SPECIAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
POS AMI, 1998-04-28
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     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 1998
    


                                                               File No. 811-8594






                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-1A


                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                        THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940     [x]

   
                                   AMENDMENT NO. 4             [x]
    


                          SPECIAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
                          ----------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                                24 Federal Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                           ---------------------------
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                 (617) 482-8260
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)


                                 Alan R. Dynner
                 24 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                 ----------------------------------------------
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)
<PAGE>

   
                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

     This  Registration   Statement  Amendment  contains  information  regarding
Special Investment Portfolio (the "Portfolio").  Certain information  concerning
the  Portfolio  is  incorporated  by  reference  from  Amendment  No.  51 to the
Registration Statement of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (File No. 2-27962
under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act")) (the "Amendment"),  which was
filed  electronically  with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on April 23,
1998 (Accession No. 0000950156-98-000321). The Amendment contains the prospectus
and statement of additional  information ("SAI") of Eaton Vance Special Equities
Fund (the "Feeder Fund"),  which invests  substantially all of its assets in the
Portfolio.
    
<PAGE>

                                     PART A

     Responses  to  Items 1  through  3 and 5A have  been  omitted  pursuant  to
Paragraph 4 of Instruction F of the General Instructions to Form N-1A.

ITEM 4. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT

     The Portfolio is a  diversified,  open-end  management  investment  company
which was organized as a trust under the laws of the State of New York on May 1,
1992.  Interests  in the  Portfolio  are  issued  solely  in  private  placement
transactions  that do not involve any  "public  offering"  within the meaning of
Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act.  Investments  in the Portfolio may be made only by
U.S.  and  foreign  investment  companies,  common or  commingled  trust  funds,
organizations  or trusts  described in Sections 401(a) or 501(a) of the Internal
Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended (the  "Code"),  or similar  organizations  or
entities  that are  "accredited  investors"  within the meaning of  Regulation D
under the 1933 Act. This Registration Statement, as amended, does not constitute
an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any "security"  within
the meaning of the 1933 Act.

   
     The Portfolio is not intended to be a complete  investment  program,  and a
prospective   investor  should  take  into  account  its  objectives  and  other
investments when  considering the purchase of an interest in the Portfolio.  The
Portfolio cannot assure achievement of its investment objective(s).

     Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning the Portfolio's
investment  objective(s)  and investment  practices from "The Funds'  Investment
Objectives" and "Investment Policies and Risks" in the Feeder Fund prospectus.

ITEM 5. MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO

     Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning the Portfolio's
management from  "Management of the Funds and the Portfolios" in the Feeder Fund
prospectus.

ITEM 6. CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES

     Registrant  incorporates by reference  information  concerning interests in
the Portfolio from  "Organization of the Funds and the Portfolios" in the Feeder
Fund  prospectus and "Other  Information" in the Feeder Fund SAI. An interest in
the  Portfolio  has no  preemptive  or  conversion  rights and is fully paid and
nonassessable by the Portfolio,  except as described under  "Organization of the
Funds and the Portfolios" in the Feeder Fund prospectus.

     As of March 31, 1998, the Feeder Fund controlled the Portfolio by virtue of
owning approximately 99.9% of the outstanding voting interests of the Portfolio.
    

     The net asset value of the  Portfolio is  determined  each day on which the
New  York  Stock  Exchange  (the  "Exchange")  is open for  trading  ("Portfolio
Business Day"). This determination is made each Portfolio Business Day as of the
close of regular  trading on the Exchange  (currently  4:00 p.m., New York time)
(the "Portfolio Valuation Time").

