Such a purchase would result in a gain that may offset,
at least partially, the effect of any currency related increase in the price of
securities the Fund intends to acquire. As in the case of other types of options
transactions, however, the benefit the Fund derives from purchasing foreign
currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related
transaction costs. In addition, if currency exchange rates do not move in the
direction or to the extent anticipated, the Fund could sustain losses on
transactions in foreign currency options which would deprive it of a portion or
all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates.
In addition, the Fund may purchase call or put options on currency for
non-hedging purposes when PMC anticipates that the currency will appreciate or
depreciate but the securities denominated in that currency do not present
attractive investment opportunities and are not held in the Fund's portfolio.
The Fund may close out its position in a currency option by either
selling the option it has purchased or entering into an offsetting option.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
To hedge against changes in securities prices or currency exchange
rates, the Fund may purchase and sell various kinds of futures contracts, and
purchase and write (sell) call and put options on any of such futures contracts.
The Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect
to any of such contracts and options. The futures contracts may be based on
various securities (such as U.S. Government securities), securities indices,
foreign currencies and other financial instruments and indices. The Fund will
engage in futures and related options transactions for bona fide hedging and
non-hedging purposes as described below. All futures contracts entered into by
the Fund are traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and
regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") or on foreign
exchanges.
Futures Contracts. A futures contract may generally be described as an
agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments
for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash
settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise
not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).
When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, the
Fund can seek to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio
securities through the sale of futures contracts. When interest rates are
falling or securities prices are rising, the Fund, through the purchase of
futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later
be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, the
Fund can sell futures contracts on a specified currency to seek to protect
against a decline in the value of such currency and a decline in the value of
its portfolio securities which are denominated in such currency. The Fund can
purchase futures contracts on foreign currency to establish the price in U.S.
dollars of a security denominated in such currency that the Fund has acquired or
expects to acquire.
Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to
maturity but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may
result in a profit or a loss. While futures contracts on securities or currency
will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Fund may instead make, or take,
delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears
economically advantageous to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the
exchange on which futures on securities or currency are traded guarantees that,
if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.
Hedging Strategies. Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to
establish with more certainty the effective price, rate of return and currency
exchange rate on portfolio securities and securities that the Fund owns or
proposes to acquire. The Fund may, for example, take a "short" position in the
futures market by selling futures contracts in an attempt to hedge against an
anticipated rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices or foreign
currency rates that would adversely affect the value of the Fund's portfolio
securities. Such futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery
of securities held by the Fund or securities with characteristics similar to
those of the Fund's portfolio securities. Similarly, the Fund may sell futures
contracts in currency in which its portfolio securities are denominated or in
one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities
denominated in a different currency if there is an established historical
pattern of correlation between the two currencies. If, in the opinion of PMC,
there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for the Fund's
portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments,
securities indices or other indices, the Fund may also enter into such futures
contracts as part of its hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances
prices of securities in the Fund's portfolio may be more or less volatile than
prices of such futures contracts, PMC will attempt to estimate the extent of
this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any
such differential by having the Fund enter into a greater or lesser number of
futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price
changes affecting the Fund's securities portfolio. When hedging of this
character is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities
will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures
position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of the
Fund's portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the
value of the futures position.
On other occasions, the Fund may take a "long" position by purchasing
futures contracts. This would be done, for example, when the Fund anticipates
the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash,
but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the
applicable market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are currently
available.
Options on Futures Contracts. The acquisition of put and call options
on futures contracts will give the Fund the right (but not the obligation) for a
specified price to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures
contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on
a futures contract, the Fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if
prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of
an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium
which may partially offset a decline in the value of the Fund's assets. By
writing a call option, the Fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium,
to sell a futures contract(if the option is exercised), which may have a value
higher than the exercise price. Conversely, the writing of a put option on a
futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset an increase in
the price of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. However, the Fund
becomes obligated to purchase a futures contract(if the option is exercised)
which may have a value lower than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by
the Fund in writing options on futures and in entering into futures transactions
is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received. The
Fund will incur transaction costs in connection with the
writing of options on futures.
The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate
its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same
securities. . There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be
effected. The Fund's ability to establish and close out positions on such
options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.
The Fund may use options on futures contracts for bona fide hedging or
non-hedging purposes as discussed below.
Other Considerations. The Fund will engage in futures and related
options transactions only for bona fide hedging or non-hedging purposes in
accordance with CFTC regulations which permit principals of an investment
company registered under the 1940 Act to engage in such transactions without
registering as commodity pool operators. The Fund is not permitted to engage in
speculative futures trading. The Fund will determine that the price fluctuations
in the futures contracts and options on futures used for hedging purposes are
substantially related to price fluctuations in securities held by the Fund or
which it expects to purchase. Except as stated below, the Fund's futures
transactions will be entered into for traditional hedging purposes -- i.e.,
futures contracts will be sold to seek to protect against a decline in the price
of securities (or the currency in which they are denominated) that the Fund
owns, or futures contracts will be purchased to seek to protect the Fund against
an increase in the price of securities (or the currency in which they are
denominated) it intends to purchase. As evidence of this hedging intent, the
Fund expects that on 75% or more of the occasions on which it takes a long
futures or option position (involving the purchase of futures contracts), the
Fund will have purchased, or will be in the process of purchasing, equivalent
amounts of related securities or assets denominated in the related currency in
the cash market at the time when the futures or option position is closed out.
However, in particular cases, when it is economically advantageous for the Fund
to do so, a long futures position may be terminated or an option may expire
without the corresponding purchase of securities or other assets.
As an alternative to literal compliance with the bona fide hedging
definition, a CFTC regulation permits the Fund to elect to comply with a
different test, under which the sum of the amounts of initial margin deposits on
the Fund's existing non-hedging futures contracts and premiums paid for
non-hedging options on futures (net of the amount the positions are "in the
money") would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's net assets. The Fund
will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options only to the
extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Code, for
maintaining its qualification as a regulated investment company for federal
income tax purposes.
Transaction costs associated with futures contracts and related options
involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in the case of contracts
and options obligating the Fund to purchase securities or currencies, require
the Fund to segregate assets to cover such contracts and options.
While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may
reduce certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks.
Thus, while the Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures,
unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange
rates may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not
entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. In the event of an
imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which
is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and the
Fund may be exposed to risk of loss.
Perfect correlation between the Fund's futures positions and portfolio
positions will be difficult to achieve because no futures contracts based on
foreign corporate equity securities are currently available. The only futures
contracts available to hedge the Fund's portfolio are various futures on U.S.
Government securities and foreign currencies, futures on a municipal securities
index and stock index futures. In addition, it is not possible to hedge fully or
perfectly against the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of foreign
securities because currency movements impact the value of different securities
in differing degrees.
Restricted Securities
The Fund may invest no more than 5% of its total assets in "restricted
securities" (i.e., securities that would be required to be registered prior to
distribution to the public), excluding restricted securities eligible for resale
to certain institutional investors pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act
of 1933 or foreign securities which are offered or sold outside the United
States; provided, however, that no more than 15% of the Fund's total assets may
be invested in restricted securities including securities eligible for resale
under Rule 144A. The Board of Trustees may adopt guidelines and delegate to PMC
the daily function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of portfolio
securities. The Board, however, retains sufficient oversight and is ultimately
responsible for the determinations. Since it is not possible to predict with
assurance exactly how this market for restricted securities sold and offered
under Rule 144A will develop, the Board monitors the Fund's investments in these
securities, focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation,
liquidity and availability of information. This investment practice could have
the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Fund to the extent that
qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing
these restricted securities.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with "primary dealers" in
U.S. Government securities and member banks of the Federal Reserve System which
furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of
their repurchase obligation. The Fund may also enter into repurchase agreements
involving certain foreign government securities. In a repurchase agreement, an
investor (e.g., the Fund) purchases a debt security from a seller which
undertakes to repurchase the security at a specified resale price on an agreed
future date (ordinarily a week or less). The resale price generally exceeds the
purchase price by an amount which reflects an agreed-upon market interest rate
for the term of the repurchase agreement. The primary risk is that, if the
seller defaults, the Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds
from the sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund
in connection with the related repurchase agreement are less than the repurchase
price. Another risk is that, in the event of bankruptcy of the seller, the Fund
could be delayed in or prohibited from disposing of the underlying securities
and other collateral held by the Fund in connection with the related repurchase
agreement pending court proceedings. In evaluating whether to enter a repurchase
agreement, PMC will carefully consider the creditworthiness of the seller
pursuant to procedures reviewed and approved by the Trustees.
Investment Restrictions
Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The Fund has adopted certain investment
restrictions which may not be changed without the affirmative vote of the
holders of a "majority of the outstanding voting securities"( as defined in the
1940 Act) of the Fund. The Fund may not:
(1)......Issue senior securities, except as permitted by paragraphs
(2), (6) and (7) below. For purposes of this restriction, the issuance of shares
of beneficial interest in multiple classes or series, the purchase or sale of
options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, forward
commitments, forward foreign exchange contracts, repurchase agreements and
reverse repurchase agreements entered into in accordance with the Fund's
investment policy, and the pledge, mortgage or hypothecation of the Fund's
assets within the meaning of paragraph (3) below are not deemed to be senior
securities.
(2)......Borrow money, except from banks as a temporary measure for
extraordinary emergency purposes and except pursuant to reverse repurchase
agreements and then only in amounts not to exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's total
assets (including the amount borrowed) taken at market value. The Fund will not
use leverage to attempt to increase income. The Fund will not purchase
securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets.
(3)......Pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate its assets, except to secure
indebtedness permitted by paragraph (2) above and then only if such pledging,
mortgaging or hypothecating does not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets
taken at market value.
(4)......Act as an underwriter, except to the extent that, in
connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, the Fund may be deemed
to be an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933.
(5)......Purchase or sell real estate, or any interest therein, and
real estate mortgage loans, except that the Fund may invest in securities of
corporate or governmental entities secured by real estate or marketable
interests therein or securities issued by companies (other than real estate
limited partnerships) that invest in real estate or interests therein.
(6)......Make loans, except that the Fund may lend portfolio securities
in accordance with the Fund's investment policies. The Fund does not, for this
purpose, consider the purchase of or investment in repurchase agreements, bank
certificates of deposit, a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds,
bank loan participation agreements, bankers' acceptances, debentures or other
securities, whether or not the purchase is made upon the original issuance of
the securities, to be the making of a loan.
(7)......Invest in commodities or commodity contracts or in puts,
calls, or combinations of both, except interest rate futures contracts, options
on securities, securities indices, currency and other financial instruments,
futures contracts on securities, securities indices, currency and other
financial instruments and options on such futures contracts, forward foreign
currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, securities index put or call
warrants and repurchase agreements entered into in accordance with the Fund's
investment policies.
(8)......With respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase securities
of an issuer (other than the U.S.Government, its agencies or instrumentalities)
, if
(a) such purchase would cause more than 5% of the Fund's total
assets taken at market value to be invested in the securities of such
issuer, or
(b) such purchase would at the time result in more than 10% of
the outstanding voting securities of such issuer being held by the
Fund.
As long as the Fund is registered in the Federal Republic of
Germany,Austria, or Switzerland, the Fund may not without the prior approval of
its shareholders:
(i) invest in the securities of any other domestic or foreign
investment company or investment fund, except in connection with a plan of
merger or consolidation with or acquisition of substantially all the assets of
such other investment company or investment fund;
(ii) purchase or sell real estate, or any interest therein, and real
estate mortgage loans, except that the Fund may invest in securities of
corporate or governmental entities secured by real estate or marketable
interests therein or securities issued by companies (other than real estate
limited partnerships, real estate investment trusts and real estate funds) that
invest in real estate or interests therein;
(iii) borrow money in amounts exceeding 10% of the Fund's total assets
(including the amount borrowed) taken at market value;
(iv) pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets in amounts exceeding
10% of the Fund's total assets taken at market value;
(v) purchase securities on margin or make short sales; or
(vi) redeem its securities in-kind.
It is a fundamental policy of the Fund not to concentrate its
investments in securities of companies in any particular industry. Following the
current opinion of the staff of theSEC, investments are concentrated in a
particular industry if such investments aggregate 25% or more of the Fund's
total assets. The Fund's policy on concentration does not apply to investments
in U.S. Government Securities.
The Fund does not intend to enter into any reverse repurchase agreement
as described in fundamental investment restriction (2) above, during the current
fiscal year.
In addition, as a matter of non-fundamental investment policy and in
connection with the offering of its shares in various states and foreign
countries, the Fund has agreed not to:
(a)......Participate on a joint-and-several basis in any securities
trading account. The "bunching" of orders for the sale or purchase of marketable
portfolio securities with other accounts under the management of the Adviser to
save commissions or to average prices among them is not deemed to result in a
securities trading account.
(b)......Purchase securities of any issuer which, together with any
predecessor, has a record of less than three years' continuous operations prior
to the purchase if such purchase would cause investments of the Fund in all such
issuers to exceed 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.
(c)......Invest for the purpose of exercising control over or
management of any company.
(d)......Purchase warrants of any issuer, if, as a result of such
purchases, more than 2% of the value of the Fund's net assets would be invested
in warrants which are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American
Stock Exchange or more than 5% of the value of the net assets of the Fund would
be invested in warrants generally, whether or not so listed. For these purposes,
warrants are to be valued at the lesser of cost or market, but warrants acquired
by the Fund in units with or attached to debt securities shall be deemed to be
without value.
(e)......Knowingly purchase or retain securities of an issuer if one or
more of the Trustees or officers of the Fund or directors or officers of the
Adviser or any investment management subsidiary of the Adviser individually owns
beneficially more than 0.5% and together own beneficially more than 5% of the
securities of such issuer.
