PAGE 1
Prospectus for the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio, dated
May 1, 1997, should be inserted here.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
May 1, 1997
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio
<PAGE>
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Investment Goal
To provide substantial dividend income and also long-term capital appreciation.
As with any mutual fund, there is no guarantee the fund will achieve its goal.
Strategy
To invest primarily in dividend-paying common stocks, particularly of
established companies, with favorable prospects for both increasing dividends
and capital appreciation.
Risk/Reward
A conservative stock fund with the potential for dividend income and some
capital appreciation. Lower risk than a fund focusing on growth stocks, but
greater risk than a bond fund. Stocks paying high dividends tend to be less
volatile than those paying below-average dividends. However, the fund's share
price may decline, causing a loss.
Investor Profile
Individuals seeking a relatively conservative approach to investing in stocks,
who can accept the risk of loss inherent in common stock investing.
Investment Manager
Founded in 1937 by the late Thomas Rowe Price, Jr., T. Rowe Price Associates,
Inc. ("T. Rowe Price") and its affiliates managed over $99 billion for more
than five million individual and institutional investor accounts as of December
31, 1996.
<PAGE>
T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc.
Prospectus
May 1, 1997
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED UPON
THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
T. ROWE PRICE 2
CONTENTS
1
ABOUT THE FUND
Financial Highlights 2
Fund, Market, and Risk Characteristics 3
2
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
Pricing Shares and Receiving Sale Proceeds 7
Distributions and Taxes 8
3
MORE ABOUT THE FUND
Organization and Management 9
Understanding Performance Information 11
Investment Policies and Practices 13
This prospectus contains information that a prospective Contract Holder or
Participant should know about the fund before investing. Please keep it for
future reference. A Statement of Additional Information about the fund, dated
May 1, 1997, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is
incorporated by reference in this prospectus. To obtain a free copy, contact
your insurance company.
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUND
1
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
----------------------------------------------------------
Table 1, which provides information about the fund's financial history, is
based on a single share outstanding throughout each fiscal year. The table is
part of the fund's financial statements which are included in its annual
report, and are incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional
Information (available upon request). The financial statements in the annual
report were audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, the fund's independent
accountants.
<TABLE>
Table 1 Financial Highlights
<CAPTION>
<S> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income From Investment Activities
Net Asset Net Net Realized Total From
Period Value, Investment & Unrealized Investment
Ended Beginning Income (Loss) Gain (Loss) on Activities
of Period Investments
1994/a/ $ 10.00 $ 0.30 $ 0.41 $ 0.71
1995 10.42 0.44 3.05 3.49
1996 13.21 0.42 2.13 2.55
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Less Distributions Net Asset Value
Net Net Realized Total Net Asset
Investment Gain Distributions Value,
Income End of Period
$ (0.29) -- $ (0.29) $ 10.42
(0.44) $ (0.26) (0.70) 13.21
(0.42) (0.08) (0.50) 15.26
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
Table 1 Financial Highlights (continued)
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Period
Ended
1994/a/
1995
1996
- --------------
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Returns, Ratios, and Supplemental Data
Total Return Ratio of Ratio of Net
(Includes Net Assets Expenses to Investment Portfolio
Reinvested ($ thousands)Average Net Income to TurnoverRate
Distributions) Assets Average Net
Assets
7.15% $ 2,191 0.85%/b/ 3.88%/b/ 21.3%/b/
34.76 14,658 0.85 3.61 10.1
19.56 103,751 0.85 2.94 17.4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Average
Commission
Rate Paid
--
--
--
$ 0.0388
- --------------------
</TABLE>
To help you decide whether this fund is appropriate for you, this section
o The fund should not represent your complete investment program, nor be used
for short-term trading purposes.
<PAGE>
T. ROWE PRICE 4
What is the fund's objective?
The fund's objective is to provide substantial dividend income as well as
long-term capital appreciation through investments in common stocks of
established companies.
What is the fund's investment program?
Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 65% of total assets
in the common stocks of established companies paying above-average dividends.
These companies are expected to have favorable prospects for dividend growth
and capital appreciation, as determined by T. Rowe Price.
The fund may also purchase other types of securities, for example, foreign
securities, convertible stocks and bonds, and warrants, when considered
consistent with the fund's investment objective and program. The portfolio
manager may also engage in a variety of investment management practices, such
as buying and selling futures and options.
What are the fund's major characteristics?
T. Rowe Price believes that income can be a significant contributor to total
return over time and expects the fund's yield to be above that of the
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index. The fund will tend to take a "value"
approach and invest in stocks and other securities that appear to be
temporarily undervalued by various measures, such as price/earnings ratios.
How does the fund select stocks for the portfolio?
The fund will generally consider companies with the following
characteristics:
o Established operating histories.
o Above-average current dividend yield relative to the average yield of the
S&P 500.
o Low price/earnings ratios relative to the S&P 500.
o Sound balance sheets and other financial characteristics.
o Low stock price relative to a company's underlying value as measured by
assets, earnings, cash flow, or business franchises.
What is meant by a "value" investment approach?
Value investors look for undervalued assets, seeking to invest in companies
whose stock prices are low in relation to their real worth or future
prospects. By identifying companies whose stocks are currently out of favor
or misunderstood, value investors hope to realize significant appreciation as
other investors recognize the stock's intrinsic value and the price rises
accordingly.
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUND 5
Finding undervalued stocks requires considerable research to identify the
particular company, analyze its underlying financial condition and prospects,
and assess the likelihood that the stock's underlying value will be
recognized by the market and reflected in its price.
o Value investors look for undervalued assets.
Some of the principal measures used to identify such stocks are:
o Price/earnings ratio Dividing a stock's price by its earnings per share
generates a price/earnings or P/E ratio. A stock with a P/E that is
significantly below that of its peers, the market as a whole, or its own
historical norm may represent an attractive opportunity.
o Price/book value ratio This ratio, calculated by dividing a stock's price by
its book value per share, indicates how a stock is priced relative to the
accounting (i.e., book) value of the company's assets. A ratio below the
market, that of its competitors, or its own historic norm could indicate an
undervalued situation.
o Dividend yield A stock's dividend yield is found by dividing its annual
dividend by its share price. A yield significantly above a stock's own
historic norm or that of its peers may suggest an investment opportunity.
o A stock selling at $10 with a dividend of $0.50 has a 5% yield.
o Price/cash flow Dividing a stock's price by the company's cash flow per
share, rather than its earnings or book value, provides a more useful measure
of value in some cases. A ratio below that of the market or of its peers
suggests the market may be incorrectly valuing the company's cash flow for
reasons that may be temporary.
o Undervalued assets This analysis compares a company's stock price with its
underlying asset values, its projected value in the private (as opposed to
public) market, or its expected value if the company or parts of it were sold
or liquidated.
o Restructuring opportunities The market can react favorably to the
announcement or the successful implementation of a corporate restructuring,
financial reengineering, or asset redeployment. Such events can result in an
increase in a company's stock price. A value investor may try to anticipate
these actions and invest before the market places an appropriate value on any
actual or expected changes.
<PAGE>
T. ROWE PRICE 6
What are some of the fund's potential risks?
The fund's emphasis on stocks of established, high dividend-paying companies,
as well as its possible exposure to fixed income securities, could limit its
potential for capital appreciation. Sharply rising interest rates could also
decrease the appeal of stocks purchased by the fund, further restraining
total return.
o The fund's share price will fluctuate; when you sell your shares, you may
lose money.
What are some of the fund's potential rewards?
Dividends are normally a more stable and predictable component of total
return than capital appreciation. While the price of a company's stock can go
up or down in response to earnings or to fluctuations in the general market,
dividends are usually more reliable. Stocks paying a high level of dividend
income tend to be less volatile than those with below-average dividends.
What are some potential risks and rewards of investing in the stock market
through the fund?
Common stocks in general offer a way to invest for long-term growth of
capital. As the U.S. economy has expanded, corporate profits have grown and
share prices have risen. Nevertheless, economic growth has been punctuated by
periods of stagnation and recession. Share prices of all companies, even the
best managed and most profitable, can fall for any number of reasons, ranging
from lower-than-expected earnings to changes in investor psychology.
Significant trading by large institutional investors also can lead to price
declines. In addition, if our assessment of company prospects proves
incorrect, companies that our managers and analysts expect to do well may
perform poorly. Since 1950, the U.S. stock market has experienced 10 negative
years as well as steep drops of shorter duration. Its worst calendar quarter
return in recent years was -22.5% in 1987's fourth quarter.
o Equity investors should have a long-term investment horizon and be willing
to wait out bear markets.
How can I decide if the fund is appropriate for me?
Consider your investment goals, your time horizon for achieving them, and
your tolerance for risk. If you can accept the price fluctuations inherent in
stock investing in an effort to achieve income and capital appreciation, the
fund could be an appropriate part of your overall investment strategy.
Is there other information I need to review before making a decision?
Be sure to read Investment Policies and Practices in Section 3, which
discusses the principal types of portfolio securities that the fund may
purchase as well as the types of management practices that the fund may use.
<PAGE>
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
2
PRICING SHARES AND RECEIVING SALE PROCEEDS
----------------------------------------------------------
Here are some procedures you should know when investing in the fund. For
instructions on how to purchase and redeem shares of the fund, read the
separate account prospectus.
Shares of the fund may be offered to insurance company separate accounts
established for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts. They may
also be offered to insurance company separate accounts established for the
purpose of funding variable life contracts. Variable annuity and variable
life Contract Holders or Participants are not the shareholders of the fund.
Rather, the separate account is the shareholder. The variable annuity and
variable life contracts are described in separate prospectuses issued by the
insurance companies. The fund assumes no responsibility for such
prospectuses, or variable annuity or life contracts.
Shares of the fund are sold and redeemed without the imposition of any sales
commission or redemption charge. However, certain other charges may apply to
annuity or life contracts. Those charges are disclosed in the separate
account prospectus.
How and when shares are priced
The share price (also called "net asset value" or NAV per share) for the fund
is calculated at 4 p.m. ET each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for
business. To calculate the NAV, the fund's assets are valued and totaled,
liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is divided by
the number of shares outstanding.
How your purchase, sale, or exchange price is determined
Purchases
The insurance companies purchase shares of the fund for separate accounts,
using premiums allocated by the Contract Holders or Participants. Shares are
purchased at the NAV next determined after the insurance company receives the
premium payment in acceptable form. Initial and subsequent payments allocated
to the fund are subject to the limits stated in the separate account
prospectus issued by the insurance company.
Redemptions
The insurance companies redeem shares of the fund to make benefit or
surrender payments under the terms of its Contracts. Redemptions are
processed on any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open and are
priced at the fund's NAV next determined after the insurance company receives
a surrender request in acceptable form.
<PAGE>
T. ROWE PRICE 8
Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time until
which orders are accepted may be changed in case of an emergency or if the
New York Stock Exchange closes at a time other than 4 p.m. ET.
How you can receive the proceeds from a sale
Payment for redeemed shares will be made promptly, but in no event later than
seven days. However, the right of redemption may be suspended or the date of
payment postponed in accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940. The
amount received upon redemption of the shares of the fund may be more or less
than the amount paid for the shares, depending on the fluctuations in the
market value of the assets owned by a fund.
Dividends and Other Distributions
For a discussion of the tax status of your variable annuity contract, please
refer to the attached separate account prospectus.
Dividends and other distributions
The policy of the fund is to distribute all of its net investment income and
net capital gains each year to its shareholders, which are the separate
accounts established by the various insurance companies in connection with
their issuance of variable annuity and life contracts. Dividends from net
investment income are declared and paid quarterly. All fund distributions
made to a separate account will be reinvested automatically in additional
fund shares, unless a shareholder (separate account) elects to receive
distributions in cash. Under current law, dividends and distributions made by
the fund to separate accounts, generally, are not taxable to the separate
accounts, the insurance company or the Contract Holder, provided that the
separate account meets the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and other tax related
requirements are satisfied. The fund intends to diversify its investments in
the manner required under Code Section 817(h).
Foreign Transactions
If the fund pays nonrefundable taxes to foreign governments during the year,
the taxes will reduce the fund's dividends.
<PAGE>
MORE ABOUT THE FUND
3
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
----------------------------------------------------------
How is the fund organized?
The T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc. (the "Corporation") was incorporated in
Maryland in 1994, and is a "diversified, open-end investment company," or
mutual fund. Mutual funds pool money received from shareholders and invest it
to try to achieve specific objectives. Currently, the corporation consists of
four series, each representing a separate class of shares having different
objectives and investment policies. The four series are: the Equity Income
Portfolio, the New America Growth Portfolio, and the Personal Strategy
Balanced Portfolio, which were all established in 1994; and the Mid-Cap
Growth Portfolio, established in 1996. The other three portfolios are
described in separate prospectuses. The Corporation's charter provides that
the Board of Directors may issue additional series of shares and/or
As with all mutual funds, investors purchase shares when they put money in a
fund. These shares are part of a fund's authorized capital stock, but share
o Cast one vote per share on certain fund matters, including the election of
fund directors, changes in fundamental policies, or approval of changes in
The shares of the fund have equal voting rights. The various insurance
companies own the outstanding shares of the fund in their separate accounts.
These separate accounts are registered under the 1940 Act or are excluded
from registration thereunder. Under current law, the insurance companies must
vote the shares held in registered separate accounts in accordance with
voting instructions received from variable Contract Holders or Participants
The funds are not required to hold annual meetings and, in order to avoid
unnecessary costs to fund shareholders, do not intend to do so except when
certain matters, such as a change in a fund's fundamental policies, are to be
<PAGE>
T. ROWE PRICE 10
decided. In addition, shareholders representing at least 10% of all eligible
votes may call a special meeting if they wish for the purpose of voting on
the removal of any fund director or trustee. If a meeting is held and you
cannot attend, you can vote by proxy. Before the meeting, the fund will send
you proxy materials that explain the issues to be decided and include a
voting card for you to mail back.
o All decisions regarding the purchase and sale of fund investments are made
by T. Rowe Price--specifically by the fund's portfolio managers.
Who runs the fund?
General Oversight
The Corporation is governed by a Board of Directors that meets regularly to
review fund investments, performance, expenses, and other business affairs.
The Board elects the Corporation's officers. The policy of the Corporation is
that the majority of Board members will be independent of T. Rowe Price.
Portfolio Management
The fund has an Investment Advisory Committee composed of the following
members: Brian C. Rogers, Chairman, Thomas H. Broadus Jr., Richard P. Howard,
William J. Stromberg, and Daniel M. Theriault. The committee chairman has
day-to-day responsibility for managing the portfolio and works with the
committee in developing and executing the fund's investment program. Mr.
Rogers has been chairman of the fund's committee since its inception in 1994.
Mr. Rogers joined T. Rowe Price in 1982 and has been managing investments
since 1983.
Marketing
T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of T. Rowe
Price, distributes (sells) shares of these and all other T. Rowe Price funds.
Shareholder Services
T. Rowe Price Services, Inc., another wholly owned subsidiary, acts as the
fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent and provides shareholder and
administrative services. T. Rowe Price calculates the daily share price and
maintains the portfolio and general accounting records of the fund. The
address for T. Rowe Price Services is 100 East Pratt St., Baltimore, MD
21202.
How are fund expenses determined?
Under the management agreement, all expenses of the fund will be paid by
T. Rowe Price, except interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, directors' fees
and expenses (including counsel fees and expenses), and extraordinary
expenses. The Board of Directors of the Corporation reserves the right to
impose additional fees against shareholder accounts to defray expenses which
would
<PAGE>
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT 11
otherwise be paid by T. Rowe Price under the management agreement. The Board
does not anticipate levying such charges; such a fee, if charged, may be
retained by the fund or paid to T. Rowe Price.
The Management Fee
The fund pays T. Rowe Price an annual all-inclusive fee of 0.85% based on its
average daily net assets. The fund calculates and accrues the fee daily. This
fee pays for investment management services and other operating costs.
Variable Annuity and Variable Life Charges
Variable annuity and variable life fees and charges are in addition to those
described previously and are described in variable annuity and life
prospectuses.
