<PAGE>
Rule 497(c)
Securities Act File No. 33-82362
Investment Co. Act File No. 811-8686
[LOGO]
PROSPECTUS
SEPTEMBER 29, 1995
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS EMERGING GROWTH FUND
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS POST-VENTURE CAPITAL FUND
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
<PAGE>
WARBURG PINCUS FUNDS
P.O. BOX 9030
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02205-9030
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (800) 888-6878
September 29, 1995
PROSPECTUS
Warburg Pincus Funds are a family of open-end mutual funds that offer investors
a variety of investment opportunities. Five funds are described in this
Prospectus:
WARBURG, PINCUS CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation
by investing principally in equity securities of medium-sized domestic
companies.
WARBURG, PINCUS EMERGING GROWTH FUND seeks maximum capital appreciation by
investing in equity securities of small- to medium-sized companies in the United
States with emerging or renewed growth potential.
WARBURG, PINCUS POST-VENTURE CAPITAL FUND seeks long-term growth of capital by
investing principally in equity securities of issuers in their post-venture
capital stage of development and pursues an aggressive investment strategy.
Because of the nature of the Fund's investments and certain strategies it may
use, an investment in the Fund involves certain risks and may not be appropriate
for all investors.
WARBURG, PINCUS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation
by investing in international equity securities that are considered by the
Fund's investment adviser to have above-average potential for appreciation.
WARBURG, PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
in a portfolio of securities traded in the Japanese over-the-counter market.
International investing entails special risk considerations, including currency
fluctuations, lower liquidity, economic instability, political uncertainty and
differences in accounting methods. See 'Risk Factors and Special
Considerations.'
NO LOAD CLASS OF COMMON SHARES
Each Fund offers two classes of shares. A class of Common Shares that is 'no
load' is offered by this Prospectus (i) directly from the Funds' distributor,
Counsellors Securities Inc., and (ii) through various brokerage firms including
Charles Schwab & Company, Inc. Mutual Fund OneSourceTM Program; Fidelity
Brokerage Services, Inc. FundsNetworkTM Program; Jack White & Company, Inc. and
Waterhouse Securities, Inc. The availability of the Japan OTC Fund through these
brokerage firms may vary. Common Shares of the Japan OTC Fund and the
Post-Venture Capital Fund are subject to a 12b-1 fee of .25% per annum.
LOW MINIMUM INVESTMENT
The minimum initial investment in each Fund is $2,500 ($500 for an IRA or
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act account) and the minimum subsequent investment is
$100. Through the Automatic Monthly Investment Plan, subsequent investment
minimums may be as low as $50. See 'How to Purchase Shares.'
This Prospectus briefly sets forth certain information about the Funds that
investors should know before investing. Investors are advised to read this
Prospectus and retain it for future reference. Additional information about each
Fund, contained in a Statement of Additional Information, has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') and is available to investors
without charge by calling Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 257-5614. Information
regarding the status of shareholder accounts may be obtained by calling Warburg
Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878. The Statements of Additional Information bear
the same date as this Prospectus and are incorporated by reference in their
entirety into this Prospectus.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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<PAGE>
THE FUNDS' EXPENSES
Each of Warburg, Pincus Capital Appreciation Fund, Emerging Growth Fund,
International Equity Fund, Japan OTC Fund and Post-Venture Capital Fund (the
'Funds') currently offers two separate classes of shares: Common Shares and
Advisor Shares. For a description of Advisor Shares see 'General Information'
and 'Shareholder Servicing.' In addition, Common Shares of the Japan OTC Fund
and the Post-Venture Capital Fund pay the Fund's distributor a 12b-1 fee. See
'Management of the Funds -- Distributor.'
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL EMERGING INTERNATIONAL JAPAN POST-
APPRECIATION GROWTH EQUITY OTC VENTURE
FUND FUND FUND FUND FUND
------------ -------- ------------- ----- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage
of offering price).................................... 0 0 0 0 0
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of the value of shares
redeemed)............................................. 0 0 0 1.00 %* 0
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after fee waivers) (as a
percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees......................................... .69% .86% 1.00% .97 %`D' .69 %`D'
12b-1 Fees.............................................. 0 0 0 .25 % .25 %
Other Expenses.......................................... .36% .36% .44% .53 %`D' .71 %`D'
------ -------- ------ ----- ---------
Total Fund Operating Expenses........................... 1.05% 1.22% 1.44% 1.75 % 1.65 %
EXAMPLE
You would pay the following expenses
on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return
and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
1 year.................................................. $ 11 $ 12 $ 15 $ 18 $ 17
3 years................................................. $ 33 $ 39 $ 46 $ 55 $ 52
5 years................................................. $ 58 $ 67 $ 79 n.a. n.a.
10 years................................................ $128 $148 $ 172 n.a. n.a.
</TABLE>
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* Redemption fees are charged to shareholders redeeming their shares of the
Japan OTC Fund within six months after the date of purchase and are paid to
the Fund. The redemption fee is currently being waived until such later date
as the Japan OTC Fund may determine. See 'How to Redeem and Exchange Shares.'
`D' Estimated amounts to be charged in the current fiscal year after the
anticipated waiver of fees by the Funds' investment adviser and
co-administrator; the investment adviser and co-administrator are under no
obligation to continue these waivers.
2
<PAGE>
The expense table shows the costs and expenses that an investor will bear
directly or indirectly as a Common Shareholder of each Fund. With respect to the
Japan OTC Fund and the Post-Venture Capital Fund, 'Other Expenses' are based on
estimated amounts to be charged in the current fiscal year. Absent the
anticipated waiver of fees by the Funds' investment adviser and
co-administrator, Management Fees for the Japan OTC and Post-Venture Capital
Funds would each equal 1.25%, Other Expenses would equal .56% and .75%,
respectively, and Total Fund Operating Expenses would equal 2.06% and 2.25%,
respectively; the investment adviser and co-administrator are under no
obligation to continue these waivers. Certain broker-dealers and financial
institutions also may charge their clients fees in connection with investments
in a Fund's Common Shares, which fees are not reflected in the table. Absent the
voluntary waiver of a portion of the fees payable to the Funds' investment
adviser, the Management Fees for the Capital Appreciation Fund and the Emerging
Growth Fund would have equalled .70% and .90%, respectively, and Total Fund
Operating Expenses for the Capital Appreciation Fund and the Emerging Growth
Fund would have equalled 1.06% and 1.26%, respectively. No fees were waived in
the case of the International Equity Fund. The Example should not be considered
a representation of past or future expenses; actual Fund expenses may be greater
or less than those shown. Moreover, while the Example assumes a 5% annual
return, each Fund's actual performance will vary and may result in a return
greater or less than 5%. Long-term shareholders of the Japan OTC Fund or the
Post-Venture Capital Fund may pay more than the economic equivalent of the
maximum front-end sales charges permitted by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (the 'NASD').
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
The information regarding each Fund for the two fiscal years/period ending
October 31, 1994 has been derived from information audited by Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P., independent auditors, whose report dated December 12, 1994 appears in
the relevant Fund's Statement of Additional Information. For the Capital
Appreciation, Emerging Growth and International Equity Funds, the information
for the prior fiscal years/period ending October 31, 1992 (up to three such
years/period) has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, whose report was
unqualified. The information for the six months ended April 30, 1995 is
unaudited. Financial information is not presented for the Post-Venture Capital
Fund, which had not commenced operations as of April 30, 1995. Further
information about the performance of the Funds (other than the Post-Venture
Capital Fund) is contained in the Funds' annual report, dated October 31,
1994, copies of which may be obtained without charge by calling Warburg
Pincus Funds at (800) 257-5614.
3
<PAGE>
CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE SIX AUGUST 17, 1987
MONTHS (COMMENCEMENT
ENDED OF OPERATIONS)
APRIL 30, FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, THROUGH
1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 31,
(UNAUDITED) 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
----------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period.... $ 14.29 $15.32 $13.30 $12.16 $ 9.78 $11.48 $ 9.47 $7.74 $ 10.00
----------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income from Investment
Operations
Net Investment Income
(Loss)............... .03 .04 .05 .04 .15 .20 .19 .17 .04
Net Gains (Loss) from
Securities (both
realized and
unrealized).......... .75 .17 2.78 1.21 2.41 (1.28) 2.15 1.70 (2.30)
----------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total from Investment
Operations........... .78 .21 2.83 1.25 2.56 (1.08) 2.34 1.87 (2.26)
----------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less Distributions
Dividends (from net
investment income)... .00 (.05) (.05) (.06) (.18) (.21) (.19) (.14) .00
Distributions (from
capital gains)....... (.98) (1.19) (.76) (.05) .00 (.41) (.14) .00 .00
----------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total Distributions.... (.98) (1.24) (.81) (.11) (.18) (.62) (.33) (.14) .00
----------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net Asset Value, End of
Period................. $ 14.09 $14.29 $15.32 $13.30 $12.16 $ 9.78 $11.48 $9.47 $ 7.74
----------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
----------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total Return............. 13.25%* 1.65% 22.19% 10.40% 26.39% (10.11%) 25.42% 24.31% (71.26%)*
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net Assets, End of Period
(000s)................. $181,109 $159,346 $159,251 $117,900 $115,191 $76,537 $56,952 $29,351 $17,917
Ratios to Average Daily
Net Assets:
Operating expenses..... 1.08%* 1.05% 1.01% 1.06% 1.08% 1.04% 1.10% 1.07% 1.00%*
Net investment
income............... .49%* .26% .30% .41% 1.27% 2.07% 1.90% 2.00% 1.88%*
Decrease reflected in
above expense ratios
due to
waivers/reimbursements... .00% .01% .00% .01% .00% .01% .08% .91% .84%*
Portfolio Turnover
Rate................... 153.53%* 51.87% 48.26% 55.83% 39.50% 37.10% 36.56% 33.16% 20.00%
</TABLE>
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* Annualized.
EMERGING GROWTH FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE SIX JANUARY 21, 1988
MONTHS (COMMENCEMENT
ENDED OF OPERATIONS)
APRIL 30, FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, THROUGH
1995 ----------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 31,
(UNAUDITED) 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
----------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period.... $22.38 $23.74 $18.28 $16.97 $10.83 $13.58 $11.21 $10.00
----------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income from Investment
Operations
Net Investment Income
(Loss)............... (.05) .00 (.10) (.03) .05 .13 .16 .07
Net Gains (Loss) from
Securities (both
realized and
unrealized).......... 1.72 .00 5.93 1.71 6.16 (2.32) 2.51 1.18
----------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total from Investment
Operations........... 1.67 .00 5.83 1.68 6.21 (2.19) 2.67 1.25
----------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Less Distributions
Dividends (from net
investment income)... .00 .00 .00 (.01) (.07) (.18) (.12) (.04)
Distributions (from
capital gains)....... .00 (1.36) (.37) (.36) .00 (.38) (.18) .00
----------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total Distributions.... .00 (1.36) (.37) (.37) (.07) (.56) (.30) (.04)
----------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net Asset Value, End of
Period................. $24.05 $22.38 $23.74 $18.28 $16.97 $10.83 $13.58 $11.21
----------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
----------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total Return............. 15.62%* .16% 32.28% 9.87% 57.57% (16.90%) 24.20% 16.34%*
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net Assets, End of Period
(000s)................. $ 289,226 $240,664 $165,525 $99,562 $42,061 $23,075 $26,685 $ 10,439
Ratios to Average Daily
Net Assets:
Operating expenses..... 1.25%* 1.22% 1.23% 1.24% 1.25% 1.25% 1.25% 1.25%*
Net investment income
(loss)............... (.52%)* (.58%) (.60%) (.25%) .32% 1.05% 1.38% 1.10%*
Decrease reflected in
above expense ratios
due to
waivers/reimbursements.. .00% .04% .00% .08% .47% .42% .78% 3.36%*
Portfolio Turnover
Rate................... 97.48%* 60.38% 68.35% 63.35% 97.69% 107.30% 100.18% 82.21%
</TABLE>
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* Annualized.
4
<PAGE>
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE SIX FOR THE PERIOD
MONTHS MAY 2, 1989
ENDED (COMMENCEMENT
APRIL 30, FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, OF OPERATIONS)
1995 --------------------------------------------------------- THROUGH
(UNAUDITED) 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 OCTOBER 31, 1989
----------- ---------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period.... $20.51 $17.00 $12.22 $13.66 $11.81 $11.35 $10.00
----------- ---------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------------
Income from Investment
Operations
Net Investment Income
(Loss)............... .09 .09 .09 .15 .19 .13 .05
Net Gains (Losses) from
Securities and
Foreign Currency
Related Items (both
realized and
unrealized).......... (1.89) 3.51 4.84 (1.28) 2.03 .55 1.30
----------- ---------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------------
Total from Investment
Operations........... (1.80) 3.60 4.93 (1.13) 2.22 .68 1.35
----------- ---------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------------
Less Distributions
Dividends (from net
investment income)... (.07) (.04) (.02) (.16) (.33) (.10) .00
Distributions in excess
of net investment
income............... .00 (.01) .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
Distributions (from
capital gains)....... (.53) (.04) (.13) (.15) (.04) (.12) .00
----------- ---------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------------
Total Distributions.... (.60) (.09) (.15) (.31) (.37) (.22) .00
----------- ---------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------------
Net Asset Value, End of
Period................. $18.11 $20.51 $17.00 $12.22 $13.66 $11.81 $11.35
----------- ---------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------------
----------- ---------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------------
Total Return............. (17.05%)* 21.22% 40.68% (8.44%) 19.42% 5.92% 28.73%*
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net Assets, End of Period
(000s)................. $1,796,703 $1,533,872 $378,661 $101,763 $72,553 $38,946 $ 13,260
Ratios to Average Daily
Net Assets:
Operating expenses..... 1.38%* 1.44% 1.48% 1.49% 1.50% 1.46% 1.50%*
Net investment income
(loss)............... .90%* .19% .38% .88% 1.19% 1.58% 1.33%*
Decrease reflected in
above expense ratios
due to
waivers/reimbursements... .00% .00% .00% .07% .17% .38% .89%*
Portfolio Turnover
Rate................... 22.67%* 17.02% 22.60% 53.29% 54.95% 66.12% 27.32%
</TABLE>
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* Annualized.
JAPAN OTC FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE SIX FOR THE PERIOD
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994
APRIL 30, (COMMENCEMENT
1995 OF OPERATIONS) THROUGH
(UNAUDITED) OCTOBER 31, 1994
------------ ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period.... $9.85 $10.00
------------ -------
Income from Investment
Operations
Net Investment
Income............... .01 .00
Net Gains (Losses) from
Securities and
Foreign Currency
Related Items (both
realized and
unrealized).......... (2.01) (.15)
------------ -------
Total from Investment
Operations........... (2.00) (.15)
------------ -------
Less Distributions
Dividends (from net
investment income)... .00 .00
Distributions (from
capital gains)....... .00 .00
------------ -------
Total Distributions.... .00 .00
------------ -------
Net Asset Value, End of
Period................. $7.85 $9.85
------------ -------
------------ -------
Total Return............. (36.72%)* (15.84%)*
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net Assets, End of Period
(000s)................. $ 26,573 $ 19,878
Ratios to Average Daily
Net Assets:
Operating expenses..... 1.00%* 1.00%*
Net investment
income............... .16%* .49%*
Decrease reflected in
above expense ratios
due to
waivers/reimbursements... 2.28%* 4.96%*
Portfolio Turnover
Rate................... 138.17%* .00%
</TABLE>
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* Annualized.
The Total Return shown above has been annualized; the actual Total Return
(after the effect of expense waivers) for the one-month period September 30,
1994 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 1994 was -1.50%, and the
actual Total Return (after the effect of expense waivers) for the six months
ended April 30, 1995 was -20.30%. In the absence of expense waivers, the
annualized Total Return shown above would have been -17.76% and -38.02% for
the periods ended October 31, 1994 and April 30, 1995, respectively.
5
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Each Fund's objective is a fundamental policy and may not be amended
without first obtaining the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of
that Fund. Any investment involves risk and, therefore, there can be no
assurance that any Fund will achieve its investment objective. See 'Certain
Investment Strategies' for descriptions of certain types of investments the
Funds may make.
CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
The Capital Appreciation Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. The
Fund is a diversified management investment company that pursues its investment
objective by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities
of domestic companies. The Fund will ordinarily invest substantially all of its
total assets -- but no less than 80% of its total assets -- in common stocks,
warrants and securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks. The
Fund intends to focus on securities of medium-sized companies, consisting of
companies having stock market capitalizations of between $500 million and $4.5
billion. (Market capitalization means the total market value of a company's
outstanding common stock.) Under normal market conditions, except for temporary
defensive purposes, the Fund will invest no less than 80% of its assets in
medium-sized companies, with the remainder invested in companies with smaller or
larger market capitalizations. The prices of securities of medium-sized
companies, which are traded on exchanges or in the over-the-counter market, tend
to fluctuate in value more than the prices of securities of large-sized
companies.
Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc., the Funds' investment adviser
('Counsellors'), will attempt to identify sectors of the market and companies
within market sectors that it believes will outperform the overall market.
Counsellors also seeks to identify themes or patterns it believes to be
associated with high growth potential firms, such as significant fundamental
changes (including senior management changes) or generation of a large free cash
flow.
EMERGING GROWTH FUND
The Emerging Growth Fund seeks maximum capital appreciation. The Fund is a
non-diversified management investment company that pursues its investment
objective by investing in a portfolio of equity securities of domestic
companies. The Fund ordinarily will invest at least 65% of its total assets in
common stocks or warrants of emerging growth companies that represent attractive
opportunities for maximum capital appreciation. Emerging growth companies are
small- or medium-sized companies that have passed their start-up phase and that
show positive earnings and prospects of achieving significant profit and gain in
a relatively short period of time.
Although under current market conditions the Fund expects to invest in
companies having stock market capitalizations of up to approximately $500
million, the Fund may invest in emerging growth companies without regard to
their market capitalization. Emerging growth companies generally stand to
benefit from new products or services, technological developments or changes in
management and other factors and include smaller companies experiencing unusual
developments affecting their market value. These 'special situation companies'
include companies that are involved in the following: an acquisition or
consolidation; a reorganization; a recapitalization; a merger, liquidation, or
distribution of cash, securities or other assets; a tender or exchange offer; a
breakup or workout of a holding company; litigation which, if resolved
favorably, would improve the value of the company's stock; or a change in
corporate control.
6
<PAGE>
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
The International Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. The
Fund is a diversified management investment company that pursues its investment
objective by investing primarily in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity
securities of companies, wherever organized, that in Counsellors' judgment have
their principal business activities and interests outside the United States. The
Fund will ordinarily invest substantially all of its assets -- but no less than
65% of its total assets -- in common stocks, warrants and securities convertible
into or exchangeable for common stocks. Ordinarily the Fund will hold no less
than 65% of its total assets in at least three countries other than the United
States. The Fund intends to be widely diversified across securities of many
corporations located in a number of foreign countries. Counsellors anticipates,
however, that the Fund may from time to time invest a significant portion of its
assets in a single country such as Japan, which may involve special risks. See
'Risk Factors and Special Considerations -- Japanese Investments' below. In
appropriate circumstances, such as when a direct investment by the International
Equity Fund in the securities of a particular country cannot be made or when the
securities of an investment company are more liquid than the underlying
portfolio securities, the Fund may, consistent with the provisions of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the '1940 Act'), invest in the
securities of closed-end investment companies that invest in foreign securities.
The Fund intends to invest principally in the securities of financially
strong companies with opportunities for growth within growing international
economies and markets through increased earning power and improved utilization
or recognition of assets. Investment may be made in equity securities of
companies of any size, whether traded on or off a national securities exchange.
JAPAN OTC FUND
The Japan OTC Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. The Fund is a
non-diversified management investment company that pursues its investment
objective by investing in a portfolio of securities traded in the Japanese
over-the-counter market. The Fund is designed to provide an opportunity to
participate in the dynamic structural changes in the Japanese industrial system
through investment in less-established, higher growth companies that can be
expected to benefit from these changes. At all times, except during temporary
defensive periods, the Fund will maintain at least 65% of its total assets in
securities of companies traded through JASDAQ, the primary Japanese over-the-
counter market, or the Japanese Second Section OTC Market (the 'Frontier
Market'). The portion of the Fund's assets that is not invested through JASDAQ
or the Frontier Market may be invested in securities of Japanese issuers that
are not traded through JASDAQ or the Frontier Market or exchange-traded and
over-the-counter securities of issuers in other Asian markets, in addition to
the other instruments described below. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its
total assets in securities of other Asian issuers, with no more than 10%
invested in any one country. The Fund will not invest in securities of non-Asian
issuers, except that the Fund may, for defensive purposes, invest in U.S. debt
securities and money market instruments. The Fund intends its portfolio to
consist principally of equity securities (common stock, warrants and securities
convertible into common stock), which may include shares of closed-end
investment companies investing in Asia. The Japan OTC Fund may also invest up to
5% of the Fund's net assets in each of the following: foreign debt securities,
including foreign government securites and debt obligations of supranational
entities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and zero coupon
securities. The Japan OTC Fund may involve a greater degree of risk than an
investment in other mutual funds that seek
7
<PAGE>
capital appreciation by investing in better-known, larger companies. From time
to time, the Japan OTC Fund may hedge part or all of its exposure to the
Japanese yen, thereby reducing or substantially eliminating any favorable or
unfavorable impact of changes in the value of the yen in relation to the U.S.
dollar.
At December 31, 1994, 581 issues were traded through JASDAQ, having an
aggregate market capitalization in excess of 14 trillion yen (approximately $134
billion as of September 19, 1995). The entry requirements for JASDAQ generally
require a minimum of 2 million shares outstanding at the time of registration, a
minimum of 200 shareholders, minimum pre-tax profits of 10 yen (approximately
$.10 as of September 19, 1995) per share over the prior fiscal year and net
worth of 200 million yen (approximately $1.92 million as of September 19, 1995).
JASDAQ has generally attracted small growth companies or companies whose major
shareholders wish to sell only a small portion of the company's equity.
The Frontier Market is under the jurisdiction of JASDAQ, which is overseen
by the Japanese Securities and Exchange Commission. The Frontier Market has less
stringent entry requirements than those described above for JASDAQ and is
designed to enable early stage companies access to capital markets. Frontier
Market companies need not have a history of earnings, provided their spending on
research and development equals at least 3% of revenues. In addition, companies
traded through the Frontier Market are not required to have 2 million shares
outstanding at the time of registration. As a result, investments in companies
traded through the Frontier Market may involve a greater degree of risk than
investments in companies traded through JASDAQ. As of the date of this
Prospectus, there were not yet any registrations on the Frontier Market, but the
first registrations are expected to be effective in November 1995.
POST-VENTURE CAPITAL FUND
The Post-Venture Capital Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund
is a diversified management investment company that pursues its investment
objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies considered by
Counsellors to be in their post-venture capital stage. The Fund is not designed
to provide venture capital financing. Rather, under normal market conditions,
the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of
'post-venture capital companies.' A post-venture capital company is a company
that has received venture capital financing either (a) during the early stages
of the company's existence or the early stages of the development of a new
product or service, or (b) as part of a restructuring or recapitalization of the
company. The investment of venture capital financing, distribution of such
company's securities to venture capital investors, or initial public offering
('IPO'), whichever is later, will have been made within ten years prior to the
Fund's purchase of the company's securities.
Counsellors believes that venture capital participation in a company's
capital structure can lead to revenue/earnings growth rates above those of
older, public companies such as those in the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the
Fortune 500. Venture capitalists finance start-up companies, companies in the
early stages of developing new products or services and companies undergoing a
restructuring or recapitalization, since these companies may not have access to
conventional forms of financing (such as bank loans or public issuances of
stock). Venture capitalists may hold substantial positions in companies that may
have been acquired at prices significantly below the initial public offering
price. This may create a potential adverse impact in the short-term on the
market price of a company's stock due to sales in the open market by a venture
capitalist or others who acquired the stock at lower prices prior to the
company's IPO. Counsellors will consider the impact of
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such sales in selecting post-venture capital investments. Venture capitalists
may be individuals or funds organized by venture capitalists which are typically
offered only to large institutions, such as pension funds and endowments, and
certain accredited investors. Venture capital participation in a company is
often reduced when the company engages in an IPO of its securities or when it is
involved in a merger, tender offer or acquisition.
Counsellors has experience in researching smaller companies, companies in
the early stages of development and venture capital-financed companies. Its team
of analysts, led by Elizabeth Dater and Stephen Lurito, regularly monitors
portfolio companies whose securities are held by over 250 of the larger domestic
venture capital funds. Ms. Dater and Mr. Lurito have managed post-venture equity
securities in separate accounts for institutions since 1989 and currently manage
over $800 million of such assets for institutions. The Fund will invest in
securities of post-venture capital companies that are traded on a national
securities exchange or in an organized over-the-counter market. The Fund may
also hold non-publicly traded equity securities of companies in the venture and
post-venture stages of development, such as those of closely-held companies or
private placements of public companies. The portion of the Fund's assets
invested in these non-publicly traded securities, which together with the Fund's
other illiquid assets may not exceed 15% of the Fund's assets, will vary over
time depending on investment opportunities and other factors. The Fund may also
invest up to 35% of its assets in exchange-traded and over-the-counter
securities that do not meet the definition of post-venture capital companies
without regard to market capitalization. Up to 10% of the Fund's assets may be
invested in securities of issuers engaged in 'special situations,' such as a
restructuring or recapitalization; an acquisition, consolidation, merger or
tender offer; a change in corporate control or investment by a venture
capitalist.
To attempt to reduce risk, the Fund will diversify its investments over a
broad range of issuers operating in a variety of industries. The Fund may hold
securities of companies of any size, and will not limit capitalization of
companies it selects to invest in. However, due to the nature of the venture
capital to post-venture cycle, the Fund anticipates that the average market
capitalization of companies in which it invests will be less than $1 billion at
the time of investment. Although the Fund will invest primarily in U.S.
companies, up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be invested in securities of
issuers located in any foreign country. Equity securities in which the Fund will
invest are common stock, preferred stock, warrants and securities convertible
into or exchangeable for common stock. The Fund may engage in a variety of
strategies to reduce risk or seek to enhance return, including engaging in short
selling (see 'Certain Investment Strategies').
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT. The International Equity Fund and the Japan OTC Fund each
may invest up to 35% of its total assets, and the Capital Appreciation Fund, the
Emerging Growth Fund and the Post-Venture Capital Fund each may invest up to 20%
of its total assets, in investment grade debt securities (other than money
market instruments) and preferred stocks that are not convertible into common
stock for the purpose of seeking capital appreciation. The interest income to be
derived may be considered as one factor in selecting debt securities for
investment by Counsellors. Because the market value of debt obligations can be
expected to vary inversely to changes in prevailing interest rates, investing in
debt obligations may provide an opportunity for capital appreciation when
interest rates are expected to decline. The success of such a strategy is
dependent upon Counsellors' ability to accurately forecast changes in interest
rates. The market value of debt obligations may
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also be expected to vary depending upon, among other factors, the ability of the
issuer to repay principal and interest, any change in investment rating and
general economic conditions. A security will be deemed to be investment grade if
it is rated within the four highest grades by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
('Moody's') or Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ('S&P') or, if unrated, is
determined to be of comparable quality by Counsellors. Bonds rated in the fourth
highest grade may have speculative characteristics and changes in economic
conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity
to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher grade
bonds. Subsequent to its purchase by a Fund, an issue of securities may cease to
be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by
the Fund. Neither event will require sale of such securities. Counsellors will
consider such event in its determination of whether the Fund should continue to
hold the securities. The Japan OTC Fund does not currently intend during the
coming year to hold more than 5% of its net assets in securities that have been
downgraded below investment grade.
When Counsellors believes that a defensive posture is warranted, each Fund
may invest temporarily without limit in investment grade debt obligations and in
domestic and foreign money market obligations, including repurchase agreements
as discussed below. When such a defensive posture is warranted, the
International Equity Fund and the Japan OTC Fund may also invest temporarily
without limit in securities of U.S. companies.
MONEY MARKET OBLIGATIONS. Each Fund is authorized to invest, under normal market
conditions, up to 20% of its total assets in domestic and foreign money market
obligations having a maturity of one year or less at the time of purchase and
for temporary defensive purposes may invest in these securities without limit.