(f)......Purchase interests in oil, gas or other mineral leases or
exploration programs; however, this policy will not prohibit the acquisition of
securities of companies engaged in the production or transmission of oil, gas or
other minerals. These restrictions may not be changed without the approval of
the regulatory agencies in such states or foreign countries.
(g)......Purchase any security, including any repurchase agreement
maturing in more than seven days, which is illiquid, if more than 15% of the net
assets of the Fund, taken at market value, would be invested in such securities.
(h)......Invest more than 5% of its total assets in restricted
securities, excluding restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
144A under the Securities Act of 1933; provided, however, that no more than 15%
of the Fund's total assets may be invested in restricted securities including
restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
(i)......Write covered calls or put options with respect to more than
25% of the value of its total assets or invest more than 5% of its total assets
in puts, calls, spreads, or straddles, other than protective put options.
2. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Fund's Board of Trustees provides broad supervision over the
affairs of the Fund. The officers of the Fund are responsible for the Fund's
operations. The Trustees and executive officers of the Fund are listed below,
together with their principal occupations during the past five years. An
asterisk indicates those Trustees who are interested persons of the Fund within
the meaning of the 1940 Act.
JOHN F. COGAN, JR.*, Chairman of the Board, President and Trustee, DOB:
June 1926 President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of The Pioneer
Group, Inc. ("PGI"); Chairman and a Director of Pioneering Management
Corporation ("PMC") and Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. ("PFD"); Director of
Pioneering Services Corporation ("PSC"), Pioneer Capital Corporation ("PCC"),
Pioneer Real Estate Advisors, Inc., Pioneer Forest, Inc., Pioneer Explorer,
Inc., Pioneer Management (Ireland) Ltd. ("PMIL") and Closed Joint Stock Company
"Forest-Starma"; President and Director of Pioneer Metals and Technology, Inc.
("PMT"), Pioneer International Corp. ("PIntl"), Pioneer First Russia, Inc.
("First Russia") and Pioneer Omega, Inc. ("Omega"); Chairman of the Board and
Director of Pioneer Goldfields Limited ("PGL") and Teberebie Goldfields Limited;
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Pioneer Fonds Marketing, GmbH, Pioneer
First Polish Trust Fund Joint Stock Company, S.A. and Pioneer Czech Investment
Company, A.S.; Chairman, President and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual
funds; Director of Pioneer Global Equity Fund Plc, Pioneer Global Bond Fund Plc,
Pioneer DM Cashfonds Plc, Pioneer European Equity Fund Plc, Pioneer Central &
Eastern Europe Fund Plc and Pioneer US Real Estate Fund Plc; and Partner, Hale
and Dorr LLP (counsel to PGI and the Fund).
MARY K. BUSH, Trustee, DOB: April 1948
4201 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016
President, Bush & Co., an international financial advisory firm; Director and
Trustee of Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Novecon Management Company,
Hoover Institution, Folger Shakespeare Library, March of Dimes, Project 2000,
Inc. (not-for-profit educational organization), Small Enterprise Assistance Fund
and Wilberforce University; Advisory Board Member, Washington Mutual Investors
Fund, a registered investment company; and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual
funds, except Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust.
RICHARD H. EGDAHL, M.D., Trustee, DOB: December 1926
Boston University Health Policy Institute, 53 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02115
Professor of Management, Boston University School of Management; Professor of
Public Health, Boston University School of Public Health; Professor of Surgery,
Boston University School of Medicine; Director, Boston University Health Policy
Institute and Boston Medical Center; Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman
of the Board, University Hospital; Academic Vice President for Health Affairs,
Boston University; Director, Essex Investment Management Company, Inc.
(investment adviser), Health Payment Review, Inc. (health care containment
software firm), Mediplex Group, Inc. (nursing care facilities firm), Peer Review
Analysis, Inc. (health care facilities firm) and Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
(publisher); Honorary Trustee, Franciscan Children's Hospital; and Trustee of
all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
MARGARET B.W. GRAHAM, Trustee, DOB: May 1947
The Keep, P.O. Box 110, Little Deer Isle, ME 04650
Founding Director, The Winthrop Group, Inc. (consulting firm); Manager of
Research Operations, Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, from 1991 to 1994;
Professor of Operations Management and Management of Technology and Associate
Dean, Boston University School of Management, from 1989 to 1993; and Trustee of
all of the Pioneer mutual funds, except Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust.
JOHN W. KENDRICK, Trustee, DOB: July 1917
6363 Waterway Drive, Falls Church, VA 22044
Professor Emeritus, George Washington University; Director, American
Productivity and Quality Center; Adjunct Scholar, American Enterprise Institute;
Economic Consultant; and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds, except
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust.
MARGUERITE A. PIRET, Trustee, DOB: May 1948 One Boston Place, Suite 2635,
Boston, MA 02108 President, Newbury, Piret & Company, Inc. (merchant banking
firm); Trustee of Boston Medical Center; Member of the Board of Governors of the
Investment Company Institute; and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
DAVID D. TRIPPLE*, Trustee and Executive Vice President, DOB: February 1944
Executive Vice President and a Director of PGI; President, Chief Investment
Officer and a Director of PMC; Director of PFD, PCC, PIntl, First Russia, Omega,
Pioneer SBIC Corporation ("Pioneer SBIC"), PMIL, Pioneer Global Equity Fund Plc,
Pioneer Global Bond Fund Plc, Pioneer DM Cashfonds Plc, Pioneer European Equity
Fund Plc, Pioneer Central & Eastern Europe Fund Plc and Pioneer US Real Estate
Fund Plc; and Executive Vice President and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual
funds.
STEPHEN K. WEST, Trustee, DOB: September 1928
125 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004
Of Counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell (law firm); Trustee, The Winthrop Focus Funds
(mutual funds); and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
JOHN WINTHROP, Trustee, DOB: June 1936 One North Adgers Wharf, Charleston, SC
29401 President, John Winthrop & Co., Inc. (private investment firm); Director
of NUI Corp. (energy sales, services and distribution); and Trustee of all of
the Pioneer mutual funds, except Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust.
WILLIAM H. KEOUGH, Treasurer, DOB: April 1937
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of PGI; Treasurer
of PFD, PMC, PSC, PCC, PIntl, PMT, PGL, First Russia, Omega and Pioneer SBIC;
and Treasurer of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
JOSEPH P. BARRI, Secretary, DOB: August 1946
Corporate Secretary of PGI and most of its subsidiaries; Secretary of all of the
Pioneer mutual funds; and Partner, Hale and Dorr LLP.
ERIC W. RECKARD, Assistant Treasurer, DOB: June 1956
Manager of Fund Accounting and Compliance of PMC since May 1994; Manager of
Auditing, Compliance and Business Analysis for PGI prior to May 1994; and
Assistant Treasurer of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
ROBERT P. NAULT, Assistant Secretary, DOB: March 1964
General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of PGI since 1995; Assistant Secretary
of PMC, PIntl, PGL, First Russia, Omega and all of the Pioneer mutual funds;
Assistant Clerk of PFD and PSC; and junior partner of Hale and Dorr LLP prior to
1995.
NORMAN KURLAND, Vice President, DOB: November 1949
Senior Vice President of PMC since 1993; Vice President of PMC from 1990
to 1993; Vice President of Pioneer India Fund, Pioneer Europe Fund and Pioneer
Emerging Markets Fund.
The Fund's Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration of
Trust") provides that the holders of two-thirds of its outstanding shares may
vote to remove a Trustee of the Fund at any meeting of shareholders. See
"Description of Shares" below. The business address of all officers is 60 State
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
All of the outstanding capital stock of PFD, PMC and PSC is owned,
directly or indirectly, by PGI, a publicly owned Delaware corporation. PMC, the
Fund's investment adviser, serves as the investment adviser for the Pioneer
mutual funds listed below and manages the investments of certain institutional
accounts.
The table below lists all the Pioneer U. S. mutual funds currently
offered to the public and the investment adviser and principal underwriter
for each fund.
Investment Principal
Fund Name Adviser Underwriter
Pioneer International Growth Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Europe Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer World Equity Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer India Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Capital Growth Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Mid-Cap Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Growth Shares PMC PFD
Pioneer Independence Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Micro-Cap Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Gold Shares PMC PFD
Pioneer Equity-Income Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Balanced Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer II PMC PFD
Pioneer Real Estate Shares PMC PFD
Pioneer Short-Term Income Trust PMC PFD
Pioneer America Income Trust PMC PFD
Pioneer Bond Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Intermediate Tax-Free Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Tax-Free Income Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Cash Reserves Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Interest Shares PMC Note 1
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust PMC Note 2
Note 1 This fund is a closed-end fund.
Note 2 This is a series of ten separate portfolios designed to provide
investment vehicles for the variable annuity and variable life insurance
contracts of various insurance companies or for certain qualified pension plans.
To the knowledge of the Fund, no officer or Trustee of the Fund owned
5% or more of the issued and outstanding shares of PGI as of the date of this
Statement of Additional Information, except Mr. Cogan who then owned
approximately 14% of such shares. As of the date of this Statement of Additional
Information, the Trustees and Officers of the Fund owned beneficially in the
aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As of such date
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc., for the sole benefit of its customers,
4800 Deer Lake Drive East 3rd Fl, Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 owned 14.26%
(595,091.475) of the outstanding Class B shares; Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner &
Smith Inc., for the sole benefit of its customers, owned 33.39% (156,068.259) of
the outstanding Class C shares of the Fund.
Compensation of Officers and Trustees
The Fund pays no salaries or compensation to any of its officers. The
Fund will pay an annual trustee's fee to each Trustee who is not affiliated with
PMC, PGI, PFD or PSC consisting of two components: (a) a base fee of $500 and
(b) a variable fee, calculated on the basis of the average net assets of the
Fund. In addition, the Fund will pay a per meeting fee of $100 to each Trustee
who is not affiliated with PMC, PGI, PFD or PSC. The Fund also pays an annual
committee participation fee to trustees who serve as members of committees
established to act on behalf of one or more of the Pioneer mutual funds.
Committee fees are allocated to the Fund on the basis of the Fund's average net
assets. Each Trustee who is a member of the Audit Committee for the Pioneer
mutual funds receives an annual fee equal to 10% of the aggregate annual
trustee's fee, except the Committee Chair who will receive an annual trustee's
fee equal to 20% of the aggregate annual trustee's fee. Members of the Pricing
Committee for the Pioneer mutual funds, as well as any other committee which
renders material functional services to the Board of Trustees for the Pioneer
mutual funds, receive an annual fee equal to 5% of the annual trustee's fee,
except the Committee Chair who will receives an annual trustee's fee equal to
10% of the annual trustee's fee. Each Trustee who is not affiliated with PMC,
PGI, PFD or PSC also receives $375 per meeting for attendance at meetings of the
Non-Interested Trustees Committee, except for the Committee Chairperson who will
receive an additional $375 per meeting. Any such fees paid to affiliates or
interested persons of PGI, PMC, PFD or PSC are reimbursed to the Fund under its
management contract.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
compensation of each Trustee of the Fund:
Pension or Total Compensa-
Retirement tion from the
Aggregate Benefits Accrued Fund and all
Compensation as Part of the other Pioneer
Trustee From the Fund* Fund's Expenses Mutual Funds**
John F. Cogan, Jr. $ 500.00 $0 $ $12,000.00
Mary K. Bush+ 971.00 0 30,000.00
Richard H. Egdahl, M.D. 2,359.00 0 62,000.00
Margaret B.W. Graham 2,359.00 0 60,000.00
John W. Kendrick 2,359.00 0 55,800.00
Marguerite A. Piret 2,954.00 0 80,000.00
David D. Tripple 500.00 0 12,000.00
Stephen K. West 2,566.00 0 63,800.00
John Winthrop 2,691.00 0 69,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------
Totals $17,259.00 $0 $444,600.00
========================================================
- --------
* As of November 30, 1997, the Fund's fiscal year end.
** For the calendar year ended December 31, 1997.
+ Mary K. Bush became a Trustee on June 23, 1997.
</TABLE>
3. INVESTMENT ADVISER
As stated in the Prospectus, PMC, 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, serves as the Fund's investment adviser. The management
contract with PMC is renewable annually by the vote of a majority of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund (including a majority of the Board of Trustees who are
not parties to the contract or interested persons of any such parties) cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such renewal. This
contract terminates if assigned and may be terminated without penalty by either
party by vote of its Board of Directors or Trustees or a majority of its
outstanding voting securities and the giving of sixty days' written notice.
As compensation for its management services and expenses incurred, PMC
is entitled to a management fee at the rate of 1.00% per annum of the Fund's
average daily net assets up to $300 million;0.85% of the next $200 million; and
0.75% of the excess over $500 million. The fee is normally computed daily and
paid monthly.. During the fiscal years ended November 30, 1995, November 30,
1996 and November 30, 1997 the Fund incurred management fees of $3,168,659,
$3,960,548, and $4,664,496 respectively.
4. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
PFD, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, serves as the
principal underwriter in connection with the continuous offering of the shares
of the Fund pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, dated March 25, 1993. The
Trustees who were not interested persons of the Fund, as defined in the 1940
Act, approved the Underwriting Agreement, which will continue in effect from
year to year, if annually approved by the Trustees, in conjunction with the
continuance of the Plans of Distribution. See "Distribution Plans" below. The
Underwriting Agreement provides that PFD will bear certain distribution expenses
not borne by the Fund. During the fiscal years ended November 30, 1995, November
30, 1996 and November 30, 1997 total underwriting commissions paid to PFD in
connection with the offering of Class A shares of the Fund were approximately
$2,803,188, $3,136,000 and $2,872,000, respectively. Commissions reallowed to
dealers during such periods were approximately $2,431,009, $2,718,000, and
$2,518,000, respectively.