                                      A-1
<PAGE>

     Each investor in the  Portfolio may add to or reduce its  investment in the
Portfolio on each Portfolio Business Day as of the Portfolio Valuation Time. The
value  of each  investor's  interest  in the  Portfolio  will be  determined  by
multiplying the net asset value of the Portfolio by the  percentage,  determined
on the prior Portfolio  Business Day, which represented that investor's share of
the  aggregate  interest in the  Portfolio on such prior day.  Any  additions or
withdrawals for the current Portfolio  Business Day will then be recorded.  Each
investor's  percentage of the aggregate  interest in the Portfolio  will then be
recomputed as a percentage equal to a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the
value  of  such  investor's  investment  in the  Portfolio  as of the  Portfolio
Valuation Time on the prior  Portfolio  Business Day plus or minus,  as the case
may be,  the  amount of any  additions  to or  withdrawals  from the  investor's
investment in the Portfolio on the current  Portfolio  Business Day and (ii) the
denominator of which is the aggregate net asset value of the Portfolio as of the
Portfolio  Valuation Time on the prior Portfolio  Business Day plus or minus, as
the case may be,  the amount of the net  additions  to or  withdrawals  from the
aggregate  investment in the Portfolio on the current Portfolio  Business Day by
all  investors in the  Portfolio.  The  percentage  so  determined  will then be
applied to determine the value of the  investor's  interest in the Portfolio for
the current Portfolio Business Day.

     The Portfolio  will allocate at least  annually among its investors its net
investment  income,  net realized  capital gains, and any other items of income,
gain, loss,  deduction or credit. The Portfolio's net investment income consists
of all income  accrued on the  Portfolio's  assets,  less all actual and accrued
expenses of the  Portfolio,  determined in accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.

     Under the anticipated  method of operation of the Portfolio,  the Portfolio
will not be subject to any federal  income tax.  (See Part B, Item 20.) However,
each investor in the Portfolio will take into account its allocable share of the
Portfolio's  ordinary  income and capital gain in determining its federal income
tax liability.  The  determination of each such share will be made in accordance
with the governing  instruments of the  Portfolio,  which are intended to comply
with the requirements of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

     It is intended  that the  Portfolio's  assets and income will be managed in
such a way  that an  investor  in the  Portfolio  that  seeks  to  qualify  as a
regulated  investment company ("RIC") under the Code will be able to satisfy the
requirements for such qualification.

ITEM 7. PURCHASE OF INTERESTS IN THE PORTFOLIO

     Interests  in  the  Portfolio  are  issued  solely  in  private   placement
transactions  that do not involve any  "public  offering"  within the meaning of
Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act. See "General Description of Registrant" above.

   
     Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning the computation
of net asset value and valuation of Portfolio  securities from "Valuing  Shares"
in the Feeder Fund prospectus. For further information, see Item 19 of Part B.
    

     There is no minimum initial or subsequent investment in the Portfolio.  The
Portfolio  reserves the right to cease  accepting  investments at any time or to
reject any investment order.

     The  placement  agent for the Portfolio is Eaton Vance  Distributors,  Inc.
("EVD"),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of Eaton Vance  Management.  The principal
business address of EVD is 24 Federal Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02110. EVD
receives no compensation for serving as the placement agent for the Portfolio.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

ITEM 8. REDEMPTION OR DECREASE OF INTEREST

     An investor in the Portfolio may withdraw all of (redeem) or any portion of
(decrease) its interest in the Portfolio if a withdrawal  request in proper form
is furnished by the investor to the Portfolio.  All withdrawals will be effected
as of the next Portfolio  Valuation  Time. The proceeds of a withdrawal  will be
paid by the Portfolio  normally on the Portfolio  Business Day the withdrawal is
effected,  but in any event within seven days. The Portfolio  reserves the right
to pay the  proceeds of a  withdrawal  (whether a  redemption  or decrease) by a
distribution in kind of portfolio  securities  (instead of cash). The securities
so  distributed  would be valued at the same amount as that  assigned to them in
calculating the net asset value for the interest  (whether  complete or partial)
being  withdrawn.  If an  investor  received  a  distribution  in kind upon such
withdrawal,  the investor could incur  brokerage and other charges in converting
the securities to cash. The Portfolio has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission  (the  "Commission")  a  notification  of  election  on Form  N-18F-1
committing to pay in cash all requests for withdrawals by any investor,  limited
in amount with respect to such  investor  during any 90 day period to the lesser
of (a)  $250,000  or (b) 1% of the  net  asset  value  of the  Portfolio  at the
beginning of such period.

     Investments in the Portfolio may not be transferred.