These short-term instruments consist of obligations issued or guaranteed by the
United States government, its agencies or instrumentalities ('U.S. government
securities') (including, in the case of the Capital Appreciation, Emerging
Growth and International Equity Funds, repurchase agreements with respect to
such securities); bank obligations (including certificates of deposit, time
deposits and bankers' acceptances of domestic or foreign banks, domestic savings
and loans and similar institutions) that are high quality investments or, if
unrated, deemed by Counsellors to be high quality investments; commercial paper
rated no lower than A-2 by S&P or Prime-2 by Moody's or the equivalent from
another major rating service or, if unrated, of an issuer having an outstanding,
unsecured debt issue then rated within the three highest rating categories and,
in the case of the Japan OTC Fund and the Post-Venture Capital Fund, repurchase
agreements with respect to the foregoing.
Repurchase Agreements. The Funds may invest in repurchase agreement
transactions on portfolio securities with member banks of the Federal Reserve
System and certain non-bank dealers. Repurchase agreements are contracts under
which the buyer of a security simultaneously commits to resell the security to
the seller at an agreed-upon price and date. Under the terms of a typical
repurchase agreement, a Fund would acquire any underlying security for a
relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to an
obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the obligation
at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during the
Fund's holding period. This arrangement results in a fixed rate of return that
is not subject to market fluctuations during the Fund's holding period. The
value of the underlying securities will at all times be at least equal to the
total amount of the purchase obligation, including interest. The Fund bears a
risk of loss in the event that the other party to a repurchase agreement
defaults on its obligations or becomes bankrupt and the Fund is delayed or
prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral securities,
including the
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risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the
period while the Fund seeks to assert this right. Counsellors, acting under the
supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors or Board of Trustees ('governing
Board' or 'Board'), monitors the creditworthiness of those bank and non-bank
dealers with which each Fund enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate this
risk. A repurchase agreement is considered to be a loan under the 1940 Act.
Money Market Mutual Funds. Where Counsellors believes that it would be
beneficial to the Fund and appropriate considering the factors of return and
liquidity, each Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in securities of money
market mutual funds that are unaffiliated with the Fund, Counsellors or, in the
case of the Japan OTC Fund, the sub-investment adviser (each investment adviser
and sub-investment adviser referred to individually as an 'Adviser'). As a
shareholder in any mutual fund, a Fund will bear its ratable share of the mutual
fund's expenses, including management fees, and will remain subject to payment
of the Fund's administration fees and other expenses with respect to assets so
invested.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. government securities in which a Fund may
invest include: direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, and obligations issued
by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including instruments that
are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, instruments
that are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury
and instruments that are supported by the credit of the instrumentality.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities in which a Fund may invest,
including both convertible debt and convertible preferred stock, may be
converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of
common stock. Because of this feature, convertible securities enable an investor
to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock.
Convertible securities provide higher yields than the underlying equity
securities, but generally offer lower yields than non-convertible securities of
similar quality. The value of convertible securities fluctuates in relation to
changes in interest rates like bonds and, in addition, fluctuates in relation to
the underlying common stock. The Japan OTC Fund will invest only in convertible
securities rated investment grade at the time of purchase or deemed to be of
equivalent quality. The Japan OTC Fund does not currently intend during the
coming year to hold more than 5% of its net assets in the aggregate of
investment grade convertible securities and investment grade debt downgraded
below investment grade subsequent to acquisition by the Fund.
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS
EMERGING GROWTH AND SMALL COMPANIES. Investing in common stocks and securities
convertible into common stocks is subject to the inherent risk of fluctuations
in the prices of such securities. Investing in securities of emerging growth
companies, which may include JASDAQ and Frontier Market securities, may involve
greater risks since these securities may have limited marketability and, thus,
may be more volatile. In addition, small- and medium-sized companies are
typically subject to a greater degree of changes in earnings and business
prospects than are larger, more established companies. Because small- and
medium-sized companies normally have fewer shares outstanding than larger
companies, it may be more difficult for a Fund to buy or sell significant
amounts of such shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. There
is typically less publicly available information concerning small- and
medium-sized companies than for larger, more established ones. Securities of
issuers in 'special situations' also may be more volatile, since the market
value of these securities may decline in value if the anticipated benefits do
not materialize. Companies in 'special situations' include, but are not limited
to,
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companies involved in an acquisition or consolidation; reorganization;
recapitalization; merger, liquidation or distribution of cash, securities or
other assets; a tender or exchange offer, a breakup or workout of a holding
company; or litigation which, if resolved favorably, would improve the value of
the companies' securities. Although investing in securities of emerging growth
companies or 'special situations' offers potential for above-average returns if
the companies are successful, the risk exists that the companies will not
succeed and the prices of the companies' shares could significantly decline in
value. Therefore, an investment in the Capital Appreciation Fund, the Emerging
Growth Fund, the Japan OTC Fund or the Post-Venture Capital Fund may involve a
greater degree of risk than an investment in other mutual funds that seek
capital appreciation by investing in better-known, larger companies. For certain
additional risks relating to each Fund's investments, see 'Portfolio
Investments' beginning at page 9 and 'Certain Investment Strategies' beginning
at page 14.
JAPANESE INVESTMENTS. A significant portion of the Japan OTC Fund's assets will
be invested in securities traded through JASDAQ. Trading of equity securities
through the JASDAQ market is conducted by securities firms in Japan, primarily
through an organization which acts as a 'matching agent,' as opposed to a
recognized stock exchange. Consequently, securities traded through JASDAQ may,
from time to time, and especially in falling markets, become illiquid and
experience short-term price volatility and wide spreads between bid and offer
prices. This combination of limited liquidity and price volatility may have an
adverse effect on the investment performance of the Fund. In periods of rapid
price increases, the limited liquidity of JASDAQ restricts the Fund's ability to
adjust its portfolio quickly in order to take full advantage of a significant
market increase, and conversely, during periods of rapid price declines, it
restricts the ability of the Fund to dispose of securities quickly in order to
realize gains previously made or to limit losses on securities held in its
portfolio. In addition, although JASDAQ has generally experienced sustained
growth in aggregate market capitalization and trading volume, there have been
periods in which aggregate market capitalization and trading volume have
declined. The Frontier Market is expected to present greater liquidity,
volatility and trading considerations than JASDAQ.
Investing in Japanese securities may involve the risks described below
associated with investing in foreign securities generally. In addition, because
the Japan OTC Fund invests primarily in Japan and the International Equity Fund
may from time to time have a large position in Japanese securities, these Funds
will be subject to general economic and political conditions in Japan. The Japan
OTC Fund should be considered a vehicle for diversification, but the Fund itself
is not diversified.
Securities in Japan are denominated and quoted in 'yen.' Yen are fully
convertible and transferable based on floating exchange rates into all
currencies, without administrative or legal restrictions for both non-residents
and residents of Japan. In determining the net asset value of shares of each
Fund, assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of Japanese yen will be
translated into U.S. dollars at the current selling rate of Japanese yen against
U.S. dollars. As a result, in the absence of a successful currency hedge, the
value of each Fund's assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by fluctuations in the value of Japanese yen relative
to the U.S. dollar.
Japan is largely dependent upon foreign economies for raw materials.
International trade is important to Japan's economy, as exports provide the
means to pay for many of the raw materials it must import. Because of the
concentration of Japanese exports in highly visible products such as
automobiles, machine tools and semiconductors, and the large trade surpluses
ensuing therefrom, Japan has entered a difficult
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phase in its relations with its trading partners, particularly with respect to
the United States, with whom the trade imbalance is the greatest.
JASDAQ-traded securities can be volatile, which would result in the Japan
OTC Fund's net asset value fluctuating in response. The decline in the Japanese
securities markets since 1989 has contributed to a weakness in the Japanese
economy, and the impact of a further decline cannot be ascertained. The common
stocks of many Japanese companies continue to trade at high price-earnings
ratios in comparison with those in the United States, even after the recent
market decline. Differences in accounting methods make it difficult to compare
the earnings of Japanese companies with those of companies in other countries,
especially the United States.
Japan has a parliamentary form of government. In 1993 a coalition
government was formed which, for the first time since 1955, did not include the
Liberal Democratic Party. Since mid-1993, there have been several changes in
leadership in Japan. What, if any, effect the current political situation will
have on prospective regulatory reforms on the economy in Japan cannot be
predicted. Recent and future developments in Japan and neighboring Asian
countries may lead to changes in policy that might adversely affect the Funds
investing there. For additional information, see 'Japan and its Securities
Markets,' beginning at page 28 of the Statement of Additional Information for
the Japan OTC Fund, and 'Investment Policies -- Japanese Investments,' beginning
at page 3 of the Statement of Additional Information for the International
Equity Fund.
EMERGING MARKETS. The International Equity and Japan OTC Funds may invest in
securities of issuers located in less developed countries considered to be
'emerging markets.' Investing in securities of issuers located in emerging
markets involves not only the risks described below, with respect to investing
in foreign securities, but also other risks, including exposure to economic
structures that are generally less diverse and mature than, and to political
systems that can be expected to have less stability than, those of developed
countries. Other characteristics of emerging markets that may affect investment
there include certain national policies that may restrict investment by
foreigners in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to relevant national
interests and the absence of developed legal structures governing private and
foreign investments and private property. The typically small size of the
markets for securities of issuers located in emerging markets and the
possibility of a low or nonexistent volume of trading in those securities may
also result in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility of those securities.
INVESTMENTS IN NON-PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES. Although the Funds expect to
invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities, each Fund may invest up
to 10% of its assets (15% in the case of the Japan OTC Fund and the Post-Venture
Capital Fund) in non-publicly traded equity securities, which may involve a high
degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses.
Because of the absence of any liquid trading market currently for these
investments, a Fund may take longer to liquidate these positions than would be
the case for publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold
in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized on such sales could be
less than those originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities
are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor
protection requirements applicable to companies whose securities are publicly
traded. A Fund's investment in illiquid securities is subject to the risk that
should the Fund desire to sell any of these securities when a ready buyer is not
available at a price that is deemed to be representative of their value, the
value of the Fund's net assets could be adversely affected. Except in the case
of the Japan OTC Fund, each Fund's limitation on illiquid securities excludes
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Rule 144A Securities determined by the Fund's Board to be liquid.
NON-DIVERSIFIED STATUS. Each of the Emerging Growth Fund and the Japan OTC Fund
is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act, which
means that each Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion of its
assets that it may invest in the obligations of a single issuer. Each Fund will,
however, comply with diversification requirements imposed by the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'), for qualification as a regulated
investment company. As a non-diversified investment company, each Fund may
invest a greater proportion of its assets in the obligations of a small number
of issuers and, as a result, may be subject to greater risk with respect to
portfolio securities. To the extent that a Fund assumes large positions in the
securities of a small number of issuers, its return 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.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND
TURNOVER RATE
A Fund will attempt to purchase securities with the intent of holding them
for investment but may purchase and sell portfolio securities whenever an
Adviser believes it to be in the best interests of the relevant Fund. A Fund
will not consider portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment
decisions consistent with its investment objective and policies. It is not
possible to predict the Japan OTC or the Post-Venture Capital Fund's portfolio
turnover rate. However, it is anticipated that each Fund's annual turnover rate
should not exceed 100%. High portfolio turnover rates (100% or more) may result
in dealer mark ups or underwriting commissions as well as other transaction
costs, including correspondingly higher brokerage commissions. In addition,
short-term gains realized from portfolio turnover may be taxable to shareholders
as ordinary income. See 'Dividends, Distributions and Taxes -- Taxes' below and
'Investment Policies -- Portfolio Transactions' in each Fund's Statement of
Additional Information.
All orders for transactions in securities or options on behalf of a Fund
are placed by an Adviser with broker-dealers that it selects, including
Counsellors Securities Inc., the Funds' distributor ('Counsellors Securities').
A Fund may utilize Counsellors Securities in connection with a purchase or sale
of securities when Counsellors believes that the charge for the transaction does
not exceed usual and customary levels and when doing so is consistent with
guidelines adopted by the governing Board.
CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Although there is no intention of doing so during the coming year, each
Fund is authorized to engage in the following investment strategies: (i)
purchasing securities on a when-issued basis and purchasing or selling
securities for delayed delivery and (ii) lending portfolio securities. As
described below, the Funds may invest in investments commonly referred to as
'derivative securities,' such as options on securities, stock indexes and
currencies; futures contracts and options on futures contracts; and currency
forward contracts. These strategies may be used for the purpose of hedging
against a decline in value of its portfolio holdings or to generate income to
offset expenses or increase return. SUCH TRANSACTIONS THAT ARE NOT CONSIDERED
HEDGING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SPECULATIVE AND MAY SERVE TO INCREASE THE FUND'S
INVESTMENT RISK. Detailed information concerning these strategies and their
related risks is contained below and in each Fund's Statement of Additional
Information.
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STRATEGIES AVAILABLE TO ALL FUNDS
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The International Equity Fund and the Japan OTC Fund each
will ordinarily hold no less than 65% of its total assets in foreign securities.
The Emerging Growth Fund may invest up to 10% and the Capital Appreciation Fund
and the Post-Venture Capital Fund may each invest up to 20% of its total assets
in the securities of foreign issuers. There are certain risks involved in
investing in securities of companies and governments of foreign nations which
are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. These risks
include those resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates,
revaluation of currencies, future adverse political and economic developments
and the possible imposition of currency exchange blockages or other foreign
governmental laws or restrictions, reduced availability of public information
concerning issuers, the lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards and other regulatory practices and requirements that are
often generally less rigorous than those applied in the United States. Moreover,
securities of many foreign companies may be less liquid and their prices more
volatile than those of securities of comparable U.S. companies. Certain foreign
countries are known to experience long delays between the trade and settlement
dates of securities purchased or sold. In addition, with respect to certain
foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation, nationalization,
confiscatory taxation and limitations on the use or removal of funds or other
assets of the Funds, including the withholding of dividends. Foreign securities
may be subject to foreign government taxes that would reduce the net yield on
such securities. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or
unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national
product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and
balance of payments positions. Investment in foreign securities will also result
in higher operating expenses due to the cost of converting foreign currency into
U.S. dollars, the payment of fixed brokerage commissions on foreign exchanges,
which generally are higher than commissions on U.S. exchanges, higher valuation
and communications costs and the expense of maintaining securities with foreign
custodians.
RULE 144A SECURITIES. The Funds may purchase securities that are not registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the '1933 Act'), but that can be
sold to 'qualified institutional buyers' in accordance with Rule 144A under the
1933 Act ('Rule 144A Securities'). An investment in Rule 144A Securities will be
considered illiquid and therefore subject to each Fund's limitation on the
purchase of illiquid securities, unless the Fund's governing Board determines on
an ongoing basis that an adequate trading market exists for the security. In the
case of the Japan OTC Fund, Rule 144A Securities will be limited to 10% of the
Fund's net assets, included within the Fund's 15% limit on illiquid securities.
In addition to an adequate trading market, the Board will also consider factors
such as trading activity, availability of reliable price information and other
relevant information in determining whether a Rule 144A Security is liquid. This
investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity
in the Funds to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become
uninterested for a time in purchasing Rule 144A Securities. The governing Board
of each Fund will carefully monitor any investments by the Fund in Rule 144A
Securities. The governing Board may adopt guidelines and delegate to an Adviser
the daily function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of Rule 144A
Securities, although each Board will retain ultimate responsibility for any
determination regarding liquidity.
WRITING OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. Each Fund may write covered call options and, in
the case of the Japan OTC Fund and the Post-Venture Capital Fund, covered put
options on up to 25% of the net asset value of the stock and debt securities in
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its portfolio and will realize fees (referred to as 'premiums') for granting the
rights evidenced by the options. A put option embodies the right of its
purchaser to compel the writer of the option to purchase from the option holder
an underlying security at a specified price for a specified time period or at a
specified time. In contrast, a call option embodies the right of its purchaser
to compel the writer of the option to sell to the option holder an underlying
security at a specified price for a specified time period or at a specified
time. Thus, the purchaser of a put option written by a Fund has the right to
compel the purchase by the Fund of the underlying security at an agreed-upon
price for a specified time period or at a specified time, while the purchaser of
a call option written by a Fund has the right to purchase from the Fund the
underlying security owned by the Fund at the agreed-upon price for a specified
time period or at a specified time.
Upon the exercise of a put option written by the Japan OTC Fund or the
Post-Venture Capital Fund, the Fund may suffer an economic loss equal to the
excess of the exercise price of the option over the security's market value at
the time of the option exercise, less the premium received for writing the
option. Upon the exercise of a call option written by a Fund, the Fund may
suffer an economic loss equal to the excess of the security's market value at
the time of the option exercise over the Fund's acquisition cost of the
security, less the premium received for writing the option.
A Fund may engage in a closing purchase transaction to realize a profit, to
prevent an underlying security from being called or put or, in the case of a
call option, to unfreeze an underlying security (thereby permitting its sale or
the writing of a new option on the security prior to the outstanding option's
expiration). To effect a closing purchase transaction, a Fund would purchase,
prior to the holder's exercise of an option that the Fund has written, an option
of the same series as that on which the Fund desires to terminate its
obligation. The obligation of a Fund under an option that it has written would
be terminated by a closing purchase transaction, but the Fund would not be
deemed to own an option as the result of the transaction. The ability of a Fund
to engage in closing transactions with respect to options depends on the
existence of a liquid secondary market. While a Fund generally will purchase or
write options only if there appears to be a liquid secondary market for the
options purchased or sold, for some options, no such secondary market may exist
or the market may cease to exist, particularly with respect to options that
trade over-the-counter ('OTC options').
Option writing for each Fund may be limited by position and exercise limits
established by securities exchanges and the NASD. Furthermore, a Fund may, at
times, have to limit its option writing in order to qualify as a regulated
investment company under the Code.
In addition to writing covered options to generate income, each Fund may
enter into options transactions as hedges to reduce investment risk, generally
by making an investment expected to move in the opposite direction of a
portfolio position. A hedge is designed to offset a loss on a portfolio position
with a gain on the hedge position; at the same time, however, a properly
correlated hedge will result in a gain on the portfolio position being offset by
a loss on the hedge position. Each Fund bears the risk that the prices of the
securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the hedge. A Fund
will engage in hedging transactions only when deemed advisable by an Adviser.
Successful use by a Fund of options for hedging purposes will depend on an
Adviser's ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the
security underlying the option or, in the case of stock index options (described
below), the underlying securities market, which could prove to be inaccurate.
Losses incurred in options transactions and the costs of these transactions will
affect each Fund's performance. Even if an
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Adviser's expectations are correct, where options are used as a hedge there may
be an imperfect correlation between the change in the value of the options and
of the portfolio securities hedged. Therefore, an investment in the Funds may
involve a greater risk than an investment in other mutual funds that seek
capital appreciation or growth of capital.
PURCHASING PUT AND CALL OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. The International Equity Fund,
the Japan OTC Fund and the Post-Venture Capital Fund each may utilize up to 10%
of its assets to purchase put and call options on stocks and debt securities
that are traded on foreign as well as U.S. exchanges, as well as OTC options.
The Capital Appreciation Fund and the Emerging Growth Fund each may utilize up
to 2% of its assets to purchase U.S. exchange-traded and OTC put and call
options on stocks and debt securities.
By buying a put, a Fund limits its risk of loss from a decline in the
market value of the underlying security until the put expires. Any appreciation
in the value of and yield otherwise available from the underlying security,
however, will be partially offset by the amount of the premium paid for the put
option and any related transaction costs. Call options may be purchased by each
Fund in order to acquire the underlying securities for the Fund at a price that
avoids any additional cost that would result from a substantial increase in the
market value of a security. Each Fund also may purchase call options to increase
its return to investors at a time when the option is expected to increase in
value due to anticipated appreciation of the underlying security.
Prior to their expirations, put and call options may be sold in closing
sale transactions (sales by a Fund, prior to the exercise of options that it has
purchased, of options of the same series), and profit or loss from the sale will
depend on whether the amount received is more or less than the premium paid for
the option plus the related transaction costs.
STOCK INDEX OPTIONS. In addition to purchasing and writing options on
securities, each Fund may utilize up to 10% of its total assets to purchase
exchange-listed and, in the case of the International Equity Fund, the Japan OTC
Fund and the Post-Venture Capital Fund, OTC put and call options on stock
indexes, and may write put and call options on such indexes. A stock index
measures the movement of a certain group of stocks by assigning relative values
to the common stocks included in the index. Options on stock indexes are similar
to options on stock except that (i) the expiration cycles of stock index options
are monthly, while those of stock options are currently quarterly, and (ii) the
delivery requirements are different. Instead of giving the right to take or make
delivery of stock at a specified price, an option on a stock index gives the
holder the right to receive a cash 'exercise settlement amount' equal to (a) the
amount, if any, by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the
case of a put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the
underlying index on the date of exercise multiplied by (b) a fixed 'index
multiplier.' The discussion of options on securities above, and the related
risks, is applicable to options on securities indexes.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS. Each Fund may enter into interest rate, stock
index and, in the case of the International Equity, Japan OTC and Post-Venture
Capital Funds, currency futures contracts and purchase and write (sell) related
options that are traded on an exchange designated by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (the 'CFTC') or consistent with CFTC regulations on foreign
exchanges. These transactions may be entered into for 'bona fide hedging' as
defined in CFTC regulations and other permissible purposes including (i)
protecting against anticipated changes in the value of portfolio securities the
Fund intends to purchase and (ii) increasing return.
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An interest rate futures contract is a standardized contract for the future
delivery of a specified interest rate sensitive security (such as a U.S.
Treasury Bond or U.S. Treasury Note or its equivalent) at a future date at a
price set at the time of the contract. Stock indexes are capitalization weighted
indexes which reflect the market value of the stock listed on the indexes. A
stock index futures contract is an agreement to be settled by delivery of an
amount of cash equal to a specified multiplier times the difference between the
value of the index at the beginning and at the end of the contract period. An
option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the
premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise
price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option. A foreign currency
futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and the purchase by
the other party of a certain amount of a specified foreign currency at a
specified price, date, time and place.
Parties to a futures contract must make 'initial margin' deposits to secure
performance of the contract. There are also requirements to make 'variation
margin' deposits from time to time as the value of the futures contract
fluctuates. The Funds are not commodity pools and, in compliance with CFTC
regulations currently in effect, may enter into any futures contracts and
related options for 'bona fide hedging' purposes and, in addition, for other
purposes, provided that aggregate initial margin and premiums required to
establish positions other than those considered by the CFTC to be 'bona fide
hedging' will not exceed 5% of each Fund's net asset value, after taking into
account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts. Each
Fund reserves the right to engage in transactions involving futures and options
thereon to the extent allowed by CFTC regulations in effect from time to time
and in accordance with the Fund's policies. Certain provisions of the Code may
limit the extent to which the Fund may enter into futures contracts or engage in
options transactions.
There are several risks in connection with the use of futures contracts.
Successful use of futures contracts is subject to the ability of the Advisers to
predict correctly movements in the direction of the currency, interest rate or
stock index underlying the particular futures contract or related option. These
predictions and, thus, the use of futures contracts involve skills and
techniques that are different from those involved in the management of portfolio
securities. In addition, there can be no assurance that there will be a
correlation between movements in the currencies, interest rate or index
underlying the futures contract and movements in the price of the portfolio
securities which are the subject of a hedge. A decision concerning whether, when
and how to utilize futures involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even
a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of unexpected
market behavior or trends in foreign currencies, interest rates or stock
indexes. Losses incurred in futures transactions and the costs of these
transactions will affect the Fund's performance.
A further risk involves the lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures
contract and the resulting inability to close out a futures contract. Futures
and options contracts may only be closed out by entering into offsetting
transactions on the exchange where the position was entered into (or a linked
exchange), and as a result of daily price fluctuation limits there can no
assurance that an offsetting transaction could be entered into at an
advantageous price at any particular time. Consequently, a Fund may realize a
loss on a futures contract or option that is not offset by an increase in the
value of the Fund's securities that are being hedged or the Fund may not be able
to close a futures or options position without incurring a loss in the event of
adverse price movements.
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ASSET COVERAGE FOR FORWARD CONTRACTS, OPTIONS, FUTURES AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES.
Each Fund will comply with guidelines established by the SEC designed to
eliminate any potential for leverage with respect to options written by the Fund
on currencies, securities and indexes; currency, interest rate and index futures
contracts and options on these futures contracts and forward currency contracts.
The use of these strategies may require that a Fund maintain cash or certain
liquid high-grade debt securities or other assets that are acceptable as
collateral to the appropriate regulatory authority in a segregated account with
its custodian or a designated sub-custodian to the extent the Fund's obligations
with respect to these strategies are not otherwise 'covered' through ownership
of the underlying security, financial instrument or currency or by other
portfolio positions or by other means consistent with applicable regulatory
policies. Segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent
assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate
them. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage
of a Fund's assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund's ability to
meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
STRATEGY AVAILABLE TO THE INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND, THE JAPAN OTC FUND AND THE
POST-VENTURE CAPITAL FUND
CURRENCY EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS. Each Fund may engage in currency exchange
transactions to protect against uncertainty in the level of future exchange
rates and to increase the Fund's income and total return (except that the
International Equity Fund may only enter into forward currency contracts for
hedging purposes). Each Fund will conduct its currency exchange transactions (i)
on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the rate prevailing in the currency exchange
market, (ii) through entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell
currency, (iii) as described above, through entering into foreign currency
futures contracts or options on such contracts or (iv) in the case of the Japan
OTC Fund and the Post-Venture Capital Fund, by purchasing currency options.
Forward Currency Contracts. A forward currency contract involves an
obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may
be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the
parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are entered
into in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders
(usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The use of forward
currency contracts as a hedge does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying
prices of the securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be
achieved in the future. In addition, although forward currency contracts limit
the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of a hedged currency, at the same
time they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of
the currency increase.
STRATEGIES AVAILABLE TO THE JAPAN OTC FUND
AND THE POST-VENTURE CAPITAL FUND
CURRENCY OPTIONS. Each Fund may purchase exchange-traded put and call options on
currencies. An option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser, in return for a
premium, the right to sell, in the case of a put, and buy, in the case of a
call, the underlying currency at a specified price during the term of the
option. The benefit to the Fund derived from purchases of foreign currency
options, like the benefit derived from other types of options, will be reduced
by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, if
currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent
anticipated, the Fund could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency
options that would require it to forgo a portion or all of the benefits of
advantageous changes in the rates.
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REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Each of the Japan OTC Fund and the Post-Venture
Capital Fund may also enter into reverse repurchase agreements with the same
parties with whom it may enter into repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase
agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund pursuant to its
agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date, price and rate of
interest. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it
will establish and maintain a segregated account with an approved custodian
containing cash or liquid high-grade debt securities having a value not less
than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). The assets contained in
the segregated account will be marked-to-market daily and additional assets will
be placed in such account on any day in which the assets fall below the
repurchase price (plus accrued interest). The Fund's liquidity and ability to
manage its assets might be affected when it sets aside cash or portfolio
securities to cover such commitments. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the
risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale may
decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to
repurchase. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase
agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee
or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce the
Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund's use of the
proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted
pending such decision. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be
borrowings under the 1940 Act.
DOLLAR ROLL TRANSACTIONS. Each Fund also may enter into 'dollar rolls,' in which
the Fund sells fixed income securities for delivery in the current month and
simultaneously contracts to repurchase similar but not identical (same type,
coupon and maturity) securities on a specified future date. During the roll
period, the Fund would forgo principal and interest paid on such securities. The
Fund would be compensated by the difference between the current sales price and
the forward price for the future purchase, as well as by the interest earned on
the cash proceeds of the initial sale. At the time that the Fund enters into a
dollar roll transaction, it will place in a segregated account maintained with
an approved custodian cash or other liquid high-grade debt obligations having a
value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest) and will
subsequently monitor the account to ensure that its value is maintained. For
financial reporting and tax purposes, each Fund proposes to treat dollar rolls
as two separate transactions, one involving the sale of a security and a
separate transaction involving the purchase of a security. The Funds do not
currently intend to enter into dollar rolls that are accounted for as a
financing.
STRATEGY AVAILABLE TO THE POST-VENTURE CAPITAL FUND
SHORT SELLING. The Fund may from time to time sell securities short. A short
sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells borrowed securities in
anticipation of a decline in the market price of the securities. Possible losses
from short sales differ from losses that could be incurred from a purchase of a
security, because losses from short sales may be unlimited, whereas losses from
purchases can equal only the total amount invested. The current market value of
the securities sold short will not exceed 10% of the Fund's assets.