PFD bears all expenses it incurs in providing services under the
Underwriting Agreement. Such expenses include compensation to its employees and
representatives and to securities dealers for distribution related services. PFD
also pays certain expenses in connection with the distribution of the Fund's
shares, including the cost of preparing, printing and distributing advertising
or promotional materials, and the cost of printing and distributing prospectuses
and supplements to prospective shareholders. The Fund bears the cost of
registering its shares under federal, state and foreign securities law. See
"Distribution Plans" below.
The Fund and PFD have agreed to indemnify each other against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Under the Underwriting Agreement, PFD will use its best efforts in rendering
services to the Fund.
The Fund will not generally issue Fund shares for consideration other
than cash. At the Fund's sole discretion, however, it may issue Fund shares for
consideration other than cash in connection with a reorganization, statutory
merger or other acquisition of portfolio securities.
5. DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The Fund has adopted plans of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1
promulgated by the Commission under the 1940 Act with respect to its Class A,
Class B and Class C shares (the "Class A Plan", the "Class B Plan" and the
"Class C Plan") (together, the "Plans").
Class A Plan
Pursuant to the Class A Plan the Fund reimburses PFD for its
expenditures in financing certain activities primarily intended to result in the
sale of the Class A shares. Certain categories of such expenditures have been
approved by the Board of Trustees and are set forth in the Prospectus. See
"Distribution Plans" in the Prospectus. The expenses of the Fund pursuant to the
Class A Plan are accrued daily at a rate which may not exceed the annual rate of
0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.
Class B Plan
The Class B Plan provides that the Fund shall pay PFD, as the Fund's
distributor for its Class B shares, a distribution fee equal on an annual basis
to 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares
and will pay PFD a service fee equal to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net
assets attributable to Class B shares (which PFD will in turn pay to securities
dealers which enter into a sales agreement with PFD at a rate of up to 0.25% of
the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares owned by
investors for whom that securities dealer is the holder or dealer of record).
This service fee is intended to be consideration for personal services and/or
account maintenance services rendered by the dealer with respect to Class B
shares. PFD will advance to dealers the first year's service fee at a rate equal
to 0.25% of the amount invested. As compensation therefor, PFD may retain the
service fee paid by the Fund with respect to such shares for the first year
after purchase. Dealers will become eligible for additional service fees with
respect to such shares commencing in the thirteenth month following purchase.
Dealers may from time to time be required to meet certain other criteria in
order to receive service fees. PFD or its affiliates are entitled to retain all
service fees payable under the Class B Plan for which there is no dealer of
record or for which qualification standards have not been met as partial
consideration for personal services and/or account maintenance services
performed by PFD or its affiliates for shareholder accounts.
The purpose of distribution payments to PFD under the Class B Plan is
to compensate PFD for its distribution services with respect to Class B shares
of the Fund. PFD pays commissions to dealers as well as expenses of printing
prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses with respect to the
preparation and printing of sales literature and other distribution-related
services, including, without limitation, the cost necessary to provide
distribution-related services or personnel, travel, office expenses and
equipment. The Class B Plan also provides that PFD will receive all contingent
deferred sales charges ("CDSCs") attributable to Class B shares. (See
"Distribution Plans" in the Prospectus.) When a broker-dealer sells Class B
shares and elects, with PFD's approval, to waive its right to receive the
commission normally paid at the time of the sale, PFD may cause all or a portion
of the distribution fees described above to be paid to the broker-dealer.
Class C Plan
The Class C Plan provides that the Fund will pay PFD, as the Fund's
distributor for its Class C shares, a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid
quarterly, equal on an annual basis to 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net
assets attributable to Class C shares and will pay PFD a service fee equal to
0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. PFD
will in turn pay to securities dealers which enter into a sales agreement with
PFD a distribution fee and a service fee at rates of up to 0.75% and 0.25%,
respectively, of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C
shares owned by investors for whom that securities dealer is the holder or
dealer of record. The service fee is intended to be in consideration of personal
services and/or account maintenance services rendered by the dealer with respect
to Class C shares. PFD will advance to dealers the first year's service fee at a
rate equal to 0.25% of the then-current value of the amount invested. As
compensation therefor, PFD may retain the service fee paid by the Fund with
respect to such shares for the first year after purchase. Commencing in the
thirteenth month following a purchase of Class C shares, dealers will become
eligible for additional service fees at a rate of up to 0.25% of the amount
invested and additional compensation at a rate of up to 0.75% of net asset value
of such shares. Dealers may from time to time be required to meet certain other
criteria in order to receive service fees. PFD or its affiliates are entitled to
retain all service fees payable under the Class C Plan for which there is no
dealer of record or for which qualification standards have not been met as
partial consideration for personal services and/or account maintenance services
performed by PFD or its affiliates for shareholder accounts.
The purpose of distribution payments to PFD under the Class C Plan is
to compensate PFD for its distribution services with respect to the Class C
shares of the Fund. PFD pays commissions to dealers as well as expenses of
printing prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses with respect
to the preparation and printing of sales literature and other
distribution-related expenses, including, without limitation, the cost necessary
to provide distribution-related services, or personnel, travel office expenses
and equipment. The Class C Plan also provides that PFD will receive all CDSCs
attributable to Class C shares. (See "Distributions Plans" in the Prospectus.)
When a broker-dealer sells Class C shares and elects, with PFD's approval, to
waive its right to receive the commission normally paid at the time of the sale,
PFD may cause all or a portion of the distribution fees described above to be
paid to the broker-dealer.
General
In accordance with the terms of the Plans, PFD provides to the Fund for
review by the Trustees a quarterly written report of the amounts expended under
the respective Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made. In
the Trustees' quarterly review of the Plans, they will consider the continued
appropriateness and the level of reimbursement or compensation the Plans
provide.
No interested person of the Fund, nor any Trustee of the Fund who is
not an interested person of the Fund, has any direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Plans except to the extent that PFD and certain
of its employees may be deemed to have such an interest as a result of receiving
a portion of the amounts expended under the Plans by the Fund and except to the
extent certain officers may have an interest in PFD's ultimate parent, PGI.
The Plans were adopted by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees,
including all of the Trustees who are not, and were not at the time they voted,
interested persons of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act (none of whom has or
have any direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans)
(the "Qualified Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on the Plans. In approving the Plans, the Trustees identified and
considered a number of potential benefits which the Plans may provide. The Board
of Trustees believes that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will
benefit the Fund and its current and future shareholders. Under their terms, the
Plans remain in effect from year to year provided such continuance is approved
annually by vote of the Trustees in the manner described above. The Plans may
not be amended to increase materially the annual percentage limitation of
average net assets which may be spent for the services described therein without
approval of the shareholders of the Class or Classes affected thereby, and
material amendments of the Plans must also be approved by the Trustees in the
manner described above. A Plan may be terminated at any time, without payment of
any penalty, by vote of the majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operations of the Plan, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the respective Class of the Fund. A
Plan will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in
the 1940 Act). In the Trustees' quarterly review of the Plans, they will
consider the Plans' continued appropriateness and the level of compensation they
provide.
During the fiscal year ended November 30, 1997, the Fund incurred total
distribution fees pursuant to the Fund's Class A Plan, Class B Plan and Class C
Plan of $1,000,910, $808,233, and $75,689, respectively. The distribution fees
were paid by the Fund to PFD in reimbursement of expenses related to servicing
of shareholder accounts and to compensating dealers and sales personnel.
Upon redemption, Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC, Class B
shares are subject to a CDSC at a rate declining from a maximum of 4% of the
lower of the cost or market value of the shares and Class C shares are subject
to a 1% CDSC. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 1997, CDSCs, in the
amount of $198,272 were paid to PFD in reimbursement of expenses related to
servicing of shareholders' accounts and compensation paid to dealers and sales
personnel.
6. SHAREHOLDER SERVICING/TRANSFER AGENT
The Fund has contracted with PSC, 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, to act as shareholder servicing agent and transfer agent
for the Fund. This contract terminates if assigned and may be terminated without
penalty by either party upon ninety days' written notice.
Under the terms of its contract with the Fund, PSC will service
shareholder accounts, and its duties will include: (i) processing sales,
redemptions and exchanges of shares of the Fund; (ii) distributing dividends and
capital gains associated with Fund portfolio accounts; and (iii) maintaining
account records and responding to routine shareholder inquiries.
PSC receives an annual fee of $22.75 per Class A, Class B and Class C
shareholder account from the Fund as compensation for the services described
above. PSC is also reimbursed by the Fund for its out-of-pocket expenditures.
The annual fee is set at an amount determined by vote of a majority of the
Trustees (including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the
contract with PSC or interested persons of any such parties) to be comThe Fund
may compensate entities which have agreed to provide certain sub-accounting
services, such as specific transaction processing and recordkeeping services.
Any such payments by the Fund would be in lieu of the per account fee which
would otherwise be paid by the Fund to PSC.
7. CUSTODIAN
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02109, is the custodian (the "Custodian") of the Fund's assets. The Custodian's
responsibilities include safekeeping and controlling the Fund's cash and
securities in the U.S. as well as in Foreign Countries, handling the receipt and
delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund's
investments. The Custodian fulfills its function in Foreign Countries through a
network of subcustodian banks located in the Foreign Countries (the
"Subcustodians"). The Custodian also provides fund accounting, bookkeeping and
pricing assistance to the Fund and assistance in arranging for forward currency
exchange contracts as described above under "Investment Policies and
Restrictions."
The Custodian does not determine the investment policies of the Fund or
decide which securities it will buy or sell. The Fund may invest in securities
issued by the Custodian or any of the Subcustodians, deposit cash in the
Custodian or any Subcustodian and deal with the Custodian or any of the
Subcustodians as a principal in securities transactions. Portfolio securities
may be deposited into the Federal Reserve-Treasury Department Book Entry System
or the Depository Trust Company in the U.S. or in recognized central
depositories in Foreign Countries. In selecting Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. as
the Custodian for Foreign Countries Securities, the Board of Trustees made
certain determinations required by Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
The Trustees will annually review and approve the continuations of its
international subcustodian arrangements.
8. INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Arthur Andersen LLP, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110,
is the Fund's independent public accountant, providing audit services, tax
return review and assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of
filings with the SEC.
9. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed
on behalf of the Fund by PMC pursuant to authority contained in the Management
Contract. In selecting brokers or dealers, PMC considers other factors relating
to best execution, including, but not limited to, the size and type of the
transaction; the nature and character of the markets of the security to be
purchased or sold; the execution efficiency, settlement capability, and
financial condition of the dealer; the dealer's execution services rendered on a
continuing basis; and the reasonableness of any dealer spreads. Most
transactions in foreign equity securities are executed by broker-dealers in
foreign countries in which commission rates are fixed and, therefore, are not
negotiable (as such rates are in the U.S.) and are generally higher than in the
U.S.
PMC may select broker-dealers which provide brokerage and/or research
services to the Fund and/or other investment companies or other accounts managed
by PMC. Such services may include advice concerning the value of securities; the
advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities; the availability
of securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities; furnishing analyses
and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and
trends, portfolio strategy and performance of accounts; and effecting securities
transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and
settlement). PMC maintains a listing of broker-dealers who provide such services
on a regular basis. However, because many transactions on behalf of the Fund and
other investment companies or accounts managed by PMC are placed with
broker-dealers (including broker-dealers on the listing) without regard to the
furnishing of such services, it is not possible to estimate the proportion of
such transactions directed to such dealers solely because such services were
provided. Management believes that no exact dollar value can be calculated for
such services.
The research received from broker-dealers may be useful to PMC in
rendering investment management services to the Fund as well as to other
investment companies or accounts managed by PMC, although not all of such
research may be useful to the Fund. Conversely, such information provided by
brokers or dealers who have executed transaction orders on behalf of such other
accounts may be useful to PMC in carrying out its obligations to the Fund. The
receipt of such research has not reduced PMC's normal independent research
activities; however, it enables PMC to avoid the additional expenses which might
otherwise be incurred if it was to attempt to develop comparable information
through its own staff.
In circumstances where two or more broker-dealers offer comparable
prices and executions, preference may be given to a broker-dealer which has sold
shares of the Fund as well as shares of other investment companies or accounts
managed by PMC. This policy does not imply a commitment to execute all portfolio
transactions through all broker-dealers that sell shares of the Fund. In
addition, if PMC determines in good faith that the amount of commissions charged
by a broker is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by such broker, the Fund may pay commissions to such broker in
an amount greater than the amount another firm may charge.
In addition to the Fund, PMC acts as investment adviser to the other
Pioneer mutual funds and certain private accounts with investment objectives
similar to those of the Fund. As such, securities may meet investment objectives
of the Fund, such other funds and such private accounts. In such cases, the
decision to recommend to purchase for one fund or account rather than another is
based on a number of factors. The determining factors in most cases are the
amount of securities of the issuer then outstanding, the value of those
securities and the market for them. Other factors considered in the investment
recommendations include other investments which each company presently has in a
particular industry or country and the availability of investment funds in each
mutual fund or account.
It is possible that, at times, identical securities will be held by
more than one mutual fund and/or account. However, the position of any mutual
fund or account in the same issue may vary and the length of time that any
mutual fund or account may choose to hold its investment in the same issue may
likewise vary. To the extent that the Fund, another Pioneer mutual fund or a
private account managed by PMC seeks to acquire the same security at about the
same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a position in such
security as it desires or it may have to pay a higher price for the security.
Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as large an execution of an order
to sell or as high a price for any particular portfolio security if PMC decides
to sell on behalf of another account the same portfolio security at the same
time. On the other hand, if the same securities are bought or sold at the same
time by more than one account, the resulting participation in volume
transactions could produce better executions for the Fund or other account. In
the event that more than one account purchases or sells the same security on a
given date, the purchases and sales will normally be made as nearly as
practicable on a pro rata basis in proportion to the amounts desired to be
purchased or sold by each.
The Trustees periodically review PMC's performance of its
responsibilities in connection with portfolio transactions on behalf of the
Fund.
During the fiscal years ended ,November 30, 1995, November 30, 1996,
and November 30, 1997 the Fund paid or owed aggregate brokerage commissions of
approximately $4,446,977, $5,047,000 and $5,262,000 respectively.
10. TAX STATUS
It is the Fund's policy to meet the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code,
for qualification as a regulated investment company. These requirements relate
to the sources of the Fund's income, the diversification of its assets and the
distribution of its income to shareholders. If the Fund meets all such
requirements and distributes to its shareholders, in accordance with the Code's
timing requirements, all investment company taxable income and net capital gain,
if any, which it earns, the Fund will be relieved of the necessity of paying
federal income tax.
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M, the
Fund must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its annual gross income
from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from
the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or
other income (including gains from options, futures and forward contracts)
derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or
currencies (the "90% income test")and satisfy certain annual distribution and
quarterly diversification requirements.
Dividends from investment company taxable income, which includes net
investment income, net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term
capital loss, and certain net foreign exchange gains, are taxable as ordinary
income, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Dividends
from net long-term capital gain in excess of net short-term capital loss ("net
capital gain"), if any, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional
shares, are taxable to the Fund's shareholders as capital gains for federal
income tax purposes without regard to the length of time shares of the Fund have
been held. As a result of the enactment of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the
"1997 TRA") on August 5, 1997, gain recognized after May 6, 1997 from the sale
of a capital asset is taxable to individual (noncorporate) investors at
different maximum federal income tax rates, depending generally upon the tax
holding period for the asset, the federal income tax bracket of the taxpayer,
and the dates the asset was acquired and/or sold. The Treasury Department has
issued guidance under the 1997 TRA that (subject to possible modification by
future "technical corrections" legislation) enable the Fund to pass through to
its shareholders the benefits of the capital gains tax rates enacted in the 1997
TRA. The Fund will provide appropriate information to its shareholders about its
distributions, including the tax rate(s) applicable to its distributions from
its long-term capital gains, in accordance with this and any future guidance.
Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers on the correct application of
these new rules in their particular circumstances. The federal income tax status
of all distributions will be reported to shareholders annually.
Any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December as of a
record date in such a month and paid during the following January will be
treated for federal income tax purposes as received by shareholders on December
31 of the calendar year in which it is declared.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund in connection with
certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities,
certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign
currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables
denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which
generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and
losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to
shareholders. Under future regulations, any such transactions that are not
directly related to the Fund's investments in stock or securities (or its
options or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may need to be
limited in order to enable the Fund to satisfy the 90% income test. If the net
foreign exchange loss for a year were to exceed the Fund's investment company
taxable income (computed without regard to such loss), the resulting ordinary
loss for such year would not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in
future years.
If the Fund acquires any equity interest (under proposed regulations, generally
including not only stock but also an option to acquire stock such as inherent in
a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of
their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends,
certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or hold at least 50% of their
assets in investments producing such passive income ("passive foreign investment
companies"), the Fund could be subject to federal income tax and additional
interest charges on "excess distributions" received from such companies or gain
from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually
received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would
not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such
a tax. An election may generally be available that would ameliorate these
adverse tax consequences, but any such election could require the Fund to
recognize taxable income or gain (subject to tax distribution requirements)
without the concurrent receipt of cash. These investments could also result in
the treatment of associated capital gains as ordinary income. The Fund may limit
and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to minimize
its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.
If the Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities ("PIKs"), zero coupon
securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities
with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to
include market discount in income currently), the Fund must accrue income on
such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the
receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must distribute,
at least annually, all or substantially all of its net income, including such
accrued income, to shareholders to qualify as a regulated investment company
under the Code and avoid Federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the Fund
may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous
circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the
cash, to satisfy distribution requirements.
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is permitted to carry forward a net
capital loss for any year to offset its capital gains, if any, during the eight
years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent capital gains are
offset by such losses, they would not result in federal income tax liability to
the Fund and therefore are not expected to be distributed as such to
shareholders. As of the end of its most recent taxable year, the Fund had no
capital loss carryforwards.
At the time of an investor's purchase of Fund shares, a portion of the purchase
price may be attributable to realized or unrealized appreciation in the Fund's
portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the Fund. Consequently, subsequent
distributions by the Fund on these shares from such appreciation or income may
be taxable to such investor even if the net asset value of the investor's shares
is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor's cost for such
shares and the distributions economically represent a return of a portion of the
investment.
Redemptions and exchanges are taxable events for shareholders that are subject
to tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to
their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction
in Fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as the following
discussion assumes, and the character of and tax rate applicable to any gains or
losses recognized in such transactions under the new rate structure enacted in
the 1997 TRA. Any loss realized by a shareholder upon the redemption, exchange
or other disposition of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less
will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated
as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares.
In addition, if the Class A shares redeemed or exchanged have been held for less
than 91 days, (1) in the case of a reinvestment in the Fund at net asset value
pursuant to the reinvestment privilege, the sales charge paid on such shares is
not included in their tax basis under the Code, and (2) in the case of an
exchange, all or a portion of the sales charge paid on such shares is not
included in their tax basis under the Code, to the extent a sales charge that
would otherwise apply to the shares received is reduced pursuant to the exchange
privilege. In either case, the portion of the sales charge not included in the
tax basis of the shares redeemed or surrendered in an exchange is included in
the tax basis of the shares acquired in the reinvestment or exchange. Losses on
redemptions or other dispositions of shares may be disallowed under "wash sale"
rules in the event of other investments in the Fund (including those made
pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain distributions) within
a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after a
redemption or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the disallowed
portion of any loss would be included in the federal tax basis of the shares
acquired in the other investments.
Options written or purchased and futures contracts entered into by the Fund on
certain securities, indices and foreign currencies, as well as certain foreign
currency forward contracts, may cause the Fund to recognize gains or losses from
marking-to-market even though such options may not have lapsed, been closed out,
or exercised or such futures or forward contracts may not have been performed or
closed out. The tax rules applicable to these contracts may affect the
characterization as long-term or short-term of some capital gains and losses
realized by the Fund. Certain options, futures and forward contracts relating to
foreign currency may be subject to Section 988, as described above, and may
accordingly produce ordinary income or loss. Additionally, the Fund may be
required to recognize gain if an option, futures contract, forward contract, or
other transaction that is not subject to the mark to market rules is treated as
a "constructive sale" of an "appreciated financial position" held by the Fund
under Section 1259 of the Code. Any net mark to market gains and/or gains from
constructive sales may also have to be distributed to satisfy the distribution
requirements referred to above even though no corresponding cash amounts may
concurrently be received, possibly requiring the disposition of portfolio
securities or borrowing to obtain the necessary cash. Losses on certain options,
futures or forward contracts and/or offsetting positions (portfolio securities
or other positions with respect to which the Fund's risk of loss is
substantially diminished by one or more options, futures or forward contracts)
may also be deferred under the tax straddle rules of the Code, which may also
affect the characterization of capital gains or losses from straddle positions
and certain successor positions as long-term or short-term. Certain tax
elections may be available that would enable the Fund to ameliorate some adverse
effects of the tax rules described in this paragraph. The tax rules applicable
to options, futures, forward contracts and straddles may affect the amount,
timing and character of the Fund's income and losses and hence of its
distributions to shareholders.
The Fund's dividends and distributions will generally not qualify for any
dividends-received deduction that might otherwise be available for certain
dividends received by shareholders that are corporations.
The Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign
countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains with respect
to its investments in those countries. Tax conventions between certain countries
and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. If more than 50%
of the Fund's total assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stock or
securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to pass through to its
shareholders their pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund,
with the result that shareholders would be required to include such taxes in
their gross incomes (in addition to dividends and distributions they actually
received), would treat such taxes as foreign taxes paid by them, and may be
entitled to a tax deduction or credit for such taxes, subject to a holding
period requirement added by the 1997 TRA and other limitations under the Code.
Qualified foreign taxes generally include taxes that would be treated as income
taxes under U.S. tax regulations but do not include most other taxes, such as
stamp taxes, securities transaction taxes, and similar taxes. If the Fund makes
the election described above, shareholders may deduct their pro rata portion of
qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund (not in excess of the tax actually owed
by the Fund) in computing their income subject to U.S. federal income taxation
or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits, subject to applicable
limitations under the Code, against their U.S. federal income taxes.
Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes will
not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata portion of qualified foreign
taxes paid by the Fund, although such shareholders will be required to include
their shares of such taxes in gross income if the Fund makes the election
described above.
If the Fund makes this election and a shareholder chooses to take a credit for
the foreign taxes deemed paid by such shareholder, the amount of the credit that
may be claimed in any year may not exceed the same proportion of the U.S. tax
against which such credit is taken which the shareholder's taxable income from
foreign sources (but not in excess of the shareholder's entire taxable income)
bears to his entire taxable income. For this purpose, long-term and short-term
capital gains the Fund realizes and distributes to shareholders will generally
not be treated as income from foreign sources in their hands, nor will
distributions of certain foreign currency gains subject to Section 988 of the
Code and of any other income realized by the Fund that is deemed, under the
Code, to be U.S.-source income in the hands of the Fund. This foreign tax credit
limitation may also be applied separately to certain specific categories of
foreign-source income and the related foreign taxes. As a result of these rules,
which may have different effects depending upon each shareholder's particular
tax situation, certain shareholders may not be able to claim a credit for the
full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund.
Shareholders who are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes, including
tax-exempt shareholders, will ordinarily not benefit from this election. If the
Fund does make the election, it will provide required tax information to
shareholders. If the Fund does not make the election, it may deduct such taxes
in computing its income available for distribution to shareholders to satisfy
applicable tax distribution requirements.
Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and
deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions, and certain
prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified
retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers for more
information.
A state income (and possibly local income and/or intangible property) tax
exemption is generally available to the extent (if any) the Fund's distributions
are derived from interest on (or, in the case of intangible property taxes, the
value of its assets is attributable to) certain U.S. Government obligations,
provided in some states that certain thresholds for holdings of such obligations
and/or reporting requirements are satisfied. The Fund will not seek to satisfy
any threshold or reporting requirements that may apply in particular taxing
jurisdictions, although the Fund may in its sole discretion provide relevant
information to shareholders.
Federal law requires that the Fund withhold (as "backup withholding") 31% of
reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain dividends and the
proceeds of redemptions (including exchanges) and repurchases to shareholders
who have not complied with IRS regulations. In order to avoid this withholding
requirement, shareholders must certify on their Account Applications, or on
separate IRS Forms W-9, that the Social Security Number or other Taxpayer
Identification Number they provide is their correct number and that they are not
currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are exempt from backup
withholding. The Fund may nevertheless be required to withhold if it receives
notice from the IRS or a broker that the number provided is incorrect or backup
withholding is applicable as a result of previous underreporting of interest or
dividend income.
If, as anticipated, the Fund continues to qualify as a regulated investment
company under the Code, it will not be required to pay any Massachusetts income,
corporate excise or franchise taxes.
The description of certain federal tax provisions above relates only to U.S.
federal income tax consequences for shareholders who are U.S. persons, i.e.,
U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or
estates, and who are subject to U.S. federal income tax. This description does
not address the special tax rules that may be applicable to particular types of
investors, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, securities
dealers, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts or entities. Investors
other than U.S. persons may be subject to different U.S. tax treatment,
including a possible 30% non-resident alien U.S. withholding tax (or
non-resident alien withholding tax at a lower treaty rate) on amounts treated as
ordinary dividends from the Fund and, unless an effective IRS Form W-8 or
authorized substitute for Form W-8 is on file, to 31% backup withholding on
certain other payments from the Fund. Shareholders should consult their own tax
advisers on these matters and on state, local and other applicable tax laws.
11. DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Fund's Declaration of Trust permits the Board of Trustees to
authorize the issuance of an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of
beneficial interest (without par value) which may be divided into such separate
series as the Trustees may establish. Currently, the Fund consists of only one
series. The Trustees may, however, establish additional series of shares, and
may divide or combine the shares into a greater or lesser number of shares
without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Fund. The
Declaration of Trust further authorizes the Trustees to classify or reclassify
any series of the shares into one or more classes. Pursuant thereto, the
Trustees have authorized the issuance of three classes of shares of the Fund,
Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Each share of a class of the Fund
represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the Fund allocable
to that class. Upon liquidation of the Fund, shareholders of each class of the
Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the Fund's net assets allocable to such
class available for distribution to shareholders. The Fund reserves the right to
create and issue additional series or classes of shares, in which case the
shares of each class of a series would participate equally in the earnings,
dividends and assets allocable to that class of the particular series.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held and may vote
in the election of Trustees and on other matters submitted to meetings of
shareholders. Although Trustees are not elected annually by the shareholders,
shareholders have, under certain circumstances, the right to remove one or more
Trustees. No amendment adversely affecting the rights of shareholders may be
made to the Fund's Declaration of Trust without the affirmative vote of a
majority of its shares. Shares have no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares
are fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust, except as stated below. See
"Certain Liabilities."
12. CERTAIN LIABILITIES
As a Massachusetts business trust, the Fund's operations are governed
by its Declaration of Trust dated October 26, 1992, a copy of which is on file
with the Office of the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Theoretically, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the trust.