     The right of any investor to receive payment with respect to any withdrawal
may be suspended or the payment of the withdrawal  proceeds postponed during any
period in which the  Exchange is closed  (other than  weekends or  holidays)  or
trading on the Exchange is restricted or, to the extent  otherwise  permitted by
the  Investment  Company Act of 1940 (the  "Act"),  if an emergency  exists,  or
during any other period  permitted by order of the Commission for the protection
of investors.

ITEM 9. PENDING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     Not applicable.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

                                     PART B

ITEM 10. COVER PAGE.

     Not applicable.


ITEM 11.  TABLE OF CONTENTS.

   
                                                                           PAGE
General Information and History.............................................B-1
Investment Objective(s) and Policies .......................................B-1
Management of the Portfolio ................................................B-1
Control Persons and Principal Holder of Securities..........................B-1
Investment Advisory and Other Services .....................................B-2
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices....................................B-2
Capital Stock and Other Securities .........................................B-2
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Securities .............................B-4
Tax Status..................................................................B-4
Underwriters ...............................................................B-6
Calculation of Performance Data.............................................B-6
Financial Statements........................................................B-6
    

ITEM 12. GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY.

     Not applicable.

   
ITEM 13. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE(S) AND POLICIES.

     Part A contains  additional  information about the investment  objective(s)
and policies of the Portfolio.  This Part B should be read in  conjunction  with
Part A. Capitalized terms used in this Part B and not otherwise defined have the
meanings given them in Part A.

     Registrant  incorporates by reference additional information concerning the
investment  policies of the  Portfolio  as well as  information  concerning  the
investment  restrictions  of the Portfolio from  "Additional  Information  about
Investment Policies" and "Investment Restrictions" in the Feeder Fund SAI.

ITEM 14. MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO

     Registrant  incorporates by reference additional information concerning the
management of the Portfolio from "Trustees and Officers" and "Investment Adviser
and Administrator" in the Feeder Fund SAI.

ITEM 15. CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDER OF SECURITIES

     Because the Feeder Fund  controls  the  Portfolio as set forth in Item 6 of
Part A above, the Feeder Fund may take actions without the approval of any other
investor.  The Feeder  Fund has  informed  the  Portfolio  that  whenever  it is
requested  to vote on matters  pertaining  to the  fundamental  policies  of the
Portfolio,  it  will  hold a meeting of  shareholders and will  cast its vote as

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

instructed by its shareholders. It is anticipated that any other investor in the
Portfolio  which is an investment  company  registered  under the 1940 Act would
follow  the same or a similar  practice.  The  Feeder  Fund is a series of Eaton
Vance  Special  Investment  Trust,  an open-end  management  investment  company
organized  as  a  business  trust  under  the  laws  of  the   Commonwealth   of
Massachusetts.  The address of the Feeder Fund is 24 Federal Street,  Boston, MA
02110.

ITEM 16. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

     Registrant  incorporates  by reference  information  concerning  investment
advisory and other services  provided to the Portfolio from "Investment  Adviser
and Administrator", "Custodian" and "Independent Accountants" in the Feeder Fund
SAI.

ITEM 17. BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     Registrant  incorporates by reference information  concerning the brokerage
practices of the Portfolio from "Portfolio Security  Transactions" in the Feeder
Fund SAI.
    

ITEM 18. CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES

     Under the Portfolio's  Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are authorized to
issue interests in the Portfolio. Investors are entitled to participate pro rata
in distributions of taxable income, loss, gain and credit of the Portfolio. Upon
dissolution  of the Portfolio,  the Trustees  shall  liquidate the assets of the
Portfolio and apply and distribute the proceeds  thereof as follows:  (a) first,
to the payment of all debts and  obligations  of the  Portfolio to third parties
including, without limitation, the retirement of outstanding debt, including any
debt owed to holders of record of  interests  in the  Portfolio  ("Holders")  or
their affiliates, and the expenses of liquidation,  and to the setting up of any
reserves for contingencies which may be necessary; and (b) second, in accordance
with the Holders'  positive Book Capital  Account  balances after adjusting Book
Capital  Accounts for certain  allocations  provided in the Declaration of Trust
and in  accordance  with the  requirements  described  in  Treasury  Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b) (2). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Trustees
shall  determine  that an  immediate  sale of part or all of the  assets  of the
Portfolio would cause undue loss to the Holders, the Trustees, in order to avoid
such loss,  may,  after having  given  notification  to all the Holders,  to the
extent not then prohibited by the law of any jurisdiction in which the Portfolio
is then formed or qualified and  applicable in the  circumstances,  either defer
liquidation of and withhold from  distribution  for a reasonable time any assets
of the Portfolio  except those  necessary to satisfy the  Portfolio's  debts and
obligations or distribute the Portfolio's  assets to the Holders in liquidation.
Certificates  representing  an  investor's  interest in the Portfolio are issued
only upon the written request of a Holder.