When the Fund makes a short sale, the proceeds it receives from the sale
are retained by a broker until the Fund replaces the borrowed securities. To
deliver the securities to the buyer, the Fund must arrange through a broker to
borrow the securities and, in so doing, the Fund becomes obligated to replace
the securities borrowed at their market price at the time of replacement,
whatever that price may be. The Fund may have to pay a premium to borrow the
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securities and must pay any dividends or interest payable on the securities
until they are replaced.
The Fund's obligation to replace the securities borrowed in connection with
a short sale will be secured by cash or U.S. government securities deposited as
collateral with the broker. In addition, the Fund will place in a segregated
account with its custodian or a qualified subcustodian an amount of cash or U.S.
government securities equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the market
value of the securities sold at the time they were sold short and (ii) any cash
or U.S. government securities deposited as collateral with the broker in
connection with the short sale (not including the proceeds of the short sale).
Until it replaces the borrowed securities, the Fund will maintain the segregated
account daily at a level so that (a) the amount deposited in the account plus
the amount deposited with the broker (not including the proceeds from the short
sale) will equal the current market value of the securities sold short and (b)
the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker
(not including the proceeds from the short sale) will not be less than the
market value of the securities at the time they were sold short.
Short Sales Against the Box. The Fund may, in addition to engaging in short
sales as described above, enter into a short sale of securities such that when
the short position is open the Fund owns an equal amount of the securities sold
short or owns preferred stocks or debt securities, convertible or exchangeable
without payment of further consideration, into an equal number of securities
sold short. This kind of short sale, which is referred to as one 'against the
box,' will be entered into by the Fund for the purpose of receiving a portion of
the interest earned by the executing broker from the proceeds of the sale. The
proceeds of the sale will generally be held by the broker until the settlement
date when the Fund delivers securities to close out its short position. Although
prior to delivery the Fund will have to pay an amount equal to any dividends
paid on the securities sold short, the Fund will receive the dividends from the
securities sold short or the dividends from the preferred stock or interest from
the debt securities convertible or exchangeable into the securities sold short,
plus a portion of the interest earned from the proceeds of the short sale. The
Fund will deposit, in a segregated account with its custodian or a qualified
subcustodian, the securities sold short or convertible or exchangeable preferred
stocks or debt securities in connection with short sales against the box. The
Fund will endeavor to offset transaction costs associated with short sales
against the box with the income from the investment of the cash proceeds. Not
more than 10% of the Fund's net assets (taken at current value) may be held as
collateral for short sales against the box at any one time.
The extent to which the Fund may make short sales may be limited by Code
requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company. See
'Dividends, Distributions and Taxes' for other tax considerations applicable to
short sales.
INVESTMENT GUIDELINES
The International Equity Fund, the Capital Appreciation Fund and the
Emerging Growth Fund may each invest up to 10% of its total assets (15% of net
assets, in the case of the Japan OTC Fund and the Post-Venture Capital Fund) in
securities with contractual or other restrictions on resale and other
instruments that are not readily marketable ('illiquid securities'), including
(i) securities issued as part of a privately negotiated transaction between an
issuer and one or more purchasers; (ii) repurchase agreements with maturities
greater than seven days; (iii) time deposits maturing in more than seven
calendar days; and (iv) in the case of the Japan OTC Fund, Rule 144A Securities.
In addition, up to 5% of each Fund's total assets may be invested in the
securities of issuers which have been in continuous operation for less than
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three years, and up to an additional 5% of its total assets may be invested in
warrants. Each Fund may borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes,
such as meeting anticipated redemption requests, provided that reverse
repurchase agreements and any other borrowing by the Fund may not exceed 10% of
its total assets (30% in the case of the International Equity Fund, the Japan
OTC Fund and the Post-Venture Capital Fund) and may pledge up to 10% of its
assets (to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings in the case of
the Japan OTC Fund and the Post-Venture Capital Fund) in connection with
borrowings. Whenever borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements) exceed
5% of the value of the Fund's total assets, the Fund will not make any
investments (including roll-overs). Except for the limitations on borrowing, the
investment guidelines set forth in this paragraph may be changed at any time
without shareholder consent by vote of the governing Board of each Fund, subject
to the limitations contained in the 1940 Act. A complete list of investment
restrictions that each Fund has adopted identifying additional restrictions that
cannot be changed without the approval of the majority of the Fund's outstanding
shares is contained in each Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
INVESTMENT ADVISERS. Each Fund employs Counsellors as investment adviser to the
Fund. The Japan OTC Fund employs SPARX Investment & Research, USA, Inc. ('SPARX
USA') as its sub-investment adviser. With respect to each Fund other than the
Japan OTC Fund, Counsellors, subject to the control of each Fund's officers and
the governing Board, manages the investment and reinvestment of the assets of
the Funds in accordance with each Fund's investment objective and stated
investment policies. Counsellors makes investment decisions for each such Fund
and places orders to purchase or sell securities on behalf of each such Fund.
With respect to the Japan OTC Fund, Counsellors has general oversight for the
day-to-day management of the Fund, manages the Fund's U.S. investments and
investments in debt securities, determines the country allocation and industry
allocation of Fund assets, monitors Fund expenses and evaluates the services
provided by the sub-investment adviser to the Fund. Counsellors also employs a
support staff of management personnel to provide services to the Funds and
furnishes each Fund with office space, furnishings and equipment. SPARX USA, in
accordance with the investment objective and policies of the Japan OTC Fund and
under the supervision of Counsellors and the Fund's governing Board, makes
investment decisions for the Fund involving Japanese and other Asian equity
securities, places orders to buy and sell such securities on behalf of the Fund
and provides research to the Fund relating to Japanese and other Asian companies
and securities markets.
For the services provided by Counsellors, the Capital Appreciation Fund,
the Emerging Growth Fund, the International Equity Fund and the Post-Venture
Capital Fund will each pay Counsellors a fee calculated at an annual rate of
.70%, .90%, 1.00% and 1.25%, respectively, of the Fund's average daily net
assets. The Japan OTC Fund pays Counsellors an advisory fee calculated at an
annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets, out of which
Counsellors pays SPARX USA a fee of .625%. Although in the case of the Emerging
Growth Fund, the International Equity Fund, the Japan OTC Fund and the
Post-Venture Capital Fund this advisory fee is higher than that paid by most
other investment companies, including money market and fixed income funds,
Counsellors believes that it is comparable to fees charged by other mutual funds
with similar policies and strategies. The advisory agreement between each Fund
and Counsellors provides that Counsellors will reimburse the Fund to the extent
certain expenses that are described in the Statement of Additional Information
exceed applicable state
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expense limitations. Counsellors, SPARX USA and each Fund's co-administrators
may voluntarily waive a portion of their fees from time to time and temporarily
limit the expenses to be borne by the Fund.
Counsellors is a professional investment counselling firm which provides
investment services to investment companies, employee benefit plans, endowment
funds, foundations and other institutions and individuals. As of August 31,
1995, Counsellors managed approximately $11.4 billion of assets, including
approximately $5.8 billion of assets of twenty investment companies or
portfolios. Incorporated in 1970, Counsellors is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Warburg, Pincus Counsellors G.P. ('Counsellors G.P.'), a New York general
partnership. E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., Inc. ('EMW') controls Counsellors
through its ownership of a class of voting preferred stock of Counsellors.
Counsellors G.P. has no business other than being a holding company of
Counsellors and its subsidiaries. Counsellors' address is 466 Lexington Avenue,
New York, New York 10017-3147.
SPARX USA, a Delaware corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of SPARX.
SPARX USA, which has not previously acted as adviser to a U.S. investment
company, is registered as an investment adviser under the U.S. Investment
Advisers Act of 1940. SPARX is an independent investment advisory company, which
is owned by Shuhei Abe. The predecessor of SPARX was incorporated in Tokyo in
July 1988 and was registered as an investment adviser under the Investment
Advisory Act of 1986 of Japan. SPARX has no business other than providing
investment advisory services, and as of August 31, 1995 had approximately $554
million in assets under management. SPARX USA's address is 413 Seaside Avenue,
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS. The portfolio manager of the International Equity Fund is
Richard H. King. Together with Shuhei Abe of SPARX USA, Mr. King, Nicholas P.W.
Horsley and Nicholas Edwards are co-portfolio managers of the Japan OTC Fund.
The president of the International Equity Fund, the Japan OTC Fund and Warburg
Pincus Emerging Markets Fund is Mr. King. Mr. King has been a portfolio manager
of the International Equity Fund since its inception on May 2, 1989, and Mr.
King, Mr. Horsley and Mr. Abe have been co-portfolio managers of the Japan OTC
Fund since its inception on September 30, 1994. Mr. Edwards has been a
co-portfolio manager of the Japan OTC Fund since October 1995. Mr. King has been
a managing director of EMW since 1989. From 1984 until 1988 he was chief
investment officer and a director at Fiduciary Trust Company International S.A.
in London, with responsibility for all international equity management and
investment strategy. From 1982 to 1984 he was a director in charge of Far East
equity investments at N.M. Rothschild International Asset Management,
a London merchant bank. Mr. Horsley is a senior vice president of Counsellors
and has been with Counsellors since 1993, before which time he was a director,
portfolio manager and analyst at Barclays deZoete Wedd in New York City. Mr.
Edwards has been with Counsellors since August 1995, before which time he was a
director at Jardine Fleming Investment Advisers, Tokyo. He was a vice president
of Robert Fleming Inc. in New York City from 1988 to 1991.
Together with Mr. Horsley and Mr. Edwards, Harold W. Ehrlich and Vincent J.
McBride are associate portfolio managers and research analysts for the
International Equity Fund. Mr. Ehrlich is a senior vice president of Counsellors
and has been with Counsellors and the Fund since February 1995, before which
time he was a senior vice president, portfolio manager and analyst at Templeton
Investment Counsel Inc. Mr. McBride has been with Counsellors and the Fund since
1994. Prior to joining Counsellors, Mr. McBride was an international equity
analyst at Smith Barney Inc. from 1993 to 1994 and at General Electric
Investment Corporation from 1992 to 1993. From 1989 to 1992 he was a portfolio
manager/analyst at United Jersey Bank.
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Shuhei Abe of SPARX USA, a co-portfolio manager of the Japan OTC Fund, is
the founder and president of SPARX Asset Management Company Ltd. ('SPARX'), the
parent company of SPARX USA. Prior to founding SPARX in 1989 (by assuming
control of a predecessor company), Mr. Abe worked for Soros Fund Management and
Credit Suisse Trust Bank as an independent adviser. Toshikatsu Kimura is an
associate portfolio manager of the Japan OTC Fund. Mr. Kimura has been a
portfolio manager and analyst at SPARX since 1992, before which time he was a
warrant trader and portfolio manager, respectively, at Sanyo Securities and
Sanyo Investment Management from 1986 to 1990, and at Funai Capital from 1990 to
1992.
The co-portfolio managers of the Emerging Growth Fund and the Post-Venture
Capital Fund are Elizabeth B. Dater and Stephen J. Lurito, co-presidents of the
Emerging Growth Fund. Ms. Dater has been portfolio manager of the Emerging
Growth Fund since its inception on January 21, 1988. She is a managing director
of EMW and has been a portfolio manager of Counsellors since 1978. Mr. Lurito
has been a portfolio manager of the Emerging Growth Fund since 1990. He is a
managing director of EMW and has been with Counsellors since 1987, before which
time he was a research analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Company, Inc. Robert S.
Janis and Christopher M. Nawn are associate portfolio managers and research
analysts for the Post-Venture Capital Fund. Mr. Janis has been with Counsellors
since October 1994, before which time he was a vice president and senior
research analyst at U.S. Trust Company of New York. Mr. Nawn has been with
Counsellors since September 1994, before which time he was a senior sector
analyst and portfolio manager at the Dreyfus Corporation.
George U. Wyper and Susan L. Black have been co-portfolio managers of the
Capital Appreciation Fund since December 1994. Mr. Wyper is a managing director
of EMW, which he joined in August 1994, before which time he was chief
investment officer of White River Corporation and president of Hanover Advisers,
Inc. (1993-August 1994), chief investment officer of Fund American Enterprises,
Inc. (1990-1993) and the director of fixed income investments at Fireman's Fund
Insurance Company (1987-1990). Ms. Black is a managing director of EMW and has
been with Counsellors since 1985.
CO-ADMINISTRATORS. The Funds employ Counsellors Funds Service, Inc.
('Counsellors Service'), a wholly owned subsidiary of Counsellors, as a
co-administrator. As co-administrator, Counsellors Service provides shareholder
liaison services to the Funds including responding to shareholder inquiries and
providing information on shareholder investments. Counsellors Service also
performs a variety of other services, including furnishing certain executive and
administrative services, acting as liaison between the Funds and their various
service providers, furnishing corporate secretarial services, which include
preparing materials for meetings of the governing Board, preparing proxy
statements and annual, semiannual and quarterly reports, assisting in other
regulatory filings as necessary and monitoring and developing compliance
procedures for the Funds. As compensation, each Fund pays Counsellors Service a
fee calculated at an annual rate of .10% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
Counsellors may, at its own expense, provide promotional incentives to
qualified recipients who support the sale of shares of the Funds. Qualified
recipients are securities dealers who have sold Fund shares or others, including
banks and other financial institutions, under special arrangements. In some
instances, these incentives may be offered only to certain institutions whose
representatives provide services in connection with the sale or expected sale of
significant amounts of Fund shares.
Each Fund employs PFPC Inc. ('PFPC'), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary
of PNC Bank Corp., as a co-administrator. As a co-administrator, PFPC calculates
the Fund's net asset value, provides all accounting services for
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the Fund and assists in related aspects of the Fund's operations. As
compensation the Emerging Growth Fund, the Capital Appreciation Fund and the
Post-Venture Capital Fund each pays PFPC a fee calculated at an annual rate of
.10% of each Fund's average daily net assets, and the International Equity Fund
and the Japan OTC Fund each pays PFPC a fee calculated at an annual rate of .12%
of each Fund's first $250 million in average daily net assets, .10% of the next
$250 million in average daily net assets, .08% of the next $250 million in
average daily net assets, and .05% of average daily net assets over $750
million, subject in each case to a minimum annual fee and exclusive of out-of-
pocket expenses. PFPC has its principal offices at 400 Bellevue Parkway,
Wilmington, Delaware 19809.
CUSTODIAN. Fiduciary Trust Company International ('Fiduciary') serves as
custodian of the International Equity Fund's assets and State Street Bank and
Trust Company ('State Street') serves as custodian of the Japan OTC Fund's
assets. Fiduciary's principal business address is Two World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048. State Street's principal business address is 225 Franklin
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
PNC Bank, National Association ('PNC'), serves as custodian
of the Post-Venture Capital Fund's U.S. assets, and State Street serves as
custodian of the Fund's non-U.S. assets. PNC serves as custodian of the
assets of the Capital Appreciation Fund and the Emerging Growth Fund
and also provides certain custodial services generally in connection
with purchases and sales of International Equity Fund shares. Like PFPC,
PNC is a subsidiary of PNC Bank Corp. and its principal business
address is Broad and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101.
TRANSFER AGENT. State Street also serves as shareholder servicing agent,
transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds. It has delegated to
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., a 50% owned subsidiary ('BFDS'),
responsibility for most shareholder servicing functions. BFDS's principal
business address is 2 Heritage Drive, North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171.
DISTRIBUTOR. Counsellors Securities serves as distributor of the shares of the
Funds. Counsellors Securities is a wholly owned subsidiary of Counsellors and is
located at 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017-3147. No compensation
is payable by the International Equity, Emerging Growth or Capital Appreciation
Funds to Counsellors Securities for distribution services. Counsellors
Securities receives a fee at an annual rate equal to .25% of the average daily
net assets of each of the Japan OTC and Post-Venture Capital Fund's Common
Shares for distribution services, pursuant to a shareholder servicing and
distribution plan ('12b-1 Plan') adopted by each Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act. Amounts paid to Counsellors Securities under a 12b-1 Plan
may be used by Counsellors Securities to cover expenses that are primarily
intended to result in, or that are primarily attributable to, (i) the sale of
the Common Shares, (ii) ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of
Common Shareholders of the Fund and (iii) sub-transfer agency services,
subaccounting services or administrative services related to the sale of the
Common Shares, all as set forth in the 12b-1 Plans. Payments under the 12b-1
Plans are not tied exclusively to the distribution expenses actually incurred by
Counsellors Securities and the payments may exceed distribution expenses
actually incurred. The governing Boards of the Japan OTC Fund and the
Post-Venture Capital Fund evaluate the appropriateness of the 12b-1 Plan on a
continuing basis and in doing so consider all relevant factors, including
expenses borne by Counsellors Securities and amounts received under the 12b-1
Plans.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The officers of each Fund manage its day-to-day
operations and are directly responsible to its governing Board. The Boards set
broad policies for each Fund and choose its officers. A list of the
Direc-
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tors/Trustees and officers of each Fund and a brief statement of their present
positions and principal occupations during the past five years is set forth in
the Statement of Additional Information of each Fund.
HOW TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In order to invest in a Fund, an investor must first complete and sign an
account application. To obtain an application, an investor may telephone Warburg
Pincus Funds at (800) 257-5614. An investor may also obtain an account
application by writing to:
Warburg Pincus Funds
P.O. Box 9030
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9030
Completed and signed account applications should be mailed to Warburg
Pincus Funds at the above address.
RETIREMENT PLANS AND UGMA ACCOUNTS. For information about investing in the Funds
through a tax-deferred retirement plan, such as an Individual Retirement Account
('IRA') or a Simplified Employee Pension IRA ('SEP-IRA'), or about opening a
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act ('UGMA') account,
an investor should telephone Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878 or write to
Warburg Pincus Funds at the address set forth above. Investors should consult
their own tax advisers about the establishment of retirement plans and UGMA
accounts.
CHANGES TO ACCOUNT. For information on how to make changes to an account, an
investor should telephone Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Common Shares of each Fund may be purchased either by mail or, with special
advance instructions, by wire.
BY MAIL. If the investor desires to purchase Common Shares by mail, a check or
money order made payable to the Fund or Warburg Pincus Funds (in U.S. currency)
should be sent along with the completed account application to Warburg Pincus
Funds through its distributor, Counsellors Securities Inc., at the address set
forth above. Checks payable to the investor and endorsed to the order of the
Fund or Warburg Pincus Funds will not be accepted as payment and will be
returned to the sender. If payment is received in proper form before 4:00 p.m.
(Eastern time) on a day that the Fund calculates its net asset value (a
'business day'), the purchase will be made at the Fund's net asset value
calculated at the end of that day. If payment is received after 4:00 p.m., the
purchase will be effected at the Fund's net asset value determined for the next
business day after payment has been received. Checks or money orders that are
not in proper form or that are not accompanied or preceded by a complete account
application will be returned to the sender. Shares purchased by check or money
order are entitled to receive dividends and distributions beginning on the day
after payment has been received. Checks or money orders in payment for shares of
more than one Warburg Pincus Fund should be made payable to Warburg Pincus Funds
and should be accompanied by a breakdown of amounts to be invested in each fund.
If a check used for purchase does not clear, the Fund will cancel the purchase
and the investor may be liable for losses or fees incurred. For a description of
the manner of calculating the Fund's net asset value, see 'Net Asset Value'
below.
BY WIRE. Investors may also purchase Common Shares in a Fund by wiring funds
from their banks. Telephone orders by wire will not be accepted until a
completed account application in proper form has been received and an account
number has been established. Investors should place an order with the Fund prior
to wiring funds by telephoning (800) 888-6878. Federal
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funds may be wired to Counsellors Securities Inc. using the following wire
address:
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
225 Franklin St.
Boston, MA 02101
ABA# 0110 000 28
Attn: Mutual Funds/Custody Dept.
[Insert Warburg Pincus fund name(s) here]
DDA# 9904-649-2
[Shareowner name]
[Shareowner account number]
If a telephone order is received by the close of regular trading on the New
York Stock Exchange (the 'NYSE') (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) and payment
by wire is received on the same day in proper form in accordance with
instructions set forth above, the shares will be priced according to the net
asset value of the Fund on that day and are entitled to dividends and
distributions beginning on that day. If payment by wire is received in proper
form by the close of the NYSE without a prior telephone order, the purchase will
be priced according to the net asset value of the Fund on that day and is
entitled to dividends and distributions beginning on that day. However, if a
wire in proper form that is not preceded by a telephone order is received after
the close of regular trading on the NYSE, the payment will be held uninvested
until the order is effected at the close of business on the next business day.
Payment for orders that are not accepted will be returned to the prospective
investor after prompt inquiry. If a telephone order is placed and payment by
wire is not received on the same day, the Fund will cancel the purchase and the
investor may be liable for losses or fees incurred.
The minimum initial investment in each Fund is $2,500 and the minimum
subsequent investment is $100, except that subsequent minimum investments can be
as low as $50 under the Automatic Monthly Investment Plan described in the next
section. For a tax-deferred retirement plan, such as an IRA or an UGMA account,
the minimum initial and subsequent investment is $500. The Fund reserves the
right to change the initial and subsequent investment minimum requirements at
any time. In addition, the Fund may, in its sole discretion, waive the initial
and subsequent investment minimum requirements with respect to investors who are
employees of EMW or its affiliates or persons with whom Counsellors has entered
into an investment advisory agreement. Existing investors will be given 15 days'
notice by mail of any increase in investment minimum requirements.
After an investor has made his initial investment, additional shares may be
purchased at any time by mail or by wire in the manner outlined above. Wire
payments for initial and subsequent investments should be preceded by an order
placed with the Fund and should clearly indicate the investor's account number
and the name of the Fund in which shares are being purchased. In the interest of
economy and convenience, physical certificates representing shares in the Funds
are not normally issued.
The Funds understand that some broker-dealers (other than Counsellors
Securities), financial institutions, securities dealers and other industry
professionals may impose certain conditions on their clients that invest in the
Funds, which are in addition to or different than those described in this
Prospectus, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authority, may
charge their clients direct fees. Certain features of the Funds, such as the
initial and subsequent investment minimums, may be modified in these programs,
and administrative charges may be imposed for the services rendered. Therefore,
a client or customer should contact the organization acting on his behalf
concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption
of Fund shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing
his accounts with the organization. These organizations will be responsible for
promptly transmitting client or customer purchase and redemption orders to the
Funds in
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accordance with their agreements with clients or customers.
Common Shares of each Fund are available through the Charles Schwab &
Company, Inc. Mutual Fund OneSourceTM Program, Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc.
Funds-NetworkTM Program, Jack White & Company, Inc. and Waterhouse Securities,
Inc. The availability of the Japan OTC Fund through these brokerage firms may
vary. Generally, these programs do not require customers to pay a transaction
fee in connection with purchases. These and other organizations that have
entered into agreements with a Fund or its agent may enter confirmed purchase
orders on behalf of customers, with payment to follow no later than the Funds'
pricing on the following business day. If payment is not received by such time,
the organization could be held liable for resulting fees or losses.
AUTOMATIC MONTHLY INVESTING. Automatic monthly investing allows shareholders to
authorize a Fund to debit their bank account monthly ($50 minimum) for the
purchase of Fund shares on or about either the tenth or twentieth calendar day
of each month. To establish the automatic monthly investing option, obtain a
separate application or complete the 'Automatic Investment Program' section of
the account applications and include a voided, unsigned check from the bank
account to be debited. Only an account maintained at a domestic financial
institution which is an automated clearing house member may be used.
Shareholders using this service must satisfy the initial investment minimum for
the Fund prior to or concurrent with the start of any Automatic Investment
Program. Please refer to an account application for further information, or
contact Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878 for information or to modify or
terminate the program. Investors should allow a period of up to 30 days in order
to implement an automatic investment program. The failure to provide complete
information could result in further delays.
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE
SHARES
REDEMPTION OF SHARES. An investor in a Fund may redeem (sell) his shares on any
day that the Fund's net asset value is calculated (see 'Net Asset Value' below).
Proceeds from the redemption of shares of the Japan OTC Fund will be reduced by
the amount of any applicable redemption fee (see below).
Common Shares of the Funds may either be redeemed by mail or by telephone.
Investors should realize that in using the telephone redemption and exchange
option, you may be giving up a measure of security that you may have if you were
to redeem or exchange your shares in writing. If an investor desires to redeem
his shares by mail, a written request for redemption should be sent to Warburg
Pincus Funds at the address indicated above under 'How to Open an Account.' An
investor should be sure that the redemption request identifies the Fund, the
number of shares to be redeemed and the investor's account number. In order to
change the bank account or address designated to receive the redemption
proceeds, the investor must send a written request (with signature guarantee of
all investors listed on the account when such a change is made in conjunction
with a redemption request) to Warburg Pincus Funds. Each mail redemption request
must be signed by the registered owner(s) (or his legal representative(s))
exactly as the shares are registered. If an investor has applied for the
telephone redemption feature on his account application, he may redeem his
shares by calling Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878 between 9:00 a.m. and
4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on any business day. An investor making a telephone
withdrawal should state (i) the name of the Fund, (ii) the account number of the
Fund, (iii) the name of the investor(s) appearing on the Fund's records, (iv)
the amount to be withdrawn and (v) the name of the person requesting the
redemption.
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After receipt of the redemption request by mail or by telephone, the
redemption proceeds will, at the option of the investor, be paid by check and
mailed to the investor of record or be wired to the investor's bank as indicated
in the account application previously filled out by the investor. No Fund
currently imposes a service charge for effecting wire transfers but each Fund
reserves the right to do so in the future. During periods of significant
economic or market change, telephone redemptions may be difficult to implement.
If an investor is unable to contact Warburg Pincus Funds by telephone, an
investor may deliver the redemption request to Warburg Pincus Funds by mail at
the address shown above under 'How to Open an Account.' Although each Fund will
redeem shares purchased by check before the check clears, payments of the
redemption proceeds will be delayed until such check has cleared, which may take
up to 15 days from the purchase date. Investors should consider purchasing
shares using a certified or bank check or money order if they anticipate an
immediate need for a redemption.
If a redemption order is received prior to the close of regular trading on
the NYSE, the redemption order will be effected at the net asset value per share
as determined on that day. If a redemption order is received after the close of
regular trading on the NYSE, the redemption order will be effected at the net
asset value as next determined. Redemption proceeds will normally be mailed or
wired to an investor on the next business day following the date a redemption
order is effected. If, however, in the judgment of Counsellors, immediate
payment would adversely affect a Fund, each Fund reserves the right to pay the
redemption proceeds within seven days after the redemption order is effected.
Furthermore, each Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date
of payment upon redemption (as well as suspend or postpone the recordation of an
exchange of shares) for such periods as are permitted under the 1940 Act.
The proceeds paid upon redemption may be more or less than the amount
invested depending upon a share's net asset value at the time of redemption. If
an investor redeems all the shares in his account, all dividends and
distributions declared up to and including the date of redemption are paid along
with the proceeds of the redemption.
If, due to redemptions, the value of an investor's account drops to less
than $2,000 ($250 in the case of an IRA or UGMA account), each Fund reserves the
right to redeem the shares in that account at net asset value. Prior to any
redemption, the Fund will notify an investor in writing that this account has a
value of less than the minimum. The investor will then have 60 days to make an
additional investment before a redemption will be processed by the Fund.
The Japan OTC Fund imposes a redemption charge on any redemption of shares
(which includes an exchange of shares of the Japan OTC Fund into another Warburg
Pincus Fund) made within six months from the date of purchase. The charge, which
is deducted from the redemption proceeds and retained by the Fund, is equal to
1.00% of the current value of shares redeemed that were held for less than six
months, including any appreciation in value of the redeemed shares. If shares
being redeemed were not all held for the same length of time, those shares held
longest will be redeemed first for purposes of determining whether the charge
applies. The redemption charge will not be imposed on redemptions (or exchanges)
of shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends, and these shares will
be redeemed before any shares to which the redemption charge applies. The
redemption fee is currently being waived until such later date as the Fund may
determine.
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS. In order to request redemptions by telephone, investors
must have completed and returned to Warburg Pincus Funds an account application
containing a telephone election. Unless contrary instructions are elected, an
investor will be entitled to make
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<PAGE>
exchanges by telephone. Neither a Fund nor its agents will be liable for
following instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to
be genuine. Reasonable procedures will be employed on behalf of each Fund to
confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. Such procedures
include providing written confirmation of telephone transactions, tape recording
telephone instructions and requiring specific personal information prior to
acting upon telephone instructions.
AUTOMATIC CASH WITHDRAWAL PLAN. Each Fund offers investors an automatic cash
withdrawal plan under which investors may elect to receive periodic cash
payments of at least $250 monthly or quarterly. To establish this service,
complete the 'Automatic Withdrawal Plan' section of the account application and
attach a voided check from the bank account to be credited. For further
information regarding the automatic cash withdrawal plan or to modify or
terminate the Plan, investors should contact Warburg Pincus Funds at (800)
888-6878.
