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Previous: WESTERN SOUTHERN LIFE ASSURANCE CO SEPARATE ACCOUNT 1, 24F-2NT, 2000-03-29 |
Next: TRIPOS INC, 10-K, 2000-03-29 |
Securities Act File No. 33-55843
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM N-1A
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
MERRILL LYNCH MIDDLE EAST/ AFRICA FUND, INC.
800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
Registrant’s telephone number, including Area Code: (609) 282-2800
TERRY K. GLENN
Copies to:
|
Counsel for the Fund: BROWN & WOOD LLP One World Trade Center New York, New York 10048-0557 Attention: Thomas R. Smith, Jr., Esq. |
Michael J. Hennewinkel, Esq. MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT P.O. Box 9011 Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
[X] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Title Of Securities Being Registered: Common Stock, par value $.10 per share.
| This Prospectus contains information you should know before investing, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. | ||
| The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. |
| PAGE | ||
| [KEY FACTS ICON] | ||
| KEY FACTS | ||
| Merrill Lynch Middle East/ Africa Fund at a Glance | 3 | |
| Risk/ Return Bar Chart | 6 | |
| Fees and Expenses | 8 | |
| [DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND ICON] | ||
| DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND | ||
| How the Fund Invests | 10 | |
| Investment Risks | 11 | |
| [YOUR ACCOUNT ICON] | ||
| YOUR ACCOUNT | ||
| Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System | 25 | |
| How to Buy, Sell and Transfer Shares | 30 | |
| [MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND ICON] | ||
| MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND | ||
| Merrill Lynch Asset Management | 35 | |
| Financial Highlights | 36 | |
| [FOR MORE INFORMATION ICON] | ||
| FOR MORE INFORMATION | ||
| Shareholder Reports Back Cover | ||
| Statement of Additional Information Back Cover | ||
What is the Fund’s investment objective?
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity and debt securities of corporate and governmental issuers located in the Middle East and Africa.
What are the Fund’s main investment strategies?
Under normal market conditions, the Fund expects to invest at least 65% of its assets in equity and debt securities of issuers located in Middle Eastern/ African countries. The Fund currently expects to focus on investments in Botswana, Ghana, Morocco, Jordan, South Africa, Turkey, Israel and Zimbabwe. The Fund may also invest in other Middle Eastern/ African countries. Certain of the risks associated with international investments are heightened for investments in emerging markets such as Middle Eastern/ African countries.
Fund management chooses securities using a combination of “top down” and “bottom up” investment styles. “Top down” means that the Fund seeks to allocate its investments to markets that Fund management believes have the potential to outperform other markets due to economic factors, such as government fiscal policies and the direction of interest rate and currency movements. “Bottom up” means that the Fund also selects investments based on Fund management’s assessment of the earning prospects of individual companies. When choosing debt securities, Fund management considers various factors including the credit quality of issuers and yield analysis.
When assessing individual companies, Fund management seeks to identify companies engaged in businesses with attractive earnings prospects, sound management and a record of maximizing returns on shareholder equity. Fund management then further considers which of the companies meeting its criteria would be most likely to benefit from the economic circumstances anticipated by Fund management. However, because of the difficulty of investing substantial sums in many Middle Eastern and African markets, in certain markets Fund management believes to be attractive on a “top down” basis, the Fund may limit its investments to a relatively small number of large, actively-traded companies. The Fund can invest in securities denominated in the currencies of Middle Eastern and African countries or in other currencies. Under most circumstances the Fund’s investments will primarily be denominated in foreign currencies. The Fund has not established any rating criteria for the debt securities in which it may invest. The Fund may invest in high yield or “junk” bonds and in certain types of “derivative”
Capital Appreciation — increase in value of investments.
On January 20, 2000, the Board of Directors approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the Fund and Merrill Lynch Developing Capital Markets Fund, Inc. pursuant to which Developing Capital Markets would acquire substantially all of the Fund’s assets and assume substantially all of the Fund’s liabilities in exchange for newly issued shares of Developing Capital Markets. The Fund will deregister as an investment company under the Investment Company Act thereafter and dissolve in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.
The Reorganization is conditioned upon approval by the Fund’s stockholders. A special meeting of the stockholders of the Fund to consider the Reorganization has been called for April 26, 2000. The record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the special meeting is March 15, 2000. If all of the requisite approvals are obtained, it is anticipated that the Reorganization will take place in the second calendar quarter of 2000.
If the Reorganization takes place, Fund stockholders will receive shares of that class of Developing Capital Markets having the same letter designation (i.e., Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D) and the same distribution fees, account maintenance fees, and sales charges (including contingent deferred sales charges), if any, as the shares of the Fund held by them immediately prior to the Reorganization.
What are the main risks of investing in the Fund?
As with any fund, the value of the Fund’s investments — and therefore the value of Fund shares — may fluctuate. These changes may occur because particular stock or bond markets in which the Fund invests are rising or falling, or in response to interest rate changes. At other times, there are specific factors that may affect the value of a particular investment. Generally, when interest rates go up, the value of debt securities goes down. If the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, you may lose money.
The Fund will invest most of its assets in non-U.S. securities. Foreign investing involves special risks — including foreign currency risk and the possibility of substantial volatility due to adverse political, economic or other developments. Foreign securities may also be less liquid and harder to value than U.S. securities. Many of the markets in which the Fund may invest are emerging markets. These risks are greater for investments in emerging markets such as the Middle East and Africa.
The Fund is a non-diversified fund, which means that it may invest more of its assets in securities of a single issuer than if it were a diversified fund. If the Fund invests in a smaller number of issuers, the Fund’s risk is increased because developments affecting an individual issuer have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Derivatives and high yield or “junk” bonds may be volatile and subject to liquidity, leverage and credit risks.
Who should invest?
The Fund may be an appropriate investment for you if you:
| • | Are investing for capital appreciation for long term goals, such as retirement or funding a child’s education | ||
| • | Want a professionally managed portfolio | ||
| • | Are looking for exposure to markets in the Middle East and Africa | ||
| • | Are willing to accept the risk that the value of your investment may fluctuate over the short term | ||
| • | Are willing to accept the risks of foreign investing in order to seek long term capital appreciation | ||
| • | Are not looking for a significant amount of current income | ||
The bar chart and table shown below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance for Class B shares for each complete calendar year since the Fund’s inception. Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart. If these amounts were reflected, returns would be less than those shown. The table compares the average annual total returns for each class of the Fund’s shares for the periods shown with those of the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) indices for Israel, Turkey and South Africa. How the Fund performed in the past is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
[BAR CHART]
| Merrill Lynch Middle East/Africa Fund | ||||
| 1995 | 9.00% | |||
| 1996 | -8.22% | |||
| 1997 | 19.95% | |||
| 1998 | -22.42% | |||
| 1999 | 46.33% | |||
During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 26.16% (quarter ended December 31, 1999) and the lowest return for a quarter was -18.95% (quarter ended September 30, 1998).
| Average Annual Total Returns (as | ||||||||||||||
| of the calendar year ended | Past One | Past Five | Since | |||||||||||
| December 31, 1999) | Year | Years | Inception | |||||||||||
| Merrill Lynch Middle East/Africa Fund – Class A* | 37.40% | 6.36% | 6.36% | † | ||||||||||
| MSCI Israel** | 59.68% | 18.00% | 18.00% | †† | ||||||||||
| MSCI Turkey** | 252.41% | 37.14% | 37.14% | †† | ||||||||||
| MSCI South Africa** | 57.20% | 0.55% | 0.55% | †† | ||||||||||
| Merrill Lynch Middle East/Africa Fund – Class B* | 39.46% | 6.37% | 6.37% | † | ||||||||||
| MSCI Israel** | 59.68% | 18.00% | 18.00% | †† | ||||||||||
| MSCI Turkey** | 252.41% | 37.14% | 37.14% | †† | ||||||||||
| MSCI South Africa** | 57.20% | 0.55% | 0.55% | †† | ||||||||||
| Merrill Lynch Middle East/Africa Fund – Class C* | 42.50% | 6.45% | 6.45% | † | ||||||||||
| MSCI Israel** | 59.68% | 18.00% | 18.00% | †† | ||||||||||
| MSCI Turkey** | 252.41% | 37.14% | 37.14% | †† | ||||||||||
| MSCI South Africa** | 57.20% | 0.55% | 0.55% | †† | ||||||||||
| Merrill Lynch Middle East/Africa Fund – Class D* | 37.14% | 6.08% | 6.08% | † | ||||||||||
| MSCI Israel** | 59.68% | 18.00% | 18.00% | †† | ||||||||||
| MSCI Turkey** | 252.41% | 37.14% | 37.14% | †† | ||||||||||
| MSCI South Africa** | 57.20% | 0.55% | 0.55% | †† | ||||||||||
| * | Includes sales charge. |
| ** | This unmanaged index measures the total returns of an individual country within the Middle East/ Africa region. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. |
| † | Inception date is December 30, 1994. |
| †† | Since December 31, 1994. |
Fund investors pay various fees and expenses, either directly or indirectly. Listed below are some of the main types of expenses, which all mutual funds may charge:
Expenses paid directly by the shareholder:
Shareholder Fees — these include sales charges that you may pay when you buy or sell shares of the Fund.
Expenses paid indirectly by the shareholder:
Annual Fund Operating Expenses — expenses that cover the costs of operating the Fund.
Management Fee — a fee paid to the Manager for managing the Fund.
Distribution Fees — fees used to support the Fund’s marketing and distribution efforts, such as compensating Financial Consultants, advertising and promotion.
Service (Account Maintenance) Fees — fees used to compensate securities dealers for account maintenance activities.
The Fund offers four different classes of shares. Although your money will be invested the same way no matter which class of shares you buy, there are differences among the fees and expenses associated with each class. Not everyone is eligible to buy every class. After determining which classes you are eligible to buy, decide which class best suits your needs. Your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant can help you with this decision.
This table shows the different fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold the different classes of shares of the Fund. Future expenses may be greater or less than those indicated below.
| Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from | ||||||||||||||||
| your investment)(a): | Class A | Class B(b) | Class C | Class D | ||||||||||||
| Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25 | %(c) | None | None | 5.25 | %(b) | ||||||||||
| Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) | None | (d) | 4.00 | %(c) | 1.00 | %(c) | None | (d) | ||||||||
| Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed on Dividend Reinvestments | None | None | None | None | ||||||||||||
| Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value of shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase) | 2.00 | % | 2.00 | % | 2.00 | % | 2.00 | % | ||||||||
| Exchange Fee | None | None | None | None | ||||||||||||
| Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): | ||||||||||||||||
| Management Fee(e) | 1.00 | % | 1.00 | % | 1.00 | % | 1.00 | % | ||||||||
| Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees(f) | None | 1.00 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.25 | % | |||||||||
| Other Expenses (including transfer agency fees)(g) | 11.21 | % | 11.09 | % | 11.13 | % | 11.08 | % | ||||||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expense | 12.21 | % | 13.09 | % | 13.13 | % | 12.33 | % | ||||||||
| (a) | In addition, Merrill Lynch may charge clients a processing fee (currently $5.35) when a client buys or redeems shares. See “How to Buy, Sell, Transfer and Exchange Shares.” |
| (b) | Class B shares automatically convert to Class D shares about years after you buy them and will no longer be subject to distribution fees. |
| (c) | Some investors may qualify for reductions in the sales charge (load). |
| (d) | You may pay a deferred sales charge if you purchase $1 million or more and you redeem within one year. |
| (e) | For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, the Manager voluntarily waived the entire management fee due and voluntarily reimbursed the Fund for a portion of other expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees). Total Annual Fund operating expenses, after giving effect to the waiver of fees and reimbursement of expenses, were .46% for Class A shares, 1.51% for Class B shares, 1.55% for Class C shares and .71% for Class D shares. The fee waiver and expense reimbursement may be discontinued or reduced by the Manager at any time without notice. |
| (f) | The Fund calls the “Service Fee” an “Account Maintenance Fee.” Account Maintenance Fee is the term used elsewhere in this Prospectus and in all other Fund materials. If you hold Class B or Class C shares for a long time, it may cost you more in distribution (12b-1) fees than the maximum sales charge that you would have paid if you had bought one of the other classes. |
| (g) | The Fund pays the Transfer Agent $11.00 for each Class A and Class D shareholder account and $14.00 for each Class B and Class C shareholder account and reimburses the Transfer Agent’s out-of-pocket expenses. The Fund also pays a $0.20 monthly closed account charge, which is assessed upon all accounts that close during the year. This fee begins the month following the month the account is closed and ends at the end of the calendar year. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, the Fund paid the Transfer Agent fees totaling $10,337. The Manager provides accounting services to the Fund at its cost. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, the Fund reimbursed the Manager $77,575 for these services. |
Examples:
These examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
These examples assume that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that you pay the sales charges, if any, that apply to the particular class and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. This assumption is not meant to indicate you will receive a 5% annual rate of return. Your annual return may be more or less than the 5% used in this example. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
EXPENSES IF YOU DID REDEEM YOUR SHARES:
| 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||||||||||||
| Class A | $ | 1,830 | * | $ | 3,635 | $ | 5,353 | $ | 8,674 | |||||||
| Class B | $ | 1,856 | * | $ | 3,672 | $ | 5,343 | $ | 8,786 | ** | ||||||
| Class C | $ | 1,560 | * | $ | 3,480 | $ | 5,354 | $ | 8,858 | |||||||
| Class D | $ | 1,840 | * | $ | 3,660 | $ | 5,386 | $ | 8,707 | |||||||
EXPENSES IF YOU DID NOT REDEEM YOUR SHARES:
| 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||||||||||||
| Class A | $ | 1,640 | $ | 3,635 | $ | 5,353 | $ | 8,674 | ||||||||
| Class B | $ | 1,256 | $ | 3,472 | $ | 5,343 | $ | 8,786 | ** | |||||||
| Class C | $ | 1,260 | $ | 3,480 | $ | 5,354 | $ | 8,858 | ||||||||
| Class D | $ | 1,650 | $ | 3,660 | $ | 5,386 | $ | 8,707 | ||||||||
| * | Reflects the 2.0% redemption fee charged on redemptions made within one year of purchase. |
| ** | Assumes conversion to Class D shares approximately eight years after purchase. See note (b) to the Fees and Expenses table above. |
A. Grace Pineda is a Senior Vice President and the portfolio manager of the Fund. Ms. Pineda has been a First Vice President of Merrill Lynch Asset Management since 1997 and was a Vice President from 1989 to 1997.
ABOUT THE MANAGER
The Fund is managed by Merrill Lynch Asset Management.
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity and debt securities of corporate and governmental issuers in Middle Eastern/ African countries. Under normal conditions, the Fund’s management tries to do this by investing at least 65% of the Fund’s assets in equity and debt securities of issuers located in Middle Eastern/ African countries. We cannot guarantee that the Fund will meet its objective.
Although the economies of the Middle East and Africa have experienced significant turmoil over the last few years, Fund management believes that the economies and securities markets of the region present attractive long term investment opportunities. The Fund can invest in all of the countries in Africa and the Middle East where foreign investment is allowed and where the Fund, as a U.S. registered investment company, is legally allowed to hold its assets. The Fund currently intends to focus on the following countries:
| • | Botswana | • | South Africa | |||
| • | Ghana | • | Turkey | |||
| • | Morocco | • | Israel | |||
| • | Jordan | • | Zimbabwe |
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that the Fund can invest more than 5% of its assets in the securities of a single company or issuer. The Fund will, however, usually try to diversify its investments geographically over the Middle East and Africa. The Fund considers an issuer to be located in the Middle East or Africa if at least 50% of the issuer’s assets, gross revenues or profits in the last two years are from activities in the Middle East and Africa. Under certain market conditions, Fund management may restrict the Fund’s investments in certain countries. In addition, under unusual market conditions, Fund management may invest the Fund’s assets without percentage limitation in short term securities or cash as a temporary defensive measure. Short term investments and temporary defensive positions may limit the potential of the Fund to achieve its goal of long term capital appreciation.
Equity Securities — Although the Fund is not required to have any set percentage of its assets invested in equity securities, the Fund will tend to be invested primarily in equity securities in order to achieve its goal of long term capital appreciation. The Fund can invest in all types of equity securities, including common stock, preferred stock, warrants and stock purchase rights. The Fund may purchase securities of companies directly in
Debt Securities — The Fund will also seek capital appreciation by investing in government and corporate debt securities in Middle Eastern/ African countries. The debt securities of governments and companies in the Middle East and Africa may be lower rated and can have a relatively high degree of risk. However, they often trade at significant discounts in the secondary market and offer the potential for capital appreciation if there is a favorable change in the credit quality of the issuer. The Fund may also invest in these debt securities because the relatively high yield of Middle Eastern and African debt securities when compared to debt securities of U.S. issuers can be used to offset the Fund’s operating expenses. The Fund can also buy “distressed securities.” Distressed securities are securities that are in default on payments of interest or principal at the time the Fund buys the securities. These debt securities involve a number of investment risks that are described below in “Distressed Securities” and in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
Options, Futures and Other Derivatives — Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security, a commodity (such as oil or gold), or an index such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. The Fund may use derivatives including options, futures and forward contracts to hedge, or protect, the value of its assets against adverse movements in currency exchange rates and interest rates and movements in the securities markets. The use of options, futures and forward contracts can be effective in protecting or enhancing the value of the Fund’s assets. While these instruments involve certain risks, the Fund will not engage in certain strategies that are considered highly risky and speculative. A full description of the Fund’s use of options, futures, forwards and other derivatives is included in the Statement of Additional Information.
This section contains a summary discussion of the general risks of investing in the Fund. As with any mutual fund, there can be no guarantee that the
Market and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that the stock or bond markets in certain of the countries in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities that Fund management selects will underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.
Foreign Market Risk — Since the Fund invests in foreign securities, it offers the potential for more diversification than an investment only in the United States. This is because securities traded on foreign markets have often (though not always) performed differently than securities in the United States. However, such investments involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. In particular, the Fund is subject to the risk that because there are generally fewer investors on foreign exchanges and a smaller number of shares traded each day, it may make it difficult for the Fund to buy and sell securities in those markets. In addition, prices of foreign securities may go up and down more than prices of securities traded in the United States.
Foreign Economy Risk — The economies of certain foreign markets often do not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. Certain such economies may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers and other protectionist or retaliatory measures.
Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets or the imposition of punitive taxes. In addition, the governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital markets or in certain industries. Any of these actions could severely affect security prices, impair the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer the Fund’s assets or income back into the United States, or otherwise adversely affect the Fund’s operations.
Other foreign market risks include foreign exchange controls, difficulties in pricing securities, defaults on foreign government securities, difficulties in enforcing favorable legal judgments in foreign courts, and political and social instability. Legal remedies available to investors in certain foreign countries may be less extensive than those available to investors in the United States or other foreign countries.
Currency Risk — Securities in which the Fund invests are usually denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency loses value because the currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. Conversely, when the U.S. dollar decreases in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency gains value because the currency is worth more U.S. dollars. This risk, generally known as “currency risk,” means that a strong U.S. dollar will reduce returns for U.S. investors while a weak U.S. dollar will increase those returns.
Governmental Supervision and Regulation/ Accounting Standards — Many foreign governments supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities less than the United States does. Some countries may not have laws to protect investors the way that the U.S. securities laws do. For example, some countries may have no laws or rules against insider trading. Insider trading occurs when a person buys or sells a company’s securities based on non-public information about that company. Accounting standards in other countries are not necessarily the same as in the United States. If the accounting standards in another country do not require as much detail as U.S. accounting standards, it may be harder for Fund management to completely and accurately determine a company’s financial condition. Also, brokerage commissions and other costs of buying or selling securities often are higher in foreign countries than they are in the United States. This reduces the amount the Fund can earn on its investments.
Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the United States — The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories. Some foreign banks and securities depositories may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In addition, there may be limited or no regulatory oversight over their operations. Also, the laws of certain countries may put limits on the Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a foreign bank, depository or issuer of a security, or any of their
Settlement Risk — Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets differ significantly from those in the United States. Foreign settlement procedures and trade regulations also may involve certain risks (such as delays in payment for or delivery of securities) not typically involved with the settlement of U.S. investments. Communications between the United States and emerging market countries may be unreliable, increasing the risk of delayed settlements or losses of security certificates. Settlements in certain foreign countries at times have not kept pace with the number of securities transactions; these problems may make it difficult for the Fund to carry out transactions. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a purchase of securities, it may miss attractive investment opportunities and certain of its assets may be uninvested with no return earned thereon for some period. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a sale of securities, it may lose money if the value of the security then declines or, if it has contracted to sell the security to another party, the Fund could be liable to that party for any losses incurred.
Emerging Markets Risk — The risks of foreign investments are usually much greater for emerging markets. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets include those in countries defined as emerging or developing by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations. Emerging markets are riskier because they develop unevenly and may never fully develop. They are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affects returns to U.S. investors. In addition, the securities markets in many of these countries, including Middle Eastern/ African countries, have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. Since these markets are so small, they may be more likely to suffer sharp and frequent price changes or long term price depression because of adverse publicity, investor perceptions or the actions of a few large investors. In addition, traditional measures of investment value used in the United States, such as price to earnings ratios, may not apply to certain small markets.
Many emerging markets have histories of political instability and abrupt changes in policies. As a result, their governments are more likely to take actions that are hostile or detrimental to private enterprise or foreign investment than those of more developed countries. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war, and ethnic, religious, and racial conflicts. In addition, governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth.
Risks of Investing in Middle Eastern/ African Countries — Certain of the risks associated with international investments are heightened for investments in Middle Eastern/ African countries. Investment in the securities of Middle Eastern/ African issuers may increase the volatility of the Fund’s net asset value. Certain markets are in only the earliest stages of development. There also may be a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and financial intermediaries. Brokers in Middle Eastern/ African countries typically are fewer in number and less well capitalized than brokers in the United States. These factors, combined with other U.S. regulatory requirements for open end investment companies and the restrictions on foreign investment discussed below, result in potentially fewer investment opportunities for the Fund, limit the degree to which the Fund may diversify among securities, industries and countries and may have an adverse impact on the investment performance of the Fund.
Certain economies in Middle Eastern/ African countries depend to a significant degree upon exports of primary commodities such as gold, silver, copper, diamonds and oil. These economies therefore are vulnerable to changes in commodity prices, which in turn may be affected by a variety of factors. In addition, many Middle Eastern/ African governments have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In certain cases, the government owns or controls many companies, including the largest in the country. Accordingly, governmental actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in Middle Eastern/ African countries. This could affect private sector companies and the Fund, as well as the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio.
The legal systems in certain Middle Eastern/ African countries also may have an adverse impact on the Fund. For example, the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation generally is limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment. However, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain Middle Eastern/ African countries. The Fund therefore may be liable in certain Middle Eastern/ African countries for the acts of a corporation in which it invests for an amount greater than the Fund’s actual investment in that corporation. Similarly, the rights of investors in Middle Eastern/ African issuers may be more limited than those of shareholders of U.S. corporations. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain and/or enforce a judgment in a Middle Eastern/ African country.
Some of the currencies of Middle Eastern/ African countries have experienced devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar and major adjustments have been made periodically in certain currencies. Certain Middle Eastern/ African countries face serious exchange constraints.
There is a relative lack of publicly available information about Middle Eastern/ African issuers, and such issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards as U.S. issuers. In addition, inflation accounting rules in some Middle Eastern/ African countries require, for issuers that keep accounting records in the local currency, that certain assets and liabilities be restated on the issuer’s balance sheet in order to express items in terms of currency of constant purchasing power. The requirement is for both tax and accounting purposes. Inflation accounting indirectly may generate losses or profits for certain Middle Eastern/ African issuers.
Fund management may determine that, even though investment criteria are otherwise favorable, it may not be practicable or appropriate to invest in a particular Middle Eastern/ African country. The Fund may invest in countries in which foreign investors, including Fund management, have had no or limited prior experience.
Some Middle Eastern/ African countries prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets, particularly their equity markets, by foreign entities such as the Fund. For example, certain countries may require governmental approval prior to investment by foreign persons or limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular issuer. They may also limit the investment by foreign persons to only a specific class
The manner in which foreign investors may invest in companies in certain Middle Eastern/ African countries, as well as limitations on those investments, may have an adverse impact on the operations of the Fund. For example, the Fund may be required in certain of these countries to invest initially through a local broker or other entity and then have the shares that were purchased reregistered in the name of the Fund. Reregistration in some instances may not be possible on a timely basis. This may result in a delay during which the Fund may be denied certain of its rights as an investor, including rights as to dividends or to be made aware of certain corporate actions. There also may be instances where the Fund places a purchase order but is subsequently informed, at the time of reregistration, that the permissible allocation of the investment to foreign investors has been filled, depriving the Fund of the ability to make its desired investment at that time. A credit risk may also be involved if the Fund invests in securities of issuers in certain Middle Eastern/ African countries where — pursuant to market practice, local law or exchange requirement or the terms of the specific securities transaction itself — the Fund is required to make a cash payment to an issuer, or its agent, prior to delivery of the securities. In these circumstances, there can be no guarantee that the Fund actually will receive the full amount of the securities expected to be allocated to the Fund, or that the Fund will be able to retrieve its cash payment in the event that the issuer, or its agent, defaults in its obligation to deliver the securities.
Substantial limitations may exist in certain Middle Eastern/ African countries with respect to the Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income, capital or proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investment. Securities which are subject to material legal restrictions on repatriation of assets will be
A number of Middle Eastern/ African countries have authorized the formation of closed end investment companies to facilitate indirect foreign investment in their capital markets. There also are investment opportunities in certain of these countries in pooled vehicles that resemble open end investment companies. Under the Investment Company Act, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in shares of other investment companies and up to 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, provided that the investment does not represent more than 3% of the voting stock of the related acquired investment company. This restriction on investments in securities of investment companies may limit opportunities for the Fund to invest indirectly in certain Middle Eastern/ African countries. Shares of certain investment companies at times may be acquired only at market prices representing premiums to their net asset values. If the Fund acquires shares of investment companies or of venture capital funds, shareholders will bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of these investment companies or venture capital funds. Investment in venture capital funds involves substantial risk of loss to the Fund of its entire investment. The Fund also may seek, at its own cost, to create its own investment entities under the laws of certain Middle Eastern/ African countries.
In some countries, banks or other financial institutions may constitute a substantial number of the leading companies or companies with the most actively traded securities. The Investment Company Act limits the Fund’s ability to invest in any equity security of an issuer which, in its most recent fiscal year, derived more than 15% of its revenues from “securities related activities.” Since banks may engage in these activities in many countries, the Fund’s ability to invest in banks may be limited. Investment Company Act provisions also may restrict the Fund’s investments in certain foreign banks and other financial institutions.