     Each Holder is entitled to vote in proportion to the amount of its interest
in the Portfolio. Holders do not have cumulative voting rights. The Portfolio is
not required and has no current intention to hold annual meetings of Holders but
the  Portfolio  will  hold  meetings  of  Holders  when in the  judgment  of the
Portfolio's Trustees it is necessary or desirable to submit matters to a vote of
Holders at a  meeting.  Any  action  which may be taken by Holders  may be taken
without a meeting if Holders holding more than 50% of all interests  entitled to
vote (or such  larger  proportion  thereof as shall be  required  by any express
provision of the Declaration of Trust of the Portfolio) consent to the action in
writing and the consents are filed with the records of meetings of Holders.

                                      B-2
<PAGE>

     The  Portfolio's  Declaration of Trust may be amended by vote of Holders of
more than 50% of all  interests in the Portfolio at any meeting of Holders or by
an  instrument  in writing  without a  meeting,  executed  by a majority  of the
Trustees and consented to by the Holders of more than 50% of all interests.  The
Trustees may also amend the Declaration of Trust (without the vote or consent of
Holders) to change the Portfolio's name or the state or other jurisdiction whose
law shall be the  governing  law,  to supply any  omission  or cure,  correct or
supplement any ambiguous,  defective or inconsistent  provision,  to conform the
Declaration  of  Trust  to  applicable  federal  law  or  regulations  or to the
requirements  of the Code,  or to  change,  modify  or  rescind  any  provision,
provided  that such change,  modification  or  rescission  is  determined by the
Trustees to be necessary  or  appropriate  and not to have a materially  adverse
effect  on  the  financial  interests  of  the  Holders.  No  amendment  of  the
Declaration  of Trust which would change any rights with respect to any Holder's
interest  in  the  Portfolio  by  reducing  the  amount  payable   thereon  upon
liquidation of the Portfolio may be made, except with the vote or consent of the
Holders of two-thirds of all interests.  References in the  Declaration of Trust
and in Part A or this  Part B to a  specified  percentage  of, or  fraction  of,
interests in the Portfolio,  means Holders whose  combined Book Capital  Account
balances  represent such  specified  percentage or fraction of the combined Book
Capital Account balance of all, or a specified group of, Holders.

     The  Portfolio  may  merge  or  consolidate  with  any  other  corporation,
association,  trust  or  other  organization  or may  sell  or  exchange  all or
substantially  all of its  assets  upon such terms and  conditions  and for such
consideration  when and as  authorized  by the Holders of (a) 67% or more of the
interests in the Portfolio present or represented at the meeting of Holders,  if
Holders of more than 50% of all interests are present or  represented  by proxy,
or (b) more than 50% of all  interests,  whichever is less. The Portfolio may be
terminated (i) by the  affirmative  vote of Holders of not less than two- thirds
of all  interests  at any  meeting  of Holders  or by an  instrument  in writing
without a meeting,  executed by a majority of the Trustees  and  consented to by
Holders of not less than two-thirds of all interests, or (ii) by the Trustees by
written notice to the Holders.

     In accordance  with the  Declaration  of Trust,  there  normally will be no
meetings of the investors for the purpose of electing  Trustees unless and until
such time as less than a  majority  of the  Trustees  holding  office  have been
elected by investors.  In such an event,  the Trustees of the Portfolio  then in
office will call an investors' meeting for the election of Trustees.  Except for
the foregoing  circumstances,  and unless  removed by action of the investors in
accordance  with the  Portfolio's  Declaration  of  Trust,  the  Trustees  shall
continue to hold office and may appoint successor Trustees.

