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NICHOLAS-APPLEGATE-Registered Trademark-MUTUAL FUNDS
QUALIFIED PORTFOLIOS
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600 West Broadway, 30th Floor
San Diego, California 92101
(800) 551-8643
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
August 2, 1996
Nicholas-Applegate Mutual Funds (the "Trust") is an open-end management
investment company currently offering a number of separate diversified
portfolios. This Statement of Additional Information contains information
regarding eight of these portfolios (each a "Portfolio" and collectively the
"Portfolios"): Nicholas-Applegate Core Growth Qualified Portfolio (the "Core
Growth Portfolio"); Nicholas-Applegate Emerging Growth Qualified Portfolio (the
"Emerging Growth Portfolio"); Nicholas-Applegate Income & Growth Qualified
Portfolio (the "Income & Growth Portfolio"); Nicholas-Applegate Balanced Growth
Qualified Portfolio (the "Balanced Portfolio"); Nicholas-Applegate Government
Income Qualified Portfolio (the "Government Portfolio"); Nicholas-Applegate
Worldwide Growth Qualified Portfolio (the "Worldwide Portfolio"); Nicholas-
Applegate International Growth Qualified Portfolio (the "International Growth
Portfolio"); and Nicholas-Applegate Emerging Countries Qualified Portfolio (the
"Emerging Countries Portfolio").
The various Portfolios of the Trust may from time to time be
collectively referred to as the "Nicholas-Applegate Advisory Portfolios."
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus, but
contains information in addition to and more detailed than that set forth in the
Portfolios' Prospectuses and should be read in conjunction with each such
Prospectus. Each Portfolio Prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling
or writing the Trust at the address and phone number written above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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General Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks. . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Restrictions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-21
Principal Holders of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-24
Trustees and Principal Officers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-24
Investment Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-28
Administrator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-30
Distributor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-31
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-32
Purchase and Redemption of Portfolio Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . B-33
Shareholder Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-34
Net Asset Value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-35
Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-36
Performance Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-41
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent,
Independent Accountants and Legal Counsel. . . . . . . . . . . . B-44
Miscellaneous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-45
Appendix A - Description of Securities Ratings . . . . . . . . . . A-1
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The Trust and the Master Trust were organized in December 1992 as
business trusts under the laws of Delaware. The Trust offers shares of numerous
portfolios with differing sales load, shareholder service plan and distribution
plan arrangements, including Series A portfolios, Series B portfolios, Series C
portfolios, Institutional portfolios and Qualified portfolios. This Statement
of Additional Information contains information regarding the eight Portfolios
identified on the cover page.
The various portfolios of the Trust seek to achieve their respective
investment objectives by investing all of their assets in corresponding series
of the Nicholas-Applegate Investment Trust (the "Master Trust"), an open-end
management investment company organized as a Delaware business trust. The
Master Trust offers shares of fourteen separate series (each a "Fund" and
collectively the "Funds") to the portfolios and other investment companies and
institutional investors, including the following: the Nicholas-Applegate Core
Growth Fund (the "Core Growth Fund"), in which the Core Growth Portfolio
invests; the Nicholas-Applegate Emerging Growth Fund (the "Emerging Growth
Fund"), in which the Emerging Growth Portfolio invests; the Nicholas-Applegate
Income & Growth Fund (the "Income & Growth Fund"), in which the Income & Growth
Portfolio invests; the Nicholas-Applegate Balanced Fund (the "Balanced Fund"),
in which the Balanced Growth Portfolio invests; the Nicholas-Applegate
Government Income Fund (the "Government Fund"), in which the Government
Portfolio invests; the Nicholas-Applegate Worldwide Growth Fund (the "Worldwide
Fund"), in which the Worldwide Portfolio invests; the Nicholas-Applegate
International Growth Fund (the "International Growth Fund"), in which the
International Growth Portfolio invests; and the Nicholas-Applegate Emerging
Countries Fund (the "Emerging Countries Fund"), in which the Emerging Countries
Portfolio invests.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND RISKS
The following discussion supplements the discussion of each Portfolio's
investment objective and policies as set forth in the Portfolios' Prospectus.
As each Portfolio seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of
its assets in a corresponding Fund with the same investment objective as the
Portfolio, the following discussion describes the various investment policies
and techniques employed by the Funds. There can be no assurance that the
investment objective of any of the Funds or Portfolios can be achieved.
EQUITY SECURITIES OF GROWTH COMPANIES
Each of the Core Growth, Emerging Growth, Income & Growth, Balanced,
Worldwide, International Growth and Emerging Countries Funds invests in equity
securities of domestic and foreign companies, the earnings and stock prices of
which are expected by the Master Trust's Investment Adviser to grow at an
above-average rate. Such investments will be diversified over a cross-section
of industries and individual companies. Some of these companies will be
organizations with market capitalizations of $500 million or less or companies
that have limited product lines, markets and financial resources and are
dependent upon a limited management group. Examples of possible investments
include emerging growth companies employing new technology, cyclical companies,
initial public offerings of companies offering high growth potential, or other
corporations offering good potential for high growth in market value. The
securities of such companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market
movements than larger, more established companies both because the securities
typically are traded in lower volume and because the issuers typically are
subject to a greater degree to changes in earnings and prospects.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES AND WARRANTS
The Core Growth, Emerging Growth, Income & Growth, Balanced, Government,
Worldwide, International Growth and Emerging Countries Funds each may invest in
convertible debt or equity securities and warrants. A convertible security is a
fixed income security (a bond or preferred stock) which may be converted at a
stated price within a specified period of time into a certain quantity of the
common stock of the same or a different issuer. Convertible securities are
senior to common stocks in an issuer's capital structure, but are usually
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subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed
income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from
common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible
security), a convertible security also affords an investor the opportunity,
through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation
attendant upon a market price advance in the convertible security's
underlying common stock.
A warrant gives the holder a right to purchase at any time during a
specified period a predetermined number of shares of common stock at a fixed
price. Unlike convertible debt securities or preferred stock, warrants do not
pay a fixed dividend. Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including
the possible lack of a liquid market for resale of the warrants, potential price
fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors, and failure of the
price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of
reaching a level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised (in which event
the warrant may expire without being exercised, resulting in a loss of the
Fund's entire investment therein).
OTHER CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES
The Core Growth, Emerging Growth, Income & Growth, Balanced, Government,
Worldwide, International Growth and Emerging Countries Funds invest in
non-convertible debt securities of foreign and domestic companies over a
cross-section of industries. The debt securities in which such Funds may invest
will be of varying maturities and may include corporate bonds, debentures, notes
and other similar corporate debt instruments. The value of a longer-term debt
security fluctuates more widely in response to changes in interest rates than do
shorter-term debt securities.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN DEBT SECURITIES
There are a number of risks generally associated with an investment in
debt securities (including convertible securities). Yields on short,
intermediate, and long-term securities depend on a variety of factors, including
the general condition of the money and bond markets, the size of a particular
offering, the maturity of the obligation, and the rating of the issue. Debt
securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields and are
generally subject to potentially greater capital appreciation and depreciation
than obligations with short maturities and lower yields. The market prices of
debt securities usually vary, depending upon available yields. An increase in
interest rates will generally reduce the value of such portfolio investments,
and a decline in interest rates will generally increase the value of such
portfolio investments. The ability of the Funds to achieve their investment
objectives also depends on the continuing ability of the issuers of the debt
securities in which the Funds invest to meet their obligations for the payment
of interest and principal when due.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN LOWER-RATED DEBT SECURITIES
As set forth in the applicable Prospectuses, the Income & Growth and
Balanced Funds may invest a portion of their net assets in debt securities rated
below "Baa" by Moody's or "BBB" by S&P or below investment grade by other
recognized rating agencies, or in unrated securities of comparable quality under
certain circumstances. Securities with ratings below "Baa" and/or "BBB" are
commonly referred to as "junk bonds." Such bonds are subject to greater market
fluctuations and risk of loss of income and principal than higher rated bonds
for a variety of reasons, including the following:
SENSITIVITY TO INTEREST RATE AND ECONOMIC CHANGES. The economy and
interest rates affect high yield securities differently from other securities.
For example, the prices of high yield bonds have been found to be less sensitive
to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments, but more sensitive to
adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. Also, during an
economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest rates, highly
leveraged issuers may experience financial stress which would adversely affect
their ability to service their principal and interest obligations, to meet
projected business goals, and to obtain additional financing. If the issuer of
a bond defaults, the Funds may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. In
addition, periods of economic uncertainty and changes can be expected to result
in increased volatility of market prices of high yield bonds and the Funds'
asset values.
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PAYMENT EXPECTATIONS. High yield bonds present certain risks based on
payment expectations. For example, high yield bonds may contain redemption and
call provisions. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a declining interest
rate market, a Fund would have to replace the security with a lower yielding
security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Conversely, a high
yield bond's value will decrease in a rising interest rate market, as will the
value of the Fund's assets. If a Fund experiences unexpected net redemptions,
it may be forced to sell its high yield bonds without regard to their investment
merits, thereby decreasing the asset base upon which the Fund's expenses can be
spread and possibly reducing the Fund's rate of return.
LIQUIDITY AND VALUATION. To the extent that there is no established
retail secondary market, there may be thin trading of high yield bonds, and this
may impact the Investment Adviser's ability to accurately value high yield bonds
and the Fund's assets and hinder the Fund's ability to dispose of the bonds.
Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental
analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of high yield bonds, especially
in a thinly traded market.
CREDIT RATINGS. Credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and
interest payments, not the market value risk of high yield bonds. Also, since
credit rating agencies may fail to timely change the credit ratings to reflect
subsequent events, the Investment Adviser must monitor the issuers of high yield
bonds in the Funds' portfolios to determine if the issuers will have sufficient
cash flow and profits to meet required principal and interest payments, and to
assure the bonds' liquidity so the Funds can meet redemption requests. The
Funds will not necessarily dispose of a portfolio security when its rating has
been changed.
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
Each of the Funds invests in any of the following securities and
instruments:
BANK CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES AND TIME DEPOSITS.
Each Fund may acquire certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and time
deposits. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against
funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a
specified return. Bankers' acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of
exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific
merchandise, which are "accepted" by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank
unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity.
Certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances acquired by the Funds will be
dollar-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign banks or financial
institutions which at the time of purchase have capital, surplus and undivided
profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both domestic and foreign
branches), based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the
principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured by the U.S.
Government.
A Fund holding instruments of foreign banks or financial institutions
may be subject to additional investment risks that are different in some
respects from those incurred by a fund which invests only in debt obligations of
U.S. domestic issuers. See "Foreign Investments" below. Such risks include
future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of
withholding taxes by the particular country in which the issuer is located on
interest income payable on the securities, the possible seizure or
nationalization of foreign deposits, the possible establishment of exchange
controls or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might
adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on these securities.
Domestic banks and foreign banks are subject to different governmental
regulations with respect to the amount and types of loans which may be made and
interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the
banking industry depends largely upon the availability and cost of funds for the
purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market
conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses
arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part
in the operations of the banking industry.
As a result of federal and state laws and regulations, domestic banks
are, among other things, required to maintain specified levels of reserves,
limited in the amount which they can loan to a single
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borrower, and subject to other regulations designed to promote financial
soundness. However, such laws and regulations do not necessarily apply to
foreign bank obligations that a Fund may acquire.
In addition to purchasing certificates of deposit and bankers'
acceptances, to the extent permitted under their respective investment
objectives and policies stated above and in their Prospectuses, the Funds may
make interest-bearing time or other interest-bearing deposits in commercial or
savings banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a
banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate.
SAVINGS ASSOCIATION OBLIGATIONS. The Funds may invest in certificates
of deposit (interest-bearing time deposits) issued by savings banks or savings
and loan associations that have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess
of $100 million, based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if
the principal amount of such obligations is fully insured by the U.S.
Government.
COMMERCIAL PAPER, SHORT-TERM NOTES AND OTHER CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS. The
Funds may invest a portion of their assets in commercial paper and short-term
notes. Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by
corporations. Issues of commercial paper and short-term notes will normally
have maturities of less than nine months and fixed rates of return, although
such instruments may have maturities of up to one year.
Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at
the time of purchase "A-2" or higher by S&P, "Prime-l" or "Prime-2" by Moody's,
or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating
organization or, if unrated, will be determined by the Investment Adviser to be
of comparable quality. These rating symbols are described in Appendix A.
Corporate obligations include bonds and notes issued by corporations to
finance longer-term credit needs than supported by commercial paper. While such
obligations generally have maturities of ten years or more, the Funds may
purchase corporate obligations which have remaining maturities of one year or
less from the date of purchase and which are rated "AA" or higher by S&P or "Aa"
or higher by Moody's.
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
The Funds may under certain circumstances invest a portion of their
assets in money market funds. The Investment Company Act prohibits the Funds
from investing more than 5% of the value of their total assets in any one
investment company, or more than 10% of the value of their total assets in
investment companies as a group, and also restricts their investment in any
investment company to 3% of the voting securities of such investment company.
The Investment Adviser will not impose an advisory fee on assets of a Fund
invested in a money market mutual fund. However, an investment in a money
market mutual fund will involve payment by a Fund of its pro rata share of
advisory and administrative fees charged by such fund.
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
Each Fund may make short-term investments in U.S. Government
obligations. Such obligations include Treasury bills, certificates of
indebtedness, notes and bonds, and issues of such entities as the Government
National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), Export-Import Bank of the United States,
Tennessee Valley Authority, Resolution Funding Corporation, Farmers Home
Administration, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks,
Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, Federal Housing Administration,
Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation, and the Student Loan Marketing Association.
Some of these obligations, such as those of the GNMA, are supported by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the
Export-Import Bank of United States, are supported by the right of the issuer to
borrow from the Treasury; others, such as those of the FNMA, are supported by
the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's
obligations; still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing
Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No
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assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support
to U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so
by law.
Certain Funds may invest in sovereign debt obligations of foreign
countries. A sovereign debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and
interest in a timely manner may be affected by a number of factors, including
its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of
sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of
the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor's policy
toward principal international lenders and the political constraints to which it
may be subject. Emerging market governments could default on their sovereign
debt. Such sovereign debtors also may be dependent on expected disbursements
from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and other entities abroad to
reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitments on the
part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be
conditioned on a sovereign debtor's implementation of economic reforms and/or
economic performance and the timely service of such debtor's obligations.
Failure to meet such conditions could result in the cancellation of such third
parties' commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further
impair such debtor's ability or willingness to service its debt in a timely
manner.
ZERO COUPON SECURITIES
The Income & Growth, Balanced, and Government Funds may each invest in
zero coupon securities issued by the U.S. Treasury on up to 35% of their
respective net assets. Zero coupon Treasury securities are U.S. Treasury notes
and bonds which have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons and
receipts, or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt
obligations or coupons. Because a zero coupon security pays no interest to its
holder during its life or for a substantial period of time, it usually trades at
a deep discount from its face or par value and will be subject to greater
fluctuations of market value in response to changing interest rates than debt
obligations of comparable maturities which make current distributions of
interest.
VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS
The Funds may acquire variable and floating rate instruments. Such
instruments are frequently not rated by credit rating agencies; however, unrated
variable and floating rate instruments purchased by a Fund will be determined by
the Investment Adviser under guidelines established by the Master Trust's Board
of Trustees to be of comparable quality at the time of the purchase and rated
instruments eligible for purchase by the Fund. In making such determinations,
the Investment Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other
liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments (such issuers include
financial, merchandising, bank holding and other companies) and will monitor
their financial condition. An active secondary market may not exist with respect
to particular variable or floating rate instruments purchased by the Fund. The
absence of such an active secondary market could make it difficult for the Fund
to dispose of the variable or floating rate instrument involved in the event of
the issuer of the instrument defaulting on its payment obligation or during
periods in which the Fund is not entitled to exercise its demand rights, and the
Fund could, for these or other reasons, suffer a loss to the extent of the
default. Variable and floating rate instruments may be secured by bank letters
of credit.
MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES
The Government Fund invests in mortgage-related securities.
Mortgage-related securities are derivative interests in pools of mortgage loans
made to U.S. residential home buyers, including mortgage loans made by savings
and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, commercial banks and others. Pools of
mortgage loans are assembled as securities for sale to investors by various
governmental, government-related and private organizations. The Government Fund
may also invest in debt securities which are secured with collateral consisting
of U.S. mortgage-related securities, and in other types of U.S. mortgage-related
securities.
U.S. MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES. Interests in pools of
mortgage-related securities differ from other forms of debt securities, which
normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts
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with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. Instead, these
securities provide a monthly payment which consists of both interest and
principal payments. In effect, these payments are a "pass-through" of the
monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on their residential
mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such
securities. Additional payments are caused by repayments of principal
resulting from the sale of the underlying residential property, refinancing
or foreclosure, net of fees or costs which may be incurred. Some
mortgage-related securities (such as securities issued by the Government
National Mortgage Association) are described as "modified pass-throughs."
These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal
payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, at the scheduled
payment dates regardless of whether or not the mortgagor actually makes the
payment.
The principal governmental guarantor of U.S. mortgage-related securities
is the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"). GNMA is a wholly
owned United States Government corporation within the Department of Housing and
Urban Development. GNMA is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and
credit of the United States Government, the timely payment of principal and
interest on securities issued by institutions approved by GNMA (such as savings
and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by
pools of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Agency or guaranteed by the
Veterans Administration.
Government-related guarantors include the Federal National Mortgage
Association ("FNMA") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC").
FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private
stockholders and subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional residential mortgages not
insured or guaranteed by any government agency from a list of approved
seller/services which include state and federally chartered savings and loan
associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and
mortgage bankers. FHLMC is a government-sponsored corporation created to
increase availability of mortgage credit for residential housing and owned
entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues participation certificates which
represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC's national portfolio.
Pass-through securities issued by FNMA and participation certificates issued by
FHLMC are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA and
FHLMC, respectively, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States Government.