EXCHANGE OF SHARES. An investor may exchange Common Shares of a Fund for Common
Shares of another Fund or for Common Shares of the other mutual funds advised by
Counsellors at their respective net asset values. Exchanges may be effected by
mail or by telephone in the manner described under 'Redemption of Shares' above.
If an exchange request is received by Warburg Pincus Funds prior to 4:00 p.m.
(Eastern time), the exchange will be made at each Fund's net asset value
determined at the end of that business day. Exchanges may be effected without a
sales charge but must satisfy the minimum dollar amount necessary for new
purchases and may, in the case of exchanges from the Japan OTC Fund, be subject
to a redemption fee. Due to the costs involved in effecting exchanges, each Fund
reserves the right to refuse to honor more than three exchange requests by a
shareholder in any 30-day period. The exchange privilege may be modified or
terminated at any time upon 60 days' notice to shareholders. Currently,
exchanges may be made among the Funds and with the following other funds:
WARBURG PINCUS CASH RESERVE FUND -- a money market fund investing in
short-term, high quality money market instruments;
WARBURG PINCUS NEW YORK TAX EXEMPT FUND -- a money market fund investing
in short-term, high quality municipal obligations designed for New York
investors seeking income exempt from federal, New York State and New York
City income tax;
WARBURG PINCUS NEW YORK INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL FUND -- an
intermediate-term municipal bond fund designed for New York investors
seeking income exempt from federal, New York State and New York City
income tax;
WARBURG PINCUS TAX FREE FUND -- a bond fund seeking maximum current income
exempt from federal income taxes, consistent with preservation of capital;
WARBURG PINCUS INTERMEDIATE MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND -- an
intermediate-term bond fund investing in obligations issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities;
WARBURG PINCUS FIXED INCOME FUND -- a bond fund seeking current income
and, secondarily, capital appreciation by investing in a diversified
portfolio of fixed-income securities;
WARBURG PINCUS SHORT-TERM TAX-ADVANTAGED BOND FUND -- a bond fund seeking
maximum income after the effect of federal income taxes as a primary
objective and capital appreciation as a secondary objective through
investments in taxable and tax-exempt debt instruments;
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WARBURG PINCUS GLOBAL FIXED INCOME FUND -- a bond fund investing in a
portfolio consisting of investment grade fixed-income securities of
governmental and corporate issuers denominated in various currencies,
including U.S. dollars;
WARBURG PINCUS BALANCED FUND -- a fund seeking maximum total return
through a combination of long-term growth of capital and current income
consistent with preservation of capital through diversified investments in
equity and debt securities;
WARBURG PINCUS GROWTH & INCOME FUND -- an equity fund seeking long-term
growth of capital and income and a reasonable current return; and
WARBURG PINCUS EMERGING MARKETS FUND -- an equity fund seeking growth of
capital by investing primarily in securities of non-United States issuers
consisting of companies in emerging securities markets.
The exchange privilege is available to shareholders residing in any state
in which the Common Shares being acquired may legally be sold. When an investor
effects an exchange of shares, the exchange is treated for federal income tax
purposes as a redemption. Therefore, the investor may realize a taxable gain or
loss in connection with the exchange. Investors wishing to exchange Common
Shares of a Fund for Common Shares in another Warburg Pincus Fund should review
the prospectus of the other fund prior to making an exchange. For further
information regarding the exchange privilege or to obtain a current prospectus
for another Warburg Pincus Fund, an investor should contact Warburg Pincus Funds
at (800) 257-5614.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. Each Fund calculates its dividends from net
investment income. Net investment income includes interest accrued and dividends
earned on the Fund's portfolio securities for the applicable period less
applicable expenses. Each Fund declares dividends from its net investment income
semiannually and pays them in the calendar year in which they are declared. Net
investment income earned on weekends and when the NYSE is not open will be
computed as of the next business day. Distributions of net realized long-term
and short-term capital gains are declared annually and, as a general rule, will
be distributed or paid in November or December of each calendar year. Unless an
investor instructs a Fund to pay dividends or distributions in cash, dividends
and distributions will automatically be reinvested in additional Common Shares
of the relevant Fund at net asset value. The election to receive dividends in
cash may be made on the account application or, subsequently, by writing to
Warburg Pincus Funds at the address set forth under 'How to Open an Account' or
by calling Warburg Pincus Funds at (800) 888-6878.
A Fund may be required to withhold for U.S. federal income taxes 31% of all
distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their
correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or
who have been notified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that they are
subject to backup withholding.
TAXES. Each Fund intends to qualify each year as a 'regulated investment
company' within the meaning of the Code. Each Fund, if it qualifies as a
regulated investment company, will be subject to a 4% non-deductible excise tax
measured with respect to certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and
capital gain. Each Fund expects to pay such additional dividends and to make
such additional distributions as are necessary to avoid the application of this
tax.
Dividends paid from net investment income and distributions of net realized
short-term capital gains are taxable to investors as ordinary income, and
distributions derived from net realized long-term capital gains are taxable to
investors as long-term capital gains, in each case regardless of how long the
shareholder has held
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Fund shares and whether received in cash or reinvested in additional Fund
shares. As a general rule, an investor's gain or loss on a sale or redemption of
his Fund shares will be a long-term capital gain or loss if he has held his
shares for more than one year and will be a short-term capital gain or loss if
he has held his shares for one year or less. However, any loss realized upon the
sale or redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase
will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated
as distributions of long-term capital gain during such six-month period with
respect to such shares. Investors may be proportionately liable for taxes on
income and gains of the Funds, but investors not subject to tax on their income
will not be required to pay tax on amounts distributed to them. The Fund's
investment activities, including short sales of securities, will not result in
unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt investor. A Fund's dividends,
to the extent not derived from dividends attributable to certain types of stock
issued by U.S. domestic corporations, will not qualify for the dividends
received deduction for corporations.
Special Tax Matters Relating to the International Equity Fund and the Japan
OTC Fund. Dividends and interest received by the International Equity Fund and
the Japan OTC Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by
foreign countries. However, tax conventions between certain countries and the
United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If the International Equity
Fund or the Japan OTC Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, if
certain asset and distribution requirements are satisfied and if more than 50%
of the Fund's total assets at the close of its fiscal year consist of stock or
securities of foreign corporations, the International Equity Fund or the Japan
OTC Fund, as the case may be, may elect for U.S. income tax purposes to treat
foreign income taxes paid by it as paid by its shareholders. A Fund may qualify
for and make this election in some, but not necessarily all, of its taxable
years. If a Fund were to make an election, shareholders of the Fund would be
required to take into account an amount equal to their pro rata portions of such
foreign taxes in computing their taxable income and then treat an amount equal
to those foreign taxes as a U.S. federal income tax deduction or as a foreign
tax credit against their U.S. federal income taxes. Shortly after any year for
which it makes such an election, the International Equity Fund or the Japan OTC
Fund will report to its shareholders the amount per share of such foreign income
tax that must be included in each shareholder's gross income and the amount
which will be available for the deduction or credit. No deduction for foreign
taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Certain
limitations will be imposed on the extent to which the credit (but not the
deduction) for foreign taxes may be claimed.
Special Tax Matters Relating to the Japan OTC Fund. In the opinion of
Japanese counsel for the Fund, the operations of the Fund will not subject the
Fund to any Japanese income, capital gains or other taxes except for withholding
taxes on interest and dividends paid to the Fund by Japanese corporations and
securities transaction taxes payable in the event of sales of portfolio
securities in Japan. In the opinion of such counsel, under the tax convention
between the United States and Japan (the 'Convention') as currently in force, a
Japanese withholding tax at a rate of 15% is, with certain exceptions, imposed
upon dividends paid by Japanese corporations to the Fund. Pursuant to the
present terms of the Convention, interest received by the Fund from sources
within Japan is subject to a Japanese withholding tax at a rate of 10%.
Special Tax Matters Relating to the Post-Venture Capital Fund. Certain
provisions of the Code may require that a gain recognized by the Fund upon the
closing of a short sale be treated as a short-term capital gain, and that a loss
recognized by the Fund upon the closing of a short sale be treated as a
long-term capital loss, regardless of the amount of time that the Fund
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<PAGE>
held the securities used to close the short sale. The Fund's use of short sales
may also affect the holding periods of certain securities held by the Fund if
such securities are 'substantially identical' to securities used by the Fund to
close the short sale. The Fund's short selling activities will not result in
unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt investor.
GENERAL. Statements as to the tax status of each investor's dividends and
distributions are mailed annually. Each investor will also receive, if
applicable, various written notices after the close of a Fund's prior taxable
year with respect to certain dividends and distributions which were received
from the Fund during the Fund's prior taxable year. Investors should consult
their own tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations,
including their state and local tax liabilities.
NET ASSET VALUE
Each Fund's net asset value per share is calculated as of the close of
regular trading on the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each business
day, Monday through Friday, except on days when the NYSE is closed. The NYSE is
currently scheduled to be closed on New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Good
Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day, and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when one of
these holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. The net asset value
per share of each Fund generally changes each day.
The net asset value per Common Share of each Fund is computed by adding the
Common Shares' pro rata share of the value of the Fund's assets, deducting the
Common Shares' pro rata share of the Fund's liabilities and the liabilities
specifically allocated to Common Shares and then dividing the result by the
total number of outstanding Common Shares. Generally, the Funds' investments are
valued at market value or, in the absence of a quoted market value with respect
to any portfolio securities, at fair value as determined by or under the
direction of the governing Board.
Portfolio securities that are primarily traded on foreign exchanges are
generally valued at the closing values of such securities on their respective
exchanges preceding the calculation of a Fund's net asset value, except that
when an occurrence subsequent to the time a value was so established is likely
to have changed such value, then the fair market value of those securities will
be determined by consideration of other factors by or under the direction of the
governing Board or its delegates.
Securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange (including securities
traded through the NASDAQ National Market System) or foreign securities exchange
will be valued on the basis of the closing value on the date on which the
valuation is made. Other U.S. over-the-counter securities, foreign
over-the-counter securities and securities listed or traded on certain foreign
stock exchanges whose operations are similar to the U.S. over-the-counter market
are valued on the basis of the bid price at the close of business on each day.
Option or futures contracts will be valued at the last sale price at 4:00 p.m.
(Eastern time) on the date on which the valuation is made, as quoted on the
primary exchange or board of trade on which the option or futures contract is
traded or, in the absence of sales, at the mean between the last bid and asked
prices. Unless the governing Board determines that using this valuation method
would not reflect the investments' value, short-term investments that mature in
60 days or less are valued on the basis of amortized cost, which involves
valuing a portfolio instrument at its cost initially and thereafter assuming a
constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the
impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument. The
valuation of short sales of securities, which are not traded on a national
exchange, will be at the mean of bid and asked prices. Any assets and
liabilities initially expressed in non-U.S. dollar currencies
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<PAGE>
are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rate as quoted by an
independent pricing service on the date of valuation. Further information
regarding valuation policies is contained in each Fund's Statement of Additional
Information.
PERFORMANCE
The Funds quote the performance of Common Shares separately from Advisor
Shares. The net asset value of Common Shares is listed in The Wall Street
Journal each business day under the heading 'Warburg Pincus Funds.' From time to
time, each Fund may advertise the average annual total return of its Common
Shares over various periods of time. These total return figures show the average
percentage change in value of an investment in the Common Shares from the
beginning of the measuring period to the end of the measuring period. The
figures reflect changes in the price of the Common Shares assuming that any
income dividends and/or capital gain distributions made by the Fund during the
period were reinvested in Common Shares of the Fund. Total return will be shown
for recent one-, five- and ten-year periods, and may be shown for other periods
as well (such as from commencement of the Fund's operations or on a
year-by-year, quarterly or current year-to-date basis).
When considering average total return figures for periods longer than one
year, it is important to note that the annual total return for one year in the
period might have been greater or less than the average for the entire period.
When considering total return figures for periods shorter than one year,
investors should bear in mind that each Fund seeks long-term appreciation and
that such return may not be representative of any Fund's return over a longer
market cycle. Each Fund may also advertise aggregate total return figures of its
Common Shares for various periods, representing the cumulative change in value
of an investment in the Common Shares for the specific period (again reflecting
changes in share prices and assuming reinvestment of dividends and
distributions). Aggregate and average total returns may be shown by means of
schedules, charts or graphs and may indicate various components of total return
(i.e., change in value of initial investment, income dividends and capital gain
distributions).
Investors should note that total return figures are based on historical
earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance. Each Fund's
Statement of Additional Information describes the method used to determine the
total return. Current total return figures may be obtained by calling Warburg
Pincus Funds at (800) 257-5614.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising material,
a Fund may describe general economic and market conditions affecting the Fund.
The Fund may compare its performance with (i) that of other mutual funds as
listed in the rankings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar
investment services that monitor the performance of mutual funds or as set forth
in the publications listed below; (ii) in the case of the Capital Appreciation
Fund, with the Russell Midcap Index, the S&P Midcap 400 Index and the S&P 500
Index; in the case of the Emerging Growth Fund, with the Russell 2000 Small
Stock Index, the T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund Index and the S&P 500 Index; in
the case of the International Equity Fund, the Morgan Stanley Capital
International Europe, Australia and Far East ('EAFE') Index, the Salomon Russell
Global Equity Index, the FT-Actuaries World Indices (jointly compiled by The
Financial Times, Ltd., Goldman, Sachs & Co. and NatWest Securities Ltd.) and the
S&P 500 Index; in the case of the Japan OTC Fund, the indexes noted above for
the International Equity Fund, as well as the Nikkei over-the-counter average,
the JASDAQ Index, the Nikkei 225 and 300 Stock Indexes and the Topix Index; in
the case of the Post-Venture Capital Fund, with the Venture Capital 100 Index
(compiled by Venture Capital Journal), the Russell 2000 Small Stock Index and
the S&P 500 Index; all of which are unmanaged indexes of common stocks; or (iii)
other appro-
34
<PAGE>
priate indexes of investment securities or with data developed by Counsellors
derived from such indexes. The Post-Venture Capital Fund may also make
comparisons using data and indexes compiled by the National Venture Capital
Association, VentureOne and Private Equity Analysts Newsletter and similar
organizations and publications. A Fund may include evaluations of the Fund
published by nationally recognized ranking services and by financial
publications that are nationally recognized, such as The Wall Street Journal,
Investor's Daily, Money, Inc., Institutional Investor, Barron's, Fortune,
Forbes, Business Week, Mutual Fund Magazine, Morningstar, Inc. and
Financial Times.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising, each
Fund may also describe the general biography or work experience of the portfolio
managers of the Fund and may include quotations attributable to the portfolio
managers describing approaches taken in managing the Fund's investments,
research methodology underlying stock selection or the Fund's investment
objective. The Post-Venture Capital Fund may discuss characteristics of venture
capital financed companies and the benefits expected to be achieved from
investing in these companies. Each Fund may also discuss the continuum of risk
and return relating to different investments and the potential impact of foreign
stocks on a portfolio otherwise composed of domestic securities. In addition,
each Fund may from time to time compare the expense ratio of its Common Shares
to that of investment companies with similar objectives and policies, based on
data generated by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar investment
services that monitor mutual funds.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ORGANIZATION. The International Equity Fund was incorporated on February 9, 1989
under the laws of the State of Maryland. Although the Fund's name as set forth
in its charter is 'Counsellors International Equity Fund, Inc.,' it does
business under the name 'Warburg, Pincus International Equity Fund.' The
Emerging Growth Fund was incorporated on November 12, 1987 under the laws of the
State of Maryland. Although the Fund's name as set forth in its charter is
'Counsellors Emerging Growth Fund, Inc.,' it does business under the name
'Warburg, Pincus Emerging Growth Fund.' The Capital Appreciation Fund was
organized on January 20, 1987 under the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and is a business entity commonly known as 'Massachusetts business
trust.' On February 26, 1992, the Fund amended the Agreement and Declaration of
Trust to change the name of the Fund from 'Counsellors Capital Appreciation
Fund' to 'Warburg, Pincus Capital Appreciation Fund.' The Japan OTC Fund and the
Post-Venture Capital Fund were incorporated on July 26, 1994 and July 12, 1995,
respectively, under the laws of the State of Maryland.
The charter of each of the Emerging Growth Fund, the International Equity
Fund, the Japan OTC Fund and the Post-Venture Capital Fund authorizes the Board
to issue three billion full and fractional shares of capital stock, $.001 par
value per share, of which one billion shares are designated Series 2 Shares (the
Advisor Shares). The Capital Appreciation Fund's Agreement and Declaration of
Trust authorizes the Board to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional
shares of beneficial interest, $.001 par value per share, of which one billion
shares are classified as Series 2 Shares (the Advisor Shares). Under each Fund's
charter documents, the governing Board has the power to classify or reclassify
any unissued shares of the Fund into one or more additional classes by setting
or changing in any one or more respects their relative rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and
conditions of redemption. The governing Board of a Fund may similarly classify
or reclassify any class of its shares into one or more series and, without
shareholder approval, may increase the number of authorized shares of the Fund.
MULTI-CLASS STRUCTURE. Each Fund offers a separate class of shares, the Advisor
Shares, pursuant
35
<PAGE>
to a separate prospectus. Advisor Shares may not be purchased by individuals
directly but institutions and retirement plans may purchase Advisor Shares for
individuals. Advisor Shares of each class represent equal pro rata interests in
the respective Fund and accrue dividends and calculate net asset value and
performance quotations in the same manner, as described elsewhere in this
Prospectus. Because of the higher fees borne by the Advisor Shares, the total
return on such shares can be expected to be lower than the total return on
Common Shares. Investors may obtain information concerning the Advisor Shares by
calling Counsellors Securities at (800) 888-6878.
VOTING RIGHTS. Investors in a Fund are entitled to one vote for each full share
held and fractional votes for fractional shares held. Shareholders of a Fund
will vote in the aggregate except where otherwise required by law and except
that each class will vote separately on certain matters pertaining to its
distribution and shareholder servicing arrangements. There will normally be no
meetings of investors for the purpose of electing members of the governing Board
unless and until such time as less than a majority of the members holding office
have been elected by investors. Any Director of the International Equity Fund,
the Emerging Growth Fund, the Japan OTC Fund or the Post-Venture Capital Fund
may be removed from office upon the vote of shareholders holding at least a
majority of the relevant Fund's outstanding shares, at a meeting called for that
purpose. Investors of record of no less than two-thirds of the outstanding
shares of the Capital Appreciation Fund may remove a Trustee through a
declaration in writing or by vote cast in person or by proxy at a meeting called
for that purpose. A meeting will be called for the purpose of voting on the
removal of a Board member at the written request of holders of 10% of the
outstanding shares of a Fund. John L. Furth, a Director and Trustee of the
Funds, and Lionel I. Pincus, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of EMW, may be deemed to be controlling persons of each Fund other than the
Post-Venture Capital Fund as of August 31, 1995 because they may be deemed to
possess or share investment power over shares owned by clients of Counsellors
and certain other entities.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS. Each investor will receive a quarterly statement of
his account, as well as a statement of his account after any transaction that
affects his share balance or share registration (other than the reinvestment of
dividends or distributions). Each Fund will also send to its investors a
semiannual report and an audited annual report, each of which includes a list of
the investment securities held by the Fund and a statement of the performance of
the Fund.
The prospectuses of the Funds are combined in this Prospectus. Each Fund
offers only its own shares, yet it is possible that a Fund might become liable
for a misstatement, inaccuracy or omission in this Prospectus with regard to
another Fund.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING
Common Shares may be sold to or through institutions, including insurance
companies, that will not be paid a distribution fee by the Fund pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act for services to their clients or customers who may be
deemed to be beneficial owners of Common Shares. These institutions may be paid
a fee by the Fund for transfer agency, administrative or other services provided
to their customers that invest in the Funds' Common Shares. These services
include maintaining account records, processing orders to purchase, redeem and
exchange Common Shares and responding to certain customer inquiries.
Organizations that provide recordkeeping or other services to certain employee
benefit plans and qualified and other retirement plans that include a Fund as an
investment alternative may also be paid a fee by the Fund for these services.
Each Fund is authorized to offer Advisor Shares exclusively to institutions
that enter into account servicing agreements ('Agreements') with the Fund
pursuant to a distribution plan approved by each Fund's governing Board
pursu-
36
<PAGE>
ant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the terms of an Agreement, the
institution will provide certain distribution, shareholder servicing,
administrative and/or accounting services for its clients and customers who may
be deemed to be beneficial owners of Advisor Shares.
Counsellors and Counsellors Securities may, from time to time, at their own
expense, also provide compensation to these institutions and organizations. To
the extent they do so, such compensation does not represent an additional
expense to a Fund or its shareholders, since it will be paid from the assets of
Counsellors, Counsellors Securities or their affiliates. Counsellors Securities
currently receives a fee equal to an annual rate of .25% of the average daily
net assets of each of the Japan OTC and Post-Venture Capital Fund's Common
Shares. See 'Management of the Funds -- Distributor.'
------------------------
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, EACH FUNDS'
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR THE FUNDS' OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF SHARES OF THE FUNDS, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY EACH FUND. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE
COMMON SHARES OF THE FUNDS IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH
OFFER MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
37
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE FUNDS' EXPENSES ...................................................... 2
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ..................................................... 3
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES ....................................... 6
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS .................................................... 9
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS ....................................................... 11
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND TURNOVER
RATE ................................................................. 14
CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES ........................................... 14
INVESTMENT GUIDELINES ................................................... 21
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS ................................................. 22
HOW TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT .................................................. 26
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES .................................................. 26
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE
SHARES ............................................................... 28
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES ...................................... 31
NET ASSET VALUE ......................................................... 33
PERFORMANCE ............................................................. 34
GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................................... 35
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING ................................................... 36
[LOGO]
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS
CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS
EMERGING GROWTH FUND
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS
POST-VENTURE CAPITAL FUND
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS
JAPAN OTC FUND
PROSPECTUS
SEPTEMBER 29, 1995
WPEQF-1-0995
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
The dagger symbol shall be expressed as ................ 'D'
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Rule 497(c)
Securities Act File No. 33-82362
Investment Co. Act File No. 811-8686
[Logo]
PROSPECTUS
SEPTEMBER 29, 1995
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
<PAGE>
WARBURG PINCUS ADVISOR FUNDS
P.O. BOX 9030
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02205-9030
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (800) 888-6878
September 29, 1995
PROSPECTUS
Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds are a family of open-end mutual funds that are
offered to financial institutions investing on behalf of their customers and to
retirement plans that elect to make one or more Advisor Funds an investment
option for participants in the plans. One Advisor Fund is described in this
Prospectus:
WARBURG, PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
in a portfolio of securities traded in the Japanese over-the-counter market.
International investing entails special risk considerations, including currency
fluctuations, lower liquidity, economic instability, political uncertainty and
differences in accounting methods. See 'Risk Factors and Special
Considerations.'
The Fund currently offers two classes of shares, one of which, the Series 2
Shares (referred to as the Advisor Shares), is offered pursuant to this
Prospectus. The Advisor Shares of the Fund, as well as Series 2 (Advisor) Shares
of certain other Warburg Pincus-advised funds, are sold under the name 'Warburg
Pincus Advisor Funds.' The Advisor Shares may not be purchased by individuals
directly but institutions and retirement plans ('Institutions') may purchase
Advisor Shares for individuals. The Advisor Shares impose a 12b-1 fee of up to
.75% per annum, which is the economic equivalent of a sales charge. Common
Shares are available for purchase by individuals directly and are offered by a
separate prospectus.
NO MINIMUM INVESTMENT
There is no minimum amount of initial or subsequent purchases of shares imposed
on Institutions. See 'How to Purchase Shares.'
This Prospectus briefly sets forth certain information about the Fund that
investors should know before investing. Investors are advised to read this
Prospectus and retain it for future reference. Additional information about the
Fund, contained in a Statement of Additional Information, has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') and is available to investors
without charge by calling Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds at (800) 888-6878.
Information regarding the status of shareholder accounts may also be obtained by
calling Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds at (800) 888-6878. The Statement of
Additional Information bears the same date as this Prospectus and is
incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus.
Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or
endorsed by any bank and shares are not federally insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other
agency. Investments in shares of the Fund involve investment risks,
including the possible loss of principal.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
THE FUND'S EXPENSES
The Fund currently offers two separate classes of shares: Common Shares and
Advisor Shares. See 'General Information' and 'Shareholder Servicing.' Because
of the higher fees borne by Advisor Shares, the total return on such shares can
be expected to be lower than the total return on Common Shares.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of
offering price)................................................................................... 0
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of the value of shares redeemed).................................... 1.00%`D'
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after fee waivers) (as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees..................................................................................... .97%**
12b-1 Fees.......................................................................................... .75%*
Other Expenses...................................................................................... .53%**
-----
Total Fund Operating Expenses....................................................................... 2.25%
EXAMPLE
You would pay the following expenses
on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return
and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
1 year.............................................................................................. $23
3 years............................................................................................. $70
</TABLE>
- ------------
`D' Redemption fees are charged to shareholders redeeming their shares within
six months after the date of purchase and are paid to the Fund. The
redemption fee is currently being waived until such later date as the Fund
may determine. See 'How to Redeem and Exchange Shares.'
* Current 12b-1 fees are .50% out of a maximum .75% authorized under the
Advisor Shares' Distribution Plan. At least a portion of these fees
should be considered by the investor to be the economic equivalent of a
sales charge.
** Estimated amounts to be charged in the current fiscal year after the
anticipated waiver of fees by the Fund's investment adviser and
co-administrator; the investment adviser and co-administrator are under no
obligation to continue these waivers.
------------------------
The expense table shows the costs and expenses that an investor will bear
directly or indirectly as an Advisor Shareholder of the Fund. 'Other Expenses'
are based on estimated amounts to be charged in the current fiscal year.
Institutions also may charge their clients fees in connection with investments
in the Advisor Shares, which fees are not reflected in the table. Absent the
voluntary waiver of fees payable to the Fund's investment adviser and
co-administrator, Management Fees would have equalled 1.25%, Other Expenses
would have equalled .75% and Total Fund Operating Expenses would have equalled
2.75%; the investment adviser and co-administrator are under no obligation to
continue these waivers. The Example should not be considered a representation of
past or future expenses; actual Fund expenses may be greater or less than those
shown. Moreover, while the Example assumes a 5% annual return, the Fund's actual
performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%.
Long-term shareholders may pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum
front-end sales charges permitted by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the 'NASD').
2
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR AN ADVISOR SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD)
The information regarding the Fund for the fiscal period ending October 31,
1994 has been derived from information audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,
independent auditors, whose report dated December 12, 1994 appears in the Fund's
Statement of Additional Information. The information for the six months ended
April 30, 1995 is unaudited. Further information about the performance of the
Fund is contained in the annual report, dated October 31, 1994, copies of which
may be obtained without charge by calling Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds at (800)
888-6878.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE SIX SEPTEMBER 30, 1994
MONTHS ENDED (COMMENCEMENT OF
APRIL 30, 1995 OPERATIONS) THROUGH
(UNAUDITED) OCTOBER 31, 1994
--------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period........................................ $9.85 $10.00
--------------- -------
Income from Investment Operations
Net Investment Income..................................................... .00 .00
Net Gains (Losses) from Securities and Foreign Currency Related Items
(both realized and unrealized)......................................... (2.01) (.15)
--------------- -------
Total from Investment Operations.......................................... (2.01) (.15)
--------------- -------
Less Distributions
Dividends (from net investment income).................................... .00 .00
Distributions (from capital gains)........................................ .00 .00
--------------- -------
Total Distributions....................................................... .00 .00
--------------- -------
Net Asset Value, End of Period.............................................. $7.84 $ 9.85
--------------- -------
--------------- -------
Total Return................................................................ (36.89%) (15.84%)*
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net Assets, End of Period (000s)............................................ $ 1 $ 1
Ratios to average daily net assets:
Operating expenses........................................................ 1.25%* 1.18%*
Net investment income..................................................... (.16%)* .12%*
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due to waivers/
reimbursements......................................................... 2.28%* 4.74%*
Portfolio Turnover Rate..................................................... 138.17%* .00%
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Annualized.