Non-Diversification Risk — The Fund is a non-diversified fund. If the Fund invests in securities of a smaller number of issuers, the Fund’s risk is increased because developments affecting an individual issuer have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Borrowing and Leverage — The Fund may borrow for temporary emergency purposes including to meet redemptions. Borrowing may exaggerate changes
Securities Lending — The Fund may lend securities to financial institutions that provide government securities as collateral. Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Fund may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Fund could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and the value of the collateral falls. These events could trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund.
Risks associated with certain types of securities in which the Fund may invest include:
Depositary Receipts — The Fund may purchase sponsored or unsponsored ADRs, EDRs or GDRs, known generally as Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. In addition, the issuers of the securities underlying unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts.
Convertibles — Convertibles are generally debt securities or preferred stocks that may be converted into common stock. Convertibles typically pay current income as either interest (debt security convertibles) or dividends (preferred stocks). A convertible’s value usually reflects both the stream of current income payments and the value of the underlying common stock. The market value of a convertible performs like regular debt securities; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible usually falls. Since it is convertible into common stock, the convertible also has the same types of market and issuer risk as the value of the underlying common stock.
Warrants — A warrant gives the Fund the right to buy a quantity of stock. The warrant specifies the amount of underlying stock, the purchase (or “exercise”) price, and the date the warrant expires. The Fund has no obligation to exercise the warrant and buy the stock.
A warrant has value only if the Fund exercises it before it expires. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the exercise price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and the Fund loses any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve substantially more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.
Standby Commitment Agreements — Standby commitment agreements involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. There is also the risk that if the security goes up in value, the counterparty will decide not to issue the security. If this occurs, the Fund will lose the investment opportunity for the assets it has set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price.
When Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments — When issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. There is also the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund will lose the investment opportunity for the assets it has set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price.
Repurchase Agreements; Purchase and Sale Contracts — The Fund may enter into certain types of repurchase agreements or purchase and sale contracts. Under a repurchase agreement, the seller agrees to repurchase a security (typically a security issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government) at a mutually agreed upon time and price. This insulates the Fund from changes in the market value of the security during the period, except for currency fluctuations. A purchase and sale contract is similar to a repurchase agreement, but purchase and sale contracts provide that the purchaser receives any interest on the security paid during the period. If the seller fails to repurchase the security in either situation and the market value declines, the Fund may lose money.
Debt Securities — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve credit risk. This is the risk that the borrower will not make timely payments of principal and interest. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the bonds. These securities are also subject to interest rate risk. This is the risk that the value of the security may fall when interest
Sovereign Debt — The Fund may invest in sovereign debt securities. These securities are issued or guaranteed by foreign government entities. Investments in sovereign debt are subject to the risk that a government entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt. Reasons may include cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the entity’s debt position to its economy or its failure to implement economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. If a government entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign debts that a government does not pay and no bankruptcy proceeding by which all or part of a sovereign debt that a government entity has not repaid may be collected. The Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the sovereign debt securities of any particular Middle Eastern/ African country.
Junk Bonds — Junk bonds are debt securities that are rated below investment grade by the major rating agencies or are unrated securities that Fund management believes are of comparable quality. Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, they are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. Junk bonds generally are less liquid and experience more price volatility than higher rated debt securities. The issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. In the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of junk bond holders, leaving few or no assets available to repay junk bond holders. Junk bonds may be subject to greater call and redemption risk than higher rated debt securities.
Distressed Securities — Distressed securities are securities that are subject to bankruptcy proceedings or are in default, or at risk of being in default. Distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks. Generally, the Fund will invest in distressed securities when Fund management believes they offer significant potential for higher returns or can be exchanged for other securities that offer this potential. However, there can be no assurance that the issuer will make an exchange offer or adopt a plan of reorganization. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on the
Derivatives — Derivatives allow the Fund to increase or decrease its risk exposure more quickly and efficiently than other types of instruments. Derivatives are volatile and involve significant risks, including:
| Credit risk — the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable to honor its financial obligation to the Fund. | ||
| Currency risk — the risk that changes in the exchange rate between currencies will adversely affect the value (in U.S. dollar terms) of an investment. | ||
| Leverage risk — the risk associated with certain types of investments or trading strategies (such as borrowing money to increase the amount of investments) that relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of an investment. Certain investments or trading strategies that involve leverage can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested. | ||
| Liquidity risk — the risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the seller would like or at the price that the seller believes the security is currently worth. | ||
| The Fund may use derivatives for hedging purposes, including anticipatory hedges. Hedging is a strategy in which the Fund uses a derivative to offset the risk that other Fund holdings may decrease in value. While hedging can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains if the market moves in a different manner than anticipated by the Fund or if the cost of the derivative outweighs the benefit of the hedge. Hedging also involves the risk that changes in the value of the derivative will not match those of the holdings being hedged as expected by the Fund, in which case any losses on the holdings being hedged may not be reduced. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging strategy will reduce risk or that hedging transactions will |
| be either available or cost effective. The Fund is not required to use hedging and may choose not to do so. | ||
| Indexed and Inverse Floating Rate Securities — The Fund may invest in securities whose potential returns are directly related to changes in an underlying index or interest rate, known as indexed securities. The return on indexed securities will rise when the underlying index or interest rate rises and fall when the index or interest rate falls. The Fund may also invest in securities whose return is inversely related to changes in an interest rate (inverse floaters). In general, income on inverse floaters will decrease when short term interest rates increase and increase when short term interest rates decrease. Investments in inverse floaters may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or eliminated interest payments and losses of principal. In addition, certain indexed securities and inverse floaters may increase or decrease in value at a greater rate than the underlying interest rate, which effectively leverages the Fund’s investment. As a result, the market value of such securities will generally be more volatile than that of other fixed rate securities. Both indexed securities and inverse floaters are derivative securities and can be considered speculative. | ||
| Illiquid Securities — The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities that it cannot easily resell within seven days at current value or that have contractual or legal restrictions on resale. If the Fund buys illiquid securities it may be unable to quickly resell them or may be able to sell them only at a price below current value. | ||
| Restricted Securities — Restricted securities have contractual or legal restrictions on their resale. They include private placement securities that the Fund buys directly from the issuer. Private placement and other restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. | ||
| Restricted securities may be illiquid. The Fund may be unable to resell them on short notice or may be able to sell them only at a price below current value. The Fund may get only limited information about the issuer, so it may be less able to predict a loss. In addition, if Fund management receives material adverse nonpublic information about the issuer, the Fund will not be able to sell the security. | ||
| Rule 144A Securities — Rule 144A securities are restricted securities that can be resold to qualified institutional buyers but not to the general public. |
| Rule 144A securities may have an active trading market, but carry the risk that the active trading market may not continue. | ||
| Investment in Other Investment Companies and Venture Capital Funds — If the Fund acquires shares of investment companies or of venture capital funds, shareholders will bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of these investment companies or venture capital funds. Investment in venture capital funds involves substantial risk of loss to the Fund of its entire investment. | ||
| STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | ||
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| If you would like further information about the Fund, including how it invests, please see the Statement of Additional Information. |
The Fund offers four share classes, each with its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to invest in the way that best suits your needs. Each share class represents an ownership interest in the same investment portfolio. When you choose your class of shares you should consider the size of your investment and how long you plan to hold your shares. Your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant can help you determine which share class is best suited to your personal financial goals.
For example, if you select Class A or Class D shares, you generally pay a sales charge at the time of purchase. If you buy Class D shares, you also pay an ongoing account maintenance fee of 0.25%. You may be eligible for a sales charge reduction or waiver.
If you select Class B or C shares, you will invest the full amount of your purchase price, but you will be subject to a distribution fee of 0.75% and an account maintenance fee of 0.25%. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying an initial sales charge. In addition, you may be subject to a deferred sales charge when you sell Class B or C shares.
The Fund is designed for long term investors. If you sell shares of the Fund within 12 months of purchase, you will be subject to a redemption fee of 2.0% of the net asset value of the shares redeemed. The aim of this fee is to discourage short term trading in shares of the Fund.
The Fund’s shares are distributed by Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, a division of Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc., an affiliate of Merrill Lynch.
| Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D | |||||
| Availability |
Limited to certain investors including: • Current Class A shareholders • Certain Retirement Plans • Certain affiliates of Merrill Lynch. |
Generally available through Merrill Lynch. Limited availability through other securities dealers. | Generally available through Merrill Lynch. Limited availability through other securities dealers. | Generally available through Merrill Lynch. Limited availability through other securities dealers. | ||||
| Initial Sales Charge? | Yes. Payable at time of purchase. Lower sales charges available for larger investments. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. | Yes. Payable at time of purchase. Lower sales charges available for larger investments. | ||||
| Deferred Sales Charge? | No. (May be charged for purchases over $1 million that are redeemed within redeemed within one year.) |
Yes. Payable if you redeem within four years of purchase. |
Yes. Payable if you redeem within one year of purchase. | No. (May be charged for purchases over $1 million that are redeemed within one year.) | ||||
| Redemption Fee? | Yes. Payable if you redeem within 12 months of purchase. | Yes. Payable if you redeem within 12 months of purchase. | Yes. Payable if you redeem within 12 months of purchase. | Yes. Payable if you redeem within 12 months of purchase. | ||||
| Account Maintenance and Distribution Fees? | No. |
0.25% Account Maintenance Fee. 0.75% Distribution Fee. |
0.25% Account Maintenance Fee. 0.75% Distribution Fee. |
0.25% Account Maintenance Fee. No Distribution Fee. |
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| Conversion to Class D shares? | No. | Yes, automatically after approximately eight years. | No. | No. | ||||
Letter of Intent — permits you to pay the sales charge that would be applicable if you add up all shares of Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System funds that you agree to buy within a 13 month period. Certain restrictions apply.
Class A and Class D Shares — Initial Sales Charge Options
If you select Class A or Class D shares, you will pay a sales charge at the time of purchase.
| Dealer | ||||||||||||
| Compensation | ||||||||||||
| As a % of | As a % of | as a % of | ||||||||||
| Your Investment | Offering Price | Your Investment* | Offering Price | |||||||||
| Less than $25,000 | 5.25% | 5.54% | 5.00% | |||||||||
| $25,000 but less than $50,000 | 4.75% | 4.99% | 4.50% | |||||||||
| $50,000 but less than $100,000 | 4.00% | 4.17% | 3.75% | |||||||||
| $100,000 but less than $250,000 | 3.00% | 3.09% | 2.75% | |||||||||
| $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 | 2.00% | 2.04% | 1.80% | |||||||||
| $1,000,000 and over** | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||||||||
| * | Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent. |
| ** | If you invest $1,000,000 or more in Class A or Class D shares, you may not pay an initial sales charge. In that case, the Manager compensates the selling dealer from its own funds. However, if you redeem your shares within one year after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge. This charge is 1% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds. A sales charge of 0.75% will be charged on purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Class A or Class D shares by certain employer sponsored retirement or savings plans. |
No initial sales charge applies to Class A or Class D shares that you buy through reinvestment of dividends.
A reduced or waived sales charge on a purchase of Class A or Class D shares may apply for:
| • | Purchases under a Right of Accumulation or Letter of Intent | ||
| • | TMA SM Managed Trusts | ||
| • | Certain Merrill Lynch investment or central asset accounts | ||
| • | Certain employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans | ||
| • | Purchases using proceeds from the sale of certain Merrill Lynch closed-end funds under certain circumstances | ||
| • | Certain investors, including directors or trustees of Merrill Lynch mutual funds and Merrill Lynch employees |
Only certain investors are eligible to buy Class A shares. Your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant can help you determine whether you are eligible to buy Class A shares or to participate in any of these programs.
If you decide to buy shares under the initial sales charge alternative and you are eligible to buy both Class A and Class D shares, you should buy Class A since Class D shares are subject to a 0.25% account maintenance fee, while Class A shares are not.
If you redeem Class A or Class D shares and within 30 days buy new shares of the same class, you will not pay a sales charge on the new purchase amount. The amount eligible for this “Reinstatement Privilege” may not exceed the amount of your redemption proceeds. To exercise the privilege, contact your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or the Fund’s Transfer Agent at 1-800-MER-FUND.
Class B and Class C Shares — Deferred Sales Charge Options
If you select Class B or Class C shares, you do not pay an initial sales charge at the time of purchase. However, if you redeem your Class B shares within four years after purchase, or your Class C shares within one year after purchase, you may be required to pay a deferred sales charge. You will also pay distribution fees of 0.75% and account maintenance fees of 0.25% each year under distribution plans that the Fund has adopted under Rule 12b-1. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying an initial sales charge. The Distributor uses the money that it receives from the deferred sales charges and the distribution fees to cover the costs of marketing, advertising and compensating the Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or other securities dealer who assists you in purchasing Fund shares.
Class B Shares
If you redeem Class B shares within four years after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge. The amount of the charge gradually
| Years Since Purchase | Sales Charge* | |
| 0 – 1 | 4.00% | |
| 1 – 2 | 3.00% | |
| 2 – 3 | 2.00% | |
| 3 – 4 | 1.00% | |
| 4 and thereafter | 0.00% | |
| * | The percentage charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption. Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends are not subject to a deferred sales charge. |
The deferred sales charge relating to Class B shares may be reduced or waived in certain circumstances, such as:
| • | Certain post-retirement withdrawals from an IRA or other retirement plan if you are over 59 1/2 years old | ||
| • | Redemption by certain eligible 401(a) and 401(k) plans, certain related accounts and certain retirement plan rollovers | ||
| • | Withdrawals resulting from shareholder death or disability as long as the waiver request is made within one year of death or disability or, if later, reasonably promptly following completion of probate, or in connection with involuntary termination of an account in which Fund shares are held | ||
Your Class B shares convert automatically into Class D shares approximately eight years after purchase. Any Class B shares received through reinvestment of dividends paid on converting shares will also convert at that time. Class D shares are subject to lower annual expenses than Class B shares. The conversion of Class B to Class D shares is not a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes. The conversion schedule may be modified in certain cases.
Class C Shares
If you redeem Class C shares within one year after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. The charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your
Class C shares do not offer a conversion privilege.
The chart on the following pages summarizes how to buy, sell and transfer shares through Merrill Lynch or other securities dealers. You may also buy shares through the Transfer Agent. To learn more about buying, selling, or transferring shares through the Transfer Agent, call 1-800-MER-FUND. Because the selection of a mutual fund involves many considerations, your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant may help you with this decision.
Because of the high costs of maintaining smaller shareholder accounts, the Fund may redeem the shares in your account (without charging any deferred sales charge) if the net asset value of your account falls below $500 due to redemptions you have made. You will be notified that the value of your account is less than $500 before the Fund makes an involuntary redemption. You will then have 60 days to make an additional investment to bring the value of your account to at least $500 before the Fund takes any action. This involuntary redemption does not apply to retirement plans or Uniform Gifts or Transfers to Minors Act accounts.
| If You Want To | Your Choices | Information Important for You to Know | ||
| Buy Shares | First, select the share class appropriate for you | Refer to the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing table on page 26. Be sure to read this prospectus carefully. | ||
| Next, determine the amount of your investment |
The minimum initial investment for the Fund is $1,000 for all
accounts except: • $100 for retirement plans (The minimums for initial investments may be waived or reduced under certain circumstances.) |
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| Have your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or securities dealer submit your purchase order |
The price of your shares is based on the next calculation of net
asset value after your order is placed. Any purchase order placed
prior to the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange
(generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) will be priced at the net
asset value determined that day. Purchase orders placed after that time will be priced at the net asset value determined on the next business day. The Fund may reject any order to buy shares and may suspend the sale of shares at any time. Merrill Lynch may charge a processing fee to confirm a purchase. This fee is currently $5.35. |
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| Or contact the Transfer Agent | To purchase shares directly, call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-MER-FUND and request a purchase application. Mail the completed purchase application to the Transfer Agent at the address on the inside back cover of this prospectus. | |||
| Add to Your Investment | Purchase additional shares |
The minimum investment for additional purchases is generally $50
except that retirement plans have a minimum additional purchase
of $1 and certain programs, such as automatic investment
programs, may have higher minimums. (The minimums for additional purchases may be waived under certain circumstances.) |
||
| Acquire additional shares through the automatic dividend reinvestment plan | All dividends are automatically reinvested without a sales charge. | |||
| Participate in the automatic investment plan | You may invest a specific amount on a periodic basis through certain Merrill Lynch investment or central asset accounts. | |||
| If You Want To | Your Choices | Information Important for You to Know | ||
| Transfer Shares to Another Securities Dealer | Transfer to a participating securities dealer | You may transfer your Fund shares only to another securities dealer that has entered into an agreement with Merrill Lynch. Certain shareholder services may not be available for the transferred shares. You may only purchase additional shares of funds previously owned before the transfer. All future trading of these assets must be coordinated by the receiving firm. | ||
| Transfer to a non-participating securities dealer |
You must either: • Transfer your shares to an account with the Transfer Agent; or • Sell your shares paying any applicable deferred sales charge and redemption fee. |
|||
| Sell Your Shares | Have your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or securities dealer submit your sales order |
The price of your shares is based on the next calculation of net
asset value after your order is placed. For your redemption
request to be priced at the net asset value on the day of your
request, you must submit your request to your dealer prior to
that day’s close of business on the New York Stock Exchange
(generally closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Any redemption
request placed after that time will be priced at the net asset
value at the close of business on the next business day. Securities dealers, including Merrill Lynch, may charge a fee to process a redemption of shares. Merrill Lynch currently charges a fee of $5.35. No processing fee is charged if you redeem shares directly through the Transfer Agent. The Fund may reject an order to sell shares under certain circumstances. |
||
| Sell through the Transfer Agent |
You may sell shares held at the Transfer Agent by writing to the
Transfer Agent at the address on the inside back cover of this
prospectus. All shareholders on the account must sign the letter.
A signature guarantee will generally be required but may be
waived in certain limited circumstances. You can obtain a
signature guarantee from a bank, securities dealer, securities
broker, credit union, savings association, national securities
exchange or registered securities association. A notary public
seal will not be acceptable. If you hold stock certificates,
return the certificates with the letter. The Transfer Agent will
normally mail redemption proceeds within seven days following
receipt of a properly completed request. If you make a redemption
request before the Fund has collected payment for the purchase
of shares, the Fund or the Transfer Agent may delay mailing your
proceeds. This delay will usually not exceed ten days. You may also sell shares held at the Transfer Agent by telephone request if the amount being sold is less than $50,000 and if certain other conditions are met. Contact the Transfer Agent at 1-800-MER-FUND for details. |
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Unless your investment is in a tax deferred account, you may want to avoid buying shares shortly before the Fund pays a dividend. The reason? If you buy shares when a fund has realized but not yet distributed ordinary income or capital gains, you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable dividend. Before investing you may want to consult your tax adviser.
When you buy shares, you pay the net asset value, plus any applicable sales charge. This is the offering price. Shares are also redeemed at their net asset value, minus any applicable deferred sales charge. The Fund calculates its net asset value (generally by using market quotations) each day the New York Stock Exchange is open as of the close of business on the Exchange based on prices at the time of closing. The Exchange generally closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The net asset value used in determining your price is the next one calculated after your purchase or redemption order is placed. Foreign securities owned by the Fund may trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its shares. As a result, the Fund’s net asset value may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem the Fund’s shares.
Generally, Class A shares will have the highest net asset value because that class has the lowest expenses, and Class D shares will have a higher net asset value than Class B or Class C shares. Also dividends paid on Class A and Class D shares will generally be higher than dividends paid on Class B and Class C shares because Class A and Class D shares have lower expenses.
The Fund will distribute any net investment income and any net realized long or short term capital gains at least annually. The Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of the calendar year to comply with Federal tax requirements. If your account is with Merrill Lynch and you would like to receive dividends in cash, contact your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant. If your account is with the Transfer Agent and you would like to receive dividends in cash, contact the Transfer Agent. Although this cannot be predicted with any certainty, the Fund anticipates that the majority of its dividends, if any, will consist of capital gains. Capital gains may be taxable to you at different rates, depending, in part, on how long the Fund has held the assets sold.
You will pay tax on dividends from the Fund whether you receive them in cash or additional shares. If you redeem Fund shares, you generally will be treated as having sold your shares and any gain on the transaction may be subject to tax. Capital gain dividends are generally taxed at different rates than ordinary income dividends.
If you are neither a lawful permanent resident nor a citizen of the United States or if you are a foreign entity, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends (which include distributions of net short term capital gains) will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies.
Dividends and interest received by the Fund may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. You may be able to claim a credit or take a deduction for foreign taxes paid by the Fund if certain requirements are met.
By law, the Fund must withhold 31% of your dividends and redemption proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number or social security number or if the number you have provided is incorrect.
This section summarizes some of the consequences under current Federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax adviser about the potential tax consequences of an investment in the Fund under all applicable tax laws.
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, the Fund’s Manager, manages the Fund’s investments and its business operations under the overall supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors. The Manager has the responsibility for making all investment decisions for the Fund. The Manager has a sub-advisory agreement with Merrill Lynch Asset Management U.K. Limited, an affiliate, under which the Manager may pay a fee for services it receives. The Fund has agreed to pay the Manager a fee at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, the Manager voluntarily waived the entire management fee due and voluntarily reimbursed the Fund for a portion of other expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees). The Manager may discontinue or reduce this waiver of fees at any time without notice.
Merrill Lynch Asset Management was organized as an investment adviser in 1977 and offers investment advisory services to more than 40 registered investment companies. Merrill Lynch Asset Management is part of the Asset Management Group of ML & Co. The Asset Management Group had approximately $559 billion in investment company and other portfolio assets under management as of February 2000. This amount includes assets managed for Merrill Lynch affiliates.
The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the periods shown. Certain information reflects the financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends). This information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders, which is available upon request.
| Class A | Class B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended Nov. 30, | Dec. 30, 1994†† | For the Year Ended Nov. 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) in | to Nov. 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Asset Value: | 1999† | 1998† | 1997† | 1996† | 1995 | 1999† | 1998† | 1997† | 1996† | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Per Share Operating Performance: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 8.18 | $ | 10.96 | $ | 9.40 | $ | 10.66 | $ | 10.00 | $ | 8.11 | $ | 10.87 | $ | 9.31 | $ | 10.56 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income — net | .32 | .40 | .48 | .42 | .57 | .22 | .29 | .37 | .32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions — net | 1.64 | (2.80 | ) | 1.52 | (.80 | ) | .09 | 1.61 | (2.78 | ) | 1.51 | (.80 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total from investment operations | 1.96 | (2.40 | ) | 2.00 | (.38 | ) | .66 | 1.83 | (2.49 | ) | 1.88 | (.48 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less dividends and distributions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income — net | — | (.38 | ) | (.44 | ) | (.85 | ) | — | — | (.27 | ) | (.32 | ) | (.74 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain on investments — net | — | — | — | (.03 | ) | — | — | — | — | (.03 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total dividends and distributions | — | (.38 | ) | (.44 | ) | (.88 | ) | — | — | (.27 | ) | (.32 | ) | (.77 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net asset value, end of period | $ | 10.14 | $ | 8.18 | $ | 10.96 | $ | 9.40 | $ | 10.66 | $ | 9.94 | $ | 8.11 | $ | 10.87 | $ | 9.31 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Investment Return:** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Based on net asset value per share | 23.96 | % | (22.59 | )% | 22.43 | % | (4.17 | )% | 6.60 | %# | 22.56 | % | (23.40 | )% | 21.02 | % | (5.14 | )% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios to Average Net Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses, net of reimbursement | 0.46 | % | .47 | % | .47 | % | .47 | % | .00 | %* | 1.51 | % | 1.51 | % | 1.51 | % | 1.50 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses | 12.21 | % | 6.51 | % | 6.36 | % | 4.84 | % | 4.63 | %* | 13.09 | % | 7.51 | % | 7.46 | % | 5.90 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income — net | 3.55 | % | 3.93 | % | 4.35 | % | 4.24 | % | 8.43 | %* | 2.48 | % | 2.91 | % | 3.40 | % | 3.15 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $ | 543 | $ | 563 | $ | 989 | $ | 399 | $ | 648 | $ | 2,207 | $ | 3,096 | $ | 5,947 | $ | 5,699 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover | 83.78 | % | 17.03 | % | 78.12 | % | 46.36 | % | 40.97 | % | 83.78 | % | 17.03 | % | 78.12 | % | 46.36 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
[Additional columns below]
[Continued from above table, first column(s) repeated]
| Class B | |||||
| For the | |||||
| Period | |||||
| Dec. 30, 1994†† | |||||
| Increase (Decrease) in | to Nov. 30, | ||||
| Net Asset Value: | 1995 | ||||
|
Per Share Operating Performance: |
|||||
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 10.00 | |||
| Investment income — net | .79 | ||||
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions — net | (.23 | ) | |||
| Total from investment operations | .56 | ||||
| Less dividends and distributions: | |||||
| Investment income — net | — | ||||
| Realized gain on investments — net | — | ||||
| Total dividends and distributions | — | ||||
| Net asset value, end of period | $ | 10.56 | |||
| Total Investment Return:** | |||||
| Based on net asset value per share | 5.60 | %# | |||
| Ratios to Average Net Assets: | |||||
| Expenses, net of reimbursement | 1.01 | %* | |||
| Expenses | 5.68 | %* | |||
| Investment income — net | 8.33 | %* | |||
| Supplemental Data: | |||||
| Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $ | 7,701 | |||
| Portfolio turnover | 40.97 | % | |||
| * | Annualized |
| ** | Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales charges. |
| † | Based on average shares outstanding. |
| †† | Commencement of operations. |
| # | Aggregate total investment return. |
| Class C | Class D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended Nov. 30, | Dec. 30, 1994†† | For the Year Ended Nov. 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) in | to Nov. 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Asset Value: | 1999† | 1998† | 1997† | 1996† | 1995 | 1999† | 1998† | 1997† | 1996† | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Per Share Operating Performance: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 8.12 | $ | 10.89 | $ | 9.31 | $ | 10.56 | $ | 10.00 | $ | 8.15 | $ | 10.93 | $ | 9.38 | $ | 10.63 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income — net | .22 | .30 | .36 | .31 | .83 | .29 | .37 | .46 | .40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions — net | 1.61 | (2.79 | ) | 1.55 | (.79 | ) | (.27 | ) | 1.64 | (2.79 | ) | 1.50 | (.80 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total from investment operations | 1.83 | (2.49 | ) | 1.91 | (.48 | ) | .56 | 1.93 | (2.42 | ) | 1.96 | (.40 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less dividends and distributions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income— net | — | (.28 | ) | (.33 | ) | (.74 | ) | — | — | (.36 | ) | (.41 | ) | (.82 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized gain on investments — net | — | — | — | (.03 | ) | — | — | — | — | (.03 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total dividends and distributions |
— | (.28 | ) | (.33 | ) | (.77 | ) | — | — | (.36 | ) | (.41 | ) | (.85 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net asset value, end of period | $ | 9.95 | $ | 8.12 | $ | 10.89 | $ | 9.31 | $ | 10.56 | $ | 10.08 | $ | 8.15 | $ | 10.93 | $ | 9.38 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Investment Return:** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Based on net asset value per share | 22.54 | % | (23.38 | )% | 21.42 | % | (5.16 | )% | 5.60 | %# | 23.68 | % | (22.84 | )% | 21.95 | % | (4.31 | )% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios to Average Net Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses, net of reimbursement | 1.55 | % | 1.53 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.01 | %* | 0.71 | % | .72 | % | .72 | % | .72 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses | 13.13 | % | 7.45 | % | 7.47 | % | 5.91 | % | 5.67 | %* | 12.33 | % | 6.70 | % | 6.67 | % | 5.08 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income — net | 2.47 | % | 2.90 | % | 3.33 | % | 3.14 | % | 8.45 | %* | 3.23 | % | 3.69 | % | 4.18 | % | 4.01 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $ | 215 | $ | 317 | $ | 723 | $ | 692 | $ | 1,012 | $ | 380 | $ | 550 | $ | 1,109 | $ | 969 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover | 83.78 | % | 17.03 | % | 78.12 | % | 46.36 | % | 40.97 | % | 83.78 | % | 17.03 | % | 78.12 | % | 46.36 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
[Additional columns below]
[Continued from above table, first column(s) repeated]
| Class D | |||||
| For the | |||||
| Period | |||||
| Dec. 30, 1994†† | |||||
| Increase (Decrease) in | to Nov. 30, | ||||
| Net Asset Value: | 1995 | ||||
|
Per Share Operating Performance: |
|||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 10.00 | |||
| Investment income — net | .77 | ||||
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions — net | (.14 | ) | |||
| Total from investment operations | .63 | ||||
| Less dividends and distributions: | |||||
| Investment income— net | — | ||||
| Realized gain on investments — net | — | ||||
|
Total dividends and distributions |
— | ||||
| Net asset value, end of period | $ | 10.63 | |||
| Total Investment Return:** | |||||
| Based on net asset value per share | 6.30 | %# | |||
| Ratios to Average Assets: | |||||
| Expenses, net of reimbursement | .25 | %* | |||
| Expenses | 4.89 | %* | |||
| Investment income — net | 9.07 | %* | |||
| Supplemental Data: | |||||
| Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $ | 1,569 | |||
| Portfolio turnover | 40.97 | % | |||
| * | Annualized. |
| ** | Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales charges. |
| † | Based on average shares outstanding. |
| †† | Commencement of operations. |
| # | Aggregate total investment return. |
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| POTENTIAL | ||||
|
INVESTORS Open an account (two options). |
||||
| 1 | 2 | |||
| MERRILL LYNCH | TRANSFER AGENT | |||
| FINANCIAL CONSULTANT OR SECURITIES DEALER Advises shareholders on their Fund investments. |
Financial Data Services, Inc. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 4800 Deer Lake Drive East Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484 MAILING ADDRESS P.O.Box 45289 Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289 Performs recordkeeping and reporting services. |
|||
| DISTRIBUTOR | ||||
|
Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, a division of Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc. P.O. Box 9081 Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081 Arranges for the sale of Fund shares. |
||||
| COUNSEL | THE FUND | CUSTODIAN | ||
| Brown &
Wood LLP One World Trade Center New York, New York 10048-0557 Provides legal advice to the Fund. |
The Board of Trustees oversees the Fund. |
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. 40 Water Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109 Holds the Fund's assets for safekeeping. |
||
| INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS Deloitte & Touche LLP Princeton Forrestal Village 116-300 Village Boulevard Princeton, New Jersey 08540-6400 Audits the financial statements of the Fund on behalf of the shareholders. |
MANAGER Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 800 Scudders Mill Road Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 9011 Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 TELEPHONE NUMBER 1-800-MER-FUND Manages the Fund’s day-to-day activities. |
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual report you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. You may obtain these reports at no cost by calling 1-800-MER-FUND.