     The  Declaration  of Trust provides that no person shall serve as a Trustee
if investors  holding  two-thirds of the outstanding  interests have removed him
from that  office  either by a written  declaration  filed with the  Portfolio's
custodian or by votes cast at a meeting called for that purpose. The Declaration
of Trust further  provides that under certain  circumstances,  the investors may
call a meeting to remove a Trustee and that the Portfolio is required to provide
assistance in communicating with investors about such a meeting.

     The Declaration of Trust provides that obligations of the Portfolio are not
binding  upon the  Trustees  individually  but only  upon  the  property  of the
Portfolio  and that the Trustees will not be liable for any action or failure to
act,  but nothing in the  Declaration  of Trust  protects a Trustee  against any
liability  to  which  he  would  otherwise  be  subject  by  reason  of  willful
misfeasance,  bad faith,  gross negligence,  or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.

                                      B-3
<PAGE>

ITEM 19. PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SECURITIES

     See "Purchase of Interests in the Portfolio" and "Redemption or Decrease of
Interest" in Part A.

   
     Registrant  incorporates by reference  information  concerning valuation of
the  Portfolio's  assets from  "Determination  of Net Asset Value" in the Feeder
Fund SAI.
    

ITEM 20. TAX STATUS

     The Portfolio has been advised by tax counsel that,  provided the Portfolio
is  operated  at all times  during its  existence  in  accordance  with  certain
organizational and operational documents,  the Portfolio should be classified as
a  partnership  under  the  Code,  and  it  should  not  be a  "publicly  traded
partnership" within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code.  Consequently,  the
Portfolio does not expect that it will be required to pay any federal income tax
and a Holder will be required to take into  account in  determining  its federal
income  tax  liability  its  share of the  Portfolio's  income,  gains,  losses,
deductions and credits.

     Under Subchapter K of the Code, a partnership is considered to be either an
aggregate  of its members or a separate  entity  depending  upon the factual and
legal context in which the question arises.  Under the aggregate approach,  each
partner is treated as an owner of an undivided  interest in  partnership  assets
and  operations.  Under the entity  approach,  the  partnership  is treated as a
separate entity in which partners have no direct interest in partnership  assets
and operations.  The Portfolio has been advised by tax counsel that, in the case
of a Holder that seeks to qualify as a RIC, the aggregate approach should apply,
and each such Holder should  accordingly be deemed to own a proportionate  share
of each of the assets of the Portfolio and to be entitled to the gross income of
the Portfolio  attributable  to that share for purposes of all  requirements  of
Sections 851(b),  852(b)(5),  853(a) and 854 of the Code. Further, the Portfolio
has been  advised by tax counsel that each Holder that seeks to qualify as a RIC
should be deemed to hold its proportionate  share of the Portfolio's  assets for
the  period the  Portfolio  has held the assets or for the period the Holder has
been an investor  in the  Portfolio,  whichever  is  shorter.  Investors  should
consult  their tax  advisers  regarding  whether  the  entity  or the  aggregate
approach  applies  to  their  investment  in the  Portfolio  in  light  of their
particular tax status and any special tax rules applicable to them.

   
     In order to enable a Holder  (that is  otherwise  eligible) to qualify as a
RIC, the Portfolio  intends to satisfy the  requirements  of Subchapter M of the
Code relating to sources of income and diversification of assets as if they were
applicable  to the  Portfolio  and to permit  withdrawals  in a manner that will
enable a Holder  which is a RIC to  comply  with the  distribution  requirements
applicable to RICs (including those under Sections 852 and 4982 of the Code. The
Portfolio will allocate at least annually to each Holder it's distributive share
of the Portfolio's net investment  income,  net realized  capital gains, and any
other items of income,  gain, loss,  deduction or credit in a manner intended to
comply  with the Code and  applicable  Treasury  regulations.  Tax  counsel  has
advised the Portfolio  that the  Portfolio's  allocations  of taxable income and
loss should have "economic effect" under applicable Treasury regulations.
    