However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund or any series of the Fund and
provides that notice of such disclaimer may be given in each agreement,
obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or its Trustees.
Moreover, the Declaration of Trust provides for the indemnification out of Fund
property of any shareholders held personally liable for any obligations of the
Fund or any series of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the
Fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any
shareholder for any act or obligation of the Fund and satisfy any judgment
thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss beyond his or
her investment because of shareholder liability would be limited to
circumstances in which the Fund itself will be unable to meet its obligations.
In light of the nature of the Fund's business and the nature and amount of its
assets, the possibility of the Fund's liabilities exceeding its assets, and
therefore a shareholder's risk of personal liability, is remote.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Fund shall indemnify
each of its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses reasonably
incurred by them, in connection with, or arising out of, any action, suit or
proceeding, threatened against or otherwise involving such Trustee or officer,
directly or indirectly, by reason of being or having been a Trustee or officer
of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust does not authorize the Fund to indemnify
any Trustee or officer against any liability to which he or she would otherwise
be subject by reason of or for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence
or reckless disregard of such person's duties.
13. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of each class of the Fund is determined
as of the close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each
day on which the Exchange is open for trading. As of the date of this Statement
of Additional Information, the Exchange is open for trading every weekday except
for the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The net asset value per share of each class
of the Fund is also determined on any other day in which the level of trading in
its portfolio securities is sufficiently high so that the current net asset
value per share might be materially affected by changes in the value of its
portfolio securities. The Fund is not required to determine its net asset value
per share on any day in which no purchase orders for the shares of the Fund
become effective and no shares are tendered for redemption.
The net asset value per share of each class of the Fund is computed by
taking the value of all of the Fund's assets attributable to that class, less
the Fund's liabilities attributable to that class, and dividing the result by
the number of outstanding shares of that class. For purposes of determining net
asset value, expenses of the classes of the Fund are accrued daily.
Securities which have not traded on the date of valuation or securities
for which sales prices are not generally reported are valued at the mean between
the last bid and asked prices. Securities for which no market quotations are
readily available (including those the trading of which has been suspended) will
be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees,
although the actual computations may be made by persons acting pursuant to the
direction of the Board. The maximum offering price per Class A share is the net
asset value per Class A share, plus the maximum sales charge. Class B and Class
C shares are offered at net asset value without the imposition of an initial
sales charge.
14. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
The Systematic Withdrawal Plan ("SWP") is designed to provide a
convenient method of receiving fixed payments at regular intervals from the Fund
deposited by the applicant under the SWP. The applicant must deposit or purchase
for deposit with PSC shares of the Fund having a total value of not less than
$10,000. Periodic payments of $50 or more will be deposited monthly or quarterly
directly into a bank account designated by the applicant, or will be sent by
check to the applicant, or to any person designated by the applicant. A
designation of a third party to receive payments requires an acceptable
signature guarantee. Withdrawals from Class B and Class C share accounts are
limited to 10% of the value of the account at the time the SWP is implemented.
See "Waiver or Reduction of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" in the Prospectus.
Any income dividends or capital gains distributions on shares under the
SWP will be credited to the SWP account on the payment date in full and
fractional shares at the net asset value per share in effect on the record date.
SWP payments are made from the proceeds of the redemption of shares
deposited under the SWP in a SWP account. To the extent that such redemptions
for periodic withdrawals exceed dividend income reinvested in the SWP account,
such redemptions will reduce and may ultimately exhaust the number of shares
deposited in the SWP account. Redemptions are taxable transactions to
shareholders. In addition, the amounts received by a shareholder cannot be
considered as an actual yield or income on his or her investment because part of
such payments may be a return of his or her investment.
The SWP may be terminated at any time (1) by written notice to PSC or
from PSC to the shareholder; (2) upon receipt by PSC of appropriate evidence of
the shareholder's death; or (3) when all shares under the SWP been redeemed.
15. LETTER OF INTENT (Class A only)
A Letter of Intent ( "LOI") may be established by completing the LOI
section of the Account Application. When you sign the Account Application, you
agree to irrevocably appoint PSC your attorney-in-fact to surrender for
redemption any or all shares held in escrow with full power of substitution. An
LOI is not a binding obligation upon the investor to purchase, or the Fund to
sell, the full amount indicated.
If the total purchases, less redemptions, exceed the amount specified
under the LOI and are in an amount which would qualify for a further quantity
discount, all transactions will be recomputed on the expiration date of the LOI
to effect the lower sales charge. Any difference in the sales charge resulting
from such recomputation will be either delivered to you in cash or invested in
additional shares at the lower sales charge. The dealer, by signing the Account
Application, agrees to return to PFD, as part of such retroactive adjustment,
the excess of the commission previously reallowed or paid to the dealer over
that which is applicable to the actual amount of the total purchases under the
LOI.
If the total purchases, less redemptions, are less than the amount
specified under the LOI, you must remit to PFD any difference between the sales
charge on the amount actually purchased and the amount originally specified in
the LOI section of the Account Application. When the difference is paid, the
shares held in escrow will be deposited to your account. If you do not pay the
difference in sales charge within 20 days after written request from PFD or your
dealer, PSC, after receiving instructions from PFD, will redeem the appropriate
number of shares held in escrow to realize the difference and release any
excess. See "How to Purchase Fund Shares Letter of Intent" in the Prospectus for
more information.
16. INVESTMENT RESULTS
One of the primary methods used to measure the performance of a class
of the Fund is "total return." "Total return" will normally represent the
percentage change in value of an account, or of a hypothetical investment in a
class of the Fund, over any period up to the lifetime of that class of the Fund.
Total return calculations will usually assume the reinvestment of all dividends
and capital gains distributions and will be expressed as a percentage increase
or decrease from an initial value, for the entire period or for one or more
specified periods within the entire period. Total return percentages for periods
of less than one year will usually be annualized; total return percentages for
periods longer than one year will usually be accompanied by total return
percentages for each year within the period and/or by the average annual
compounded total return for the period. The income and capital components of a
given return may be separated and portrayed in a variety of ways in order to
illustrate their relative significance. Performance may also be portrayed in
terms of cash or investment values, without percentages. Past performance cannot
guarantee any particular future result.
The Fund's average annual total return quotations for each class of its
shares as that information may appear in the Prospectus, this Statement of
Additional Information or in advertising are calculated by standard methods
prescribed by the SEC.
Standardized Average Annual Total Return Quotations
Average annual total return quotations for a class of shares are
computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return that would
cause a hypothetical investment in that class made on the first day of a
designated period (assuming all dividends and distributions are reinvested) to
equal the ending redeemable value of such hypothetical investment on the last
day of the designated period in accordance with the following formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000, less the
maximum sales load of $57.50 for Class A shares or
the deduction of any CDSC for Class B or Class C
shares at the end of the period.
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the hypothetical $1,000
initial payment made at the beginning of the
designated period (or fractional portion thereof)
For purposes of the above computation, it is assumed that the maximum
sales charge of 5.75% was deducted from the initial investment and that all
dividends and distributions made by the Fund are reinvested at net asset value
during the designated period. The average annual total return quotation is
determined to the nearest 1/100 of 1%.
In determining the average annual total return (calculated as provided
above), recurring fees, if any, that are charged to all shareholder accounts of
a particular class are taken into consideration. For any account fees that vary
with the size of the account, the account fee used for purposes of the above
computation is assumed to be the fee that would be charged to the class' mean
account size.
The average annual total returns for Class A shares, Class B shares and
Class C shares (giving effect to the prior expense limitation) are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
For the fiscal year
ended Life-of- Inception
November 30, 1997 Class Date
Class A Shares 2.98% 13.70% 3/25/93
Class B Shares 4.44% 5.73% 4/4/94
Class C Shares 8.45% 6.09% 1/31/96
</TABLE>
The total return figures would be reduced if no effect were given to
the expense limitation previously in place.
Other Quotations, Comparisons, and General Information
From time to time, in advertisements, in sales literature, or in
reports to shareholders, the past performance of the Fund may be illustrated
and/or compared with that of other mutual funds with similar investment
objectives, and to stock or other relevant indices. For example, total return of
the Fund's classes may be compared to averages or rankings prepared by Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., a widely recognized independent service which
monitors mutual fund performance; the Europe Australia Far East Index ("EAFE"),
an unmanaged index of international stock markets, Morgan Stanley Capital
International USA Index, an unmanaged index of U.S. domestic stock markets, or
other appropriate indices of Morgan Stanley Capital International ("MSCI"); the
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S&P 500"), an unmanaged index of common
stocks; or the Dow Jones Industrial Average, a recognized unmanaged index of
common stocks of 30 industrial companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
In addition, the performance of the classes of the Fund may be compared
to alternative investment or savings vehicles and/or to indices or indicators of
economic activity, e.g., inflation or interest rates. Performance rankings and
listings reported in newspapers or national business and financial publications,
such as Barron's, Business Week, Consumer's Digest, Consumer Reports, Financial
World, Forbes, Fortune, Investors Business Daily, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Magazine, Money Magazine, the New York Times, Smart Money, USA Today, U.S. News
and World Report, The Wall Street Journal and Worth may also be cited (if the
Fund is listed in any such publication) or used for comparison, as well as
performance listings and rankings from various other sources including Bloomberg
Financial Systems, CDA/Wiesenberger Investment Companies Service, Donoghue's
Mutual Fund Almanac, Investment Company Data, Inc., Johnson's Charts, Kanon
Bloch Carre & Co., Micropal, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Schabacker Investment
Management and Towers Data Systems.
In addition, from time to time, quotations from articles from financial
publications, such as those listed above, may be used in advertisements, in
sales literature or in reports to shareholders of the Fund.
The Fund may also present, from time to time, historical information
depicting the value of a hypothetical account in one or more classes of the Fund
since the Fund's inception.
In presenting investment results, the Fund may also include references
to certain financial planning concepts, including (a) an investor's need to
evaluate his financial assets and obligations to determine how much to invest;
(b) his need to analyze the objectives of various investments to determine where
to invest; and (c) his need to analyze his time frame for future capital needs
to determine how long to invest. The investor controls these three factors, all
of which affect the use of investments in building assets.
Automated Information Line
FactFoneSM, Pioneer's 24-hour automated information line, allows
shareholders to dial toll-free 1-800-225-4321 and hear recorded fund
information, including:
o net asset value prices for all Pioneer mutual funds;
o annualized 30-day yields on Pioneer's fixed income funds;
o annualized 7-day yields and 7-day effective (compound) yields
for Pioneer's market fund; and
o dividends and capital gains distributions on all Pioneer
mutual funds.
Yields are calculated in accordance with standard formulas mandated by the SEC.
In addition, by using a personal identification number ("PIN"),
shareholders may enter purchases, exchanges and redemptions, access their
account balance and last three transactions and may order a duplicate statement.
See "FactFoneSM" in the Prospectus for more information.
All performance numbers communicated through FactFoneSM represent past
performance and include the maximum applicable sales charge. A shareholder's
actual yield and total return will vary with changing market conditions. The
value of Class A, Class B and Class C shares (except for Pioneer Cash Reserves
Fund, which seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 share price) will also vary and may
be worth more or less at redemption than their original cost.
17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's Annual Report, filed with the SEC on January 28, 1998
(Accession No. 0000893660-98-000003), is incorporated by reference into this
Statement of Additional Information. The financial statements therein, including
the financial highlights, for the period ended November 30, 1997, included or
incorporated by reference into the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are included
in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing in giving said report.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SHORT-TERM DEBT AND CORPORATE BOND RATINGS1
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. SHORT-TERM PRIME RATING SYSTEM
- - TAXABLE DEBT AND DEPOSITS GLOBALLY
Moody's short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay
punctually senior debt obligations. These obligations have an original maturity
not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted.
Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment
grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
Prime-1: Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment
ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:
Leading market positions in well-established industries. High rates of
return on funds employed.
Conservative capitalization structure 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.
Prime-2: Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt 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, may be more subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Prime-3: Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable
ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry
characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in
earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection
measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate
alternate liquidity is maintained.
Not Prime: Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating
categories.
Obligations of a branch of a bank are considered to be domiciled in the country
in which the branch is located. Unless noted as an exception, Moody's rating on
a bank's ability to repay senior obligations extends only to branches located in
countries which carry a Moody's Sovereign Rating for Bank Deposits. Such branch
obligations are rated at the lower of the bank's rating or Moody's Sovereign
Rating for Bank Deposits for the country in which the branch is located.
When the currency in which an obligation is denominated is not the same as the
currency of the country in which the obligation is domiciled, Moody's ratings do
- ------------------------
1 The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings
available at the date of this Statement of Additional Information for the
securitsi listed. Ratings are generally given to securiteis at the time of
issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings,
they undertake no obligations to do so , and the ratings indicated do not
necessarily represent ratings which will be given to these securities on the
date of the Fund's fiscal year-end.
<PAGE>
not incorporate an opinion as to whether payment of the obligation will be
affected by actions of the government controlling the currency of denomination.
In addition, risks associated with bilateral conflicts between an investor's
home country and either the issuer's home country or the country where an
issuer's branch is located are not incorporated into Moody's short-term debt
ratings.
If an issuer represents to Moody's that its short-term debt obligations are
supported by the credit of another entity or entities, then the name or names of
such supporting entity or entities are listed within the parenthesis beneath the
name of the issuer, or there is a footnote referring the reader to another page
for the name or names of the supporting entity or entities. In assigning ratings
to such issuers, Moody's evaluates the financial strength of the affiliated
corporations, commercial banks, insurance companies, foreign governments or
other entities, but only as one factor in the total rating assessment.