The Fund will send you one copy of each shareholder report and certain other mailings, regardless of the number of Fund accounts you have. To receive separate shareholder reports for each account, call your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or write to the Transfer Agent at its mailing address. Include your name, address, tax identification number and Merrill Lynch brokerage or mutual fund account number. If you have any questions, please call your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or the Transfer Agent at 1-800-MER-FUND.
Statement of Additional Information
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains further information about the Fund and is incorporated by reference (legally considered to be part of this prospectus). You may request a free copy by writing the Fund at Financial Data Services, Inc., P.O. Box 45289, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289 or by calling 1-800-MER-FUND.
Contact your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or the Fund, at the telephone number or address indicated above, if you have any questions.
Information about the Fund (including the Statement of Additional Information) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. This information is also available on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov and copies may be obtained upon payment of a duplicating fee by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-6009.
You should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus. No one is authorized to provide you with information that is different from the information contained in this Prospectus.
Prospectus
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Merrill Lynch Middle East/ Africa Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 • Phone No. (609) 282-2800
Merrill Lynch Middle East/ Africa Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified, open-end investment company that seeks long term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity and debt securities of corporate and governmental issuers in countries located in the Middle East and Africa (“Middle Eastern/ African countries”). The Fund expects that under normal market conditions at least 65% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in such securities. The Fund may employ a variety of derivative investments and techniques to hedge against market and currency risk. Also, the Fund may invest in certain derivative instruments, such as indexed and inverse securities, to enhance its return. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved. For more information on the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, see “Investment Objective and Policies.”
Pursuant to the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System, the Fund offers four classes of shares, each with a different combination of sales charges, ongoing fees and other features. The Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System permits an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that the investor believes is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor expects to hold the shares and other relevant circumstances. See “Purchase of Shares.”
This Statement of Additional Information of the Fund is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Fund, dated March 29, 2000 (the “Prospectus”), which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and can be obtained, without charge, by calling (800) MER-FUND or by writing the Fund at the above address. The Prospectus is incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional Information, and this Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus. The Fund’s audited financial statements are incorporated in this Statement of Additional Information by reference to its 1999 annual report to shareholders. You may request a copy of the annual report at no charge by calling (800) 456-4587 ext. 789 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on any business day.
Merrill Lynch Asset Management — Manager
The date of this Statement of Additional Information is March 29, 2000.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | |||||
| Investment Objective and Policies | 2 | ||||
| Foreign Investment Risks | 3 | ||||
| Debt Securities | 4 | ||||
| Convertible Securities | 6 | ||||
| Derivatives | 7 | ||||
| Other Investment Policies, Practices and Risk Factors | 12 | ||||
| Investment Restrictions | 14 | ||||
| Portfolio Turnover | 17 | ||||
| Management of the Fund | 17 | ||||
| Directors and Officers | 17 | ||||
| Compensation of Directors | 19 | ||||
| Management and Advisory Arrangements | 19 | ||||
| Code of Ethics | 21 | ||||
| Purchase of Shares | 22 | ||||
| Initial Sales Charge Alternatives — Class A and Class D Shares | 23 | ||||
| Reduced Initial Sales Charges | 24 | ||||
| Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives — Class B and Class C Shares | 27 | ||||
| Distribution Plans | 29 | ||||
| Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges | 31 | ||||
| Redemption of Shares | 31 | ||||
| Redemption | 32 | ||||
| Repurchase | 33 | ||||
| Reinstatement Privilege — Class A and Class D Shares | 33 | ||||
| Pricing of Shares | 33 | ||||
| Determination of Net Asset Value | 33 | ||||
| Computation of Offering Price Per Share | 35 | ||||
| Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage | 35 | ||||
| Shareholder Services | 37 | ||||
| Investment Account | 37 | ||||
| Retirement and Education Plans | 38 | ||||
| Automatic Investment Plans | 38 | ||||
| Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan | 38 | ||||
| Dividends and Taxes | 39 | ||||
| Dividends | 39 | ||||
| Taxes | 39 | ||||
| Tax Treatment of Options, Futures and Forward Foreign Exchange Transactions | 41 | ||||
| Special Rules for Certain Foreign Currency Transactions | 42 | ||||
| Performance Data | 43 | ||||
| General Information | 45 | ||||
| Description of Shares | 45 | ||||
| Independent Auditors | 46 | ||||
| Custodian | 46 | ||||
| Transfer Agent | 46 | ||||
| Legal Counsel | 46 | ||||
| Reports to Shareholders | 46 | ||||
| Shareholder Inquiries | 46 | ||||
| Additional Information | 46 | ||||
| Financial Statements | 47 | ||||
| Appendix A — Ratings of Debt Securities | A-1 | ||||
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity and debt securities of corporate and governmental issuers in Middle Eastern/ African countries. For purposes of its investment objective, the Fund may invest in the securities of issuers in all countries in the Middle East and Africa. The Fund currently expects to emphasize investments in the securities of issuers in Botswana, Ghana, Morocco, South Africa, Turkey, Israel, Jordan and Zimbabwe, although the Fund is not required to invest in securities of issuers located in the aforementioned markets. Under normal market conditions, at least 65% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in equity or debt securities of corporate and governmental issuers in Middle Eastern/ African countries. For purposes of the Fund’s investment objective and policies, the term “Middle Eastern countries” includes, but is not limited to: Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, and the term “African countries” includes all countries generally considered as part of the African continent. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be realized.
The Fund only will invest in securities of issuers in Middle Eastern/ African countries where foreign investment is permitted and that offer market accessibility and sub-custodial arrangements either inside or outside of such countries that satisfy the requirements of rules adopted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).
Investment in shares of the Fund potentially offers several benefits. Many investors, particularly individuals, lack the information or capability to invest in Middle Eastern/ African countries. It also may not be permissible for such investors to invest directly in the capital markets of certain Middle Eastern/ African countries. In managing the Fund’s portfolio, the Manager will provide the Fund and its shareholders with professional analysis of investment opportunities and the use of professional money management techniques. In addition, unlike many intermediary investment vehicles, such as investment companies that are limited to investment in a single country, the Fund has the ability to diversify investment risk among the capital markets of a number of countries. However, until additional Middle Eastern/ African countries become more readily accessible to investment by foreign entities, the Fund may not be able to diversify investment risk or realize any potential benefits from diversification.
The Fund will not necessarily seek to diversify investments among Middle Eastern/ African countries and is not limited as to the percentage of assets it may invest per country. The allocation of the Fund’s assets among the various securities markets of the Middle Eastern/ African countries will be determined by the Manager. Under certain adverse investment conditions, the Fund may restrict the Middle Eastern/ African countries in which its assets are invested.
The Manager believes that the quickening pace of political, social and economic change in certain Middle Eastern/ African countries creates the potential for rapid economic growth which may be reflected in the prices of securities of issuers in such countries. The Manager also believes that regional growth may result from governmental policies directed toward market oriented economic reform. In addition, certain Middle Eastern/ African countries have been introducing deregulatory reforms to encourage development of their securities markets and, in varying degrees, to permit foreign investment. Nevertheless, investments in Middle Eastern/ African countries are subject to considerable risks.
An issuer ordinarily will be considered to be in a Middle Eastern/ African country when it is organized in, or the primary trading market of its securities is located in, a Middle Eastern/ African country. The Fund may consider an issuer to be in a Middle Eastern/ African country, without reference to such issuer’s domicile or to the primary trading market of its securities, when at least 50% of the issuer’s non-current assets, capitalization, gross revenues or profits in any one of the two most recent fiscal years represents (directly or indirectly through subsidiaries) assets or activities located in such countries. The Fund may acquire securities of companies or governments in Middle Eastern/ African countries that are denominated in currencies other than a Middle Eastern/ African country’s currency. The Fund also may consider a debt security that is denominated in a Middle Eastern/ African country’s currency to be a security of an issuer in a Middle Eastern/ African country without reference to the principal trading market of the security or to the location of its issuer. Additionally, the Fund may consider a derivative product tied to securities or issuers located in Middle
2
The Fund reserves the right, as a temporary defensive measure or in anticipation of investments in Middle Eastern/ African countries, to hold cash or cash equivalents (in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies) and short-term securities including money market securities denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies (“Temporary Investments”).
The Fund’s ability and decisions to purchase or sell portfolio securities may be affected by laws or regulations relating to the convertibility and repatriation of assets. Because the shares of the Fund are redeemable on a daily basis on each day the Fund determines its net asset value in U.S. dollars, the Fund intends to manage its portfolio so as to give reasonable assurance that it will be able to obtain U.S. dollars to the extent necessary to meet anticipated redemptions. See “Redemption of Shares.” Under present conditions, the Manager does not believe that these considerations will have any significant effect on its portfolio strategy, although there can be no assurance in this regard.
The Fund is authorized to employ a variety of derivative investments and techniques to hedge against market and currency risks, although suitable hedging instruments may not be available with respect to securities of companies or governments in Middle Eastern/ African countries at all or on a timely basis and on acceptable terms. Furthermore, even if hedging techniques are available, the Fund only will engage in hedging activities from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when market or currency movements occur. There are certain risks associated with the use of futures and options to hedge investment portfolios. Also, the Fund may invest in certain derivative instruments, such as indexed and inverse securities, to enhance its return.
The Fund has express limitations on the percentage of its assets that may be committed to certain of such derivative investments. Other of such investments have no express quantitative limitations, although they may be made solely for hedging purposes, not for speculation, and may in some cases require limitations as to the type of permissible counter-party to the transaction.
Foreign Investment Risks
Because the Fund invests primarily in securities of issuers in Middle Eastern/ African countries, an investor in the Fund should be aware of certain risk factors and special considerations relating not only to investing in the economies of Middle Eastern/ African countries, but also, more generally, to international investing and investing in smaller, emerging capital markets, each of which may involve risks which are not typically associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Consequently, the Fund should be considered as a means of diversifying an investment portfolio and not in itself a balanced investment program.
Investing on an international basis involves certain risks not involved in domestic investments, including fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, future political and economic developments and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions. Securities prices in different countries are subject to different economic, financial, political and social factors. Since the Fund invests heavily in securities denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of securities in the portfolio and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. Currencies of certain Middle Eastern/ African countries may be volatile and therefore may affect the value of securities denominated in such currencies. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment, economic, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could affect investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Certain foreign investments also may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. These risks often are heightened for investments in smaller, emerging capital markets, such as those in Middle Eastern/ African countries.
3
Debt Securities
In addition to making equity investments, the Fund seeks capital appreciation through investments in sovereign and corporate debt securities of issuers in Middle Eastern/ African countries. Such debt securities may be lower rated or unrated obligations of corporate or sovereign issuers. To the extent such debt securities are traded in over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets, they are traded by a limited number of dealers. Consequently, these securities may be less liquid than certain other securities which are traded in OTC markets. The Fund’s investments in sovereign debt consists of debt securities or obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, their agencies, instrumentalities and political subdivisions and by entities controlled or sponsored by such governments. Since such debt securities frequently trade in the secondary markets at substantial discounts, there is opportunity for capital appreciation to the extent there is a favorable change in the market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer. Capital appreciation in debt securities also may arise as a result of a favorable change in relative foreign exchange rates or in relative interest rate levels. In accordance with its investment objective, the Fund will not seek to benefit from anticipated short-term fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The receipt of income from such debt securities is incidental to the Fund’s objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Fund, from time to time, may invest in debt securities with relatively high yields (as compared with other debt securities meeting the Fund’s investment criteria), notwithstanding that the Fund may not anticipate that such securities will experience substantial capital appreciation. Such income can be used, however, to offset the operating expenses of the Fund. Debt securities with relatively high yields usually are subject to a greater risk of default than other comparable debt securities with lower yields.
Junk Bonds. Junk bonds are debt securities that are rated below investment grade by the major rating agencies or are unrated securities that Fund management believes are of comparable quality.
Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, they are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. The major risks in junk bond investments include:
Junk bonds may be issued by less creditworthy companies. These securities are vulnerable to adverse changes in the issuer’s industry and to general economic conditions. Issuers of junk bonds may be unable to meet their interest or principal payment obligations because of an economic downturn, specific issuer developments or the unavailability of additional financing.
The issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. If the issuer experiences financial stress, it may be unable to meet its debt obligations. The issuer’s ability to pay its debt obligations also may be lessened by specific issuer developments, or the unavailability of additional financing.
Junk bonds are frequently ranked junior to claims by other creditors. If the issuer cannot meet its obligations, the senior obligations are generally paid off before the junior obligations.
Junk bonds frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from the Fund before it matures. If an issuer redeems the junk bonds, the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields and may lose income.
Prices of junk bonds are subject to extreme price fluctuations. Negative economic developments may have a greater impact on the prices of junk bonds than on other higher rated fixed income securities.
Junk bonds may be less liquid than higher rated fixed income securities even under normal economic conditions. There are fewer dealers in the junk bond market, and there may be significant differences in the prices quoted for junk bonds by the dealers. Because they are less liquid, judgment may play a greater role in valuing certain of the Fund’s portfolio securities than in the case of securities trading in a more liquid market.
The Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer.
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The Fund has not established any rating criteria for the debt securities in which it may invest and such securities may not be rated at all for creditworthiness. Securities rated in the medium to low rating categories of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, such as Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), and unrated securities of comparable quality, sometimes referred to as “high yield/high risk securities” or “junk bonds,” are predominantly speculative with respect to the capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the security and generally involve a greater volatility of price than securities in higher rating categories. In purchasing such securities, the Fund will rely on the Manager’s judgment, analysis and experience in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer of such securities. The Manager will take into consideration, among other things, the issuer’s financial resources, its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, its operating history, the quality of the issuer’s management and regulatory matters.
Distressed Securities. The Fund may invest in distressed securities, which are debt securities of corporate or governmental issues that are the subject of bankruptcy proceedings, or are otherwise in default as to the repayment of principal or interest at the time of acquisition by the Fund, or are rated in the lower rating categories (Ca or lower by Moody’s and CC or lower by S&P), or which, if unrated, are in the judgment of the Manager of equivalent quality. Investment in distressed securities is speculative and involves significant risks.
The Fund will generally make such investments only when the Manager believes it is reasonably likely that the issuer of the distressed securities will make an exchange offer or will be the subject of a plan of reorganization pursuant to which the Fund will receive new securities. However, there can be no assurance that such an exchange offer will be made or that such a plan of reorganization will be adopted. In addition, a significant period of time may pass between the time at which the Fund makes its investment in distressed securities and the time that any such exchange offer or plan of reorganization is completed. During this period, it is unlikely that the Fund will receive any interest payments on the distressed securities, the Fund will be subject to significant uncertainty as to whether or not the exchange offer or plan of reorganization will be completed, and the Fund may be required to bear certain extraordinary expenses to protect and recover its investment.
In addition, even if an exchange offer is made or a plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to distressed securities held by the Fund, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by the Fund in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made. Moreover, any securities received by the Fund upon completion of an exchange offer or a plan of reorganization may be restricted as to resale. As a result of the Fund’s participation in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to an issuer of distressed securities, the Fund may be restricted from disposing of such securities.
Sovereign Debt. Certain developing countries are especially large debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. Investment in debt obligations (“sovereign debt”) issued or guaranteed by developing countries or their agencies, political subdivisions and instrumentalities (“governmental entities”) involves a high degree of risk. The governmental entity that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or pay the interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt. A governmental entity’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest when due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the governmental entity’s policy towards the International Monetary Fund and the political constraints to which a governmental entity may be subject. Governmental entities also may be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multinational agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearage on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a governmental entity’s implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor’s obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or pay interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds to the governmental entity, which further may impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service timely its debts.
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Certain of the sovereign debt securities in which the Fund may invest involve great risk and are deemed to be the equivalent in terms of quality to high yield/high risk securities discussed above and are subject to many of the same risks as such securities. In addition, the Fund’s investments in non-dollar denominated sovereign debt securities are subject to foreign currency risks. Also, the Fund’s investments in dollar denominated sovereign debt securities are subject to the risk that the issuer may be unable to obtain, on favorable terms, dollars to service its interest payments and principal repayments thereon. Similarly, the Fund may have difficulty disposing of certain sovereign debt securities because there may be a thin trading market for such securities. The Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the sovereign debt securities of any particular Middle Eastern/ African country.
The Fund also may invest in debt securities of supranational entities. These entities include international organizations designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”) and the African Development Bank. The obligations of supranational entities are guaranteed only by the related supranational entity and are not backed by the credit of any government. The governmental members, or “stockholders,” usually make initial capital contributions to the supranational entity and in many cases are committed to make additional capital contributions if the supranational entity is unable to repay its borrowings. It is possible that any such governmental member or stockholder, for economic or political reasons, may refuse to satisfy its commitment if additional capital contributions are required.
Convertible Securities
Convertible securities entitle the holder to receive interest payments paid on corporate debt securities or the dividend preference on a preferred stock until such time as the convertible security matures or is redeemed or until the holder elects to exercise the conversion privilege.
The characteristics of convertible securities include the potential for capital appreciation as the value of the underlying common stock increases, the relatively high yield received from dividend or interest payments as compared to common stock dividends and decreased risks of decline in value relative to the underlying common stock due to their fixed-income nature. As a result of the conversion feature, however, the interest rate or dividend preference on a convertible security is generally less than would be the case if the securities were issued in nonconvertible form.
In analyzing convertible securities, the Manager will consider both the yield on the convertible security relative to its credit quality and the potential capital appreciation that is offered by the underlying common stock among other things.
Convertible securities are issued and traded in a number of securities markets. Even in cases where a substantial portion of the convertible securities held by the Fund are denominated in United States dollars, the underlying equity securities may be quoted in the currency of the country where the issuer is domiciled. With respect to convertible securities denominated in a currency different from that of the underlying equity securities, the conversion price may be based on a fixed exchange rate established at the time the security is issued. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the currency in which the debt security is denominated and the currency in which the share price is quoted will affect the value of the convertible security. As described below, the Fund is authorized to enter into foreign currency hedging transactions in which it may seek to reduce the effect of such fluctuations.
Apart from currency considerations, the value of convertible securities is influenced by both the yield of nonconvertible securities of comparable issuers and by the value of the underlying common stock. The value of a convertible security viewed without regard to its conversion feature (i.e., strictly on the basis of its yield) is
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To the extent the conversion value of a convertible security increases to a point that approximates or exceeds its investment value, the price of the convertible security will be influenced principally by its conversion value. A convertible security will sell at a premium over the conversion value to the extent investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed-income security.
Holders of convertible securities generally have a claim on the assets of the issuer prior to the common stockholders but may be subordinated to other debt securities of the same issuer. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the charter provision, indenture or other governing instrument pursuant to which the convertible security was issued. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Certain convertible debt securities may provide a put option to the holder which entitles the holder to cause the security to be redeemed by the issuer at a premium over the stated principal amount of the debt security under certain circumstances.
Derivatives
The Fund may use instruments referred to as “Derivatives.” Derivatives are financial instruments the value of which is derived from another security, a commodity (such as gold or oil) or an index (a measure of value or rates, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index or the prime lending rate). Derivatives allow the Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk to which the Fund is exposed more quickly and efficiently than transactions in other types of instruments.
Hedging. The Fund may use Derivatives for hedging purposes. Hedging is a strategy in which a Derivative is used to offset the risk that other Fund holdings may decrease in value. Losses on the other investment may be substantially reduced by gains on a Derivative that reacts in an opposite manner to market movements. While hedging can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains if the market moves in a different manner than anticipated by the Fund or if the cost of the Derivative outweighs the benefit of the hedge. Hedging also involves the risk that changes in the value of the Derivative will not match those of the holdings being hedged as expected by the Fund, in which case any losses on the holdings being hedged may not be reduced. This risk is known as “correlation risk.”
The Fund may use the following types of derivative instruments and trading strategies:
Indexed and Inverse Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may invest in securities the potential return of which is based on an index. As an illustration, the Fund may invest in a debt security that pays interest based on the current value of an interest rate index, such as the prime rate. The Fund may also invest in a debt security that returns principal at maturity based on the level of a securities index or a basket of securities, or based on the relative changes of two indices. In addition, the Fund may invest in securities the potential return of which is based inversely on the change in an index (that is, a security the value of which will move in the opposite direction of changes to an index). For example, the Fund may invest in securities that pay a higher rate of interest when a particular index decreases and pay a lower rate of interest (or do not fully return principal) when the value of the index increases. If the Fund invests in such securities, it may be subject to reduced or eliminated interest payments or loss of principal in the event of an adverse movement in the relevant index or indices. Indexed and inverse securities involve credit risk, and certain indexed and inverse securities may involve leverage risk, liquidity risk and currency risk. Fund management believes that indexed securities, including inverse securities, represent flexible portfolio management instruments that may allow the Fund to seek potential investment rewards, hedge other portfolio positions or vary the degree of portfolio
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Options on Securities and Securities Indices
Purchasing Put Options. The Fund may purchase put options on securities held in its portfolio or securities or interest rate indices which are correlated with securities held in its portfolio. When the Fund purchases a put option, in consideration for an upfront payment (the “option premium”) the Fund acquires a right to sell to another party specified securities owned by the Fund at a specified price (the “exercise price”) on or before a specified date (the “expiration date”), in the case of an option on securities, or to receive from another party a payment based on the amount a specified securities index declines below a specified level on or before the expiration date, in the case of an option on a securities index. The purchase of a put option limits the Fund’s risk of loss in the event of a decline in the market value of the portfolio holdings underlying the put option prior to the option’s expiration date. If the market value of the portfolio holdings associated with the put option increases rather than decreases, however, the Fund will lose the option premium and will consequently realize a lower return on the portfolio holdings than would have been realized without the purchase of the put. Purchasing a put option may involve correlation risk, and may also involve liquidity and credit risk.
Purchasing Call Options. The Fund may also purchase call options on securities it intends to purchase or securities or interest rate indices, which are correlated with the types of securities it intends to purchase. When the Fund purchases a call option, in consideration for the option premium the Fund acquires a right to purchase from another party specified securities at the exercise price on or before the expiration date, in the case of an option on securities, or to receive from another party a payment based on the amount a specified securities index increases beyond a specified level on or before the expiration date, in the case of an option on a securities index. The purchase of a call option may protect the Fund from having to pay more for a security as a consequence of increases in the market value for the security during a period when the Fund is contemplating its purchase, in the case of an option on a security, or attempting to identify specific securities in which to invest in a market the Fund believes to be attractive, in the case of an option on an index (an “anticipatory hedge”). In the event the Fund determines not to purchase a security underlying a call option, however, the Fund may lose the entire option premium. Purchasing a call option involves correlation risk, and may also involve liquidity and credit risk. The Fund is also authorized to purchase put or call options in connection with closing out put or call options it has previously sold. However, the Fund will not purchase options on securities if, as a result of such purchase, the aggregate cost of outstanding options on securities held by the Fund would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets.