The fund may serve as an investment medium for both variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares of the fund may be
offered to separate accounts established by any number of insurance
companies. The fund currently does not foresee any disadvantages to variable
annuity contract owners due to the fact that the fund may serve as an
investment medium for both variable life insurance policies and annuity
contracts; however, due to differences in tax treatment or other
considerations, it is theoretically possible that the interests of owners of
annuity contracts and insurance policies for which the fund serves as an
investment medium might at some time be in conflict. However, the
Corporation's Board of Directors is required to monitor events to identify
any material conflicts between variable annuity contract owners and variable
life policy owners, and will determine what action, if any, should be taken
in the event of such a conflict. If such a conflict were to occur, an
insurance company participating in the fund might be required to redeem the
investment of one or more of its separate accounts from the fund. This might
force the fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices.
UNDERSTANDING PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------------------
This section should help you understand the terms used to describe fund
performance. You will come across them in shareholder reports you receive
from us.
Total Return
This tells you how much an investment in the fund has changed in value over a
given time period. It reflects any net increase or decrease in the share
price and assumes that all dividends and capital gains (if any) paid during
the period were reinvested in additional shares. Including reinvested
distributions means that total return numbers include the effect of
compounding, i.e., you receive income and capital gain distributions on a
rising number of shares.
<PAGE>
T. ROWE PRICE 12
Advertisements for the fund may include cumulative or compound average annual
total return figures, which may be compared with various indices, other
performance measures, or other mutual funds.
o Total return is the most widely used performance measure. Detailed
performance information is included in the fund's annual and semiannual
shareholder reports, and in the quarterly Performance Update, which are all
available without charge.
Cumulative Total Return
This is the actual rate of return on an investment for a specified period. A
cumulative return does not indicate how much the value of the investment may
have fluctuated between the beginning and the end of the period specified.
Average Annual Total Return
This is always hypothetical. Working backward from the actual cumulative
return, it tells you what constant year-by-year return would have produced
the actual cumulative return. By smoothing out all the variations in annual
performance, it gives you an idea of the investment's annual contribution to
your portfolio provided you held it for the entire period in question.
Total returns quoted for the fund include the effect of deducting the fund's
expenses, but may not include charges and expenses attributable to any
particular insurance product. Since you can only purchase shares of the fund
through an insurance product, you should carefully review the prospectus of
the insurance product you have chosen for information on relevant charges and
expenses. Excluding these charges from quotations of the fund's performance
has the effect of increasing the performance quoted.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES
----------------------------------------------------------
This section takes a detailed look at some of the types of securities the
fund may hold in its portfolio and the various kinds of investment practices
that may be used in day-to-day portfolio management. The fund's investment
program is subject to further restrictions and risks described in the
Statement of Additional Information.
Shareholder approval is required to substantively change the fund's objective
and certain investment restrictions noted in the following section as
"fundamental policies." The managers also follow certain "operating
policies," which can be changed without shareholder approval. However,
significant changes are discussed with shareholders in fund reports. The fund
adheres to
<PAGE>
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT 13
applicable investment restrictions and policies at the time it makes an
investment. A later change in circumstances will not require the sale of an
investment if it was proper at the time it was made.
The fund's holdings of certain kinds of investments cannot exceed maximum
percentages of total assets, which are set forth herein. For instance, this
fund is not permitted to invest more than 10% of total assets in hybrid
instruments. While these restrictions provide a useful level of detail about
the fund's investment program, investors should not view them as an accurate
gauge of the potential risk of such investments. For example, in a given
period, a 5% investment in hybrid instruments could have significantly more
of an impact on the fund's share price than its weighting in the portfolio.
The net effect of a particular investment depends on its volatility and the
size of its overall return in relation to the performance of all the fund's
other investments.
Changes in the fund's holdings, the fund's performance, and the contribution
of various investments are discussed in the shareholder reports sent to you.
o Fund managers have considerable leeway in choosing investment strategies and
selecting securities they believe will help the fund achieve its objective.
Types of Portfolio Securities
In seeking to meet its investment objective, the fund may invest in any type
of security or instrument (including certain potentially high-risk
derivatives described in this section) whose investment characteristics are
consistent with the fund's investment program. The following pages describe
the principal types of portfolio securities and investment management
practices of the fund.
Fundamental policy The fund will not purchase a security if, as a result,
with respect to 75% of its total assets, more than 5% of its total assets
would be invested in securities of a single issuer or more than 10% of the
voting securities of the issuer would be held by the fund.
Common and Preferred Stocks
Stocks represent shares of ownership in a company. Generally, preferred stock
has a specified dividend and ranks after bonds and before common stocks in
its claim on income for dividend payments and on assets should the company be
liquidated. After other claims are satisfied, common stockholders participate
in company profits on a pro rata basis; profits may be paid out in dividends
or reinvested in the company to help it grow. Increases and decreases in
earnings are usually reflected in a company's stock price, so common stocks
generally have the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential of all
corporate securities. While most preferred stocks pay a dividend, the fund
may purchase preferred stock where the issuer has omitted, or is in danger of
omitting, payment of its dividend. Such investments would be made primarily
for their capital appreciation potential.
<PAGE>
T. ROWE PRICE 14
Convertible Securities and Warrants
The fund may invest in debt or preferred equity securities convertible into
or exchangeable for equity securities. Traditionally, convertible securities
have paid dividends or interest at rates higher than common stocks but lower
than nonconvertible securities. They generally participate in the
appreciation or depreciation of the underlying stock into which they are
convertible, but to a lesser degree. In recent years, convertibles have been
developed which combine higher or lower current income with options and other
features. Warrants are options to buy a stated number of shares of common
stock at a specified price anytime during the life of the warrants
(generally, two or more years).
Foreign Securities
The fund may invest in foreign securities. These include
nondollar-denominated securities traded outside of the U.S. and
dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers traded in the U.S. (such as
ADRs). Such investments increase a portfolio's diversification and may
enhance return, but they also involve some special risks such as exposure to
potentially adverse local political and economic developments;
nationalization and exchange controls; potentially lower liquidity and higher
volatility; possible problems arising from accounting, disclosure,
settlement, and regulatory practices that differ from U.S. standards; and the
chance that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates will decrease the
investment's value (favorable changes can increase its value). These risks
are heightened for investments in developing countries, and there is no limit
on the amount of the fund's foreign investments that may be made in such
countries.
Operating policy The fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets (excluding
reserves) in foreign securities.
Fixed Income Securities
The fund may invest in debt securities of any type including municipal
securities without regard to quality or rating. Such securities would be
purchased in companies, municipalities, or entities which meet the investment
criteria for the fund. The price of a bond fluctuates with changes in
interest rates, rising when interest rates fall and falling when interest
rates rise.
High-Yield/High-Risk Investing
The total return and yield of lower-quality (high-yield/high-risk) bonds,
commonly referred to as "junk" bonds, can be expected to fluctuate more than
the total return and yield of higher-quality, shorter-term bonds, but not as
much as common stocks. Junk bonds (those rated below BBB or in default) are
regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's continuing
ability to meet principal and interest payments.
<PAGE>
MORE ABOUT THE FUND 15
Operating policy The fund will not purchase a noninvestment-grade debt
security (or junk bond) if immediately after such purchase the fund would
have more than 10% of its total assets invested in such securities.
Hybrid Instruments
These instruments (a type of potentially high-risk derivative) can combine
the characteristics of securities, futures, and options. For example, the
principal amount, redemption, or conversion terms of a security could be
related to the market price of some commodity, currency, or securities index.
Such securities may bear interest or pay dividends at below market (or even
relatively nominal) rates. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of
such an investment could be zero.
o Hybrids can have volatile prices and limited liquidity and their use by the
fund may not be successful.
Operating policy The fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in hybrid
instruments.
Private Placements
These securities are sold directly to a small number of investors, usually
institutions. Unlike public offerings, such securities are not registered
with the SEC. Although certain of these securities may be readily sold, for
example, under Rule 144A, others may be illiquid, and their sale may involve
substantial delays and additional costs.
Operating policy The fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in
illiquid securities.
Types of Management Practices
Cash Position
The fund will hold a certain portion of its assets in U.S. and foreign
dollar-denominated money market securities, including repurchase agreements,
in the two highest rating categories, maturing in one year or less. For
temporary, defensive purposes, the fund may invest without limitation in such
securities. This reserve position provides flexibility in meeting
redemptions, expenses, and the timing of new investments and serves as a
short-term defense during periods of unusual market volatility.
Borrowing Money and Transferring Assets
The fund can borrow money from banks as a temporary measure for emergency
purposes, to facilitate redemption requests, or for other purposes consistent
with the fund's investment objective and program. Such borrowings may be
collateralized with fund assets, subject to restrictions.
<PAGE>
T. ROWE PRICE 16
Fundamental policy Borrowings may not exceed 33/1//\\/3/\\% of total fund
assets.
Operating policies The fund may not transfer as collateral any portfolio
securities except as necessary in connection with permissible borrowings or
investments, and then such transfers may not exceed 33/1//\\/3/\\% of the
fund's total assets. The fund may not purchase additional securities when
borrowings exceed 5% of total assets.
In accordance with California law, the fund may not borrow more than 10% of
its net asset value when borrowing for any general purposes; and the fund may
not borrow more than 25% of net asset value when borrowing as a temporary
measure to facilitate redemptions. Net asset value of a portfolio is the
market value of all investments or assets owned less outstanding liabilities
of the portfolio at the time that any new or additional borrowing is
undertaken.
Futures and Options
Futures (a type of potentially high-risk derivative) are often used to manage
or hedge risk, because they enable the investor to buy or sell an asset in
the future at an agreed upon price. Options (another type of potentially
high-risk derivative) give the investor the right, but not the obligation, to
buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price in the future. The fund may buy
and sell futures and options contracts for any number of reasons, including:
to manage its exposure to changes in securities prices and foreign
currencies; as an efficient means of adjusting its overall exposure to
certain markets; in an effort to enhance income; and to protect the value of
portfolio securities. The fund may purchase, sell, or write call and put
options on securities, financial indices, and foreign currencies.
Futures contracts and options may not always be successful hedges; their
prices can be highly volatile. Using them could lower the fund's total
return, and the potential loss from the use of futures can exceed the fund's
initial exposure to such contracts. In many foreign countries, futures and
options markets do not exist or are not sufficiently developed to be
effectively used by the fund.
Operating policies Futures: Initial margin deposits and premiums on options
used for non-hedging purposes will not equal more than 5% of the fund's net
asset value. Options on securities: The total market value of securities
against which the fund has written call or put options may not exceed 25% of
its total assets. The fund will not commit more than 5% of its total assets
to premiums when purchasing call or put options.
Managing Foreign Currency Risk
Investors in foreign securities may "hedge" their exposure to potentially
unfavorable currency changes by purchasing a contract to exchange one
currency for another on some future date at a specified exchange rate. In
certain
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MORE ABOUT THE FUND 17
circumstances, a "proxy currency" may be substituted for the currency in
which the investment is denominated, a strategy known as "proxy hedging."
Although foreign currency transactions will be used primarily to protect the
fund's foreign securities from adverse currency movements relative to the
dollar, they involve the risk that anticipated currency movements will not
occur and the fund's total return could be reduced.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
Like other mutual funds, the fund may lend securities to broker-dealers,
other institutions, or other persons to earn additional income. The principal
risk is the potential insolvency of the broker-dealer or other borrower. In
this event, the fund could experience delays in recovering its securities and
possibly capital losses.
Fundamental policy The value of loaned securities may not exceed
33/1//\\/3/\\% of total fund assets.
Portfolio Turnover
The fund will not generally trade in securities for short-term profits, but,
when circumstances warrant, securities may be purchased and sold without
regard to the length of time held. The fund's portfolio turnover rate for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 were 17.4% and 10.1%,
respectively. For the fiscal period ended December 31, 1994, the fund's
annualized portfolio turnover rate was 21.3%.
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T. ROWE PRICE 18
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MORE ABOUT THE FUND 19
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T. ROWE PRICE 20
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MORE ABOUT THE FUND 21
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T. ROWE PRICE 22
PAGE 2
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc. (the "Corporation")
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio
(the "Fund")
Shares of the Fund may be offered to insurance company
separate accounts established for the purpose of funding variable
annuity contracts. They may also be offered to insurance company
separate accounts established for the purpose of funding variable
life contracts. Variable annuity and variable life Contract
Holders or Participants are not the shareholders of the Fund.
Rather, the separate account is the shareholder. The variable
annuity and variable life contracts are described in separate
prospectuses issued by the insurance companies. The Fund assumes
no responsibility for such prospectuses, or variable annuity or
life contracts.
In the future, it is possible that the Fund may offer its
shares to separate accounts funding variable annuities, variable
life insurance or other insurance products of other insurance
companies.
This Statement of Additional Information is not a
prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the Fund's
prospectus dated May 1, 1997, which may be obtained from T. Rowe
Price Investment Services, Inc., 100 East Pratt Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
The date of this Statement of Additional Information is May
1, 1997.
SAI-EIP 5/1/97
PAGE 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Page
Capital Stock . . . . 39 Investment Restrictions . 22
Code of Ethics . . . . . 32 Legal Counsel . . . . . . 40
Custodian . . . . . . . . 31 Lending of Portfolio9
Dealer Options . . . . . 14 Securities . . . . . . . . 9
Distributor for Fund . . 31 Management of Fund . . . 27
Dividends . . . . . . . . 38 Net Asset Value Per Share 37
Federal Registration of Options . . . . . . . . . 10
Shares . . . . . . . . . 40 Portfolio Management
Foreign Currency Practices . . . . . . . . 9
Transactions . . . . . . 20 Portfolio Transactions . 32
Futures Contracts . . . . 14 Pricing of Securities . . 37
Hybrid Instruments . . . 7 Principal Holders of
Illiquid or Restricted Securities . . . . . . . 29
Securities . . . . . . . 7 Ratings of Corporate Debt
Independent Accountants . 40 Securities . . . . . . . 41
Investment Management Repurchase Agreements . . . 9
Services . . . . . . . . 30 Risk Factors of Foreign
Investment Objective and Investing . . . . . . . . 4
Policies . . . . . . . . 2 Shareholder Services . . 31
Investment Performance . 26 Tax Status . . . . . . . 38
Investment Program . . . 7 Warrants . . . . . . . . . 8
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The following information supplements the discussion of the
Fund's investment objective and policies discussed in the Fund's
prospectus. Unless otherwise specified, the investment program
and restrictions of the Fund are not fundamental policies. The
operating policies of the Fund are subject to change by its Board
of Directors without shareholder approval. However, shareholders
will be notified of a material change in an operating policy.
The fundamental policies of the Fund may not be changed without
the approval of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of
the Fund or, if it is less, 67% of the shares represented at a
meeting of shareholders at which the holders of 50% or more of
the shares are represented.
RISK FACTORS
General
Because of its investment policy, the Fund may or may not
be suitable or appropriate for all investors. The Fund is not a
money market fund and is not an appropriate investment for those
PAGE 4
whose primary objective is principal stability. The Fund will
normally have most of its assets in equity securities (e.g.,
common stocks). This portion of the Fund's assets will be
subject to all of the risks of investing in the stock market.
There is risk in all investment. The value of the portfolio
securities of the Fund will fluctuate based upon market
conditions. Although the Fund seeks to reduce risk by investing
in a diversified portfolio, such diversification does not
eliminate all risk. There can, of course, be no assurance that
the Fund will achieve these results. Reference is also made to
the sections entitled "Types of Securities" and "Portfolio
Management Practices" for discussions of the risks associated
with the investments and practices described therein as they
apply to the Fund.