Although the underlying mortgage loans in a pool may have maturities of
up to 30 years, the actual average life of the pool certificates typically will
be substantially less because the mortgages will be subject to normal principal
amortization and may be prepaid prior to maturity. Prepayment rates vary widely
and may be affected by changes in market interest rates. In periods of falling
interest rates, the rate of prepayment tends to increase, thereby shortening the
actual average life of the pool certificates. Conversely, when interest rates
are rising, the rate of prepayments tends to decrease, thereby lengthening the
actual average life of the certificates. Accordingly, it is not possible to
predict accurately the average life of a particular pool.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS ("CMOS"). A domestic or foreign CMO
in which the Government Fund may invest is a hybrid between a mortgage-backed
bond and a mortgage pass-through security. Like a bond, interest is paid, in
most cases, semiannually. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans,
but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through
securities guaranteed by GNMA, FHLMC, FNMA or equivalent foreign entities.
CMOs are structured into multiple classes, each bearing a different
stated maturity. Actual maturity and average life depend upon the prepayment
experience of the collateral. CMOs provide for a modified form of call
protection through a de facto breakdown of the underlying pool of mortgages
according to how quickly the loans are repaid. Monthly payment of principal and
interest received from the pool of underlying mortgages, including prepayments,
is first returned to the class having the earliest maturity date or highest
maturity. Classes that have longer maturity dates and lower seniority will
receive principal only after the higher class has been retired.
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FOREIGN MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES. Foreign mortgage-related
securities are interests in pools of mortgage loans made to residential home
buyers domiciled in a foreign country. These include mortgage loans made by
trust and mortgage loan companies, credit unions, chartered banks, and others.
Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as securities for sale to investors by
various governmental, government-related and private organizations (E.G., Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation and First Australian National Mortgage
Acceptance Corporation Limited). The mechanics of these mortgage-related
securities are generally the same as those issued in the United States.
However, foreign mortgage markets may differ materially from the U.S. mortgage
market with respect to matters such as the sizes of loan pools, pre-payment
experience, and maturities of loans.
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
The Funds may invest in securities of foreign issuers that are not
publicly traded in the United States. The Funds may also invest in depository
receipts, and the Worldwide, International Growth and Emerging Countries Funds
may invest in foreign currency futures contracts.
The United States government from time to time has imposed restrictions,
through taxation or otherwise, on foreign investments by U.S. entities such as
the Funds. If such restrictions should be reinstituted, it might become
necessary for such Funds to invest substantially all of their assets in United
States securities. In such event, the Board of Trustees of the Trust would
consider alternative arrangements, including reevaluation of the Portfolios'
investment objectives and policies, investment of all of the Portfolios' assets
in another investment company with different investment objectives and policies
than the Funds, or hiring an investment adviser to manage the Portfolios'
assets. However, a Portfolio would adopt any revised investment objective and
fundamental policies only after approval by the shareholders holding a majority
(as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the shares of the Portfolio.
DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS. American Depository Receipts ("ADRS") may be
listed on a national securities exchange or may trade in the over-the-counter
market. ADR prices are denominated in the United States dollars; the underlying
security may be denominated in a foreign currency, although the underlying
security may be subject to foreign government taxes which would reduce the yield
on such securities.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN FOREIGN SECURITIES. Investments in foreign
securities involve certain inherent risks, including the following:
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS. Individual foreign economies of certain
countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the United States' economy in
such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital
reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, diversification and balance of payments
position. The internal politics of certain foreign countries may not be as
stable as those of the United States. Governments in certain foreign countries
also continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest
or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could
include restrictions on foreign investment, nationalization, expropriation of
goods or imposition of taxes, and could have a significant effect on market
prices of securities and payment of interest. The economies of many foreign
countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly
affected by the trade policies and economic conditions of their trading
partners. Enactment by these trading partners of protectionist trade
legislation could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets
of such countries.
CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS. All of the Funds may invest in securities
denominated in foreign currencies. Accordingly, a change in the value of any
such currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in
the U.S. dollar value of a Fund's assets denominated in that currency. Such
changes will also affect the Fund's income. The value of the Fund's assets may
also be affected significantly by currency restrictions and exchange control
regulations enacted from time to time.
MARKET CHARACTERISTICS. The Investment Adviser expects that most
foreign securities in which the Funds invest will be purchased in
over-the-counter markets or on exchanges located in the countries in which
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the principal offices of the issuers of the various securities are located,
if that is the best available market. Foreign exchanges and markets may be
more volatile than those in the United States. While growing in volume, they
usually have substantially less volume than U.S. markets, and the Funds'
portfolio securities may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S.
Government securities. Moreover, settlement practices for transactions in
foreign markets may differ from those in United States markets, and may
include delays beyond periods customary in the United States. Foreign
security trading practices, including those involving securities settlement
where Fund assets may be released prior to receipt of payment or securities,
may expose the Fund to increased risk in the event of a failed trade or the
insolvency of a foreign broker-dealer.
Transactions in options on securities, futures contracts, futures
options and currency contracts may not be regulated as effectively on foreign
exchanges as similar transactions in the United States, and may not involve
clearing mechanisms and related guarantees. The value of such positions also
could be adversely affected by the imposition of different exercise terms and
procedures and margin requirements than in the United States. The value of a
Fund's positions may also be adversely impacted by delays in its ability to act
upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in
the United States.
LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS. Certain foreign countries may have less
supervision of securities markets, brokers and issuers of securities, and less
financial information available to issuers, than is available in the United
States.
TAXES. The interest payable on certain of the Funds' foreign portfolio
securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thus reducing the net
amount of income available for distribution to the Portfolios' shareholders. A
shareholder otherwise subject to United States federal income taxes may, subject
to certain limitations, be entitled to claim a credit or deduction of U.S.
federal income tax purposes for his proportionate share of such foreign taxes
paid by the Funds.
COSTS. The expense ratios of the Funds are likely to be higher than
those of investment companies investing in domestic securities, since the cost
of maintaining the custody of foreign securities is higher.
In considering whether to invest in the securities of a foreign company,
the Investment Adviser considers such factors as the characteristics of the
particular company, differences between economic trends and the performance of
securities markets within the U.S. and those within other countries, and also
factors relating to the general economic, governmental and social conditions of
the country or countries where the company is located. The extent to which a
Fund (other than the International and Emerging Countries Funds) will be
invested in foreign companies and countries and depository receipts will
fluctuate from time to time within the limitations described in the
Prospectuses, depending on the Investment Adviser's assessment of prevailing
market, economic and other conditions.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES AND SECURITIES INDICES
PURCHASING PUT AND CALL OPTIONS. The Core Growth, Emerging Growth,
Income & Growth, Balanced, Worldwide, International Growth and Emerging
Countries Funds are each authorized to purchase covered "put" and "call"
options with respect to securities which are otherwise eligible for purchase
by the Funds and with respect to various stock indices subject to certain
restrictions. Such Funds will engage in trading of such derivative securities
exclusively for hedging purposes.
If a Fund purchases a put option, the Fund acquires the right to sell
the underlying security at a specified price at any time during the term of the
option (for "American-style" options) or on the option expiration date (for
"European-style" options). Purchasing put options may be used as a portfolio
investment strategy when the Investment Adviser perceives significant short-term
risk but substantial long-term appreciation for the underlying security. The
put option acts as an insurance policy, as it protects against significant
downward price movement while it allows full participation in any upward
movement. If the Fund is holding a stock which it feels has strong
fundamentals, but for some reason may be weak in the near term, the Fund may
purchase a put option on such security, thereby giving itself the right to sell
such security at a
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certain strike price throughout the term of the option. Consequently, the
Fund will exercise the put only if the price of such security falls below the
strike price of the put. The difference between the put's strike price and
the market price of the underlying security on the date the Fund exercises
the put, less transaction costs, will be the amount by which the Fund will be
able to hedge against a decline in the underlying security. If during the
period of the option the market price for the underlying security remains at
or above the put's strike price, the put will expire worthless, representing
a loss of the price the Fund paid for the put, plus transaction costs. If the
price of the underlying security increases, the profit the Fund realizes on
the sale of the security will be reduced by the premium paid for the put
option less any amount for which the put may be sold.
If a Fund purchases a call option, it acquires the right to purchase the
underlying security at a specified price at any time during the term of the
option. The purchase of a call option is a type of insurance policy to hedge
against losses that could occur if the Fund has a short position in the
underlying security and the security thereafter increases in price. The Fund
will exercise a call option only if the price of the underlying security is
above the strike price at the time of exercise. If during the option period the
market price for the underlying security remains at or below the strike price of
the call option, the option will expire worthless, representing a loss of the
price paid for the option, plus transaction costs. If the call option has been
purchased to hedge a short position of the Fund in the underlying security and
the price of the underlying security thereafter falls, the profit the Fund
realizes on the cover of the short position in the security will be reduced by
the premium paid for the call option less any amount for which such option may
be sold.
Prior to exercise or expiration, an option may be sold when it has
remaining value by a purchaser through a "closing sale transaction," which is
accomplished by selling an option of the same series as the option previously
purchased. The Funds generally will purchase only those options for which the
Investment Adviser believes there is an active secondary market to facilitate
closing transactions.
WRITING CALL OPTIONS. The Core Growth, Emerging Growth, Income &
Growth, Worldwide, International Growth and Emerging Countries Funds may write
covered call options. A call option is "covered" if the Fund owns the security
underlying the call or has an absolute right to acquire the security without
additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required,
cash or cash equivalents in such amount as are held in a segregated account by
the Custodian). The writer of a call option receives a premium and gives the
purchaser the right to buy the security underlying the option at the exercise
price. The writer has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the
underlying security against payment of the exercise price during the option
period. If the writer of an exchange-traded option wishes to terminate his
obligation, he may effect a "closing purchase transaction." This is
accomplished by buying an option of the same series as the option previously
written. A writer may not effect a closing purchase transaction after it has
been notified of the exercise of an option.
Effecting a closing transaction in the case of a written call option
will permit a Fund to write another call option on the underlying security with
either a different exercise price, expiration date or both. Also, effecting a
closing transaction will permit the cash or proceeds from the concurrent sale of
any securities subject to the option to be used for other investments of the
Fund. If the Fund desires to sell a particular security from its portfolio on
which it has written a call option, it will effect a closing transaction prior
to or concurrent with the sale of the security.
A Fund will realize a gain from a closing transaction if the cost of the
closing transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or
if the proceeds from the closing transaction are more than the premium paid to
purchase the option. A Fund will realize a loss from a closing transaction if
the cost of the closing transaction is more than the premium received from
writing the option or if the proceeds from the closing transaction are less than
the premium paid to purchase the option. However, because increases in the
market price of a call option will generally reflect increases in the market
price of the underlying security, any loss to the Fund resulting from the
repurchase of a call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by
appreciation of the underlying security owned by the Fund.
STOCK INDEX OPTIONS. The Funds (other than the Government Fund) may
also purchase put and call options with respect to the S&P 500 and other stock
indices. Such options may be purchased as a
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hedge against changes resulting from market conditions in the values of
securities which are held in a Fund's portfolio or which it intends to
purchase or sell, or when they are economically appropriate for the reduction
of risks inherent in the ongoing management of the Fund.
The distinctive characteristics of options on stock indices create
certain risks that are not present with stock options generally. Because the
value of an index option depends upon movements in the level of the index rather
than the price of a particular stock, whether the Fund will realize a gain or
loss on the purchase or sale of an option on an index depends upon movements in
the level of stock prices in the stock market generally rather than movements in
the price of a particular stock. Accordingly, successful use by a Fund of
options on a stock index would be subject to the Investment Adviser's ability to
predict correctly movements in the direction of the stock market generally.
This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the
price of individual stocks.
Index prices may be distorted if trading of certain stocks included in
the index is interrupted. Trading of index options also may be interrupted in
certain circumstances, such as if trading were halted in a substantial number of
stocks included in the index. If this were to occur, the Fund would not be able
to close out options which it had purchased, and if restrictions on exercise
were imposed, the Fund might be unable to exercise an option it holds, which
could result in substantial losses to the Fund. It is the policy of the Funds
to purchase put or call options only with respect to an index which the
Investment Adviser believes includes a sufficient number of stocks to minimize
the likelihood of a trading halt in the index.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN OPTIONS. There are several risks associated with
transactions in options on securities and indices. Options may be more volatile
than the underlying instruments and, therefore, on a percentage basis, an
investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment
in the underlying instruments themselves. There are also significant
differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an
imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to
achieve its objective. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular
options may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be
insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by
an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading
halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to
particular classes or series of option of underlying securities; unusual or
unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the
facilities of an exchange or clearing corporation may not at all times be
adequate to handle current trading volume; or one or more exchanges could, for
economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to
discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options),
in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series
of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been
issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would
continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the
exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be
unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events. The
extent to which a Fund may enter into options transactions may be limited by the
Internal Revenue Code requirements for qualification of the corresponding
Portfolio as a regulated investment company. See "Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes."
In addition, when trading options on foreign exchanges, many of the
protections afforded to participants in United States option exchanges will not
be available. For example, there may be no daily price fluctuation limits in
such exchanges or markets, and adverse market movements could therefore continue
to an unlimited extent over a period of time. Although the purchaser of an
option cannot lose more than the amount of the premium plus related transaction
costs, this entire amount could be lost. Moreover, a Fund as an option writer
could lose amounts substantially in excess of its initial investment, due to the
margin and collateral requirements typically associated with such option
writing. See "Dealer Options" below.
DEALER OPTIONS. The Core Growth, Emerging Growth, Worldwide,
International Growth and Emerging Countries Funds will engage in transactions
involving dealer options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain risks are
specific to dealer options. While the Funds might look to a clearing
corporation to
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exercise exchange-traded options, if a Fund were to purchase a dealer option
it would need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to
perform if the option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would
result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as loss of the
expected benefit of the transaction.
Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while
dealer options may not. Consequently, a Fund may generally be able to realize
the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling
the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when a Fund writes a dealer
option, the Fund may generally be able to close out the option prior to its
expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer
to whom the Fund originally wrote the option. While the Fund will seek to enter
into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected
to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be
no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option
at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless the Fund, as a
covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase
transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used
as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency
of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With
respect to options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing
transaction may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, because the
Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a
security it writes, the Fund may not sell the assets which it has segregated to
secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement
may impair the Portfolio's ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when
such sale might be advantageous.
The Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
has taken the position that purchased dealer options are illiquid securities. A
Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer
agrees that the Fund may repurchase the dealer option it has written for a
maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the
dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum
purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option.
Accordingly, the Fund will treat dealer options as subject to the Fund's
limitation on unmarketable securities. If the Commission changes its position
on the liquidity of dealer options, the Fund will change its treatment of such
instruments accordingly.
FOREIGN CURRENCY OPTIONS
The Worldwide, International Growth and Emerging Countries Funds may buy
or sell put and call options on foreign currencies. A put or call option on a
foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell or purchase
a foreign currency at the exercise price until the option expires. The Funds
will use foreign currency options separately or in combination to control
currency volatility. Among the strategies employed to control currency
volatility is an option collar. An option collar involves the purchase of a put
option and the simultaneous sale of call option on the same currency with the
same expiration date but with different exercise (or "strike") prices.
Generally, the put option will have an out-of-the-money strike price, while the
call option will have either an at-the-money strike price or an in-the-money
strike price. Foreign currency options are derivative securities. Currency
options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits
which may limit the ability of the Funds to reduce foreign currency risk using
such options.
As with other kinds of option transactions, the writing of an option on
foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the
premium received. The Funds could be required to purchase or sell foreign
currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The
purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge
against exchange rate fluctuations; however, in the event of exchange rate
movements adverse to a Fund's position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount
of the premium plus related transaction costs.
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
The Worldwide, International Growth and Emerging Countries Funds may
enter into forward currency contracts in anticipation of changes in currency
exchange rates. A forward currency contract is an
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obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which
may be any fix number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by
the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. For example, a Fund
might purchase a particular currency or enter into a forward currency
contract to preserve the U.S. dollar price of securities it intends to or has
contracted to purchase. Alternatively, it might sell a particular currency
on either a spot or forward basis to hedge against an anticipated decline in
the dollar value of securities it intends to or has contracted to sell.
Although this strategy could minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in
the value of the hedged currency, it could also limit any potential gain from
an increase in the value of the currency.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS
Each of the Funds other than the Balanced and Money Market Funds may
invest in futures contracts and options on futures contracts as a hedge against
changes in market conditions or interest rates. Such Funds will trade in such
derivative securities for bona fide hedging purposes and otherwise in accordance
with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"). Each such
Fund will segregate liquid assets in a separate account with its Custodian when
required to do so by CFTC guidelines in order to cover its obligation in
connection with futures and options transactions.
No price is paid or received by a Fund upon the purchase or sale of a
futures contract. When it enters into a domestic futures contract, the Fund
will be required to deposit in a segregated account with its Custodian an
amount of cash or U.S. Treasury bills equal to approximately 5% of the
contract amount. This amount is known as initial margin. The margin
requirements for foreign futures contracts may be different.
The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different from
that of margin in securities transactions. Futures contract margin does not
involve the borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the transactions.
Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith
deposit on the contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the
futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied.
Subsequent payments (called variation margin) to and from the broker will be
made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying stock index fluctuates, to
reflect movements in the price of the contract making the long and short
positions in the futures contract more or less valuable. For example, when the
Fund has purchased a stock index futures contract and the price of the
underlying stock index has risen, that position will have increased in value and
the Fund will receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that
increase in value. Conversely, when the Fund has purchased a stock index
futures contract and the price of the underlying stock index has declined, the
position will be less valuable and the Fund will be required to make a variation
margin payment to the broker.
At any time prior to expiration of a futures contract, the Fund may
elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate
to terminate the Fund's position in the futures contract. A final determination
of variation margin is made on closing the position. Additional cash is paid by
or released to the Fund, which realizes a loss or a gain.
STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Core Growth, Emerging Growth, Income
& Growth, Balanced, Worldwide, International Growth and Emerging Countries Funds
may invest in futures contracts on stock indices. Currently, stock index
futures contracts can be purchased or sold with respect to the S&P 500 Stock
Price Index on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the Major Market Index on the
Chicago Board of Trade, the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index on the New
York Futures Exchange and the Value Line Stock Index on the Kansas City Board of
Trade. Foreign financial and stock index futures are traded on foreign
exchanges including the London International Financial Futures Exchange, the
Singapore International Monetary Exchange, the Sydney Futures Exchange Limited
and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
INTEREST RATE OR FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Income & Growth,
Government, Worldwide, International Growth and Emerging Countries Funds may
invest in interest rate or financial futures contracts. Bond prices are
established in both the cash market and the futures market. In the cash market,
bonds are
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purchased and sold with payment for the full purchase price of the bond being
made in cash, generally within five business days after the trade. In the
futures market, a contract is made to purchase or sell a bond in the future
for a set price on a certain date. Historically, the prices for bonds
established in the futures markets have generally tended to move in the
aggregate in concert with cash market prices, and the prices have maintained
fairly predictable relationships.
The sale of an interest rate or financial futures sale by a Fund would
create an obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver the specific type of
financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a
specified price. A futures contract purchased by a Fund would create an
obligation by the Fund, as purchaser, to take delivery of the specific type of
financial instrument at a specific future time at a specific price. The
specific securities delivered or taken, respectively, at settlement date, would
not be determined until at or near that date. The determination would be in
accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the futures contract sale or
purchase was made.
Although interest rate or financial futures contracts by their terms
call for actual delivery or acceptance of securities, in most cases the
contracts are closed out before the settlement date without delivery of
securities. Closing out of a futures contract sale is effected by the Fund's
entering into a futures contract purchase for the same aggregate amount of the
specific type of financial instrument and the same delivery date. If the price
in the sale exceeds the price in the offsetting purchase, the Fund is paid the
difference and thus realizes a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds
the sale price, the Fund pays the difference and realizes a loss. Similarly, the
closing out of a futures contract purchase is effected by the Fund's entering
into a futures contract sale. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase
price, the Fund realizes a gain, and if the purchase price exceeds the
offsetting sale price, the Fund realizes a loss.
The Funds deal only in standardized contracts on recognized exchanges.
Each exchange guarantees performance under contract provisions through a
clearing corporation, a nonprofit organization managed by the exchange
membership. Domestic interest rate futures contracts are traded in an auction
environment on the floors of several exchanges - principally, the Chicago Board
of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. A public market now exists in
domestic futures contracts covering various financial instruments including
long-term United States Treasury bonds and notes; Government National Mortgage
Association (GNMA) modified pass-through mortgage-backed securities; three-month
United States Treasury bills; and 90-day commercial paper. A Fund may trade in
any futures contract for which there exists a public market, including, without
limitation, the foregoing instruments. International interest rate futures
contracts are traded on the London International Financial Futures Exchange, the
Singapore International Monetary Exchange, the Sydney Futures Exchange Limited
and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
FOREIGN CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Worldwide, International Growth
and Emerging Countries Funds may use foreign currency future contracts for
hedging purposes. A foreign currency futures contract provides for the future
sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified quantity of a
foreign currency at a specified price and time. A public market exists in
futures contracts covering several foreign currencies, including the Australian
dollar, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the German mark, the Japanese
yen, the Swiss franc, and certain multinational currencies such as the European
Currency Unit ("ECU"). Other foreign currency futures contracts are likely to
be developed and traded in the future. The Funds will only enter into futures
contracts and futures options which are standardized and traded on a U.S. or
foreign exchange, board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated
quotation system.
RISKS OF TRANSACTIONS IN FUTURES CONTRACTS. There are several risks
related to the use of futures as a hedging device. One risk arises because
of the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures
contract and movements in the price of the securities which are the subject
of the hedge. The price of the future may move more or less than the price of
the securities being hedged. If the price of the future moves less than the
price of the securities which are the subject of the hedge, the hedge will
not be fully effective, but if the price of the securities being hedged has
moved in an unfavorable direction, a Fund would be in a better position than
if it had not hedged at all. If the price of the securities being hedged has
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moved in a favorable direction, this advantage will be partially offset by
the loss on the future. If the price of the future moves more than the price
of the hedged securities, the Fund will experience either a loss or a gain on
the future which will not be completely offset by movements in the price of
the securities which are subject to the hedge.
To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of
securities being hedged and movements in the price of the futures contract, a
Fund may buy or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the
dollar amount of securities being hedged if the historical volatility of the
prices of such securities has been greater than the historical volatility over
such time period of the future. Conversely, the Fund may buy or sell fewer
futures contracts if the historical volatility of the price of the securities
being hedged is less than the historical volatility of the futures contract
being used. It is possible that, when the Fund has sold futures to hedge its
portfolio against a decline in the market, the market may advance while the
value of securities held in the Fund's portfolio may decline. If this occurs,
the Fund will lose money on the future and also experience a decline in value in
its portfolio securities. However, the Investment Adviser believes that over
time the value of a diversified portfolio will tend to move in the same
direction as the market indices upon which the futures are based.
Where futures are purchased to hedge against a possible increase in the
price of securities before a Fund is able to invest its cash (or cash
equivalents) in securities (or options) in an orderly fashion, it is possible
that the market may decline instead. If the Fund then decides not to invest in
securities or options at that time because of concern as to possible further
market decline or for other reasons, it will realize a loss on the futures
contract that is not offset by a reduction in the price of securities purchased.
In addition to the possibility that there may be an imperfect
correlation, or no correlation at all, between movements in the futures and the
securities being hedged, the price of futures may not correlate perfectly with
movement in the stock index or cash market due to certain market distortions.
All participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit and
maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit
requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting
transactions, which could distort the normal relationship between the index or
cash market and futures markets. In addition, the deposit requirements in the
futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities
market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market
may also cause temporary price distortions. As a result of price distortions in
the futures market and the imperfect correlation between movements in the cash
market and the price of securities and movements in the price of futures, a
correct forecast of general trends by the Investment Adviser may still not
result in a successful hedging transaction over a very short time frame.
Positions in futures may be closed out only on an exchange or board of
trade which provides a secondary market for such futures. Although the Funds
intend to purchase or sell futures only on exchanges or boards of trade where
there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a
liquid secondary market on an exchange or board of trade will exist for any
particular contract or at any particular time. In such event, it may not be
possible to close a futures position, and in the event of adverse price
movements, the Funds would continue to be required to make daily cash payments
of variation margin. When futures contracts have been used to hedge portfolio
securities, such securities will not be sold until the futures contract can be
terminated. In such circumstances, an increase in the price of the securities,
if any, may partially or completely offset losses on the futures contract.
However, as described above, there is no guarantee that the price of the
securities will in fact correlate with the price movements in the futures
contract and thus provide an offset to losses on a futures contract.
Most United States futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation
permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily
limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may
vary either up or down from the previous day's settlement price at the end of a
trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of
futures contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that
limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading
day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent
the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures contract prices have
occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading
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days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of
futures positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses.
Successful use of futures by a Fund is also subject to the Investment
Adviser's ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the
market. For example, if the Fund has hedged against the possibility of a
decline in the market adversely affecting stocks held in its portfolio and
stock prices increase instead, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit
of the increased value of the stocks which it has hedged because it will have
offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations,
if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet
daily variation margin requirements. Such sales of securities may be, but
will not necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising market.
The Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so.
In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which a Fund engages
in transactions in futures contracts or options, the Fund could experience
delays and losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the
broker, and incur a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. As described above, certain of the Funds
may purchase options on the futures contracts they can purchase or sell, as
described above. A futures option gives the holder, in return for the premium
paid, the right to buy (call) from or sell (put) to the writer of the option a
futures contract at a specified price at any time during the period of the
option. Upon exercise, the writer of the option is obligated to pay the
difference between the cash value of the futures contract and the exercise
price. Like the buyer or seller of a futures contract, the holder or writer of
an option has the right to terminate its position prior to the scheduled
expiration of the option by selling, or purchasing an option of the same series,
at which time the person entering into the closing transaction will realize a
gain or loss. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be
effected.
Investments in futures options involve some of the same considerations
as investments in futures contracts (for example, the existence of a liquid
secondary market). In addition, the purchase of an option also entails the risk
that changes in the value of the underlying futures contract will not be fully
reflected in the value of the option. Depending on the pricing of the option
compared to either the futures contract upon which it is based, or upon the
price of the securities being hedged, an option may or may not be less risky
than ownership of the futures contract or such securities. In general, the
market prices of options can be expected to be more volatile than the market
prices on the underlying futures contracts. Compared to the purchase or sale of
futures contracts, however, the purchase of call or put options on futures
contracts may frequently involve less potential risk to the Funds because the
maximum amount at risk is limited to the premium paid for the options (plus
transaction costs).
RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS. A
Fund will not engage in transactions in futures contracts or related options for
speculation, but only as a hedge against changes resulting from market
conditions in the values of securities held in the Fund's portfolio or which it
intends to purchase and where the transactions are economically appropriate to
the reduction of risks inherent in the ongoing management of the Funds. A Fund
may not purchase or sell futures or purchase related options if, immediately
thereafter, more than 25% of its net assets would be hedged. A Fund also may
not purchase or sell futures or purchase related options if, immediately
thereafter, the sum of the amount of margin deposits on the Fund's existing
futures positions and premiums paid for such options would exceed 5% of the
market value of the Fund's net assets.
Upon the purchase of futures contracts by a Fund, an amount of cash or
liquid debt or equity securities equal to the market value of the futures
contracts, will be deposited in a segregated account with the Custodian or in a
margin account with a broker to collateralize the position and thereby insure
that the use of such futures is unleveraged.
These restrictions, which are derived from current federal and state
regulations regarding the use of options and futures by mutual funds, are not
"fundamental restrictions" and may be changed by the
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Trustees of the Master Trust if applicable law permits such a change and the
change is consistent with the overall investment objective and policies of
the Fund.
The extent to which a Fund may enter into futures and options
transactions may be limited by the Internal Revenue Code requirements for
qualification of the corresponding Portfolio as a regulated investment company.
See "Taxes."
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to its
portfolio securities. Pursuant to such agreements, the Fund acquires securities
from financial institutions such as banks and broker-dealers as are deemed to be
creditworthy by the Investment Adviser, subject to the seller's agreement to
repurchase and the Fund's agreement to resell such securities at a mutually
agreed upon date and price. The repurchase price generally equals the price
paid by the Fund plus interest negotiated on the basis of current short-term
rates (which may be more or less than the rate on the underlying portfolio
security). Securities subject to repurchase agreements will be held by the
Custodian or in the Federal Reserve/Treasury Book-Entry System or an equivalent
foreign system. The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to
maintain the value of the underlying securities at not less than 102% of the
repurchase price under the agreement. If the seller defaults on its repurchase
obligation, the Fund holding the repurchase agreement will suffer a loss to the
extent that the proceeds from a sale of the underlying securities is less than
the repurchase price under the agreement. Bankruptcy or insolvency of such a
defaulting seller may cause the Fund's rights with respect to such securities to
be delayed or limited. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans under
the Investment Company Act.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES, FORWARD COMMITMENTS AND DELAYED SETTLEMENTS
Each of the Funds may purchase securities on a "when-issued," forward
commitment or delayed settlement basis. In this event, the Custodian will set
aside cash or liquid portfolio securities equal to the amount of the commitment
in a separate account. Normally, the Custodian will set aside portfolio
securities to satisfy a purchase commitment. In such a case, a Fund may be
required subsequently to place additional assets in the separate account in
order to assure that the value of the account remains equal to the amount of the
Fund's commitment. It may be expected that the Fund's net assets will fluctuate
to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such
purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.
The Funds do not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative
purposes but only in furtherance of their investment objectives. Because a Fund
will set aside cash or liquid portfolio securities to satisfy its purchase
commitments in the manner described, the Fund's liquidity and the ability of the
Investment Adviser to manage it may be affected in the event the Fund's forward
commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed
settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.
A Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or
delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction.
If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, a Fund may
dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell
securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to
the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases the Fund may realize a taxable
capital gain or loss. When a Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment
and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate
the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in a Fund's incurring a
loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.
The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase,
forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any
subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when
determining the market value of a Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to
purchase the securities. A Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has
committed to purchase until they are paid for and delivered on the settlement
date.
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BORROWING
Each of the Funds is authorized to borrow money from time to time for
temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes or for clearance of transactions
in amounts up to 20% of the value of its total assets at the time of such
borrowings. The use of borrowing by a Fund involves special risk considerations
that may not be associated with other funds having similar objectives and
policies. Since substantially all of a Fund's assets fluctuate in value,
whereas the interest obligation resulting from a borrowing will be fixed by the
terms of the Fund's agreement with its lender, the asset value per share of the
Fund will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities increase in value
and to decrease more when its portfolio assets decrease in value than would
otherwise be the case if the Fund did not borrow funds. In addition, interest
costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may
partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse
market conditions, the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet
interest or principal payments at a time when fundamental investment
considerations would not favor such sales.
The Trust has entered into a Credit Agreement on behalf of its various
Portfolios with several banks and Chemical Bank, as administrative agent for the
lenders, to borrow up to $50,000,000 from time to time for purposes of meeting
shareholder redemption requests without the necessity of requiring the Funds to
sell portfolio securities, at times when the Investment Adviser believes such
sales are not in the best interests of the Portfolios' shareholders, in order to
provide the Portfolios with cash to meet such redemption requests. The Credit
Agreement expires on April 10, 1997, unless renewed by the parties.
Under the Credit Agreement, each Portfolio may borrow, repay and
reborrow amounts (collectively, the "Revolving Credit Loans") in increments of
$50,000, provided the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding at any time aggregate
at least $350,000 (the "Credit Facility"). The Trust will pay a commitment fee
at the rate of 0.10% per annum of the average daily unused portion of the Credit
Facility, and may at any time terminate the Credit Agreement or reduce the
lenders' commitment thereunder in increments of $2,500,000.
While outstanding, the Revolving Credit Loans will bear interest,
fluctuating daily and payable monthly, at either of the following rates or a
combination thereof, at the Trust's option: (i) at the weighted average of the
rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, plus 0.625% per annum; or (ii)
the prime rate of interest of Chemical Bank. If, as a result of changes in
applicable laws, regulations or guideline with respect to the capital adequacy
of any lender, the return on such lender's capital is reduced, the Trust may be
required to adjust the rate of interest to compensate such lender for such
reduction. Each Revolving Credit Loan is payable in thirty days, and may be
prepaid at any time in increments of $100,000 without premium or penalty. No
Portfolio is liable for repayment of a Revolving Credit Loan to any other
Portfolio.
The Credit Agreement contains, among other things, covenants that
require each Portfolio to maintain certain minimum ratios of debt to net worth;
limit the ability of the Trust to incur other indebtedness and create liens on
its assets or guarantee obligations of others; merge or consolidate with, or
sell its assets to, others; make material changes in its method of conducting
business; make distributions to shareholders in excess of the requirements of
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code in the event of a default under the
Credit Agreement; or make changes in fundamental investment policies. The
Credit Agreement also contains other terms and conditions customary in such
agreements, including various events of default.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
Each of the Funds may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not
exceeding 30% of its total assets to financial institutions such as banks and
brokers if the loan is collateralized in accordance with applicable
regulations. Under the present regulatory requirements which govern loans of
portfolio securities, the loan collateral must, on each business day, at
least equal the value of the loaned securities and must consist of cash,
letters of credit of domestic banks or domestic branches of foreign banks, or
securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies. To be acceptable as
collateral, letters of credit must obligate a bank to pay amounts demanded by
the Fund if the demand meets the terms of the letter. Such terms and the
issuing
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bank would have to be satisfactory to the Fund. Any loan might be secured by
any one or more of the three types of collateral. The terms of the Fund's
loans must permit the Fund to reacquire loaned securities on five days'
notice or in time to vote on any serious matter and must meet certain tests
under the Internal Revenue Code.
SHORT SALES
The Investment Adviser's growth equity management approach is aimed
principally at identifying equity securities the earnings and prices of which it
expects to grow at a rate above that of the S&P 500. However, the Investment
Adviser believes that its approach also identifies securities the prices of
which can be expected to decline. Therefore, the Core Growth, Emerging Growth,
Worldwide and International Growth Funds are authorized to make short sales of
securities they own or have the right to acquire at no added cost through
conversion or exchange of other securities they own (referred to as short sales
"against the box") and to make short sales of securities which they do not own
or have the right to acquire.
In a short sale that is not "against the box," a Fund sells a security
which it does not own, in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the
security. To complete the sale, the Fund must borrow the security generally
from the broker through which the short sale is made) in order to make delivery
to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by
purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement. The Fund is said
to have a "short position" in the securities sold until it delivers them to the
broker. The period during which the Fund has a short position can range from one
day to more than a year. Until the security is replaced, the proceeds of the
short sale are retained by the broker, and the Fund is required to pay to the
broker a negotiated portion of any dividends or interest which accrue during the
period of the loan. To meet current margin requirements, the Fund is also
required to deposit with the broker additional cash or securities so that the
total deposit with the broker is maintained daily at 150% of the current market
value of the securities sold short (100% of the current market value if a
security is held in the account that is convertible or exchangeable into the
security sold short within 90 days without restriction other than the payment of
money).
Short sales by a Fund that are not made "against the box" create
opportunities to increase the Fund's return but, at the same time, involve
specific risk considerations and may be considered a speculative technique.
Since the Fund in effect profits from a decline in the price of the securities
sold short without the need to invest the full purchase price of the securities
on the date of the short sale, the Fund's net asset value per share will tend to
increase more when the securities it has sold short decrease in value, and to
decrease more when the securities it has sold short increase in value, than
would otherwise be the case if it had not engaged in such short sales. The
amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by
the amount of any premium, dividends or interest the Fund may be required to pay
in connection with the short sale. Furthermore, under adverse market conditions
the Fund might have difficulty purchasing securities to meet its short sale
delivery obligations, and might have to sell portfolio securities to raise the
capital necessary to meet its short sale obligations at a time when fundamental
investment considerations would not favor such sales.