MOODY'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C: Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicated that the obligation
ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicated
a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of
that generic rating category.
STANDARD & POOR'S SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS
A-1: A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by
Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are
designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to
meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2: A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3: A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely
to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation.
B: A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties
which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
C: A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D: A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category
is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action
if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
AAA: An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is extremely strong.
AA: An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only in a
small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is very strong.
A: An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in
higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB: An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C
the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major
exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to the
obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated
BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will
likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
CCC: An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of
adverse business, financial or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to
have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC: An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C: The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has
been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are
being continued.
D: An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used
when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action
if payments are jeopardized.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): The rating from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition
of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major categories.
r: This symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant
noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected
returns which are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples include:
obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities;
obligations exposed to severe prepayment risk, such as interest-only or
principal-only mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky
interest terms, such as inverse floaters.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Pioneer International Growth Fund A Shares
Date Initial Offering Sales Charge Shares Net Asset Initial Net
Investment Price Purchased Value Asset
Included Per Share Value
3/25/93 $10,000 $15.92 5.75% 628.141 $15.00 $9,425
Dividends and Capital Gains Reinvested
Value of Shares
Date From From Cap. From Dividends Total Value
Investment Gains
Reinvested Reinvested
12/31/93 $14,020 $928 $20 $14,968
12/31/94 $12,576 $1,567 $18 $14,161
12/31/95 $13,524 $1,686 $19 $15,229
12/31/96 $13,843 $2,965 $142 $16,950
12/31/97 $11,703 $5,149 $1,074 $17,926
<PAGE>
Pioneer International Growth Fund B Shares
Date Initial Offering Price Sales Charge Shares Net Asset Initial Net
Investment Purchased Value Asset
Included Per Share Value
4/4/94 $10,000 $21.06 4.00% 474.834 $21.06 $10,000
Dividends and Capital Gains Reinvested
Value of Shares
Date From From Cap. From Dividends Total Value
Investment Gains
Reinvested Reinvested
12/31/94 $9,454 $521 $0 $9,975
12/31/95 $10,085 $556 $0 $10,241
12/31/96 $10,285 $1,444 $16 $11,445
12/31/97 $8,652 $3,078 $597 $12,027
<PAGE>
Pioneer International Growth Fund C Shares
Date Initial Offering Price Shares Purchased Net Asset Value Intitial Net Asset Value
Investment per Share
1/31/96 $10,000.00 $22.46 445.236 $22.46 $10,000
Value of Shares
Date From Investment From Cap Gains From Dividends Contingent Total Value If CDSC Percentage
Reinvested Reinvested Deferred Sales Redeemed
Charge If
Redeemed
12/31/96 $9,564 $779 $73 $96 $10,320 1.00%
12/31/97 $8,028 $2,323 $599 0 $10,950 0%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE
INDEX DESCRIPTIONS
The following securities indices are well known, unmanaged measures of market
performance. Advertisements and sales literature for the Fund may refer to these
indices or may present comparisons between the performance of the Fund and one
or more of the indices. Other indices may also be used, if appropriate. The
indices are not available for direct investment. The data presented are not
meant to be indicative of the performance of the Fund, do not reflect past
performance and do not guarantee future results.
S&P 500
This index is a readily available, carefully constructed, market value weighted
benchmark of common stock performance. Currently, the S&P 500 includes 500 of
the largest stocks (in terms of stock market value) in the U.S.
DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE
This is a total return index based on the performance of stocks of 30 blue chip
companies widely held by individuals and institutional investors. The 30 stocks
represent about a fifth of the $8 trillion-plus market value of all U.S. stocks
and about a fourth of the value of stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE).
U.S. SMALL STOCK INDEX
This index is a market value weighted index of the ninth and tenth deciles of
the NYSE, plus stocks listed on the American Stock Exchange and over the counter
with the same or less capitalization as the upper bound of the NYSE ninth
decile.
U.S. INFLATION
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), not seasonally
adjusted, is used to measure inflation, which is the rate of change of consumer
goods prices. Unfortunately, the inflation rate as derived by the CPI is not
measured over the same period as the other asset returns. All of the security
returns are measured from one month-end to the next month-end. CPI commodity
prices are collected during the month. Thus, measured inflation rates lag the
other series by about one-half month. Prior to January 1978, the CPI (as
compared with CPI-U) was used. Both inflation measures are constructed by the
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, DC.
S&P/BARRA INDEXES
The S&P/BARRA Growth and Value Indexes are constructed by dividing the stocks in
the S&P 500 according to price-to-book ratios. The Growth Index contains stocks
with higher price-to-book ratios, and the Value Index contains stocks with lower
price-to-book ratios. Both indexes are market capitalization weighted.
MERRILL LYNCH MICRO-CAP INDEX
The Merrill Lynch Micro-Cap Index represents the performance of 2,036 stocks
ranging in market capitalization from $50 million to $220 million. Index returns
are calculated monthly.
LONG-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT BONDS
The total returns on long-term government bonds after 1977 are constructed with
data from The Wall Street Journal and are calculated as the change in the flat
price or and-interest price. From 1926 to 1976, data are obtained from the
government bond file at the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP),
Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago. Each year, a one-bond
portfolio with a term of approximately 20 years and a reasonably current coupon
was used and whose returns did not reflect potential tax benefits, impaired
negotiability or special redemption or call privileges. Where callable bonds had
to be used, the term of the bond was assumed to be a simple average of the
maturity and first call dates minus the current date. The bond was "held" for
the calendar year and returns were computed.
INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT BONDS
Total returns of intermediate-term government bonds after 1987 are calculated
from The Wall Street Journal prices, using the change in flat price. Returns
from 1934 to 1986 are obtained from the CRSP government bond file.
Each year, one-bond portfolios are formed, the bond chosen is the shortest
noncallable bond with a maturity not less than five years, and this bond is
"held" for the calendar year. Monthly returns are computed. (Bonds with impaired
negotiability or special redemption privileges are omitted, as are partially or
fully tax-exempt bonds starting with 1943.) From 1934 to 1942, almost all bonds
with maturities near five years were partially or fully tax-exempt and were
selected using the rules described above. Personal tax rates were generally low
in that period, so that yields on tax-exempt bonds were similar to yields on
taxable bonds. From 1926 to 1933, there are few bonds suitable for construction
of a series with a five-year maturity. For this period, five-year bond yield
estimates are used.
MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL ("MSCI")
MSCI's international indices are based on the share prices of approximately
1,700 companies listed on stock exchanges in the 22 countries that make up the
MSCI World Index. MSCI's emerging market indices are comprised of approximately
1000 stocks from 26 countries.
Countries in the MSCI EAFE Index are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.
Countries in the MSCI Emerging Markets Free Index are: Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
China Free, Czech Republic, Colombia, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia Free,
Israel, Jordan, Korea (at 50%), Malaysia Free, Mexico Free, Pakistan, Peru,
Philippines Free, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (at 50%),
Thailand Free, Turkey and Venezuela.
6-MONTH CDs
Data sources include the Federal Reserve Bulletin and The Wall Street Journal.
LONG-TERM U.S. CORPORATE BONDS
Since 1969, corporate bond total returns are represented by the Salomon Brothers
Long-Term High-Grade Corporate Bond Index. As most large corporate bond
transactions take place over the counter, a major dealer is the natural source
of these data. The index includes nearly all Aaa- and Aa-rated bonds with at
least 10 years to maturity. If a bond is downgraded during a particular month,
its return for the month is included in the index before removing the bond from
future portfolios.
From 1926 to 1968 the total returns were calculated by summing the capital
appreciation returns and the income returns. For the period 1946 to 1968,
Ibbotson and Sinquefield backdated the Salomon Brothers' index, using Salomon
Brothers' monthly yield data with a methodology similar to that used by Salomon
Brothers for 1969 to 1995. Capital appreciation returns were calculated from
yields assuming (at the beginning of each monthly holding period) a 20-year
maturity, a bond price equal to par, and a coupon equal to the
beginning-of-period yield. For the period 1926 to 1945, Standard & Poor's
monthly high-grade corporate composite yield data were used, assuming a 4%
coupon and a 20-year maturity. The conventional present-value formula for bond
price for the beginning and end-of-month prices was used. (This formula is
presented in Ross, Stephen A., and Westerfield, Randolph W. Corporate Finance,
Times Mirror/Mosby, St. Louis, 1990, p. 97 ["Level-Coupon Bonds"].) The monthly
income return was assumed to be one-twelfth the coupon.
U.S. (30-DAY) TREASURY BILLS
For the U.S. Treasury Bill Index, data from The Wall Street Journal are used
after 1977; the CRSP government bond file is the source until 1976. Each month a
one-bill portfolio containing the shortest-term bill having not less than one
month to maturity is constructed. (The bill's original term to maturity is not
relevant.) To measure holding period returns for the one-bill portfolio, the
bill is priced as of the last trading day of the previous month-end and as of
the last trading day of the current month.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
("NAREIT")EQUITY REIT INDEX
All of the data are based upon the last closing price of the month for all
tax-qualified REITs listed on the NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ. The data are
market-value-weighted. Prior to 1987 REITs were added to the index the January
following their listing. Since 1987 newly formed or listed REITs are added to
the total shares outstanding figure in the month that the shares are issued.
Only common shares issued by the REIT are included in the index. The total
return calculation is based upon the weighting at the beginning of the period.
Only those REITs listed for the entire period are used in the total return
calculation. Dividends are included in the month based upon their payment date.
There is no smoothing of income. Liquidating dividends, whether full or partial,
are treated as income.
RUSSELL U.S. EQUITY INDEXES
The Russell 3000(R) Index (the "Russell 3000") is comprised of the 3,000 largest
U.S. companies as determined by market capitalization representing approximately
98% of the U.S. equity market. The average market capitalization is
approximately $2.8 billion. The Russell 2500TM Index measures performance of the
2,500 smallest companies in the Russell 3000. The average market capitalization
is approximately $733.4 million, and the largest company in the index has an
approximate market capitalization of $2.9 billion. The Russell 2000(R) Index
measures performance of the 2,000 smallest stocks in the Russell 3000; the
largest company in the index has a market capitalization of approximately $1.1
billion. The Russell 1000(R) Index (the "Russell 1000") measures the performance
of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000. The average market
capitalization is approximately $7.6 billion. The smallest company in the index
has an approximate market capitalization of $1.1 billion. The Russell MidcapTM
Index measures performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000.
The largest company in the index has an approximate market capitalization of
$8.0 billion.
The Russell indexes are reconstituted annually as of July 1, based on May 31
market capitalization rankings.
WILSHIRE REAL ESTATE SECURITIES INDEX
The Wilshire Real Estate Securities Index is a market capitalization weighted
index of 120 publicly traded real estate securities, such as REITs, real estate
operating companies ("REOCs") and partnerships.
The index contains performance data on five major categories of property:
office, retail, industrial, apartment and miscellaneous. The companies in the
index are 91.66% equity and hybrid REITs and 8.33% REOCs.
STANDARD & POOR'S MIDCAP 400 INDEX
The S&P 400 is a market-capitalization-weighted index. The performance data for
the index were calculated by taking the stocks presently in the index and
tracking them backwards in time as long as there were prices reported. No
attempt was made to determine what stocks "might have been" in the S&P 400 five
or ten years ago had it existed. Dividends are reinvested on a monthly basis
prior to June 30, 1991, and are reinvested daily thereafter.
LIPPER BALANCED FUNDS INDEX
This index represents equally weighted performance, adjusted for capital gains
distributions and income dividends, of approximately 30 of the largest funds
with a primary objective of conserving principal by maintaining at all times a
balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds. Typically, the stock/bond ratio ranges
around 60%/40%.
BANK SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Data sources include the U.S. League of Savings Institutions Sourcebook; average
annual yield on savings deposits in FSLIC [FDIC] insured savings institutions
for the years 1963 to 1987; and The Wall Street Journal thereafter.