Debt Obligations
Although the Fund will invest most of its assets in common
stocks, it is permitted to purchase debt securities. Yields on
short, intermediate, and long-term securities are dependent on a
variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money
and bond markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity
of the obligation, and the credit quality and rating of the
issue. Debt securities with longer maturities tend to have
higher yields and are generally subject to potentially greater
capital appreciation and depreciation than obligations with
shorter 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
portfolio investments, and a decline in interest rates will
generally increase the value of portfolio investments. The
ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective is also
dependent on the continuing ability of the issuers of the debt
securities in which the Fund invests to meet their obligations
for the payment of interest and principal when due. The Fund's
investment program permits it to purchase below investment grade
securities. Since investors generally perceive that there are
greater risks associated with investment in lower quality
securities, the yields from such securities normally exceed those
obtainable from higher quality securities. However, the
principal value of lower-rated securities generally will
fluctuate more widely than higher quality securities. Lower
quality investments entail a higher risk of default--that is, the
nonpayment of interest and principal by the issuer than higher
quality investments. Such securities are also subject to special
risks, discussed below. Although the Fund seeks to reduce risk
by portfolio diversification, credit analysis (considered by
T. Rowe Price to be among the most stringent in the investment
management industry), and attention to trends in the economy,
industries and financial markets, such efforts will not eliminate
PAGE 5
all risk. There can, of course, be no assurance that the Fund
will achieve its investment objective.
After purchase by the Fund, a debt security may cease to be
rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for
purchase by the Fund. Neither event will require a sale of such
security by the Fund. However, T. Rowe Price will consider such
event in its determination of whether the Fund should continue to
hold the security. To the extent that the ratings given by
Moody's or S&P may change as a result of changes in such
organizations or their rating systems, the Fund will attempt to
use comparable ratings as standards for investments in accordance
with the investment policies contained in the prospectus.
Special Risks of High-Yield Investing
The Fund may invest in low quality bonds commonly referred
to as "junk" bonds. Junk bonds are regarded as predominantly
speculative with respect to the issuer's continuing ability to
meet principal and interest payments. Because investment in low
and lower-medium quality bonds involves greater investment risk,
to the extent the Fund invests in such bonds, achievement of its
investment objective will be more dependent on T. Rowe Price's
credit analysis than would be the case if the Fund was investing
in higher quality bonds. High yield bonds may be more
susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic conditions than
investment grade bonds. A projection of an economic downturn, or
higher interest rates, for example, could cause a decline in high
yield bond prices because the advent of such events could lessen
the ability of highly leveraged issuers to make principal and
interest payments on their debt securities. In addition, the
secondary trading market for high yield bonds may be less liquid
than the market for higher grade bonds, which can adversely
affect the ability of a Fund to dispose of its portfolio
securities. Bonds for which there is only a "thin" market can be
more difficult to value inasmuch as objective pricing data may be
less available and judgment may play a greater role in the
valuation process.
Risk Factors of Foreign Investing
There are special risks in foreign investing. Certain of
these risks are inherent in any mutual fund while others relate
more to the countries in which the Funds will invest. Many of
the risks are more pronounced for investments in developing or
emerging countries, such as many of the countries of Southeast
Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Although there is no universally accepted definition, a
developing country is generally considered to be a country which
PAGE 6
is in the initial stages of its industrialization cycle with a
per capita gross national product of less than $8,000.
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 and balance of payments
position. The internal politics of certain foreign countries are
not as stable as in the United States. For example, in 1991, the
existing government in Thailand was overthrown in a military
coup. In 1992, there were two military coup attempts in
Venezuela and in 1992 the President of Brazil was impeached. In
addition, significant external political risks currently affect
some foreign countries. Both Taiwan and China still claim
sovereignty of one another and there is a demilitarized border
between North and South Korea.
Governments in certain foreign countries continue to
participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest
or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these
governments could have a significant effect on market prices of
securities and payment of dividends. The economies of many
foreign countries are heavily dependent upon international trade
and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and
economic conditions of their trading partners. The enactment by
these trading partners of protectionist trade legislation could
have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of
such countries.
Currency Fluctuations. The Funds will invest in securities
denominated in various 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 the Funds'
assets denominated in that currency. Such changes will also
affect the Funds' income. Generally, when a given currency
appreciates against the dollar (the dollar weakens) the value of
the Fund's securities denominated in that currency will rise.
When a given currency depreciates against the dollar (the dollar
strengthens) the value of the Funds' securities denominated in
that currency would be expected to decline.
Investment and Repatriation Restrictions. Foreign
investment in the securities markets of certain foreign countries
is restricted or controlled in varying degrees. These
restrictions may limit at times and preclude investment in
certain of such countries and may increase the cost and expenses
of the Funds. Investments by foreign investors are subject to a
variety of restrictions in many developing countries. These
restrictions may take the form of prior governmental approval,
PAGE 7
limits on the amount or type of securities held by foreigners,
and limits on the types of companies in which foreigners may
invest. Additional or different restrictions may be imposed at
any time by these or other countries in which the Funds invest.
In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and
capital from several foreign countries is restricted and
controlled under certain regulations, including in some cases the
need for certain government consents. For example, capital
invested in Chile normally cannot be repatriated for one year.
Market Characteristics. Foreign stock and bond markets are
generally not as developed or efficient as, and 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 subject to more rapid and erratic price movements than
securities of comparable U.S. companies. Equity securities may
trade at price/earnings multiples higher than comparable United
States securities and such levels may not be sustainable. Fixed
commissions on foreign stock exchanges are generally higher than
negotiated commissions on United States exchanges, although the
Funds will endeavor to achieve the most favorable net results on
their portfolio transactions. There is generally less government
supervision and regulation of foreign stock exchanges, brokers
and listed companies than in the United States. Moreover,
settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may
differ from those in United States markets. Such differences may
include delays beyond periods customary in the United States and
practices, such as delivery of securities prior to receipt of
payment, which increase the likelihood of a "failed settlement."
Failed settlements can result in losses to a Fund.
Investment Funds. The Funds may invest in investment funds
which have been authorized by the governments of certain
countries specifically to permit foreign investment in securities
of companies listed and traded on the stock exchanges in these
respective countries. The Funds' investment in these funds is
subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act. If the Funds invest
in such investment funds, the Funds' shareholders will bear not
only their proportionate share of the expenses of the Funds
(including operating expenses and the fees of the investment
manager), but also will bear indirectly similar expenses of the
underlying investment funds. In addition, the securities of
these investment funds may trade at a premium over their net
asset value.
Information and Supervision. There is generally less
publicly available information about foreign companies comparable
to reports and ratings that are published about companies in the
United States. Foreign companies are also generally not subject
PAGE 8
to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards, practices and requirements comparable to those
applicable to United States companies. It also may be more
difficult to keep currently informed of corporate actions which
affect the prices of portfolio securities.
Taxes. The dividends and 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 Funds' shareholders. A
shareholder otherwise subject to United States federal income
taxes may, subject to certain limitations, be entitled to claim a
credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes for his
or her proportionate share of such foreign taxes paid by the
Funds. (See "Tax Status".)
Other. With respect to certain foreign countries,
especially developing and emerging ones, there is the possibility
of adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations,
expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the
removal of funds or other assets of the Funds, political or
social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect
investments by U.S. persons in those countries.
Eastern Europe and Russia. Changes occurring in Eastern
Europe and Russia today could have long-term potential
consequences. As restrictions fall, this could result in rising
standards of living, lower manufacturing costs, growing consumer
spending, and substantial economic growth. However, investment
in the countries of Eastern Europe and Russia is highly
speculative at this time. Political and economic reforms are too
recent to establish a definite trend away from centrally-planned
economies and state owned industries. In many of the countries
of Eastern Europe and Russia, there is no stock exchange or
formal market for securities. Such countries may also have
government exchange controls, currencies with no recognizable
market value relative to the established currencies of western
market economies, little or no experience in trading in
securities, no financial reporting standards, a lack of a banking
and securities infrastructure to handle such trading, and a legal
tradition which does not recognize rights in private property.
In addition, these countries may have national policies which
restrict investments in companies deemed sensitive to the
country's national interest. Further, the governments in such
countries may require governmental or quasi-governmental
authorities to act as custodian of a Fund's assets invested in
such countries and these authorities may not qualify as a foreign
custodian under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and exemptive
relief from such Act may be required. All of these
considerations are among the factors which could cause
PAGE 9
significant risks and uncertainties to investment in Eastern
Europe and Russia. Each Fund will only invest in a company
located in, or a government of, Eastern Europe and Russia, if it
believes the potential return justifies the risk. To the extent
any securities issued by companies in Eastern Europe and Russia
are considered illiquid, each Fund will be required to include
such securities within its 15% restriction on investing in
illiquid securities.
Latin America
To the extent the fund invests in Latin America, such
investments will be subject to the factors discussed below.
Inflation. Most Latin American countries have experienced,
at one time or another, severe and persistent levels of
inflation, including, in some cases, hyperinflation. This has,
in turn, led to high interest rates, extreme measures by
governments to keep inflation in check and a generally
debilitating effect on economic growth. Although inflation in
many countries has lessened, there is no guarantee it will remain
at lower levels.
Political Instability. The political history of certain
Latin American countries has been characterized by political
uncertainty, intervention by the military in civilian and
economic spheres, and political corruption. Such developments,
if they were to reoccur, could reverse favorable trends toward
market and economic reform, privatization and removal of trade
barriers and result in significant disruption in securities
markets.
Foreign Currency. Certain Latin American countries may
have managed currencies which are maintained at artificial levels
to the U.S. dollar rather than at levels determined by the
market. This type of system can lead to sudden and large
adjustments in the currency which, in turn, can have a disruptive
and negative effect on foreign investors. For example, in late
1994 the value of the Mexican peso lost more than one-third of
its value relative to the dollar. Certain Latin American
countries also may restrict the free conversion of their currency
into foreign currencies, including the U.S. dollar. There is no
significant foreign exchange market for certain currencies and it
would, as a result, be difficult for the Fund to engage in
foreign currency transactions designed to protect the value of
the Fund's interests in securities denominated in such
currencies.
Sovereign Debt. A number of Latin American countries are
among the largest debtors of developing countries. There have
PAGE 10
been moratoria on, and reschedulings of, repayment with respect
to these debts. Such events can restrict the flexibility of
these debtor nations in the international markets and result in
the imposition of onerous conditions on their economies.
INVESTMENT PROGRAM
In addition to the investments described in the Fund's
prospectus, the Fund may invest in the following:
Types of Securities
Hybrid Instruments
Hybrid Instruments (a type of potentially high-risk
derivative) have recently been developed and combine the elements
of futures contracts or options with those of debt, preferred
equity or a depository instrument (hereinafter "Hybrid
Instruments"). Often these Hybrid Instruments are indexed to the
price of a commodity, particular currency, or a domestic or
foreign debt or equity securities index. Hybrid Instruments may
take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, debt
instruments with interest or principal payments or redemption
terms determined by reference to the value of a currency or
commodity or securities index at a future point in time,
preferred stock with dividend rates determined by reference to
the value of a currency, or convertible securities with the
conversion terms related to a particular commodity.
The risks of investing in Hybrid Instruments reflect a
combination of the risks from investing in securities, options,
futures and currencies, including volatility and lack of
liquidity. Reference is made to the discussion of futures,
options, and forward contracts herein for a discussion of these
risks. Further, the prices of the Hybrid Instrument and the
related commodity or currency may not move in the same direction
or at the same time. Hybrid Instruments may bear interest or pay
preferred dividends at below market (or even relatively nominal)
rates. Alternatively, Hybrid Instruments may bear interest at
above market rates but bear an increased risk of principal loss
(or gain). In addition, because the purchase and sale of Hybrid
Instruments could take place in an over-the-counter market or in
a private transaction between the Fund and the seller of the
Hybrid Instrument, the creditworthiness of the contra party to
the transaction would be a risk factor which the Fund would have
to consider. Hybrid Instruments also may not be subject to
regulation of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission
("CFTC"), which generally regulates the trading of commodity
futures by U.S. persons, the SEC, which regulates the offer and
PAGE 11
sale of securities by and to U.S. persons, or any other
governmental regulatory authority.
Illiquid or Restricted Securities
Restricted securities may be sold only in privately
negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to
which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"). Where registration is required,
the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration
expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of
the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to
sell a security under an effective registration statement. If,
during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop,
the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when
it decided to sell. Restricted securities will be priced at fair
value as determined in accordance with procedures prescribed by
the Fund's Board of Directors. If through the appreciation of
illiquid securities or the depreciation of liquid securities, the
Fund should be in a position where more than 15% of the value of
its net assets are invested in illiquid assets, including
restricted securities, the Fund will take appropriate steps to
protect liquidity.
Notwithstanding the above, the Fund may purchase securities
which, while privately placed, are eligible for purchase and sale
under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. This rule permits certain
qualified institutional buyers, such as the Fund, to trade in
privately placed securities even though such securities are not
registered under the 1933 Act. T. Rowe Price under the
supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors, will consider
whether securities purchased under Rule 144A are illiquid and
thus subject to the Fund's restriction of investing no more than
15% of its assets in illiquid securities. A determination of
whether a Rule 144A security is liquid or not is a question of
fact. In making this determination, T. Rowe Price will consider
the trading markets for the specific security taking into account
the unregistered nature of a Rule 144A security. In addition,
T. Rowe Price could consider the (1) frequency of trades and
quotes, (2) number of dealers and potential purchases, (3) dealer
undertakings to make a market, and (4) the nature of the security
and of marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of
the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics
of transfer). The liquidity of Rule 144A securities would be
monitored, and if as a result of changed conditions it is
determined that a Rule 144A security is no longer liquid, the
Fund's holdings of illiquid securities would be reviewed to
determine what, if any, steps are required to assure that the
Fund does not invest more than 15% of its assets in illiquid
securities. Investing in Rule 144A securities could have the
PAGE 12
effect of increasing the amount of the Fund's assets invested in
illiquid securities if qualified institutional buyers are
unwilling to purchase such securities.
Warrants
The Fund may invest in warrants. Warrants are pure
speculation in that they have no voting rights, pay no dividends
and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation
issuing them. Warrants basically are options to purchase equity
securities at a specific price valid for a specific period of
time. They do not represent ownership of the securities, but
only the right to buy them. Warrants differ from call options in
that warrants are issued by the issuer of the security which may
be purchased on their exercise, whereas call options may be
written or issued by anyone. The prices of warrants do not
necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying
securities.
Other Investments
Although the Fund's assets are invested primarily in common
stocks, the Fund may invest in convertible securities, corporate
and municipal debt securities, preferred stocks, U.S. traded,
dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers, and nondollar-
denominated fixed income securities, which hold the prospect of
contributing to the achievement of the Fund's objectives,
particularly the current income objective. The Fund may purchase
corporate debt securities within the four highest credit
categories assigned by established public rating agencies, which
include both high and medium quality investment grade corporate
debt securities. Medium quality securities (rated BBB by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Baa by Standard & Poor's
Corporation ("S&P"), or unrated securities of equivalent quality)
are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay principal and
interest, although adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakening of such
capacity than for bonds in the A category. In addition, the Fund
may, from time to time, purchase corporate debt securities that
are below investment grade (i.e., those rated below BBB by
Moody's, or below Baa by S&P, or unrated securities of equivalent
quality as determined by T. Rowe Price). The above described
quality standards will not be applied to the Fund's investments
in convertible securities.
There are, of course, other types of securities that are,
or may become available, which are similar to the foregoing and
the Fund may invest in these securities.
PAGE 13
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Lending of Portfolio Securities
Securities loans are made to broker-dealers or
institutional investors or other persons, pursuant to agreements
requiring that the loans be continuously secured by collateral at
least equal at all times to the value of the securities lent
marked to market on a daily basis. The collateral received will
consist of cash, U.S. government securities, letters of credit or
such other collateral as may be permitted under its investment
program. While the securities are being lent, the Fund will
continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends
paid by the issuer on the securities, as well as interest on the
investment of the collateral or a fee from the borrower. The
Fund has a right to call each loan and obtain the securities on
five business days' notice or, in connection with securities
trading on foreign markets, within such longer period of time
which coincides with the normal settlement period for purchases
and sales of such securities in such foreign markets. The Fund
will not have the right to vote securities while they are being
lent, but it will call a loan in anticipation of any important
vote. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other
extensions of secured credit, consist of possible delay in
receiving additional collateral or in the recovery of the
securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should
the borrower fail financially. Loans will only be made to firms
deemed by T. Rowe Price to be of good standing and will not be
made unless, in the judgment of T. Rowe Price, the consideration
to be earned from such loans would justify the risk.