If a Fund makes a short sale "against the box," the Fund would not
immediately deliver the securities sold and would not receive the proceeds from
the sale. The seller is said to have a short position in the securities sold
until it delivers the securities sold, at which time it receives the proceeds of
the sale. To secure its obligation to deliver securities sold short, a Fund
will deposit in escrow in a separate account with the Custodian an equal amount
of the securities sold short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
such securities. The Fund can close out its short position by purchasing and
delivering an equal amount of the securities sold short, rather than by
delivering securities already held by the Fund, because the Fund might want to
continue to receive interest and dividend payments on securities in its
portfolio that are convertible into the securities sold short.
A Fund's decision to make a short sale "against the box" may be a
technique to hedge against market risks when the Investment Adviser believes
that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a
security owned by the Fund or a security convertible into or exchangeable for
such security.
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In such case, any future losses in the Fund's long position would be reduced
by a gain in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses in
the long position are reduced will depend upon the amount of securities sold
short relative to the amount of the securities the Fund owns, either directly
or indirectly, and, in the case where the Fund owns convertible securities,
changes in the investment values or conversion premiums of such securities.
The extent to which a Fund may enter into short sales transactions may
be limited by the Internal Revenue Code requirements for qualification of the
corresponding Portfolio as a regulated investment company. See "Taxes."
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
No Fund may invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in
securities that at the time of purchase have legal or contractual restrictions
on resale or are otherwise illiquid. The Investment Adviser will monitor the
amount of illiquid securities in the Fund's portfolio, under the supervision of
the Master Trust's Board of Trustees, to ensure compliance with the Fund's
investment restrictions.
Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to
contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
securities which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements
having a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have not been
registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placement or
restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the
secondary market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount of
these restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential for
delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have
an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Fund
might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly
or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying
redemption within seven days. The Fund might also have to register such
restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional
expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering
of securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed for
certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including
repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal
securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an
efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily
resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that
there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or
to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such
investments. If such securities are subject to purchase by institutional buyers
in accordance with Rule 144A promulgated by the Commission under the Securities
Act, the Investment Adviser pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Master Trust's
Board of Trustees may determine that such securities are not illiquid securities
notwithstanding their legal or contractual restrictions on resale. In all other
cases, however, securities subject to restrictions on resale will be deemed
illiquid.
The Emerging Countries Fund may invest in foreign securities that are
restricted against transfer within the United States or to United States
persons. Although securities subject to such transfer restrictions may be
marketable abroad, they may be less liquid than foreign securities of the same
class that are not subject to such restrictions. Unless these securities are
acquired directly from the issuer or its underwriter, the Fund treats such
foreign securities whose principal market is abroad as not subject to the
investment limitation on securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions
on resale.
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCESSES
The Investment Adviser's investment techniques and processes, which it
has used in managing institutional portfolios for many years, are described
generally in the Portfolios' prospectuses under "Investment Objectives and
Policies -- Investment Techniques and Processes." In making decisions with
respect to equity securities for the Funds, GROWTH OVER TIME-Registered
Trademark- is the Investment Adviser's underlying goal, and the Investment
Adviser emphasizes growth over time through investment in securities of
companies with
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earnings growth potential. Its investment techniques focus on discovering
positive developments when they first show up in an issuer's earnings, but
before they are fully reflected in the price of the issuer's securities.
As indicated in the Portfolios' prospectuses, the Investment Adviser's
techniques and processes include relationships with an extensive network of
brokerage research firms located throughout the world. These analysts are often
located in the same geographic regions as the companies they follow, have
followed those companies for a number of years, and have developed excellent
sources of information about them. The Investment Adviser does not employ
in-house analysts other than the personnel actually engaged in managing
investments for the Funds and the Investment Adviser's other clients. However,
information obtained from a brokerage research firm is confirmed with other
research sources or the Investment Adviser's computer-assisted quantitative
analysis (including "real time" pricing data) of a substantial universe of
potential investments.
As indicated in the Portfolios' prospectuses, the equity investments of
a Portfolio are diversified, as with respect to at least 75% of each Fund's
assets, no Fund may invest more than 5% of its total assets in the equity
securities of any one issuer. The equity securities of each issuer that are
included in the investment portfolio of a Fund are purchased by the Investment
Adviser in approximately equal amounts, and the Investment Adviser attempts to
stay fully invested within the applicable percentage limitations set forth in
the prospectus. In addition, for each issuer whose securities are added to an
investment portfolio, the Investment Adviser sells the securities of one of the
issuers currently included in the portfolio.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Trust, on behalf of the Portfolios, and the Master Trust, on behalf
of the corresponding Funds, have adopted the following fundamental policies that
cannot be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the appropriate Portfolio or Fund, respectively (as defined in the
Investment Company Act). Whenever a Portfolio is requested to vote on a change
in the investment restrictions of a Fund, the Trust will hold a meeting of its
shareholders and will cast its vote as instructed by the shareholders. If the
investment restrictions of a Fund are changed, the corresponding Portfolio may
withdraw its investment in the Fund if the Trust's Board of Trustees determines
that withdrawal is in the best interests of the Portfolio and its shareholders,
but only upon shareholder approval. Upon such withdrawal, the Trust's Board
would consider alternative investments, including investing all of the
Portfolio's assets in another investment company with the same investment
objective, policies and restrictions as the Portfolio or hiring an investment
adviser to manage the Portfolio's assets in accordance with the investment
objectives, policies and restrictions of the Portfolio described in the
Portfolio's Prospectus and in this Statement of Additional Information.
All percentage limitations set forth below apply immediately after a
purchase or initial investment, and any subsequent change in any applicable
percentage resulting from market fluctuations will not require elimination of
any security from the relevant portfolio.
The investment objective of each Fund and Portfolio is a fundamental
policy. In addition, no Portfolio or Fund:
1. May invest in securities of any one issuer if more than 5% of the
market value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such
issuer, except that up to 25% of a Portfolio or Fund's total assets may be
invested without regard to this restriction and a Portfolio will be permitted to
invest all or a portion of its assets in a corresponding Fund or other
diversified, open-end management investment company with substantially the same
investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Portfolio. This
restriction also does not apply to investments by a Portfolio or Fund in
securities of the U.S. Government or any of its agencies and instrumentalities.
2. May purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities, or
of any class of securities, of any one issuer, or purchase the securities of any
issuer for the purpose of exercising control or management, except that a
Portfolio will be permitted to invest all or a portion of its assets in a
corresponding
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Fund or other diversified, open-end management investment company with
substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the
Portfolio.
3. May invest 25% or more of the market value of its total assets in
the securities of issuers in any one particular industry, except that a
Portfolio will be permitted to invest all or a portion of its assets in a
corresponding Fund or other diversified, open-end management investment
company with substantially the same investment objective, policies and
restrictions as the Portfolio. This restriction does not apply to
investments by a Portfolio or Fund in securities of the U.S. Government or
its agencies and instrumentalities.
4. May purchase or sell real estate. However, a Portfolio or Fund may
invest in securities secured by, or issued by companies that invest in, real
estate or interests in real estate.
5. May make loans of money, except that a Portfolio or Fund may
purchase publicly distributed debt instruments and certificates of deposit and
enter into repurchase agreements. Each Portfolio and Fund reserves the
authority to make loans of its portfolio securities in an aggregate amount not
exceeding 30% of the value of its total assets.
6. May borrow money on a secured or unsecured basis, except for
temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes or for the clearance of
transactions in amounts not exceeding 20% of the value of its total assets at
the time of the borrowing, provided that, pursuant to the Investment Company
Act, borrowings will only be made from banks and will be made only to the extent
that the value of the Fund's total assets, less its liabilities other than
borrowings, is equal to at least 300% of all borrowings (including the proposed
borrowing). If such asset coverage of 300% is not maintained, the Portfolio or
Fund will take prompt action to reduce its borrowings as required by applicable
law.
7. May pledge or in any way transfer as security for indebtedness any
securities owned or held by it, except to secure indebtedness permitted by
restriction 6 above. This restriction shall not prohibit the Portfolios or
Funds from engaging in options, futures and foreign currency transactions.
8. May underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as it
may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act in selling portfolio
securities.
9. May invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in
securities that at the time of purchase have legal or contractual restrictions
on resale or are otherwise illiquid.
10. May purchase securities on margin, except for initial and variation
margin on options and futures contracts, and except that a Portfolio or Fund may
obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of Purchases
and sales of securities.
11. May engage in short sales (other than the Core Growth Portfolio and
Fund, the Emerging Growth Portfolio and Fund, the Worldwide Portfolio and Fund
and the International Growth Portfolio and Fund), except that a Portfolio or
Fund may use such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of
transactions.
12. May invest in securities of other investment companies, except (a)
that a Portfolio may invest all or a portion of its assets in a corresponding
Fund or other diversified, open-end management investment company with the same
investment objective policies and restrictions as the Portfolio; (b) in
compliance with the Investment Company Act and applicable state securities laws,
or (c) as part of a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization
involving the Portfolio or Fund.
13. May issue senior securities, except that a Portfolio or Fund may
borrow money as permitted by restrictions 6 and 7 above. This restriction shall
not prohibit the Portfolios or Funds from engaging in short sales, options,
futures and foreign currency transactions.
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14. May enter into transactions for the purpose of arbitrage, or invest
in commodities and commodities contracts, except that a Fund or Portfolio may
invest in stock index, currency and financial futures contracts and related
options in accordance with any rules of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission.
15. May purchase or write options on securities, except for hedging
purposes and then only if (i) aggregate premiums on call options purchased by a
Fund do not exceed 5% of its net assets, (ii) aggregate premiums on put options
purchased by a Fund do not exceed 5% of its net assets, (iii) not more than 25%
of a Fund's net assets would be hedged, and (iv) not more than 25% of a Fund's
net assets are used as cover for options written by the Fund.
OPERATING RESTRICTIONS
As a matter of operating (not fundamental) policy adopted by the Boards
of Trustees of the Trust, no Portfolio or Fund:
1. May invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or
development programs or leases, or real estate limited partnerships, although a
Portfolio or a Fund may invest in the securities of companies which invest in or
sponsor such programs.
2. May purchase any security if as a result the Portfolio or Fund
would then have more than 5% of its total assets (taken at current value)
invested in securities of companies (including predecessors) having a record of
less than three years of continuous operation, except (a) that a Portfolio may
invest all or a portion of its assets in a corresponding Fund or other
diversified, open-end management investment company with the same investment
objective, policies and restrictions as the Portfolio in compliance with the
Investment Company Act or (b) as part of a merger, consolidation, acquisition or
reorganization involving the Portfolio or Fund.
3. May purchase securities of any issuer if any officer or trustee of
the Portfolio or Fund, or of the Administrator, the Distributor, or Investment
Adviser, owning more than 1/2 of 1% of the outstanding securities of such
issuer, own in the aggregate more than 5% of the outstanding securities of such
issuer.
4. May lend any securities from its portfolio unless the value of the
collateral received therefor is continuously maintained in an amount not less
than 100% of the value of the loaned securities by marking to market daily.
5. May invest in warrants, valued at the lower of cost or market, in
excess of 5% of the market value of the Portfolio's or Fund's net assets, or in
excess of 2% of the market value of the Portfolio's or Fund's net assets if such
warrants are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock
Exchange, as of the date of investment.
BLUE SKY RESTRICTIONS
In order to permit the sale of shares of a Portfolio in certain states,
the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and the Master Trust may, in its sole
discretion, adopt additional restrictions on investment policies more
restrictive than those described above. Should either of such Boards determine
that any such restrictive policy is no longer in the best interests of such
respective trust or its investors, the Trust may cease offering shares of a
Portfolio in the state involved and the Boards of Trustees may revoke such
restrictive policy. Moreover, if the states involved no longer require any such
restrictive policy, the Board of Trustees may, at their sole discretion, revoke
such policy.
The Master Trust has agreed, in connection with certain undertakings
given by the Trust to the State of South Dakota, that (i) no Fund will invest
more than 10% of its total assets in interests in real estate investment trusts,
(ii) no Fund will invest more than 15% of its total assets in equity securities
of issuers which are not readily marketable, in securities of issuers which the
Portfolio or Fund is restricted from selling without
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registration under the Securities Act (other than restricted securities
eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act that have
been determined by the Master Trust's Board of Trustees to be liquid based
upon the trading markets for the securities), and securities of unseasoned
issuers referred to in restriction 2 above (these restrictions will not
affect the ability of a Portfolio to invest in securities of a corresponding
Fund or other diversified, open-end management investment companies with the
same investment objectives, policies and restrictions as the Portfolio) and
(iii) the Master Trust will provide adequate notice to the Trust of changes
in such restrictions to enable the Trust to provide at least 30 days advance
notice of such changes to its shareholders.
The Master Trust has agreed, in connection with certain undertakings
given by the Trust to the State of Texas, that the International Growth Fund
will not make short sales of securities or maintain a short position if to do so
could create liabilities or require collateral deposits and segregation of
assets aggregating more than 25% of the Fund's net assets.
The Master Trust has agreed, in connection with certain undertakings
given by the Trust to the State of Ohio, that no Fund will invest more than 50%
of its total assets in the securities of issuers which together with any
predecessors have a record of less than three years continuous operation or
securities of issuers which are restricted as to disposition (including without
limitation securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933).
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of March 31, 1996, the following persons held of record more than 5%
of the outstanding shares of the Portfolios: Core Growth Qualified Portfolio --
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Attn Mutual Funds, 101 Montgomery Street, San
Francisco, CA 94104 (5.0%); Clark & Co., FBO Swedish American Hospital, 403 B
Aggr, P.O. Box 39, Westerville, Ohio 43086 (52.6%) and Clark & Co., FBO Swedish
American Hospital, 401k Aggr Growth, P.O. Box 39, Westerville, OH 43085 (37.4%);
Emerging Growth Qualified Portfolio -- Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Attn Mutual
Funds, 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104 (99.6%); Income & Growth
Qualified Growth Portfolio -- Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Attn Mutual Funds, 101
Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104 (99.9%); Balanced Growth Qualified
Portfolio -- Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, 600 West Broadway, 30th
Floor, San Diego, CA 92101 (83.8%); Government Income Qualified Portfolio --
Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, 600 West Broadway, 30th Floor, San Diego,
CA 92101 (84.0%); Worldwide Growth Qualified Portfolio -- Nicholas-Applegate
Capital Management, 600 West Broadway, 30th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101 (95.4%);
International Growth Qualified Portfolio -- Nicholas-Applegate Capital
Management, 600 West Broadway, 30th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101 (5.7%) and
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Attn Mutual Funds, 101 Montgomery Street, San
Francisco, CA 94104 (94.1%); Emerging Countries Qualified Portfolio -- Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc., Attn Mutual Funds, 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA
94104 (99.7%).
As of such date, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group,
owned beneficially and of record less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each
of the Portfolios, except for the shares indicated above that are held by
Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management.
TRUSTEES AND PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
TRUST
The names and addresses of the Trustees and principal officers of the
Trust, including their positions and principal occupations during the past five
years, are shown below. Trustees whose names are followed by an asterisk are
"interested persons" of the Trust (as defined by the Investment Company Act).
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each Trustee and officer is 600 West
Broadway, 30th Floor, San Diego, California 92101.
B-24
<PAGE>
FRED C. APPLEGATE, TRUSTEE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 885
La Jolla Corona Court, La Jolla, California. President, Hightower Management
Co., a financial management firm (since January 1992); formerly President,
Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management (from August 1984 to December 1991).
Director of Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc. (since 1987). Mr. Applegate's
interests in Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, Inc., the general partner of
the Investment Adviser, were acquired by Mr. Nicholas in 1991 and 1992.
ARTHUR B. LAFFER, TRUSTEE.* 5405 Morehouse Drive, Suite 340, San Diego,
California. Chairman, A.B. Laffer, V.A. Canto & Associates, an economic
consulting firm (since 1979); Chairman, Laffer Advisors Incorporated, economic
consultants (since 1981); Director, Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc. (since 1987);
Director, U.S. Filter Corporation (since March 1991) and MasTec, Inc.
(construction) (since 1994); Chairman, Calport Asset Management, Inc. (since
1992); formerly Distinguished University Professor and Director, Pepperdine
University (from Sept. 1985 to May 1988) and Professor of Business Economics,
University of Southern California (1976 to 1984). Mr. Laffer is considered to
be an "interested person" of the Trust because A.B. Laffer, V.A. Canto &
Associates received $100,000 in 1994 from the Investment Adviser as compensation
for consulting services provided from time to time to the Investment Adviser.
CHARLES E. YOUNG, TRUSTEE. UCLA, 2147 Murphy Hall, Los Angeles,
California. Chancellor, UCLA (since 1968); Director, Nicholas-Applegate Fund,
Inc. (since 1992); Director, Intel Corp. (since 1974), Academy of Television
Arts and Sciences Foundation (since October 1988), Los Angeles World Affairs
Council (since 1977) and Town Hall of California (since 1982).
JOHN D. WYLIE, PRESIDENT. Partner (since January 1994), Chief
Investment Officer - Retail (since December 1995), and Portfolio Manager (since
January 1990), Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management. Mr. Wylie is also the
President of the Master Trust.
THOMAS PINDELSKI, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. Partner (since January 1996)
and Chief Financial Officer, Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management (since
January 1993), and Chief Financial Officer, Nicholas-Applegate Securities (since
January 1993), formerly Chief Financial Officer, Aurora Capital Partners/WSGP
Partners L.P., an investment partnership (from November 1988 to January 1993),
and Vice President and Controller, Security Pacific Merchant Banking Group (from
November 1986 to November 1988). Mr. Pindelski is also the Chief Financial
Officer of the Master Trust.
PETER J. JOHNSON, VICE PRESIDENT. Partner and Director - Client
Services/Marketing, Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management (since January 1992)
and Vice President, Nicholas-Applegate Securities (since December 1995);
formerly, Marketing Director, Pacific Financial Asset Management Company, an
investment management firm (from July 1989 to December 1991), and Senior
Marketing Representative, Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (from
August 1987 to July 1989). Mr. Johnson is also a Vice President of the Master
Trust.