The Total Return shown above has been annualized; the actual Total Return
(after the effect of expense waivers) for the one-month period from September
30, 1994 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 1994 was -1.50%, and
the actual Total Return (after the effect of expense waivers) for the six
months ended April 30, 1995 was -20.41%. In the absence of expense waivers,
the annualized Total Return shown above would have been -20.58% and -38.50%
for the periods ended October 31, 1994 and April 30, 1995, respectively.
3
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. This objective is a
fundamental policy and may not be amended without first obtaining the approval
of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Any investment involves
risk and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
investment objective. See 'Certain Investment Strategies' for descriptions of
certain types of investments the Fund may make.
The Fund is a non-diversified management investment company that pursues
its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of securities traded in the
Japanese over-the-counter market. The Fund is designed to provide an opportunity
to participate in the dynamic structural changes in the Japanese industrial
system through investment in less-established, higher growth companies that can
be expected to benefit from these changes. At all times, except during temporary
defensive periods, the Fund will maintain at least 65% of its total assets in
securities of companies traded through JASDAQ, the primary Japanese
over-the-counter market, or the Japanese Second Section OTC Market (the
'Frontier Market'). The portion of the Fund's assets that is not invested
through JASDAQ or the Frontier Market may be invested in securities of Japanese
issuers that are not traded through JASDAQ or the Frontier Market or
exchange-traded and over-the-counter securities of issuers in other Asian
markets, in addition to the other instruments described below. The Fund may
invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities of other Asian issuers, with
no more than 10% invested in any one country. The Fund will not invest in
securities of non-Asian issuers, except that the Fund may, for defensive
purposes, invest in U.S. debt securities and money market instruments. The Fund
intends its portfolio to consist principally of equity securities (common stock,
warrants and securities convertible into common stock), which may include shares
of closed-end investment companies investing in Asia. The Fund may also invest
up to 5% of the Fund's net assets in each of the following: foreign debt
securities (including foreign government securities and debt obligations of
supranational entities), mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and
zero coupon securities. The Fund may involve a greater degree of risk than an
investment in other mutual funds that seek capital appreciation by investing in
better-known, larger companies. From time to time, the Fund may hedge part or
all of its exposure to the Japanese yen, thereby reducing or substantially
eliminating any favorable or unfavorable impact of changes in the value of the
yen in relation to the U.S. dollar.
At December 31, 1994, 581 issues were traded through JASDAQ, having an
aggregate market capitalization of approximately 14 trillion yen (approximately
$134 billion as of September 19, 1995). The entry requirements for JASDAQ
generally require a minimum of 2 million shares outstanding at the time of
registration, a minimum of 200 shareholders, minimum pre-tax profits of 10 yen
(approximately $.10 as of September 19, 1995) per share over the prior fiscal
year and net worth of 200 million yen (approximately $1.92 million as of
September 19, 1995). JASDAQ has generally attracted small growth companies or
companies whose major shareholders wish to sell only a small portion of the
company's equity.
The Frontier Market is under the jurisdiction of JASDAQ, which is overseen
by the Japanese Securities and Exchange Commission. The Frontier Market has less
stringent entry requirements than those described above for JASDAQ and is
designed to enable early stage companies access to capital markets. Frontier
Market companies need not have a history of earnings, provided their spending on
research and development equals at least 3% of revenues. In addition, companies
traded through the Frontier Market are not required to have 2 million shares
outstanding at the time of registration. As a result, investments
4
<PAGE>
in companies traded through the Frontier Market may involve a greater degree of
risk than companies traded through JASDAQ. As of the date of this Prospectus,
there were not yet any registrations on the Frontier Market, but the first
registrations are expected to be effective in November 1995.
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in
investment grade debt securities (other than money market instruments) and
preferred stocks that are not convertible into common stock for the purpose of
seeking capital appreciation. The interest income to be derived may be
considered as one factor in selecting debt securities for investment by Warburg,
Pincus Counsellors, Inc., the Fund's investment adviser ('Counsellors'). Because
the market value of debt obligations can be expected to vary inversely to
changes in prevailing interest rates, investing in debt obligations may provide
an opportunity for capital appreciation when interest rates are expected to
decline. The success of such a strategy is dependent upon Counsellors' ability
to accurately forecast changes in interest rates. The market value of debt
obligations may also be expected to vary depending upon, among other factors,
the ability of the issuer to repay principal and interest, any change in
investment rating and general economic conditions. A security will be deemed to
be investment grade if it is rated within the four highest grades by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ('Moody's') or Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ('S&P')
or, if unrated, is determined to be of comparable quality by Counsellors. Bonds
rated in the fourth highest grade may have speculative characteristics and
changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case
with higher grade bonds. Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of
securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum
required for purchase by the Fund. Neither event will require sale of such
securities. Counsellors will consider such event in its determination of whether
the Fund should continue to hold the securities. The Fund does not currently
intend during the coming year to hold more than 5% of its net assets in
securities that have been downgraded below investment grade.
When Counsellors believes that a defensive posture is warranted, the Fund
may invest temporarily without limit in investment grade debt obligations and in
domestic and foreign money market obligations, including repurchase agreements
as discussed below. When such a defensive posture is warranted, the Fund may
also invest temporarily without limit in securities of U.S. companies.
MONEY MARKET OBLIGATIONS. The Fund is authorized to invest, under normal
circumstances, up to 20% of its total assets in domestic and foreign money
market obligations having a maturity of one year or less at the time of purchase
and for temporary defensive purposes may invest in these securities without
limit. These short-term instruments consist of obligations issued or guaranteed
by the United States government, its agencies or instrumentalities ('U.S.
government securities'); bank obligations (including certificates of deposit,
time deposits and bankers' acceptances of domestic or foreign banks, domestic
savings and loans and similar institutions) that are high quality investments
or, if unrated, deemed by Counsellors to be high quality investments; commercial
paper rated no lower than A-2 by S&P or Prime-2 by Moody's or the equivalent
from another major rating service or, if unrated, of an issuer having an
outstanding, unsecured debt issue then rated within the three highest rating
categories; and repurchase agreements with respect to the foregoing.
Repurchase Agreements. Among the types of money market investments in which
the Fund may invest are repurchase agreement transactions on portfolio
securities with member banks
5
<PAGE>
of the Federal Reserve System and certain non-bank dealers. Repurchase
agreements are contracts under which the buyer of a security simultaneously
commits to resell the security to the seller at an agreed-upon price and date.
Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund would acquire any
underlying security for a relatively short period (usually not more than one
week) subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to
resell, the obligation at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the
yield during the Fund's holding period. This arrangement results in a fixed rate
of return that is not subject to market fluctuations during the Fund's holding
period. The value of the underlying securities will at all times be at least
equal to the total amount of the purchase obligation, including interest. The
Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to a repurchase
agreement defaults on its obligations or becomes bankrupt and the Fund is
delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral
securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the
underlying securities during the period while the Fund seeks to assert this
right. Counsellors, acting under the supervision of the Fund's Board of
Directors (the 'Board'), monitors the creditworthiness of those bank and
non-bank dealers with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements to
evaluate this risk. A repurchase agreement is considered to be a loan under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the '1940 Act').
Money Market Mutual Funds. Where Counsellors believes that it would be
beneficial to the Fund and appropriate considering the factors of return and
liquidity, the Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in securities of money
market mutual funds that are unaffiliated with the Fund, Counsellors or SPARX
Investment & Research, USA, Inc., the Fund's sub-investment adviser ('SPARX
USA') (each of Counsellors and SPARX USA referred to individually as an
'Adviser'). As a shareholder in any mutual fund, the Fund will bear its ratable
share of the mutual fund's expenses, including management fees, and will remain
subject to payment of the Fund's administration fees and other expenses with
respect to assets so invested.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. government securities in which the Fund may
invest include: direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and obligations issued
by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including instruments that
are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, instruments
that are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury
and instruments that are supported by the credit of the instrumentality.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities in which the Fund may invest,
including both convertible debt and convertible preferred stock, may be
converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of
common stock. Because of this feature, convertible securities enable an investor
to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock.
Convertible securities provide higher yields than the underlying equity
securities, but generally offer lower yields than non-convertible securities of
similar quality. The value of convertible securities fluctuates in relation to
changes in interest rates like bonds and, in addition, fluctuates in relation to
the underlying common stock. The Fund will invest only in convertible securities
rated investment grade at the time of purchase or deemed to be of equivalent
quality. The Fund does not currently intend during the coming year to hold more
than 5% of its net assets in the aggregate of investment grade convertible
securities and investment grade debt downgraded below investment grade
subsequent to acquisition by the Fund.
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS
EMERGING GROWTH AND SMALL COMPANIES. Investing in common stocks and securities
convertible
6
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into common stocks is subject to the inherent risk of fluctuations in the prices
of such securities. Investing in securities of emerging growth companies, which
may include JASDAQ and Frontier Market securities, may involve greater risks
since these securities may have limited marketability and, thus, may be more
volatile. In addition, small- and medium-sized companies are typically subject
to a greater degree of changes in earnings and business prospects than are
larger, more established companies. Because smaller companies normally have
fewer shares outstanding than larger companies, it may be more difficult for the
Fund to buy or sell significant amounts of such shares without an unfavorable
impact on prevailing prices. There is typically less publicly available
information concerning smaller companies than for larger, more established ones.
Although investing in securities of emerging growth companies offers potential
for above-average returns if the companies are successful, the risk exists that
the companies will not succeed and the prices of the companies' shares could
significantly decline in value. Therefore, an investment in the Fund may involve
a greater degree of risk than an investment in other mutual funds that seek
capital appreciation by investing in better-known, larger companies. For certain
additional risks relating to the Fund's investments, see 'Portfolio Investments'
beginning at page 5 and 'Certain Investment Strategies' beginning at page 9.
JAPANESE INVESTMENTS. Trading of equity securities through the JASDAQ market is
conducted by securities firms in Japan, primarily through an organization which
acts as a 'matching agent,' as opposed to a recognized stock exchange.
Consequently, securities traded through JASDAQ may, from time to time, and
especially in falling markets, become illiquid and experience short-term price
volatility and wide spreads between bid and offer prices. This combination of
limited liquidity and price volatility may have an adverse effect on the
investment performance of the Fund. In periods of rapid price increases, the
limited liquidity of JASDAQ restricts the Fund's ability to adjust its portfolio
quickly in order to take full advantage of a significant market increase, and
conversely, during periods of rapid price declines, it restricts the ability of
the Fund to dispose of securities quickly in order to realize gains previously
made or to limit losses on securities held in its portfolio. In addition,
although JASDAQ has generally experienced sustained growth in aggregate market
capitalization and trading volume, there have been periods in which aggregate
market capitalization and trading volume have declined. The Frontier Market is
expected to present greater liquidity, volatility and trading considerations
than JASDAQ.
Investing in Japanese securities may involve the risks described below
associated with investing in foreign securities generally. In addition, because
the Fund invests primarily in Japan, the Fund will be subject to general
economic and political conditions in Japan. The Fund should be considered a
vehicle for diversification, but the Fund itself is not diversified.
Securities in Japan are denominated and quoted in 'yen.' Yen are fully
convertible and transferable based on floating exchange rates into all
currencies, without administrative or legal restrictions for both non-residents
and residents of Japan. In determining the net asset value of shares of the
Fund, assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of Japanese yen will be
translated into U.S. dollars at the current selling rate of Japanese yen against
U.S. dollars. As a result, in the absence of a successful currency hedge, the
value of the Fund's assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably
or unfavorably by fluctuations in the value of Japanese yen relative to the U.S.
dollar.
Japan is largely dependent upon foreign economies for raw materials.
International trade is important to Japan's economy, as exports provide the
means to pay for many of the raw materials it must import. Because of the
concentration of Japanese exports in highly visible
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products such as automobiles, machine tools and semiconductors, and the large
trade surpluses ensuing therefrom, Japan has entered a difficult phase in its
relations with its trading partners, particularly with respect to the United
States, with whom the trade imbalance is the greatest.
JASDAQ-traded securities can be volatile, which would result in the Fund's
net asset value fluctuating in response. The decline in the Japanese securities
markets since 1989 has contributed to a weakness in the Japanese economy, and
the impact of a further decline cannot be ascertained. The common stocks of many
Japanese companies continue to trade at high price-earnings ratios in comparison
with those in the United States, even after the recent market decline.
Differences in accounting methods make it difficult to compare the earnings of
Japanese companies with those of companies in other countries, especially the
United States.
Japan has a parliamentary form of government. In 1993 a coalition
government was formed which, for the first time since 1955, did not include the
Liberal Democratic Party. Since mid-1993, there have been several changes in
leadership in Japan. What, if any, effect the current political situation will
have on prospective regulatory reforms on the economy in Japan cannot be
predicted. Recent and future developments in Japan and neighboring Asian
countries may lead to changes in policy that might adversely affect the Fund.
For additional information, see 'Japan and its Securities Markets' beginning at
page 28 of the Statement of Additional Information.
EMERGING MARKETS. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in less
developed countries considered to be 'emerging markets.' Investing in securities
of issuers located in emerging markets involves not only the risks described
below with respect to investing in foreign securities, but also other risks,
including exposure to economic structures that are gener-ally less diverse and
mature than, and to political systems that can be expected to have less
stability than, those of developed countries. Other characteristics of emerging
markets that may affect investment there include certain national policies that
may restrict investment by foreigners in issuers or industries deemed sensitive
to relevant national interests and the absence of developed legal structures
governing private and foreign investments and private property. The typically
small size of the markets for securities of issuers located in emerging markets
and the possibility of a low or nonexistent volume of trading in those
securities may also result in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility of
those securities.
INVESTMENTS IN NON-PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES. Although the Fund expects to
invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities, it may invest up to 15%
of its assets in non-publicly traded equity securities, which may involve a high
degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses.
Because of the absence of any liquid trading market currently for these
investments, the Fund may take longer to liquidate these positions than would be
the case for publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold
in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized on such sales could be
less than those originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities
are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor
protection requirements applicable to companies whose, securities are publicly
traded. The Fund's investment in illiquid securities is subject to the risk that
should the Fund desire to sell any of these securities when a ready buyer is not
available at a price that is deemed to be representative of their value, the
value of the Fund's net assets could be adversely affected.
NON-DIVERSIFIED STATUS. The Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment
company under the 1940 Act, which means that the Fund is not limited by the 1940
Act in the proportion of its assets that it may invest in the obligations of a
single issuer. The Fund will, however, comply
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with diversification requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the 'Code'), for qualification as a regulated investment company. As
a non-diversified investment company, the Fund may invest a greater proportion
of its assets in the obligations of a small number of issuers and, as a result,
may be subject to greater risk with respect to portfolio securities. To the
extent that the Fund assumes large positions in the securities of a small number
of issuers, its return 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.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND
TURNOVER RATE
The Fund will attempt to purchase securities with the intent of holding
them for investment but may purchase and sell portfolio securities whenever an
Adviser believes it to be in the best interests of the Fund. The Fund will not
consider portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment
decisions consistent with its investment objective and policies. It is not
possible to predict the Fund's portfolio turnover rate. However, it is
anticipated that the Fund's annual turnover rate should not exceed 100%. Higher
portfolio turnover rates (100% or more) may result in dealer mark ups or
underwriting commissions as well as other transaction costs, including
correspondingly higher brokerage commissions. In addition, short-term gains
realized from portfolio turnover may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income. See 'Dividends, Distributions and Taxes -- Taxes' below and 'Investment
Policies -- Portfolio Transactions' in the Statement of Additional Information.
All orders for transactions in securities or options on behalf of the Fund
are placed by an Adviser with broker-dealers that it selects, including
Counsellors Securities Inc., the Fund's distributor ('Counsellors Securities').
The Fund may utilize Counsellors Securities in connection with a purchase or
sale of securities when Counsellors believes that the charge for the transaction
does not exceed usual and customary levels and when doing so is consistent with
guidelines adopted by the Board.
CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Although there is no intention of doing so during the coming year, the Fund
is authorized to engage in the following investment strategies: (i) purchasing
securities on a when-issued basis and purchasing or selling securities for
delayed delivery and (ii) lending portfolio securities. As described below, the
Fund may invest in instruments commonly referred to as 'derivative securities,'
such as options on securities, stock indexes and currencies; futures contracts
and options on futures contracts; and currency forward contracts. These
strategies may be used for the purpose of hedging against a decline in value of
its portfolio holdings or to generate income to offset expenses or increase
return. SUCH TRANSACTIONS THAT ARE NOT CONSIDERED HEDGING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
SPECULATIVE AND MAY SERVE TO INCREASE THE FUND'S INVESTMENT RISK. The Fund may
not enter into transactions in options or options on futures contracts except
for hedging purposes unless the Fund's position is 'covered' as described below.
Detailed information concerning these and other strategies and their related
risks is contained below and in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund will ordinarily hold no less than 65% of its total
assets in foreign securities. There are certain risks involved in investing in
securities of companies and governments of foreign nations which are in addition
to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. These risks include those
resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates, revaluation of
currencies, future adverse political and economic developments and the possible
imposition of
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currency exchange blockages or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions,
reduced availability of public information concerning issuers, the lack of
uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and other
regulatory practices and requirements that are often generally less rigorous
than those applied in the United States. Moreover, securities of many foreign
companies may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of
securities of comparable U.S. companies. Certain foreign countries are known to
experience long delays between the trade and settlement dates of securities
purchased or sold. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there
is the possibility of expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation and
limitations on the use or removal of funds or other assets of the Fund,
including the withholding of dividends. Foreign securities may be subject to
foreign government taxes that would reduce the net yield on such securities.
Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from
the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of
inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of
payments positions. Investment in foreign securities will also result in higher
operating expenses due to the cost of converting foreign currency into U.S.
dollars, the payment of fixed brokerage commissions on foreign exchanges, which
generally are higher than commissions on U.S. exchanges, higher valuation and
communications costs and the expense of maintaining securities with foreign
custodians.
RULE 144A SECURITIES. The Fund may purchase securities that are not registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the '1933 Act'), but that can be
sold to 'qualified institutional buyers' in accordance with Rule 144A under the
1933 Act ('Rule 144A Securities'). An investment in Rule 144A Securities will be
considered illiquid and will be limited to 10% of the Fund's net assets,
included within the Fund's 15% limit on illiquid securities. See 'Investments in
Non-Publicly Traded Securities' above. The Board will carefully monitor any
investments by the Fund in Rule 144A Securities.
WRITING OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. The Fund may write covered put and call options
on up to 25% of the net asset value of the stock and debt securities in its
portfolio and will realize fees (referred to as 'premiums') for granting the
rights evidenced by the options. A put option embodies the right of its
purchaser to compel the writer of the option to purchase from the option holder
an underlying security at a specified price for a specified time period or at a
specified time. In contrast, a call option embodies the right of its purchaser
to compel the writer of the option to sell to the option holder an underlying
security at a specified price for a specified time period or at a specified
time. Thus, the purchaser of a put option written by the Fund has the right to
compel the purchase by the Fund of the underlying security at an agreed-upon
price for a specified time period or at a specified time, while the purchaser of
a call option written by the Fund has the right to purchase from the Fund the
underlying security owned by the Fund at the agreed-upon price for a specified
time period or at a specified time.
Upon the exercise of a put option written by the Fund, the Fund may suffer
an economic loss equal to the excess of the exercise price of the option over
the security's market value at the time of the option exercise, less the premium
received for writing the option. Upon the exercise of a call option written by
the Fund, the Fund may suffer an economic loss equal to the excess of the
security's market value at the time of the option exercise over the Fund's
acquisition cost of the security, less the premium received for writing the
option.
The Fund may engage in a closing purchase transaction to realize a profit,
to prevent an underlying security from being called or put or, in the case of a
call option, to unfreeze an underlying security (thereby permitting its sale or
the writing of a new option on the security
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prior to the outstanding option's expiration). To effect a closing purchase
transaction, the Fund would purchase, prior to the holder's exercise of an
option that the Fund has written, an option of the same series as that on which
the Fund desires to terminate its obligation. The obligation of the Fund under
an option that it has written would be terminated by a closing purchase
transaction, but the Fund would not be deemed to own an option as the result of
the transaction. The ability of the Fund to engage in closing transactions with
respect to options depends on the existence of a liquid secondary market. While
the Fund generally will purchase or write options only if there appears to be a
liquid secondary market for the options purchased or sold, for some options, no
such secondary market may exist or the market may cease to exist, particularly
with options that trade over-the-counter ('OTC options').
Option writing for the Fund may be limited by position and exercise limits
established by securities exchanges and the NASD. Furthermore, the Fund may, at
times, have to limit its option writing in order to qualify as a regulated
investment company under the Code.
In addition to writing covered options to generate income, the Fund may
enter into options transactions as hedges to reduce investment risk, generally
by making an investment expected to move in the opposite direction of a
portfolio position. A hedge is designed to offset a loss on a portfolio position
with a gain on the hedge position; at the same time, however, a properly
correlated hedge will result in a gain on the portfolio position being offset by
a loss on the hedge position. The Fund bears the risk that the prices of the
securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the hedge. The Fund
will engage in hedging transactions only when deemed advisable by an Adviser.
Successful use by the Fund of options for hedging purposes will depend on an
Adviser's ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the
security underlying the option or, in the case of stock index options (described
below), the underlying securities market, which could prove to be inaccurate.
Losses incurred in options transactions and the costs of these transactions will
affect the Fund's performance. Even if an Adviser's expectations are correct,
where options are used as a hedge there may be an imperfect correlation between
the change in the value of the options and of the portfolio securities hedged.
Therefore, an investment in the Fund may involve a greater risk than an
investment in other mutual funds that seek capital appreciation.
PURCHASING PUT AND CALL OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. The Fund may utilize up to 10% of
its assets to purchase put and call options on stocks and debt securities that
are traded on foreign as well as U.S. exchanges, as well as OTC options.
By buying a put, the Fund limits its risk of loss from a decline in the
market value of the underlying security until the put expires. Any appreciation
in the value of and yield otherwise available from the underlying security,
however, will be partially offset by the amount of the premium paid for the put
option and any related transaction costs. Call options may be purchased by the
Fund in order to acquire the underlying securities for the Fund at a price that
avoids any additional cost that would result from a substantial increase in the
market value of a security. The Fund also may purchase call options to increase
its return to investors at a time when the option is expected to increase in
value due to anticipated appreciation of the underlying security.
Prior to their expirations, put and call options may be sold in closing
sale transactions (sales by the Fund, prior to the exercise of options that it
has purchased, of options of the same series), and profit or loss from the sale
will depend on whether the amount received is more or less than the premium paid
for the option plus the related transaction costs.
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STOCK INDEX OPTIONS. In addition to purchasing and writing options on
securities, the Fund may utilize up to 10% of its total assets to purchase
exchange-listed and OTC put and call options on stock indexes, and may write put
and call options on such indexes. A stock index measures the movement of a
certain group of stocks by assigning relative values to the common stocks
included in the index. Options on stock indexes are similar to options on stock
except that (i) the expiration cycles of stock index options are monthly, while
those of stock options are currently quarterly, and (ii) the delivery
requirements are different. Instead of giving the right to take or make delivery
of stock at a specified price, an option on a stock index gives the holder the
right to receive a cash 'exercise settlement amount' equal to (a) the amount, if
any, by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the case of a
put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the underlying
index on the date of exercise multiplied by (b) a fixed 'index multiplier.' The
discussion of options on securities above, and the related risks, is applicable
to options on securities indexes.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS. The Fund may enter into foreign currency,
interest rate and stock index futures contracts and purchase and write (sell)
related options that are traded on an exchange designated by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the 'CFTC') or consistent with CFTC regulations on
foreign exchanges. These transactions may be entered into for 'bona fide
hedging' as defined in CFTC regulations and other permissible purposes including
(i) protecting against anticipated changes in the value of portfolio securities
the Fund intends to purchase and (ii) increasing return.
A foreign currency futures contract provides for the future sale by one
party and the purchase by the other party of a certain amount of a specified
foreign currency at a specified price, date, time and place. An interest rate
futures contract is a standardized contract for the future delivery of a
specified interest rate sensitive security (such as a U.S. Treasury Bond or U.S.
Treasury Note or its equivalent) at a future date at a price set at the time of
the contract. Stock indexes are capitalization weighted indexes which reflect
the market value of the stock listed on the indexes. A stock index futures
contract is an agreement to be settled by delivery of an amount of cash equal to
a specified multiplier times the difference between the value of the index at
the beginning and at the end of the contract period. An option on a futures
contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to
assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any
time prior to the expiration date of the option.
Parties to a futures contract must make 'initial margin' deposits to secure
performance of the contract. There are also requirements to make 'variation
margin' deposits from time to time as the value of the futures contract
fluctuates. The Fund is not a commodity pool and, in compliance with CFTC
regulations currently in effect, may enter into any futures contracts and
related options for 'bona fide hedging' purposes and, in addition, for other
purposes, provided that aggregate initial margin and premiums required to
establish positions other than those considered by the CFTC to be 'bona fide
hedging' will not exceed 5% of the Fund's net asset value, after taking into
account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts. The Fund
reserves the right to engage in transactions involving futures and options
thereon to the extent allowed by CFTC regulations in effect from time to time
and in accordance with the Fund's policies. Certain provisions of the Code may
limit the extent to which the Fund may enter into futures contracts or engage in
options transactions.
There are several risks in connection with the use of futures contracts.
Successful use of futures contracts is subject to the ability of the
Advisers to predict correctly movements in the direction of the currency,
interest rate or stock
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index underlying the particular futures contract or related option. These
predictions and, thus, the use of futures contracts involve skills and
techniques that are different from those involved in the management of portfolio
securities. In addition, there can be no assurance that there will be a
correlation between movements in the currencies, interest rate or index
underlying the futures contract and movements in the price of the portfolio
securities which are the subject of a hedge. A decision concerning whether, when
and how to utilize futures involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even
a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of unexpected
market behavior or trends in interest rates or stock indexes. Losses incurred in
futures transactions and the costs of these transactions will affect the Fund's
performance.
A further risk involves the lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures
contract and the resulting inability to close out a futures contract. Futures
and options contracts may only be closed out by entering into offsetting
transactions on the exchange where the position was entered into (or a linked
exchange), and as a result of daily price fluctuation limits there can be no
assurance that an offsetting transaction could be entered into at an
advantageous price at any particular time. Consequently, the Fund may realize a
loss on a futures contract or option that is not offset by an increase in the
value of the Fund's securities that are being hedged or the Fund may not be able
to close a futures or options position without incurring a loss in the event of
adverse price movements.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS. The Fund may engage in currency exchange
transactions to protect against uncertainty in the level of future exchange
rates and to increase the Fund's income and total return. The Fund will conduct
its currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the
rate prevailing in the currency exchange market, through entering into forward
contracts to purchase or sell currency or by purchasing currency options.
Forward Currency Contracts. A forward currency contract involves an
obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may
be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the
parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are entered
into in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders
(usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The use of forward
currency contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of
the securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in
the future. In addition, although forward currency contracts limit the risk of
loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, at the same time they
also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency
increase. The Fund will segregate cash, U.S. government securities or other
high-grade liquid debt obligations with its custodian in an amount at all times
equal to or exceeding the Fund's commitment with respect to these contracts.
Currency Options. The Fund may purchase exchange-traded put and call
options on currencies. An option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser, in
return for a premium, the right to sell, in the case of a put, and buy, in the
case of a call, the underlying currency at a specified price during the term of
the option. The benefit to the Fund derived from purchases of foreign currency
options, like the benefit derived from other types of options, will be reduced
by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, if
currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent
anticipated, the Fund could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency
options that would require it to forego a portion or all of the benefits of
advantageous changes in the rates.
ASSET COVERAGE FOR FORWARD CONTRACTS, OPTIONS, FUTURES AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES.
The Fund will comply with guidelines established by the SEC
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designed to eliminate any potential for leverage with respect to options written
by the Fund on currencies, securities and indexes; currency, interest rate and
index futures contracts and options on these futures contracts and forward
currency contracts. The use of these strategies may require that the Fund
maintain cash or certain liquid high-grade debt securities or other assets that
are acceptable as collateral to the appropriate regulatory authority in a
segregated account with its custodian or a designated sub-custodian to the
extent the Fund's obligations with respect to these strategies are not otherwise
'covered' through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or
currency or by other portfolio positions or by other means consistent with
applicable regulatory policies. Segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred
unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer
necessary to segregate them. As a result, there is a possibility that
segregation of a large percentage of the Fund's assets could impede portfolio
management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current
obligations.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may also enter into reverse repurchase
agreements with the same parties with whom it may enter into repurchase
agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by
the Fund pursuant to its agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon
date, price and rate of interest. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse
repurchase agreement, it will establish and maintain a segregated account with
an approved custodian containing cash or liquid high-grade debt securities
having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest).