Other Lending/Borrowing
Subject to approval by the Securities and Exchange
Commission and certain state regulatory agencies, the Fund may
make loans to, or borrow funds from, other mutual funds sponsored
or advised by T. Rowe Price or Price-Fleming (collectively,
"Price Funds"). The Fund has no current intention of engaging in
these practices at this time.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into a repurchase agreement through
which an investor (such as the Fund) purchases a security (known
as the "underlying security") from a well-established securities
dealer or a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System.
Any such dealer or bank will be on T. Rowe Price's approved list
and have a credit rating with respect to its short-term debt of
at least A1 by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, P1 by Moody's
Investors Service, or the equivalent rating by T. Rowe Price. At
PAGE 14
that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the
underlying security at the same price, plus specified interest.
Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time,
often less than a week. Repurchase agreements which do not
provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid
securities. The Fund will only enter into repurchase agreements
where (i) the underlying securities are of the type (excluding
maturity limitations) which the Fund's investment guidelines
would allow it to purchase directly, (ii) the market value of the
underlying security, including interest accrued, will be at all
times equal to or exceed the value of the repurchase agreement,
and (iii) payment for the underlying security is made only upon
physical delivery or evidence of book-entry transfer to the
account of the custodian or a bank acting as agent. In the event
of a bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase
agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating
the underlying security and losses, including: (a) possible
decline in the value of the underlying security during the period
while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto; (b) possible
subnormal levels of income and lack of access to income during
this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.
Options
Options are a type of potentially high-risk derivative.
Writing Covered Call Options
The Fund may write (sell) "covered" call options and
purchase options to close out options previously written by a
Fund. In writing covered call options, the Fund expects to
generate additional premium income which should serve to enhance
the Fund's total return and reduce the effect of any price
decline of the security or currency involved in the option.
Covered call options will generally be written on securities or
currencies which, in T. Rowe Price's opinion, are not expected to
have any major price increases or moves in the near future but
which, over the long term, are deemed to be attractive
investments for the Fund.
A call option gives the holder (buyer) the "right to
purchase" a security or currency at a specified price (the
exercise price) at expiration of the option (European style) or
at any time until a certain date (the expiration date) (American
style). So long as the obligation of the writer of a call option
continues, he may be assigned an exercise notice by the broker-
dealer through whom such option was sold, requiring him to
deliver the underlying security or currency against payment of
the exercise price. This obligation terminates upon the
expiration of the call option, or such earlier time at which the
PAGE 15
writer effects a closing purchase transaction by repurchasing an
option identical to that previously sold. To secure his
obligation to deliver the underlying security or currency in the
case of a call option, a writer is required to deposit in escrow
the underlying security or currency or other assets in accordance
with the rules of a clearing corporation. The Fund will write
only covered call options. This means that the Fund will own the
security or currency subject to the option or an option to
purchase the same underlying security or currency, having an
exercise price equal to or less than the exercise price of the
"covered" option, or will establish and maintain with its
custodian for the term of the option, an account consisting of
cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid high-grade debt
obligations having a value equal to the fluctuating market value
of the optioned securities or currencies. In order to comply
with the requirements of several states, the Fund will not write
a covered call option if, as a result, the aggregate market value
of all portfolio securities or currencies covering call or put
options exceeds 25% of the market value of the Fund's net assets.
Should these state laws change or should the Fund obtain a waiver
of its application, the Fund reserves the right to increase this
percentage. In calculating the 25% limit, the Fund will offset,
against the value of assets covering written calls and puts, the
value of purchased calls and puts on identical securities or
currencies with identical maturity dates.
Portfolio securities or currencies on which call options
may be written will be purchased solely on the basis of
investment considerations consistent with the Fund's investment
objective. The writing of covered call options is a conservative
investment technique believed to involve relatively little risk
(in contrast to the writing of naked or uncovered options, which
the Fund will not do), but capable of enhancing the Fund's total
return. When writing a covered call option, a Fund, in return
for the premium, gives up the opportunity for profit from a price
increase in the underlying security or currency above the
exercise price, but conversely retains the risk of loss should
the price of the security or currency decline. Unlike one who
owns securities or currencies not subject to an option, the Fund
has no control over when it may be required to sell the
underlying securities or currencies, since it may be assigned an
exercise notice at any time prior to the expiration of its
obligation as a writer. If a call option which the Fund has
written expires, the Fund will realize a gain in the amount of
the premium; however, such gain may be offset by a decline in the
market value of the underlying security or currency during the
option period. If the call option is exercised, the Fund will
realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security
or currency. The Fund does not consider a security or currency
covered by a call to be "pledged" as that term is used in the
PAGE 16
Fund's policy which limits the pledging or mortgaging of its
assets.
The premium received is the market value of an option. The
premium the Fund will receive from writing a call option will
reflect, among other things, the current market price of the
underlying security or currency, the relationship of the exercise
price to such market price, the historical price volatility of
the underlying security or currency, and the length of the option
period. Once the decision to write a call option has been made,
T. Rowe Price, in determining whether a particular call option
should be written on a particular security or currency, will
consider the reasonableness of the anticipated premium and the
likelihood that a liquid secondary market will exist for those
options. The premium received by the Fund for writing covered
call options will be recorded as a liability of the Fund. This
liability will be adjusted daily to the option's current market
value, which will be the latest sale price at the time at which
the net asset value per share of the Fund is computed (close of
the New York Stock Exchange), or, in the absence of such sale,
the latest asked price. The option will be terminated upon
expiration of the option, the purchase of an identical option in
a closing transaction, or delivery of the underlying security or
currency upon the exercise of the option.
Closing transactions will be effected in order to realize a
profit on an outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying
security or currency from being called, or, to permit the sale of
the underlying security or currency. Furthermore, effecting a
closing transaction will permit the Fund to write another call
option on the underlying security or currency with either a
different exercise price or expiration date or both. If the Fund
desires to sell a particular security or currency from its
portfolio on which it has written a call option, or purchased a
put option, it will seek to effect a closing transaction prior
to, or concurrently with, the sale of the security or currency.
There is, of course, no assurance that the Fund will be able to
effect such closing transactions at favorable prices. If the
Fund cannot enter into such a transaction, it may be required to
hold a security or currency that it might otherwise have sold.
When the Fund writes a covered call option, it runs the risk of
not being able to participate in the appreciation of the
underlying securities or currencies above the exercise price, as
well as the risk of being required to hold on to securities or
currencies that are depreciating in value. This could result in
higher transaction costs. The Fund will pay transaction costs in
connection with the writing of options to close out previously
written options. Such transaction costs are normally higher than
those applicable to purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
PAGE 17
Call options written by the Fund will normally have
expiration dates of less than nine months from the date written.
The exercise price of the options may be below, equal to, or
above the current market values of the underlying securities or
currencies at the time the options are written. From time to
time, the Fund may purchase an underlying security or currency
for delivery in accordance with an exercise notice of a call
option assigned to it, rather than delivering such security or
currency from its portfolio. In such cases, additional costs may
be incurred.
The Fund will realize a profit or loss from a closing
purchase transaction if the cost of the transaction is less or
more than the premium received from the writing of the option.
Because increases in the market price of a call option will
generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying
security or currency, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a
call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by
appreciation of the underlying security or currency owned by the
Fund.
Writing Covered Put Options
The Fund may write American or European style covered put
options and purchase options to close out options previously
written by the Fund. A put option gives the purchaser of the
option the right to sell, and the writer (seller) has the
obligation to buy, the underlying security or currency at the
exercise price during the option period (American style) or at
the expiration of the option (European style). So long as the
obligation of the writer continues, he may be assigned an
exercise notice by the broker-dealer through whom such option was
sold, requiring him to make payment of the exercise price against
delivery of the underlying security or currency. The operation
of put options in other respects, including their related risks
and rewards, is substantially identical to that of call options.
The Fund would write put options only on a covered basis,
which means that the Fund would maintain in a segregated account
cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid high-grade debt
obligations in an amount not less than the exercise price or the
Fund will own an option to sell the underlying security or
currency subject to the option having an exercise price equal to
or greater than the exercise price of the "covered" option at all
times while the put option is outstanding. (The rules of a
clearing corporation currently require that such assets be
deposited in escrow to secure payment of the exercise price.)
The Fund would generally write covered put options in
circumstances where T. Rowe Price wishes to purchase the
underlying security or currency for the Fund's portfolio at a
PAGE 18
price lower than the current market price of the security or
currency. In such event the Fund would write a put option at an
exercise price which, reduced by the premium received on the
option, reflects the lower price it is willing to pay. Since the
Fund would also receive interest on debt securities or currencies
maintained to cover the exercise price of the option, this
technique could be used to enhance current return during periods
of market uncertainty. The risk in such a transaction would be
that the market price of the underlying security or currency
would decline below the exercise price less the premiums
received. Such a decline could be substantial and result in a
significant loss to the Fund. In addition, the Fund, because it
does not own the specific securities or currencies which it may
be required to purchase in exercise of the put, cannot benefit
from appreciation, if any, with respect to such specific
securities or currencies. The Fund will not write a covered put
option if, as a result, the aggregate market value of all
portfolio securities or currencies covering written put or call
options exceeds 25% of the market value of the Fund's net assets.
In calculating the 25% limit, the Fund will offset, against the
value of assets covering written puts and calls, the aggregate
market value of all assets underlying purchased puts and calls on
identical securities or currencies with identical maturity dates.
Purchasing Put Options
The Fund may purchase American or European style put
options. As the holder of a put option, the Fund has the right
to sell the underlying security or currency at the exercise price
at any time during the option period (American style) or at the
expiration of the option (European style). The Fund may enter
into closing sale transactions with respect to such options,
exercise them or permit them to expire. The Fund may purchase
put options for defensive purposes in order to protect against an
anticipated decline in the value of its securities or currencies.
An example of such use of put options is provided below.
The Fund may purchase a put option on an underlying
security or currency (a "protective put") owned by the Fund as a
defensive technique in order to protect against an anticipated
decline in the value of the security or currency. Such hedge
protection is provided only during the life of the put option
when the Fund, as the holder of the put option, is able to sell
the underlying security or currency at the put exercise price
regardless of any decline in the underlying security's market
price or currency's exchange value. For example, a put option
may be purchased in order to protect unrealized appreciation of a
security or currency where T. Rowe Price deems it desirable to
continue to hold the security or currency because of tax
considerations. The premium paid for the put option and any
PAGE 19
transaction costs would reduce any capital gain otherwise
available for distribution when the security or currency is
eventually sold.
The Fund may also purchase put options at a time when the
Fund does not own the underlying security or currency. By
purchasing put options on a security or currency it does not own,
the Fund seeks to benefit from a decline in the market price of
the underlying security or currency. If the put option is not
sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the
underlying security or currency remains equal to or greater than
the exercise price during the life of the put option, the Fund
will lose its entire investment in the put option. In order for
the purchase of a put option to be profitable, the market price
of the underlying security or currency must decline sufficiently
below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction
costs, unless the put option is sold in a closing sale
transaction.
The Fund will not commit more than 5% of its assets to
premiums when purchasing put and call options. The premium paid
by the Fund when purchasing a put option will be recorded as an
asset of the Fund. This asset will be adjusted daily to the
option's current market value, which will be the latest sale
price at the time at which the net asset value per share of the
Fund is computed (close of New York Stock Exchange), or, in the
absence of such sale, the latest bid price. This asset will be
terminated upon expiration of the option, the selling (writing)
of an identical option in a closing transaction, or the delivery
of the underlying security or currency upon the exercise of the
option.
Purchasing Call Options
The Fund may purchase American or European style call
options. As the holder of a call option, the Fund has the right
to purchase the underlying security or currency at the exercise
price at any time during the option period (American style) or at
the expiration of the option (European style). The Fund may
enter into closing sale transactions with respect to such
options, exercise them or permit them to expire. The Fund may
purchase call options for the purpose of increasing its current
return or avoiding tax consequences which could reduce its
current return. The Fund may also purchase call options in order
to acquire the underlying securities or currencies. Examples of
such uses of call options are provided below.
Call options may be purchased by the Fund for the purpose
of acquiring the underlying securities or currencies for its
portfolio. Utilized in this fashion, the purchase of call
PAGE 20
options enables the Fund to acquire the securities or currencies
at the exercise price of the call option plus the premium paid.
At times the net cost of acquiring securities or currencies in
this manner may be less than the cost of acquiring the securities
or currencies directly. This technique may also be useful to the
Fund in purchasing a large block of securities or currencies that
would be more difficult to acquire by direct market purchases.
So long as it holds such a call option rather than the underlying
security or currency itself, the Fund is partially protected from
any unexpected decline in the market price of the underlying
security or currency and in such event could allow the call
option to expire, incurring a loss only to the extent of the
premium paid for the option.
The Fund will not commit more than 5% of its assets to
premiums when purchasing call and put options. The Fund may also
purchase call options on underlying securities or currencies it
owns in order to protect unrealized gains on call options
previously written by it. A call option would be purchased for
this purpose where tax considerations make it inadvisable to
realize such gains through a closing purchase transaction. Call
options may also be purchased at times to avoid realizing losses.
Dealer (Over-the-Counter) Options
The Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer
options. Certain risks are specific to dealer options. While
the Fund would look to a clearing corporation to exercise
exchange-traded options, if the Fund were to purchase a dealer
option, it would rely on the dealer from whom 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 have none. Consequently, the Fund
will generally be able to realize the value of a dealer option it
has purchased only by exercising it or reselling it to the dealer
who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a dealer option,
it generally will be able to close out the option prior to its
expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction
with the dealer to which 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 be able to liquidate a dealer option
at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Until the
Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a
closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate
PAGE 21
securities (or other assets) or currencies used as cover until
the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency
of the contra 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, since 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 a Fund's ability to sell
portfolio securities or currencies at a time when such sale might
be advantageous.
Futures Contracts
Futures are a type of potentially high-risk derivative.
Transactions in Futures
The Fund may enter into futures contracts, including stock
index, interest rate and currency futures ("futures or futures
contracts").
Stock index futures contracts may be used to provide a
hedge for a portion of the Fund's portfolio, as a cash management
tool, or as an efficient way for T. Rowe Price to implement
either an increase or decrease in portfolio market exposure in
response to changing market conditions. The Fund may purchase or
sell futures contracts with respect to any stock index.
Nevertheless, to hedge the Fund's portfolio successfully, the
Fund must sell futures contacts with respect to indices or
subindices whose movements will have a significant correlation
with movements in the prices of the Fund's portfolio securities.
Interest rate or currency futures contracts may be used as
a hedge against changes in prevailing levels of interest rates or
currency exchange rates in order to establish more definitely the
effective return on securities or currencies held or intended to
be acquired by the Fund. In this regard, the Fund could sell
interest rate or currency futures as an offset against the effect
of expected increases in interest rates or currency exchange
rates and purchase such futures as an offset against the effect
of expected declines in interest rates or currency exchange
rates.
The Fund will enter into futures contracts which are traded
on national or foreign futures exchanges, and are standardized as
to maturity date and underlying financial instrument. Futures
exchanges and trading in the United States are regulated under
the Commodity Exchange Act by the CFTC. Futures are traded in
PAGE 22
London, at the London International Financial Futures Exchange,
in Paris, at the MATIF, and in Tokyo, at the Tokyo Stock
Exchange. Although techniques other than the sale and purchase
of futures contracts could be used for the above-referenced
purposes, futures contracts offer an effective and relatively low
cost means of implementing the Fund's objectives in these areas.
Regulatory Limitations
The Fund will engage in futures contracts and options
thereon only for bona fide hedging, yield enhancement, and risk
management purposes, in each case in accordance with rules and
regulations of the CFTC.
The Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts or
related options if, with respect to positions which do not
qualify as bona fide hedging under applicable CFTC rules, the sum
of the amounts of initial margin deposits and premiums paid on
those positions would exceed 5% of the net asset value of the
Fund after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized
losses on any such contracts it has entered into; provided,
however, that in the case of an option that is in-the-money at
the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in
calculating the 5% limitation. For purposes of this policy
options on futures contracts and foreign currency options traded
on a commodities exchange will be considered "related options".
This policy may be modified by the Board of Directors/Trustees
without a shareholder vote and does not limit the percentage of
the Fund's assets at risk to 5%.
The Fund's use of futures contracts will not result in
leverage. Therefore, to the extent necessary, in instances
involving the purchase of futures contracts or the writing of
call or put options thereon by the Fund, an amount of cash, U.S.
government securities or other liquid, high-grade debt
obligations, equal to the market value of the futures contracts
and options thereon (less any related margin deposits), will be
identified in an account with the Fund's custodian to cover the
position, or alternative cover (such as owning an offsetting
position) will be employed. Assets used as cover or held in an
identified account cannot be sold while the position in the
corresponding option or future is open, unless they are replaced
with similar assets. As a result, the commitment of a large
portion of a Fund's assets to cover or identified accounts could
impede portfolio management or the fund's ability to meet
redemption requests or other current obligations.
If the CFTC or other regulatory authorities adopt different
(including less stringent) or additional restrictions, the Fund
would comply with such new restrictions.
PAGE 23
Trading in Futures Contracts
A futures contract provides for the future sale by one
party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a
specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for
a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time
the contract is made. Brokerage fees are incurred when a futures
contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be
maintained. Entering into a contract to buy is commonly referred
to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position.
Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as
selling a contract or holding a short position.
Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no
price would be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or
sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures
contract, and to maintain the Fund's open positions in futures
contracts, the Fund would be required to deposit with its
custodian in a segregated account in the name of the futures
broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, suitable
money market instruments, or liquid, high-grade debt securities,
known as "initial margin." The margin required for a particular
futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is
traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by
the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts
are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range
upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being
traded.
If the price of an open futures contract changes (by
increase in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a
purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a
point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin
requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin.
However, if the value of a position increases because of
favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the
margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay
the excess to the Fund.
These subsequent payments, called "variation margin," to
and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the
price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and
short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a
process known as "marking to the market." The Fund expects to
earn interest income on its margin deposits.
Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require
actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying
instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually
closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures
PAGE 24
contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an
offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for
the same aggregate amount of the identical securities and the
same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less
than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is
more, the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting
sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund
realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. The
transaction costs must also be included in these calculations.
There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to
enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular
futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able
to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue
to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures
contract.
For example, the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index is
composed of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed
on the New York Stock Exchange. The S&P 500 Index assigns
relative weightings to the common stocks included in the Index,
and the Index fluctuates with changes in the market values of
those common stocks. In the case of the S&P 500 Index, contracts
are to buy or sell 500 units. Thus, if the value of the S&P 500
Index were $150, one contract would be worth $75,000 (500 units x
$150). The stock index futures contract specifies that no
delivery of the actual stock making up the index will take place.
Instead, settlement in cash occurs. Over the life of the
contract, the gain or loss realized by the Fund will equal the
difference between the purchase (or sale) price of the contract
and the price at which the contract is terminated. For example,
if the Fund enters into a futures contract to buy 500 units of
the S&P 500 Index at a specified future date at a contract price
of $150 and the S&P 500 Index is at $154 on that future date, the
Fund will gain $2,000 (500 units x gain of $4). If the Fund
enters into a futures contract to sell 500 units of the stock
index at a specified future date at a contract price of $150 and
the S&P 500 Index is at $152 on that future date, the Fund will
lose $1,000 (500 units x loss of $2).
Special Risks of Transactions in Futures Contracts
Volatility and Leverage. The prices of futures contracts
are volatile and are influenced, among other things, by actual
and anticipated changes in the market and interest rates, which
in turn are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and national
and international political and economic events.
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
PAGE 25
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 days with little or no trading, thereby
preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting
some futures traders to substantial losses.
Because of the low margin deposits required, futures
trading involves an extremely high degree of leverage. As a
result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract
may result in immediate and substantial loss, as well as gain, to
the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase, 10% of
the value of the futures contract is deposited as margin, a
subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the futures contract
would result in a total loss of the margin deposit, before any
deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were then
closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to 150%
of the original margin deposit, if the contract were closed out.
Thus, a purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in
losses in excess of the amount invested in the futures contract.
However, the Fund would presumably have sustained comparable
losses if, instead of the futures contract, it had invested in
the underlying financial instrument and sold it after the
decline. Furthermore, in the case of a futures contract
purchase, in order to be certain that the Fund has sufficient
assets to satisfy its obligations under a futures contract, the
Fund earmarks to the futures contract cash, liquid high-grade
debt or other appropriate cover, equal in value to the current
value of the underlying instrument less the margin deposit.
Liquidity. The Fund may elect to close some or all of its
futures positions at any time prior to their expiration. The
Fund would do so to reduce exposure represented by long futures
positions or short futures positions. The Fund may close its
positions by taking opposite positions which would operate to
terminate the Fund's position in the futures contracts. Final
determinations of variation margin would then be made, additional
cash would be required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and
the Fund would realize a loss or a gain.
Futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange or
board of trade where the contracts were initially traded.
Although the Fund intends to purchase or sell futures contracts
only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appears to be an
PAGE 26
active market, there is no assurance that a liquid market on an
exchange or board of trade will exist for any particular contract
at any particular time. In such event, it might not be possible
to close a futures contract, and in the event of adverse price
movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily
cash payments of variation margin. However, in the event futures
contracts have been used to hedge the underlying instruments, the
Fund would continue to hold the underlying instruments subject to
the hedge until the futures contracts could be terminated. In
such circumstances, an increase in the price of underlying
instruments, if any, might partially or completely offset losses
on the futures contract. However, as described below, there is
no guarantee that the price of the underlying instruments will,
in fact, correlate with the price movements in the futures
contract and thus provide an offset to losses on a futures
contract.
Hedging Risk. A decision of whether, when, and how to
hedge involves skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived
hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of unexpected
market behavior, market or interest rate trends. There are
several risks in connection with the use by the Fund of futures
contracts as a hedging device. One risk arises because of the
imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the
futures contracts and movements in the prices of the underlying
instruments which are the subject of the hedge. T. Rowe Price
will, however, attempt to reduce this risk by entering into
futures contracts whose movements, in its judgment, will have a
significant correlation with movements in the prices of the
Fund's underlying instruments sought to be hedged.
Successful use of futures contracts by the Fund for hedging
purposes is also subject to T. Rowe Price's ability to correctly
predict movements in the direction of the market. It is possible
that, when the Fund has sold futures to hedge its portfolio
against a decline in the market, the index, indices, or
instruments underlying futures might advance and the value of the
underlying instruments held in the Fund's portfolio might
decline. If this were to occur, the Fund would lose money on the
futures and also would experience a decline in value in its
underlying instruments. However, while this might occur to a
certain degree, T. Rowe Price believes that over time the value
of the Fund's portfolio will tend to move in the same direction
as the market indices used to hedge the portfolio. It is also
possible that if the Fund were to hedge against the possibility
of a decline in the market (adversely affecting the underlying
instruments held in its portfolio) and prices instead increased,
the Fund would lose part or all of the benefit of increased value
of those underlying instruments that it has hedged, because it
would have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In
PAGE 27
addition, in such situations, if the Fund had insufficient cash,
it might have to sell underlying instruments to meet daily
variation margin requirements. Such sales of underlying
instruments might be, but would not necessarily be, at increased
prices (which would reflect the rising market). The Fund might
have to sell underlying instruments at a time when it would be
disadvantageous to do so.
In addition to the possibility that there might be an
imperfect correlation, or no correlation at all, between price
movements in the futures contracts and the portion of the
portfolio being hedged, the price movements of futures contracts
might not correlate perfectly with price movements in the
underlying instruments due to certain market distortions. First,
all participants in the futures market are subject to margin
deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting
additional margin deposit requirements, investors might close
futures contracts through offsetting transactions, which could
distort the normal relationship between the underlying
instruments and futures markets. Second, the margin requirements
in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements
in the securities markets, and as a result the futures market
might attract more speculators than the securities markets do.
Increased participation by speculators in the futures market
might also cause temporary price distortions. Due to the
possibility of price distortion in the futures market and also
because of the imperfect correlation between price movements in
the underlying instruments and movements in the prices of futures
contracts, even a correct forecast of general market trends by
T. Rowe Price might not result in a successful hedging
transaction over a very short time period.
Options on Futures Contracts
The Fund may purchase and sell options on the same types of
futures in which it may invest.
Options on futures are similar to options on underlying
instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the
right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a
futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a
short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase
or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at
any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the
option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the
option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the
delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's futures
margin account which represents the amount by which the market
price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case
of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise
PAGE 28
price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of
options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise
date suffer a loss of the premium paid.
As an alternative to writing or purchasing call and put
options on stock index futures, the Fund may write or purchase
call and put options on stock indices. Such options would be
used in a manner similar to the use of options on futures
contracts. From time to time, a single order to purchase or sell
futures contracts (or options thereon) may be made on behalf of
the Fund and other T. Rowe Price Funds. Such aggregated orders
would be allocated among the Funds and the other T. Rowe Price
Funds in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
Special Risks of Transactions in Options on Futures Contracts
The risks described under "Special Risks of Transactions on
Futures Contracts" are substantially the same as the risks of
using options on futures. In addition, where the Fund seeks to
close out an option position by writing or buying an offsetting
option covering the same index, underlying instrument or contract
and having the same exercise price and expiration date, its
ability to establish and close out positions on such options will
be subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market.
Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an
exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient
trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be
imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing
transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other
restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or
series of options, or underlying instruments; (iv) unusual or
unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an
exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing
corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current
trading volume; or (vi) 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 the class or series of options) would cease to
exist, although outstanding options on the exchange 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. There is no assurance that higher than anticipated
trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times,
render certain of the facilities of any of the clearing
corporations inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by
an exchange of special procedures which may interfere with the
timely execution of customers' orders.
PAGE 29
Additional Futures and Options Contracts
Although the Fund has no current intention of engaging in
futures or options transactions other than those described above,
it reserves the right to do so. Such futures and options trading
might involve risks which differ from those involved in the
futures and options described above.
Foreign Currency Transactions
A forward foreign currency contract ("forward contract")
involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at
a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the
date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set
at the time of the contract. These contracts are principally
traded in the interbank market conducted directly between
currency traders (usually large, commercial banks) and its
customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit
requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for
trades.
The Fund may enter into forward contracts for a variety of
purposes in connection with the management of the foreign
securities portion of its portfolio. The Fund's use of such
contracts would include, but not be limited to, the following:
First, when the Fund enters into a contract for the
purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency,
it may desire to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of the security.
By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for
a fixed amount of dollars, of the amount of foreign currency
involved in the underlying security transactions, the Fund will
be able to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from
an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and
the subject foreign currency during the period between the date
the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment
is made or received.
Second, when T. Rowe Price believes that one currency may
experience a substantial movement against another currency,
including the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward contract
to sell or buy the amount of the former foreign currency,
approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio
securities denominated in such foreign currency. Alternatively,
where appropriate, the Fund may hedge all or part of its foreign
currency exposure through the use of a basket of currencies or a
proxy currency where such currency or currencies act as an
effective proxy for other currencies. In such a case, the Fund
may enter into a forward contract where the amount of the foreign
currency to be sold exceeds the value of the securities
PAGE 30
denominated in such currency. The use of this basket hedging
technique may be more efficient and economical than entering into
separate forward contracts for each currency held in the Fund.
The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the
value of the securities involved will not generally be possible
since the future value of such securities in foreign currencies
will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of
those securities between the date the forward contract is entered
into and the date it matures. The projection of short-term
currency market movement is extremely difficult, and the
successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly
uncertain. Under normal circumstances, consideration of the
prospect for currency parities will be incorporated into the
longer term investment decisions made with regard to overall
diversification strategies. However, T. Rowe Price believes that
it is important to have the flexibility to enter into such
forward contracts when it determines that the best interests of
the Fund will be served.
The Fund may enter into forward contacts for any other
purpose consistent with the Fund's investment objective and
program. However, the Fund will not enter into a forward
contract, or maintain exposure to any such contract(s), if the
amount of foreign currency required to be delivered thereunder
would exceed the Fund's holdings of liquid, high-grade debt
securities; currency available for cover of the forward
contract(s) or other suitable cover. In determining the amount
to be delivered under a contract, the Fund may net offsetting
positions.
At the maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may sell
the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency,
or it may retain the security and either extend the maturity of
the forward contract (by "rolling" that contract forward) or may
initiate a new forward contract.
If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in
an offsetting transaction, the Fund will incur a gain or a loss
(as described below) to the extent that there has been movement
in forward contract prices. If the Fund engages in an offsetting
transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new forward
contract to sell the foreign currency. Should forward prices
decline during the period between the Fund's entering into a
forward contract for the sale of a foreign currency and the date
it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of the
foreign currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the extent the
price of the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of
the currency it has agreed to purchase. Should forward prices
increase, the Fund will suffer a loss to the extent of the price
PAGE 31
of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of
the currency it has agreed to sell.
The Fund's dealing in forward foreign currency exchange
contracts will generally be limited to the transactions described
above. However, the Fund reserves the right to enter into
forward foreign currency contracts for different purposes and
under different circumstances. Of course, the Fund is not
required to enter into forward contracts with regard to its
foreign currency-denominated securities and will not do so unless
deemed appropriate by T. Rowe Price. It also should be realized
that this method of hedging against a decline in the value of a
currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices
of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange at a
future date. Additionally, although such contracts tend to
minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the
hedged currency, at the same time, they tend to limit any
potential gain which might result from an increase in the value
of that currency.
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S.
dollars, it does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign
currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. It will do so
from time to time, and investors should be aware of the costs of
currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not
charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on
the difference (the "spread") between the prices at which they
are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may
offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while
offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to
resell that currency to the dealer.
Federal Tax Treatment of Options, Futures Contracts and Forward
Foreign Exchange Contracts
The Fund may enter into certain option, futures, and
forward foreign exchange contracts, including options and futures
on currencies, which will be treated as Section 1256 contracts or
straddles.
Transactions which are considered Section 1256 contracts
will be considered to have been closed at the end of the Fund's
fiscal year and any gains or losses will be recognized for tax
purposes at that time. Such gains or losses from the normal
closing or settlement of such transactions will be characterized
as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital
gain or loss regardless of the holding period of the instrument.
The Fund will be required to distribute net gains on such
transactions to shareholders even though it may not have closed
the transaction and received cash to pay such distributions.
PAGE 32
Options, futures and forward foreign exchange contracts,
including options and futures on currencies, which offset a
foreign dollar denominated bond or currency position may be
considered straddles for tax purposes, in which case a loss on
any position in a straddle will be subject to deferral to the
extent of unrealized gain in an offsetting position. The holding
period of the securities or currencies comprising the straddle
will be deemed not to begin until the straddle is terminated.
For securities offsetting a purchased put, this adjustment of the
holding period may increase the gain from sales of securities
held less than three months. The holding period of the security
offsetting an "in-the-money qualified covered call" option on an
equity security will not include the period of time the option is
outstanding.
Losses on written covered calls and purchased puts on
securities, excluding certain "qualified covered call" options on
equity securities, may be long-term capital loss, if the security
covering the option was held for more than twelve months prior to
the writing of the option.