E. BLAKE MOORE, JR., SECRETARY. General Counsel and Secretary,
Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management and Nicholas-Applegate Securities
(since 1993); formerly Attorney, Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps (from 1989
to 1993). Mr. Moore is also the Secretary of the Master Trust.
Each Trustee of the Trust who is not an officer or affiliate of the
Trust, the Investment Adviser or the Distributor receives an aggregate annual
fee of $14,000 for services rendered as a Trustee of the Trust, and $1,000 for
each meeting attended ($2,000 per Committee meeting for Committee chairman).
Each Trustee is also reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a
Trustee.
The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation paid by the
Trust for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, to the Trustees who are not
affiliated with the Investment Adviser and the aggregate
compensation paid to such Trustees for service on the Trust's board and that of
all other funds in the "Trust complex" (as defined in Schedule 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934):
B-25
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Pension or
Retirement Estimated
Benefits Annual Total Compensation
Aggregate Accrued as Benefits from Trust and
Compensation Part of Upon Trust Complex Paid
Name from Trust Trust Expenses Retirement to Trustee
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fred C. Applegate $ 15,000 None N/A $ 29,000(45*)
Arthur B. Laffer $ 15,500 None N/A $ 31,500(45*)
Charles E. Young $ 15,000 None N/A $ 31,500(45*)
</TABLE>
* Indicates number of funds in Trust complex, including the Portfolios.
MASTER TRUST
The names and addresses of the Trustees and principal officers of the
Master Trust, including their positions and principal occupations during the
past five years, are shown below. The positions and principal occupations of
the officers during the past five years, are set forth above. Trustees whose
names are followed by an asterisk are "interested persons" of the Master Trust
(as defined by the Investment Company Act). Unless otherwise indicated, the
address of each Trustee and officer is 600 West Broadway, 30th Floor, San Diego,
California 92101.
ARTHUR E. NICHOLAS, TRUSTEE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.*
Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Nicholas-Applegate Capital
Management, since 1984, and Director and Chairman of the Board, Nicholas-
Applegate Securities. Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc., a registered open-end investment company, since
1987.
DANN V. ANGELOFF, TRUSTEE. 727 West Seventh Street, Los Angeles,
California. President, The Angeloff Company, corporate financial advisers
(since 1976); Director, Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc. (since 1987); Trustee
(1979 to 1987) and University Counselor to the President (since 1987),
University of Southern California (since 1987); Director, Public Storage, Inc.,
a real estate investment trust (since 1980), Storage Properties, a real estate
investment trust (since 1989), Datametrics Corporation, a producer of computer
peripherals and communication products (since 1993), SEDA Specialty Packaging,
Inc. (since 1993) and Bonded Motors, Inc., an automotive engine remanufacturer
(since 1996).
WALTER E. AUCH, TRUSTEE. 6001 North 62nd Place, Paradise Valley,
Arizona. Director, Geotech Communications, Inc., a mobile radio communications
company (since 1987); Express America Corporation, a mortgage banking company
(since 1992); Fort Dearborn Fund (since 1987); Brinson Funds (since 1994), Smith
Barney Trak Fund (since 1992), registered investment companies; Pimco L.P., an
investment manager (since 1994); and Banyan Realty Fund (since 1987), Banyan
Strategic Land Fund (since 1987), Banyan Strategic Land Fund II (since 1988),
and Banyan Mortgage Fund (since 1988), real estate investment trusts. Formerly
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Board Options Exchange (1979 to
1986) and Senior Executive Vice President, Director and Member of the Executive
Committee, PaineWebber, Inc. (until 1979).
THEODORE J. COBURN, TRUSTEE. 17 Cotswold Road, Brookline,
Massachusetts. Partner, Brown, Coburn & Co., an investment banking firm (since
1991), and student, Harvard Divinity School and Harvard School of Education
(since September 1991); Director, Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc. (since 1987);
formerly Managing Director of Global Equity Transactions Group, and member of
Board of Directors, Prudential Securities (from 1986 to June 1991).
B-26
<PAGE>
DARLENE DEREMER, TRUSTEE.* 155 South Street, Wrentham, Massachusetts.
President and Founder, DeRemer Associates, a marketing consultant for the
financial services industry (since 1987); formerly Vice President and Director,
Asset Management Division, State Street Bank and Trust Company (from 1982 to
1987), and Vice President, T. Rowe Price & Associates (1979 to 1982); Director,
Jurika & Voyles Fund Group (since 1994), Nicholas-Applegate Strategic
Opportunities Ltd. (since 1994), Nicholas-Applegate Securities International
(since 1994), and King's Wood Montessori School (since 1995); Member of
Advisory Board, Financial Women's Association (since 1995). Ms. DeRemer is
considered to be an "interested person" of the Master Trust under the 1940 Act
because DeRemer Associates received $100,736 in 1995 and $54,247 in 1994 from
the Investment Adviser as compensation for consulting services provided in
connection with its institutional business.
GEORGE F. KEANE, TRUSTEE.* 450 Post Road East, Westport, Connecticut.
President Emeritus and Senior Investment Adviser, The Common Fund, a non-profit
investment management organization representing educational institutions (since
1993), after serving as its President (from 1971 to 1992); Member of Investment
Advisory Committee, New York State Common Retirement Fund (since 1982); Director
and Chairman of the Investment Committee, United Negro College Fund (since
1987); Director, Investor Responsibility Research Center (since 1987); Director,
United Educators Risk Retention Group (since 1989); Director, RCB Trust Company
(since 1991); Director, School, College and University Underwriters Ltd. (since
1986); Trustee, Fairfield University (since 1993); Director, The Bramwell Funds,
Inc. (since 1994); Chairman of the Board, Trigen Energy Corporation (since
1994); Director, Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (since 1994).
Formerly President, Endowment Advisers, Inc. (from August 1987 to December
1992). Mr. Keane is considered to be an "interested person" of the Master Trust
under the 1940 Act because he is a registered representative of a broker-dealer.
JOHN D. WYLIE, PRESIDENT.
THOMAS PINDELSKI, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
PETER J. JOHNSON, VICE PRESIDENT.
E. BLAKE MOORE, JR., SECRETARY.
Each Trustee of the Master Trust who is not an officer or affiliate of
the Master Trust, the Investment Adviser or the Distributor receives an
aggregate annual fee of $14,000 for services rendered as a Trustee of the Master
Trust, and $1,000 for each meeting attended ($2,000 per Committee meeting for
Committee chairmen). Each Trustee is also reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses
incurred as a Trustee.
The following table sets for the aggregate compensation paid by the
Master Trust for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, to the Trustees who
are not affiliated with the Investment Adviser and the aggregate compensation
paid to such Trustees for service on the Master Trust's board and that all
other funds in the "Master Trust complex" (as defined in Schedule 14A under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934):
B-27
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Pension or
Retirement Estimated Total Compensation
Aggregate Benefits Annual from Master Trust
Compensation Accrued as Part Benefits and Master Trust
from Master of Master Upon Complex Paid
Name Trust Trust Expenses Retirement to Trustee
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dann V. Angeloff $ 15,500 None N/A $ 32,500(13*)
Walter E. Auch $ 15,000 None N/A $ 15,000(12*)
Theodore J. Coburn $ 15,000 None N/A $ 29,000(13*)
Darlene DeRemer $ 15,000 None N/A $ 15,000(12*)
George K. Keane $ 15,000 None N/A $ 15,000(12*)
</TABLE>
* Indicates total number of funds in Master Trust complex, including the Funds.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Trust has not engaged the services of an investment adviser with
respect to the Portfolios because the Portfolios invest all of their assets in
corresponding Funds. The Investment Adviser to the Master Trust is
Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, a California limited partnership, with
offices at 600 West Broadway, 30th Floor, San Diego, California 92101.
The Investment Adviser was organized in 1984 to manage discretionary
accounts investing in publicly traded securities for a variety of investors.
Its general partner is Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management Holdings, L.P., a
California limited partnership the general partner of which is Nicholas-
Applegate Capital Management Holdings, Inc., a California corporation owned by
Mr. Nicholas. The Investment Adviser currently has fourteen partners (including
Mr. Nicholas) who manage a staff of approximately 325 employees, including 28
portfolio managers.
Personnel of the Investment Adviser may invest in securities for their
own accounts pursuant to a Code of Ethics that sets forth all partners' and
employees' fiduciary responsibilities regarding the Funds, establishes
procedures for personal investing, and restricts certain transactions. For
example, all personal trades in most securities require pre-clearance, and
participation in initial public offerings is prohibited. In addition,
restrictions on the timing of personal investing in relation to trades by the
Funds and on short-term trading have been adopted.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Master Trust and the
Investment Adviser with respect to the Funds, the Master Trust retains the
Investment Adviser to manage the Funds' investment portfolios, subject to the
direction of the Master Trust's Board of Trustees. The Investment Adviser is
authorized to determine which securities are to be bought or sold by the Funds
and in what amounts.
The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Investment Adviser
will not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by a Fund
or the Master Trust in connection with the matters to which the Investment
Advisory Agreement relates, except for liability resulting from willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or
by reason of the Investment Adviser's reckless disregard of its duties and
obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Master Trust has
B-28
<PAGE>
agreed to indemnify the Investment Adviser against liabilities, costs and
expenses that the Investment Adviser may incur in connection with any action,
suit, investigation or other proceeding arising out of or otherwise based on any
action actually or allegedly taken or omitted to be taken by the Investment
Adviser in connection with the performance of its duties or obligations under
the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the
Master Trust. The Investment Adviser is not entitled to indemnification with
respect to any liability to the Master Trust or its shareholders by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties, or of its reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under the
Investment Advisory Agreement.
The amounts of the advisory fees paid to the Investment Adviser for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1995, and the amounts of the reductions in fees as a
result of the expense limitations and fee waivers described below under "Expense
Limitation" were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fund Advisory Fees Fee Reductions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Core Growth Fund $2,563,061 $ -0-
Emerging Growth Fund 5,190,853 -0-
Income & Growth Fund 723,032 (4,263)
Balanced Growth Fund 75,048 94,371
Worldwide Growth Fund 922,328 58,228
International Growth Fund 69,849 117,278
Government Fund -0- 80,735
Emerging Countries Fund 49,827 57,853
</TABLE>
The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that it will terminate in the
event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company Act). The
Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated with respect to any Fund by the
Master Trust (by the Board of Trustees of the Master Trust or vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the Investment
Company Act) or the Investment Adviser upon not more than 60 days' written
notice, without payment of any penalty. The Investment Advisory Agreement
provides that it will continue in effect with respect to each Fund for a period
of more than two years from its execution only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the Investment
Company Act.
EXPENSE LIMITATION
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser has
agreed to defer its fees, and to absorb other expenses of each Portfolio
(including administrative fees and distribution expenses for the Portfolio, and
the Portfolio's allocable share of the operating expenses of the corresponding
Fund, but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other costs
incurred in connection with portfolio securities transactions, organizational
expenses and other capitalized expenditures and extraordinary expenses), to
ensure that the operating expenses for the Series A Portfolios do not exceed the
amounts specified in the Portfolios' prospectuses.
In addition, each of the Portfolios is subject to certain limitations on
expenses imposed by state securities laws. At present, the only expense
limitation in effect is in California. Under California law, each Portfolio
will be subject to an annual expense limitation equal to the sum of 2.5% of the
first $30 million of the Portfolio's average net assets, 2.0% of the next $70
million of average net assets, and 1.5% of the remaining average net assets. If
a Portfolio's expenses (excluding interest, brokerage commissions litigation
expenses and certain other items), including its allocable share of the expenses
incurred by the corresponding Fund,
B-29
<PAGE>
were to exceed such limit in any fiscal year, the Investment Adviser has
agreed to bear the amount of such excess to the extent required by such
limitations.
ADMINISTRATOR
The Administrator of the Trust is Investment Company Administration
Corporation, 4455 East Camelback Road, Suite 261-E, Phoenix, Arizona 85018.
Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with the Trust, the
Administrator is responsible for performing all administrative services required
for the daily business operations of the Trust, subject to the supervision of
the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The Administrator has no supervisory
responsibility over the investment operations of the Portfolios. The management
or administrative services of the Administrator for the Trust are not exclusive
under the terms of the Administration Agreement and the Administrator is free
to, and does, render management and administrative services to others.
Investment Company Administration Corporation also serves as the Administrator
for the Master Trust.
For its services, the Administrator receives under the Administration
Agreement $35,000 for each grouping of five similar portfolios (e.g., Core
Growth Portfolio A, Portfolio B, Portfolio C, Institutional and Qualified
Portfolios), $30,000 for each group of four similar portfolios, $25,000 for
each grouping of three similar portfolios, $20,000 for a grouping of two
similar portfolios and $5,000 for one portfolio, except as follows: The
Administrator receives $15,000 for its services with respect to the Emerging
Growth Portfolio. As a result, the Administrator currently receives aggregate
compensation at the rate of $230,000 per year for all of the series of the
Trust. Such fees will be allocated among the series in each grouping based
on relative net asset values. For its services to the Master Trust, the
Administrator receives, pursuant to an Administration Agreement, a monthly
fee at the following annual rates: 0.05% on the first $100 million of
aggregate net assets of the Funds, 0.04% on the next $150 million, 0.03% on
the next $300 million, 0.02% on the next $300 million, and 0.01% on the
portion of aggregate net assets of the Funds in excess of $850 million. The
Administrator will receive a minimum of $150,000 per year allocated among the
Funds based on average net assets.
In connection with its management of the corporate affairs of the Trust,
the Administrator pays the salaries and expenses of all its personnel and pays
all expenses incurred in connection with managing the ordinary course of the
business of the Trust, other than expenses assumed by the Trust as described
below.
Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Trust is
responsible for the payment of the following expenses: (a) the fees and
expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with the management of the
investment and reinvestment of their assets, (b) the fees and expenses of
Trustees and officers of the Trust who are not affiliated with the
Administrator, the Investment Adviser, (c) out-of-pocket travel expenses for the
officers and Trustees of the Trust and other expenses of Board of Trustees'
meetings, (d) the fees and certain expenses of the Custodian, (e) the fees and
expenses of the Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent that relate to the
maintenance of each shareholder account, (f) the charges and expenses of the
Trust's legal counsel and independent accountants, (g) brokerage commissions and
any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to Trustees and officers of the Trust in
connection with securities transactions, (h) all taxes and corporate fees
payable by the Trust to federal, state and other governmental agencies, (i) the
fees of any trade association of which the Trust may be a member, (j) the cost
of maintaining the Trust's existence, taxes and interest, (k) the cost of
fidelity and liability insurance, (l) the fees and expenses involved in
registering and maintaining the registration of the Trust and of its shares with
the Commission and registering the Trust as a broker or dealer and qualifying
their shares under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing
of the Trust's registration statement, prospectuses and statements of additional
information, (m) allocable communication expenses with respect to investor
services and all expenses of shareholders' and Board of Trustees' meetings and
of preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses and reports to shareholders, (n)
litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not
incurred in the ordinary course of the business of the Trust, and (o) expenses
assumed by the Trust pursuant to any plan of distribution adopted in conformity
with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act.
B-30
<PAGE>
The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator will not be
liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust in
connection with the matters to which the Administration Agreement relates,
except a loss resulting from the Administrator's willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties. The Administration
Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned, and may be terminated
without penalty by either the Administrator or the Trust (by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act), upon 60 days' written
notice. The Administration Agreement will continue in effect only so long as
such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with
the Investment Company Act.
DISTRIBUTOR
Nicholas-Applegate Securities (the "Distributor"), 600 West Broadway,
30th Floor, San Diego, California 92101, is the principal underwriter and
distributor for the Trust and, in such capacity, is responsible for distributing
shares of the Portfolios. The Distributor is a California limited partnership
organized in 1992 to distribute shares of registered investment companies. Its
general partner is Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management Holdings, L.P., the
general partner of the Investment Adviser.
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Pursuant to its Distribution Agreement with the Trust, the Distributor
has agreed to use its best efforts to effect sales of shares of the Portfolios,
but is not obligated to sell any specified number of shares. The Distribution
Agreement contains provisions with respect to renewal and termination similar to
those in the Investment Advisory Agreement discussed above. The minimum assets
for investors in the Qualified Portfolio may be waived from time to time.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Trust has agreed to indemnify the
Distributor to the extent permitted by applicable law against certain
liabilities under the Securities Act.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICE PLAN
The Trust has also adopted a Shareholder Service Plan with respect to
the Qualified Portfolios. Under the Shareholder Service Plan, the Distributor
is compensated at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Qualified Portfolios' average
daily net assets for certain shareholder service expenses provided by the
Distributor and fees paid to plan sponsors and others for the provision of
support services to their clients who are beneficial owners of shares of the
Portfolios.
Support services include, among other things, establishing and
maintaining accounts and records relating to their clients that invest in
Portfolio shares; processing dividend and distribution payments from the
Portfolios on behalf of clients; preparing tax reports; arranging for bank
wires; responding to client inquiries concerning their investments in Portfolio
shares; providing the information to the Portfolios necessary for accounting and
subaccounting; preparing tax reports, forms and related documents; forwarding
shareholder communications from the Trust (such as proxies, shareholder reports,
annual and semi-annual financial statements and dividend, distribution and tax
notices) to clients; assisting in processing exchange and redemption requests
from clients; assisting clients in changing dividend options, account
designations and addresses; and providing such other similar services.
The Shareholder Service Plan continues in effect from year to year,
provided that each such continuance is approved at least annually by a vote of
the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the
Shareholder Service Plan or in any agreement related to the Shareholder Service
Plan (the "Independent Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such continuance. The Shareholder Service Plan may be
amended at any time by the Board, provided that any material amendments of the
terms of the Plan will become effective only upon the approval by a majority of
the Board and a majority of the Independent Trustees pursuant to a vote cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. The
B-31
<PAGE>
Shareholder Service Plan may be terminated with respect to any Portfolio at any
time, without penalty, by the Board.