     To the  extent the cash  proceeds  of any  withdrawal  (or,  under  certain
circumstances,  such  proceeds  plus  the  value  of any  marketable  securities
distributed to an investor) ("liquid proceeds") exceed a Holder's adjusted basis
of his interest in the Portfolio,  the Holder will generally  realize a gain for
federal income tax purposes.  If, upon a complete withdrawal  (redemption of the
entire  interest),  a Holder  receives only liquid proceeds  (and/or  unrealized
receivables) and the Holder's  adjusted basis of his interest exceeds the liquid
proceeds  of such  withdrawal,  the  Holder  will  generally  realize a loss for

                                      B-4
<PAGE>

federal income tax purposes. In addition, on a distribution to a Holder from the
Portfolio  (whether pursuant to a partial or complete  withdrawal or otherwise),
(1) income or gain will be recognized if the  distribution  is in liquidation of
the Holder's  entire  interest in the Portfolio and includes a  disproportionate
share of any unrealized  receivables  held by the Portfolio and (2) gain or loss
may be recognized on a distribution to a Holder that contributed property to the
Portfolio.  The tax  consequences of a withdrawal of property  (instead of or in
addition to liquid  proceeds)  will be different and will depend on the specific
factual circumstances. A Holder's adjusted basis of an interest in the Portfolio
will  generally be the aggregate  prices paid therefor  (including  the adjusted
basis of  contributed  property  and any  gain  recognized  on the  contribution
thereof),  increased by the amounts of the Holder's  distributive share of items
of income  (including  interest  income  exempt  from  federal  income  tax) and
realized net gain of the Portfolio,  and reduced, but not below zero, by (i) the
amounts of the Holder's  distributive share of items of Portfolio loss, and (ii)
the amount of any cash distributions (including distributions of interest income
exempt from federal income tax and cash  distributions  on withdrawals  from the
Portfolio)  and the basis to the Holder of any property  received by such Holder
other than in  liquidation,  and (iii) the  Holder's  distributive  share of the
Portfolio's  nondeductible  expenditures  not  properly  chargeable  to  capital
account.  Increases  or  decreases  in  a  Holder's  share  of  the  Portfolio's
liabilities  may also result in  corresponding  increases  or  decreases in such
adjusted basis.

   
     The  Portfolio's  transactions  in  options,  futures  contracts,   forward
contracts and certain other transactions involving foreign exchange gain or loss
will be subject to special tax rules,  the effect of which may be to  accelerate
income to the  Portfolio,  defer  Portfolio  losses,  cause  adjustments  in the
holding  periods of Portfolio  securities,  convert  capital gain into  ordinary
income and convert  short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. For
example,  the tax  treatment  of many types of options,  futures  contracts  and
forward  contacts entered into by the Portfolio will be governed by Section 1256
of the Code. Absent a tax election for "mixed straddles" (see below),  each such
position  held by the  Portfolio  on the last  business day of each taxable year
will be marked to market  (i.e.,  treated as if it were closed out on such day),
and any resulting gain or loss, except for certain  currency-related  positions,
will  generally be treated as 60% long-term and 40%  short-term  capital gain or
loss,  with  subsequent  adjustments  made to any gain or loss  realized upon an
actual  disposition  of such  positions.  When the Portfolio  holds an option or
contract  governed by Section 1256 which  substantially  diminishes the Holder's
risk of loss with respect to another  position of the  Portfolio not governed by
Section 1256 (as might occur in some hedging transactions),  this combination of
positions could be a "mixed straddle" which is generally  subject to special tax
rules  requiring  deferral of losses and other  adjustments in addition to being
subject in part to Section  1256.  The  Portfolio may make certain tax elections
for its "mixed straddles" which could alter certain effects of these rules.

     Income from  transactions  in options derived by the Portfolio with respect
to its business of investing in securities  will qualify as  permissible  income
for its Holders that are RICs under the requirement that at least 90% of a RIC's
gross income each taxable year consist of specified types of income.