In order for the Fund to continue to qualify for federal
income tax treatment as a regulated investment company, at least
90% of its gross income for a taxable year must be derived from
qualifying income; i.e., dividends, interest, income derived from
loans of securities, and gains from the sale of securities or
currencies. Pending tax regulations could limit the extent that
net gain realized from option, futures or foreign forward
exchange contracts on currencies is qualifying income for
purposes of the 90% requirement. In addition, gains realized on
the sale or other disposition of securities, including option,
futures or foreign forward exchange contracts on securities or
securities indexes and, in some cases, currencies, held for less
than three months, must be limited to less than 30% of the Fund's
annual gross income. In order to avoid realizing excessive gains
on securities or currencies held less than three months, the Fund
may be required to defer the closing out of option, futures or
foreign forward exchange contracts beyond the time when it would
otherwise be advantageous to do so. It is anticipated that
unrealized gains on Section 1256 option, futures and foreign
forward exchange contracts, which have been open for less than
three months as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year and which
are recognized for tax purposes, will not be considered gains on
securities or currencies held less than three months for purposes
of the 30% test.
PAGE 33
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Fundamental policies of the Fund may not be changed without
the approval of the lesser of (1) 67% of the Fund's shares
present at a meeting of shareholders if the holders of more than
50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy
or (2) more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares. Other
restrictions in the form of operating policies are subject to
change by the Fund's Board of Directors without shareholder
approval. Any investment restriction set forth herein or in the
prospectus which involves a maximum percentage of securities or
assets shall not be considered to be violated unless an excess
over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by,
an acquisition of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, the
Fund.
Fundamental Policies
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not
purchase the securities of any issuer (other than obligations
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or
instrumentalities) if, as a result:
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not:
(1) Borrowing. Borrow money except that the Fund may
(i) borrow for non-leveraging, temporary or
emergency purposes and (ii) engage in reverse
repurchase agreements and make other investments or
engage in other transactions, which may involve a
borrowing, in a manner consistent with the Fund's
investment objective and program, provided that the
combination of (i) and (ii) shall not exceed 33 1/3%
of the value of the Fund's total assets (including
the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than
borrowings) or such other percentage permitted by
law. Any borrowings which come to exceed this
amount will be reduced in accordance with applicable
law. The Fund may borrow from banks, other Price
Funds or other persons to the extent permitted by
applicable law;
(2) Commodities. Purchase or sell physical commodities;
except that it may enter into futures contracts and
options thereon;
PAGE 34
(3) Industry Concentration. Purchase the securities of
any issuer if, as a result, more than 25% of the
value of the Fund's total assets would be invested
in the securities of issuers having their principal
business activities in the same industry;
(4) Loans. Make loans, although the Fund may (i) lend
portfolio securities and participate in an interfund
lending program with other Price Funds provided that
no such loan may be made if, as a result, the
aggregate of such loans would exceed 33 1/3% of the
value of the Fund's total assets; (ii) purchase
money market securities and enter into repurchase
agreements; and (iii) acquire publicly-distributed
or privately-placed debt securities and purchase
debt;
(5) Percent Limit on Assets Invested in Any One Issuer.
Purchase a security if, as a result, with respect to
75% of the value of its total assets, more than 5%
of the value of the Fund's total assets would be
invested in the securities of a single issuer,
except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities;
(6) Percent Limit on Share Ownership of Any One Issuer.
Purchase a security if, as a result, with respect to
75% of the value of the Fund's total assets, more
than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any
issuer would be held by the Fund (other than
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities);
(7) Real Estate. Purchase or sell real estate,
including limited partnership interests therein,
unless acquired as a result of ownership of
securities or other instruments (but this shall not
prevent the Fund from investing in securities or
other instruments backed by real estate or
securities of companies engaged in the real estate
business);
(8) Senior Securities. Issue senior securities except
in compliance with the Investment Company Act of
1940; or
(9) Underwriting. Underwrite securities issued by other
persons, except to the extent that the Fund may be
deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of
PAGE 35
the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the
purchase and sale of its portfolio securities in the
ordinary course of pursuing its investment program.
NOTES
The following notes should be read in connection
with the above-described fundamental policies. The
notes are not fundamental policies.
With respect to investment restrictions (1) and (4),
the Fund will not borrow from or lend to any other
Price Fund (defined as any other mutual fund managed
or for which T. Rowe Price acts as adviser) unless
each Fund applies for and receives an exemptive
order from the SEC or the SEC issues rules
permitting such transactions. The Fund has no
current intention of engaging in any such activity
and there is no assurance the SEC would grant any
order requested by the Fund or promulgate any rules
allowing the transactions.
With respect to investment restriction (2), the Fund
does not consider currency contracts or hybrid
investments to be commodities.
For purposes of investment restriction (3), U.S.,
state or local governments, or related agencies or
instrumentalities, are not considered an industry.
Industries are determined by reference to the
classifications of industries set forth in the
Fund's semi-annual and annual reports.
For purposes of investment restriction (4), the Fund
will consider the acquisition of a debt security to
include the execution of a note or other evidence of
an extension of credit with a term of more than nine
months.
Operating Policies
As a matter of operating policy, the Fund may not:
(1) Borrowing. (a) The Fund will not purchase
additional securities when money borrowed exceeds 5%
of its total assets;
PAGE 36
(b) The Fund will limit borrowing for any variable
annuity separate account to (1) 10% of net asset
value when borrowing for any general purpose, and
(2) 25% of net asset value when borrowing as a
temporary measure to facilitate redemptions.
Net asset value of a portfolio is the market value
of all investments or assets owned less outstanding
liabilities of the portfolio at the time that any
new or additional borrowing is undertaken.
(2) Control of Portfolio Companies. Invest in companies
for the purpose of exercising management or control;
(3) Futures Contracts. Purchase a futures contract or
an option thereon if, with respect to positions in
futures or options on futures which do not represent
bona fide hedging, the aggregate initial margin and
premiums on such positions would exceed 5% of the
Fund's net asset value;
(4) Illiquid Securities. Purchase illiquid securities
and securities of unseasoned issuers if, as a
result, more than 15% of its net assets would be
invested in such securities;
(5) Investment Companies. Purchase securities of open-
end or closed-end investment companies except in
compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(6) Margin. Purchase securities on margin, except (i)
for use of short-term credit necessary for clearance
of purchases of portfolio securities and (ii) it may
make margin deposits in connection with futures
contracts or other permissible investments;
(7) Mortgaging. Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or, in
any manner, transfer any security owned by the Fund
as security for indebtedness except as may be
necessary in connection with permissible borrowings
or investments and then such mortgaging, pledging or
hypothecating may not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's
total assets at the time of borrowing or investment;
(8) Oil and Gas Programs. Purchase participations or
other direct interests in or enter into leases with
respect to, oil, gas, or other mineral exploration
or development programs if, as a result thereof,
more than 5% of the value of the total assets of the
Fund would be invested in such programs;
PAGE 37
(9) Options, Etc. Invest in puts, calls, straddles,
spreads, or any combination thereof, except to the
extent permitted by the prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information;
(10) Short Sales. Effect short sales of securities; or
(11) Warrants. Invest in warrants if, as a result
thereof, more than 10% of the value of the net
assets of the Fund would be invested in warrants.
Notwithstanding anything in the above fundamental and
operating restrictions to the contrary, each Fund may invest all
of its assets in a single investment company or a series thereof
in connection with a "master-feeder" arrangement. Such an
investment would be made where the Fund (a "Feeder"), and one or
more other Funds with the same investment objective and program
as the Fund, sought to accomplish its investment objective and
program by investing all of its assets in the shares of another
investment company (the "Master"). The Master would, in turn,
have the same investment objective and program as the Fund. The
Fund would invest in this manner in an effort to achieve the
economies of scale associated with having a Master fund make
investments in portfolio companies on behalf of a number of
Feeder funds.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
Total Return Performance
The Fund's calculation of total return performance
includes the reinvestment of all capital gain distributions and
income dividends for the period or periods indicated, without
regard to tax consequences to a shareholder in the Fund. Total
return is calculated as the percentage change between the
beginning value of a static account in the Fund and the ending
value of that account measured by the then current net asset
value, including all shares acquired through reinvestment of
income and capital gains dividends. The results shown are
historical and should not be considered indicative of the future
performance of the Fund. Each average annual compound rate of
return is derived from the cumulative performance of the Fund
over the time period specified. The annual compound rate of
return for the Fund over any other period of time will vary from
the average.
PAGE 38
Cumulative Performance Percentage Change
1 Yr. Since
Ended Inception to
12/31/96 12/31/96
___________ ___________
Equity Income Portfolio 19.56% 72.63%
Average Annual Compound Rates of Return
1 Yr. Since
Ended Inception to
12/31/96 12/31/96
___________ ___________
Equity Income Portfolio 19.56% 21.93%
Outside Sources of Information
From time to time, in reports and promotional literature:
(1) the Fund's total return performance, ranking, or any other
measure of the Fund's performance may be compared to any one or
combination of the following: (i) a broad based index; (ii)
other groups of mutual funds, including T. Rowe Price Funds,
tracked by independent research firms ranking entities, or
financial publications; (iii) indices of stocks comparable to
those in which the Fund invests; (2) the Consumer Price Index (or
any other measure for inflation, government statistics, such as
GNP may be used to illustrate investment attributes of the Fund
or the general economic, business, investment, or financial
environment in which the Fund operates; (3) various financial,
economic and market statistics developed by brokers, dealers and
other persons may be used to illustrate aspects of the Fund's
performance; (4) the effect of tax-deferred compounding on the
Fund's investment returns, or on returns in general in both
qualified and non-qualified retirement plans or any other tax
advantage product, may be illustrated by graphs, charts, etc.;
and (5) the sectors or industries in which the Fund invests may
be compared to relevant indices or surveys in order to evaluate
the Fund's historical performance or current or potential value
with respect to the particular industry or sector.
Other Publications
From time to time, in newsletters and other publications
issued by T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., reference may
be made to economic, financial and political developments in the
U.S. and abroad and how these conditions have affected or may
PAGE 39
affect securities prices or the Fund; individual securities
within the portfolio; and their philosophy regarding the
selection of individual stocks, including why specific stocks
have been added, removed, or excluded from the Fund's portfolio
their effect on securities prices.
Other Features and Benefits
The Fund is a member of the T. Rowe Price Family of Funds
and may help investors achieve various long-term investment
goals, such as investing money for retirement, saving for a down
payment on a home, or paying college costs. To explain how the
Fund could be used to assist investors in planning for these
goals and to illustrate basic principles of investing, various
worksheets and guides prepared by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
and/or T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc. may be made
available.
Redemptions in Kind
In the unlikely event a shareholder were to receive an in
kind redemption of portfolio securities of the Fund, brokerage
fees could be incurred by the shareholder in a subsequent sale of
such securities.
Issuance of Fund Shares for Securities
Transactions involving issuance of a fund's shares for
securities or assets other than cash will be limited to (1) bona
fide reorganizations; (2) statutory mergers; or (3) other
acquisitions of portfolio securities that: (a) meet the
investment objective and policies of the Fund; (b) are acquired
for investment and not for resale except in accordance with
applicable law; (c) have a value that is readily ascertainable
via listing on or trading in a recognized United States or
international exchange or market; and (d) are not illiquid.
MANAGEMENT OF FUND
The officers and directors of the Fund are listed below.
Unless otherwise noted, the address of each is 100 East Pratt
Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Except as indicated, each has
been an employee of T. Rowe Price for more than five years. In
the list below, the Fund's directors who are considered
"interested persons" of T. Rowe Price or the Fund as defined
under Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 are
noted with an asterisk (*). These directors are referred to as
inside directors by virtue of their officership, directorship,
and/or employment with T. Rowe Price.
PAGE 40
DONALD W. DICK, JR., Director--Principal, Overseas Partners,
Inc., a financial investment firm; formerly (6/65-3/89) Director
and Vice President-Consumer Products Division, McCormick &
Company, Inc., international food processors; Director, Waverly,
Inc., Baltimore, Maryland; Address: 111 Pavonia Avenue, Suite
334, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310
DAVID K. FAGIN, Director--Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Director, Golden Star Resources, Ltd.; formerly (1986-7/91)
President, Chief Operating Officer and Director, Homestake Mining
Company; Address: One Norwest Center, 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite
1950, Denver, Colorado 80203
HANNE M. MERRIMAN, Director--Retail business consultant; formerly
President and Chief Operating Officer (1991-92), Nan Duskin,
Inc., a women's specialty store, Director (1984-1990) and
Chairman (1989-90) Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and
President and Chief Executive Officer (1988-89), Honeybee, Inc.,
a division of Spiegel, Inc.; Director, Central Illinois Public
Service Company, CIPSCO Incorporated, The Rouse Company, State
Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and USAir Group, Inc.;
Address: 3201 New Mexico Avenue, N.W., Suite 350, Washington,
D.C. 20016
HUBERT D. VOS, Director--President, Stonington Capital
Corporation, a private investment company; Address: 1231 State
Street, Suite 247, Santa Barbara, California 93190-0409
PAUL M. WYTHES, Director--Founding General Partner, Sutter Hill
Ventures, a venture capital limited partnership, providing equity
capital to young high technology companies throughout the United
States; Director, Teltone Corporation, Interventional
Technologies Inc. and Stuart Medical, Inc.; Address: 755 Page
Mill Road, Suite A200, Palo Alto, California 94304
*JAMES S. RIEPE, Vice President and Director--Managing Director,
T. Rowe Price; Chairman of the Board, T. Rowe Price Services,
Inc., T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., and T. Rowe
Price Investment Services, Inc; President and Trust Officer,
T. Rowe Price Trust Company; Director, Rowe Price-Fleming
International, Inc. and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Inc.
BRIAN C. ROGERS, President--Managing Director, T. Rowe Price;
Chartered Financial Analyst
THOMAS H. BROADUS, JR., Vice President--Managing Director,
T. Rowe Price; Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered
Investment Counselor
ANDREW M. BROOKS, Vice President--Vice President, T. Rowe Price
HENRY H. HOPKINS, Vice President--Managing Director, T. Rowe
Price; Vice President and Director, T. Rowe Price Investment
Services, Inc., T. Rowe Price Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price
Trust Company; Vice President, Rowe Price-Fleming International,
Inc. and T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc.
RICHARD P. HOWARD, Vice President--Vice President of T. Rowe
Price; Chartered Financial Analyst
PAGE 41
WILLIAM J. STROMBERG, Vice President--Vice President, T. Rowe
Price; Chartered Financial Analyst
DANIEL M. THERIAULT, Vice President--Vice President, T. Rowe
Price, Chartered Financial Analyst; formerly Securities Analyst,
John A. Levin & Co.
MARK J. VASELKIV, Vice President--Vice President, T. Rowe Price
LENORA V. HORNUNG, Secretary--Vice President, T. Rowe Price
PATRICIA S. BUTCHER, Assistant Secretary--Assistant Vice
President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Investment Services,
Inc.
CARMEN F. DEYESU, Treasurer--Vice President, T. Rowe Price,
T. Rowe Price Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company
DAVID S. MIDDLETON, Controller--Vice President, T. Rowe Price,
T. Rowe Price Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company
J. JEFFREY LANG, Assistant Vice President--Assistant Vice
President, T. Rowe Price
INGRID I. VORDEMBERGE, Assistant Vice President--Employee,
T. Rowe Price
The Fund's Executive Committee, comprised of Mr. Riepe has
been authorized by its Board of Directors to exercise all powers
of the Board to manage the Fund in the intervals between meetings
of the Board, except the powers prohibited by statute from being
delegated.
COMPENSATION TABLE
The Fund does not pay pension or retirement benefits to its
officers or directors. Also, any director of the Fund who is an
officer or employee of T. Rowe Price or Price-Fleming does not
receive any remuneration from the Fund.
_________________________________________________________________
Total Compensation
from Fund and
Name of Aggregate Fund Complex
Person, Compensation Paid to
Position from Fund(a) Directors(b)
_________________________________________________________________
Leo C. Bailey, $217 $42,083
Director(c)
Donald W. Dick, Jr., 977 72,917
Director
David K. Fagin, 895 59,167
Director
Addison Lanier, 217 42,083
Director(c)
PAGE 42
John K. Major, 228 34,167
Director
Hanne M. Merriman, 895 59,167
Director
Hubert D. Vos, 895 59,167
Director
Paul M. Wythes, 982 69,667
Director
(a) Amounts in this column are based on compensation accrued for
the period January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996.