Under the Shareholder Service Plan, the Distributor pays plan sponsors
and others an account servicing fee of up to 0.25% annually of the average daily
net assets of the Qualified Portfolios attributable to shares in the accounts of
their customers, as compensation for providing certain shareholder-related
services.
MISCELLANEOUS
Pursuant to the Shareholder Service Plan, the Board of Trustees will
review at least quarterly a written report of the service expenses incurred on
behalf of shares of the Portfolios by the Distributor. The report will include
an itemization of the distribution and service expenses and the purposes of such
expenditures.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Subject to policies established by the Master Trust's Board of Trustees,
the Investment Adviser is primarily responsible for the execution of the Funds'
portfolio transactions and the allocation of the brokerage business. In
executing such transactions, the Investment Adviser will seek to obtain the best
price and execution for the Funds, taking into account such factors as price,
size of order, difficulty and risk of execution and operational facilities of
the firm involved. Securities in which the Funds invest may be traded in the
over-the-counter markets, and the Funds deal directly with the dealers who make
markets in such securities except in those circumstances where better prices and
execution are available elsewhere. Commission rates are established pursuant to
negotiation with brokers or dealers based on the quality or quantity of services
provided in light of generally prevailing rates, and while the Investment
Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, the Funds do
not necessarily pay the lowest commissions available. The allocation of orders
among brokers and the commission rates paid are reviewed periodically by the
Board of Trustees of the Master Trust.
The Funds have no obligation to deal with any broker or group of brokers
in executing transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to obtaining the
best price and execution, brokers who sell shares of the Portfolios or provide
supplemental research, market and statistical information and other research
services and products to the Investment Adviser may receive orders for
transactions by the Funds. Such information, services and products are those
which brokerage houses customarily provide to institutional investors, and
include items such as statistical and economic data, research reports on
particular companies and industries, and computer software used for research
with respect to investment decisions. Information, services and products so
received are in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be
performed by the Investment Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and
the expenses of the Investment Adviser are not necessarily reduced as a result
of the receipt of such supplemental information, services and products. Such
information, services and products may be useful to the Investment Adviser in
providing services to clients other than the Master Trust, and not all such
information, services and products are used by the Investment Adviser in
connection with the Funds. Similarly, such information, services and products
provided to the Investment Adviser by brokers and dealers through whom other
clients of the Investment Adviser effect securities transactions may be useful
to the Investment Adviser in providing services to the Funds. The Investment
Adviser is authorized to pay higher commission on brokerage transactions for the
Funds to brokers in order to secure the information, services and products
described above, subject to review by the Master Trust's Board of Trustees from
time to time as to the extent and continuation of this practice.
Although investment decisions for the Master Trust are made
independently from those of the other accounts managed by the Investment
Adviser, investments of the kind made by the Funds may often also be made by
such other accounts. When a purchase or sale of the same security is made at
substantially the same time on behalf of the Funds and one or more other
accounts managed by the Investment Adviser, available investments are allocated
in the discretion of the Investment Adviser by such means as, in its judgment,
result in fair treatment. The Investment Adviser aggregates orders for
purchases and sales of
B-32
<PAGE>
securities of the same issuer on the same day among the Funds and its other
managed accounts, and the price paid to or received by the Funds and those
accounts is the average obtained in those orders. In some cases, such
aggregation and allocation procedures may affect adversely the price paid or
received by the Funds or the size of the position purchased or sold by the
Funds.
In the over-the-counter market, securities are generally traded on a
"net" basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a
stated commission, although the price of the security usually includes a profit
to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed
price which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally
referred to as the underwriter's commission or discount. On occasion, certain
money market instruments and agency securities may be purchased directly from
the issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, the following Funds
acquired securities of their regular brokers or dealers (as defined in
Rule 10b-1 under the Investment Company Act) or their parents Income & Growth
Fund -- Merrill, Lynch & Co., Inc., Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, and J.P.
Morgan & Co., Inc., Balanced Growth Fund -- Bear, Stearns, Inc., Salomon
Brothers, Inc., Lehman Brothers, Inc., and Morgan Stanley Group, Inc.; Core
Growth Fund -- Lehman Brothers, Inc., Bear Stearns, Inc., Alex Brown, Inc.,
Morgan Stanley Group, Inc., and J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc.; Worldwide Growth
Fund -- Morgan Stanley Group, Inc. and Lehman Brothers, Inc.; International
Growth fund -- J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc. The holdings of securities of such
regular brokers or dealers were as follows as of March 31, 1996: Core Growth
Fund - J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc. ($8,197,548); Money Market Fund - J.P. Morgan
& Co., Inc. ($1,962,250); Balanced Growth Fund-Salomon, Inc. ($150,000), Bear
Stearns ($150,975), Lehman Bros. ($139,100); Worldwide Growth Fund-Lehman Bros.
($358,450), Morgan Stanley ($372,600); Government Income Fund - J.P. Morgan &
Co., Inc. ($103,846).
The aggregate dollar amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds
during the last three fiscal years of the Trust were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended
--------------------------------------------------
March 31, 1996 March 31, 1995 March 31, 1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Worldwide Fund $ 484,310 $ 344,167 $ 390,163
International Growth Fund 116,735 69,187 3,146
Core Growth Fund 862,396 728,347 698,807
Emerging Growth Fund 1,038,140 649,053 525,555
Income & Growth Fund 83,459 174,247 131,675
Balanced Fund 51,038 44,386 51,142
Government Fund 3 -0- 516
Emerging Countries Fund 169,728 20,701 N/A
</TABLE>
Of the total commissions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996,
$2,136,382 (75.1%) were paid to firms which provided research, statistical or
other services to the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser has not
separately identified a portion of such commissions as applicable to the
provision of such research, statistical or otherwise.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF PORTFOLIO SHARES
Shares of the Qualified Portfolios may be purchased and redeemed at
their net asset value without any initial or deferred sales charge.
The price paid for purchases and redemptions of shares of the Qualified
Portfolios is based on the net asset value per share, which is calculated once
daily at the close of trading (normally 4:00 P.M. New York time) each day the
New York Stock Exchange is open. The New York Stock Exchange is currently
closed on weekends and on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Washington's
Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
and Christmas Day. The offering price is effective for orders received by the
Transfer Agent or any sub-transfer agent prior to the time of determination of
net asset value. Dealers are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase
orders to the Transfer Agent or a sub-transfer agent. The Trust reserves the
right in its sole discretion to suspend the continued offering of the
Portfolios'
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shares and to reject purchase orders in whole or in part when such rejection
is in the best interests of the Trust and the affected Portfolios.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The services offered by the Trust to shareholders of the Qualified
Portfolio can vary, depending on the needs of the qualified retirement plan, and
should be arranged by contacting the Trust, the Distributor, the Administrator
or the Transfer Agent.
SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT ACCOUNT
Upon the initial purchase of shares of a Qualified Portfolio, a
Shareholder Investment Account is established for each investor under which the
shares are held for the investor by the Transfer Agent. No certificates will be
issued for shares of the Qualified Portfolios.
AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS
For the convenience of investors, all dividends and distributions are
automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the applicable
Portfolio at net asset value. An investor may direct the Transfer Agent in
writing not less than five full business days prior to the record date to have
subsequent dividends and/or distributions sent in cash rather than reinvested.
In the case of recently purchased shares for which registration instructions
have not been received on the record date, cash payment will be made directly to
the dealer. Any shareholder who receives a cash payment representing a dividend
or distribution may reinvest such distribution at net asset value by returning
the check or the proceeds to the Transfer Agent within 30 days after the payment
date. Such investment will be made at the net asset value per share next
determined after receipt of the check or proceeds by the Transfer Agent.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
Under the Automatic Investment Plan, an investor may arrange to have a
fixed amount automatically invested in shares of a Portfolio on a monthly or
quarterly basis on any day of the month or quarter by authorizing his or her
bank account to be debited to invest specified dollar amounts in shares of the
Portfolio. The investor's bank must be a member of the Automatic Clearing House
System. Stock certificates are not issued to participants of the Automatic
Investment Plan. Participation in the Plan will begin within 30 days after
receipt of the account application. If the investor's bank account cannot be
charged due to insufficient funds, a stop-payment order or closing of the
account, the investor's Plan may be terminated and the related investment
reversed. The investor may change the amount of the investment or discontinue
the Plan at any time by writing to the Transfer Agent. Further information
about this program and an application form can be obtained from the Transfer
Agent or the Distributor.
CROSS-REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
A shareholder in one Qualified Portfolio may elect to cross-reinvest
dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions paid by that Portfolio
(the "paying Portfolio") into any other Qualified Portfolio (the "receiving
Portfolio") subject to the following conditions: (i) the aggregate value of the
shareholder's account(s) in the paying Portfolio(s) must equal or exceed $5,000
(this condition is waived if the value of the account in the receiving Portfolio
equals or exceeds that Portfolio's minimum initial investment requirement), (ii)
as long as the value of the account in the receiving Portfolio is below that
Portfolio's minimum initial investment requirement, dividends and capital gain
distributions paid by the receiving Portfolio must be automatically reinvested
in the receiving Portfolio, (iii) if this privilege is discontinued with respect
to a particular receiving Portfolio, the value of the account in that Portfolio
must equal or exceed the Fund's minimum initial investment requirement or the
Portfolio will have the right, if the shareholder fails to increase the value of
the account to such minimum within 90 days after being notified of the
deficiency, automatically to
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<PAGE>
redeem the account and send the proceeds to the shareholder. These
cross-reinvestments of dividends and capital gain distributions will be at
net asset value (without a sales charge).
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL
The Transfer Agent arranges for the redemption by the Portfolio of
sufficient shares, deposited by the shareholder with the Transfer Agent, to
provide the withdrawal payment specified. Withdrawal payments should not be
considered as dividends, yield or income. Automatic investments may not be made
into a shareholder account from which there are automatic withdrawals.
Withdrawals of amounts exceeding reinvested dividends and distributions and
increases in share value will reduce the aggregate value of the shareholder's
account.
REDEMPTION IN KIND
The Trust intends to pay in cash for all shares of a Portfolio redeemed,
but when the Master Trust makes payment to a Portfolio in readily marketable
investment securities, the Trust reserves the right to make payment wholly or
partly in shares of such securities. In such cases, a shareholder may incur
brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. However, the Trust has
elected to be governed by the provisions of Rule 18f-1 under the Investment
Company Act, pursuant to which it is obligated to pay in cash all requests for
redemptions by any shareholder of record, limited in amount with respect to each
shareholder during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net
asset value of the Trust at the beginning of such period.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of a share of a Qualified Portfolio is calculated by
dividing (i) the value of the securities held by the Portfolio (I.E., the value
of its investments in a Fund), plus any cash or other assets, minus all
liabilities (including accrued estimated expenses on an annual basis), by (ii)
the total number of shares of the Portfolio outstanding. The net asset value of
an interest in a Fund is calculated in the same manner. The value of the
investments and assets of the Portfolio or a Fund is determined each business
day. Investment securities, including ADRs and EDRs, that are traded on a stock
exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last sale
price as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00
P.M. New York time) on the day the securities are being valued, or lacking any
sales, at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices. Securities listed
or traded on certain foreign exchanges whose operations are similar to the
United States over-the-counter market are valued at the price within the limits
of the latest available current bid and asked prices deemed by the Investment
Adviser best to reflect fair value. A security which is listed or traded on
more than one exchange is valued at the quotation on the exchange determined to
be the primary market for such security by the Investment Adviser. Listed
securities that are not traded on a particular day and other over-the-counter
securities are valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices.
In the event that the New York Stock Exchange or the national securities
exchange on which stock or stock options are traded adopt different trading
hours on either a permanent or temporary basis, the Boards of Trustees of the
Trust and the Master Trust will reconsider the time at which net asset value is
computed. In addition, the asset value of the Portfolio or the Fund may be
computed as of any time permitted pursuant to any exemption, order or statement
of the Commission or its staff.
Long-term debt obligations are valued at the quoted bid prices for such
securities or, if such prices are not available, at prices for securities of
comparable maturity, quality and type; however, when the Investment Adviser
deems it appropriate, prices obtained for the day of valuation from a bond
pricing service will be used, as discussed below. Debt securities with
maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost if their term to
maturity from date of purchase is less than 60 days, or by amortizing, from the
sixty-first day prior to maturity, their value on the sixty-first day prior to
maturity if their term to maturity from date of purchase by the Portfolio or the
Fund is more than 60 days, unless this is determined by the Board of
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<PAGE>
Trustees of the Master Trust not to represent fair value. Repurchase
agreements are valued at cost plus accrued interest.
U.S. Government securities are traded in the over-the-counter market and
are valued at the last available bid prices, except that securities with a
demand feature exercisable within one to seven days are valued at par. Such
valuations are based on quotations of one or more dealers that make markets in
the securities as obtained from such dealers, or on the evaluation of a pricing
service.
Options, futures contracts and options thereon, which are traded on
exchanges, are valued at their last sale or settlement price as of the close of
such exchanges or, if no sales are reported, at the mean between the last
reported bid and asked prices. If an options or futures exchange closes later
than 4:00 p.m. New York time, the options or futures traded on it are valued
based on the sale price, or on the mean between the bid and ask prices, as the
case may be, as of 4:00 p.m. New York time.
Trading in securities on foreign securities exchanges and
over-the-counter markets is normally completed well before the close of business
day in New York. In addition, foreign securities trading may not take place on
all business days in New York, and may occur in various foreign markets on days
which are not business days in New York and on which net asset value is not
calculated. The calculation of net asset value may not take place
contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of portfolio securities
used in such calculation. Events affecting the values of portfolio securities
that occur between the time their prices are determined and the close of the New
York Stock Exchange will not be reflected in the calculation of net asset value
unless the Board of Trustees of the Master Trust deems that the particular event
would materially affect net asset value, in which case an adjustment will be
made. Assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign currencies
are translated prior to the next determination of the net asset value into U.S.
dollars at the spot exchange rates at 1:00 p.m. New York time or at such other
rates as the Investment Adviser may determine to be appropriate in computing net
asset value.
Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily
available, or for which the Master Trust's Board of Trustees or persons
designated by the Board determine that the foregoing methods do not accurately
reflect current market value, are valued at fair value as determined in good
faith by or under the direction of the Master Trust's Board of Trustees. Such
valuations and procedures will be reviewed periodically by the Board of
Trustees.
The Master Trust may use a pricing service approved by its Board of
Trustees. Prices provided by such a service represent evaluations of the mean
between current bid and asked market prices, may be determined without exclusive
reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as
institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon
rate, maturity, type of issue, individual trading characteristics, indications
of values from dealers and other market data. Such services may use electronic
data processing techniques and/or a matrix system to determine valuations. The
procedures of such services are reviewed periodically by the officers of the
Master Trust under the general supervision and responsibility of its Board of
Trustees, which may replace a service at any time if it determines that it is in
the best interests of the Funds to do so.
TAXES
MASTER TRUST'S TAX STATUS
Each Fund of the Master Trust will be treated as a partnership rather
than as a regulated investment company or a corporation under the Internal
Revenue Code (the "Code"). As a partnership under the Code, any interest,
dividends and gains or losses of the Master Trust attributable to each Fund will
be deemed to have been "passed through" to the Trust and other investors in such
Fund, regardless of whether such interest, dividends or gains have been
distributed by the Fund or such losses have been realized and recognized by the
Trust and other investors. Therefore, to the extent a Fund were to accrue but
not distribute any interest, dividends or gains, the Trust and other investors
in the Fund would be deemed to have realized
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<PAGE>
and recognized their proportionate shares of interest, dividends, gains or
losses realized and recognized by the Fund without receipt of any
corresponding distribution. However, the Master Trust will seek to minimize
recognition by investors in the Funds of interest, dividends, gains or losses
allocable to the Funds without a corresponding distribution.
REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY
The Trust has elected to qualify each Portfolio as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, and intends that each
Portfolio will remain so qualified.
As a regulated investment company, a Portfolio will not be liable for
federal income tax on its income and gains provided it distributes all of its
income and gains currently. Qualification as a regulated investment company
under the Code requires, among other things, that each Portfolio (a) derive at
least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to
securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or
foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from
options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of
investing in such securities or currencies; (b) derive less than 30% of its
gross income from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities, options,
futures, forward contracts, certain foreign currencies and certain options,
futures, and forward contracts on foreign currencies held less than three
months; (c) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter,
(i) at least 50% of the market value of the Portfolio's assets is represented by
cash, U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment
companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation generally
limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the
market value of the Portfolio's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets
is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government or
foreign government securities or the securities of other regulated investment
companies), or two or more issuers which the Trust controls and which are
determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses; and
(d) distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which
includes dividends, interest, and net short-term capital gains in excess of net
long-term capital losses) each taxable year.
A Portfolio generally will be subject to a nondeductible excise tax of
4% to the extent that it does not meet certain minimum distribution
requirements as of the end of each calendar year. To avoid the tax, a
Portfolio must distribute during each calendar year an amount equal to the
sum of (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income and net capital gain (not
taking into account any capital gains or losses as an exception) for the
calendar year, (2) at least 98% of its capital gains in excess of its capital
losses (and adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the twelve month period
ending on October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) all ordinary income and
capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during such years.
A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the calendar year
if it is declared by the Portfolio in October, November, or December of that
year to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid by the
Portfolio during January of the following year. Such distributions will be
taxable to shareholders (other than those not subject to federal income tax)
in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the
calendar year in which the distributions are received. To avoid the excise
tax, the Portfolios intend to make timely distributions of their income in
compliance with these requirements and anticipate that they will not be
subject to the excise tax.
Dividends paid by a Portfolio from ordinary income, and distributions of
the Portfolio's net realized short-term capital gains, are taxable to its
shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions to corporate shareholders will
be eligible for the 70% dividends received deduction to the extent that the
income of the Portfolios is derived from dividends on common or preferred stock
of domestic corporations. Dividend income earned by a Portfolio will be
eligible for the dividends received deduction only if the Portfolio and
corresponding Fund have satisfied a 46-day holding period requirement with
respect to the underlying portfolio security (91 days in the case of dividends
derived from preferred stock). In addition, a corporate shareholder must have
held its shares in the Portfolio for not less than 46 days (91 days in the case
of dividends derived from preferred stock) in order to claim the dividend
received deduction. Not later than 60 days after the end of its taxable year,
the Portfolio will send to its shareholders a written notice designating the
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<PAGE>
amount of any distributions made during such year which may be taken into
account by its shareholders for purposes of such deduction provisions of the
Code. Net capital gain distributions are not eligible for the dividends
received deduction.