Sources: Ibbotson Associates, Towers Data Systems,
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Merrill Lynch and PGI
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dow S&P/ S&P/
S&P Jones U.S. Small BARRA BARRA Merrill Lynch
500 Industrial Stock U.S. 500 500 Micro-Cap
Average Index Inflation Growth Value Index
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 11.62 N/A 0.28 -1.49 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1927 37.49 N/A 22.10 -2.08 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1928 43.61 55.38 39.69 -0.97 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1929 -8.42 -13.64 -51.36 0.20 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1930 -24.90 -30.22 -38.15 -6.03 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1931 -43.34 -49.02 -49.75 -9.52 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1932 -8.19 -16.88 -5.39 -10.30 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1933 53.99 73.72 142.87 0.51 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1934 -1.44 8.08 24.22 2.03 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1935 47.67 43.77 40.19 2.99 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1936 33.92 30.23 64.80 1.21 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1937 -35.03 -28.88 -58.01 3.10 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1938 31.12 33.16 32.80 -2.78 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1939 -0.41 1.31 0.35 -0.48 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1940 -9.78 -7.96 -5.16 0.96 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1941 -11.59 -9.88 -9.00 9.72 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1942 20.34 14.12 44.51 9.29 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1943 25.90 19.06 88.37 3.16 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1944 19.75 17.19 53.72 2.11 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1945 36.44 31.60 73.61 2.25 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1946 -8.07 -4.40 -11.63 18.16 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1947 5.71 7.61 0.92 9.01 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1948 5.50 4.27 -2.11 2.71 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1949 18.79 20.92 19.75 -1.80 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1950 31.71 26.40 38.75 5.79 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1951 24.02 21.77 7.80 5.87 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1952 18.37 14.58 3.03 0.88 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1953 -0.99 2.02 -6.49 0.62 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1954 52.62 51.25 60.58 -0.50 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1955 31.56 26.58 20.44 0.37 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1956 6.56 7.10 4.28 2.86 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1957 -10.78 -8.63 -14.57 3.02 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1958 43.36 39.31 64.89 1.76 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1959 11.96 20.21 16.40 1.50 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1960 0.47 -6.14 -3.29 1.48 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1961 26.89 22.60 32.09 0.67 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1962 -8.73 -7.43 -11.90 1.22 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1963 22.80 20.83 23.57 1.65 N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dow S&P/ S&P/
S&P Jones U.S. Small BARRA 500 BARRA Merrill Lynch
500 Industrial Stock U.S. Growth 500 Micro-Cap
Average Index Inflation Value Index
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1964 16.48 18.85 23.52 1.19 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1965 12.45 14.39 41.75 1.92 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1966 -10.06 -15.78 -7.01 3.35 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1967 23.98 19.16 83.57 3.04 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1968 11.06 7.93 35.97 4.72 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1969 -8.50 -11.78 -25.05 6.11 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1970 4.01 9.21 -17.43 5.49 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1971 14.31 9.83 16.50 3.36 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1972 18.98 18.48 4.43 3.41 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1973 -14.66 -13.28 -30.90 8.80 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1974 -26.47 -23.58 -19.95 12.20 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1975 37.20 44.75 52.82 7.01 31.72 43.38 N/A
Dec 1976 23.84 22.82 57.38 4.81 13.84 34.93 N/A
Dec 1977 -7.18 -12.84 25.38 6.77 -11.82 -2.57 N/A
Dec 1978 6.56 2.79 23.46 9.03 6.78 6.16 27.76
Dec 1979 18.44 10.55 43.46 13.31 15.72 21.16 43.18
Dec 1980 32.42 22.17 39.88 12.40 39.40 23.59 32.32
Dec 1981 -4.91 -3.57 13.88 8.94 -9.81 0.02 9.18
Dec 1982 21.41 27.11 28.01 3.87 22.03 21.04 33.62
Dec 1983 22.51 25.97 39.67 3.80 16.24 28.89 42.44
Dec 1984 6.27 1.31 -6.67 3.95 2.33 10.52 -14.97
Dec 1985 32.16 33.55 24.66 3.77 33.31 29.68 22.89
Dec 1986 18.47 27.10 6.85 1.13 14.50 21.67 3.45
Dec 1987 5.23 5.48 -9.30 4.41 6.50 3.68 -13.84
Dec 1988 16.81 16.14 22.87 4.42 11.95 21.67 22.76
Dec 1989 31.49 32.19 10.18 4.65 36.40 26.13 8.06
Dec 1990 -3.17 -0.56 -21.56 6.11 0.20 -6.85 -29.55
Dec 1991 30.55 24.19 44.63 3.06 38.37 22.56 57.44
Dec 1992 7.67 7.41 23.35 2.90 5.07 10.53 36.62
Dec 1993 9.99 16.94 20.98 2.75 1.68 18.60 31.32
Dec 1994 1.31 5.06 3.11 2.67 3.13 -0.64 1.81
Dec 1995 37.43 36.84 34.46 2.54 38.13 36.99 30.70
Dec 1996 23.07 28.84 17.62 3.32 23.96 21.99 13.88
Dec 1997 33.36 24.88 22.78 1.92 36.52 29.98 24.61
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Long- Intermediate- MSCI Long-
Term Term U.S. EAFE 6- Term U.S. U.S.
U.S. Gov't Government (Net of Month Corporate T-Bill
Bonds Bonds Taxes) CDs Bonds (30-Day)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 7.77 5.38 N/A N/A 7.37 3.27
Dec 1927 8.93 4.52 N/A N/A 7.44 3.12
Dec 1928 0.10 0.92 N/A N/A 2.84 3.56
Dec 1929 3.42 6.01 N/A N/A 3.27 4.75
Dec 1930 4.66 6.72 N/A N/A 7.98 2.41
Dec 1931 -5.31 -2.32 N/A N/A -1.85 1.07
Dec 1932 16.84 8.81 N/A N/A 10.82 0.96
Dec 1933 -0.07 1.83 N/A N/A 10.38 0.30
Dec 1934 10.03 9.00 N/A N/A 13.84 0.16
Dec 1935 4.98 7.01 N/A N/A 9.61 0.17
Dec 1936 7.52 3.06 N/A N/A 6.74 0.18
Dec 1937 0.23 1.56 N/A N/A 2.75 0.31
Dec 1938 5.53 6.23 N/A N/A 6.13 -0.02
Dec 1939 5.94 4.52 N/A N/A 3.97 0.02
Dec 1940 6.09 2.96 N/A N/A 3.39 0.00
Dec 1941 0.93 0.50 N/A N/A 2.73 0.06
Dec 1942 3.22 1.94 N/A N/A 2.60 0.27
Dec 1943 2.08 2.81 N/A N/A 2.83 0.35
Dec 1944 2.81 1.80 N/A N/A 4.73 0.33
Dec 1945 10.73 2.22 N/A N/A 4.08 0.33
Dec 1946 -0.10 1.00 N/A N/A 1.72 0.35
Dec 1947 -2.62 0.91 N/A N/A -2.34 0.50
Dec 1948 3.40 1.85 N/A N/A 4.14 0.81
Dec 1949 6.45 2.32 N/A N/A 3.31 1.10
Dec 1950 0.06 0.70 N/A N/A 2.12 1.20
Dec 1951 -3.93 0.36 N/A N/A -2.69 1.49
Dec 1952 1.16 1.63 N/A N/A 3.52 1.66
Dec 1953 3.64 3.23 N/A N/A 3.41 1.82
Dec 1954 7.19 2.68 N/A N/A 5.39 0.86
Dec 1955 -1.29 -0.65 N/A N/A 0.48 1.57
Dec 1956 -5.59 -0.42 N/A N/A -6.81 2.46
Dec 1957 7.46 7.84 N/A N/A 8.71 3.14
Dec 1958 -6.09 -1.29 N/A N/A -2.22 1.54
Dec 1959 -2.26 -0.39 N/A N/A -0.97 2.95
Dec 1960 13.78 11.76 N/A N/A 9.07 2.66
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Long- Intermediate- MSCI Long-
Term Term U.S. EAFE 6- Term U.S. U.S.
U.S. Gov't Government (Net of Month Corporate T-Bill
Bonds Bonds Taxes) CDs Bonds (30-Day)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1961 0.97 1.85 N/A N/A 4.82 2.13
Dec 1962 6.89 5.56 N/A N/A 7.95 2.73
Dec 1963 1.21 1.64 N/A N/A 2.19 3.12
Dec 1964 3.51 4.04 N/A 4.17 4.77 3.54
Dec 1965 0.71 1.02 N/A 4.68 -0.46 3.93
Dec 1966 3.65 4.69 N/A 5.76 0.20 4.76
Dec 1967 -9.18 1.01 N/A 5.47 -4.95 4.21
Dec 1968 -0.26 4.54 N/A 6.45 2.57 5.21
Dec 1969 -5.07 -0.74 N/A 8.70 -8.09 6.58
Dec 1970 12.11 16.86 -11.66 7.06 18.37 6.52
Dec 1971 13.23 8.72 29.59 5.36 11.01 4.39
Dec 1972 5.69 5.16 36.35 5.39 7.26 3.84
Dec 1973 -1.11 4.61 -14.92 8.60 1.14 6.93
Dec 1974 4.35 5.69 -23.16 10.20 -3.06 8.00
Dec 1975 9.20 7.83 35.39 6.51 14.64 5.80
Dec 1976 16.75 12.87 2.54 5.22 18.65 5.08
Dec 1977 -0.69 1.41 18.06 6.11 1.71 5.12
Dec 1978 -1.18 3.49 32.62 10.21 -0.07 7.18
Dec 1979 -1.23 4.09 4.75 11.90 -4.18 10.38
Dec 1980 -3.95 3.91 22.58 12.33 -2.76 11.24
Dec 1981 1.86 9.45 -2.28 15.50 -1.24 14.71
Dec 1982 40.36 29.10 -1.86 12.18 42.56 10.54
Dec 1983 0.65 7.41 23.69 9.65 6.26 8.80
Dec 1984 15.48 14.02 7.38 10.65 16.86 9.85
Dec 1985 30.97 20.33 56.16 7.82 30.09 7.72
Dec 1986 24.53 15.14 69.44 6.30 19.85 6.16
Dec 1987 -2.71 2.90 24.63 6.59 -0.27 5.47
Dec 1988 9.67 6.10 28.27 8.15 10.70 6.35
Dec 1989 18.11 13.29 10.54 8.27 16.23 8.37
Dec 1990 6.18 9.73 -23.45 7.85 6.78 7.81
Dec 1991 19.30 15.46 12.13 4.95 19.89 5.60
Dec 1992 8.05 7.19 -12.17 3.27 9.39 3.51
Dec 1993 18.24 11.24 32.56 2.88 13.19 2.90
Dec 1994 -7.77 -5.14 7.78 5.40 -5.76 3.90
Dec 1995 31.67 16.80 11.21 5.21 27.20 5.60
Dec 1996 -0.93 2.10 6.05 5.21 1.40 5.21
Dec 1997 15.85 8.38 1.78 5.71 12.95 5.26
<PAGE>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NAREIT Lipper MSCI
Equity Russell Wilshire Balanced Emerging Bank
REIT 2000 Real Estate S&P Fund Markets Savings
Index Index Securities 400 Index Free Index Account
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1927 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1928 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1929 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1930 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.30
Dec 1931 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.10
Dec 1932 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 4.10
Dec 1933 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.40
Dec 1934 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1935 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.10
Dec 1936 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.20
Dec 1937 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1938 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1939 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.40
Dec 1940 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.30
Dec 1941 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.10
Dec 1942 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.00
Dec 1943 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1944 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.80
Dec 1945 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.50
Dec 1946 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.20
Dec 1947 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.30
Dec 1948 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.30
Dec 1949 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.40
Dec 1950 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.50
Dec 1951 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.60
Dec 1952 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.70
Dec 1953 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.80
Dec 1954 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1955 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1956 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.00
Dec 1957 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.30
Dec 1958 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.38
Dec 1959 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.53
Dec 1960 N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.77 N/A 3.86
Dec 1961 N/A N/A N/A N/A 20.59 N/A 3.90
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NAREIT Lipper MSCI
Equity Russell Wilshire Balanced Emerging Bank
REIT 2000 Real Estate S&P Fund Markets Savings
Index Index Securities 400 Index Free Index Account
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1962 N/A N/A N/A N/A -6.80 N/A 4.08
Dec 1963 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.10 N/A 4.17
Dec 1964 N/A N/A N/A N/A 12.36 N/A 4.19
Dec 1965 N/A N/A N/A N/A 9.80 N/A 4.23
Dec 1966 N/A N/A N/A N/A -5.86 N/A 4.45
Dec 1967 N/A N/A N/A N/A 15.09 N/A 4.67
Dec 1968 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.97 N/A 4.68
Dec 1969 N/A N/A N/A N/A -9.01 N/A 4.80
Dec 1970 N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.62 N/A 5.14
Dec 1971 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.90 N/A 5.30
Dec 1972 8.01 N/A N/A N/A 11.13 N/A 5.37
Dec 1973 -15.52 N/A N/A N/A -12.24 N/A 5.51
Dec 1974 -21.40 N/A N/A N/A -18.71 N/A 5.96
Dec 1975 19.30 N/A N/A N/A 27.10 N/A 6.21
Dec 1976 47.59 N/A N/A N/A 26.03 N/A 6.23
Dec 1977 22.42 N/A N/A N/A -0.72 N/A 6.39
Dec 1978 10.34 N/A 13.04 N/A 4.80 N/A 6.56
Dec 1979 35.86 43.09 70.81 N/A 14.67 N/A 7.29
Dec 1980 24.37 38.58 22.08 N/A 19.70 N/A 8.78
Dec 1981 6.00 2.03 7.18 N/A 1.86 N/A 10.71
Dec 1982 21.60 24.95 24.47 22.68 30.63 N/A 11.19
Dec 1983 30.64 29.13 27.61 26.10 17.44 N/A 9.71
Dec 1984 20.93 -7.30 20.64 1.18 7.46 N/A 9.92
Dec 1985 19.10 31.05 22.20 35.58 29.83 N/A 9.02
Dec 1986 19.16 5.68 20.30 16.21 18.43 N/A 7.84
Dec 1987 -3.64 -8.77 -7.86 -2.03 4.13 N/A 6.92
Dec 1988 13.49 24.89 24.18 20.87 11.18 40.43 7.20
Dec 1989 8.84 16.24 2.37 35.54 19.70 64.96 7.91
Dec 1990 -15.35 -19.51 -33.46 -5.12 0.66 -10.55 7.80
Dec 1991 35.70 46.05 20.03 50.10 25.83 59.91 4.61
Dec 1992 14.59 18.41 7.36 11.91 7.46 11.40 2.89
Dec 1993 19.65 18.91 15.24 13.96 11.95 74.83 2.73
Dec 1994 3.17 -1.82 1.64 -3.57 -2.05 -7.32 4.96
Dec 1995 15.27 28.44 13.65 30.94 24.89 -5.21 5.24
Dec 1996 35.26 16.53 36.87 19.20 13.01 6.03 4.95
Dec 1997 20.29 22.36 19.80 32.26 20.05 -11.59 5.17
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
OTHER PIONEER INFORMATION
The Pioneer group of mutual funds was established in 1928 with the creation of
Pioneer Fund. Pioneer is one of the oldest and most experienced money managers
in the United States.