(b) Amounts in this column are for calendar year 1996.
(c) Messrs. Bailey and Lanier retired from their positions with
the Funds in April 1996.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of the date of the prospectus, the officers and directors
of the Fund, as a group, owned less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of the Fund.
As of March 31, 1997, the following shareholders owned of
record more than 5% of the funds outstanding shares:
Security Benefit Life Insurance Company, FBO T. Rowe Price
No-Load Variable Annuity, Attn. Mark Young, 700 SW Harrison St.
Topeka, KS 66636-0002; United Of Omaha - Series V, Attn: John
Martin, Corporate General Ledger, Mutual Of Omaha Plaza, Omaha,
NE 68175; Providian Life & Health Insurance Company, Attn; Kim
Cox, 8th Floor, P.O. Box 32830, Louisville, KY 40232-2830;
American United Life Separate Account II, Attn: Bill Flory, P.O.
Box 195, Indianapolis, IN 46206-9102; American United Life,
American Individual Unit Trust, Attn: Bill Flory, P.O. Box 195,
Indianapolis, IN 46206-9102.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Services Provided by T. Rowe Price
Under the Management Agreement with the Fund, T. Rowe Price
provides the Fund with discretionary investment services.
Specifically, T. Rowe Price is responsible for supervising and
directing the investments of the Fund in accordance with its
investment objective, program, and restrictions as provided in
the prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information.
PAGE 43
T. Rowe Price is also responsible for effecting all security
transactions on behalf of the Fund, including the allocation of
principal business and portfolio brokerage and the negotiation of
commissions. In addition to these services, T. Rowe Price
provides the Fund with certain corporate administrative services,
including: maintaining the Fund's corporate existence, corporate
records, and registering and qualifying the Fund's shares under
federal laws; monitoring the financial, accounting, and
administrative functions of the Fund; maintaining liaison with
the agents employed by the Fund such as the Fund's custodian and
transfer agent; assisting the Fund in the coordination of such
agents' activities; and permitting T. Rowe Price's employees to
serve as officers, directors, and committee members of the Fund
without cost to the Fund.
The Fund's Management Agreement also provides that T. Rowe
Price, its directors, officers, employees, and certain other
persons performing specific functions for the Fund will only be
liable to the Fund for losses resulting from willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duty.
Management Fee
The Fund pays T. Rowe Price an annual all-inclusive fee (the
"Fee") of 0.85%. The Fee is paid monthly to T. Rowe Price on the
first business day of the next succeeding calendar month and is
the sum of the daily Fee accruals for each month. The daily Fee
accrual for any particular day is calculated by multiplying the
fraction of one (1) over the number of calendar days in the year
by the appropriate Fee rate and multiplying this product by the
net assets of the Fund for that day as determined in accordance
with the Fund's prospectus as of the close of business from the
previous business day on which the Fund was open for business.
The Management Agreement between the Fund and T. Rowe Price
provides that T. Rowe Price will pay all expenses of the Fund's
operations, except interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and
other charges incident to the purchase, sale or lending of the
Fund's portfolio securities, directors' fee and expenses
(including counsel fees and expenses) and such nonrecurring or
extraordinary expenses that may arise, including the costs of
actions, suits, or proceedings to which the Fund is a party and
the expenses the Fund may incur as a result of its obligation to
provide indemnification to its officers, directors and agents.
However, the Board of Directors of the Fund reserves the right to
impose additional fees against shareholder accounts to defray
expenses which would otherwise be paid by T. Rowe Price under the
Management Agreement. The Board does not anticipate levying such
charges; such a fee, if charged, may be retained by the Fund or
paid to T. Rowe Price.
PAGE 44
DISTRIBUTOR FOR FUND
T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc. ("Investment
Services"), a Maryland corporation formed in 1980 as a wholly-
owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price, serves as the Fund's
distributor. Investment Services is registered as a broker-
dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a member
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The
offering of the Fund's shares is continuous.
Investment Services is located at the same address as the
Fund and T. Rowe Price -- 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21202.
Investment Services serves as distributor to the Fund
pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement ("Underwriting Agreement"),
which provides that the Fund will pay all fees and expenses in
connection with: necessary state filings; preparing, setting in
type, printing, and mailing the Fund prospectuses and reports to
shareholders; and issuing its shares, including expenses of
confirming purchase orders.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that Investment Services
will pay all fees and expenses in connection with: printing and
distributing prospectuses and reports for use in offering and
selling Fund shares; preparing, setting in type, printing, and
mailing all sales literature and advertising; Investment
Services' federal registrations as a broker-dealer; and offering
and selling Fund shares, except for those fees and expenses
specifically assumed by the Fund. Investment Services' expenses
are paid by T. Rowe Price.
Investment Services acts as the agent of the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Fund shares in the various states
in which Investment Services is qualified as a broker-dealer.
Under the Underwriting Agreement, Investment Services accepts
orders for Fund shares at net asset value. No sales charges are
paid by investors or the Fund.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Fund from time to time may enter into agreements with
outside parties through which shareholders hold Fund shares. The
shares would be held by such parties in omnibus accounts. The
agreements would provide for payments by the Fund to the outside
party for such shareholder services provided to shareholders in
the omnibus accounts.
PAGE 45
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank") is the
custodian for the Fund's U.S. securities and cash, but it does
not participate in the Fund's investment decisions. Portfolio
securities purchased in the U.S. are maintained in the custody of
the Bank and may be entered into the Federal Reserve Book Entry
System, or the security depository system of the Depository Trust
Corporation. The Fund has entered into a Custodian Agreement
with The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., London, pursuant to which
portfolio securities which are purchased outside the United
States are maintained in the custody of various foreign branches
of The Chase Manhattan Bank and such other custodians, including
foreign banks and foreign securities depositories, in accordance
with regulations under the Investment Company Act of 1940. State
Street Bank's main office is at 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110. The address for The Chase Manhattan Bank,
N.A., London is Woolgate House, Coleman Street, London, EC2P 2HD,
England.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Fund's investment adviser (T. Rowe Price) has a written
Code of Ethics which requires all employees to obtain prior
clearance before engaging in personal securities transactions.
Transactions must be executed within three business days of their
clearance. In addition, all employees must report their personal
securities transactions within ten days of their execution.
Employees will not be permitted to effect transactions in a
security: If there are pending client orders in the security; the
security has been purchased or sold by a client within seven
calendar days; the security is being considered for purchase for
a client; a change has occurred in T. Rowe Price's rating of the
security within seven calendar days prior to the date of the
proposed transaction; or the security is subject to internal
trading restrictions. In addition, employees are prohibited from
profiting from short-term trading (e.g., purchases and sales
involving the same security within 60 days). Any material
violation of the Code of Ethics is reported to the Board of the
Fund. The Board also reviews the administration of the Code of
Ethics on an annual basis.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Investment or Brokerage Discretion
Decisions with respect to the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities on behalf of the Fund are made by T. Rowe Price.
PAGE 46
T. Rowe Price is also responsible for implementing these
decisions, including the negotiation of commissions and the
allocation of portfolio brokerage and principal business.
How Brokers and Dealers are Selected
Equity Securities
In purchasing and selling the Fund's portfolio securities,
it is T. Rowe Price's policy to obtain quality execution at the
most favorable prices through responsible brokers and dealers
and, in the case of agency transactions, at competitive
commission rates. However, under certain conditions, the Fund may
pay higher brokerage commissions in return for brokerage and
research services. As a general practice, over-the-counter
orders are executed with market-makers. In selecting among
market-makers, T. Rowe Price generally seeks to select those it
believes to be actively and effectively trading the security
being purchased or sold. In selecting broker-dealers to execute
the Fund's portfolio transactions, consideration is given to such
factors as the price of the security, the rate of the commission,
the size and difficulty of the order, the reliability, integrity,
financial condition, general execution and operational
capabilities of competing brokers and dealers, and brokerage and
research services provided by them. It is not the policy of
T. Rowe Price to seek the lowest available commission rate where
it is believed that a broker or dealer charging a higher
commission rate would offer greater reliability or provide better
price or execution.
Fixed Income Securities
Fixed income securities are generally purchased from the
issuer or a primary market-maker acting as principal for the
securities on a net basis, with no brokerage commission being
paid by the client although the price usually includes an
undisclosed compensation. Transactions placed through dealers
serving as primary market-makers reflect the spread between the
bid and asked prices. Securities may also be purchased from
underwriters at prices which include underwriting fees.
With respect to equity and fixed income securities, T. Rowe
Price may effect principal transactions on behalf of the Fund
with a broker or dealer who furnishes brokerage and/or research
services, designate any such broker or dealer to receive selling
concessions, discounts or other allowances, or otherwise deal
with any such broker or dealer in connection with the acquisition
of securities in underwritings. T. Rowe Price may receive
research services in connection with brokerage transactions,
including designations in fixed price offerings.
PAGE 47
How Evaluations are Made of the Overall Reasonableness of
Brokerage Commissions Paid
On a continuing basis, T. Rowe Price seeks to determine what
levels of commission rates are reasonable in the marketplace for
transactions executed on behalf of the Fund. In evaluating the
reasonableness of commission rates, T. Rowe Price considers: (a)
historical commission rates, both before and since rates have
been fully negotiable; (b) rates which other institutional
investors are paying, based on available public information; (c)
rates quoted by brokers and dealers; (d) the size of a particular
transaction, in terms of the number of shares, dollar amount, and
number of clients involved; (e) the complexity of a particular
transaction in terms of both execution and settlement; (f) the
level and type of business done with a particular firm over a
period of time; and (g) the extent to which the broker or dealer
has capital at risk in the transaction.
Description of Research Services Received from Brokers and
Dealers
T. Rowe Price receives a wide range of research services
from brokers and dealers. These services include information on
the economy, industries, groups of securities, individual
companies, statistical information, accounting and tax law
interpretations, political developments, legal developments
affecting portfolio securities, technical market action, pricing
and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement
analysis, performance analysis and analysis of corporate
responsibility issues. These services provide both domestic and
international perspective. Research services are received
primarily in the form of written reports, computer generated
services, telephone contacts and personal meetings with security
analysts. In addition, such services may be provided in the form
of meetings arranged with corporate and industry spokespersons,
economists, academicians and government representatives. In some
cases, research services are generated by third parties but are
provided to T. Rowe Price by or through broker-dealers.
Research services received from brokers and dealers are
supplemental to T. Rowe Price's own research effort and, when
utilized, are subject to internal analysis before being
incorporated by T. Rowe Price into its investment process. As a
practical matter, it would not be possible for T. Rowe Price's
Equity Research Division to generate all of the information
presently provided by brokers and dealers. T. Rowe Price pays
cash for certain research services received from external
sources. T. Rowe Price also allocates brokerage for research
services which are available for cash. While receipt of research
services from brokerage firms has not reduced T. Rowe Price's
PAGE 48
normal research activities, the expenses of T. Rowe Price could
be materially increased if it attempted to generate such
additional information through its own staff. To the extent that
research services of value are provided by brokers or dealers,
T. Rowe Price may be relieved of expenses which it might
otherwise bear.
T. Rowe Price has a policy of not allocating brokerage
business in return for products or services other than brokerage
or research services. In accordance with the provisions of
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, T. Rowe
Price may from time to time receive services and products which
serve both research and non-research functions. In such event,
T. Rowe Price makes a good faith determination of the anticipated
research and non-research use of the product or service and
allocates brokerage only with respect to the research component.
Commissions to Brokers who Furnish Research Services
Certain brokers and dealers who provide quality brokerage
and execution services also furnish research services to T. Rowe
Price. With regard to the payment of brokerage commissions,
T. Rowe Price has adopted a brokerage allocation policy embodying
the concepts of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, which permits an investment adviser to cause an account to
pay commission rates in excess of those another broker or dealer
would have charged for effecting the same transaction, if the
adviser determines in good faith that the commission paid is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided. The determination may be viewed in terms of
either the particular transaction involved or the overall
responsibilities of the adviser with respect to the accounts over
which it exercises investment discretion. Accordingly, while
T. Rowe Price cannot readily determine the extent to which
commission rates or net prices charged by broker-dealers reflect
the value of their research services, T. Rowe Price would expect
to assess the reasonableness of commissions in light of the total
brokerage and research services provided by each particular
broker. T. Rowe Price may receive research, as defined in
Section 28(e), in connection with selling concessions and
designations in fixed price offering in which the Funds
participate.
Internal Allocation Procedures
T. Rowe Price has a policy of not precommitting a specific
amount of business to any broker or dealer over any specific time
period. Historically, the majority of brokerage placement has
been determined by the needs of a specific transaction such as
market-making, availability of a buyer or seller of a particular
PAGE 49
security, or specialized execution skills. However, T. Rowe
Price does have an internal brokerage allocation procedure for
that portion of its discretionary client brokerage business where
special needs do not exist, or where the business may be
allocated among several brokers or dealers which are able to meet
the needs of the transaction.
Each year, T. Rowe Price assesses the contribution of the
brokerage and research services provided by brokers or dealers,
and attempts to allocate a portion of its brokerage business in
response to these assessments. Research analysts, counselors,
various investment committees, and the Trading Department each
seek to evaluate the brokerage and research services they receive
from brokers or dealers and make judgments as to the level of
business which would recognize such services. In addition,
brokers or dealers sometimes suggest a level of business they
would like to receive in return for the various brokerage and
research services they provide. Actual brokerage received by any
firm may be less than the suggested allocations but can, and
often does, exceed the suggestions, because the total business is
allocated on the basis of all the considerations described above.
In no case is a broker or dealer excluded from receiving business
from T. Rowe Price because it has not been identified as
providing research services.
Miscellaneous
T. Rowe Price's brokerage allocation policy is consistently
applied to all its fully discretionary accounts, which represent
a substantial majority of all assets under management. Research
services furnished by brokers or dealers through which T. Rowe
Price effects securities transactions may be used in servicing
all accounts (including non-Fund accounts) managed by T. Rowe
Price. Conversely, research services received from brokers or
dealers which execute transactions for the Fund are not
necessarily used by T. Rowe Price exclusively in connection with
the management of the Fund.
From time to time, orders for clients may be placed through
a computerized transaction network.
The Fund does not allocate business to any broker-dealer on
the basis of its sales of the Fund's shares. However, this does
not mean that broker-dealers who purchase Fund shares for their
clients will not receive business from the Fund.
Some of T. Rowe Price's other clients have investment
objectives and programs similar to those of the Fund. T. Rowe
Price may occasionally make recommendations to other clients
which result in their purchasing or selling securities
PAGE 50
simultaneously with the Fund. As a result, the demand for
securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold
may increase, and this could have an adverse effect on the price
of those securities. It is T. Rowe Price's policy not to favor
one client over another in making recommendations or in placing
orders. T. Rowe Price frequently follows the practice of
grouping orders of various clients for execution which generally
results in lower commission rates being attained. In certain
cases, where the aggregate order is executed in a series of
transactions at various prices on a given day, each participating
client's proportionate share of such order reflects the average
price paid or received with respect to the total order. T. Rowe
Price has established a general investment policy that it will
ordinarily not make additional purchases of a common stock of a
company for its clients (including the T. Rowe Price Funds) if,
as a result of such purchases, 10% or more of the outstanding
common stock of such company would be held by its clients in the
aggregate.
Trade Allocation Policies
T. Rowe Price has developed written trade allocation
guidelines for its Equity, Municipal, and Taxable Fixed Income
Trading Desks. Generally, when the amount of securities
available in a public offering or the secondary market is
insufficient to satisfy the volume or price requirements for the
participating client portfolios, the guidelines require a pro
rata allocation based upon the amounts initially requested by
each portfolio manager. In allocating trades made on combined
basis, the Trading Desks seek to achieve the same net unit price
of the securities for each participating client. Because a pro
rata allocation may not always adequately accommodate all facts
and circumstances, the guidelines provide for exceptions to
allocate trades on an adjusted, pro rata basis. Examples of
where adjustments may be made include: (i) reallocations to
recognize the efforts of a portfolio manager in negotiating a
transaction or a private placement; (ii) reallocations to
eliminate deminimis positions; (iii) priority for accounts with
specialized investment policies and objectives; and (iv)
reallocations in light of a participating portfolio's
characteristics (e.g., industry or issuer concentration,
duration, and credit exposure).