     The Portfolio may be subject to foreign  withholding or other foreign taxes
with respect to income  (possibly  including,  in some cases,  capital gains) on
certain foreign  securities.  These taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the
terms of an applicable  U.S. income tax treaty.  The  anticipated  extent of the
Portfolio's  investment  in foreign  securities  is such that it is not expected
that  an  investor  that is a RIC  will  be  eligible  to  pass  through  to its
shareholders  foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio and allocated to the investor,
so that  shareholders  of such a RIC will not be entitled to foreign tax credits

                                      B-5
<PAGE>

or deductions for foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio.  Certain foreign exchange
gains and losses  realized by the  Portfolio  and  allocated  to the RIC will be
treated  as  ordinary income and losses.  Certain uses of  foreign  currency and
investment by the Portfolio in the stock of certain "passive foreign  investment
companies" may be limited or a tax election may be made, if available,  in order
to enable an investor that is a RIC to preserve its qualification as a RIC or to
avoid imposition of a tax on such an investor.
    

     The  Portfolio's  investments,  if any, in securities  issued with original
issue  discount  (possibly  including  certain   asset-related   securities)  or
securities  acquired  at a market  discount  (if an  election is made to include
accrued market discount in current income) will cause it to realize income prior
to the receipt of cash  payments with respect to these  securities.  In order to
enable a Holder  to  distribute  its  proportionate  share of this  income,  the
Portfolio  may be  required  to  liquidate  portfolio  securities  that is might
otherwise  have  continued to hold in order to generate cash that the Holder may
withdraw  from  the  Portfolio  for  subsequent  distribution  to such  Holder's
shareholders.

   
     An entity  that is treated  as a  partnership  under the Code,  such as the
Portfolio, is generally treated as a partnership under state and local tax laws,
but certain states may have  different  entity  classification  criteria and may
therefore  reach  a  different  conclusion.  Entities  that  are  classified  as
partnerships  are not treated as taxable entities under most state and local tax
laws,  and the income of a  partnership  is  considered to be income of partners
both in timing and in character.
    

     The foregoing  discussion does not address the special tax rules applicable
to  certain  classes  of  investors,  such  as  tax-exempt  entities,  insurance
companies and financial  institutions.  Investors  should  consult their own tax
advisers  with  respect to special tax rules that may apply in their  particular
situations, as well as the state, local or foreign tax consequences of investing
in the Portfolio.

ITEM 21. UNDERWRITERS

     The placement agent for the Portfolio is EVD. Investment companies,  common
and  commingled  trust  funds,  and  similar   organizations  and  entities  may
continuously invest in the Portfolio.

ITEM 22. CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA

     Not applicable.

ITEM 23. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The   following   audited   financial   statements  of  the  Portfolio  are
incorporated  by  reference  into this Part B and have been so  incorporated  in
reliance upon the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,  independent  accountants,
as experts in accounting and auditing.

   
     Portfolio of  Investments  as of December 31, 1997
     Statement of Assets and Liabilities  as of December 31, 1997
     Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1997
     Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the fiscal years
     ended December 31, 1997 and 1996
     Supplementary  Data for the fiscal years ended December  31,  1997,
     1996 and 1995
     Notes to  Financial  Statements  Report  of Independent Auditors

     For  purposes  of the EDGAR  filing of this  amendment  to the  Portfolio's
registration  statement,  the  Portfolio  incorporates  by  reference  the above
audited  financial  statements,  as  previously  filed  electronically  with the
Commission (Accession No. 0000950109-98-001826).
    

                                      B-6
<PAGE>

                                     PART C

ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

     (A)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

          The financial  statements  called for by this Item are incorporated by
          reference in Part B and listed in Item 23 hereof.

     (B)  EXHIBITS

          1(a).Declaration  of Trust dated May 1, 1992,  filed as Exhibit (1) to
               Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  2  and  incorporated  herein  by
               reference.

   
          1(b).Amendment  to  Declaration  of Trust dated June 14, 1993 filed as
               Exhibit No. (1)(b) to Amendment No. 3 and incorporated  herein by
               reference.
    