The assets contained in the segregated account will be marked-to-market daily
and additional assets will be placed in such account on any day in which the
assets fall below the repurchase price (plus accrued interest). The Fund's
liquidity and ability to manage its assets might be affected when it sets aside
cash or portfolio securities to cover such commitments. Reverse repurchase
agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in
lieu of sale may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but
is obligated to repurchase. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse
repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or
its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to
enforce the Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund's use
of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be
restricted pending such decision. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered
to be borrowings under the 1940 Act.
DOLLAR ROLL TRANSACTIONS. The Fund also may enter into 'dollar rolls,' in which
the Fund sells fixed income securities for delivery in the current month and
simultaneously contracts to repurchase similar but not identical (same type,
coupon and maturity) securities on a specified future date. During the roll
period, the Fund would forego principal and interest paid on such securities.
The Fund would be compensated by the difference between the current sales price
and the forward price for the future purchase, as well as by the interest earned
on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. At the time that the Fund enters into
a dollar roll transaction, it will place in a segregated account maintained with
an approved custodian cash or liquid high-grade debt obligations having a value
not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest) and will
subsequently monitor the account to ensure that its value is maintained. For
financial reporting and tax purposes, the Fund proposes to treat dollar rolls as
two separate transactions, one involving the sale of a security and a separate
transaction involving the purchase of a security. The Fund does not currently
intend to enter into dollar rolls that are accounted for as a financing.
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INVESTMENT GUIDELINES
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities with
contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that are not
readily marketable, including (i) securities issued as part of a privately
negotiated transaction between an issuer and one or more purchasers; (ii)
repurchase agreements with maturities greater than seven days; (iii) time
deposits maturing in more than seven calendar days; and (iv) Rule 144A
Securities. Up to 5% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in the
securities of issuers which have been in continuous operation for less than
three years. Up to an additional 5% of its total assets may be invested in
warrants. The Fund may borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes,
such as meeting anticipated redemption requests, provided that borrowings by the
Fund may not exceed 30% of its total assets, and may pledge up to 30% of its
assets in connection with borrowings. Whenever borrowings (including reverse
repurchase agreements) exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets, the
Fund will not make any investments (including roll-overs). Except for the
limitations on borrowing, the investment guidelines set forth in this paragraph
may be changed at any time without shareholder consent by vote of the governing
Board, subject to the limitations contained in the 1940 Act. A complete list of
investment restrictions that the Fund has adopted identifying additional
restrictions that cannot be changed without the approval of the majority of the
Fund's outstanding shares is contained in the Statement of Additional
Information.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISERS. The Fund employs Counsellors as its investment adviser and
SPARX USA as its sub-investment adviser. Counsellors has general oversight for
the day-to-day management of the Fund, manages the Fund's U.S. investments and
investments in debt securities, determines the country allocation and industry
allocation of Fund assets, monitors Fund expenses and evaluates the services
provided by the sub-investment adviser to the Fund. Counsellors also employs a
support staff of management personnel to provide services to the Fund and
furnishes the Fund with office space, furnishings and equipment. SPARX USA, in
accordance with the investment objective and policies of the Fund and under the
supervision of Counsellors and the Board, makes investment decisions for the
Fund involving Japanese and other Asian equity securities, places orders to buy
and sell such securities on behalf of the Fund and provides research to the Fund
relating to Japanese and other Asian companies and securities markets.
The Fund pays Counsellors an advisory fee calculated at an annual rate of
1.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets, out of which Counsellors pays
SPARX USA a fee of .625%. Although this advisory fee is higher than that paid by
most other investment companies, including money market and fixed income funds,
Counsellors believes that it is comparable to fees charged by other mutual funds
with similar policies and strategies. The advisory agreement between the Fund
and Counsellors provides that Counsellors will reimburse the Fund to the extent
certain expenses that are described in the Statement of Additional Information
exceed applicable state expense limitations. Counsellors, SPARX USA and the
Fund's co-administrators may voluntarily waive a portion of their fees from time
to time and temporarily limit the expenses to be borne by the Fund.
Counsellors is a professional investment counselling firm which provides
investment services to investment companies, employee benefit plans, endowment
funds, foundations and other institutions and individuals. As of August 31,
1995, Counsellors managed approximately $11.4 billion of assets, including
approximately $5.8 billion of assets of twenty investment companies or
portfolios. Incorporated in 1970, Coun-
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sellors is a wholly owned subsidiary of Warburg, Pincus Counsellors G.P.
('Counsellors G.P.'), a New York general partnership. E.M. Warburg, Pincus &
Co., Inc. ('EMW') controls Counsellors through its ownership of a class of
voting preferred stock of Counsellors. Counsellors G.P. has no business other
than being a holding company of Counsellors and its subsidiaries. Counsellors'
address is 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017-3147.
SPARX USA, a Delaware corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of SPARX.
SPARX USA, which has not previously acted as adviser to a U.S. investment
company, is registered as an investment adviser under the U.S. Investment
Advisers Act of 1940. SPARX is an independent investment advisory company, which
is owned by Shuhei Abe. The predecessor of SPARX was incorporated in Tokyo in
July 1988 and was registered as an investment adviser under the Investment
Advisory Act of 1986 of Japan. SPARX has no business other than providing
investment advisory services, and as of August 31, 1995 had approximately $554
million in assets under management.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS. Richard H. King, Nicholas P.W. Horsley, Nicholas P. Edwards
and Shuhei Abe of SPARX USA are co-portfolio managers of the Fund. Mr. King, Mr.
Horsley and Mr. Abe have been co-portfolio managers since the Fund's inception
on September 30, 1994, and Mr. Edwards has been a co-portfolio manager since
October 1995. Mr. King, president of the Fund, has been a managing director of
EMW since 1989. From 1984 until 1988 he was chief investment officer and a
director at Fiduciary Trust Company International S.A. in London, with
responsibility for all international equity management and investment strategy.
From 1982 to 1984 he was a director in charge of Far East equity investments at
N.M. Rothschild International Asset Management, a London merchant bank. Mr.
Horsley is a senior vice president of Counsellors and has been with Counsellors
since 1993, before which time he was a director, portfolio manager and analyst
at Barclays de Zoete Wedd in New York City. Mr. Edwards has been with
Counsellors since August 1995, before which time he was a director at Jardine
Fleming Investment Advisers, Tokyo. He was a vice president of Robert Fleming,
Inc. in New York City from 1988 to 1991.
Shuhei Abe of SPARX USA is the founder and president of SPARX Asset
Management Company Ltd. ('SPARX'), the parent company of SPARX USA. Prior to
founding SPARX in 1989 (by assuming control of a predecessor company), Mr. Abe
worked for Soros Fund Management and Credit Suisse Trust Bank as an independent
adviser. Toshikatsu Kimura is an associate portfolio manager of the Fund. Mr.
Kimura has been a portfolio manager and analyst at SPARX since 1992, before
which time he was a warrant trader and portfolio manager, respectively, at Sanyo
Securities and Sanyo Investment Management from 1986 to 1990, and at Funai
Capital from 1990 to 1992.
CO-ADMINISTRATORS. The Fund employs Counsellors Funds Service, Inc.
('Counsellors Service'), a wholly owned subsidiary of Counsellors, as a
co-administrator. As co-administrator, Counsellors Service provides shareholder
liaison services to the Fund including responding to shareholder inquiries and
providing information on shareholder investments. Counsellors Service also
performs a variety of other services, including furnishing certain executive and
administrative services, acting as liaison between the Fund and its various
service providers, furnishing corporate secretarial services, which include
preparing materials for meetings of the governing Board, preparing proxy
statements and annual, semiannual and quarterly reports, assisting in other
regulatory filings as necessary and monitoring and developing compliance
procedures for the Fund. As compensation, the Fund pays Counsellors Service a
fee calculated at an annual rate of .10% of its average daily net assets.
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Counsellors may, at its own expense, provide promotional incentives to
qualified recipients who support the sale of shares of the Funds. Qualified
recipients are securities dealers who have sold Fund shares or others, including
banks and other financial institutions, under special arrangements. In some
instances, these incentives may be offered only to certain institutions whose
representatives provide services in connection with the sale or expected sale of
significant amounts of Fund shares.
The Fund employs PFPC Inc. ('PFPC'), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary
of PNC Bank Corp., as a co-administrator. As a co-administrator, PFPC calculates
the Fund's net asset value, provides all accounting services for the Fund and
assists in related aspects of the Fund's operations. As compensation, the Fund
pays to PFPC a fee calculated at an annual rate of .12% of the Fund's first $250
million in average daily net assets, .10% of the next $250 million in average
daily net assets, .08% of the next $250 million in average daily net assets, and
.05% of average daily net assets over $750 million, subject to a minimum annual
fee and exclusive of out-of-pocket expenses. PFPC has its principal offices at
400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809.
TRANSFER AGENT AND CUSTODIAN. State Street Bank and Trust Company ('State
Street') serves as custodian for the Fund's assets and acts as shareholder
servicing agent, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund. It
has delegated to Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., a 50% owned subsidiary
('BFDS'), responsibility for most shareholder servicing functions. State
Street's principal business address is 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110. BFDS's principal business address is 2 Heritage Drive,
North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171.
DISTRIBUTOR. Counsellors Securities serves as distributor of the shares of the
Fund. Counsellors Securities is a wholly owned subsidiary of Counsellors and is
located at 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017-3147. No compensation
is payable by the Advisor Shares to Counsellors Securities for distribution
services.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The officers of the Fund manage its day-to-day
operations and are directly responsible to the Board. The Board sets broad
policies for the Fund and chooses its officers. A list of the Directors and
officers of the Fund and a brief statement of their present positions and
principal occupations during the past five years is set forth in the Statement
of Additional Information.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Warburg Pincus Advisor Fund shares are only available for investment by
Institutions on behalf of their customers and through retirement plans that
elect to make one or more Advisor Funds an option for participants in the plans.
Individuals, including participants in retirement plans, cannot invest directly
in Advisor Shares of the Fund, but may do so only through a participating
Institution. The Fund reserves the right to make Advisor Shares available to
other investors in the future. References in this Prospectus to shareholders or
investors are generally to Institutions as the record holders of the Advisor
Shares.
Each Institution separately determines the rules applicable to its
customers investing in the Fund, including minimum initial and subsequent
investment requirements and the procedures to be followed to effect purchases,
redemptions and exchanges of Advisor Shares. There is no minimum amount of
initial or subsequent purchases of Advisor Shares imposed on Institutions,
although the Fund reserves the right to impose minimums in the future.
Orders for the purchase of Advisor Shares are placed with an Institution by
its customers. The Institution is responsible for the prompt transmission of the
order to the Fund or its agent.
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Institutions may purchase Advisor Shares by telephoning the Fund and
sending payment by wire. After telephoning (800) 888-6878 for instructions, an
Institution should then wire federal funds to Counsellors Securities Inc. using
the following wire address:
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
225 Franklin St.
Boston, MA 02101
ABA# 0110 000 28
Attn: Mutual Funds/Custody Dept.
Warburg Pincus Advisor Japan OTC Fund
DDA# 9904-649-2
[Shareowner name]
[Shareowner account number]
Orders by wire will not be accepted until a completed account application
has been received in proper form, and an account number has been established. If
a telephone order is received by the close of regular trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (the 'NYSE') (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) and payment by
wire is received on the same day in proper form in accordance with instructions
set forth above, the shares will be priced according to the net asset value of
the Fund on that day and are entitled to dividends and distributions beginning
on that day. If payment by wire is received in proper form by the close of the
NYSE without a prior telephone order, the purchase will be priced according to
the net asset value of the Fund on that day and is entitled to dividends and
distributions beginning on that day. However, if a wire in proper form that is
not preceded by a telephone order is received after the close of regular trading
on the NYSE, the payment will be held uninvested until the order is effected at
the close of business on the next business day. Payment for orders that are not
accepted will be returned after prompt inquiry. Certain organizations that have
entered into agreements with the Fund or its agent may enter confirmed purchase
orders on behalf of customers, with payment to follow no later than the Fund's
pricing on the following business day. If payment is not received by such time,
the organization could be held liable for resulting fees or losses.
After an investor has made his initial investment, additional shares may be
purchased at any time by mail or by wire in the manner outlined above. Wire
payments for initial and subsequent investments should be preceded by an order
placed with the Fund or its agent and should clearly indicate the investor's
account number. In the interest of economy and convenience, physical
certificates representing shares in the Fund are not normally issued.
The Fund understands that some broker-dealers (other than Counsellors
Securities), financial institutions, securities dealers and other industry
professionals may impose certain conditions on their clients that invest in the
Fund, which are in addition to or different than those described in this
Prospectus, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authority, may
charge their clients direct fees. Certain features of the Fund, such as initial
and subsequent investment minimums, may be modified in these programs, and
administrative charges may be imposed for the services rendered. Therefore, a
client or customer should contact the organization acting on his behalf
concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption
of Fund shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing
his accounts with the organization.
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE
SHARES
REDEMPTION OF SHARES. An investor may redeem (sell) shares on any day that the
Fund's net asset value is calculated (see 'Net Asset Value' below). Requests for
the redemption (or exchange) of Advisor Shares are placed with an Institution by
its customers, which is then responsible for the prompt transmission of the
request to the Fund or its agent.
Institutions may redeem Advisor Shares by calling Warburg Pincus Advisor
Funds at (800)
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888-6878 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on any day on which the
Fund's net asset value is calculated. An investor making a telephone withdrawal
should state (i) the name of the Fund, (ii) the account number of the Fund,
(iii) the name of the investor(s) appearing on the Fund's records, (iv) the
amount to be withdrawn and (v) the name of the person requesting the redemption.
After receipt of the redemption request, the redemption proceeds will be
wired to the investor's bank as indicated in the account application previously
filled out by the investor. The Fund does not currently impose a service charge
for effecting wire transfers but reserves the right to do so in the future.
During periods of significant economic or market change, telephone redemptions
may be difficult to implement. If an investor is unable to contact Warburg
Pincus Advisor Funds by telephone, an investor may deliver the redemption
request to Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds by mail at Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds,
P.O. Box 9030, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9030.
If a redemption order is received prior to the close of regular trading on
the NYSE, the redemption order will be effected at the net asset value per share
as determined on that day. If a redemption order is received after the close of
regular trading on the NYSE, the redemption order will be effected at the net
asset value as next determined. Redemption proceeds will normally be wired to an
investor on the next business day following the date a redemption order is
effected. If, however, in the judgment of Counsellors, immediate payment would
adversely affect the Fund, the Fund reserves the right to pay the redemption
proceeds within seven days after the redemption order is effected. Furthermore,
the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment
upon redemption (as well as suspend or postpone the recordation of an exchange
of shares) for such periods as are permitted under the 1940 Act.
The proceeds paid upon redemption may be more or less than the amount
invested depending upon a share's net asset value at the time of redemption. If
an investor redeems all the shares in his account, all dividends and
distributions declared up to and including the date of redemption are paid along
with the proceeds of the redemption.
The Fund imposes a redemption charge on any redemption of shares (which
includes an exchange of Advisor Shares of the Fund into another Warburg Pincus
Advisor Fund, described below) made within six months from the date of purchase.
The charge, which is deducted from the redemption proceeds and retained by the
Fund, is equal to 1.00% of the current value of shares redeemed that were held
for less than six months, including any appreciation in value of the redeemed
shares. If shares being redeemed were not all held for the same length of time,
those shares held longest will be redeemed first for purposes of determining
whether the charge applies. The redemption charge will not be imposed on
redemptions (or exchanges) of shares acquired through the reinvestment of
dividends, and these shares will be redeemed before any shares to which the
redemption charge applies. The redemption fee is currently being waived until
such later date as the Fund may determine.
EXCHANGE OF SHARES. An Institution may exchange Advisor Shares of the Fund for
Advisor Shares of the other Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds at their respective net
asset values. Exchanges may be effected in the manner described under
'Redemption of Shares' above. If an exchange request is received by Warburg
Pincus Advisor Funds prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time), the exchange will be
made at each fund's net asset value determined at the end of that business day.
Exchanges may be effected without a sales charge. The exchange privilege may be
modified or terminated at any time upon 60 days' notice to shareholders.
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<PAGE>
The exchange privilege is available to shareholders residing in any state
in which the Advisor Shares being acquired may legally be sold. When an investor
effects an exchange of shares, the exchange is treated for federal income tax
purposes as a redemption. Therefore, the investor may realize a taxable gain or
loss in connection with the exchange. Investors wishing to exchange Advisor
Shares of the Fund for shares in another Warburg Pincus Advisor Fund should
review the prospectus of the other fund prior to making an exchange. For further
information regarding the exchange privilege or to obtain a current prospectus
for another Warburg Pincus Advisor Fund, an investor should contact Warburg
Pincus Advisor Funds at (800) 888-6878.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund calculates its dividends from net
investment income. Net investment income includes interest accrued and dividends
earned on the Fund's portfolio securities for the applicable period less
applicable expenses. The Fund declares dividends from its net investment income
semiannually and pays them in the calendar year in which they are declared. Net
investment income earned on weekends and when the NYSE is not open will be
computed as of the next business day. Distributions of net realized long-term
and short-term capital gains are declared annually and, as a general rule, will
be distributed or paid in November or December of each calendar year. Unless an
investor instructs the Fund to pay dividends or distributions in cash, dividends
and distributions will automatically be reinvested in additional Advisor Shares
of the Fund at net asset value. The election to receive dividends in cash may be
made on the account application or, subsequently, by writing to Warburg Pincus
Advisor Funds at the address set forth under 'How to Redeem and Exchange Shares'
or by calling Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds at (800) 888-6878.
The Fund may be required to withhold for U.S. federal income taxes 31% of
all distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with
their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications,
or who have been notified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that they are
subject to backup withholding.
TAXES. The Fund intends to continue to qualify each year as a 'regulated
investment company' within the meaning of the Code. The Fund, if it qualifies as
a regulated investment company, will be subject to a 4% non-deductible excise
tax measured with respect to certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income
and capital gain. The Fund expects to pay such additional dividends and to make
such additional distributions as are necessary to avoid the application of this
tax.
Dividends paid from net investment income and distributions of net realized
short-term capital gains are taxable to investors as ordinary income, and
distributions derived from net realized long-term capital gains will be taxable
to investors as long-term capital gains, in each case regardless of how long
investors have held Advisor Shares or whether received in cash or reinvested in
additional Advisor Shares. As a general rule, an investor's gain or loss on a
sale or redemption of its Fund shares will be a long-term capital gain or loss
if it has held its shares for more than one year and will be a short-term
capital gain or loss if it has held its shares for one year or less. However,
any loss realized upon the sale or redemption of shares within six months from
the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the
extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain during
such six-month period with respect to such shares. Investors may be
proportionately liable for taxes on income and gains of the Fund, but investors
not subject to tax on their income will not be required to pay tax on amounts
distributed to them. The Fund's investment activities will not result in
unrelated busi-
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<PAGE>
ness taxable income to a tax-exempt investor. The Fund's dividends, to the
extent not derived from dividends attributable to certain types of stock issued
by U.S. domestic corporations, will not qualify for the dividends received
deduction for corporations.
Dividends and interest received by the Fund may be subject to withholding
and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. However, tax conventions between
certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If
the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, if certain asset and
distribution requirements are satisfied and if more than 50% of the Fund's total
assets at the close of its fiscal year consist of stock or securities of foreign
corporations, the Fund may elect for U.S. income tax purposes to treat foreign
income taxes paid by it as paid by its shareholders.
The Fund may qualify for and make this election in some, but not
necessarily all, of its taxable years. If the Fund were to make an election,
shareholders of the Fund would be required to take into account an amount equal
to their pro rata portions of such foreign taxes in computing their taxable
income and then treat an amount equal to those foreign taxes as a U.S. federal
income tax deduction or as a foreign tax credit against their U.S. federal
income taxes. Shortly after any year for which it makes such an election, the
Fund will report to its shareholders the amount per share of such foreign income
tax that must be included in each shareholder's gross income and the amount
which will be available for the deduction or credit. No deduction for foreign
taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Certain
limitations will be imposed on the extent to which the credit (but not the
deduction) for foreign taxes may be claimed.
In the opinion of Japanese counsel for the Fund, the operations of the Fund
will not subject the Fund to any Japanese income, capital gains or other taxes
except for withholding taxes on interest and dividends paid to the Fund by
Japanese corporations and securities transaction taxes payable in the event of
sales of portfolio securities in Japan. In the opinion of such counsel, under
the tax convention between the United States and Japan (the 'Convention') as
currently in force, a Japanese withholding tax at a rate of 15% is, with certain
exceptions, imposed upon dividends paid by Japanese corporations to the Fund.
Pursuant to the present terms of the Convention, interest received by the Fund
from sources within Japan is subject to a Japanese withholding tax at a rate of
10%.
GENERAL. Statements as to the tax status of each investor's dividends and
distributions are mailed annually. Each investor will also receive, if
applicable, various written notices after the close of the Fund's prior taxable
year with respect to certain dividends and distributions which were received
from the Fund during the Fund's prior taxable year. Investors should consult
their own tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations,
including their state and local tax liabilities. Individuals investing in the
Fund through Institutions should consult those Institutions or their own tax
advisers regarding the tax consequences of investing in the Fund.
NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund's net asset value per share is calculated as of the close of
regular trading on the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each business
day, Monday through Friday, except on days when the NYSE is closed. The NYSE is
currently scheduled to be closed on New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Good
Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day, and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when one of
these holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. The net asset value
per share of the Fund generally changes each day.
The net asset value per Advisor Share of the Fund is computed by adding the
Advisor Shares'
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<PAGE>
pro rata share of the value of the Fund's assets, deducting the Advisor Shares'
pro rata share of the Fund's liabilities and the liabilities specifically
allocated to Series 2 Shares and then dividing the result by the total number of
outstanding Advisor Shares. Generally, the Fund's investments are valued at
market value or, in the absence of a quoted market value with respect to any
portfolio securities, at fair value as determined by or under the direction of
the Board.
Portfolio securities that are primarily traded on foreign exchanges are
generally valued at the closing values of such securities on their respective
exchanges preceding the calculation of the Fund's net asset value, except that
when an occurrence subsequent to the time a value was so established is likely
to have changed such value, then the fair market value of those securities will
be determined by consideration of other factors by or under the direction of the
Board.
Securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange (including securities
traded through the NASDAQ National Market System) or foreign securities exchange
will be valued on the basis of the closing value on the date on which the
valuation is made. Other U.S. over-the-counter securities, foreign
over-the-counter securities and securities listed or traded on certain foreign
stock exchanges whose operations are similar to the U.S. over-the-counter market
are valued on the basis of the bid price at the close of business on each day.
Option or futures contracts will be valued at the last sale price at 4:00 p.m.
(Eastern time) on the date on which the valuation is made, as quoted on the
primary exchange or board of trade on which the option or futures contract is
traded, or in absence of sales, at the mean between the last bid and asked
prices. Unless the Board determines that using this valuation method would not
reflect the investments' value, short-term investments that mature in 60 days or
less are valued on the basis of amortized cost, which involves valuing a
portfolio instrument at its cost initially and thereafter assuming a constant
amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of
fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument. Any assets and
liabilities initially expressed in non-U.S. dollar currencies are translated
into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rate as quoted by an independent pricing
service on the date of valuation. Further information regarding valuation
policies is contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
PERFORMANCE
The Fund quotes the performance of Advisor Shares separately from Common
Shares. The net asset value of the Advisor Shares is listed in The Wall Street
Journal each business day under the heading Warburg Pincus Advisor Funds. From
time to time, the Fund may advertise the average annual total return of Advisor
Shares over various periods of time. These total return figures show the average
percentage change in value of an investment in the Advisor Shares from the
beginning of the measuring period to the end of the measuring period. The
figures reflect changes in the price of the Advisor Shares assuming that any
income dividends and/or capital gain distributions made by the Fund during the
period were reinvested in Advisor Shares. Total return will be shown for recent
one-, five- and ten-year periods, and may be shown for other periods as well
(such as on a year-by-year, quarterly or current year-to-date basis).
When considering average total return figures for periods longer than one
year, it is important to note that the Fund's annual total return for one year
in the period might have been greater or less than the average for the entire
period. When considering total return figures for periods shorter than one year,
investors should bear in mind that the Fund seeks long-term appreciation and
that such return may not be representative of the Fund's return over a longer
market cycle. The Fund may also advertise aggregate total return figures of
Advisor
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<PAGE>
Shares for various periods, representing the cumulative change in value of an
investment in the Advisor Shares for the specific period (again reflecting
changes in share prices and assuming reinvestment of dividends and
distributions). Aggregate and average total returns may be shown by means of
schedules, charts or graphs, and may indicate various components of total return
(i.e., change in value of initial investment, income dividends and capital gain
distributions).
Investors should note that total return figures are based on historical
earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance. The Statement of
Additional Information describes the method used to determine the total return.
Current total return figures may be obtained by calling Warburg Pincus Advisor
Funds at (800) 888-6878.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising material,
the Fund may describe general economic and market conditions affecting the Fund.
The Fund may compare its performance with (i) that of other mutual funds as
listed in the rankings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar
investment services that monitor the performance of mutual funds or as set forth
in the publications listed below; (ii) the Morgan Stanley Capital International
Europe, Australia and Far East ('EAFE') Index; the Salomon Russell Global Equity
Index; the FT-Actuaries World Indices (jointly compiled by The Financial Times,
Ltd., Goldman, Sachs & Co. and NatWest Securities Ltd.); the S&P 500; the Nikkei
over-the-counter average; the JASDAQ Index; the Nikkei 225 and 300 Stock Indexes
and the Topix Index, which are unmanaged indexes of common stocks; or (iii)
other appropriate indexes of investment securities or with data developed by
Counsellors derived from such indexes. The Fund may also include evaluations of
the Fund published by nationally recognized ranking services and by financial
publications that are nationally recognized, such as The Wall Street Journal,
Investor's Daily, Money, Inc., Institutional Investor, Barron's, Fortune,
Forbes, Business Week, Mutual Fund Magazine, Morningstar, Inc. and Financial
Times.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising, the Fund
may also describe the general biography or work experience of the portfolio
managers of the Fund and may include quotations attributable to the portfolio
managers describing approaches taken in managing the Fund's investments,
research methodology underlying stock selection or the Fund's investment
objective. The Fund may also discuss the continuum of risk and return relating
to different investments and the potential impact of foreign stocks on a
portfolio otherwise composed of domestic securities. In addition, the Fund may
from time to time compare the expense ratio of Advisor Shares to that of
investment companies with similar objectives and policies, based on data
generated by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar investment services
that monitor mutual funds.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ORGANIZATION. The Fund was incorporated on July 26, 1994 under the laws of the
State of Maryland. The charter of the Fund authorizes the Board to issue three
billion full and fractional shares of capital stock, $.001 par value per share,
of which one billion shares are designated Series 2 Shares (the Advisor Shares).
Under the Fund's charter documents, the Board has the power to classify or
reclassify any unissued shares of the Fund into one or more additional classes
by setting or changing in any one or more respects their relative rights, voting
powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and
conditions of redemption. The Board may similarly classify or reclassify any
class of its shares into one or more series and, without shareholder approval,
may increase the number of authorized shares of the Fund.
MULTI-CLASS STRUCTURE. The Fund offers a separate class of shares, the Common
Shares, directly
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<PAGE>
to individuals pursuant to a separate prospectus. Shares of each class represent
equal pro rata interests in the Fund and accrue dividends and calculate net
asset value and performance quotations in the same manner, as described
elsewhere in this Prospectus, except that Advisor Shares bear fees payable by
the Fund to service organizations for services they provide to the beneficial
owners of such shares and enjoy certain exclusive voting rights on matters
relating to these fees. Because of the higher fees borne by the Advisor Shares,
the total return on such shares can be expected to be lower than the total
return on Common Shares. Investors may obtain information concerning the Common
Shares by calling Counsellors Securities at (800) 888-6878.
VOTING RIGHTS. Investors in the Fund are entitled to one vote for each full
share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held. Shareholders of the
Fund will vote in the aggregate except where otherwise required by law and
except that each class will vote separately on certain matters pertaining to its
distribution and shareholder servicing arrangements. There will normally be no
meetings of investors for the purpose of electing members of the governing Board
unless and until such time as less than a majority of the members holding office
have been elected by investors. Any member of the governing Board may be removed
from office upon the vote of shareholders holding at least a majority of the
Fund's outstanding shares, at a meeting called for that purpose. A meeting will
be called for the purpose of voting on the removal of a Board member at the
written request of holders of 10% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. John L.