The Fund is also authorized to purchase put or call options in connection with closing out put or call options it has previously sold. However, the Fund will not purchase options on securities if, as a result of such purchase, the aggregate cost (option premiums paid) of all outstanding options on securities held by the Fund would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets.
Writing Call Options. The Fund may write (i.e., sell) call options on securities held in its portfolio or securities indices the performance of which correlates with securities held in its portfolio. When the Fund writes a call option, in return for an option premium the Fund gives another party the right to buy specified securities owned by the Fund at the exercise price on or before the expiration date, in the case of an option on securities, or agrees to pay to another party an amount based on any gain in a specified securities index beyond a specified level on or before the expiration date, in the case of an option on a securities index. The Fund may write call options to earn income, through the receipt of option premiums. In the event the party to which the Fund has written an option fails to exercise its rights under the option because the value of the underlying securities is less than the exercise price, the Fund will partially offset any decline in the value of the underlying securities through the receipt of the option premium. By writing a call option, however, the Fund limits its ability to sell the underlying securities, and gives up the opportunity to profit from any increase in the value of the underlying securities beyond the exercise price, while the option remains outstanding. Writing a call option may involve correlation risk.
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Writing Put Options. The Fund may also write put options on securities or securities indices. When the Fund writes a put option, in return for an option premium the Fund gives another party the right to sell to the Fund a specified security at the exercise price on or before the expiration date, in the case of an option on a security, or agrees to pay to another party an amount based on any decline in a specified securities index below a specified level on or before the expiration date, in the case of an option on a securities index. The Fund may write put options to earn income, through the receipt of option premiums. In the event the party to which the Fund has written an option fails to exercise its rights under the option because the value of the underlying securities is greater than the exercise price, the Fund will profit by the amount of the option premium. By writing a put option, however, the Fund will be obligated to purchase the underlying security at a price that may be higher than the market value of the security at the time of exercise as long as the put option is outstanding, in the case of an option on a security, or make a cash payment reflecting any decline in the index, in the case of an option on an index. Accordingly, when the Fund writes a put option it is exposed to a risk of loss in the event the value of the underlying securities falls below the exercise price, which loss potentially may substantially exceed the amount of option premium received by the Fund for writing the put option. The Fund will write a put option on a security or a securities index only if the Fund would be willing to purchase the security at the exercise price for investment purposes (in the case of an option on a security) or is writing the put in connection with trading strategies involving combinations of options — for example, the sale and purchase of options with identical expiration dates on the same security or index but different exercise prices (a technique called a “spread”). Writing a put option may involve substantial leverage risks.
The Fund is also authorized to sell call or put options in connection with closing out call or put options it has previously purchased.
Other than with respect to closing transactions, the Fund will only write call or put options that are “covered.” A call or put option will be considered covered if the Fund has segregated assets with respect to such option in the manner described below. A call option will also be considered covered if the Fund owns the securities it would be required to deliver upon exercise of the option (or, in the case of option on a securities index, securities which substantially correlate with the performance of such index) or owns a call option, warrant or convertible instrument which is immediately exercisable for, or convertible into, such security.
Types of Options. The Fund may engage in transactions in options on securities or securities indices on exchanges and in the OTC markets. In general, exchange-traded options have standardized exercise prices and expiration dates and require the parties to post margin against their obligations, and the performance of the parties’ obligations in connection with such options is guaranteed by the exchange or a related clearing corporation. OTC options have more flexible terms negotiated between the buyer and the seller, but generally do not require the parties to post margin and are subject to greater credit risk. OTC options also involve greater liquidity risk. See “Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC Derivatives” below.
Futures
The Fund may engage in transactions in futures and options thereon. Futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts which obligate a purchaser to take delivery, and a seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of an asset at a specified future date at a specified price. No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract. Rather, upon purchasing or selling a futures contract the Fund is required to deposit collateral (“margin”) equal to a percentage (generally less than 10%) of the contract value. Each day thereafter until the futures position is closed, the Fund will pay additional margin representing any loss experienced as a result of the futures position the prior day or be entitled to a payment representing any profit experienced as a result of the futures position the prior day. Futures involve substantial leverage risk.
The sale of a futures contract limits the Fund’s risk of loss through a decline in the market value of portfolio holdings correlated with the futures contract prior to the futures contract’s expiration date. In the event the market value of the portfolio holdings correlated with the futures contract increases rather than decreases, however, the Fund will realize a loss on the futures position and a lower return on the portfolio holdings than would have been realized without the purchase of the futures contract.
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The purchase of a futures contract may protect the Fund from having to pay more for securities as a consequence of increases in the market value for such securities during a period when the Fund was attempting to identify specific securities in which to invest in a market the Fund believes to be attractive. In the event that such securities decline in value or the Fund determines not to complete an anticipatory hedge transaction relating to a futures contract, however, the Fund may realize a loss relating to the futures position.
The Fund will limit transactions in futures and options on futures to the extent necessary to prevent the Fund from being deemed a “commodity pool” under regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Foreign Exchange Transactions
The Fund may engage in forward foreign exchange transactions, purchase and sell options on currencies and purchase and sell currency futures and related options thereon (collectively, “Currency Instruments”) for purposes of hedging against the decline in the value of currencies in which its portfolio holdings are denominated against the U.S. dollar.
Forward Foreign Exchange Transactions. Forward foreign exchange transactions are OTC contracts to purchase or sell a specified amount of a specified currency or multinational currency unit at a price and future date set at the time of the contract. The Fund will enter into foreign exchange transactions for purposes of hedging either a specific transaction or a portfolio position. The Fund may enter into a foreign exchange transaction for purposes of hedging a specific transaction by, for example, purchasing a currency needed to settle a security transaction or selling a currency in which the Fund has received or anticipates receiving a dividend or distribution. The Fund may enter into a foreign exchange transaction for purposes of hedging a portfolio position by selling forward a currency in which a portfolio position of the Fund is denominated or by purchasing a currency in which the Fund anticipates acquiring a portfolio position in the near future.
Currency Futures. The Fund may also hedge against the decline in the value of a currency against the U.S. dollar through use of currency futures or options thereon. Currency futures are similar to forward foreign exchange transactions except that futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts. See “Futures” above. Currency futures involve substantial currency risk, and also involve leverage risk.
Currency Options. The Fund may also hedge against the decline in the value of a currency against the U.S. dollar through the use of currency options. Currency options are similar to options on securities, but in consideration for an option premium the writer of a currency option is obligated to sell (in the case of a call option) or purchase (in the case of a put option) a specified amount of a specified currency on or before the expiration date for a specified amount of another currency. The Fund may engage in transactions in options on currencies either on exchanges or OTC markets. See “Types of Options” above and “Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC Derivatives” below. Currency options involve substantial currency risk, and may also involve credit, leverage or liquidity risk.
Limitations on Currency Hedging. The Fund will not speculate in Currency Instruments. Accordingly, the Fund will not hedge a currency in excess of the aggregate market value of the securities which it owns (including receivables for unsettled securities sales), or has committed to or anticipates purchasing, which are denominated in such currency. The Fund may, however, hedge a currency by entering into a transaction in a Currency Instrument denominated in a currency other than the currency being hedged (a “cross-hedge”). The Fund will only enter into a cross-hedge if the Manager believes that (i) there is a demonstrable high correlation between the currency in which the cross-hedge is denominated and the currency being hedged, and (ii) executing a cross-hedge through the currency in which the cross-hedge is denominated will be significantly more cost-effective or provide substantially greater liquidity than executing a similar hedging transaction by means of the currency being hedged.
Risk Factors in Hedging Foreign Currency Risks. Hedging transactions involving Currency Instruments involve substantial risks, including correlation risk. While the Fund’s use of Currency Instruments to effect hedging strategies is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of the Fund’s shares, the net asset value of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate. Moreover, although Currency Instruments will be used with the
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It may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against currency exchange rate movements, even if correctly anticipated, in the event that (i) the currency exchange rate movement is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an effective price, or (ii) the currency exchange rate movement relates to a market with respect to which Currency Instruments are not available (such as certain developing markets) and it is not possible to engage in effective foreign currency hedging.
Risk Factors in Derivatives
Derivatives are volatile and involve significant risks, including:
Credit risk — the risk that the counterparty on a derivative transaction will be unable to honor its financial obligation to the Fund.
Currency risk — the risk that changes in the exchange rate between two currencies will adversely affect the value (in U.S. dollar terms) of an investment.
Leverage risk — the risk associated with certain types of investments or trading strategies (such as borrowing money to increase the amount of investments) that relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of an investment. Certain investments or trading strategies that involve leverage can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested.
Liquidity risk — the risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the seller would like or at the price that the seller believes the security is currently worth.
Use of derivatives for hedging purposes involves correlation risk. If the value of the derivative moves more or less than the value of the hedged instruments the Fund will experience a gain or loss which will not be completely offset by movements in the value of the hedged instruments.
The Fund intends to enter into transactions involving derivatives only if there appears to be a liquid secondary market for such instruments or, in the case of illiquid instruments traded in OTC transactions, such instruments satisfy the criteria set forth below under “Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC Derivatives.” However, there can be no assurance that, at any specific time, either a liquid secondary market will exist for a derivative or the Fund will otherwise be able to sell such instrument at an acceptable price. It may therefore not be possible to close a position in a derivative without incurring substantial losses, if at all.
Certain transactions in derivatives (such as futures transactions or sales of put options) involve a substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses, which exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. When the Fund engages in such a transaction, the Fund will deposit in a segregated account at its custodian liquid securities with a value at least equal to the Fund’s exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to the transaction (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission). Such segregation will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction, but will not limit the Fund’s exposure to loss.
Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC Derivatives
Certain derivatives traded in OTC markets, including indexed securities and OTC options, involve substantial liquidity risk. The absence of liquidity may make it difficult or impossible for the Fund to sell such instruments promptly at an acceptable price. The absence of liquidity may also make it more difficult for the Fund to ascertain a market value for such instruments. The Fund will therefore acquire illiquid OTC instruments (i) if the agreement pursuant to which the instrument is purchased contains a formula price at
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Because derivatives traded in OTC markets are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearing corporation and generally do not require payment of margin, to the extent that the Fund has unrealized gains in such instruments or has deposited collateral with its counterparty the Fund is at risk that its counterparty will become bankrupt or otherwise fail to honor its obligations. The Fund will attempt to minimize the risk that a counterparty will become bankrupt or otherwise fail to honor its obligations by engaging in transactions in derivatives traded in OTC markets only with financial institutions which have substantial capital or which have provided the Fund with a third-party guaranty or other credit enhancement.
Other Investment Policies, Practices and Risk Factors
Depositary Receipts. The Fund may purchase sponsored or unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) (collectively, “Depositary Receipts”) or other securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers. Depositary Receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. In addition, the issuers of the securities underlying unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and therefore there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts also involve the risks of other investments in foreign securities, as discussed above.
Securities Lending. The Fund may lend securities with a value not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (subject to investment restriction (4) below). In return, the Fund receives collateral in cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. The Fund receives securities as collateral for the loaned securities and the Fund and the borrower negotiate a rate for the loan premium to be received by the Fund for the loaned securities, which increases the Fund’s yield. In certain circumstances, the Fund may receive a flat fee for its loans. Such loans are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within five business days. The Fund may pay reasonable finder’s, administrative and custodial fees in connection with its loans. In the event that the borrower defaults on its obligation to return borrowed securities because of insolvency or for any other reason, the Fund could experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral and could suffer a loss to the extent the value of the collateral falls below the market value of the borrowed securities.
Illiquid or Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities that lack an established secondary trading market or otherwise are considered illiquid. Liquidity of a security relates to the ability to dispose easily of the security and the price to be obtained upon disposition of the security, which may be less than would be obtained for a comparable more liquid security. Illiquid securities may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments. Investment of the Fund’s assets in illiquid securities may restrict the ability of the Fund to dispose of its investments in a timely fashion and for a fair price as well as its ability to take advantage of market opportunities. The risks associated with illiquidity will be particularly acute where the Fund’s operations require cash, such as when the Fund redeems shares or pays dividends, and could result in the Fund borrowing to meet short-term cash requirements or incurring capital losses on the sale of illiquid investments.
The Fund may invest in securities that are not registered (“restricted securities”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Restricted securities may be sold in private placement transactions between the issuers and their purchasers and may be neither listed on an exchange nor traded in other established markets. In many cases, privately placed securities may not be freely transferable under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction or due to contractual restrictions on resale. As a result of the absence of a public trading market, privately placed securities may be less liquid and more difficult to value than publicly traded securities. To the extent that privately placed securities may be resold in privately negotiated
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144A Securities. The Fund may purchase restricted securities that can be offered and sold to “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Board has determined to treat as liquid Rule 144A securities that are either freely tradable in their primary markets offshore or have been determined to be liquid in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board. The Board has adopted guidelines and delegated to the Manager the daily function of determining and monitoring liquidity of restricted securities. The Board, however, will retain sufficient oversight and be ultimately responsible for the determinations. Since it is not possible to predict with assurance exactly how this market for restricted securities sold and offered under Rule 144A will continue to develop, the Board will carefully monitor the Fund’s investments in these securities. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these securities.
Warrants. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in warrants, which are securities permitting, but not obligating, the warrant holder to subscribe for other securities. Buying a warrant does not make the Fund a shareholder of the underlying stock. The warrant holder has no right to dividends or votes on the underlying stock. A warrant does not carry any right to assets of the issuer, and for this reason investment in warrants may be more speculative than other equity-based investments.
Borrowing and Leverage. The use of leverage by the Fund creates an opportunity for greater total return, but, at the same time, creates special risks. For example, leveraging may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the yield on the Fund’s portfolio. Although the principal of such borrowings will be fixed, the Fund’s assets may change in value during the time the borrowings are outstanding. Borrowings will create interest expenses for the Fund which can exceed the income from the assets purchased with the borrowings. To the extent the income or capital appreciation derived from securities purchased with borrowed funds exceeds the interest the Fund will have to pay on the borrowings, the Fund’s return will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income or capital appreciation from the securities purchased with such borrowed funds is not sufficient to cover the cost of borrowing, the return to the Fund will be less than if leverage had not been used, and therefore the amount available for distribution to shareholders as dividends will be reduced. In the latter case, the Manager in its best judgment nevertheless may determine to maintain the Fund’s leveraged position if it expects that the benefits to the Fund’s shareholders of maintaining the leveraged position will outweigh the current reduced return.
Certain types of borrowings by the Fund may result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverage, portfolio composition requirements and other matters. It is not anticipated that observance of such covenants would impede the Manager from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. However, a breach of any such covenants not cured within the specified cure period may result in acceleration of outstanding indebtedness and require the Fund to dispose of portfolio investments at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
The Fund at times may borrow from affiliates of the Manager, provided that the terms of such borrowings are no less favorable than those available from comparable sources of funds in the marketplace.
When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase or sell securities that it is entitled to receive on a when-issued basis. The Fund may also purchase or
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There can be no assurance that a security purchased on a when-issued basis will be issued or that a security purchased or sold through a forward commitment will be delivered. The value of securities in these transactions on the delivery date may be more or less than the Fund’s purchase price. The Fund may bear the risk of a decline in the value of the security in these transactions and may not benefit from an appreciation in the value of the security during the commitment period.
Standby Commitment Agreements. The Fund may enter into standby commitment agreements. These agreements commit the Fund, for a stated period of time, to purchase a stated amount of securities which may be issued and sold to the Fund at the option of the issuer. The price of the security is fixed at the time of the commitment. At the time of entering into the agreement the Fund is paid a commitment fee, regardless of whether or not the security is ultimately issued. The Fund will enter into such agreements for the purpose of investing in the security underlying the commitment at a price that is considered advantageous to the Fund. The Fund will not enter into a standby commitment with a remaining term in excess of 45 days and will limit its investment in such commitments so that the aggregate purchase price of securities subject to such commitments, together with the value of portfolio securities subject to legal restrictions on resale that affect their marketability, will not exceed 15% of its net assets taken at the time of the commitment. The Fund segregates liquid assets in an aggregate amount equal to the purchase price of the securities underlying the commitment.
There can be no assurance that the securities subject to a standby commitment will be issued, and the value of the security, if issued, on the delivery date may be more or less than its purchase price. Since the issuance of the security underlying the commitment is at the option of the issuer, the Fund may bear the risk of a decline in the value of such security and may not benefit from an appreciation in the value of the security during the commitment period.
The purchase of a security subject to a standby commitment agreement and the related commitment fee will be recorded on the date on which the security can reasonably be expected to be issued, and the value of the security thereafter will be reflected in the calculation of the Fund’s net asset value. The cost basis of the security will be adjusted by the amount of the commitment fee. In the event the security is not issued, the commitment fee will be recorded as income on the expiration date of the standby commitment.
Suitability. The economic benefit of an investment in the Fund depends upon many factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Manager and its affiliates. Because of its emphasis on foreign securities, the Fund should be considered a vehicle for diversification and not as a balanced investment program. The suitability for any particular investor of a purchase of shares in the Fund will depend upon, among other things, such investor’s investment objectives and such investor’s ability to accept the risks associated with investing in foreign securities, including the risk of loss of principal.
Investment Restrictions
The Fund has adopted a number of fundamental and non-fundamental restrictions and policies relating to the investment of its assets and its activities.
The fundamental policies set forth below may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (which for this purpose and under the Investment Company Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of the Fund’s shares present at a meeting at which more than 50%
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| 1. Invest more than 25% of its total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry (excluding the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities). | |
| 2. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management. Investments by the Fund in wholly-owned investment entities created under the laws of certain countries will not be deemed to be the making of investments for the purpose of exercising control or management. | |
| 3. Purchase or sell real estate, except that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Fund may invest in securities directly or indirectly secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein. | |
| 4. Make loans to other persons, except that the acquisition of bonds, debentures or other corporate debt securities and investment in government obligations, commercial paper, pass-through instruments, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and repurchase agreements and purchase and sale contracts and any similar instruments shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan, and except further that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided that the lending of portfolio securities may be made only in accordance with applicable law and the guidelines set forth in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended from time to time. | |
| 5. Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law. | |
| 6. Borrow money, except that (i) the Fund may borrow from banks (as defined in the Investment Company Act) in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (ii) may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (iii) may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities and (iv) may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Fund may not pledge its assets other than to secure such borrowings or, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies as set forth in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended from time to time, in connection with hedging transactions, short sales, when-issued and forward commitment transactions and similar investment strategies. | |
| 7. Underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund technically may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act in selling portfolio securities. | |
| 8. Purchase or sell commodities or contracts on commodities, except to the extent that the Fund may do so in accordance with applicable law and the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended from time to time, and without the Fund registering as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act. |
In addition, the Fund has adopted non-fundamental investment restrictions that may be changed by the Board of Directors without a vote of the Fund’s shareholders. Under the non-fundamental investment restrictions, the Fund may not:
| a. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent that such purchases are permitted by applicable law. As a matter of policy, however, the Fund will not purchase shares of any registered open-end investment company or registered unit investment trust, in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) (the “fund of funds” provisions) of the Investment Company Act at any time its shares are owned by another investment company that is part of the same group of investment companies as the Fund. | |
| b. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, except to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Fund currently does not intend to engage in short sales, except short sales “against the box.” |
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| c. Invest in securities that cannot be readily resold because of legal or contractual restrictions, or that cannot otherwise be marketed, redeemed or put to the issuer or a third party, if at the time of acquisition more than 15% of its total assets would be invested in such securities. This restriction shall not apply to securities that mature within seven days or securities that the Board of Directors of the Fund has otherwise determined to be liquid pursuant to applicable law. Securities purchased in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act and determined to be liquid by the Board of Directors are not subject to the limitations set forth in this investment restriction. | |
| d. Notwithstanding fundamental investment restriction (6) above, borrow money or pledge its assets, except that the Fund (a) may borrow from a bank as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes or to meet redemptions in amounts not exceeding 33 1/3% (taken at market value) of its total assets and pledge its assets to secure such borrowings, (b) may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities and (c) may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law. However, at the present time, applicable law prohibits the Fund from purchasing securities on margin. The deposit or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures contracts or options transactions is not considered to be the purchase of a security on margin. The purchase of securities while borrowings are outstanding will have the effect of leveraging the Fund. Such leveraging or borrowing increases the Fund’s exposure to capital risk, and borrowed funds are subject to interest costs which will reduce net income. The Fund will not purchase securities while borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets. |
Portfolio securities of the Fund generally may not be purchased from, sold or loaned to the Manager or its affiliates or any of their directors, officers or employees, acting as principal, unless pursuant to a rule or exemptive order under the Investment Company Act.
The staff of the Commission has taken the position that purchased OTC options and the assets used as cover for written OTC options are illiquid securities. Therefore, the Fund has adopted an investment policy pursuant to which it will not purchase or sell OTC options if, as a result of any such transaction, the sum of the market value of OTC options currently outstanding which are held by the Fund, the market value of the underlying securities covered by OTC call options currently outstanding which were sold by the Fund and margin deposits on the Fund’s existing OTC options on financial futures contracts exceeds 15% of the net assets of the Fund, taken at market value, together with all other assets of the Fund which are illiquid or are not otherwise readily marketable. However, if the OTC option is sold by the Fund to a primary U.S. Government securities dealer recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and if the Fund has the unconditional contractual right to repurchase such OTC option from the dealer at a predetermined price, then the Fund will treat as illiquid such amount of the underlying securities as is equal to the repurchase price less the amount by which the option is “in-the-money” (i.e., current market value of the underlying securities minus the option’s strike price). The repurchase price with the primary dealers is typically a formula price which is generally based on a multiple of the premium received for the option, plus the amount by which the option is “in-the-money.” This policy as to OTC options is not a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Fund without the approval of the Fund’s shareholders. However, the Fund will not change or modify this policy prior to the change or modification by the Commission staff of its position.
In addition, as a non-fundamental policy which may be changed by the Board of Directors and to the extent required by the Commission or its staff, the Fund will, for purposes of investment restriction (1), treat securities issued or guaranteed by the government of any one foreign country as the obligations of a single issuer.
As another non-fundamental policy, the Fund will not invest in securities which are (a) subject to material legal restrictions on repatriation of assets or (b) cannot be readily resold because of legal or contractual restrictions or which are not otherwise readily marketable, including repurchase agreements and purchase and sale contracts maturing in more than seven days, if, regarding all such securities, more than 15% of its net assets, taken at market value, would be invested in such securities.
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Because of the affiliation of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) with the Manager, the Fund is prohibited from engaging in certain transactions involving Merrill Lynch or its affiliates except for brokerage transactions permitted under the Investment Company Act involving only usual and customary commissions or transactions pursuant to an exemptive order under the Investment Company Act. See “Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage.” Without such an exemptive order the Fund would be prohibited from engaging in portfolio transactions with Merrill Lynch or any of its affiliates acting as principal.
Non-Diversified Status
The Fund is classified as non-diversified within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, which means that the Fund is not limited by such Act in the proportion of its assets that it may invest in securities of a single issuer. The Fund’s investments will be limited, however, in order to allow the Fund to qualify as a “regulated investment company” for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify, the Fund will comply with certain requirements, including limiting its investments so that at the close of each quarter of the taxable year (i) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer and (ii) with respect to 50% of the market value of its total assets, not more than 5% of the market value of its total assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer, and the Fund will not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer. The tax-related limitations may be changed by the Directors of the Fund to the extent necessary to comply with changes to the Federal tax requirements. A fund which elects to be classified as “diversified” under the Investment Company Act must satisfy the foregoing 5% and 10% requirements with respect to 75% of its total assets. To the extent that the Fund assumes large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, the Fund’s net asset value may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified company as a result of changes in the financial condition or in the market’s assessment of the issuers, and the Fund may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a diversified company.
For purposes of the diversification requirements set forth above with respect to regulated investment companies, and to the extent required by the Commission, the Fund, as a non-fundamental policy, will consider securities issued or guaranteed by the government of any one foreign country as the obligations of a single issuer.
Portfolio Turnover
Generally, the Fund does not purchase securities for short-term trading profits. However, the Manager will effect portfolio transactions without regard to the time they have been held if, in its judgment, such transactions are advisable in light of a change in circumstances of a particular company or within a particular industry or in general market, economic or financial conditions. As a result of its investment policies, the Fund may engage in a substantial number of portfolio transactions and the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher than that of other investment companies. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the Fund’s annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities (exclusive of purchases or sales of U.S. government securities and other securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less) by the monthly average value of the securities in the portfolio during the year. A high portfolio turnover rate involves certain tax consequences such as increased capital gain dividends and/or ordinary income dividends of accrued market discount and correspondingly greater transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads and brokerage commissions, which are borne directly by the Fund.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Directors and Officers
The Board of Directors of the Fund consists of five individuals, three of whom are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act (the “non-interested Directors”). The
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Information about the Directors, the executive officers and the portfolio manager of the Fund, including their ages and their principal occupations for at least the last five years, is set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Director, executive officer and the portfolio manager is P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011.
TERRY K. GLENN (59) — President and Director (1)(2) — Executive Vice President of the Manager and Fund Asset Management (“FAM”) (which terms included their corporate predecessors) since 1983; Executive Vice President and Director of Princeton Services, Inc. (“Princeton Services”) since 1993; President of Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc. (“PFD”) since 1986 and Director thereof since 1991; President of Princeton Administrators, L.P. since 1988.
CHARLES C. REILLY (68) — Director (2)(3) — 9 Hampton Harbor Road, Hampton Bays, New York 11946. Self-employed financial consultant since 1990; President and Chief Investment Officer of Verus Capital, Inc. from 1979 to 1990; Senior Vice President of Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder, Inc. from 1973 to 1990; Adjunct Professor, Columbia University Graduate School of Business from 1990 to 1991; Adjunct Professor, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1989 to 1990; Partner, Small Cities Cable Television from 1986 to 1997.
RICHARD R. WEST (62) — Director (2)(3) — Box 604, Genoa, Nevada 89411. Professor of Finance since 1984, Dean from 1984 to 1993, and currently Dean Emeritus of New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business Administration; Director of Bowne & Co., Inc. (financial printers), Vornado Realty Trust, Inc. (real estate holding company) and Alexander’s, Inc. (real estate company).
ARTHUR ZEIKEL (67) — Director (1)(2) — 300 Woodland Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090. Chairman of the Manager and FAM from 1997 to 1999 and President thereof from 1977 to 1997; Chairman of Princeton Services from 1997 to 1999, Director thereof from 1993 to 1999 and President thereof from 1993 to 1997; Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“ML & Co.”) from 1990 to 1999.