Under the Code, any distributions designated as being made from net
capital gains are taxable to a Portfolio's shareholders as long-term capital
gains, regardless of the holding period of such shareholders. Such
distributions of net capital gains will be designated by the Portfolio as a
capital gains distribution in a written notice to its shareholders which
accompanies the distribution payment. Any loss on the sale of shares held for
less than six months will be treated as a long-term capital loss for federal tax
purposes to the extent a shareholder receives net capital gain distributions on
such shares. The maximum federal income tax rate applicable to long-term
capital gains is currently 28% for individual shareholders and 35% for corporate
shareholders. Dividends and distributions are taxable as such whether received
in cash or reinvested in additional shares of a Portfolio.
Any loss realized on a sale, redemption or exchange of shares of a
Portfolio by a shareholder will be disallowed to the extent the shares are
replaced within a 61-day period (beginning 30 days before the disposition of
shares). Shares purchased pursuant to the reinvestment of a dividend will
constitute a replacement of shares.
A shareholder who acquires shares of a Portfolio and sells or otherwise
disposes of such shares within 90 days of acquisition may not be allowed to
include certain sales charges incurred in acquiring such shares for purposes of
calculating gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of shares of the
Portfolio if the shareholder acquires shares in a Portfolio of the Trust
pursuant to a reinvestment right that reduces the sales charges in the
subsequent acquisition of shares.
SPECIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. Income received on direct U.S. Government
obligations is exempt from tax at the state level when received directly and may
be exempt, depending on the state, when received by a shareholder from a
Portfolio provided that certain conditions are satisfied. Interest received on
repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government obligations normally is
not exempt from state taxation. The Trust will inform shareholders annually of
the percentage of income and distributions derived from direct U.S. Government
obligations. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine
whether any portion of the income dividends received from the Portfolio is
considered tax exempt in their particular states.
SECTION 1256 CONTRACTS. Many of the futures contracts and forward
contracts used by the Funds are "section 1256 contracts." Any gains or losses
on section 1256 contracts are generally credited 60% long-term and 40%
short-term capital gains or losses ("60/40") although gains and losses from
hedging transactions, certain mixed straddles and certain foreign currency
transactions from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also,
section 1256 contracts held by the Funds at the end of each taxable year (and,
for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under
the Code) are "marked to market" with the result that unrealized gains or losses
are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is
treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, depending on the circumstances.
STRADDLE RULES. Generally, the hedging transactions and certain other
transactions in options, futures and forward contracts undertaken by the Funds
may result in "straddles" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The straddle
rules may affect the character of gains (or losses) realized by the Portfolios.
In addition, losses realized by the Portfolio on positions that are part of a
straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into
account in calculating the taxable income for the taxable year in which such
losses are realized. Because only a few regulations implementing the straddle
rules have been promulgated, the tax consequences of transactions in options,
futures and forward contracts to the Portfolio are not entirely clear. The
transactions may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by the
Portfolio which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders.
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The Portfolios may make one or more of the elections available under the
Code which are applicable to straddles. If the Portfolios make any of the
elections, the amount, character and timing of the recognition of gains or
losses from the affected straddle positions will be determined under rules that
vary according to the election(s) made. The rules applicable under certain of
the elections operate to accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the
affected straddle positions.
Because applications of the straddle rules may affect the character of
gains or losses, defer losses and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or
losses from the affected straddle positions, the amount which must be
distributed to the shareholders, and which will be taxed to shareholders as
ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased
substantially as compared to a fund that did not engage in such hedging
transactions.
The 30% limit on gains from the disposition of certain options, futures,
and forward contracts held less than three months and the qualifying income and
diversification requirements applicable to the Portfolios' and the Funds' assets
may limit the extent to which the Funds will be able to engage in transactions
in options, futures contracts or forward contracts.
SECTION 988 GAINS AND LOSSES. Under the Code, gains or losses
attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time a
Fund accrues interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or other
liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually
collects such receivables or pays such liabilities generally are treated as
ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on disposition of debt
securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain
futures attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency
between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of
disposition also are treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains and losses,
referred to under the Code as "section 988" gains or losses, may increase or
decrease the amount of the Portfolio's investment company taxable income to be
distributed to the shareholders.
FOREIGN TAX. Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign
countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such
countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or
eliminate such taxes. In addition, the Investment Adviser intends to manage the
Funds with the intention of minimizing foreign taxation in cases where it is
deemed prudent to do so. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund's total assets
at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations,
the Fund will be eligible to elect to "pass-through" to the Portfolio's
shareholders the amount of foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund.
Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the
Portfolio's taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will be
"pass-through" for that year.
Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that
it may not exceed the shareholder's U.S. tax attributable to his or her total
foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election
is made, the source of the Fund's income will flow through to shareholders of
the Portfolio. With respect to such election, gains from the sale of securities
will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation
gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency denominated debt
securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived
from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied
separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of
income. Shareholders may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of
their proportion at share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign
tax credit is modified for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax and
can be used to offset only 90% of the alternative minimum tax imposed on
corporations and individuals and foreign taxes generally are not deductible in
computing alternative minimum taxable income.
SHORT SALES. Generally, capital gain or loss realized by the Fund in a
short sale may be long-term or short term depending on the holding period of the
short position. Under a special rule, however, the capital gain will be short-
term gain if (1) as of the date of the short sale, the Fund owned property for
the short-term holding period that was substantially identical to that which the
Fund used to close the sale or (2) after the short sale and on or before its
closing, the Fund acquired substantially similar property. Similarly, if
property substantially identical to that sold short was held by the Fund for the
long-term holding period as of
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the date of the short sale, any loss on closing the short position will be
long-term capital loss. These special rules do not apply to substantially
similar property to the extent such property exceeds the property used by the
Fund to close its short position.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. Some of the debt securities (with a fixed
maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be
acquired by the Funds may be treated as debt securities that are issued
originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount
("OID") is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of
the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a
later time, usually when the debt security matures. A portion of the OID
includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporation debt
securities may be treated as a dividend for federal income tax purposes.
Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one
year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Funds in the
secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain
recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a
debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent
the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the "accrued market discount" on
such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily
installments. The Funds may make one or more of the elections applicable to
debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and
timing the recognition of income.
Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or
less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Funds may be treated
as having an acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt
securities. Generally, a Fund will be required to include the acquisition
discount, or OID, in income over the term of the debt security, even though
payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt
security matures. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to
the debt securities having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the
character and timing of recognition of income.
The Portfolios generally will be required to distribute dividends to
shareholders representing discount on debt securities that is currently
includible in income, even though cash representing such income may not have
been received by the Funds. Cash to pay such dividends may be obtained from
sales proceeds of securities held by the Funds.
OTHER TAX INFORMATION
The Portfolios may be required to withhold for U.S. federal income taxes
31% of all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the
Portfolios with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required
certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that
they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain
other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup
withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld
may be credited against the shareholder's U.S. federal tax liability.
The Trust may also be subject to state or local taxes in certain other
states where it is deemed to be doing business. Further, in those states which
have income tax laws, the tax treatment of the Trust and of shareholders of a
Portfolio with respect to distributions by the Portfolio may differ from federal
tax treatment. Distributions to shareholders may be subject to additional state
and local taxes. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding
specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Trust may from time to time advertise total returns and yields for
the Portfolios, compare Portfolio performance to various indices, and publish
rankings of the Portfolios prepared by various ranking services. Any
performance information should be considered in light of the Portfolio's and
Fund's investment
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objectives and policies, characteristics and quality of the its portfolio,
and the market conditions during the given time period, and should not be
considered to be representative of what may be achieved in the future.
TOTAL RETURN
The total return for a Portfolio is computed by assuming a hypothetical
initial payment of $1,000. It is assumed that all investments are made at net
asset value (as opposed to market price) and that all of the dividends and
distributions by the Portfolio over the relevant time periods are invested at
net asset value. It is then assumed that, at the end of each period, the entire
amount is redeemed without regard to any redemption fees or costs. The average
annual total return is then determined by calculating the annual rate required
for the initial payment to grow to the amount which would have been received
upon redemption. Total return does not take into account any federal or state
income taxes.
Total return is computed according to the following formula:
P(1 + T)n = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
T = average annual total return.
n = number of years.
ERV = ending redeemable value at the end of the period (or fractional
portion thereof) of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the
beginning of the period.
YIELD
The yield for a Portfolio is calculated based on a 30-day or one-month
period, according to the following formula:
Yield = 2[{a - b + 1)6 -1]
{c x d }
For purposes of this formula, "a" is total dividends and interest earned
during the period; "b" is total expenses accrued for the period (net of
reimbursements); "c" is the average daily number of shares outstanding during
the period that were entitled to receive dividends; and "d" is the maximum
offering price per share on the last day of the period.
Yields for the following Portfolios for the 30-day period ending June
30, 1996 were as follows:
Income & Growth Qualified Portfolio 2.8513%
Balanced Growth Qualified Portfolio 1.9261%
Government Income Qualified Portfolio 5.7886%
COMPARISON TO INDICES AND RANKINGS
Performance information for a Portfolio may be compared to various
unmanaged indices, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Price Index, the
Lehman Brothers Government Bond Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the IFC
Emerging Markets Investible Index, the MSCI Emerging Markets Free Index, the
MSCI Europe, Asia and Far East Index, and indices prepared by Lipper Analytical
Services and Russell & Co. Unmanaged indices (I.E., other than Lipper)
generally do not reflect deductions for administrative and management costs and
expenses.
B-41
<PAGE>
Performance rankings are prepared by a number of mutual fund ranking
entities that are independent of the Trust and its affiliates. These entities
categorize and rank funds by various criteria, including fund type, performance
over a given period of years, total return, standardized yield, variations in
sales charges and risk\reward considerations.
PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR PREDECESSORS
The following table sets forth historical performance information for
the Core Growth, Emerging Growth, Income & Growth and International Growth
Portfolios and the following predecessor investment partnerships and pooled
trust, and for the corresponding Funds of the Master Trust, which were operated
by the Investment Adviser prior to the organization of such Portfolios: Core
Growth Portfolio -- includes performance information for Whitehall Partners, a
California limited partnership the assets of which were transferred to the Core
Growth Fund on April 19, 1993; Emerging Growth Portfolio -- includes performance
information for Stratford Partners, a California limited partnership, and
Nicholas-Applegate Emerging Growth Pooled Trust, a tax-exempt trust, the assets
of which were transferred to the Emerging Growth Fund on December 27, 1993;
Income and Growth Portfolio -- includes performance information for Coventry
Partners, a California limited partnership the assets of which were transferred
to the Income & Growth Fund on April 19, 1993; International Growth Portfolio --
includes performance information for Huntington Partners, a California limited
partnership the assets of which were transferred to the International Fund on
August 31, 1994.
The Investment Adviser has advised the Trust that its net performance
results in the table are calculated as set forth above under "General
Information-Performance Information." All information set forth in the table
relies on data supplied by the Investment Adviser or from statistical services,
reports or other sources believed by the Investment Adviser to be reliable.
However, such information has not been verified and is unaudited. See
"Performance Information" in the Statement of Additional Information for further
information about calculation of total return.
The Investment Adviser has advised the Trust that such partnerships
and pooled trusts were operated in substantially the same manner as such
Portfolios, and their assets were transferred to the corresponding Funds of the
Master Trust prior to the effective date of the Portfolios' registration
statement. It has indicated that such results for the prior partnerships and
pooled trust, and for the corresponding Funds of the Master Trust, have been
adjusted to reflect the deduction of the fees and expenses of the Portfolios
(including Rule 12b-1 fees), and their proportionate shares of the operating
expenses of the corresponding Funds (including advisory fees), as stated under
"Summary of Expenses" in the Portfolios' Prospectus, and give effect to
transaction costs (such as sales loads) as well as reinvestment of income and
gains. However, the prior investment partnerships and pooled trust were not
registered under the 1940 act and were not subject to certain investment
restrictions imposed by such Act; if they had been so registered, their
performance might have been adversely affected.
The results presented on the following pages may not necessarily
equate with the return experienced by any particular shareholder, partner or
trust beneficiary as a result of the timing of investments and redemptions. In
addition, the effect of taxes on any shareholder, partner or trust beneficiary
will depend on such person's tax status, and the results have not been reduced
to reflect any income tax which may have been payable.
B-42
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Core Growth Emerging Growth Income & Growth International Growth
Performance Performance Performance Performance
------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------
Russell Income CS First Inter-
Core S&P Emerging 2000 & Boston national MSCI
Growth 500 Growth Growth Growth Convertible Growth EAFA
Year Portfolio Index(1) Portfolio Index(2) Portfolio Index(3) Portfolio Index(4)
- ---- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1985(5) 24.67 17.14 11.24 6.97
1986(5) 32.53 18.64 6.09 3.58
1987 3.33 5.27 (4.10) (10.48) (3.37) (0.22)
1988 12.39 16.55 26.64 20.37 19.58 13.41
1989 33.60 31.61 27.19 20.17 28.08 13.76
1990(5) 0.48 (3.04) (8.62) (17.41) 1.59 (6.89) (17.60) (13.67)
1991 55.15 30.46 55.74 51.19 38.02 29.11 11.51 12.13
1992 13.27 7.62 12.42 7.77 9.56 17.58 (12.58) (12.17)
1993(5) 20.03 10.07 15.72 13.36 26.81 18.55 25.72 32.57
1994 (10.91) 1.32 (3.83 (2.43) (7.82) (4.72) 8.34 7.76
1995(5) 38.24 37.60 35.53 31.06 21.98 23.72 5.72 11.02
1996(5) 13.49 10.09 18.88 11.92 10.98 8.10 13.51 4.52
Last 31.65 25.99 36.76 26.57 22.14 15.78 21.14 13.12
year(6)
Last 5 19.64 15.73 20.27 15.97 15.39 14.87 9.10 9.96
years(6)
Last 10 15.83 13.81 14.03 9.12 N/A N/A N/A N/A
year(6)
Since in- 20.76 16.50 16.36 11.03 14.43 11.23 4.59 5.82
ception(6)
</TABLE>
1 The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index containing common stocks of 500
industrial, transportation, utility and financial companies, regarded as
generally representative of the U.S. stock market. The Index reflects the
reinvestment of income dividends and capital gain distributions, if any,
but does not reflect fees, brokerage commissions, or other expenses of
investing.
2 The Russell 2000 Growth Stock Index contains those securities in the
Russell 2000 Index with a greater-than-average growth orientation.
Companies in the Growth Stock Index generally have higher price-to-book
and price-to-earnings ratios than the average for all companies in the
2000 Index. The Russell 2000 Index is a widely regarded small-cap index
of the 2,000 smallest securities in the Russell 3000 Index, which
comprises the 3,000 largest U.S. securities as determined by total market
capitalization. The Index reflects the reinvestment of income dividends
and capital gains distributions, if any, but does not reflect fees,
brokerage commissions, or other expenses of investing.
B-43
<PAGE>
3 The CS First Boston Convertible Index is an unmanaged market weighted
index representing the universe of convertible securities, whether they
are convertible preferred stocks or convertible bonds. The Index reflects
the reinvestment of income dividends and capital gains distributions, if
any, but does not reflect fees, brokerage commissions or markups, or other
expenses of investing.
4 The Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index consists of more than
1,400 securities listed on exchanges in the U.S., Europe, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. The Index is a market-value
weighted combination of countries and is unmanaged. The Index reflects
the reinvestment of income dividends and capital gains distributions, if
any, but does not reflect fees, brokerage commissions or other expenses of
investing.
5 Inception dates are as follows: Core Growth Portfolio - September 30, 1985
(registration statement effective June 30, 1994); Emerging Growth
Portfolio - September 30, 1985 (registration statement effective August
31, 1995); Income & Growth Portfolio - December 31, 1986 (registration
statement effective August 31, 1995; International Growth Portfolio - June
7, 1990 (registration statement effective August 31, 1995).
6 Through June 30, 1996.
B-44
<PAGE>
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT,
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND LEGAL COUNSEL
PNC Bank, Airport Business Center, International Court 2, 200 Stevens
Drive, Lester, Pennsylvania 19113, serves as Custodian for the portfolio
securities and cash of the Portfolios and Funds and in that capacity maintains
certain financial and accounting books and records pursuant to agreements with
the Trust and Master Trust. PFPC Inc., 103 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington,
Delaware, an affiliate of the Custodian, provides additional accounting services
to the Portfolios and Funds.
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2 Heritage Drive, 7th Floor, North
Quincy, Massachusetts, 02171, serves as the Dividend Disbursing Agent and as the
Transfer Agent for the Portfolios and Funds. The Transfer Agent provides
customary transfer agency services to the Trust, including the handling of
shareholder communications, the processing of shareholder transactions, the
maintenance of shareholder account records, and related functions. The Dividend
Disbursing Agent provides customary dividend disbursing services to the Trust,
including payment of dividends and distributions and related functions.
The Charles Schwab Trust Company, 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco,
California, 94104, serves as co-transfer agent for shares of the Portfolios.
The following act as sub-transfer agents for the Portfolios: Financial Data
Services, Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive, 2nd Floor, Jacksonville, Florida 32246;
William M. Mercer Plan Participant Services, Inc., 1417 Lake Cook Road,
Deerfield, Illinois 60015; and Schwab Retirement Plan Services, Inc., 101
Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94104.
Ernst & Young, L.L.P., 515 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California
90071, serves as the independent accountants for the Trust and Master Trust, and
in that capacity examines the annual financial statements of the Trust and
Master Trust.