Furth, a Director of the Fund, and Lionel I. Pincus, Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of EMW, may be deemed to be controlling persons of the
Fund as of August 31, 1995 because they may be deemed to possess or share
investment power over shares owned by clients of Counsellors and certain other
entities.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS. Each investor will receive a quarterly statement of
its account, as well as a statement of its account after any transaction that
affects its share balance or share registration (other than the reinvestment of
dividends or distributions). The Fund will also send to its investors a
semiannual report and an audited annual report, each of which includes a list of
the investment securities held by the Fund and a statement of the performance of
the Fund. Each Institution that is the record owner of Advisor Shares on behalf
of its customers will send a statement to those customers periodically showing
their indirect interest in Advisor Shares, as well as providing other
information about the Fund. See 'Shareholder Servicing.'
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING
The Fund is authorized to offer Advisor Shares exclusively to Institutions
whose clients or customers (or participants in the case of retirement plans)
('Customers') are beneficial owners of Advisor Shares. Either those Institutions
or companies providing certain services to Customers (together, 'Service
Organizations') will enter into account servicing agreements ('Agreements') with
the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Plan as described below. Pursuant to the
terms of an Agreement, the Service Organization agrees to provide certain
distribution, shareholder servicing, administrative and/or accounting services
for its Customers. Distribution services would be marketing or other services in
connection with the promotion and sale of Advisor Shares. Shareholder services
that may be provided include responding to Customer inquiries, providing
information on Customer investments and providing other shareholder liaison
services. Administrative and accounting services related to the sale of Advisor
Shares may include (i) aggregating and processing purchase and redemption
requests from Customers and placing net purchase and redemption orders with the
Fund's transfer agent, (ii) processing dividend payments from the Fund on behalf
of Customers and (iii) providing sub-accounting related to the sale of Advisor
Shares beneficially owned by
24
<PAGE>
Customers or the information to the Fund necessary for sub-accounting. The Board
has approved a Distribution Plan (the 'Plan') pursuant to which the Fund will
pay each participating Service Organization a negotiated fee on an annual basis
not to exceed .75% (up to a .25% annual service fee and a .50% annual
distribution fee) of the value of the average daily net assets of its Customers
invested in Advisor Shares. The Board evaluates the appropriateness of the Plan
on a continuing basis and in doing so considers all relevant factors.
Counsellors and Counsellors Securities may, from time to time, at their own
expense, provide compensation to these institutions. To the extent they do so,
such compensation does not represent an additional expense to the Fund or its
shareholders since it will be paid from the assets of Counsellors, Counsellors
Securities or their affiliates.
------------------------
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE FUND'S
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR THE FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF SHARES OF THE FUND, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE
ADVISOR SHARES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH OFFER MAY
NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
25
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE FUND'S EXPENSES ...................................................... 2
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ..................................................... 3
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES ........................................ 4
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS .................................................... 5
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS ........................................................ 6
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND TURNOVER
RATE .................................................................. 9
CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES ............................................ 9
INVESTMENT GUIDELINES ................................................... 15
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND .................................................. 15
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES .................................................. 17
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE
SHARES ............................................................... 18
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES ...................................... 20
NET ASSET VALUE ......................................................... 21
PERFORMANCE ............................................................. 22
GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................................... 23
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING ................................................... 24
ADOTC-1-0995
[LOGO]
[ ] WARBURG PINCUS
JAPAN OTC FUND
PROSPECTUS
SEPTEMBER 29, 1995
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
The dagger symbol shall be expressed as ...........'D'
<PAGE>1
Rule 497(c)
Securities Act File No. 33-82362
Investment Co. Act File No. 811-8686
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
September 29, 1995
________________________
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
P.O Box 9030, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9030
For information, call (800) 888-6878
________________________
Contents
Page
----
Investment Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Investment Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Japan and Its Securities Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Management of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Exchange Privilege . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Additional Information Concerning Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Determination of Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Auditors and Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Appendix -Description of Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Independent Auditors . . . . . . . . A-5
This Statement of Additional Information is meant to be read in
conjunction with the combined Prospectus for the Common Shares of Warburg
Pincus Japan OTC Fund (the "Fund"), Warburg Pincus Capital Appreciation Fund,
Warburg Pincus Emerging Growth Fund, the Warburg Pincus Post-Venture Capital
Fund and Warburg Pincus International Equity Fund, and with the Prospectus for
the Advisor Shares of the Fund, each dated September 29, 1995, and is
incorporated by reference in its entirety into those Prospectuses. Because
this Statement of Additional Information is not itself a prospectus, no
investment in shares of the Fund should be made solely upon the information
contained herein. Copies of the Fund's Prospectuses and information regarding
the Fund's current performance may be obtained by calling the Fund at
(800) 257-5614. Information regarding the status of shareholder accounts may
be obtained by calling the Fund at (800) 888-6878 or by writing to the Fund,
P.O. Box 9030, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9030.
<PAGE>2
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital
appreciation.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The following policies supplement the descriptions of the Fund's
investment objective and policies in the Prospectuses.
As described in the Prospectuses, the Fund will maintain at least
65% of its total assets in securities of companies traded in the Japanese
over-the-counter market ("JASDAQ"), including the Frontier Market. In
addition, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities of
other Asian issuers, with no more than 10% invested in any one country. Asian
issuers are (i) companies (A) organized under the laws of an Asian country or
its predecessors, or (B) whose principal business activities are conducted in
one or more Asian countries, and which derive at least 50% of their revenues
or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services
performed in one or more Asian countries, or have at least 50% of their assets
in one or more such countries, or (C) which have issued securities which are
traded principally in an Asian country, and (ii) governments, governmental
entities or political subdivisions of Asian countries. Determinations as to
the eligibility of issuers under the foregoing definition will be made by the
investment advisers based on publicly available information and inquiries made
to the companies. The Fund considers Asia to be comprised of the contiguous
eastern Eurasian land mass and adjacent islands, including the countries of
Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Israel, Turkey, India, Malaysia,
Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Thailand. For purposes of
applying the foregoing limitations, if a company meets the definition of an
Asian issuer as a result of relationships with respect to more than one Asian
country, the Fund may consider the company to be associated with any of such
countries. Due to the rapidly evolving nature of Asian markets, the Fund
reserves the ability to modify its limitation on investments relating to any
one Asian country (other than Japan) and to consider additional countries to
be included in Asia if market conditions should develop so as to warrant such
a change in investment policy.
Additional Information on Investment Practices
Foreign Investments. Investors should recognize that investing in
foreign companies involves certain risks, including those discussed below,
which are not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. See "Japan
and Its Securities Markets" for a discussion of factors relating to Japanese
investments specifically.
Foreign Currency Exchange. Since the Fund will be investing in
securities denominated in Japanese yen and currencies of other Asian
countries, and since the Fund may temporarily hold funds in bank deposits or
other money market investments denominated
<PAGE>3
in foreign currencies, the Fund may be affected favorably or unfavorably by
exchange control regulations or changes in the exchange rate between such
currencies and the dollar. A change in the value of a foreign currency
relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in the
dollar value of the Fund assets denominated in that foreign currency. Changes
in foreign currency exchange rates may also affect the value of dividends and
interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of securities and net
investment income and gains, if any, to be distributed to shareholders by the
Fund. The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is
determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets.
Changes in the exchange rate may result over time from the interaction of many
factors directly or indirectly affecting economic and political conditions in
the United States and a particular foreign country, including economic and
political developments in other countries. Of particular importance are rates
of inflation, interest rate levels, the balance of payments and the extent of
government surpluses or deficits in the United States and the particular
foreign country, all of which are in turn sensitive to the monetary, fiscal
and trade policies pursued by the governments of the United States and foreign
countries important to international trade and finance. Governmental
intervention may also play a significant role. National governments rarely
voluntarily allow their currencies to float freely in response to economic
forces. Sovereign governments use a variety of techniques, such as
intervention by a country's central bank or imposition of regulatory controls
or taxes, to affect the exchange rates of their currencies. See "Japan and
Its Securities Markets -- Economic Background -- Currency Fluctuation" below.
The Fund may use hedging techniques with the objective of guarding against
loss through the fluctuation of the value of the yen against the U.S. dollar,
particularly the forward market in foreign exchange, currency options and
currency futures. See "Currency Transactions" and "Futures Activities" below.
Information. Many of the securities held by the Fund will not be
registered with, nor the issuers thereof be subject to reporting requirements
of, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly,
there may be less publicly available information about the securities and
about the foreign company or government issuing them than is available about a
domestic company or government entity. Foreign companies are generally not
subject to uniform financial reporting standards, practices and requirements
comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
Political Instability. With respect to some foreign countries,
there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation,
limitations on the removal of funds or other assets of the Fund, political or
social instability, or domestic developments which could affect U.S.
investments in those and neighboring countries. For example, tensions in Asia
have increased following the announcement in March 1993 by The Democratic
People's Republic of Korea ("North Korea") of its intention to withdraw from
participation in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its refusal to allow
the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct full inspections of its
nuclear facilities. Military action involving North Korea or the economic
deterioration of North Korea could adversely affect the entire region and the
performance of the Fund.
<PAGE>4
Delays. Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and
their prices are more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies.
Certain foreign countries are known to experience long delays between the
trade and settlement dates of securities purchased or sold. Due to the
increased exposure of the Fund to market and foreign exchange fluctuations
brought about by such delays, and due to the corresponding negative impact on
Fund liquidity, the Fund will avoid investing in countries which are known to
experience settlement delays which may expose the Fund to unreasonable risk of
loss.
Foreign Taxes and Increased Expenses. The operating expenses of the
Fund can be expected to be higher than that of an investment company investing
exclusively in U.S. securities, since the expenses of the Fund, such as
custodial costs, valuation costs and communication costs, as well as the rate
of the investment advisory fees, though similar to such expense of some other
international funds, are higher than those costs incurred by other investment
companies.
General. In general, individual foreign economies may differ
favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of
gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource
self-sufficiency, and balance of payments positions. The Fund may invest in
securities of foreign governments (or agencies or instrumentalities thereof),
and many, if not all, of the foregoing considerations apply to such
investments as well.
U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in debt obligations
of varying maturities issued or guaranteed by the United States government,
its agencies or instrumentalities ("U.S. government securities"). Direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury include a variety of securities that differ
in their interest rates, maturities and dates of issuance. U.S. government
securities also include securities issued or guaranteed by the Federal Housing
Administration, Farmers Home Loan Administration, Export-Import Bank of the
United States, Small Business Administration, Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"), General Services Administration, Central Bank for
Cooperatives, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Home
Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), Federal Intermediate Credit Banks,
Federal Land Banks, Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Maritime
Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority, District of Columbia Armory Board
and Student Loan Marketing Association. The Fund may also invest in
instruments that are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the
U.S. Treasury and instruments that are supported by the credit of the
instrumentality. Because the U.S. government is not obligated by law to
provide support to an instrumentality it sponsors, the Fund will invest in
obligations issued by such an instrumentality only if Warburg, Pincus
Counsellors, Inc., the Fund's investment adviser ("Counsellors," sometimes
referred to herein either together or alternatively with SPARX Investment &
Research, USA, Inc. ("SPARX USA"), the Fund's sub-investment adviser, as the
"Advisers"), determines that the credit risk with respect to the
instrumentality does not make its securities unsuitable for investment by the
Fund.
<PAGE>5
Convertible Securities. Convertible securities in which the Fund
may invest, including both convertible debt and convertible preferred stock,
may be converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying
shares of common stock. Because of this feature, convertible securities
enable an investor to benefit from increases in the market price of the
underlying common stock. Convertible securities provide higher yields than
the underlying equity securities, but generally offer lower yields than
non-convertible securities of similar quality. Like bonds, the value of
convertible securities fluctuates in relation to changes in interest rates
and, in addition, also fluctuates in relation to the underlying common stock.
Downgraded Debt and Convertible Securities. Although the Fund may
invest only in investment grade securities (as described in the Prospectuses),
it is not required to dispose of debt and convertible securities that are
downgraded below investment grade subsequent to acquisition by the Fund.
However, it is the Fund's current intention during the coming year to restrict
its holding of such downgraded debt and convertible securities to no more than
5% of its net assets. While the market values of medium and lower-rated
securities and unrated securities of comparable quality tend to react less to
fluctuations in interest rate levels than do those of higher-rated securities,
the market values of certain of these securities also tend to be more
sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic
conditions than higher-quality bonds. In addition, medium and lower-rated
securities and comparable unrated securities generally present a higher degree
of credit risk. Issuers of medium and lower-rated securities and unrated
securities are often highly leveraged and may not have more traditional
methods of financing available to them so that their ability to service their
debt obligations during an economic downturn or during sustained periods of
rising interest rates may be impaired. The risk of loss due to default by
such issuers is significantly greater because medium and lower-rated
securities and unrated securities generally are unsecured and frequently are
subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness.
The market for medium and lower-rated and unrated securities is
relatively new and has not weathered a major economic recession. Any such
recession could disrupt severely the market for such securities and may
adversely affect the value of such securities and the ability of the issuers
of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon.
The Fund may have difficulty disposing of certain of these
securities because there may be a thin trading market. Because there is no
established retail secondary market for many of these securities, the Fund
anticipates that these securities could be sold only to a limited number of
dealers or institutional investors. To the extent a secondary trading market
for these securities does exist, it generally is not as liquid as the
secondary market for higher-rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary
market, as well as adverse publicity and investor perception with respect to
these securities, may have an adverse impact on market price and the Fund's
ability to dispose of particular issues when necessary to meet the Fund's
liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event such as a
deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. The lack of a liquid
secondary market for certain
<PAGE>6
securities also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate
market quotations for purposes of valuing the Fund and calculating its net
asset value.
The market value of securities in lower-rated categories is more
volatile than that of higher quality securities. Factors adversely impacting
the market value of these securities will adversely impact the Fund's net
asset value. The Fund will rely on the judgment, analysis and experience of
Counsellors in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer. In this
evaluation, Counsellors 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. Normally, lower-rated and comparable unrated securities
are not intended for short-term investment. The Fund may incur additional
expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the
payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings of such securities.
Recent adverse publicity regarding lower-rated bonds may have depressed the
prices for such securities to some extent. Whether investor perceptions will
continue to have a negative effect on the price of such securities is
uncertain.
Foreign Debt Securities. The returns on foreign debt securities
reflect interest rates and other market conditions prevailing in those
countries and the effect of gains and losses in the denominated currencies
against the U.S. dollar, which have had a substantial impact on investment in
foreign fixed-income securities. The relative performance of various
countries' fixed-income markets historically has reflected wide variations
relating to the unique characteristics of each country's economy. Year-to-
year fluctuations in certain markets have been significant, and negative
returns have been experienced in various markets from time to time.
The foreign government securities in which the Fund may invest
generally consist of obligations issued or backed by national, state or
provincial governments or similar political subdivisions or central banks in
foreign countries. Foreign government securities also include debt
obligations of supranational entities, which include international
organizations designated or backed by governmental entities to promote
economic reconstruction or development, international banking institutions and
related government agencies. Examples include the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (the "World Bank"), the European Coal and Steel
Community, the Asian Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank.
Foreign government securities also include debt securities of
"quasi-governmental agencies" and debt securities denominated in multinational
currency units of an issuer (including supranational issuers). Debt
securities of quasi-governmental agencies are issued by entities owned by
either a national, state or equivalent government or are obligations of a
political unit that is not backed by the national government's full faith and
credit and general taxing powers. An example of a multinational currency unit
is the European Currency Unit ("ECU"). An ECU represents specified amounts of
the currencies of certain member states of the European Economic Community.
The specific amounts of
<PAGE>7
currencies comprising the ECU may be adjusted by the Council of Ministers of
the European Community to reflect changes in relative values of the underlying
currencies.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net
assets in mortgage-backed securities, such as those issued by GNMA, FNMA,
FHLMC or certain foreign issuers. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct
or indirect participations in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage
loans secured by real property. The mortgages backing these securities
include, among other mortgage instruments, conventional 30-year fixed-rate
mortgages, 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, graduated payment mortgages and
adjustable rate mortgages. The government or the issuing agency typically
guarantees the payment of interest and principal of these securities.
However, the guarantees do not extend to the securities' yield or value, which
are likely to vary inversely with fluctuations in interest rates, nor do the
guarantees extend to the yield or value of the Fund's shares. These
securities generally are "pass-through" instruments, through which the holders
receive a share of all interest and principal payments from the mortgages
underlying the securities, net of certain fees.
Yields on pass-through securities are typically quoted by investment
dealers and vendors based on the maturity of the underlying instruments and
the associated average life assumption. The average life of pass-through
pools varies with the maturities of the underlying mortgage loans. A pool's
term may be shortened by unscheduled or early payments of principal on the
underlying mortgages. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by
various factors, including the level of interest rates, general economic
conditions, the location, scheduled maturity and age of the mortgage and other
social and demographic conditions. Because prepayment rates of individual
pools vary widely, it is not possible to predict accurately the average life
of a particular pool. For pools of fixed-rate 30-year mortgages, a common
industry practice in the U.S. has been to assume that prepayments will result
in a 12-year average life. At present, pools, particularly those with loans
with other maturities or different characteristics, are priced on an
assumption of average life determined for each pool. In periods of falling
interest rates, the rate of prepayment tends to increase, thereby shortening
the actual average life of a pool of mortgage-related securities. Conversely,
in periods of rising rates the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby
lengthening the actual average life of the pool. However, these effects may
not be present, or may differ in degree, if the mortgage loans in the pools
have adjustable interest rates or other special payment terms, such as a
prepayment charge. Actual prepayment experience may cause the yield of
mortgage-backed securities to differ from the assumed average life yield.
Reinvestment of prepayments may occur at higher or lower interest rates than
the original investment, thus affecting the Fund's yield.
The rate of interest on mortgage-backed securities is lower than the
interest rates paid on the mortgages included in the underlying pool due to
the annual fees paid to the servicer of the mortgage pool for passing through
monthly payments to certificate holders and to any guarantor, such as GNMA,
and due to any yield retained by the issuer. Actual yield to the holder may
vary from the coupon rate, even if adjustable, if the mortgage-backed
<PAGE>8
securities are purchased or traded in the secondary market at a premium or
discount. In addition, there is normally some delay between the time the
issuer receives mortgage payments from the servicer and the time the issuer
makes the payments on the mortgage-backed securities, and this delay reduces
the effective yield to the holder of such securities.
Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net
assets in asset-backed securities, which represent participations in, or are
secured by and payable from, assets such as motor vehicle installment sales,
installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal
property and receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements. Such
assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose
corporations. Payments or distributions of principal and interest may be
guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of
credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution
unaffiliated with the trust or corporation.
Asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented
by other securities in which the Fund may invest. Automobile receivables
generally are secured by automobiles. Most issuers of automobile receivables
permit the loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations.
If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a
risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the
holders of the asset-backed securities. In addition, because of the large
number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements
under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables
may not have a proper security interest in the underlying automobiles.
Therefore, there is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral
may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities.
Credit card receivables are generally unsecured, and the debtors are entitled
to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many
of which give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the
credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. Because asset-backed
securities are relatively new, the market experience in these securities is
limited, and the market's ability to sustain liquidity through all phases of
the market cycle has not been tested.
Zero Coupon Securities. The Fund may invest in "zero coupon" U.S.
Treasury, foreign government and U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities,
which are bills, notes and bonds that have been stripped of their unmatured
interest coupons and custodial receipts or certificates of participation
representing interests in such stripped debt obligations and coupons. The
Fund currently anticipates that during the coming year zero coupon securities
will not exceed 5% of its net assets. A zero coupon security pays no interest
to its holder prior to maturity. Accordingly, such securities usually trade
at a deep discount from their face or par value and will be subject to greater
fluctuations of market value in response to changing interest rates than debt
obligations of comparable maturities that make current distributions of
interest. The Fund anticipates that it will not normally hold zero coupon
securities to maturity. Federal tax law requires that a holder of a zero
coupon security accrue a portion of the discount at which the security was
purchased as
<PAGE>9
income each year, even though the holder receives no interest payment on the
security during the year. Such accrued discount will be includible in
determining the amount of dividends the Fund must pay each year and, in order
to generate cash necessary to pay such dividends, the Fund may liquidate
portfolio securities at a time when it would not otherwise have done so.
Securities of Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in
securities of other investment companies to the extent permitted under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). Presently, under
the 1940 Act, the Fund may hold securities of another investment company in
amounts which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of
such company, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets
and (iii) when added to all other investment company securities held by the
Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend portfolio
securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet
capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the
Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board"). These loans, if and when made, may
not exceed 20% of the Fund's total assets taken at value. The Fund will not
lend portfolio securities to affiliates of the Advisers unless it has applied
for and received specific authority to do so from the SEC. Loans of portfolio
securities will be collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S.
government securities, which are maintained at all times in an amount equal to
at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. Any gain
or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during
the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund. From time to time,
the Fund may return a part of the interest earned from the investment of
collateral received for securities loaned to the borrower and/or a third party
that is unaffiliated with the Fund and that is acting as a "finder."
By lending its securities, the Fund can increase its income by
continuing to receive interest and any dividends on the loaned securities as
well as by either investing the collateral received for securities loaned
in short-term instruments or obtaining yield in the form of interest paid by
the borrower when U.S. government securities are used as collateral. Although
the generation of income is not an investment objective of the Fund, income
received could be used to pay the Fund's expenses and would increase an
investor's total return. The Fund will adhere to the following conditions
whenever its portfolio securities are loaned: (i) the Fund must receive at
least 100% cash collateral or equivalent securities of the type discussed in
the preceding paragraph from the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase
such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the
level of such collateral; (iii) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan at
any time; (iv) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well
as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities and
any increase in market value; (v) the Fund may pay only reasonable custodian
fees in connection with the loan; and (vi) voting rights on the loaned
securities may pass to the borrower, provided, however, that if a material
event adversely affecting the investment occurs, the Board must terminate the
loan
<PAGE>10
and regain the right to vote the securities. Loan agreements involve certain
risks in the event of default or insolvency of the other party including
possible delays or restrictions upon the Fund's ability to recover the loaned
securities or dispose of the collateral for the loan.
Non-Publicly Traded and Illiquid Securities. The Fund may not
invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including
securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available
market, repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days,
time deposits maturing in more than seven days and Rule 144A securities.
Securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale but have a
readily available market are not considered illiquid for purposes of this
limitation. Repurchase agreements subject to demand are deemed to have a
maturity equal to the notice period.
Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject
to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), securities which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase
agreements having a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have
not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private
placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer
or in the secondary market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant
amount of these restricted or other illiquid securities because of the
potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on
resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities
and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid
securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience
difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might also
have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them
resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could
impede such a public offering of securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed
for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act
including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities,
municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors
depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security
can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for
repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on
resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative
of the liquidity of such investments.
Rule 144A Securities. Rule 144A under the Securities Act adopted by
the SEC allows for a broader institutional trading market for securities
otherwise subject to restriction on resale to the general public. Rule 144A
establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified institutional
buyers. Counsellors anticipates that the market for certain restricted
securities such as institutional commercial paper will expand further as a
result of this regulation and use of automated systems for the trading,
clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of
<PAGE>11
domestic and foreign issuers, such as the PORTAL System sponsored by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
An investment in Rule 144A Securities will be limited to 10% of the
Fund's assets, included within the Fund's 15% limit on illiquid securities.
In reaching liquidity decisions, the Board and its delegates may consider,
inter alia, the following factors: (i) the unregistered nature of the
security; (ii) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (iii) the
number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of
other potential purchasers; (iv) dealer undertakings to make a market in the
security and (v) the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace
trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of
soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer).
Currency Transactions. The value in U.S. dollars of the assets of
the Fund that are invested in foreign securities may be affected favorably or
unfavorably by changes in exchange control regulations, and the Fund may incur
costs in connection with conversion between various currencies. The Fund,
therefore, may engage in currency exchange transactions to protect against
uncertainty in the level of future exchange rates and may also engage in
currency transactions to increase income and total return. Currency exchange
transactions may be from any non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars or into other
appropriate currencies. The Fund will conduct its currency exchange
transactions (i) on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the rate prevailing in the
currency exchange market, (ii) through entering into forward contracts to
purchase or sell currency, (iii) by purchasing currency options or
(iv) through entering into foreign currency futures contracts or options on
such contracts. The cost to the Fund of engaging in currency transactions
varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract
period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because transactions in
currency exchange are generally conducted on a principal basis, no fees or
commissions are usually involved.
Forward Currency Contracts. A forward currency contract involves
an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which
may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract as agreed upon
by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts
are entered into in the interbank market conducted directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers.
At or before the maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may either
sell a portfolio security and make delivery of the currency, or retain the
security and fully or partially offset its contractual obligation to deliver
the currency by negotiating with its trading partner to purchase a second,
offsetting contract. If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages
in an offsetting transaction, the Fund, at the time of execution of the
offsetting transaction, will incur a gain or a loss to the extent that
movement has occurred in forward contract prices.
Currency Options. The Fund may purchase exchange-traded put and
call options on foreign currencies. Put options convey the right to sell the
underlying currency at
<PAGE>12
a price which is anticipated to be higher than the spot price of the currency
at the time the option is exercised. Call options convey the right to buy the
underlying currency at a price which is expected to be lower than the spot
price of the currency at the time the option is exercised.
A decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which the
Fund's securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of the
securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In
order to protect against such diminutions in the value of securities it holds,
the Fund may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of
the currency does decline, the Fund will have the right to sell the currency
for a fixed amount in dollars and will thereby offset, in whole or in part,
the adverse effect on its securities that otherwise would have resulted.
Conversely, if a rise in the dollar value of a currency in which securities to
be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby potentially increasing the
cost of the securities, the Fund may purchase call options on the particular
currency. The purchase of these options could offset, at least partially, the
effects of the adverse movements in exchange rates.
Foreign Currency Futures. As described below under "Futures
Activities," the Fund may enter into foreign currency futures contracts and
related options.
Currency Hedging. The Fund's currency hedging will be limited to
hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions.
Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward currency with respect
to specific receivables or payables of the Fund generally accruing in
connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities. Position
hedging is the sale of forward currency with respect to portfolio security
positions. The Fund may not position hedge to an extent greater than the
aggregate market value (at the time of entering into the hedge) of the hedged
securities.
A decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which the
Fund's securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of the
securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. The
use of currency hedges does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying
prices of the securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be
achieved in the future. For example, in order to protect against such
diminutions in the value of securities it holds, the Fund may purchase put
options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency does decline,
the Fund will have the right to sell the currency for a fixed amount in
dollars and will thereby offset, in whole or in part, the adverse effect on
its securities that otherwise would have resulted. Conversely, if a rise in
the dollar value of a currency in which securities to be acquired are
denominated is projected, thereby potentially increasing the cost of the
securities, the Fund may purchase call options on the particular currency.
The purchase of these options could offset, at least partially, the effects of
the adverse movements in exchange rates. Currency hedging involves some of
the same risks and considerations as other transactions with similar
instruments. Although currency hedges limit the risk of loss due to a decline
in the value of a hedged currency, at the same time, they also limit any
potential gain that might result
<PAGE>13
should the value of the currency increase. If a devaluation is generally
anticipated, the Fund may not be able to contract to sell the currency at a
price above the devaluation level it anticipates.
While the values of forward currency contracts, currency options,
currency futures and options on futures may be expected to correlate with
exchange rates, they will not reflect other factors that may affect the value
of the Fund's investments. A currency hedge, for example, should protect a
Yen-denominated bond against a decline in the Yen, but will not protect the
Fund against a price decline if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates.
Because the value of the Fund's investments denominated in foreign currency
will change in response to many factors other than exchange rates, a currency
hedge may not be entirely successful in mitigating changes in the value of the
Fund's investments denominated in that currency over time.
Futures Activities. The Fund may enter into foreign currency,
interest rate and stock index futures contracts and purchase and write (sell)
related options traded on exchanges designated by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (the "CFTC") or consistent with CFTC regulations on foreign
exchanges. These transactions may be entered into for "bona fide hedging"
purposes as defined in CFTC regulations and other permissible purposes
including hedging against changes in the value of portfolio securities due to
anticipated changes in interest rates, currency values and/or market
conditions and increasing return. The ability of the Fund to trade in futures
contracts may be limited by the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), applicable to a regulated investment company.