EDWARD D. ZINBARG (65) — Director (2)(3) — 5 Hardwell Road, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078-2117. Executive Vice President of The Prudential Insurance Company of America from 1988 to 1994; Former Director of Prudential Reinsurance Company and former Trustee of The Prudential Foundation.
ROBERT C. DOLL, JR. (45) — Senior Vice President (1)(2) — Senior Vice President of the Manager and FAM since 1999; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services since 1999; Chief Investment Officer of Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. in 1999 and Executive Vice President thereof from 1991 to 1999.
A. GRACE PINEDA (43) — Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager(1)(2) — First Vice President of the Manager since 1997; Vice President of the Manager from 1989 to 1997 and Senior Portfolio Manager thereof since 1989.
DONALD C. BURKE (39) — Vice President and Treasurer (1)(2) — Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Manager and FAM since 1999; Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Princeton Services since 1999; Vice President of PFD since 1999; First Vice President of the Manager from 1997 to 1999; Vice President of the Manager from 1990 to 1997; Director of Taxation of the Manager since 1990.
PHILLIP S. GILLESPIE (36) — Secretary (1)(2) — Attorney associated with the Manager and FAM since 1998; Assistant General Counsel of Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc. from 1997 to 1998; Senior Counsel and Attorney in the Division of Investment Management and the Office of General Counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1993 to 1997.
| (1) | Interested person, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Fund. |
| (2) | Such Director or officer is a director, trustee or officer of certain other investment companies for which the Manager or FAM acts as the investment adviser. |
| (3) | Member of the Fund’s Audit and Nominating Committee, which is responsible for the selection of the independent auditors and the selection and nomination of non-interested directors. |
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As of March 1, 2000, the Directors and officers of the Fund as a group (9 persons) owned an aggregate of approximately 8% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. At such date, Mr. Zeikel, a Director of the Fund, Mr. Glenn, an officer and a Director of the Fund, and the other officers of the Fund owned an aggregate of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock of ML & Co.
Compensation of Directors
The Fund pays each non-interested Director a fee of $3,500 per year plus $500 per Board meeting attended. The Fund also compensates members of its Audit and Nominating Committee (the “Committee”), which consists of all the non-interested Directors, a fee of $500 per meeting attended. The Fund pays the Chairman of the Committee an additional fee of $250 per meeting attended. The Fund reimburses each non-interested Director for his out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at Board and Committee meetings.
The following table shows the compensation earned by the non-interested Directors for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999 and the aggregate compensation paid to them by all registered investment companies advised by the Manager and its affiliate, FAM (“MLAM/ FAM-advised funds”), for the calendar year ended December 31, 1999.
| Pension or | Aggregate | |||||||||||||||||
| Retirement | Estimated | Compensation From | ||||||||||||||||
| Position | Benefits | Annual | Fund and Other | |||||||||||||||
| With | Compensation | Accrued as Part of | Benefits Upon | MLAM/FAM- | ||||||||||||||
| Name | Fund | From Fund | Fund Expense | Retirement | Advised Funds(1) | |||||||||||||
| Charles C. Reilly | Director | $ | 7,500 | None | None | $ | 400,025 | |||||||||||
| Richard R. West | Director | $ | 7,500 | None | None | $ | 388,775 | |||||||||||
| Edward D. Zinbarg | Director | $ | 7,500 | None | None | $ | 140,875 | |||||||||||
| (1) | The Directors serve on the boards of MLAM/ FAM-advised funds as follows: Mr. Reilly (56 registered investment companies consisting of 67 portfolios); Mr. West (66 registered investment companies consisting of 70 portfolios); and Mr. Zinbarg (21 registered investment companies consisting of 19 portfolios). |
Directors of the Fund may purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value. See “Purchase of Shares — Initial Sales Charge Alternatives — Class A and Class D Shares — Reduced Initial Sales Charges — Purchase Privilege of Certain Persons.”
Management and Advisory Arrangements
Management Services. The Manager provides the Fund with investment advisory and management services. Subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors, the Manager is responsible for the actual management of the Fund’s portfolio and constantly reviews the Fund’s holdings in light of its own research analysis and that from other relevant sources. The responsibility for making decisions to buy, sell or hold a particular security rests with the Manager. The Manager performs certain of the other administrative services and provides all the office space, facilities, equipment and necessary personnel for management of the Fund.
Management Fee. The Fund has entered into a management agreement with the Manager (the “Management Agreement”), pursuant to which the Manager receives for its services to the Fund monthly compensation at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The table below sets forth information about the total investment advisory fees payable by the Fund to the Manager for the periods indicated.
| Fiscal Year Ended November 30, | Management Fee | |||
| 1999 | $ | 36,873 | ||
| 1998 | $ | 70,739 | ||
| 1997 | $ | 85,890 | ||
| * | All of which was voluntarily waived by the Manager. The fees listed in the table above have not been adjusted to reflect these waivers because the waivers are voluntary and can be retracted at any time. For the fiscal years ended November 30, 1997, 1998 and 1999, the Manager also voluntarily waived $424,998, $353,413 and $391,134, respectively, representing reimbursement of additional expenses. |
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The management fee and other operating expenses of the Fund may be higher than the management fees and operating expenses of other mutual funds managed by the Manager and other investment advisers or of investment companies investing exclusively in the securities of U.S. issuers. The management fees and operating expenses, however, are believed by the Manager to be comparable to expenses of other open-end management investment companies that invest primarily in the securities of issuers in emerging market countries with investment objectives similar to the investment objective of the Fund.
The Manager has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with Merrill Lynch Asset Management U.K. Limited (“MLAM U.K.”) pursuant to which MLAM U.K. provides investment advisory services to the Manager with respect to the Fund. The Fund paid no fees to MLAM U.K. for the fiscal years ended November 30, 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Payment of Fund Expenses. The Management Agreement obligates the Manager to provide investment advisory services and to pay all compensation of and furnish office space for officers and employees of the Fund connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management of the Fund, as well as the fees of all Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of ML & Co. or any of its affiliates. The Fund pays all other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, including among other things: taxes, expenses for legal and auditing services, costs of printing proxies, stock certificates, shareholder reports, prospectuses and statements of additional information, except to the extent paid by Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, a division of PFD (the “Distributor”); charges of the custodian and the transfer agent; expenses of redemption of shares; Commission fees; expenses of registering the shares under Federal, state or foreign laws; fees and expenses of non-interested Directors; accounting and pricing costs (including the daily calculations of net asset value); insurance; interest; brokerage costs; litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses; and other expenses properly payable by the Fund. Accounting services are provided for the Fund by the Manager and the Fund reimburses the Manager for its costs in connection with such services. See “Purchase of Shares — Distribution Plans.”
Organization of the Manager. The Manager is a limited partnership, the partners of which are ML & Co., a financial services holding company and the parent of Merrill Lynch, and Princeton Services. ML & Co. and Princeton Services are “controlling persons” of the Manager as defined under the Investment Company Act because of their ownership of its voting securities or their power to exercise a controlling influence over its management or policies.
The following entities may be considered “controlling persons” of MLAM U.K.: Merrill Lynch Europe PLC (MLAM U.K.’s parent), a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch International Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch International, Inc., a subsidiary of ML & Co.
Duration and Termination. Unless earlier terminated as described herein, the Management Agreement and sub-advisory agreement will remain in effect from year to year if approved annually (a) by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund and (b) by a majority of the Directors who are not parties to such contract or interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any such party. Such contracts are not assignable and may be terminated without penalty on 60 days’ written notice at the option of either party or by vote of the shareholders of the Fund.
Transfer Agency Services. Financial Data Services, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”), a subsidiary of ML & Co., acts as the Fund’s Transfer Agent pursuant to a Transfer Agency, Dividend Disbursing Agency and Shareholder Servicing Agency Agreement (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”). Pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Transfer Agent is responsible for the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening and maintenance of shareholder accounts. Pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Transfer Agent receives a fee of $11.00 per Class A or Class D account and $14.00 per Class B or Class C account and is entitled to reimbursement for certain transaction charges and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Transfer Agent under the Transfer Agency Agreement. Additionally, a $.20 monthly closed account charge will be assessed on all accounts which close during the calendar year. Application of this fee will commence the month following the month the account is closed. At the end of the calendar year, no further fees will be due. For purposes of the Transfer Agency Agreement, the term “account” includes a shareholder account maintained directly by the Transfer Agent and any other account representing the beneficial interest
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Distribution Expenses. The Fund has entered into four separate distribution agreements with the Distributor in connection with the continuous offering of each class of shares of the Fund (the “Distribution Agreements”). The Distribution Agreements obligate the Distributor to pay certain expenses in connection with the offering of each class of shares of the Fund. After the prospectuses, statements of additional information and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders, the Distributor pays for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with the offering to dealers and investors. The Distributor also pays for other supplementary sales literature and advertising costs. The Distribution Agreements are subject to the same renewal requirements and termination provisions as the Management Agreement described above.
Code of Ethics
The Board of Directors of the Fund has approved a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act that covers the Fund and the Fund’s Manager and Distributor (“the Code of Ethics”). The Code of Ethics significantly restricts the personal investing activities of all employees of the Manager and Distributor and, as described below, imposes additional, more onerous, restrictions on fund investment personnel.
The Code of Ethics requires that all employees of the Manager and Distributor preclear any personal securities investments (with limited exceptions, such as mutual funds, high-quality short-term securities and direct obligations of the U.S. government). The preclearance requirement and associated procedures are designed to identify any substantive prohibition or limitation applicable to the proposed investment. The substantive restrictions applicable to all employees of the Manager and Distributor include a ban on acquiring any securities in a “hot” initial public offering and a prohibition from profiting on short-term trading in securities. In addition, no employee may purchase or sell any security that at the time is being purchased or sold (as the case may be), or to the knowledge of the employee is being considered for purchase or sale, by any fund advised by the Manager. Furthermore, the Code of Ethics provides for trading “blackout periods” which prohibit trading by investment personnel of the Fund within seven calendar days before or after trading by the Fund in the same or equivalent security.
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PURCHASE OF SHARES
Reference is made to “How to Buy, Sell and Transfer Shares” in the Prospectus.
The Fund offers four classes of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System: shares of Class A and Class D are sold to investors choosing the initial sales charge alternatives and shares of Class B and Class C are sold to investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives. Each Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D share of the Fund represents an identical interest in the investment portfolio of the Fund and has the same rights, except that Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear the expenses of the ongoing account maintenance fees (also known as service fees) and Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of the ongoing distribution fees and the additional incremental transfer agency costs resulting from the deferred sales charge arrangements. The contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSCs”), distribution fees and account maintenance fees that are imposed on Class B and Class C shares, as well as the account maintenance fees that are imposed on Class D shares, are imposed directly against those classes and not against all assets of the Fund and, accordingly, such charges do not affect the net asset value of any other class or have any impact on investors choosing another sales charge option. Dividends paid by the Fund for each class of shares are calculated in the same manner at the same time and differ only to the extent that account maintenance and distribution fees and any incremental transfer agency costs relating to a particular class are borne exclusively by that class.
Investors should understand that the purpose and function of the initial sales charges with respect to the Class A and Class D shares are the same as those of the CDSCs and distribution fees with respect to the Class B and Class C shares in that the sales charges and distribution fees applicable to each class provide for the financing of the distribution of the shares of the Fund. The distribution-related revenues paid with respect to a class will not be used to finance the distribution expenditures of another class. Sales personnel may receive different compensation for selling different classes of shares.
The Fund is designed for long-term investors. To discourage short-term trading in shares of the Fund, shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a redemption fee of 2.0% of the net asset value of the shares being redeemed.
The Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System is used by more than 50 registered investment companies advised by the Manager or FAM. Funds advised by the Manager or FAM that utilize the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System are referred to herein as “Select Pricing Funds.”
The Fund offers its shares at a public offering price equal to the next determined net asset value per share plus any sales charge applicable to the class of shares selected by the investor. The applicable offering price for purchase orders is based upon the net asset value of the Fund next determined after receipt of the purchase order by the Distributor. As to purchase orders received by securities dealers prior to the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) which includes orders received after the determination of net asset value on the previous day, the applicable offering price will be based on the net asset value on the day the order is placed with the Distributor, provided that the orders are received by the Distributor prior to 30 minutes after the close of business on the NYSE on that day. If the purchase orders are not received prior to 30 minutes after the close of business on the NYSE on the day, such orders shall be deemed received on the next business day. Dealers have the responsibility of submitting purchase orders to the Fund not later than 30 minutes after the close of business on the NYSE in order to purchase shares at that day’s offering price.
The Fund or the Distributor may suspend the continuous offering of the Fund’s shares of any class at any time in response to conditions in the securities markets or otherwise and may thereafter resume such offering from time to time. Any order may be rejected by the Fund or the Distributor. Neither the Distributor nor the dealers are permitted to withhold placing orders to benefit themselves by a price change. Merrill Lynch may charge its customers a processing fee (presently $5.35) to confirm a sale of shares to such customers. Purchases made directly through the Transfer Agent are not subject to the processing fee.
22
Initial Sales Charge Alternatives — Class A and Class D Shares
Investors who prefer an initial sales charge alternative may elect to purchase Class D shares or, if an eligible investor, Class A shares. Investors choosing the initial sales charge alternative who are eligible to purchase Class A shares should purchase Class A shares rather than Class D shares because there is an account maintenance fee imposed on Class D shares. Investors qualifying for significantly reduced initial sales charges may find the initial sales charge alternative particularly attractive because similar sales charge reductions are not available with respect to the deferred sales charges imposed in connection with purchases of Class B or Class C shares. Investors not qualifying for reduced initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for an extended period of time also may elect to purchase Class A or Class D shares, because over time the accumulated ongoing account maintenance and distribution fees on Class B or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales charge and, in the case of Class D shares, the account maintenance fee. Although some investors who previously purchased Class A shares may no longer be eligible to purchase Class A shares of other Select Pricing Funds, those previously purchased Class A shares, together with Class B, Class C and Class D share holdings, will count toward a right of accumulation which may qualify the investor for reduced initial sales charge on new initial sales charge purchases. In addition, the ongoing Class B and Class C account maintenance and distribution fees will cause Class B and Class C shares to have higher expense ratios, pay lower dividends and have lower total returns than the initial sales charge shares. The ongoing Class D account maintenance fees will cause Class D shares to have a higher expense ratio, pay lower dividends and have a lower total return than Class A shares.
The term “purchase,” as used in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information in connection with an investment in Class A and Class D shares of the Fund, refers to a single purchase by an individual or to concurrent purchases, which in the aggregate are at least equal to the prescribed amounts, by an individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21 years purchasing shares for his, her or their own account and to single purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust estate or single fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary is involved. The term “purchase” also includes purchases by any “company,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act, but does not include purchases by any such company that has not been in existence for at least six months or which has no purpose other than the purchase of shares of the Fund or shares of other registered investment companies at a discount; provided, however, that it shall not include purchases by any group of individuals whose sole organizational nexus is that the participants therein are credit cardholders of a company, policyholders of an insurance company, customers of either a bank or broker-dealer or clients of an investment adviser.
Eligible Class A Investors
Class A shares are offered to a limited group of investors and also will be issued upon reinvestment of dividends on outstanding Class A shares. Investors who currently own Class A shares in a shareholder account are entitled to purchase additional Class A shares of the Fund in that account. Certain Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans, including eligible 401(k) plans, may purchase Class A shares at net asset value provided such plans meet the required minimum number of eligible employees or required amount of assets advised by MLAM or any of its affiliates. Class A shares are available at net asset value to corporate warranty insurance reserve fund programs and U.S. branches of foreign banking institutions provided that the program or bank has $3 million or more initially invested in Select Pricing Funds. Also eligible to purchase Class A shares at net asset value are participants in certain investment programs including TMASM Managed Trusts to which Merrill Lynch Trust Company provides discretionary trustee services and collective investment trusts for which Merrill Lynch Trust Company serves as trustee. In addition, Class A shares are offered at net asset value to ML & Co. and its subsidiaries and their directors and employees and to members of the Boards of MLAM/FAM-advised investment companies. Certain persons who acquired shares of certain MLAM/ FAM-advised closed-end funds in their initial offerings who wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of their closed-end fund shares of common stock in shares of the Fund also may purchase Class A shares of the Fund if certain conditions are met. In addition, Class A shares of the Fund and certain other Select Pricing Funds are offered at net asset value to shareholders of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc., and, if certain conditions are met, to shareholders of Merrill Lynch
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Class A and Class D Sales Charge Information
| Class A Shares | ||||||||||||||||||
| For the Fiscal | Gross Sales | Sales Charges | Sales Charges | CDSCs Received on | ||||||||||||||
| Year Ended | Charges | Retained by | Paid to | Redemption of | ||||||||||||||
| November 30, | Collected | Distributor | Merrill Lynch | Load-Waived Shares | ||||||||||||||
| 1999 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 5,670 | ||||||||||
| 1998 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 5,604 | ||||||||||
| 1997 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
| Class D Shares | ||||||||||||||||||
| For the Fiscal | Gross Sales | Sales Charges | Sales Charges | CDSCs Received on | ||||||||||||||
| Year Ended | Charges | Retained by | Paid to | Redemption of | ||||||||||||||
| November 30, | Collected | Distributor | Merrill Lynch | Load-Waived Shares | ||||||||||||||
| 1999 | $ | 7 | $ | 0 | $ | 7 | $ | 749 | ||||||||||
| 1998 | $ | 1,477 | $ | 129 | $ | 1,348 | $ | 730 | ||||||||||
| 1997 | $ | 6,296 | $ | 637 | $ | 5,659 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
The Distributor may reallow discounts to selected dealers and retain the balance over such discounts. At times the Distributor may reallow the entire sales charge to such dealers. Since securities dealers selling Class A and Class D shares of the Fund will receive a concession equal to most of the sales charge, they may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act.
Reduced Initial Sales Charges
Reductions in or exemptions from the imposition of a sales load are due to the nature of the investors and/or the reduced sales efforts that will be needed to obtain such investments.
Reinvested Dividends. No initial sales charges are imposed upon Class A and Class D shares issued as a result of the automatic reinvestment of dividends.
Right of Accumulation. Reduced sales charges are applicable through a right of accumulation under which eligible investors are permitted to purchase shares of the Fund subject to an initial sales charge at the offering price applicable to the total of (a) the public offering price of the shares then being purchased plus (b) an amount equal to the then current net asset value or cost, whichever is higher, of the purchaser’s combined holdings of all classes of shares of the Fund and of any other Select Pricing Funds. For any such right of accumulation to be made available, the Distributor must be provided at the time of purchase, by the purchaser or the purchaser’s securities dealer, with sufficient information to permit confirmation of qualification. Acceptance of the purchase order is subject to such confirmation. The right of accumulation may be amended or terminated at any time. Shares held in the name of a nominee or custodian under pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plans may not be combined with other shares to qualify for the right of accumulation.
Letter of Intent. Reduced sales charges are applicable to purchases aggregating $25,000 or more of the Class A or Class D shares of the Fund or any Select Pricing Funds made within a 13-month period starting with the first purchase pursuant to a Letter of Intent. The Letter of Intent is available only to investors whose accounts are established and maintained at the Fund’s Transfer Agent. The Letter of Intent is not available to employee benefit plans for which Merrill Lynch provides plan participant recordkeeping services. The Letter of Intent is not a binding obligation to purchase any amount of Class A or Class D shares; however, its execution will result in the purchaser paying a lower sales charge at the appropriate quantity purchase level. A purchase not originally made pursuant to a Letter of Intent may be included under a subsequent Letter of Intent executed within 90 days of such purchase if the Distributor is informed in writing of this intent within such 90-day period. The value of Class A and Class D shares of the Fund and of other Select Pricing Funds
24
The value of any shares redeemed or otherwise disposed of by the purchaser prior to termination or completion of the Letter of Intent will be deducted from the total purchases made under such Letter.
TMASM Managed Trusts. Class A shares are offered at net asset value to TMASM Managed Trusts to which Merrill Lynch Trust Company provides discretionary trustee services.
Employee AccessSM Accounts. Provided applicable threshold requirements are met, either Class A or Class D shares are offered at net asset value to Employee AccessSM Accounts available through authorized employers. The initial minimum investment for such accounts is $500, except that the initial minimum investment for shares purchased for such accounts pursuant to the Automatic Investment Program is $50.
Employer-Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans and Certain Other Arrangements. Certain employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and certain other arrangements may purchase Class A or Class D shares at net asset value, based on the number of employees or number of employees eligible to participate in the plan, the aggregate amount invested by the plan in specified investments and/or the services provided by Merrill Lynch to the plan. Additional information regarding purchases by employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and certain other arrangements is available toll-free from Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services at (800) 237-7777.
Purchase Privilege of Certain Persons. Directors of the Fund, members of the Boards of other MLAM/FAM-advised investment companies, ML & Co. and its subsidiaries (the term “subsidiaries,” when used herein with respect to ML & Co., includes MLAM, FAM and certain other entities directly or indirectly wholly owned and controlled by ML & Co.) and their directors and employees, and any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for such persons, may purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value. The Fund realizes economies of scale and reduction of sales-related expenses by virtue of the familiarity of these persons with the Fund. Employees and directors or trustees wishing to purchase shares of the Fund must satisfy the Fund’s suitability standards.
Class D shares of the Fund are offered at net asset value, without a sales charge, to an investor that has a business relationship with a Financial Consultant who joined Merrill Lynch from another investment firm within six months prior to the date of purchase by such investor, if the following conditions are satisfied: first, the investor must advise Merrill Lynch that it will purchase Class D shares of the Fund with proceeds from a redemption of shares of a mutual fund that was sponsored by the Financial Consultant’s previous firm and was subject to a sales charge either at the time of purchase or on a deferred basis; and, second, the investor must establish that such redemption had been made within 60 days prior to the investment in the Fund and the proceeds from the redemption had been maintained in the interim in cash or a money market fund.
Class D shares of the Fund are also offered at net asset value, without a sales charge, to an investor that has a business relationship with a Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant and that has invested in a mutual fund sponsored by a non-Merrill Lynch company for which Merrill Lynch has served as a selected dealer and where Merrill Lynch has either received or given notice that such arrangement will be terminated (“notice”) if the
25
Class D shares of the Fund are offered at net asset value, without a sales charge, to an investor that has a business relationship with a Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant and that has invested in a mutual fund for which Merrill Lynch has not served as a selected dealer if the following conditions are satisfied: first, the investor must advise Merrill Lynch that it will purchase Class D shares of the Fund with proceeds from the redemption of shares of such other mutual fund and that such shares have been outstanding for a period of no less than six months; and, second, such purchase of Class D shares must be made within 60 days after the redemption and the proceeds from the redemption must be maintained in the interim in cash or a money market fund.
Closed-End Fund Investment Option. Class A shares of the Fund and certain other Select Pricing Funds (“Eligible Class A Shares”) are offered at net asset value to shareholders of certain closed-end funds advised by FAM or MLAM who purchased such closed-end fund shares prior to October 21, 1994 (the date the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing SM System commenced operations) and wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of their closed-end fund shares of common stock in Eligible Class A Shares, if the conditions set forth below are satisfied. Alternatively, closed-end fund shareholders who purchased such shares on or after October 21, 1994 and wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of their closed-end fund shares are offered Class A shares (if eligible to buy Class A shares) or Class D shares of the Fund and other Select Pricing Funds (“Eligible Class D Shares”), if the following conditions are met. First, the sale of closed-end fund shares must be made through Merrill Lynch, and the net proceeds therefrom must be immediately reinvested in Eligible Class A or Eligible Class D Shares. Second, the closed-end fund shares must either have been acquired in the initial public offering or be shares representing dividends from shares of common stock acquired in such offering. Third, the closed-end fund shares must have been continuously maintained in a Merrill Lynch securities account. Fourth, there must be a minimum purchase of $250 to be eligible for the investment option.
Shareholders of certain MLAM/FAM-advised continuously offered closed-end funds may reinvest at net asset value the net proceeds from a sale of certain shares of common stock of such funds in shares of the Fund. Upon exercise of this investment option, shareholders of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. will receive Class A shares of the Fund and shareholders of Merrill Lynch Municipal Strategy Fund, Inc. and Merrill Lynch High Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. will receive Class D shares of the Fund, except that shareholders already owning Class A shares of the Fund will be eligible to purchase additional Class A shares pursuant to this option, if such additional Class A shares will be held in the same account as the existing Class A shares and the other requirements pertaining to the reinvestment privilege are met. In order to exercise this investment option, a shareholder of one of the above-referenced continuously offered closed-end funds (an “eligible fund”) must sell his or her shares of common stock of the eligible fund (the “eligible shares”) back to the eligible fund in connection with a tender offer conducted by the eligible fund and reinvest the proceeds immediately in the designated class of shares of the Fund. This investment option is available only with respect to eligible shares as to which no Early Withdrawal Charge or CDSC (each as defined in the eligible fund’s prospectus) is applicable. Purchase orders from eligible fund shareholders wishing to exercise this investment option will be accepted only on the day that the related tender offer terminates and will be effected at the net asset value of the designated class of the Fund on such day.
Acquisition of Certain Investment Companies. Class D shares may be offered at net asset value in connection with the acquisition of the assets of or merger or consolidation with a personal holding company or a public or private investment company.
26
Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives — Class B and Class C Shares
Investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives should consider Class B shares if they intend to hold their shares for an extended period of time and Class C shares if they are uncertain as to the length of time they intend to hold their assets in Select Pricing Funds.
Because no initial sales charges are deducted at the time of the purchase, Class B and Class C shares provide the benefit of putting all of the investor’s dollars to work from the time the investment is made. The deferred sales charge alternatives may be particularly appealing to investors that do not qualify for the reduction in initial sales charges. Both Class B and Class C shares are subject to ongoing account maintenance fees and distribution fees; however, the ongoing account maintenance and distribution fees potentially may be offset to the extent any return is realized on the additional funds initially invested in Class B or Class C shares. In addition, Class B shares will be converted into Class D shares of the Fund after a conversion period of approximately eight years, and thereafter investors will be subject to lower ongoing fees.
The public offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives is the next determined net asset value per share without the imposition of a sales charge at the time of purchase. See “Pricing of Shares — Determination of Net Asset Value” below.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges — Class B Shares
Class B shares that are redeemed within four years of purchase may be subject to a CDSC at the rates set forth below charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation will be determined in the manner that results in the lowest applicable rate being charged. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed. Accordingly, no CDSC will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no CDSC will be assessed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends. It will be assumed that the redemption is first of shares held for over four years or shares acquired pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and then of shares held longest during the four-year period. A transfer of shares from a shareholder’s account to another account will be assumed to be made in the same order as a redemption.