As of December 31, 1997, PMC employed a professional investment staff of 58,
with a combined average of 12 years' experience in the financial services
industry.
Total assets of all Pioneer mutual funds at December 31, 1997, were
approximately $19.8 billion representing 1,177,148 shareholder accounts, 791,468
non-retirement accounts and 385,680 retirement accounts.
<PAGE>
Pioneer International Growth Fund
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial Statements:
The financial statements of the Registrant are
incorporated by reference from the Annual Report to
Shareholders for the fiscal year ended November 30,
1997 (filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on January 28, 1998, Accession
No.0000893660-98-000003.)
(b) Exhibits:
1. Declaration of Trust.*
1.1 Establishment and Designation of Class A and Class B shares
of Beneficial Interest.*
1.2 Establishment and Designation of Class A, Class B
and Class C shares of Beneficial Interest.**
2. By-Laws.*
3. None.
4. None.
5. Management Contract between the Registrant and Pioneering
Management Corporation.*
6.1 Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.*
6.2 Form of Dealer Sales Agreement.**
7. None.
8. Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers
Harriman & Co.*
9. Investment Company Service Agreement between the
Registrant and Pioneering Services Corporation.*
10. Opinion and Consent of Counsel.*
11. Consent of Independent Public Accountants.+
12. None.
13. Stock Purchase Agreement.*
14. None.
15.1 Class A Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan.*
15.2 Class B Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan.*
15.3 Class C Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan.**
16. None.
17. Financial Data Schedule.+
18.1 Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for Class A and
Class B Shares.**
18.2 Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for Class A, Class B
and Class C Shares.**
19. Powers of Attorney.*
19.1 Power of Attorney for Mary K. Bush+
- --------------
+ Filed herewith.
* Filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the
Registration Statement on March 24, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference.
** Filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement and
incorporated herein by reference.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
No person is controlled by the Registrant. A common control relationship
could exist from a management perspective because the Chairman and President of
the Registrant owns approximately 14%of the outstanding shares of The Pioneer
Group, Inc. (PGI), the parent company of the Registrant's investment adviser,
and certain Trustees or officers of the Registrant (i) hold similar positions
with other investment companies advised by PGI and (ii) are directors or
officers of PGI and/or its direct or indirect subsidiaries. The following lists
all U.S. and the principal non-U.S. subsidiaries of PGI and those registered
investment companies with a common or similar Board of Trustees advised by PGI.
OWNED BY PERCENT STATE/COUNTRY OF
COMPANY OF SHARES INCORPORATION
Pioneering Management Corp. (PMC) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. (PFD) PMC 100% MA
Pioneer Explorer, Inc. (PEI) PMC 100% DE
Pioneer Fonds Marketing GmbH (GmbH) PFD 100% Germany
Pioneer Forest, Inc. (PFI) PGI 100% DE
CJSC "Forest-Starma" (Forest-Starma) PFI 95% Russia
Pioneer Metals and Technology, Inc. (PMT) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer Capital Corp. (PCC) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer SBIC Corp. PCC 100% MA
Pioneer Real Estate Advisors, Inc. (PREA) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer Management (Ireland) Ltd. (PMIL) PGI 100% Ireland
Pioneer Plans Corporation (PPC) PGI 100% DE
PIOGlobal Corp. (PIOGlobal) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer Investments Corp. (PIC) PGI 100% MA
Pioneer Goldfields Holdings, Inc. (PGH) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer Goldfields Ltd. (PGL) PGH 100% Guernsey
Teberebie Goldfields Ltd. (TGL) PGL 90% Ghana
Pioneer Omega, Inc. (Omega) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer First Russia, Inc. (First Russia) Omega 81.65% DE
Pioneering Services Corp. (PSC) PGI 100% MA
Pioneer International Corp. (PIntl) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer First Polish Trust Fund JSC, S.A.
(First Polish) PIntl 100% Poland
Pioneer Czech Investment Company, A.S.
(Pioneer Czech) PIntl 100% Czech Republic
Registered investment companies that are parties to management contracts with
PMC:
BUSINESS
FUND TRUST
Pioneer International Growth Fund MA
Pioneer World Equity Fund DE
Pioneer Europe Fund MA
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund DE
Pioneer India Fund DE
Pioneer Growth Trust MA
Pioneer Mid-Cap Fund DE
Pioneer Growth Shares DE
Pioneer Small Company Fund DE
Pioneer Independence Fund DE
Pioneer Fund DE
Pioneer II DE
Pioneer Real Estate Shares DE
Pioneer Short-Term Income Fund MA
Pioneer America Income Trust MA
Pioneer Bond Fund MA
Pioneer Balanced Fund DE
Pioneer Intermediate Tax-Free Fund MA
Pioneer Tax-Free Income Fund DE
Pioneer Money Market Trust DE
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust DE
Pioneer Interest Shares DE
Pioneer Micro-Cap Fund DE
The following table lists John F. Cogan, Jr.'s positions with the
investment companies, PGI and principal direct or indirect PGI subsidiaries
referenced above and the Registrant's counsel.
TRUSTEE/
ENTITY CHAIRMAN PRESIDENT DIRECTOR OTHER
Pioneer mutual
funds X X X
PGL X X X
PGI X X X
PPC X X
PIC X X
PIntl X X
PMT X X
Omega X X
PIOGlobal X X
First Russia X X
PCC X
PSC X
PMIL X
PEI X
PFI X
PREA X
Forest-Starma X
PMC X X
PFD X X
TGL X X
First Polish Chairman of Supervisory
Board
GmbH Chairman of Supervisory
Board
Pioneer Czech Chairman of Supervisory
Board
Hale and Dorr LLP Partner
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities
The following table sets forth the approximate number of
record holders of each class of securities of the Registrant as of February
28, 1998:
Class A Class B Class C
Number of Record Holders: 35,361 8,753 743
Item 27. Indemnification.
Except for the Declaration of Trust dated October 26, 1992,
establishing the Registrant as a Trust under Massachusetts law, there is no
contract, arrangement or statute under which any director, officer, underwriter
or affiliated person of the Registrant is insured or indemnified. The Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee or officer will be
indemnified against any liability to which the Registrant would otherwise be
subject by reason of or for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of such person's duties.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), may be available to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of
the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment of the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
All of the information required by this item is set forth in
the Form ADV, as amended, of the Registrant's Manager, Pioneering Management
Corporation. The following sections of each such Form ADV are incorporated
herein by reference:
(a) Items 1 and 2 of Part 2;
(b) Section IV, Business Background, of each Schedule D.
Item 29. Principal Underwriter
(a) See Item 25 above.
(b) Directors and Officers of PFD:
Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
Name with Underwriter with Registrant
- ---- ---------------- ---------------
John F. Cogan, Jr. Director and Chairman Chairman of the Board,
President and Trustee
Robert L. Butler Director and President None
David D. Tripple Director Executive Vice President and
Trustee
Steven M. Graziano Senior Vice President None
Stephen W. Long Senior Vice President None
Barry G. Knight Vice President None
William A. Misata Vice President None
Anne W. Patenaude Vice President None
Elizabeth B. Bennett Vice President None
Gail A. Smyth Vice President None
Constance D. Spiros Vice President None
Marcy L. Supovitz Vice President None
Mary Kleeman Vice President None
Steven R. Berke Assistant Vice President None
Steven H. Forss Assistant Vice President None
Mary Sue Hoban Assistant Vice President None
Debra A. Levine Assistant Vice President None
Junior Roy McFarland Assistant Vice President None
Marie E. Moynihan Assistant Vice President None
<PAGE>
William H. Keough Treasurer Treasurer
Roy P. Rossi Assistant Treasurer None
Joseph P. Barri Clerk Secretary
Robert P. Nault Assistant Clerk Assistant Secretary
The principle business address of each of these individuals is 60 State Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109-1820.
(c) Not applicable.
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records.
The accounts and records are maintained at the Registrant's
office at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts; contact the Treasurer.
Item 31. Management Services.
The Registrant is not a party to any management-related
service contract, except as described in the Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information.
Item 32. Undertakings.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) The Registrant undertakes to deliver, or cause to be
delivered with the Prospectus, to each person to whom the Prospectus is sent or
given a copy of the Registrant's report to shareholders furnished pursuant to
and meeting the requirements of Rule 30d-1 under the Investment Company Act of
1940 from which the specified information is incorporated by reference, unless
such person currently holds securities of the Registrant and otherwise has
received a copy of such report, in which case the Registrant shall state in the
Prospectus that it will furnish, without charge, a copy of such report on
request, and the name, address and telephone number of the person to whom such a
request should be directed.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this
Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A (which meets
all the requirements for effectiveness pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933) to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Boston and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on
the 30th day of March, 1998.
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
By: /s/ David D. Tripple
David D. Tripple
Executive Vice President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
this Amendment has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
Title and Signature Date
Principal Executive Officer: )
)
)
John F. Cogan, Jr. )
John F. Cogan, Jr., President )
)
Principal Financial and )
Accounting Officer: )
)
)
/s/William H. Keough* )
William H. Keough, Treasurer )
A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
John F. Cogan, Jr. )
John F. Cogan, Jr., Trustee )
)
Mary K. Bush* )
Mary K. Bush, Trustee )
)
Richard H. Egdahl, M.D.* )
Richard H. Egdahl, Trustee )
)
Margaret B.W. Graham* )
Margaret B.W. Graham, Trustee )
)
John W. Kendrick* )
John W. Kendrick, Trustee )
)
Marguerite A. Piret* )
Marguerite A. Piret, Trustee )
)
/s/David D. Tripple* )
David D. Tripple, Trustee )
)
Stephen K. West* )
Stephen K. West, Trustee )
)
John Winthrop* )
John Winthrop, Trustee )
*By: /s/ David D. Tripple Dated: March 30, 1998
David D. Tripple
Attorney-in-fact
<PAGE>
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number Document Title
11. Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
17. Financial Data Schedule.
19.1 Power of Attorney for Mary K. Bush
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this registration statement of our report dated January 5, 1998
for Pioneer International Growth Fund and to all references to our firm included
in or made a part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 and Amendment No. 7 to
registration statement File Nos. 33-53746 and 811-07318, respectively.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 26, 1998
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 001
<NAME> PIONEER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> Year
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Nov-30-1997
<PERIOD-END> Nov-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 526783433
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 485615973
<RECEIVABLES> 32089244
<ASSETS-OTHER> 7043
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 3904037
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 521616297
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 25132814
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 10170162
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<NET-ASSETS> 486313321
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 9742356
<INTEREST-INCOME> 1263934
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 9028881
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 1977409
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 84256383
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (45193791)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 41040001
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 4209556
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 23543245
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 5456967
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 6082244
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1142596
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 32223229
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 4642854
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 26225619
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4664496
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 9123266
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 409050793
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 23.39
<PER-SHARE-NII> .13
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.87
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .26
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 1.47
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 23.66
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.69
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
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<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
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<NAME> PIONEER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> Year
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Nov-30-1997
<PERIOD-END> Nov-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 526783433
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 485615973
<RECEIVABLES> 32089244
<ASSETS-OTHER> 7043
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 3904037
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 521616297
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 25132814
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 10170162
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 35302976
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 441194657
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 3527681
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 3016566
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 17373634
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 66653153
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (38908123)
<NET-ASSETS> 486313321
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 9742356
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<EXPENSES-NET> 9028881
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 1977409
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 84256383
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (45193791)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 41040001
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 388111
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 4472638
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1034695
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<SHARES-REINVESTED> 181443
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 32223229
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 4642854
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 26225619
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4664496
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<GROSS-EXPENSE> 9123266
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 80861163
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 22.89
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.06)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.85
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .12
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 1.47
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 23.09
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.49
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 003
<NAME> PIONEER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> Year
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Nov-30-1997
<PERIOD-END> Nov-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 526783433
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 485615973
<RECEIVABLES> 32089244
<ASSETS-OTHER> 7043
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 3904037
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 521616297
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 25132814
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 10170162
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 35302976
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 441194657
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 406211
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 266108
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 17373634
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 66653153
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (38908123)
<NET-ASSETS> 486313321
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 9742356
<INTEREST-INCOME> 1263934
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 9028881
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 1977409
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 84256383
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (45193791)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 41040001
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 68180
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 393748
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 1179805
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 10261
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 32223229
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 4642854
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 26225619
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 9123266
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 7579732
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 22.84
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.77
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .24
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 1.47
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 22.90
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.50
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
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</TABLE>
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER GROWTH TRUST
PIONEER INDIA FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
PIONEER WORLD EQUITY FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER MID-CAP FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER MICRO-CAP FUND
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER SHORT TERM INCOME TRUST
PIONEER INTERMEDIATE TAX-FREE FUND
PIONEER MONEY MARKET TRUST
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Dated October 7, 1997
I, the undersigned Trustee of each of the above-listed registered
investment companies (each a "Fund"), each a Delaware or a Massachusetts
business trust, do hereby constitute and appoint John F. Cogan, Jr., David D.
Tripple, and Joseph P. Barri, and each of them acting singly, to be my true,
sufficient and lawful attorneys, with full power to each of them, and each of
them acting singly, to sign for me, in my name and in my capacity as trustee,
any and all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be filed by
each Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"),
and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), with respect
to the offering of its shares of beneficial interest and any and all other
documents and papers relating thereto, and generally to do all such things in my
name and on my behalf in my capacity as trustee to enable each Fund to comply
with the 1940 Act and the 1933 Act, and all requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as
it may be signed by said attorneys or each of them to any and all amendments to
said Registration Statement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunder set my hand on this Instrument as
of the date first written above.
/s/ Mary K. Bush
Mary K. Bush, Trustee