          2.   By-Laws of the Registrant dated May 1, 1992, filed as Exhibit (2)
               to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No. 2 and  incorporated  herein by
               reference.

          5.   Investment  Advisory  Agreement between the Registrant and Boston
               Management  and Research  dated August 1, 1994,  filed as Exhibit
               (5) to Post-Effective  Amendment No. 2 and incorporated herein by
               reference.

   
          6.   Placement  Agent  Agreement with Eaton Vance  Distributors,  Inc.
               dated  November 1, 1996 filed as Exhibit No. (6) to Amendment No.
               3 and incorporated herein by reference.
    

          7.   The Securities and Exchange Commission has granted the Registrant
               an  exemptive  order that  permits the  Registrant  to enter into
               deferred compensation arrangements with its independent Trustees.
               See IN THE MATTER OF CAPITAL  EXCHANGE  FUND,  INC.,  Release No.
               IC-20671 (November 1, 1994).

          8(a).Custodian  Agreement  with  Investors  Bank & Trust Company dated
               August  1,  1994,  filed  as  Exhibit  (8)(a)  to  Post-Effective
               Amendment No. 2 and incorporated herein by reference.

          8(b).Amendment to Custodian  Agreement  dated October 23, 1995,  filed
               as  Exhibit  (8)(b)  to   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  2  and
               incorporated herein by reference.

          13.  Investment   representation   letter  of  Eaton   Vance   Special
               Investment Trust (on behalf of Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund)
               dated  May 10,  1994,  filed as  Exhibit  (13) to  Post-Effective
               Amendment No. 2 and incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.

         Not applicable.

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

   
                        (1)                                     (2)
                                                            Number of
                  Title of Class                          Record Holders
                  --------------                          --------------
                     Interests                          As of March 31, 1998


                                                                 3
    

ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION

     Article V of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust contains indemnification
provisions  for  Trustees  and  officers.  The  Trustees  and  officers  of  the
Registrant and the personnel of the Registrant's  investment adviser are insured
under an errors and omissions liability insurance policy.

     The Placement Agent Agreement also provides for reciprocal indemnity of the
placement agent, on the one hand, and the Trustees and officers on the other.

ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS

     To the knowledge of the Portfolio,  none of the trustees or officers of the
Portfolio's  investment  adviser,  except  as set forth on its Form ADV as filed
with the Commission, is engaged in any other business,  profession,  vocation or
employment of a substantial  nature,  except that certain  trustees and officers
also hold various  positions  with and engage in business for  affiliates of the
investment adviser.

ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

     Not applicable.

ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

   
     All applicable  accounts,  books and documents required to be maintained by
the  Registrant  by  Section  31(a) of the 1940  Act and the  Rules  promulgated
thereunder  are in the  possession  and custody of the  Registrant's  custodian,
Investors Bank & Trust Company, 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116, with the
exception of certain corporate documents and portfolio trading documents,  which
are in the possession and custody of the Registrant's  investment  adviser at 24
Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Registrant is informed that all applicable
accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by registered investment
advisers  are in the  custody  and  possession  of the  Registrant's  investment
adviser.
    

                                      C-2
<PAGE>

ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

     Not applicable.

ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS

     Not applicable.

                                      C-3
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


   
     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Investment  Company Act of 1940, the
Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on
Form  N-1A  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized, in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 27th
day of April, 1998.
    


                                          SPECIAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

                                          By /s/ James B. Hawkes
                                            -------------------------
                                            James B. Hawkes
                                            President


                                      C-4
<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


 Exhibit No.              Description of Exhibit
 -----------              ----------------------

   
        Not applicable
    


                                      C-5

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000925764
<NAME> SPECIAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       61,539,960
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      78,199,540
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,787
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   5,021
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                             2,021
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              78,213,369
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       223,688
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       20,592
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            244,280
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    61,309,509
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                0
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    16,659,580
<NET-ASSETS>                                77,969,089
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              136,228
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              372,912
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   5,155
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 590,413
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       (76,118)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                    13,086,809
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                  (2,245,462)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                       10,765,229
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                              0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                          0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (4,978,185)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          488,529
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                590,413
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        78,396,691
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                0
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                      0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                  0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.75
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>


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