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, 555 South Flower Street, Los Angeles,
California 90071, is legal counsel for the Trust and Master Trust. It also acts
as legal counsel for the Investment Adviser and Distributor.
MISCELLANEOUS
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The Trust is currently comprised of 45 series of shares -- 8 A
Portfolios, 8 B Portfolios, 8 C Portfolios, 12 Institutional Portfolios, one
Money Market Portfolio and 8 Qualified Portfolios.
On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Trust, all
shares then entitled to vote will be voted by the affected series unless
otherwise required by the Investment Company Act, in which case all shares of
the Trust will be voted in the aggregate. For example, a change in a Portfolio's
fundamental investment policies would be voted upon only by shareholders of that
Portfolio, as would the approval of any advisory or distribution contract for
the Portfolio. However, all shares of the Trust may vote together in the
election or selection of Trustees, principal underwriters and accountants for
the Trust.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be
submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment
company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted
upon unless approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of the series of
the Trust affected by the matter. Under Rule 18f-2, a series is presumed to be
affected by a matter, unless the interests of each series in the matter are
identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such series. Under Rule
B-45
<PAGE>
18f-2 the approval of an investment advisory agreement or any change in a
fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a
Portfolio only if approved by a majority of its outstanding shares. However,
the rule also provides that the ratification of independent public accountants,
the approval of principal underwriting contracts and the election of directors
may be effectively acted upon by the shareholders of the Trust voting without
regard to Portfolio.
As used in the Portfolios' prospectuses and in this Statement of
Additional Information, the term "majority," when referring to approvals to be
obtained from shareholders of a Portfolio, means the vote of the lesser of (i)
67% of the shares of the Portfolio represented at a meeting if the holders of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio are present in person
or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio.
The term "majority," when referring to the approvals to be obtained from
shareholders of the Trust, means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the
Trust's shares represented at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the
Trust's outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than
50% of the Trust's outstanding shares. Shareholders are entitled to one vote
for each full share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held.
Unless otherwise provided by law (for example, by Rule 18f-2 discussed above) or
by the Trust's Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, the Trust may take or authorize
any action upon the favorable vote of the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Trust.
Whenever a Portfolio or the Trust is requested to vote on a matter with
respect to the Master Trust, the Trust will hold a meeting of its shareholders
and will cast its votes as instructed by such shareholders and, in the case of a
matter affecting only a Fund, as instructed by the shareholders of the
corresponding Portfolio(s).
The Trust will dispense with annual meetings of shareholders in any year
in which it is not required to elect Trustees under the Investment Company Act.
However, the Trust undertakes to hold a special meeting of its shareholders for
the purpose of voting on the question of removal of a Trustee or Trustees if
requested in writing by the holders of at least 10% of the Trust's outstanding
voting securities, and to assist in communicating with other shareholders as
required by Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act.
Each share of a Portfolio represents an equal proportional interest in
the Portfolio with each other share and is entitled to such dividends and
distributions out of the income earned on the assets belonging to the Portfolio
as are declared in the discretion of the Trustees. In the event of the
liquidation or dissolution of the Trust, shareholders of a Portfolio are
entitled to receive the assets attributable to the Portfolio that are available
for distribution, and a distribution of any general assets not attributable to a
particular Portfolio that are available for distribution in such manner and on
such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion may determine.
Shareholders are not entitled to any preemptive rights. All shares,
when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust.
DECLARATIONS OF TRUST
In accordance with Delaware law and in connection with the tax treatment
sought by the Master Trust, the Master Trust's Declaration of Trust provides
that its investors will be personally and jointly and severally responsible
(with rights of contribution INTER SE in proportion to their respective
ownership interests in the Master Trust) for the Master Trust's liabilities and
obligations in the event that the Master Trust fails to satisfy such liabilities
and obligations. However, to the extent assets are available from the Master
Trust, the Master Trust will indemnify each investor from any claim or liability
to which the investor may become subject solely by reason of his or her having
been an investor, and will reimburse the investor for all legal and other
expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any such claim or
liability.
The Declarations of Trust of both the Trust and Master Trust provide
that obligations of the Trust and the Master Trust are not binding upon their
respective Trustees, officers, employees and agents individually and that the
Trustees, officers, employees and agents will not be liable to the trusts or
their
B-46
<PAGE>
respective investors for any action or failure to act, but nothing in the
Declarations of Trust protect a Trustee, officer, employee or agent against
any liability to the trusts or their respective investors to which the
Trustee, officer, employee or agent would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of
his or her duties. The Declarations of Trust also provide that the debts,
liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or existing
with respect to a designated Portfolio or Fund shall be enforceable against
the assets and property of such Portfolio or Fund only (and, in the case of a
Fund, its investors), and not against the assets or property of any other
Portfolio or Fund (or in the case of a Portfolio, the investors therein).
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Trust's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders of the Core Growth
Qualified Portfolio accompanies this Statement of Additional Information. The
financial statements in such Annual Report are incorporated in this Statement of
Additional Information by reference. Such financial statements for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1996, have been audited by Ernst & Young L.L.P., whose
report thereon also appears in such Annual Report and is incorporated herein by
reference. Such financial statements for prior periods have been audited by
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., whose reports thereon appeared in the Trust's 1995
Annual Reports to Shareholders of the Portfolios and are incorporated herein by
reference. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein in reliance
upon such report given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing. Additional copies of the Trust's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders
may be obtained at no charge by writing or telephoning the Trust at the address
or number on the front page of this Statement of Additional Information.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
The Registration Statement of the Trust and the Master Trust, including
the Portfolios' Prospectuses, the Statements of Additional Information and the
exhibits filed therewith, may be examined at the office of the Commission in
Washington, D.C. Statements contained in the Portfolios' Prospectuses or the
Statements of Additional Information as to the contents of any contract or other
document referred to herein or in the Prospectuses are not necessarily complete,
and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other
document filed as an exhibit to these Registration Statements, each such
statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
B-47
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
The following paragraphs summarize the descriptions for the rating symbols of
securities.
COMMERCIAL PAPER
The following paragraphs summarize the description for the rating
symbols of commercial paper.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
Moody's short-term debt ratings, which are also applicable to commercial
paper investments permitted to be made by the Master Trust, are opinions of the
ability of issuers to repay punctually their senior debt obligations which have
an original maturity not exceeding one year. Moody's employs the following
designations, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative
repayment capacity of rated issuers:
PRIME 1: Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated PRIME-1
have a superior ability for repayment of short-term promissory obligations.
PRIME-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by the following
characteristics: (a) leading market positions in well-established industries;
(b) high rates of return on funds employed; (c) conservative capitalization
structures with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; (d) broad
margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash
generation; and (e) well-established access to a range of financial markets and
assured sources of alternate liquidity.
PRIME-2: Issuers rated PRIME-2 (or related supporting institutions)
have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This
will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above in the
PRIME-1 category but to a lesser degree. Earning trends and coverage ratios,
while sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics,
while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample
alternate liquidity is maintained.
PRIME 3: Issuers rated PRIME-3 (or related supporting institutions)
have an acceptable ability for repayment of short-term debt obligations. The
effect of industry characteristics and market composition may be more
pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in
the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high
financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION
Standard & Poor's ratings are a current assessment of the likelihood of
timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.
The ratings are based on current information furnished to Standard & Poor's by
the issuer and obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers
reliable. Ratings are graded into four categories, ranging from "A" for the
highest quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. Issues within the "A"
category are delineated with the numbers 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the relative
degree of safety, as follows:
A-1: This designation indicates the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is overwhelming or very strong. Those issuers determined to possess
overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted with a "PLUS" (+) designation.
A-2: Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
strong. However, the relative degree of safety is not as overwhelming as for
issues designated A-1.
A-1
<PAGE>
A-3: Issues carrying this designation have a satisfactory capacity for
timely payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
B: Issues rated "B" are regarded as having only an adequate capacity
for timely payment. However, such capacity may be damaged by changing
conditions or short-term adversities.
C: Issues rated "C" are regarded as having a doubtful capacity for
payment.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
F-1+: Exceptionally strong credit quality. Commercial paper assigned
this rating is regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely
payment.
F-1: Very strong credit quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect
an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated
F-1+.
F-2: Good credit quality. Commercial paper assigned this rating has a
satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment but the margin of safety is
not as great as for issuers assigned F-1+ and F-1 ratings.
F-3: Fair credit quality. Issues assigned this rating have
characteristics suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is
adequate, however, near term adverse changes could cause these securities to be
rated below investment grade.
DUFF & PHELPS
The three rating categories of Duff & Phelps for investment grade
commercial paper are "Duff 1," "Duff 2" and "Duff 3." Duff & Phelps employs
three designations, "Duff 1+," Duff 1" and "Duff 1-," within the highest rating
category. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Duff & Phelps
for commercial paper:
DUFF 1+ - Debt possesses highest certainty of timely payment. Short-
term liquidity, including internal operating factors and/or access to
alternative sources of funds, is outstanding, and safety is just below risk-free
U.S. Treasury short-term obligations.
DUFF 1 - Debt possesses very high certainty of timely payment.
Liquidity factors are excellent and supported by good fundamental protection
factors. Risk factors are minor.
DUFF 1- - Debt possesses high certainty of timely payment. Liquidity
factors are strong and supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk
factors are very small.
DUFF 2 - Debt possesses good certainty of timely payment. Liquidity
factors and company fundamentals are sound. Although ongoing funding needs may
enlarge total financing requirements, access to capital markets is good. Risk
factors are small.
DUFF 3 - Debt possesses satisfactory liquidity, and other protection
factors qualify issue as investment grade. Risk factors are larger and subject
to more variation. Nevertheless, timely payment is expected.
DUFF 4 - Debt possesses speculative investment characteristics.
DUFF 5 - Issuer has failed to meet scheduled principal and/or interest
payments.
A-2
<PAGE>
THOMSON BANKWATCH
Thomson BankWatch commercial paper ratings assess the likelihood of an
untimely payment of principal or interest of debt having a maturity of one year
or less which is issued by United States commercial banks, thrifts and non-bank
banks; non-United States banks; and broker-dealers. The following summarizes
the ratings used by Thomson BankWatch:
TBW-1 - This designation represents Thomson BankWatch's highest rating
category and indicates a very high degree of likelihood that principal and
interest will be paid on a timely basis.
TBW-2 - This designation indicates that while the degree of safety
regarding timely payment of principal and interest is strong, the relative
degree of safety is not as high as for issues rated "TBW-1."
TBW-3 - This designation represents the lowest investment grade category
and indicates that while the debt is more susceptible to adverse developments
(both internal and external) than obligations with higher ratings, capacity to
service principal and interest in a timely fashion is considered adequate.
IBCA
IBCA assesses the investment quality of unsecured debt with an original
maturity of less than one year which is issued by bank holding companies and
their principal bank subsidiaries. The following summarizes the rating
categories used by IBCA for short-term debt ratings:
A1+ - Obligations are supported by the highest capacity for timely
repayment.
A1 - Obligations are supported by a strong capacity for timely
repayment.
A2 - Obligations are supported by a satisfactory capacity for timely
repayment, although such capacity may be susceptible to adverse changes in
business, economic, or financial conditions.
A3 - Obligations are supported by an adequate capacity for timely
repayment. Such capacity is more susceptible to adverse changes in business,
economic, or financial conditions than for obligations in higher categories.
CORPORATE BONDS
MOODY'S
Moody's corporate bond ratings are opinions of the relative investment
qualities of bonds. Moody's employs nine designations to indicate such relative
qualities, ranging from "Aaa" for the highest quality obligations to "C" for the
lowest. Issues are further refined with the designation 1, 2, and 3 to indicate
the relative ranking within designations. Bonds with the following Moody's
ratings have the following investment qualities:
Aaa: Bonds in this category are judged to be of the highest 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 in this category 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-3
<PAGE>
A: Bonds in this category possess many favorable investment
attributes and are considered to be 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 in this category are considered 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 in this category 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 in this category 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 in this category 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 in this category represent obligations which are speculative
in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcoming.
C: Bonds in this category 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.
STANDARD & POOR'S
A Standard & Poor's corporate debt rating is a current assessment of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. Ratings
are graded into ten categories, ranging from "AAA" for the highest quality
obligation to "D" for debt in default. Issues are further refined with a "PLUS"
or "MINUS" sign to show relative standing within the categories. Bonds with the
following Standard & Poor's ratings have the following investment qualities:
AAA: Bonds in this category have the highest rating assigned by
Standard & Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely
strong.
AA: Bonds in this category have a very strong capacity to pay interest
and repay principal and differ from the higher rated issues only in small
degree.
A: Bonds in this category have a strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher
rated categories.
BBB: Bonds in this category have an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas such issues normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.
BB: Bonds in this category have less near-term vulnerability to default
than other speculative issues. However, they face major ongoing uncertainties
or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could
lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The
"BB" rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied "BBB-" rating.
A-4
<PAGE>
B: Bonds in this category have a greater vulnerability to default but
currently have the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments.
Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity
or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The "B" rating is also used
for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "BB"
or "BB-" rating.
CCC: Bonds in this category have currently identifiable vulnerability
to default, and are dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic
conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In
the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, they are not
likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The "CCC"
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied "B" or "B-" rating.
C: This rating is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt
which is assigned an actual or implied "CCC-" debt rating. The "C" rating may
be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but
debt service payments are continued.
DUFF & PHELPS
The following summarizes the ratings used by Duff & Phelps for corporate
and municipal long-term debt:
AAA - Debt is considered to be of the highest credit quality. The risk
factors are negligible, being only slightly more than for risk-free U.S.
Treasury debt.
AA - Debt is considered of high credit quality. Protection factors are
strong. Risk is modest but may vary slightly from time to time because of
economic conditions.
A - Debt possesses protection factors which are average but adequate.
However, risk factors are more variable and greater in periods of economic
stress.
BBB - Debt possesses below average protection factors but such
protection factors are still considered sufficient for prudent investment.
Considerable variability in risk is present during economic cycles.
BB, B, CCC, DD, AND DP - Debt that possesses one of these ratings is
considered to be below investment grade. Although below investment grade, debt
rated "BB" is deemed likely to meet obligations when due. Debt rated "B"
possesses the risk that obligations will not be met when due. Debt rated "CCC"
is well below investment grade and has considerable uncertainty as to timely
payment of principal, interest or preferred dividends. Debt rated "DD" is a
defaulted debt obligation, and the rating "DP" represents preferred stock with
dividend arrearages.
To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the "AA," "A,"
"BBB," "BB" and "B" ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or
minus (-) sign to show relative standing within these major categories.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
The following summarizes the highest four ratings used by Fitch for
corporate and municipal bonds:
AAA - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and
repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable
events.
AA - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very
strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated "AAA."
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Because bonds rated in the "AAA" and "AA" categories are not significantly
vulnerable to foreseeable future developments, short-term debt of these
issuers is generally rated "F-1+."
A - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances, however, are more likely to have an adverse impact on these
bonds, and therefore, impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of
these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with
higher ratings.
BB, B, CCC, CC, C, DDD, DD, AND D - Bonds that possess one of these
ratings are considered by Fitch to be speculative investments. The ratings "BB"
to "C" represent Fitch's assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of
principal and interest in accordance with the terms of obligation for bond
issues not in default. For defaulted bonds, the rating "DDD" to "D" is an
assessment of the ultimate recovery value through reorganization or liquidation.
To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the Fitch
ratings from and including "AA" to "C" may be modified by the addition of a plus
(+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within these major rating
categories.
ICBA
IBCA assesses the investment quality of unsecured debt with an original
maturity of more than one year which is issued by bank holding companies and
their principal bank subsidiaries. The following summarizes the rating
categories used by IBCA for long-term debt ratings:
AAA - Obligations for which there is the lowest expectation of
investment risk. Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is
substantial such that adverse changes in business, economic or financial
conditions are unlikely to increase investment risk significantly.
AA - Obligations for which there is a very low expectation of investment
risk. Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is substantial.
Adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions may increase
investment risk albeit not very significantly.
A - Obligations for which there is a low expectation of investment risk.
Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is strong, although
adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions may lead to
increased investment risk.
BBB - Obligations for which there is currently a low expectation of
investment risk. Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is
adequate, although adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions
are more likely to lead to increased investment risk than for obligations in
higher categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC, AND C - Obligations are assigned one of these ratings
where it is considered that speculative characteristics are present. "BB"
represents the lowest degree of speculation and indicates a possibility of
investment risk developing. "C" represents the highest degree of speculation
and indicates that the obligations are currently in default.
IBCA may append a rating of plus (+) or minus (-) to a rating to denote
relative status within major rating categories.
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THOMSON BANKWATCH
Thomson BankWatch assesses the likelihood of an untimely repayment of
principal or interest over the term to maturity of long term debt and preferred
stock which are issued by United States commercial banks, thrifts and non-bank
banks; non-United States banks; and broker-dealers. The following summarizes
the rating categories used by Thomson BankWatch for long-term debt ratings:
AAA - This designation represents the highest category assigned by
Thomson BankWatch to long-term debt and indicates that the ability to repay
principal and interest on a timely basis is very high.
AA - This designation indicates a superior ability to repay principal
and interest on a timely basis with limited incremental risk versus issues rated
in the highest category.
A - This designation indicates that the ability to repay principal and
interest is strong. Issues rated "A" could be more vulnerable to adverse
developments (both internal and external) than obligations with higher ratings.
BBB - This designation represents Thomson BankWatch's lowest investment
grade category and indicates an acceptable capacity to repay principal and
interest. Issues rated "BBB" are, however, more vulnerable to adverse
developments (both internal and external) than obligations with higher ratings.
BB, B, CCC, AND CC, - These designations are assigned by Thomson
BankWatch to non-investment grade long-term debt. Such issues are regarded as
having speculative characteristics regarding the likelihood of timely payment of
principal and interest. "BB" indicates the lowest degree of speculation and
"CC" the highest degree of speculation.
D - This designation indicates that the long-term debt is in default.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) - The ratings from "AAA" through "CC" may include
a plus or minus sign designation which indicates where within the respective
category the issue is placed.
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