The following table sets forth the Class B CDSC:
| CDSC as a Percentage | ||||
| of Dollar Amount | ||||
| Year Since Purchase Payment Made | Subject to Charge | |||
| 0-1 | 4.0% | |||
| 1-2 | 3.0% | |||
| 2-3 | 2.0% | |||
| 3-4 | 1.0% | |||
| 4 and thereafter | None | |||
To provide an example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares at $10 per share (at a cost of $1,000) and in the third year after purchase, the net asset value per share is $12 and, during such time, the investor has acquired 10 additional shares upon dividend reinvestment. If at such time the investor makes his or her first redemption of 50 shares (proceeds of $600), 10 shares will not be subject to a CDSC because of dividend reinvestment. With respect to the remaining 40 shares, the charge is applied only to the original cost of $10 per share and not to the increase in net asset value of $2 per share. Therefore, $400 of the $600 redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 2.0% (the applicable rate in the third year after purchase).
The Class B CDSC may be waived on redemptions of shares in connection with certain post-retirement withdrawals from an Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”) or other retirement plan or following the death or disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) of a shareholder (including one who owns the Class B shares as joint tenant with his or her spouse), provided the redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial determination of disability, or, if later, reasonably promptly following completion of probate. The Class B CDSC also is waived on redemptions of shares by certain eligible 401(a)
27
Employer-Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans and Certain Other Arrangements. Certain employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and certain other arrangements may purchase Class B shares with a waiver of the CDSC upon redemption, based on the number of employees or number of employees eligible to participate in the plan, the aggregate amount invested by the plan in specified investments and/or the services provided by Merrill Lynch to the plan. Such Class B shares will convert into Class D shares approximately ten years after the plan purchases the first share of any Select Pricing Fund. Minimum purchase requirements may be waived or varied for such plans. Additional information regarding purchases by employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and certain other arrangements is available toll-free from Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services at (800) 237-7777.
Conversion of Class B Shares to Class D Shares. After approximately eight years (the “Conversion Period”), Class B shares will be converted automatically into Class D shares of the Fund. Class D shares are subject to an ongoing account maintenance fee of 0.25% of net assets but are not subject to the distribution fee that is borne by Class B shares. Automatic conversion of Class B shares into Class D shares will occur at least once each month (on the “Conversion Date”) on the basis of the relative net asset value of the shares of the two classes on the Conversion Date, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. Conversion of Class B shares to Class D shares will not be deemed a purchase or sale of shares for Federal income tax purposes.
In addition, shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends on Class B shares also will convert automatically to Class D shares. The Conversion Date for dividend reinvestment shares will be calculated taking into account the length of time the shares underlying such dividend reinvestment shares were outstanding. If at the Conversion Date the conversion of Class B shares to Class D shares of the Fund in a single account will result in less than $50 worth of Class B shares being left in the account, all of the Class B shares of the Fund held in the account on the Conversion Date will be converted to Class D shares of the Fund.
Share certificates for Class B shares of the Fund to be converted must be delivered to the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to the Conversion Date applicable to those shares. In the event such certificates are not received by the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to the Conversion Date, the related Class B shares will convert to Class D shares on the next scheduled Conversion Date after such certificates are delivered.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges — Class C Shares
Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase may be subject to a 1.0% CDSC charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. In determining whether a Class C CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation will be determined in the manner that results in the lowest possible rate being charged. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed. Accordingly, no Class C CDSC will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no Class C CDSC will be assessed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends. It will be assumed that the redemption is first of shares held for over one year or shares acquired pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and then of shares held longest during the one-year period. The charge will not be applied to dollar amounts representing an increase in the net asset value since the time of purchase. A transfer of shares from a shareholder’s account to another account will be assumed to
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Class B and Class C Sales Charge Information
| Class B Shares | ||||||||||
| For the Fiscal Year | CDSCs Received | CDSCs Paid to | ||||||||
| Ended November 30, | by Distributor | Merrill Lynch | ||||||||
| 1999 | $ | 10,506 | $ | 10,506 | ||||||
| 1998 | $ | 35,620 | $ | 35,620 | ||||||
| 1997 | $ | 45,331 | $ | 45,331 | ||||||
| Class C Shares | ||||||||||
| For the Fiscal Year | CDSCs Received | CDSCs Paid to | ||||||||
| Ended November 30, | by Distributor | Merrill Lynch | ||||||||
| 1999 | $ | 12 | $ | 12 | ||||||
| 1998 | $ | 831 | $ | 831 | ||||||
| 1997 | $ | 1,686 | $ | 1,686 | ||||||
Merrill Lynch compensates its Financial Consultants for selling Class B and Class C shares at the time of purchase from its own funds. Proceeds from the CDSC and the distribution fee are paid to the Distributor and are used in whole or in part by the Distributor to defray the expenses of dealers (including Merrill Lynch) related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B and Class C shares, such as the payment of compensation to financial consultants for selling Class B and Class C shares from the dealer’s own funds. The combination of the CDSC and the ongoing distribution fee facilitates the ability of the Fund to sell the Class B and Class C shares without a sales charge being deducted at the time of purchase. See “Distribution Plans” below. Imposition of the CDSC and the distribution fee on Class B and Class C shares is limited by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”) asset-based sales charge rule. See “Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges” below.
Distribution Plans
Reference is made to “Fees and Expenses” in the Prospectus for certain information with respect to the separate distribution plans for Class B, Class C and Class D shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (each a “Distribution Plan”) with respect to the account maintenance and/or distribution fees paid by the Fund to the Distributor with respect to such classes.
The Distribution Plans for Class B, Class C and Class D shares each provides that the Fund pays the Distributor an account maintenance fee relating to the shares of the relevant class, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to shares of the relevant class in order to compensate the Distributor and Merrill Lynch (pursuant to a sub-agreement) in connection with account maintenance activities with respect to Class B, Class C and Class D shares. Each of those classes has exclusive voting rights with respect to the Distribution Plan adopted with respect to such class pursuant to which account maintenance and/or distribution fees are paid (except that Class B shareholders may vote upon any material changes to expenses charged under the Class D Distribution Plan).
The Distribution Plans for Class B and Class C shares each provides that the Fund also pays the Distributor a distribution fee relating to the shares of the relevant class, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the shares of the relevant class in order to compensate the Distributor and Merrill Lynch (pursuant to a sub-agreement) for providing shareholder and distribution services and bearing certain distribution-related expenses of the Fund, including payments to financial consultants for selling Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. The Distribution Plans relating to Class B and Class C shares are designed to permit an investor to purchase Class B and Class C
29
The Fund’s Distribution Plans are subject to the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. In their consideration of each Distribution Plan, the Directors must consider all factors they deem relevant, including information as to the benefits of the Distribution Plan to the Fund and each related class of shareholders. Each Distribution Plan further provides that, so long as the Distribution Plan remains in effect, the selection and nomination of Independent Directors shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent Directors then in office. In approving each Distribution Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1, the Independent Directors concluded that there is reasonable likelihood that each Distribution Plan will benefit the Fund and its related class of shareholders. Each Distribution Plan can be terminated at any time, without penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Independent Directors or by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding related class of voting securities of the Fund. A Distribution Plan cannot be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent by the Fund without the approval of the related class of shareholders and all material amendments are required to be approved by the vote of Directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Distribution Plan, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. Rule 12b-1 further requires that the Fund preserve copies of the Distribution Plan and any report made pursuant to such plan for a period of not less than six years from the date of the Distribution Plan or such report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
Among other things, each Distribution Plan provides that the Distributor shall provide and the Directors shall review quarterly reports of the disbursement of the account maintenance and/ or distribution fees paid to the Distributor. Payments under the Distribution Plans are based on a percentage of average daily net assets attributable to the shares regardless of the amount of expenses incurred and, accordingly, distribution-related revenues from the Distribution Plans may be more or less than distribution-related expenses. Information with respect to the distribution-related revenues and expenses is presented to the Directors for their consideration in connection with their deliberations as to the continuance of the Class B and Class C Distribution Plans annually, as of December 31 of each year, on a “fully allocated accrual” basis and quarterly on a “direct expense and revenue/ cash” basis. On the fully allocated accrual basis, revenues consist of the account maintenance fees, distribution fees, the CDSCs and certain other related revenues, and expenses consist of financial consultant compensation, branch office and regional operation center selling and transaction processing expenses, advertising, sales promotion and marketing expenses, corporate overhead and interest expense. On the direct expense and revenue/ cash basis, revenues consist of the account maintenance fees, distribution fees and CDSCs and the expenses consist of financial consultant compensation.
As of December 31, 1998, the last date for which fully allocated accrual data is available, the fully allocated accrual expenses of the Distributor and Merrill Lynch for the period since the commencement of operations of Class B shares exceeded the fully allocated accrual revenues by approximately $20,000 (.69% of Class B net assets at that date). As of November 30, 1999, direct cash revenues for the period since the commencement of operations of Class B shares exceeded direct cash expenses by $259,996 (11.78% of Class B net assets at that date). As of December 31, 1998, the fully allocated accrual expenses incurred by the Distributor and Merrill Lynch for the period since the commencement of operations of Class C shares exceeded the fully allocated accrual revenues by approximately $5,000 (1.83% of Class C net assets at that date). As of November 30, 1999, direct cash revenues for the period since the commencement of operations of Class C shares exceeded direct cash expenses by $25,838 (12.03% of Class C net assets at that date).
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, the Fund paid the Distributor $25,207 pursuant to the Class B Distribution Plan (based on average daily net assets subject to such Class B Distribution Plan of approximately $2.5 million), all of which was paid to Merrill Lynch for providing account maintenance and distribution-related activities and services in connection with Class B shares. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, the Fund paid the Distributor $2,516 pursuant to the Class C Distribution Plan (based on average daily net assets subject to such Class C Distribution Plan of approximately $0.3 million), all of which was paid to Merrill Lynch for providing account maintenance and distribution-related activities and services in connection with Class C shares. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, the Fund paid the Distributor $979 pursuant to the Class D Distribution Plan (based on average daily net assets subject to such Class D
30
Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges
The maximum sales charge rule in the Conduct Rules of the NASD imposes a limitation on certain asset-based sales charges such as the distribution fee and the CDSC borne by the Class B and Class C shares but not the account maintenance fee. The maximum sales charge rule is applied separately to each class. As applicable to the Fund, the maximum sales charge rule limits the aggregate of distribution fee payments and CDSCs payable by the Fund to (1) 6.25% of eligible gross sales of Class B shares and Class C shares, computed separately (defined to exclude shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestments and exchanges), plus (2) interest on the unpaid balance for the respective class, computed separately, at the prime rate plus 1% (the unpaid balance being the maximum amount payable minus amounts received from the payment of the distribution fee and the CDSC). In connection with the Class B shares, the Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive interest charges on the unpaid balance in excess of 0.50% of eligible gross sales. Consequently, the maximum amount payable to the Distributor (referred to as the “voluntary maximum”) in connection with the Class B shares is 6.75% of eligible gross sales. The Distributor retains the right to stop waiving the interest charges at any time. To the extent payments would exceed the voluntary maximum, the Fund will not make further payments of the distribution fee with respect to Class B shares and any CDSCs will be paid to the Fund rather than to the Distributor; however, the Fund will continue to make payments of the account maintenance fee. In certain circumstances the amount payable pursuant to the voluntary maximum may exceed the amount payable under the NASD formula. In such circumstances payment in excess of the amount payable under the NASD formula will not be made.
The following table sets forth comparative information as of November 30, 1999 with respect to the Class B and Class C shares of the Fund indicating the maximum allowable payments that can be made under the NASD maximum sales charge rule and, with respect to the Class B shares, the Distributor’s voluntary maximum.
| Data Calculated as of November 30, 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowable | Allowable | Amounts | Fee at | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eligible | Aggregate | Interest on | Maximum | Previously | Aggregate | Current Net | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Sales | Unpaid | Amount | Paid to | Unpaid | Asset | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales(1) | Charges | Balance(2) | Payable | Distributor(3) | Balance | Level(4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class B Shares, for the period December 30, 1994 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Under NASD Rule as Adopted | $ | 10,907 | $ | 682 | $ | 232 | $ | 914 | $ | 372 | $ | 542 | $ | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| Under Distributor’s Voluntary Waiver | $ | 10,907 | $ | 682 | $ | 54 | $ | 736 | $ | 372 | $ | 364 | $ | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| Class C Shares, for the period December 30, 1994 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Under NASD Rule as Adopted | $ | 1,676 | $ | 105 | $ | 39 | $ | 144 | $ | 29 | $ | 115 | $ | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| (1) | Purchase price of all eligible Class B or Class C shares sold during the periods indicated other than shares acquired through dividend reinvestment. |
| (2) | Interest is computed on a monthly basis based upon the prime rate, as reported in The Wall Street Journal, plus 1.0%, as permitted under the NASD Rule. |
| (3) | Consists of CDSC payments, distribution fee payments and accruals. |
| (4) | Provided to illustrate the extent to which the current level of distribution fee payments (not including any CDSC payments) is amortizing the unpaid balance. No assurance can be given that payments of the distribution fee will reach either the voluntary maximum (with respect to Class B shares) or the NASD maximum (with respect to Class B and Class C shares). |
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Reference is made to “How to Buy and Sell Shares” in the Prospectus.
The Fund is required to redeem for cash all shares of the Fund upon receipt of a written request in proper form. The redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined after the initial receipt of proper
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The Fund is designed for long-term investors. To discourage short-term trading in shares of the Fund, shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a redemption fee of 2.0% of the net asset value of the shares being redeemed. The redemption fee is retained by the Fund and may be used to cover the costs of liquidating portfolio securities.
The right to redeem shares or to receive payment with respect to any such redemption may be suspended for more than seven days only for any period during which trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is restricted as determined by the Commission or the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), for any period during which an emergency exists as defined by the Commission as a result of which disposal of portfolio securities or determination of the net asset value of the Fund is not reasonably practicable, and for such other periods as the Commission may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund.
The value of shares at the time of redemption may be more or less than the shareholder’s cost, depending in part on the market value of the securities held by the Fund at such time.
The Fund has entered into a joint committed line of credit with other investment companies advised by the Manager and its affiliates and a syndicate of banks that is intended to provide the Fund with a temporary source of cash to be used to meet redemption requests from Fund shareholders in extraordinary or emergency circumstances.
Redemption
A shareholder wishing to redeem shares held with the Transfer Agent may do so without charge by tendering the shares directly to the Transfer Agent at Financial Data Services, Inc., P.O. Box 45289, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289. Redemption requests delivered other than by mail should be delivered to Financial Data Services, Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484. Proper notice of redemption in the case of shares deposited with the Transfer Agent may be accomplished by a written letter requesting redemption. Proper notice of redemption in the case of shares for which certificates have been issued may be accomplished by a written letter as noted above accompanied by certificates for the shares to be redeemed. Redemption requests should not be sent to the Fund. The redemption request in either event requires the signature(s) of all persons in whose name(s) the shares are registered, signed exactly as such name(s) appear(s) on the Transfer Agent’s register. The signature(s) on the redemption requests must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” as such is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the existence and validity of which may be verified by the Transfer Agent through the use of industry publications. Notarized signatures are not sufficient. In general, signature guarantees are waived on redemptions of less than $50,000 as long as the following requirements are met: (i) all requests require the signature(s) of all persons in whose name(s) shares are recorded on the Transfer Agent’s register; (ii) all checks must be mailed to the stencil address of record on the Transfer Agent’s register and (iii) the stencil address must not have changed within 30 days. Certain rules may apply regarding certain account types such as but not limited to UGMA/UTMA accounts, Joint Tenancies With Rights of Survivorship, contra broker transactions, and institutional accounts. In certain instances, the Transfer Agent may require additional documents such as, but not limited to, trust instruments, death certificates, appointments as executor or administrator, or certificates of corporate authority.
A shareholder may also redeem shares held with the Transfer Agent by telephone request. To request a redemption from your account, call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-MER-FUND. The request must be made by the shareholder of record and be for an amount less than $50,000. Before telephone requests will be honored, signature approval from all shareholders of record on the account must be obtained. The shares being redeemed must have been held for at least 15 days. Telephone redemption requests will not be honored in the following situations: the accountholder is deceased, the proceeds are to be sent to someone other than the
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Since this account feature involves a risk of loss from unauthorized or fraudulent transactions, the Transfer Agent will take certain precautions to protect your account from fraud. Telephone redemption may be refused if the caller is unable to provide: the account number, the name and address registered on the account and the social security number registered on the account. The Fund or the Transfer Agent may temporarily suspend telephone transactions at any time.
For shareholders redeeming directly with the Transfer Agent, payments will be mailed within seven days of receipt of a proper notice of redemption. At various times the Fund may be requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet received good payment ( e.g., cash, Federal funds or certified check drawn on a United States bank). The Fund may delay or cause to be delayed the mailing of a redemption check until such time as it has assured itself that good payment (e.g., cash, Federal funds or certified check drawn on a United States bank) has been collected for the purchase of such Fund shares, which will not exceed 10 days. In the event that a shareholder account held directly with the Transfer Agent contains a fractional share balance, such fractional share balance will be automatically redeemed by the Fund.
Repurchase
The Fund also will repurchase Fund shares through a shareholder’s listed securities dealer. The Fund normally will accept orders to repurchase Fund shares by wire or telephone from dealers for their customers at the net asset value next computed after the order is placed. Shares will be priced at the net asset value calculated on the day the request is received, provided that the request for repurchase is submitted to the dealer prior to the close of business on the NYSE (generally, the NYSE closes at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), and such request is received by the Fund from such dealer not later than 30 minutes after the close of business on the NYSE on the same day. Dealers have the responsibility of submitting such repurchase requests to the Fund not later than 30 minutes after the close of business on the NYSE, in order to obtain that day’s closing price.
The foregoing repurchase arrangements are for the convenience of shareholders and do not involve a charge by the Fund (other than any applicable CDSC). Securities firms that do not have selected dealer agreements with the Distributor, however, may impose a transaction charge on the shareholder for transmitting the notice of repurchase to the Fund. Merrill Lynch may charge its customers a processing fee (presently $5.35) to confirm a repurchase of shares to such customers. Repurchases made directly through the Transfer Agent on accounts held at the Transfer Agent are not subject to the processing fee. The Fund reserves the right to reject any order for repurchase, which right of rejection might adversely affect shareholders seeking redemption through the repurchase procedure. However, a shareholder whose order for repurchase is rejected by the Fund may redeem Fund shares as set forth above.
Reinstatement Privilege — Class A and Class D Shares
Shareholders who have redeemed their Class A or Class D shares of the Fund have a privilege to reinstate their accounts by purchasing Class A or Class D shares, as the case may be, of the Fund at net asset value without a sales charge up to the dollar amount redeemed. The reinstatement privilege may be exercised by sending a notice of exercise along with a check for the amount to be reinstated to the Transfer Agent within 30 days after the date the request for redemption was accepted by the Transfer Agent or the Distributor. Alternatively, the reinstatement privilege may be exercised through the investor’s Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant within 30 days after the date the request for redemption was accepted by the Transfer Agent or the Distributor. The reinstatement will be made at the net asset value per share next determined after the notice of reinstatement is received and cannot exceed the amount of the redemption proceeds.
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PRICING OF SHARES
Determination of Net Asset Value
Reference is made to “How Shares are Priced” in the Prospectus.
The net asset value of the shares of all classes of the Fund is determined once daily Monday through Friday as of 15 minutes after the close of business on the NYSE on each day the NYSE is open for trading based on prices at the time of closing. The NYSE generally closes at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. Any assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of non-U.S. dollar currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more banks or dealers on the day of valuation. The NYSE is not open for trading on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Net asset value is computed by dividing the value of the securities held by the Portfolio plus any cash or other assets (including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the total number of shares outstanding at such time, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses, including the fees payable to the Manager and Distributor, are accrued daily.
The per share net asset value of Class B, Class C and Class D shares generally will be lower than the per share net asset value of Class A shares, reflecting the daily expense accruals of the account maintenance, distribution and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to Class B and Class C shares, and the daily expense accruals of the account maintenance fees applicable with respect to the Class D shares; moreover, the per share net asset value of the Class B and Class C shares generally will be lower than the per share net asset value of Class D shares reflecting the daily expense accruals of the distribution fees and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. It is expected, however, that the per share net asset value of the four classes will tend to converge (although not necessarily meet) immediately after the payment of dividends, which will differ by approximately the amount of the expense accrual differentials between the classes.
Portfolio securities, including ADRs, EDRs and GDRs, that are traded on stock exchanges are valued at the last sale price (regular way) on the exchange on which such securities are traded as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price for long positions, and at the last available ask price for short positions. In cases where securities are traded on more than one exchange, the securities are valued on the exchange designated by or under the authority of the Trustees as the primary market. Long positions in securities traded in the OTC market are valued at the last available bid price in the OTC market prior to the time of valuation. Portfolio securities that are traded both in the OTC market and on a stock exchange are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Short positions in securities traded in the OTC market are valued at the last available ask price in the OTC market prior to the time of valuation. When the Fund writes an option, the amount of the premium received is recorded on the books of the Fund as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently valued to reflect the current market value of the option written, based upon the last sale price in the case of exchange-traded options or, in the case of options traded in the OTC market, the last asked price. Options purchased by the Fund are valued at their last sale price in the case of exchange-traded options or, in the case of options traded in the OTC market, the last bid price. Other investments, including financial futures contracts and related options, are stated at market value. Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Directors of the Fund. Such valuations and procedures will be reviewed periodically by the Directors.
Generally, trading in non-U.S. securities, as well as U.S. Government securities and money market instruments, is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of business on the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund’s shares are determined as of such times. Foreign currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior to the close of business on the NYSE. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such securities and such exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined and the close of business on the NYSE that may not be reflected in the computation of the Fund’s net asset value.
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Computation of Offering Price Per Share
An illustration of the computation of the offering price for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares of the Fund based on the value of the Fund’s net assets and number of shares outstanding on November 30, 1999 is set forth below.
| Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D | |||||||||||||
| Net Assets | $ | 542,947 | $ | 2,206,954 | $ | 214,681 | $ | 380,166 | ||||||||
| Number of Shares Outstanding | 53,567 | 222,014 | 21,578 | 37,722 | ||||||||||||
| Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number of shares outstanding) | $ | 10.14 | $ | 9.94 | $ | 9.95 | $ | 10.08 | ||||||||
|
Sales Charge (for Class A and Class D shares: 5.25% of offering price; 5.54% of net asset value per share)* |
.56 | ** | ** | .56 | ||||||||||||
| Offering Price | $ | 10.70 | $ | 9.94 | $ | 9.95 | $ | 10.64 | ||||||||
| * | Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent; assumes maximum sales charge is applicable. |
| ** | Class B and Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge but may be subject to a CDSC on redemption of shares. See “Purchase of Shares — Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives — Class B and Class C Shares — Contingent Deferred Sales Charges — Class B Shares” and “— Contingent Deferred Sales Charges — Class C Shares” herein. |
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Subject to policies established by the Board of Directors, the Manager is primarily responsible for the execution of the Fund’s portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage. The Fund has no obligation to deal with any dealer or group of dealers in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities of the Fund. Where possible, the Fund deals directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in those circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere. It is the policy of the Fund to obtain the best results in conducting portfolio transactions for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable dealer spread or commission), the size, type and difficulty of the transaction involved, the firm’s general execution and operations facilities and the firm’s risk in positioning the securities involved. The portfolio securities of the Fund generally are traded on a principal basis and normally do not involve either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes. The cost of portfolio securities transactions of the Fund primarily consists of dealer or underwriter spreads. While reasonable competitive spreads or commissions are sought, the Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available. Transactions with respect to the securities of small and emerging growth companies in which the Fund may invest may involve specialized services on the part of the broker or dealer and thereby entail higher commissions or spreads than would be the case with transactions involving more widely traded securities.
Subject to obtaining the best net results, dealers who provide supplemental investment research (such as information concerning tax-exempt securities, economic data and market forecasts) to the Manager may receive orders for transactions by the Fund. Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Manager under its Management Agreement and the expense of the Manager will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information. Supplemental investment research obtained from such dealers might be used by the Manager in servicing all of its accounts and all such research might not be used by the Manager in connection with the Fund. Consistent with the Conduct Rules of the NASD and policies established by the Directors of the Fund, the Manager may consider sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers or dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund.
The Fund anticipates that its brokerage transactions involving securities of issuers domiciled in countries other than the United States will be conducted primarily on the principal stock exchanges of such countries. Brokerage commissions and other transaction costs on foreign stock exchange transactions are generally higher than in the United States, although the Fund will endeavor to achieve the best net results in effecting its
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Foreign equity securities may be held by the Fund in the form of ADRs, EDRs, GDRs or other securities convertible into foreign equity securities. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be listed on stock exchanges or traded in OTC markets in the United States or Europe, as the case may be. ADRs traded in the United States, like other securities traded in the U.S., will be subject to negotiated commission rates.
The Fund may invest in securities traded in the OTC markets and intends to deal directly with the dealers who make markets in the securities involved except in those circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Under the Investment Company Act, persons affiliated with the Fund and persons who are affiliated with such affiliated persons are prohibited from dealing with the Fund as principal in the purchase and sale of securities unless a permissive order allowing such transactions is obtained from the Commission. Since transactions in the OTC market usually involve transactions with dealers acting as principal for their own account, the Fund will not deal with affiliated persons, including Merrill Lynch and its affiliates, in connection with such transactions. However, affiliated persons of the Fund may serve as its broker in listed or OTC transactions conducted on an agency basis provided that, among other things, the fee or commission received by such affiliated broker is reasonable and fair compared to the fee or commission received by non-affiliated brokers in connection with comparable transactions. In addition, the Fund may not purchase securities during the existence of any underwriting syndicate for such securities of which Merrill Lynch is a member or in a private placement in which Merrill Lynch serves as placement agent except pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund that either comply with rules adopted by the Commission or with interpretations of the Commission staff. See “Investment Objective and Policies — Investment Restrictions.”
The Fund’s ability and decisions to purchase or sell portfolio securities of foreign issuers may be affected by laws or regulations relating to the convertibility and repatriation of assets. Because the shares of the Fund are redeemable on a daily basis in U.S. dollars, the Fund intends to manage its portfolio so as to give reasonable assurance that it will be able to obtain U.S. dollars to the extent necessary to meet anticipated redemptions. Under present conditions, it is not believed that these considerations will have any significant effect on its portfolio strategies.
Information about the brokerage commissions paid by the Fund, including commissions paid to Merrill Lynch, is set forth in the following table:
| Aggregate Brokerage | Commissions Paid | |||||||
| Fiscal Year Ended November 30, | Commissions Paid | to Merrill Lynch | ||||||
| 1999 | $ | 20,720 | $ | 3,088 | ||||
| 1998 | $ | 13,683 | $ | 91 | ||||
| 1997 | $ | 43,195 | $ | 2,930 | ||||
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, the brokerage commissions paid to Merrill Lynch represented 14.90% of the aggregate brokerage commissions paid and involved 21.43% of the Fund’s dollar amount of transactions involving payment of commissions during the year.