To the extent possible, T. Rowe Price intends to recapture
solicitation fees paid in connection with tender offers through
T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., the Fund's distributor.
At the present time, T. Rowe Price does not recapture commissions
or underwriting discounts or selling group concessions in
connection with taxable securities acquired in underwritten
offerings. T. Rowe Price does, however, attempt to negotiate
PAGE 51
elimination of all or a portion of the selling-group concession
or underwriting discount when purchasing tax-exempt municipal
securities on behalf of its clients in underwritten offerings.
Transactions with Related Brokers and Dealers
As provided in the Investment Management Agreement between
the Fund and T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price is responsible not only
for making decisions with respect to the purchase and sale of the
Fund's portfolio securities, but also for implementing these
decisions, including the negotiation of commissions and the
allocation of portfolio brokerage and principal business. It is
expected that T. Rowe Price may place orders for the Fund's
portfolio transactions with broker-dealers through the same
trading desk T. Rowe Price uses for portfolio transactions in
domestic securities. The trading desk accesses brokers and
dealers in various markets in which the Fund's foreign securities
are located. These brokers and dealers may include certain
affiliates of Robert Fleming Holdings Limited ("Robert Fleming
Holdings") and Jardine Fleming Group Limited ("JFG"), persons
indirectly related to T. Rowe Price. Robert Fleming Holdings,
through Copthall Overseas Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary,
owns 25% of the common stock of Rowe Price-Fleming International,
Inc. ("RPFI"), an investment adviser registered under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Fifty percent of the common
stock of RPFI is owned by TRP Finance, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of T. Rowe Price, and the remaining 25% is owned by
Jardine Fleming Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of JFG. JFG is
50% owned by Robert Fleming Holdings and 50% owned by Jardine
Matheson Holdings Limited. Orders for the Fund's portfolio
transactions placed with affiliates of Robert Fleming Holdings
and JFG will result in commissions being received by such
affiliates.
The Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund has authorized
T. Rowe Price to utilize certain affiliates of Robert Fleming and
JFG in the capacity of broker in connection with the execution of
the Fund's portfolio transactions. These affiliates include, but
are not limited to, Jardine Fleming Securities Limited ("JFS"), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of JFG, Robert Fleming & Co. Limited
("RF&Co."), Jardine Fleming Australia Securities Limited, and
Robert Fleming, Inc. (a New York brokerage firm). Other
affiliates of Robert Fleming Holding and JFG also may be used.
Although it does not believe that the Fund's use of these brokers
would be subject to Section 17(e) of the Investment Company Act
of 1940, the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund has agreed
that the procedures set forth in Rule 17e-1 under that Act will
be followed when using such brokers.
PAGE 52
Other
For the fiscal periods ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and
1994, the total brokerage commissions paid by the Fund, including
the discounts received by securities dealers in connection with
underwritings were $86,000, $10,000, and $4,700, respectively.
Of these commissions, none was paid in 1994, 13.7% was paid in
1995, and 25.3% was paid in 1996 to firms which provided
research, statistical or other services to T. Rowe Price in
connection with the management of the Fund, or in some cases to
the Fund. The annualized portfolio turnover rate of the Fund for
the fiscal period ended December 31, 1994 was 21.3%. The
portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years ended December 31,
1996 and 1995 were 17.4% and 10.1%, respectively.
PRICING OF SECURITIES
Equity securities listed or regularly traded on a securities
exchange are valued at the last quoted sales price at the time
the valuations are made. 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. Listed
securities that are not traded on a particular day and securities
regularly traded in the Over-The-Counter market are valued at the
mean of the latest bid and asked prices. Other equity securities
are valued at a price within the limits of the latest bid and
asked prices deemed by the Board of Directors, or by persons
delegated by the Board, best to reflect fair value.
Debt securities are generally traded in the over-the-counter
market and are valued at a price deemed best to reflect fair
value as quoted by dealers who make markets in these securities
or by an independent pricing service. Short-term debt securities
are valued their amortized cost which, when combined with accrued
interest, approximates fair value.
For purposes of determining the Fund's net asset value per
share, the U.S. dollar value of all assets and liabilities
initially expressed in foreign currencies is determined by using
the mean of the bid and offer prices of such currencies against
U.S. dollars quoted by a major bank.
Assets and liabilities for which the above valuation
procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair
value are stated at fair value as determined in good faith by or
under the supervision of the officers of the Fund, as authorized
by the Board of Directors.
PAGE 53
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
The purchase and redemption price of the Fund's shares is
equal to the Fund's net asset value per share or share price.
The Fund determines its net asset value per share by subtracting
the Fund's liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends
payable) from its total assets (the market value of the
securities the Fund holds plus cash and other assets, including
income accrued but not yet received) and dividing the result by
the total number of shares outstanding. The net asset value per
share of the Fund is calculated as of the close of trading on the
New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") every day the NYSE is open for
trading. The NYSE is closed on the following days: New Year's
Day, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Determination of net asset value (and the offering, sale,
redemption and repurchase of shares) for the Fund may be
suspended at times (1) during which the NYSE is closed, other
than customary weekend and holiday closings, (b) during which
trading on the NYSE is restricted (c) during which an emergency
exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities
owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net
assets, or (d) during which a governmental body having
jurisdiction over the Fund may by order permit such a suspension
for the protection of the Fund's shareholders; provided that
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (or any succeeding governmental authority) shall
govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b), (c) or (d)
exist.
DIVIDENDS
Unless the separate account elects otherwise, the fourth
quarter dividend and capital gain distribution will be reinvested
on the reinvestment date using the NAV per share of that date.
The reinvestment date normally precedes the payment date by about
10 days although the exact timing is subject to change.
TAX STATUS
The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment
company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended ("Code") and also intends to diversify its assets in
accordance with regulations under Code Section 817(h).
PAGE 54
In 1987, the Treasury Department indicated that it may issue
regulations addressing the circumstances in which a
policyholder's control of the investments of the insurance
company separate account would result in the policyholder being
treated as the owner of such assets. Although there is no
present indication that such regulations will be issued, their
adoption could alter the tax treatment of the policyholder,
separate account or insurance company.
For tax purposes, the Fund must declare dividends by
December 31 of each year equal to at least 98% of ordinary income
(as of December 31) and capital gains (as of October 31) in order
to avoid a federal excise tax and distribute within 12 months
100% of ordinary income and capital gains as of December 31 to
avoid a federal income tax. In certain circumstances, the Fund
may not be required to comply with the excise tax distribution
requirements. It does not make any difference whether dividends
and capital gain distributions are paid in cash or in additional
shares.
At the time a shareholder acquires Fund shares, the Fund's
net asset value may reflect undistributed income, capital gains
or net unrealized appreciation of securities held by the Fund
which may be subsequently distributed as either dividends or
capital gain distributions.
If, in any taxable year, the Fund should not qualify as a
regulated investment company under the Code: (i) the Fund would
be taxed at normal corporate rates on the entire amount of its
taxable income, if any, without deduction for dividends or other
distributions to shareholders; and (ii) the Fund's distributions
to the extent made out of the Fund's current or accumulated
earnings and profits would be treated as ordinary dividends by
shareholders (regardless of whether they would otherwise have
been considered capital gain dividends), and (iii) the separate
accounts investing in the Fund may fail to satisfy the
requirements of Code Section 817(h) which in turn could adversely
affect the tax status of life insurance and annuity contracts
with premiums invested in the affected separate accounts.
To the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, the
following would apply:
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
The Fund may purchase the securities of certain foreign
investment funds or trusts called passive foreign investment
companies. In addition to bearing their proportionate share of
the fund's expenses (management fees and operating expenses)
shareholders will also indirectly bear similar expenses of such
PAGE 55
funds. Capital gains on the sale of such holdings will be deemed
to be ordinary income regardless of how long the Fund holds its
investment. In addition, the Fund may be subject to corporate
income tax and an interest charge on certain dividends and
capital gains earned from these investments, regardless of
whether such income and gains are distributed to shareholders.
In accordance with tax regulations, the Fund intends to
treat these securities as sold on the last day of the Fund's
fiscal year and recognize any gains for tax purposes at that
time; losses will not be recognized. Such gains will be
considered ordinary income which the Fund will be required to
distribute even though it has not sold the security and received
cash to pay such distributions.
Foreign Currency Gains and Losses
Foreign currency gains and losses, including the portion of
gain or loss on the sale of debt securities attributable to
foreign exchange rate fluctuations, are ordinary income for tax
purposes. If the net effect of these transactions is a gain, the
dividend paid by the Fund will be increased. If the result is a
loss, the income dividend paid by the Fund will be decreased, or
to the extent such dividend has already been paid, it may be
classified as a return of capital. Adjustments, to reflect these
gains and losses will be made at the end of the Fund's taxable
year.
CAPITAL STOCK
The Charter of the T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc. (the
"Corporation") authorizes its Board of Directors to classify and
reclassify any and all shares which are then unissued, including
unissued shares of capital stock into any number of classes or
series, each class or series consisting of such number of shares
and having such designations, such powers, preferences, rights,
qualifications, limitations, and restrictions, as shall be
determined by the Board subject to the Investment Company Act and
other applicable law. Currently, the Corporation consists of
four series, T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio, T. Rowe Price
Personal Strategy Balanced Portfolio and T. Rowe Price New
America Growth Portfolio all established in 1994, and the T. Rowe
Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio established in 1996. Each series
represents a separate class of the Corporation's shares and has
different objectives and investment policies. The T. Rowe Price
Personal Strategy Balanced Portfolio, T. Rowe Price New America
Growth Portfolio, and the T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
are each described in a separate Statement of Additional
Information. The shares of any such additional classes or series
PAGE 56
might therefore differ from the shares of the present class and
series of capital stock and from each other as to preferences,
conversions or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or
conditions of redemption, subject to applicable law, and might
thus be superior or inferior to the capital stock or to other
classes or series in various characteristics. The Corporation's
Board of Directors may increase or decrease the aggregate number
of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class
or series that the Funds have authorized to issue without
shareholder approval.
Except to the extent that the Corporation's Board of
Directors might provide by resolution that holders of shares of a
particular class are entitled to vote as a class on specified
matters presented for a vote of the holders of all shares
entitled to vote on such matters, there would be no right of
class vote unless and to the extent that such a right might be
construed to exist under Maryland law. The Charter contains no
provision entitling the holders of the present class of capital
stock to a vote as a class on any matter. Accordingly, the
preferences, rights, and other characteristics attaching to any
class of shares, including the present class of capital stock,
might be altered or eliminated, or the class might be combined
with another class or classes, by action approved by the vote of
the holders of a majority of all the shares of all classes
entitled to be voted on the proposal, without any additional
right to vote as a class by the holders of the capital stock or
of another affected class or classes.
The various insurance companies own the outstanding shares
of the Fund in their separate accounts. These separate accounts
are registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act or are
excluded from registration. Each insurance company, as the
Shareholder, is entitled to one vote for each full share held
(and fractional votes for fractional shares held). Under the
current laws the insurance companies must vote the shares held in
registered separate accounts in accordance with voting
instructions received from variable Contract Holders or
Participants. Fund shares for which Contract Holders or
Participants are entitled to give voting instructions, but as to
which no voting instructions are received, and shares owned by
the insurance companies or affiliated companies in the separate
accounts, will be voted in proportion to the shares for which
voting instructions have been received.
There will normally be no meetings of shareholders for the
purpose of electing directors unless and until such time as less
than a majority of the directors holding office have been elected
by shareholders, at which time the directors then in office will
PAGE 57
call a shareholders' meeting for the election of directors.
Except as set forth above, the directors shall continue to hold
office and may appoint successor directors. Voting rights are
not cumulative, so that the holders of more than 50% of the
shares voting in the election of directors can, if they choose to
do so, elect all the directors of the Fund, in which event the
holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any
person as a director. As set forth in the By-Laws of the
Corporation, a special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation
shall be called by the Secretary of the Corporation on the
written request of shareholders entitled to cast at least 10% of
all the votes of the Corporation entitled to be cast at such
meeting. Shareholders requesting such a meeting must pay to the
Corporation the reasonably estimated costs of preparing and
mailing the notice of the meeting. The Corporation, however,
will otherwise assist the shareholders seeking to hold the
special meeting in communicating to the other shareholders of the
Corporation to the extent required by Section 16(c) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
FEDERAL REGISTRATION OF SHARES
Each Fund's shares are registered for sale under the
Securities Act of 1933. Registration of the Fund's shares is not
required under any state law, but the Fund is required to make
certain filings with and pay fees to the states in order to sell
its shares in the states.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Shereff, Friedman, Hoffman & Goodman, LLP, whose address is
919 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, is legal counsel to
the Fund.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP, Gateway International II, 1306
Concourse Drive, Suite 100, Linthicum, Maryland 21090-1020, are
independent accountants to the Fund. The financial statements of
the Fund for the year ended December 31, 1996, and the report of
independent accountants are included in the Fund's Annual Report
for the year ended December 31, 1996. A copy of the Annual
Report accompanies this Statement of Additional Information. The
following financial statements and the report of independent
accountants appearing in the Annual Report for the year ended
December 31, 1996, are incorporated into this Statement of
Additional Information by reference:
PAGE 58
EQUITY INCOME
PORTFOLIO
_________________
Report of Independent Accountants 13
Statement of Net Assets, December 31, 1996 5-8
Statement of Operations, year ended December 31, 1996 9
Statement of Changes in Net Assets, years ended
December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995 10
Notes to Financial Statements, December 31, 1996 11-12
Financial Highlights 4
RATINGS OF CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES
Moody's Investors Services, Inc. (Moody's)
Aaa - Bonds rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally
referred to as "gilt edge."
Aa - Bonds rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are
generally known as high grade bonds.
A - Bonds rated A possess many favorable investment attributes
and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations.
Baa - Bonds rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the
present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be
characteristically unreliable over any great length of time.
Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba - Bonds rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements:
their futures 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 characterize
bonds in this class.
B - Bonds rated B generally lack the characteristics of a
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.
PAGE 59
Caa - Bonds rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be
in default or there may be present elements of danger with
respect to principal or interest.
Ca - Bonds rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative
in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other
marked short-comings.
Standard & Poor's Corporation (S&P)
AAA - This is the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's to
a debt obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity to
pay principal and interest.
AA - Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt
obligations. Capacity to pay principal and interest is very
strong.
A - Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and
interest, although they are somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions.
BBB - Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity
to pay principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit
adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or
changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to pay principal and interest for bonds in this category
than for bonds in the A category.
BB, C, CCC, CC - Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, and CC are regarded on
balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal. BB
indicates the lowest degree of speculation and CC the highest
degree of speculation. While such bonds will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by
large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse
conditions.
Fitch Investors Service, Inc.
AAA - High grade, broadly marketable, suitable for investment by
directors and fiduciary institutions, and liable to but slight
market fluctuation other than through changes in the money rate.
The prime feature of a "AAA" bond is the showing of earnings
several times or many times interest requirements for such
stability of applicable interest that safety is beyond reasonable
question whenever changes occur in conditions. Other features
may enter, such as a wide margin of protection through
PAGE 60
collateral, security or direct lien on specific property.
Sinking funds or voluntary reduction of debt by call or purchase
or often factors, while guarantee or assumption by parties other
than the original debtor may influence their rating.
AA - Of safety virtually beyond question and readily salable.
Their merits are not greatly unlike those of "AAA" class but a
bond so rated may be junior though of strong lien, or the margin
of safety is less strikingly broad. The issue may be the
obligation of a small company, strongly secured, but influenced
as to rating by the lesser financial power of the enterprise and
more local type of market.