Under the Investment Company Act, persons affiliated with the Fund and persons who are affiliated with such persons are prohibited from dealing with the Fund as principal in the purchase and sale of securities unless a permissive order allowing such transactions is obtained from the Commission. Since transactions in the over-the-counter market usually involve transactions with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts, affiliated persons of the Fund, including Merrill Lynch and any of its affiliates, will not serve as the Fund’s dealer in such transactions. However, affiliated persons of the Fund may serve as its broker in listed or over-the-counter transactions conducted on an agency basis provided that, among other things, the fee or commission received by such affiliated broker is reasonable and fair compared to the fee or commission received by non-affiliated brokers in connection with comparable transactions. In addition, the Fund may not purchase securities during the existence of any underwriting syndicate for such securities of which Merrill Lynch is a member or in a private placement in which Merrill Lynch serves as placement agent except
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Certain court decisions have raised questions as to the extent to which investment companies should seek exemptions under the Investment Company Act in order to seek to recapture underwriting and dealer spreads from affiliated entities. The Directors have considered all factors deemed relevant and have made a determination not to seek such recapture at this time. The Directors will reconsider this matter from time to time.
Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act generally prohibits members of the U.S. national securities exchanges from executing exchange transactions for their affiliates and institutional accounts that they manage unless the member (i) has obtained prior express authorization from the account to effect such transactions, (ii) at least annually furnishes the account with a statement setting forth the aggregate compensation received by the member in effecting such transactions, and (iii) complies with any rules the Commission has prescribed with respect to the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii). To the extent Section 11(a) would apply to Merrill Lynch acting as a broker for the Fund in any of its portfolio transactions executed on any such securities exchange of which it is a member, appropriate consents have been obtained from the Fund and annual statements as to aggregate compensation will be provided to the Fund. Securities may be held by, or be appropriate investments for, the Fund as well as other funds or investment advisory clients of the Manager or FAM.
Because of different objectives or other factors, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients of the Manager or an affiliate when one or more clients of the Manager or an affiliate are selling the same security. If purchases or sales of securities arise for consideration at or about the same time that would involve the Fund or other clients or funds for which the Manager or an affiliate act as manager, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective funds and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all. To the extent that transactions on behalf of more than one client of the Manager or an affiliate during the same period may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Fund offers a number of shareholder services and investment plans described below that are designed to facilitate investment in shares of the Fund. Full details as to each of such services, copies of the various plans and instructions as to how to participate in the various services or plans, or how to change options with respect thereto, can be obtained from the Fund, by calling the telephone number on the cover page hereof, or from the Distributor or Merrill Lynch. Certain of these services are available only to U.S. investors.
Investment Account
Each shareholder whose account is maintained at the Transfer Agent has an Investment Account and will receive statements, at least quarterly, from the Transfer Agent. These statements will serve as transaction confirmations for automatic investment purchases and the reinvestment of dividends. The statements will also show any other activity in the account since the preceding statement. Shareholders will also receive separate confirmations for each purchase or sale transaction other than automatic investment purchases and the reinvestment of dividends. A shareholder with an account held at the Transfer Agent may make additions to his or her Investment Account at any time by mailing a check directly to the Transfer Agent. A shareholder may also maintain an account through Merrill Lynch. Upon the transfer of shares out of a Merrill Lynch brokerage account, an Investment Account in the transferring shareholder’s name may be opened automatically at the Transfer Agent.
Share certificates are issued only for full shares and only upon the specific request of a shareholder who has an Investment Account. Issuance of certificates representing all or only part of the full shares in an Investment Account may be requested by a shareholder directly from the Transfer Agent.
Shareholders may transfer their Fund shares from Merrill Lynch to another securities dealer that has entered into a selected dealer agreement with Merrill Lynch. Certain shareholder services may not be
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Shareholders considering transferring a tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, from Merrill Lynch to another securities dealer should be aware that, if the firm to which the retirement account is to be transferred will not take delivery of shares of the Fund, a shareholder must either redeem the shares, paying any applicable CDSC, so that the cash proceeds can be transferred to the account at the new firm, or such shareholder must continue to maintain a retirement account at Merrill Lynch for those shares.
Retirement and Education Plans
Individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans are available from Merrill Lynch and other financial institutions. Under these plans, investments may be made in the Fund and certain of the other mutual funds sponsored by Merrill Lynch as well as in other securities. There may be fees associated with investing through these plans, which are described in plan materials. Information with respect to these plans is available on request from Merrill Lynch.
Dividends received in each of the plans referred to above are exempt from Federal taxation until distributed from the plans. Different tax rules apply to Roth IRA plans and education savings plans. Investors considering participation in any retirement or education savings plan should review specific tax laws relating thereto and should consult their attorneys or tax advisers with respect to the establishment and maintenance of any such plan.
Automatic Investment Plans
A shareholder may make additions to an Investment Account at any time by purchasing Class A shares (if he or she is an eligible Class A investor) or Class B, Class C or Class D shares at the applicable public offering price. These purchases may be made either through the shareholder’s securities dealer, or by mail directly to the Transfer Agent, acting as agent for such securities dealer. Voluntary accumulation also can be made through a service known as the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan. The Fund would be authorized, on a regular basis, to provide systematic additions to the Investment Account of such shareholder through charges of $50 or more to the regular bank account of the shareholder by either pre-authorized checks or automated clearing house debits. Alternatively, an investor that maintains a CMA® or CBA® account may arrange to have periodic investments made in the Fund of amounts of $100 or more ($1 or more for retirement accounts) or more through the CMA® or CBA® Automated Investment Program.
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Unless specific instructions are given as to the method of payment, dividends and capital gains distributions will be automatically reinvested, without sales charge, in additional full and fractional shares of the Fund. Such reinvestment will be at the net asset value of shares of the Fund determined as of the close of business on the NYSE on the monthly payment date for such dividends. No CDSC will be imposed upon redemption of shares issued as a result of the automatic reinvestment of dividends.
Shareholders may, at any time, by written notification to Merrill Lynch if their account is maintained with Merrill Lynch, or by written notification or by telephone (1-800-MER-FUND) to the Transfer Agent, if their account is maintained with the Transfer Agent elect to have subsequent dividends paid in cash, rather than reinvested in shares of the Fund or vice versa (provided that, in the event that a payment on an account maintained at the Transfer Agent would amount to $10.00 or less, a shareholder will not receive such payment
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DIVIDENDS AND TAXES
Dividends
It is the Fund’s intention to distribute all of its net investment income, if any. Dividends from such investment income are paid at least annually. All net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed to the Fund’s shareholders at least annually. Shareholders may elect in writing to receive any such dividends in cash. Premiums from expired call options written by the Fund and net gains from closing purchase transactions are treated as short term capital gains to the Fund for Federal income tax purposes. See “Shareholder Services — Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for information concerning the manner in which dividends may be reinvested automatically in shares of the Fund. Dividends are taxable to shareholders, as described below, whether they are invested in shares of the Fund or received in cash. The per share dividends on Class B and Class C shares will be lower than the per share dividends on Class A and Class D shares as a result of the account maintenance, distribution and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to the Class B and Class C shares; similarly, the per share dividends on Class D shares will be lower than the per share dividends on Class A shares as a result of the account maintenance fees applicable with respect to the Class D shares. See “Pricing of Shares — Determination of Net Asset Value.”
Taxes
The Fund intends to continue to qualify for the special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Code. As long as the Fund so qualifies, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will not be subject to Federal income tax on the part of its net ordinary income and net realized capital gains that it distributes to Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shareholders (together, the “shareholders”). The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of such income.
The Code requires a RIC to pay a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent the RIC does not distribute, during each calendar year, 98% of its ordinary income, determined on a calendar year basis, and 98% of its capital gains, determined, in general on a October 31 year end, plus certain undistributed amounts from previous years. While the Fund intends to distribute its income and capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund’s taxable income and capital gains will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the tax. In such event, the Fund will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirements.
Dividends paid by the Fund from its ordinary income or from an excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses (together referred to hereafter as “ordinary income dividends”) are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions made from an excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses (including gains or losses from certain transactions in warrants, futures and options) (“capital gain dividends”) are taxable to shareholders as long-term gains, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has owned Fund shares. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the shareholder. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder’s shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such holder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). Certain categories of capital gains are taxable at different rates. Generally not later than 60 days after the close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide its shareholders with a written notice designating the amounts of any capital gain dividends, as well as any amount of capital gain dividends in the different categories of capital gain referred to above.
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Dividends are taxable to shareholders even though they are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. Distributions by the Fund, whether from ordinary income or capital gains, generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code. If the Fund pays a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by its shareholders on December 31 of the year in which such dividend was declared.
No gain or loss will be recognized by Class B shareholders on the conversion of their Class B shares into Class D shares. A shareholder’s basis in the Class D shares acquired will be the same as such shareholder’s basis in the Class B shares converted, and the holding period of the acquired Class D shares will include the holding period of the converted Class B shares.
If a shareholder exercises an exchange privilege within 90 days of acquiring the shares, then the loss the shareholder can recognize on the exchange will be reduced (or the gain increased) to the extent any sales charge paid to the Fund on the exchanged shares reduces any sales charge the shareholder would have owed upon purchase of the new shares in the absence of the exchange privilege. Instead, such sales charge will be treated as an amount paid for the new shares.
A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be disallowed if other Fund shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
Ordinary income dividends paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities will be subject to a 30% United States withholding tax under existing provisions of the Code applicable to foreign individuals and entities unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers concerning applicability of the United States withholding tax.
Under certain provisions of the Code, some shareholders may be subject to a 31% withholding tax on ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and redemption payments (“backup withholding”). Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom no certified taxpayer identification number is on file with the Fund or who, to the Fund’s knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding.
Dividends and interest received by the Fund may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Shareholders may be able to claim United States foreign tax credits with respect to such taxes, subject to certain conditions and limitations contained in the Code. For example, certain retirement accounts cannot claim foreign tax credits on investments in foreign securities held in the Fund. In addition, a foreign tax credit may be claimed with respect to withholding tax on a dividend paid by the Fund only if the shareholder meets certain holding period requirements. The Fund also must meet these holding period requirements, and if the Fund fails to do so, it will not be able to “pass through” to shareholders the ability to claim a credit or deduction for the related foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If the Fund satisfies the holding period requirements and more than 50% in value of its total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible, and intends, to file an election with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to which shareholders of the Fund will be required to include their proportionate shares of such withholding taxes in their United States income tax returns as gross income, treat such proportionate shares as taxes paid by them, and deduct such proportionate shares computing in their taxable incomes or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits against their United States income taxes. No deductions for foreign taxes, moreover, may be claimed by noncorporate shareholders who do not itemize deductions. A shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual or a foreign corporation may be subject to United States withholding taxes on the income resulting from the Fund’s election described in this paragraph but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction against such United States tax for the foreign taxes treated as having been paid by such shareholder. The Fund will report annually to its shareholders the amount per share of such withholding taxes
40
The Fund may invest in securities rated in the medium to lower rating categories of nationally recognized rating organizations, and in unrated securities (“high yield/ high risk securities” or “junk bonds”). Some of these high yield/ high risk securities may be purchased at a discount and may therefore cause the Fund to accrue and distribute income before amounts due under the obligations are paid. In addition, a portion of the interest payments on such high yield/ high risk securities may be treated as dividends for Federal income tax purposes; in such case, if the issuer of such high yield/ high risk securities is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by the Fund will be eligible for the dividends received deduction to the extent of the deemed dividend portion of such interest payments.
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities of other investment companies. If the Fund purchases shares of an investment company (or similar investment entity) organized under foreign law, the Fund will be treated as owning shares in a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. The Fund may be subject to U.S. Federal income tax, and an additional tax in the nature of interest (the “interest charge”), on a portion of the distributions from such a company and on gain from the disposition of the shares of such a company (collectively referred to as “excess distributions”), even if such excess distributions are paid by the Fund as a dividend to its shareholders. The Fund may be eligible to make an election with respect to certain PFICs in which it owns shares that will allow it to avoid the taxes on excess distributions. However, such election may cause the Fund to recognize income in a particular year in excess of the distributions received from such PFICs. Alternatively, the Fund could elect to “mark to market” at the end of each taxable year all shares that it holds in PFICs. If it made this election, the Fund would recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares over their adjusted basis and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent it did not exceed prior increases. By making the mark-to-market election, the Fund could avoid imposition of the interest charge with respect to its distributions from PFICs, but in any particular year might be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it received from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock.
Tax Treatment of Options, Futures and Forward Foreign Exchange Transactions
The Fund may write, purchase or sell options, futures and forward foreign exchange contracts. Options and futures contracts that are “Section 1256 contracts” will be “marked to market” for Federal income tax purposes at the end of each taxable year, i.e., each such option or futures contract will be treated as sold for its fair market value on the last day of the taxable year. Unless such contract is a forward foreign exchange contract, or is a non-equity option or a regulated futures contract for a non-U.S. currency for which the Fund elects to have gain or loss treated as ordinary gain or loss under Code Section 988 (as described below), gain or loss from Section 1256 contracts will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of these rules to Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund may alter the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. The mark-to-market rules outlined above, however, will not apply to certain transactions entered into by the Fund solely to reduce the risk of changes in price or interest or currency exchange rates with respect to its investments.
A forward foreign exchange contract that is a Section 1256 contract will be marked to market, as described above. However, the character of gain or loss from such a contract will generally be ordinary under Code Section 988. The Fund may, nonetheless, elect to treat the gain or loss from certain forward foreign exchange contracts as capital. In this case, gain or loss realized in connection with a forward foreign exchange contract that is a Section 1256 contract will be characterized as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss.
41
Code Section 1092, which applies to certain “straddles,” may affect the taxation of the Fund’s sales of securities and transactions in options, futures and forward foreign exchange contracts. Under Section 1092, the Fund may be required to postpone recognition for tax purposes of losses incurred in certain sales of securities and certain closing transactions in options, futures and forward foreign exchange contracts.
Special Rules for Certain Foreign Currency Transactions
In general, gains from “foreign currencies” and from foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and forward foreign exchange contracts relating to investments in stock, securities or foreign currencies will be qualifying income for purposes of determining whether the Fund qualifies as a RIC. It is currently unclear, however, who will be treated as the issuer of a foreign currency instrument or how foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and forward foreign exchange contracts will be valued for purposes of the RIC diversification requirements applicable to the Fund.
Under Code Section 988, special rules are provided for certain transactions in a currency other than the taxpayer’s functional currency (i.e., unless certain special rules apply, currencies other than the U.S. dollar). In general, foreign currency gains or losses from certain debt instruments, from certain forward contracts, from future contracts that are not “regulated futures contracts” and from unlisted options will be treated as ordinary income or loss under Code Section 988. In certain circumstances, the Fund may elect capital gain or loss treatment for such transactions. Regulated futures contracts, as described above, will be taxed under Code Section 1256 unless application of Section 988 is elected by the Fund. In general, however, Code Section 988 gains or losses will increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income available to be distributed to shareholders as ordinary income. Additionally, if Code Section 988 losses exceed other investment company taxable income during a taxable year, the Fund would not be able to make any ordinary income dividend distributions, and all or a portion of distributions made before the losses were realized but in the same taxable year would be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders, thereby reducing the basis of each shareholder’s Fund shares and resulting in a capital gain for any shareholder who received a distribution greater than such shareholder’s basis in Fund shares (assuming the shares were held as a capital asset). These rules and the mark-to-market rules described above, however, will not apply to certain transactions entered into by the Fund solely to reduce the risk of currency fluctuations with respect to its investments.
The Treasury Department has authority to issue regulations concerning the recharacterization of principal repayments and interest payments with respect to debt obligations issued in hyperinflationary currencies, which may include the currencies of certain countries in which the Fund intends to invest. To date, no such regulations have been issued.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions of the Code and Treasury regulations presently in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. The Code and the Treasury regulations are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative action either prospectively or retroactively.
Ordinary income and capital gain dividends may also be subject to state and local taxes.
Certain states exempt from state income taxation dividends paid by RICs which are derived from interest on United States Government obligations. State law varies as to whether dividend income attributable to United States Government obligations is exempt from state income tax.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to Federal, foreign, state or local taxes. Foreign investors should consider applicable foreign taxes in their evaluation of investment in the Fund.
42
PERFORMANCE DATA
From time to time the Fund may include its average annual total return and other total return data in advertisements or information furnished to present or prospective shareholders. Total return figures are based on the Fund’s historical performance and are not intended to indicate future performance. Average annual total return is determined separately for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares in accordance with formulas specified by the Commission.
Average annual total return quotations for the specified periods are computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return (based on net investment income and any realized and unrealized capital gains or losses on portfolio investments over such periods) that would equate the initial amount invested to the redeemable value of such investment at the end of each period. Average annual total return is computed assuming all dividends and distributions are reinvested and taking into account all applicable recurring and nonrecurring expenses, including the maximum sales charge in the case of Class A and Class D shares and the CDSC that would be applicable to a complete redemption of the investment at the end of the specified period in the case of Class B and Class C shares.
The Fund also may quote annual, average annual and annualized total return and aggregate total return performance data, both as a percentage and as a dollar amount based on a hypothetical $1,000 investment, for various periods other than those noted below. Such data will be computed as described above, except that (1) as required by the periods of the quotations, actual annual, annualized or aggregate data, rather than average annual data, may be quoted and (2) the maximum applicable sales charges will not be included with respect to annual or annualized rates of return calculations. Aside from the impact on the performance data calculations of including or excluding the maximum applicable sales charges, actual annual or annualized total return data generally will be lower than average annual total return data since the average rates of return reflect compounding of return; aggregate total return data generally will be higher than average annual total return data since the aggregate rates of return reflect compounding over a longer period of time.
Set forth in the tables below is total return information for the Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares of the Fund for the periods indicated.
| Class A Shares | Class B Shares | |||||||||||||||
| Expressed as | Redeemable Value | Expressed as | Redeemable Value | |||||||||||||
| a percentage | of a hypothetical | a percentage | of a hypothetical | |||||||||||||
| based on a | $1,000 investment | based on a | $1,000 investment | |||||||||||||
| hypothetical | at the end of | hypothetical | at the end of | |||||||||||||
| Period | $1,000 investment | the period | $1,000 investment | the period | ||||||||||||
| Average Annual Total Return | ||||||||||||||||
| (including maximum applicable sales charges) | ||||||||||||||||
| One Year Ended November 30, 1999 | 15.10 | % | $ | 1,151.00 | 16.11 | % | $ | 1,161.10 | ||||||||
| Inception (December 30, 1994) to November 30, 1999 | 2.64 | % | $ | 1,137.00 | 2.67 | % | $ | 1,138.30 | ||||||||
| Annual Total Return | ||||||||||||||||
| (excluding maximum applicable sales charges) | ||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended November 30, | ||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | 23.96 | % | $ | 1,239.60 | 22.56 | % | $ | 1,225.60 | ||||||||
| 1998 | (22.59 | )% | $ | 774.10 | (23.40 | )% | $ | 766.00 | ||||||||
| 1997 | 22.43 | % | $ | 1,224.30 | 21.02 | % | $ | 1,210.20 | ||||||||
| 1996 | (4.17 | )% | $ | 958.30 | (5.14 | )% | $ | 948.60 | ||||||||
| Inception (December 30, 1994) to November 30, 1995 | 6.60 | % | $ | 1,066.00 | 5.60 | % | $ | 1,056.00 | ||||||||
43
| Class A Shares | Class B Shares | |||||||||||||||
| Expressed as | Redeemable Value | Expressed as | Redeemable Value | |||||||||||||
| a percentage | of a hypothetical | a percentage | of a hypothetical | |||||||||||||
| based on a | $1,000 investment | based on a | $1,000 investment | |||||||||||||
| hypothetical | at the end of | hypothetical | at the end of | |||||||||||||
| Period | $1,000 investment | the period | $1,000 investment | the period | ||||||||||||
| Aggregate Total Return | ||||||||||||||||
| (including maximum applicable sales charges) | ||||||||||||||||
| Inception (December 30, 1994) to November 30, 1999 | 13.70 | % | $ | 1,137.00 | 13.83 | % | $ | 1,138.30 | ||||||||
| Class C Shares | Class D Shares | |||||||||||||||
| Expressed as | Redeemable Value | Expressed as | Redeemable Value | |||||||||||||
| a percentage | of a hypothetical | a percentage | of a hypothetical | |||||||||||||
| based on a | $1,000 investment | based on a | $1,000 investment | |||||||||||||
| hypothetical | at the end of | hypothetical | at the end of | |||||||||||||
| Period | $1,000 investment | the period | $1,000 investment | the period | ||||||||||||
| Average Annual Total Return | ||||||||||||||||
| (including maximum applicable sales charges) | ||||||||||||||||
| One Year Ended November 30, 1999 | 19.09 | % | $ | 1,190.90 | 14.84 | % | $ | 1,148.40 | ||||||||
| Inception (December 30, 1994) to November 30, 1999 | 2.73 | % | $ | 1,141.70 | 2.36 | % | $ | 1,121.60 | ||||||||
| Annual Total Return | ||||||||||||||||
| (excluding maximum applicable sales charges) | ||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended November 30, | ||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | 22.54 | % | $ | 1,225.40 | 23.68 | % | $ | 1,236.80 | ||||||||
| 1998 | (23.38 | )% | $ | 766.20 | (22.84 | )% | $ | 771.60 | ||||||||
| 1997 | 21.42 | % | $ | 1,214.20 | 21.95 | % | $ | 1,219.50 | ||||||||
| 1996 | (5.16 | )% | $ | 948.40 | (4.31 | )% | $ | 956.90 | ||||||||
| Inception (December 30, 1994) to November 30, 1995. | 5.60 | % | $ | 1,056.00 | 6.30 | % | $ | 1,063.00 | ||||||||
| Aggregate Total Return | ||||||||||||||||
| (including maximum applicable sales charges) | ||||||||||||||||
| Inception (December 30, 1994) to November 30, 1999 | 14.17 | % | $ | 1,141.70 | 12.16 | % | $ | 1,121.60 | ||||||||
Total return figures are based on the Fund’s historical performance and are not intended to indicate future performance. The Fund’s total return will vary depending on market conditions, the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund’s operating expenses and the amount of realized and unrealized net capital gains or losses during the period. The value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate and an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
In order to reflect the reduced sales charges in the case of Class A or Class D shares, or the waiver of the CDSC in the case of Class B or Class C shares applicable to certain investors, as described under “Purchase of Shares” the total return data quoted by the Fund in advertisements directed to such investors may take into account the reduced, and not the maximum, sales charge or may not take into account the CDSC, and, therefore, may reflect greater total return since, due to the reduced sales charges or the waiver of CDSCs, a lower amount of expenses may be deducted. As with other performance data, performance comparisons should not be considered indicative of the Fund’s relative performance for any future period.
44
On occasion, the Fund may compare its performance to various indices, including the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) indices for Israel, Turkey and South Africa, the Standard & Poor’s Composite 500 Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, or to performance data published by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar Publications, Inc. (“Morningstar”), CDA Investment Technology, Inc., Money Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Business Week, Forbes Magazine, Fortune Magazine or other industry publications. When comparing its performance to a market index, the Fund may refer to various statistical measures derived from the historic performance of the Fund and the index, such as standard deviation and beta. In addition, from time to time the Fund may include the Fund’s Morningstar risk-adjusted performance ratings in advertisements or supplemental sales literature. As with other performance data, performance comparisons should not be considered indicative of the Fund’s relative performance for any future period.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description of Shares
The Fund was incorporated under Maryland law on March 15, 1994. At the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Fund has an authorized capital of 400,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, divided into Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares, each of which consists of 100,000,000 shares. Under the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund, the Directors have the authority to issue separate classes of shares which would represent interests in the assets of the Fund and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions except that expenses related to the distribution and/or accountant maintenance of the shares of a class may be borne solely by such class, and a class may have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to the expenses being borne only by such class. Upon liquidation of the Fund, shareholders of each class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders, except for any expenses which may be attributable only to one class. Shares have no preemptive rights.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held in the election of Directors (to the extent hereafter provided) and on other matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, except that shareholders of a class bearing account maintenance and/or distribution expenses as provided above shall have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to such account maintenance and/or distribution expenditures. The Fund does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders in any year in which the Investment Company Act does not require shareholders to elect Directors. A special meeting of shareholders may be held upon a written request of a shareholder that complies with the by-laws of the Fund and with applicable Maryland law. Voting rights for Directors are not cumulative. Shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable and have no preemptive or conversion rights. Redemption rights are discussed elsewhere herein and in the Prospectus. Each share of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Common Stock is entitled to participate equally in dividends declared by the Fund and in the net assets of the Fund upon liquidation or dissolution after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities, except that, as noted above, expenses related to the account maintenance and/or distribution of the Class B, Class C and Class D shares are borne solely by such class. Stock certificates are issued by the transfer agent only on specific request. Certificates for fractional shares are not issued in any case.
The Manager provided the initial capital for the Fund by purchasing 10,000 shares of common stock of the Fund for $100,000. Such shares were acquired for investment and can only be disposed of by redemption. The organizational expenses of the Fund were paid by the Fund and are being amortized over a period not exceeding five years. The proceeds realized by the Manager upon the redemption of any of the shares initially
45
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 117 Campus Drive, Princeton Forrestal Village, 116-300 Village Boulevard, New Jersey 08540-6400, has been selected as the independent auditors of the Fund. The selection of independent auditors is subject to approval by the non-interested Directors of the Fund. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Fund.
Custodian
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (the “Custodian”), 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 (the “Custodian”), acts as custodian of the Fund’s assets. Under its contract with the Fund, the Custodian is authorized to establish separate accounts in foreign currencies and to cause foreign securities owned by the Fund to be held in its offices outside the U.S. and with certain foreign banks and securities depositories. The Custodian is responsible for safeguarding and controlling the Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments.
Transfer Agent
Financial Data Services, Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484, acts as the Fund’s Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent is responsible for the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening, maintenance and servicing of shareholder accounts. See “How to Buy, Sell, Transfer and Exchange Shares — Through the Transfer Agent” in the Prospectus.
Legal Counsel
Brown & Wood LLP, One World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0557, is counsel for the Fund.
Reports to Shareholders
The fiscal year of the Fund ends on November 30 of each year. The Fund sends to its shareholders, at least semi-annually, reports showing the Fund’s portfolio and other information. An annual report, containing financial statements audited by independent auditors, is sent to shareholders each year. After the end of each year, shareholders will receive Federal income tax information regarding dividends.
Shareholder Inquiries
Shareholder inquiries may be addressed to the Fund at the address or telephone number set forth on the cover page of this Statement of Additional Information.
Additional Information
The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits relating thereto, which the Fund has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act, to which reference is hereby made.
Under a separate agreement, ML & Co. has granted the Fund the right to use the “Merrill Lynch” name and has reserved the right to withdraw its consent to the use of such name by the Fund at any time or to grant the use of such name to any other company, and the Fund has granted ML & Co., under certain conditions, the use of any other name it might assume in the future, with respect to any corporation organized by ML & Co.
46
To the knowledge of the Fund, the following persons or entities owned beneficially 5% or more of any class of the Fund’s shares as of March 1, 2000.
| Name | Address | Percent of Class | ||
| Arthur Zeikel and Terrie Zeikel |
300 Woodland Avenue Westfield, NJ 07090 |
28.91% of Class A | ||
| Althea Grace Pineda |
54 Governors Lane Princeton, NJ 08540 |
20.80% of Class A | ||
| Edward D. Zinbarg |
5 Hardwell Road Short Hills, NJ 07078 |
19.46% of Class A | ||
| James Leitner and Sandra Leitner |
737 Charnwood Drive Wyckoff, NJ 07481 |
13.48% of Class B | ||
| Merrill Lynch Asset Management |
Attn.: Donald C. Burke P.O. Box 9011 Princeton, NJ 08543 |
5.83% of Class A 16.56% of Class C 8.64% of Class D |
||
| Pecharo Limited Partnership |
c/o Merrill Lynch International Bank Ltd. 5508 North Cynthia Street McCallen, TX 78504 |
6.65% of Class B | ||
| Andrew Blechman |
152 West 20th Street #2A New York, NY 10011 |
5.43% of Class C | ||
| Craig D. Schenk |
512 North 2nd Street Seattle, WA 98942 |
5.27% of Class C | ||
| Victor F. Costa and Judith Costa |
160 North Duane Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15239 |
5.16% of Class C | ||
|
Barbara Lee Clarkin IRA MLPF&S as Custodian |
20 Haddon Road Scarsdale, NY 10583 |
5.43% of Class D | ||
| Sand Springs Home |
Attn.: Joe E. Williams P.O. Box 278 Sand Springs, OK 74063 |
14.04% of Class D | ||
| PACO |
Attn.: Mutual Funds Unit 38615 P.O. Box 831575 Dallas, TX 75283-1575 |
12.37% of Class D | ||
| Davis F. Gates |
1255 Osceola Drive Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
8.79% of Class D | ||
| Dr. Zielinski & Assoc. PC |
25800 Northwestern Hwy #1100 Southfield, MI 48075 |
8.28% of Class D | ||
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund’s audited financial statements are incorporated in this Statement of Additional Information by reference to its 1999 annual report to shareholders. You may request a copy of the annual report at no charge by calling (800) 456-4587 ext. 789 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on any business day.
47
APPENDIX A
RATINGS OF DEBT SECURITIES
Description of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.’s (“Moody’s”) Long-Term Debt Ratings
| Aaa | Bonds which are rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edged.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues. | |
| Aa | Bonds which are rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the “Aaa” group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in “Aaa” securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in “Aaa” securities. | |
| A | Bonds which are rated “A” possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper- medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. | |
| Baa | Bonds which are rated “Baa” are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well. | |
| Ba | Bonds which are rated “Ba” are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class. | |
| B | Bonds which are rated “B” generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small. | |
| Caa | Bonds which are rated “Caa” are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest. | |
| Ca | Bonds which are rated “Ca” represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings. | |
| C | Bonds which are rated “C” are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing. |
Note: Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
Description of Moody’s Short-Term Debt Ratings
Moody’s short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay punctually senior debt obligations. These obligations have an original maturity not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted. Moody’s makes no representation that rated bank or insurance company obligations are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or issued in conformity with any other applicable law or regulation. Nor does Moody’s represent that any specific bank or insurance company obligation is legally
A-1
| PRIME-1. Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics: |
| — | Leading market positions in well-established industries. | |
| — | High rates of return on funds employed. | |
| — | Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection. | |
| — | Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation. | |
| — | Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity. |
| PRIME-2. Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained. | |
| PRIME-3. Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained. | |
| NOT PRIME. Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories. |
If an issuer represents to Moody’s that its short-term debt obligations are supported by the credit of another entity or entities, then the name or names of such supporting entity or entities are listed within the parenthesis beneath the name of the issuer, or there is a footnote referring the reader to another page for the name or names of the supporting entity or entities. In assigning ratings to such issuers, Moody’s evaluates the financial strength of the affiliated corporations, commercial banks, insurance companies, foreign governments or other entities, but only as one factor in the total rating assessment. Moody’s makes no representation and gives no opinion on the legal validity or enforceability of any support arrangement.
Moody’s ratings are opinions, not recommendations to buy or sell, and their accuracy is not guaranteed. A rating should be weighed solely as one factor in an investment decision and you should make your own study and evaluation of any issuer whose securities or debt obligations you consider buying or selling.
Description of Moody’s Preferred Stock Ratings
Because of the fundamental differences between preferred stocks and bonds, a variation of our familiar bond rating symbols is used in the quality ranking of preferred stock. The symbols, presented below, are designed to avoid comparison with bond quality in absolute terms. It should always be borne in mind that preferred stock occupies a junior position to bonds within a particular capital structure and that these securities are rated within the universe of preferred stocks.
Preferred stock rating symbols and their definitions are as follows:
| aaa | An issue which is rated “aaa” is considered to be a top-quality preferred stock. This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks. |
A-2
| aa | An issue which is rated “aa” is considered to be a high-grade preferred stock. This rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance the earnings and asset protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future. | |
| a | An issue which is rated “a” is considered to be an upper-medium grade preferred stock. While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the “aaa” and “aa” classifications, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be maintained at adequate levels. | |
| baa | An issue which is rated “baa” is considered to be a medium-grade preferred stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any great length of time. | |
| ba | An issue which is rated “ba” is considered to have speculative elements and its future cannot be considered well assured. Earnings and asset protection may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods. Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class. | |
| b | An issue which is rated “b” generally lacks the characteristics of a desirable investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small. | |
| caa | An issue which is rated “caa” is likely to be in arrears on dividends payments. This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future status of payments. | |
| ca | An issue which is rated “ca” is speculative in a high degree and is likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payments. | |
| c | This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock. Issues so rated can thus be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing. |
Note: Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each rating classification: the modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking and the modifier 3 indicates that the issuer ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.
Description of Standard & Poor’s (“Standard & Poor’s”) Corporate Debt Ratings
A Standard & Poor’s corporate or municipal debt rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program. It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated.
The debt rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor.
The ratings are based on current information furnished by the obligor or obtained by Standard & Poor’s from other sources it considers reliable. Standard & Poor’s does not perform any audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances.
The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
| I. | Likelihood of payment — capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; | |
| II. | Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and | |
| III. | Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights. | |
| AAA | Debt rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong. |
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| AA | Debt rated “AA” differs from the highest rated obligations only in small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong. | |
| A | Debt rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong. | |
| BBB | Debt rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
| Debt rated “BB”, “B”, “CCC”, “CC” and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. | ||
| BB | Debt rated “BB” is less vulnerable to non-payment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
| B | Debt rated “B” is more vulnerable to non-payment than obligations rated “BB”, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. | |
| CCC | Debt rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to non-payment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligator is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
| CC | The rating “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to non-payment. | |
| C | The “C” rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. | |
| D | The “D” rating, unlike other ratings, is not prospective; rather, it is used only where a default has actually occurred — and not where a default is only expected. Standard & Poor’s changes ratings to “D” either: | |
| — On the day an interest and/or principal payment is due and is not paid. An exception is made if there is a grace period and Standard & Poor’s believes that a payment will be made, in which case the rating can be maintained; or | ||
| — Upon voluntary bankruptcy filing or similar action. An exception is made if Standard & Poor’s expects that debt service payments will continue to be made on a specific issue. In the absence of a payment default or bankruptcy filing, a technical default (i.e., covenant violation) is not sufficient for assigning a “D” rating. | ||
| An issuer credit rating (also known as a corporate credit rating, counterparty credit rating, natural rating, senior implied rating, or default risk rating) is changed to “N.M.” (for “not meaningful”) upon; | ||
| — The first occurrence of a payment default on any financial obligation, rated or unrated, other than a financial obligation subject to a bona fide commercial dispute. (In this context, preferred stock is not considered to be a financial obligation. Thus, a missed preferred stock dividend does not necessarily mean that the issuer credit rating is changed to “N.M.”); | ||
| — A voluntary bankruptcy filing by the issuer, or similar action — even if the issuer continues debt service payments on some financial obligations; or |
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| — Seizure of a rated bank by a regulator or placement of an insurer under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. Such regulatory actions imply substantial uncertainty about the issuer’s ability to continue meeting financial obligations. (An insurer’s claims-paying ability rating would go to “R” if the insurer were placed under regulatory supervision because of its financial condition.) |
Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major categories.
N.R. indicates not rated.
Debt obligations of issuers outside the United States and its territories are rated on the same basis as domestic corporate and municipal issues. The ratings measure the creditworthiness of the obligor but do not take into account currency exchange and related uncertainties.
Bond Investment Quality Standards: Under present commercial bank regulations issued by the Comptroller of the Currency, bonds rated in the top four categories (“AAA”, “AA”, “A”, “BBB”, commonly known as “investment grade” ratings) are generally regarded as eligible for bank investment. Also, the laws of various states governing legal investment impose certain rating or other standards for obligations eligible for investment by savings banks, trust companies, insurance companies and fiduciaries in general.
Description of Standard & Poor’s Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
A Standard & Poor’s commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings are graded into four categories, ranging from “A” for the highest-quality obligations to “D” for the lowest. These categories are as follows:
| A-1 | A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong. | |
| A-2 | A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory. | |
| A-3 | A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
| B | A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
| C | A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
| D | Debt rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. |
A commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Standard & Poor’s by the issuer or obtained by Standard & Poor’s from other sources it considers reliable. Standard & Poor’s does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information or based on other circumstances.
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Description of Standard & Poor’s Preferred Stock Ratings
A Standard & Poor’s preferred stock rating is an assessment of the capacity and willingness of an issuer to pay preferred stock dividends and any applicable sinking fund obligations. A preferred stock rating differs from a bond rating inasmuch as it is assigned to an equity issue, which is intrinsically different from, and subordinated to, a debt issue. Therefore, to reflect this difference, the preferred stock rating symbol will normally not be higher than the debt rating symbol assigned to, or that would be assigned to, the senior debt of the same issuer.
A preferred stock rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a security, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor.
The ratings are based on current information furnished to Standard & Poor’s by the issuer or obtained by Standard & Poor’s from other sources it considers reliable. Standard & Poor’s does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances.
The ratings are based on the following considerations:
| I. | Likelihood of payment-capacity and willingness of the issuer to meet the timely payment of preferred stock dividends and any applicable sinking fund requirements in accordance with the terms of the obligation; | |
| II. | Nature of, and provisions of, the issue; | |
| III. | Relative position of the issue in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights. | |
| AAA | This is the highest rating that may be assigned by Standard & Poor’s to a preferred stock issue and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations. | |
| AA | A preferred stock issue rated AA also qualifies as a high-quality, fixed-income security. The capacity to pay preferred stock obligations is very strong, although not as overwhelming as for issues rated AAA. | |
| A | An issue rated A is backed by a sound capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions. | |
| BBB | An issue rated BBB is regarded as backed by an adequate capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make payments for a preferred stock in this category than for issues in the A category. | |
|
BB B CCC |
Preferred stock rated BB, B and CCC are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay preferred stock obligations. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and CCC the highest. While such issues will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions. | |
| CC | The rating CC is reserved for a preferred stock issue that is in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying. | |
| C | A preferred stock rated C is a nonpaying issue. | |
| D | A preferred stock rated D is a nonpaying issue with the issuer in default on debt instruments. | |
| NR | This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy. |
Plus (+) or minus (-): To provide more detailed indications of preferred stock quality, ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
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PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits.
| Exhibit | ||||||
| Number | ||||||
| 1 | — | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated October 5, 1994.(a) | ||||
| 2 | — | By-Laws of the Registrant.(a) | ||||
| 3 | — | Portions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Registrant defining the rights of shareholders.(b) | ||||
| 4(a) | — | Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant and Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.(a) | ||||
| (b) | — | Sub-Advisory Agreement between Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. and Merrill Lynch Asset Management U.K. Limited.(c) | ||||
| 5(a) | — | Form of Class A Shares Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. (the “Distributor”)(a) | ||||
| (b) | — | Form of Class B Shares Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and the Distributor.(a) | ||||
| (c) | — | Form of Class C Shares Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and the Distributor.(a) | ||||
| (d) | — | Form of Class D Shares Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and the Distributor.(a) | ||||
| 6 | — | None. | ||||
| 7 | — | Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.(c) | ||||
| 8(a) | — | Form of Transfer Agency, Dividend Disbursing Agency and Shareholder Servicing Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc.(a) | ||||
| (b) | — | Form of License Agreement relating to the use of name between the Registrant and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.(a) | ||||
| (c) | — | Credit Agreement between Registrant and a syndicate of banks.(g) | ||||
| 9 | — | Opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel to the Registrant.(d) | ||||
| 10 | — | Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for the Registrant. | ||||
| 11 | — | None. | ||||
| 12 | — | Certificate of Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.(d) | ||||
| 13(a) | — | Form of Class B Shares Distribution Plan and Class B Shares Distribution Plan Sub-Agreement of the Registrant.(a) | ||||
| (b) | — | Form of Class C Shares Distribution Plan and Class C Shares Distribution Plan Sub-Agreement of the Registrant.(a) | ||||
| (c) | — | Form of Class D Shares Distribution Plan and Class D Shares Distribution Plan Sub-Agreement of the Registrant.(a) | ||||
| 14 | — | Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3.(e) | ||||
| 15 | — | Code of Ethics. | ||||
| (a) | Filed on November 18, 1994 as an Exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (File No. 33-55843) (the “Registration Statement”). |
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| (b) | Reference is made to Article IV, Article V (Sections 3, 5, 6, and 7) and Articles VI, VII and IX of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit 1 to the Registration Statement, and Article II, Article III (Sections 1, 3, 5 and 6) and Articles VI, VII, XIII and XIV of the Registrant’s By-Laws, filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registration Statement. |
| (c) | Filed on March 25, 1997 as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement. |
| (d) | Filed on December 22, 1994 as an Exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement. |
| (e) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, filed on January 25, 1996, relating to shares of Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund series of Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust (File No. 2-99473). |
| (f) | Filed on January 29, 1999 as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement. |
| (g) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(b) to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Master Premier Growth Trust (File No. 811-09733), filed December 21, 1999. |
| Item 24. | Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control With Registrant. |
The Registrant is not controlled by or under common control with any other person.
Item 25. Indemnification.
Reference is made to Article VI of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, Article VI of the Registrant’s By-Laws, Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Section 9 of each of the Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Shares Distribution Agreements.
Insofar as the conditional advancing of indemnification moneys for actions based on the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) may be concerned, Article VI of the Registrant’s By-Laws provides that such payments will be made only on the following conditions: (i) the advances must be limited to amounts used, or to be used, for the preparation or presentation of a defense to the action, including costs connected with the preparation of a settlement; (ii) advances may be made only on receipt of a written promise by, or on behalf of, the recipient to repay that amount of the advance which exceeds the amount which it is ultimately determined he or she is entitled to receive from the Registrant by reason of indemnification; and (iii)(a) such promise must be secured by a surety bond, other suitable insurance or an equivalent form of security which assures that any repayments may be obtained by the Registrant without delay or litigation, which bond, insurance or other form of security must be provided by the recipient of the advance, or (b) a majority of a quorum of the Registrant’s disinterested, non-party Directors, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based upon a review of readily available facts, that the recipient of the advance ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
In Section 9 of the Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Shares Distribution Agreements relating to the securities being offered hereby, the Registrant agrees to indemnify the Distributor and each person, if any, who controls the Distributor within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), against certain types of civil liabilities arising in connection with the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to Directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant and the principal underwriter pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of
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Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Manager.
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. (“MLAM” or the “Manager”) acts as the investment adviser for the following open-end registered investment companies: Master Global Financial Services Trust, Merrill Lynch Adjustable Rate Securities Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Americas Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Builder Program, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Convertible Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Developing Capital Markets Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Dragon Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch EuroFund, Merrill Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Allocation Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Bond Fund for Investment and Retirement, Merrill Lynch Global Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Holdings, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Resources Trust, Merrill Lynch Global SmallCap Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Technology Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Utility Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Growth Fund, Merrill Lynch Healthcare Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Index Funds, Inc., Merrill Lynch Intermediate Government Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch International Equity Fund, Merrill Lynch Latin America Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Middle East/ Africa Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Pacific Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust, Merrill Lynch Real Estate Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Retirement Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Series Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Short-Term Global Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Strategic Dividend Fund, Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Money Fund, Merrill Lynch U.S.A. Government Reserves, Merrill Lynch Utility Income Fund, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Variable Series Funds, Inc. and Hotchkis and Wiley funds (advised by Hotchkis and Wiley, a division of MLAM); and for the following closed-end registered investment companies: Merrill Lynch High Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund II, Inc. MLAM also acts as sub-adviser to Merrill Lynch World Strategy Portfolio and Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity Portfolio, two investment portfolios of EQ Advisor Trust.
Fund Asset Management, L.P. (“FAM”), an affiliate of the Manager, acts as the investment adviser for the following open-end registered investment companies: CBA Money Fund, CMA Governmental Securities Fund, CMA Money Fund, CMA Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, CMA Tax-Exempt Fund, CMA Treasury Fund, The Corporate Fund Accumulation Program, Inc., Financial Institutions Series Trust, Master Focus Twenty Trust, Master Large Cap Series Trust, Master Premier Growth Trust, Merrill Lynch Basic Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch California Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Corporate Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Emerging Tigers Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Federal Securities Trust, Merrill Lynch Funds for Institutions Series, Merrill Lynch Multi-State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Phoenix Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch World Income Fund, Inc., and The Municipal Fund Accumulation Program, Inc.; and for the following closed-end registered investment companies: Apex Municipal Fund, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund II, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund II, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund III, Inc., Income Opportunities Fund 2000, Inc., Merrill Lynch Municipal Strategy Fund, Inc., MuniAsset Fund, Inc., MuniEnhanced Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured Fund V, Inc., MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund, MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund V, MuniHoldings Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings Michigan Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund IV, Inc., MuniInsured Fund, Inc., MuniVest Fund, Inc., MuniVest Fund II, Inc., MuniYield Arizona Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Insured
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The address of each of these registered investment companies is P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011, except that the address of Merrill Lynch Funds for Institutions Series and Merrill Lynch Intermediate Government Bond Fund is One Financial Center, 23rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2665. The address of FAM, MLAM, Princeton Services, Inc. (“Princeton Services”) and Princeton Administrators, L.P. (“Princeton Administrators”) is also P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011. The address of Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc. (“PFD”) and of Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor (“MLFD”) is P.O. Box 9081, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081. The address of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“ML & Co.”) is World Financial Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281-1201. The address of the Fund’s transfer agent, Financial Data Services, Inc. (“FDS”), is 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484.
Set forth below is a list of each executive officer and partner of the Manager indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person or entity has been engaged since December 1, 1997 for his, her or its own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee. In addition, Mr. Glenn is President and Mr. Burke is Vice President and Treasurer of all or substantially all of the investment companies described in the first two paragraphs of this Item 26, and Messrs. Giordano and Monagle are officers of one or more of such companies.
| Position(s) with the | Other Substantial Business, | |||
| Name | Manager | Profession, Vocation or Employment | ||
| ML & Co. | Limited Partner | Financial Services Holding Company; Limited Partner of FAM | ||
| Princeton Services | General Partner | General Partner of FAM | ||
| Jeffrey M. Peek | President | President of FAM; President and Director of Princeton Services; Executive Vice President of ML & Co.; Managing Director and Co-Head of the Investment Banking Division of Merrill Lynch in 1997; Senior Vice President and Director of the Global Securities and Economics Division of Merrill Lynch from 1995 to 1997 | ||
| Terry K. Glenn | Executive Vice President | Executive Vice President of MLAM and FAM; Executive Vice President and Director of Princeton Services; President and Director of PFD; Director of FDS; President of Princeton Administrators | ||
| Gregory A. Bundy | Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director | Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of MLAM, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of Princeton Services; Co-CEO of Merrill Lynch Australia from 1997 to 1999 |
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| Position(s) with the | Other Substantial Business, | |||
| Name | Manager | Profession, Vocation or Employment | ||
| Donald C. Burke | Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Director of Taxation | Senior Vice President and Treasurer of MLAM and FAM; Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Princeton Services; Vice President of PFD; First Vice President of the Manager from 1997 to 1999; Vice President of the Manager from 1990 to 1997 | ||
| Michael G. Clark | Senior Vice President | Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services; Treasurer and Director of PFD; First Vice President of the Manager from 1997 to 1999; Vice President of the Manager from 1996 to 1997 | ||
| Robert C. Doll, Jr. | Senior Vice President | Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services; Chief Investment Officer of Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. in 1999 and Executive Vice President thereof from 1991 to 1999 | ||
| Linda L. Federici | Senior Vice President | Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services | ||
| Vincent R. Giordano | Senior Vice President | Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services | ||
| Michael J. Hennewinkel | Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel | Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of FAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services | ||
| Philip L. Kirstein | Senior Vice President | Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice President, Secretary, General Counsel and Director of Princeton Services | ||
| Debra W. Landsman-Yaros | Senior Vice President | Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services; Vice President of PFD | ||
| Stephen M.M. Miller | Senior Vice President | Executive Vice President of Princeton Administrators; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services | ||
| Joseph T. Monagle, Jr. | Senior Vice President | Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services | ||
| Gregory D. Upah | Senior Vice President | Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services |
Merrill Lynch Asset Management U.K. Limited (“MLAM U.K.”) acts as sub-adviser for the following registered investment companies: The Corporate Fund Accumulation Program, Inc., Corporate High Yield
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Set forth below is a list of each executive officer and director of MLAM U.K. indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person has been engaged since December 1, 1997, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee. In addition, Messrs. Albert, Burke and Glenn are officers of one or more of the registered investment companies listed in the first two paragraphs of this Item 26:
| Other Substantial Business, | ||||
| Name | Positions with MLAM U.K. | Profession, Vocation or Employment | ||
| Terry K. Glenn | Director and Chairman | Executive Vice President of MLAM and FAM; Executive Vice President and Director of Princeton Services; President and Director of PFD; President of Princeton Administrators | ||
| Nicholas C.D. Hall | Director | Director of Mercury Asset Management Ltd. and the Institutional Liquidity Fund plc; First Vice President and General Counsel for Merrill Lynch Mercury Asset Management | ||
| James T. Stratford | Director | Director of Mercury Asset Management Group Ltd.; Head of Compliance, Merrill Lynch Asset Management |
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| Other Substantial Business, | ||||
| Name | Positions with MLAM U.K. | Profession, Vocation or Employment | ||
| Donald C. Burke | Treasurer | Senior Vice President and Treasurer of MLAM and FAM; Director of Taxation of MLAM; Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Princeton Services; Vice President of PFD; First Vice President of MLAM from 1997 to 1999. | ||
| Carol Ann Langham | Company Secretary | None | ||
| Debra Anne Searle | Assistant Company Secretary | None |
Item 27. Principal Underwriters.
(a) MLFD, a division of PFD, acts as the principal underwriter for the Registrant and for each of the open-end registered investment companies referred to in the first two paragraphs of Item 26 except CBA Money Fund, CMA Government Securities Fund, CMA Money Fund, CMA Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, CMA Tax-Exempt Fund, CMA Treasury Fund, The Corporate Fund Accumulation Program, Inc. and The Municipal Fund Accumulation Program, Inc.; and MLFD also acts as the principal underwriter for the following closed-end registered investment companies: Merrill Lynch High Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Municipal Strategy Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund II, Inc. A separate division of PFD acts as the principal underwriter of a number of other investment companies.
(b) Set forth below is information concerning each director and officer of PFD. The principal business address of each such person is P.O. Box 9081, except that the address of Messrs. Breen, Crook, Fatseas and Wasel is One Financial Center, 23rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2665.
| Position(s) and Office(s) | Position(s) and Office(s) | |||||
| Name | with PFD | with Registrant | ||||
| Terry K. Glenn | President and Director | President and Director | ||||
| Michael G. Clark | Treasurer and Director | None | ||||
| Thomas J. Verage | Director | None | ||||
| Robert W. Crook | Senior Vice President | None | ||||
| Michael J. Brady | Vice President | None | ||||
| William M. Breen | Vice President | None | ||||
| Donald C. Burke | Vice President | Vice President and Treasurer | ||||
| James T. Fatseas | Vice President | None | ||||
| Debra W. Landsman-Yaros | Vice President | None | ||||
| Michelle T. Lau | Vice President | None | ||||
| Salvatore Venezia | Vice President | None | ||||
| William Wasel | Vice President | None | ||||
| Robert Harris | Secretary | None | ||||
(c) Not applicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records.
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of the Registrant (800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536), and its transfer agent, Financial Data Services, Inc. (4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484).
C-7
Item 29. Management Services.
Other than as set forth under the caption “Management of the Fund — Merrill Lynch Asset Management” in the Prospectus constituting Part A of the Registration Statement and under “Management of the Fund — Management and Advisory Arrangements” in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Part B of the Registration Statement, the Registrant is not a party to any management-related service contract.
Item 30. Undertakings.
Not applicable.
C-8
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the Township of Plainsboro, and State of New Jersey, on the 29th day of March, 2000.
| MERRILL LYNCH MIDDLE EAST/ AFRICA FUND, INC. | |
| (Registrant) |
| By: | /s/ DONALD C. BURKE |
|
|
|
| (Donald C. Burke, Vice President and Treasurer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date(s) indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
|
TERRY K. GLENN* (Terry K. Glenn) |
President and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
|
DONALD C. BURKE* (Donald C. Burke) |
Vice President and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |||
|
CHARLES C. REILLY* (Charles C. Reilly) |
Director | |||
|
RICHARD R. WEST* (Richard R. West) |
Director | |||
|
ARTHUR ZEIKEL* (Arthur Zeikel) |
Director | |||
|
EDWARD D. ZINBARG* (Edward D. Zinbarg) |
Director | |||
|
*By: /s/ DONALD C. BURKE (Donald C. Burke, Attorney-in-Fact) |
March 29, 2000 |
C-9
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit | ||||
| Number | Description | |||
| 10 | Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for the Registrant. | |||
| 15 | Code of Ethics. | |||
|
|