The Fund will not enter into futures contracts and related options
for which the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish
positions other than those considered to be "bona fide hedging" by the CFTC
exceed 5% of the Fund's net asset value after taking into account unrealized
profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts it has entered into.
There is no overall limit on the percentage of Fund assets that may be at risk
with respect to futures activities.
Futures Contracts. A foreign currency futures contract provides for
the future sale by one party and the purchase by the other party of a certain
amount of a specified non-U.S. currency at a specified price, date, time and
place. Foreign currency futures are similar to forward currency contracts,
except that they are traded on commodities exchanges and are standardized as
to contract size and delivery date. An interest rate futures contract
provides for the future sale by one party and the purchase by the other party
of a certain amount of a specific financial instrument (debt security) at a
specified price, date, time and place. Stock indexes are capitalization
weighted indexes which reflect the market value of the stock listed on the
indexes. A stock index futures contract is an agreement to be settled by
delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified multiplier times the
difference between the value of the index at the beginning and at the end of
the contract period. In entering into
<PAGE>14
these contracts, the Fund will incur brokerage costs and be required to make
and maintain certain "margin" deposits on a mark-to-market basis, as described
below.
One of the purposes of entering into a futures contract may be to
protect the Fund from fluctuations in value of its portfolio securities
without its necessarily buying or selling the securities. Since the value of
portfolio securities will far exceed the value of the futures contracts sold
by the Fund, an increase in the value of the futures contracts could only
mitigate, but not totally offset, the decline in the value of the Fund's
assets. No consideration is paid or received by the Fund upon entering into a
futures contract. Instead, the Fund will be required to deposit in a
segregated account with its custodian an amount of cash or cash equivalents,
such as U.S. government securities or other liquid high-grade debt obliga-
tions, equal to approximately 1% to 10% of the contract amount (this amount
is subject to change by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and
brokers may charge a higher amount). This amount is known as "initial margin"
and is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the
contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures
contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. The
broker will have access to amounts in the margin account if the Fund fails to
meet its contractual obligations. Subsequent payments, known as "variation
margin," to and from the broker, will be made daily as the currency, financial
instrument or stock index underlying the futures contract fluctuates, making
the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a
process known as "marking-to-market." At any time prior to the expiration of
a futures contract, the Fund may elect to close the position by taking an
opposite position, which will operate to terminate the Fund's existing
position in the contract.
Positions in futures contracts and options on futures contracts may
be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into (or through
a linked exchange). No secondary market for such contracts exists. Although
the Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only if there is an active
market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will
exist for the contracts at any particular time. Most futures exchanges limit
the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single
trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract,
no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit. It is possible
that futures contract prices could move to the daily limit for several
consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt
liquidation of futures positions and subjecting the Fund to substantial
losses. In such event, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund
would be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In such
circumstances, an increase in the value of the portion of the Fund's
securities being hedged, if any, may partially or completely offset losses on
the futures contract. However, as described above, there is no guarantee that
the price of the securities being hedged will, in fact, correlate with the
price movements in a futures contract and thus provide an offset to losses on
the futures contract.
If the Fund has hedged against the possibility of an event adversely
affecting the value of securities held in its portfolio and that event does
not occur, the Fund will lose
<PAGE>15
part or all of the benefit of the increased value of securities which it has
hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions.
Losses incurred in futures transactions and the costs of these transactions
will affect the Fund's performance. In addition, in such situations, if the
Fund had insufficient cash, it might have to sell securities to meet daily
variation margin requirements at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do
so. These sales of securities could, but will not necessarily, be at
increased prices which reflect the change in currency values, interest rates
or stock indexes, as the case may be.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase and write put
and call options on foreign currency, interest rate and stock index futures
contracts and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options
to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing
transactions can be effected.
An option on a currency, interest rate or stock index futures
contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives
the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position
in a currency, interest rate or stock index futures contract at a specified
exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option. Upon
exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of
the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the
accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account, which represents
the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds, in the
case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of
the option on the futures contract. The potential loss related to the
purchase of an option on futures contracts is limited to the premium paid for
the option (plus transaction costs). Because the value of the option is fixed
at the point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to
reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of
the option does change daily and that change would be reflected in the net
asset value of the Fund.
There are several risks relating to options on futures contracts.
The ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be
subject to the existence of a liquid market. In addition, the purchase of put
or call options will be based upon predictions as to anticipated trends in
interest rates and securities markets by the Advisers. This requires
different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the price of
individual securities, and there can be no assurance that the use of these
portfolio strategies will be successful. Even if the Advisers' expectations
are correct, where options on futures are used for hedging purposes there may
be an imperfect correlation between the change in the value of the options and
of the portfolio securities hedged.
Options on Securities. The Fund may purchase put and call options
on stocks and debt securities that are traded on foreign and U.S. exchanges,
as well as over-the-counter ("OTC") options, to the extent permitted by the
policies of state securities authorities in states where shares of the Fund
are qualified for offer and sale. The Fund may utilize up to 10% of its total
assets to purchase exchange-traded and OTC options on stock and debt
securities. In addition, the Fund may write covered put and call options on
up to 25% of the
<PAGE>16
stock and debt securities in its portfolio. Options on securities and stock
indexes (described below) may be purchased and written for hedging purposes or
to increase income and total return. The aggregate value of the securities
underlying the calls or puts on securities written by the Fund, determined as
of the date the options are sold, when added to the securities underlying the
calls on securities indexes written by the Fund, may not exceed 25% of the
Fund's net assets.
The Fund realizes fees (referred to as "premiums") for granting the
rights evidenced by the options it has written. A put option embodies the
right of its purchaser to compel the writer of the option to purchase from the
option holder an underlying security at a specified price for a specified time
period or at a specified time. In contrast, a call option embodies the right
of its purchaser to compel the writer of the option to sell to the option
holder an underlying security at a specified price for a specified time period
or at a specified time.
The principal reason for writing covered options on a security is to
attempt to realize, through the receipt of premiums, a greater return than
would be realized on the securities alone. In return for a premium, the Fund
as the writer of a covered call option forfeits the right to any appreciation
in the value of the underlying security above the strike price for the life of
the option (or until a closing purchase transaction can be effected).
Nevertheless, the Fund as a put or call writer retains the risk of a decline
in the price of the underlying security. The size of the premiums that the
Fund may receive may be adversely affected as new or existing institutions,
including other investment companies, engage in or increase their
option-writing activities.
If security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect to
profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the premium it
received. If security prices remain the same over time, it is likely that the
writer will also profit, because it should be able to close out the option at
a lower price. If security prices fall, the put writer would expect to suffer
a loss. This loss should be less than the loss from purchasing the underlying
instrument directly, however, because the premium received for writing the
option should mitigate the effects of the decline.
Options written by the Fund will normally have expiration dates
between one and nine months from the date written. The exercise price of the
options may be below, equal to or above the market values of the underlying
securities at the times the options are written. In the case of call options,
these exercise prices are referred to as "in-the-money," "at-the-money" and
"out-of-the-money," respectively. The Fund may write (i) in-the-money call
options when the Advisers expect that the price of the underlying security
will remain flat or decline moderately during the option period,
(ii) at-the-money call options when the Advisers expect that the price of the
underlying security will remain flat or advance moderately during the option
period and (iii) out-of-the-money call options when the Advisers expect that
the premiums received from writing the call option plus the appreciation in
market price of the underlying security up to the exercise price will be
greater than the
<PAGE>17
appreciation in the price of the underlying security alone. In any of the
preceding situations, if the market price of the underlying security declines
and the security is sold at this lower price, the amount of any realized loss
will be offset wholly or in part by the premium received. Out-of-the-money,
at-the-money and in-the-money put options (the reverse of call options as to
the relation of exercise price to market price) may be used in the same market
environments that such call options are used in equivalent transactions. To
secure its obligation to deliver the underlying security when it writes a call
option, the Fund will be required to deposit in escrow the underlying security
or other assets in accordance with the rules of the Options Clearing
Corporation (the "Clearing Corporation") and of the securities exchange on
which the option is written.
In the case of options written by the Fund that are deemed covered
by virtue of the Fund's holding convertible or exchangeable preferred stock or
debt securities, the time required to convert or exchange and obtain physical
delivery of the underlying common stock with respect to which the Fund has
written options may exceed the time within which the Fund must make delivery
in accordance with an exercise notice. In these instances, the Fund may
purchase or temporarily borrow the underlying securities for purposes of
physical delivery. By so doing, the Fund will not bear any market risk, since
the Fund will have the absolute right to receive from the issuer of the
underlying security an equal number of shares to replace the borrowed stock,
but the Fund may incur additional transaction costs or interest expenses in
connection with any such purchase or borrowing.
Additional risks exist with respect to certain of the securities for
which the Fund may write covered call options. If the Fund writes covered
call options on mortgage-backed securities, the mortgage-backed securities
that it holds as cover may, because of scheduled amortization or unscheduled
prepayments, cease to be sufficient cover. If this occurs, the Fund will
compensate for the decline in the value of the cover by purchasing an
appropriate additional amount of mortgage-backed securities.
Securities exchanges generally have established limitations
governing the maximum number of calls and puts of each class which may be held
or written, or exercised within certain time periods by an investor or group
of investors acting in concert (regardless of whether the options are written
on the same or different securities exchanges or are held, written or
exercised in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). It is
possible that the Fund and other clients of Counsellors or SPARX USA and
certain of their affiliates may be considered to be such a group. A
securities exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in
violation of these limits and it may impose certain other sanctions. These
limits may restrict the number of options the Fund will be able to purchase on
a particular security.
Prior to their expirations, put and call options may be sold in
closing sale transactions (sales by the Fund, prior to the exercise of options
that it has purchased, of options of the same series) in which the Fund may
realize a profit or loss from the sale. An option position may be closed out
only where there exists a secondary market for an option
<PAGE>18
of the same series on a recognized securities exchange or in the
over-the-counter market. In cases where the Fund has written an option, it
will realize a profit if the cost of the closing purchase transaction is less
than the premium received upon writing the original option and will incur a
loss if the cost of the closing purchase transaction exceeds the premium
received upon writing the original option. Similarly, when the Fund has
purchased an option and engages in a closing sale transaction, whether the
Fund realizes a profit or loss will depend upon whether the amount received in
the closing sale transaction is more or less than the premium the Fund
initially paid for the original option plus the related transaction costs. So
long as the obligation of the Fund as the writer of an option continues, the
Fund may be assigned an exercise notice by the broker-dealer through which the
option was sold, requiring the Fund to deliver the underlying security against
payment of the exercise price. This obligation terminates when the option
expires or the Fund effects a closing purchase transaction. The Fund can no
longer effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option once it
has been assigned an exercise notice.
Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only those
options for which the Advisers believe there is an active secondary market so
as to facilitate closing transactions, there is no assurance that sufficient
trading interest will exist to create a liquid secondary market on a
securities exchange for any particular option or at any particular time, and
for some options no such secondary market may exist. A liquid secondary
market in an option may cease to exist for a variety of reasons. In the past,
for example, higher than anticipated trading activity or order flow or other
unforeseen events have at times rendered certain of the facilities of the
Clearing Corporation and various securities exchanges inadequate and resulted
in the institution of special procedures, such as trading rotations,
restrictions on certain types of orders or trading halts or suspensions in one
or more options. There can be no assurance that similar events, or events
that may otherwise interfere with the timely execution of customers' orders,
will not recur. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing
transactions in particular options. Moreover, the Fund's ability to terminate
options positions established in the over-the-counter market may be more
limited than for exchange-traded options and may also involve the risk that
securities dealers participating in over-the-counter transactions would fail
to meet their obligations to the Fund. The Fund, however, intends to purchase
over-the-counter options only from dealers whose debt securities, as
determined by the Advisers, are considered to be investment grade. If, as a
covered call option writer, the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying
security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon
exercise. In either case, the Fund would continue to be at market risk on the
security and could face higher transaction costs, including brokerage
commissions.
Options as a Hedge. In addition to entering into options
transactions for other purposes, including generating current income, the Fund
may enter into options transactions as hedges to reduce investment risk,
generally by making an investment expected to move in the opposite direction
of a portfolio position. A hedge is designed to offset a loss on a portfolio
position with a gain on the hedged position; at the same time, however, a
properly
<PAGE>19
correlated hedge will result in a gain on the portfolio position being offset
by a loss on the hedged position. The Fund bears the risk that the prices of
the securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the hedge.
The Fund will engage in hedging transactions only when deemed advisable by the
Advisers. Successful use by the Fund of options will be subject to the
Advisers' ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the
security underlying the option used as a hedge. Losses incurred in hedging
transactions and the costs of these transactions will affect the Fund's
performance.
OTC Options. The Fund may purchase OTC or dealer options or sell
covered OTC options. Unlike exchange-listed options where an intermediary or
clearing corporation, such as the Clearing Corporation, assures that all
transactions in such options are properly executed, the responsibility for
performing all transactions with respect to OTC options rests solely with the
writer and the holder of those options. A listed call option writer, for
example, is obligated to deliver the underlying stock to the clearing
organization if the option is exercised, and the clearing corporation is then
obligated to pay the writer the exercise price of the option. If the Fund
were to purchase a dealer option, however, it would rely on the dealer from
whom it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. If the
dealer fails to honor the exercise of the option by the Fund, the Fund would
lose the premium it paid for the option and the expected benefit of the
transaction.
Listed options generally have a continuous liquid market while
dealer options have none. Consequently, the Fund will generally be able to
realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising it or
reselling it to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a
dealer option, it generally will be able to close out the option prior to its
expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the
dealer to which the Fund originally wrote the option. Although the Fund will
seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and that
are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the
Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to liquidate a
dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. The
inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to
the Fund. Until the Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to
effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate
securities (or other assets) used to cover the written option until the option
expires or is exercised. This requirement may impair the Fund's ability to
sell portfolio securities or, with respect to currency options, currencies at
a time when such sale might be advantageous. In the event of insolvency of
the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option.
Stock Index Options. In addition to utilizing up to 10% of its
assets to purchase options on securities, the Fund may utilize up to an
additional 10% of its total assets to purchase exchange-listed and OTC put and
call options on stock indexes and may write put and call options on such
indexes to hedge against the effects of market wide-price movements or to
increase income and total return. A stock index measures the movement of a
certain group of stocks by assigning relative values to the common stocks
included in the index, fluctuating with changes in the market values of the
stocks included in the index.
<PAGE>20
Some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the NYSE
Composite Index, or a narrower market index such as the Standard & Poor's 100.
Indexes may also be based on a particular industry or market segment.
Examples of stock index derivatives which the Fund may utilize are the Nikkei
225 Index, the Nikkei 300 Index, the OTC (JASDAQ) Index and the Topix Index.
Options on stock indexes are similar to options on stock except that
(i) the expiration cycles of stock index options are monthly, while those of
stock options are currently quarterly, and (ii) the delivery requirements are
different. Instead of giving the right to take or make delivery of stock at a
specified price, an option on a stock index gives the holder the right to
receive a cash "exercise settlement amount" equal to (a) the amount, if any,
by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the case of a put)
or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the underlying
index on the date of exercise, multiplied by (b) a fixed "index multiplier."
Receipt of this cash amount will depend upon the closing level of the stock
index upon which the option is based being greater than, in the case of a
call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the index and
the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified
multiple. The writer of the option is obligated, in return for the premium
received, to make delivery of this amount. The writer may offset its position
in stock index options prior to expiration by entering into a closing
transaction on an exchange or it may let the option expire unexercised.
Stock Index Options as a Hedge. The effectiveness of purchasing or
writing stock index options as a hedging technique will depend upon the extent
to which price movements in the portion of a securities portfolio being hedged
correlate with price movements of the stock index selected. Because the value
of an index option depends upon movements in the level of the index rather
than the price of a particular stock, whether the Fund will realize a gain or
loss from the purchase or writing of options on an index depends upon
movements in the level of stock prices in the stock market generally or, in
the case of certain indexes, in an industry or market segment, rather than
movements in the price of a particular stock. Accordingly, successful use by
the Fund of options on stock indexes will be subject to the Advisers' ability
to predict correctly movements in the direction of the stock market generally
or of a particular industry. This requires different skills and techniques
than predicting changes in the price of individual stocks, and there can be no
assurance that the use of these portfolio strategies will be successful.
Asset Coverage for Forward Contracts, Options, Futures and Options
on Futures. As described in the Prospectuses, the Fund will comply with
guidelines established by the SEC with respect to coverage of forward currency
contracts; options written by the Fund on currencies, securities and indexes;
and currency, interest rate and index futures contracts and options on these
futures contracts. These guidelines may, in certain instances, require
segregation by the Fund of cash or liquid high-grade debt securities or other
securities that are acceptable as collateral to the appropriate regulatory
authority.
<PAGE>21
For example, a call option written by the Fund on securities may
require the Fund to hold the securities subject to the call (or securities
convertible into the securities without additional consideration) or to
segregate assets (as described above) sufficient to purchase and deliver the
securities if the call is exercised. A call option written by the Fund on an
index may require the Fund to own portfolio securities that correlate with the
index or to segregate assets (as described above) equal to the excess of the
index value over the exercise price on a current basis. A put option written
by the Fund may require the Fund to segregate assets (as described above)
equal to the exercise price. The Fund could purchase a put option if the
strike price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a
put option sold by the Fund. If the Fund holds a futures or forward contract,
the Fund could purchase a put option on the same futures or forward contract
with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held.
The Fund may enter into fully or partially offsetting transactions so that its
net position, coupled with any segregated assets (equal to any remaining
obligation), equals its net obligation. Asset coverage may be achieved by
other means when consistent with applicable regulatory policies.
When-Issued Securities and Delayed-Delivery Transactions. The Fund
may utilize up to 20% of its total assets to purchase securities on a
"when-issued" basis or purchase or sell securities for delayed delivery (i.e.,
payment or delivery occur beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price
and yield). When-issued transactions normally settle within 30-45 days. The
Fund will enter into a when-issued transaction for the purpose of acquiring
portfolio securities and not for the purpose of leverage, but may sell the
securities before the settlement date if the Advisers deem it advantageous to
do so. The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on
when-issued securities are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the com-
mitment. Due to fluctuations in the value of securities purchased or sold on
a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, the yields obtained on such
securities may be higher or lower than the yields available in the market on
the dates when the investments are actually delivered to the buyers.
When the Fund agrees to purchase when-issued or delayed-delivery
securities, its custodian will set aside cash, U.S. government securities or
other liquid high-grade debt obligations or other securities that are
acceptable as collateral to the appropriate regulatory authority equal to the
amount of the commitment in a segregated account. Normally, the custodian
will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment, and in
such a case the Fund may be required subsequently to place additional assets
in the segregated account in order to ensure that the value of the account
remains equal to the amount of the Fund's commitment. It may be expected that
the Fund's net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside
portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets
aside cash. When the Fund engages in when-issued or delayed-delivery
transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure
of the seller to do so may result in the Fund's incurring a loss or missing an
opportunity to obtain a price considered to be advantageous.
<PAGE>22
Securities of Smaller Companies and Emerging Growth Companies. The
Fund's investment in OTC securities involves considerations that are not
applicable to investing in securities of established, larger-capitalization
issuers, including reduced and less reliable information about issuers and
markets, less stringent accounting standards, illiquidity of securities and
markets, higher brokerage commissions and fees and greater market risk in
general. Investors should expect some volatility due to the risks involved
and should regard their investment as long term. In addition, securities of
emerging growth and smaller companies may involve greater risks since these
securities may have limited marketability and, thus, may be more volatile.
Because smaller companies normally have fewer shares outstanding than larger
companies, it may be more difficult for the Fund to buy or sell significant
amounts of such shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices.
American, European and Continental Depositary Receipts. The assets
of the Fund may be invested in the securities of foreign issuers in the form
of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and European Depositary Receipts
("EDRs"). These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same
currency as the securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are
receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company which evidence
ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs,
which are sometimes referred to as Continental Depositary Receipts ("CDRs"),
are receipts issued in Europe typically by non-U.S. banks and trust companies
that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities. Generally,
ADRs in registered form are designed for use in U.S. securities markets and
EDRs and CDRs in bearer form are designed for use in European securities
markets.
Warrants. The Fund may invest up to 5% of net assets in warrants
(valued at the lower of cost or market) (other than warrants acquired by the
Fund as part of a unit or attached to securities at the time of purchase).
Because a warrant does not carry with it the right to dividends or voting
rights with respect to the securities which it entitles a holder to purchase,
and because it does not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer,
warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of
investments. Also, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change with
the value of the underlying securities and a warrant ceases to have value if
it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.
Borrowing. The Fund may borrow up to 30% of its total assets for
temporary or emergency purposes, including to meet portfolio redemption
requests so as to permit the orderly disposition of portfolio securities or to
facilitate settlement transactions on portfolio securities. Investments
(including roll-overs) will not be made when borrowings exceed 5% of the
Fund's net assets. Although the principal of such borrowings will be fixed,
the Fund's assets may change in value during the time the borrowing is
outstanding. The Fund expects that some of its borrowings may be made on a
secured basis. In such situations, either the custodian will segregate the
pledged assets for the benefit of the lender or arrangements will be made with
a suitable subcustodian, which may include the lender.
<PAGE>23
Other Investment Limitations
The investment limitations numbered 1 through 7 may not be changed
without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding shares. Such majority is defined as the lesser of (i) 67% or more
of the shares present at the meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii)
more than 50% of the outstanding shares. Investment limitations 10 through 16
may be changed by a vote of the Board at any time.
The Fund may not:
1. Borrow money except that the Fund may (a) borrow from banks for
temporary or emergency purposes and (b) enter into reverse repurchase
agreements; provided that reverse repurchase agreements, dollar roll
transactions that are accounted for as financings and any other transactions
constituting borrowing by the Fund may not exceed 30% of the value of the
Fund's total assets at the time of such borrowing. For purposes of this
restriction, short sales, the entry into currency transactions, options,
futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward commitment
transactions and dollar roll transactions that are not accounted for as
financings (and the segregation of assets in connection with any of the
foregoing) shall not constitute borrowing.
2. Purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the
value of the Fund's total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the
securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the
same industry; provided that there shall be no limit on the purchase of U.S.
government securities.
3. Make loans, except that the Fund may purchase or hold
fixed-income securities, including loan participations, assignments and
structured securities, lend portfolio securities and enter into repurchase
agreements.
4. Underwrite any securities issued by others except to the extent
that the investment in restricted securities and the sale of securities in
accordance with the Fund's investment objective, policies and limitations may
be deemed to be underwriting.
5. Purchase or sell real estate or invest in oil, gas or mineral
exploration or development programs, except that the Fund may invest in (a)
securities secured by real estate, mortgages or interests therein and (b)
securities of companies that invest in or sponsor oil, gas or mineral
exploration or development programs.
6. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position,
except that the Fund may maintain short positions in forward currency
contracts, options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts.
<PAGE>24
7. Purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain
any short-term credits necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of
securities. For purposes of this restriction, the deposit or payment of
initial or variation margin in connection with transactions in currencies,
options, futures contracts or related options will not be deemed to be a
purchase of securities on margin.
8. Invest in commodities, except that the Fund may purchase and
sell futures contracts, including those relating to securities, currencies and
indices, and options on futures contracts, securities, currencies or indices,
and purchase and sell currencies on a forward commitment or delayed-delivery
basis.
9. Issue any senior security except as permitted in these
investment limitations.
10. Purchase securities of other investment companies except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, reorganization or offer
of exchange, or as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act.
11. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to the
extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to
the deposit of assets in escrow and in connection with the writing of covered
put and call options and purchase of securities on a forward commitment or
delayed-delivery basis and collateral and initial or variation margin
arrangements with respect to currency transactions, options, futures
contracts, and options on futures contracts.
12. Invest more than 15% of the Fund's net assets in securities
which may be illiquid because of legal or contractual restrictions on resale
or securities for which there are no readily available market quotations. For
purposes of this limitation, repurchase agreements with maturities greater
than seven days shall be considered illiquid securities. In no event will the
Fund's investment in restricted and illiquid securities exceed 15% of the
Fund's assets.
13. Purchase any security if as a result the Fund would then have
more than 5% of its total assets invested in securities of companies
(including predecessors) that have been in continuous operation for fewer than
three years ("unseasoned companies").
14. Purchase or retain securities of any company if, to the
knowledge of the Fund, any of the Fund's officers or Directors or any officer
or director of Counsellors or SPARX USA individually owns more than 1/2 of 1%
of the outstanding securities of such company and together they own
beneficially more than 5% of the securities.
15. Invest in warrants (other than warrants acquired by the Fund as
part of a unit or attached to securities at the time of purchase) if, as a
result, the investments (valued at the lower of cost or market) would exceed
5% of the value of the Fund's net assets.
<PAGE>25
16. Make additional investments (including roll-overs) if the
Fund's borrowings exceed 5% of its net assets.
The Fund may make commitments more restrictive than the restrictions
listed above so as to permit the sale of Fund shares in certain states.
Should the Fund determine that any such commitment is no longer in the best
interest of the Fund and its shareholders, the Fund will revoke the commitment
by terminating the sale of Fund shares in the state involved. If a percentage
restriction is adhered to at the time of an investment, a later increase or
decrease in the percentage of assets resulting from a change in the values of
portfolio securities or in the amount of the Fund's assets will not constitute
a violation of such restriction.
Portfolio Valuation
The Prospectuses discuss the time at which the net asset value of
the Fund is determined for purposes of sales and redemptions. The following
is a description of the procedures used by the Fund in valuing its assets.
Securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange (including
securities traded through the NASDAQ National Market System) or on a foreign
securities exchange (including JASDAQ and the Frontier Market) will be valued
on the basis of the closing value on the date on which the valuation is made
or, in the absence of sales, at the mean between the closing bid and asked
prices. Other U.S. over-the-counter securities, foreign over-the-counter
securities and securities listed or traded on certain foreign stock exchanges
whose operations are similar to the U.S. over-the-counter market will be
valued on the basis of the bid price at the close of business on each day, or,
if market quotations for those securities are not readily available, at fair
value, as determined in good faith pursuant to consistently applied procedures
established by the Board. A security which is listed or traded on more than
one exchange is valued at the quotation on the exchange determined to be the
primary market for such security. In determining the market value of
portfolio investments, the Fund may employ outside organizations (a "Pricing
Service") which may use a matrix or formula method that takes into
consideration market indexes, matrices, yield curves and other specific
adjustments. The procedures of Pricing Services are reviewed periodically by
the officers of the Fund under the general supervision and responsibility of
the Board, which may replace any such Pricing Service at any time. Short-term
obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost,
which constitutes fair value as determined by the Board. The amortized cost
method of valuation may also be used with respect to debt obligations with 60
days or less remaining to maturity. All other securities and other assets of
the Fund will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith
pursuant to consistently applied procedures established by the Board. In
addition, the Board or its delegates may value a security at fair value if it
determines that such security's value determined by the methodology set forth
above does not reflect its fair value.
<PAGE>26
Trading in securities in Japan and other Asian countries is
completed at various times prior to the close of business on each business day
in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is
open for trading). In addition, securities trading in a particular country or
countries may not take place on all business days in New York. Furthermore,
trading takes place in various foreign markets on days which are not business
days in New York and days on which the Fund's net asset value is not
calculated. As a result, calculation of the Fund's net asset value does not
take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the
majority of the portfolio securities used in such calculation. All assets and
liabilities initially expressed in foreign currency values will be converted
into U.S. dollar values at the prevailing rate as quoted by a Pricing Service.
If such quotations are not available, the rate of exchange will be determined
in good faith pursuant to consistently applied procedures established by the
Board. Events affecting the values of portfolio securities that occur between
the time their prices are determined and the close of regular trading on the
NYSE will not be reflected in the Fund's calculation of net asset value unless
the Board or its delegates deems that the particular event would materially
affect net asset value, in which case an adjustment may be made.
Portfolio Transactions
Purchases and sales of newly issued portfolio securities are usually
principal transactions without brokerage commissions effected directly with
the issuer or with an underwriter acting as principal. Other purchases and
sales may be effected on a securities exchange or over-the-counter, depending
on where it appears that the best price or execution will be obtained. The
purchase price paid by the Fund to underwriters of newly issued securities
usually includes a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and
purchases of securities from dealers, acting as either principals or agents in
the after market, are normally executed at a price between the bid and asked
price, which includes a dealer's mark-up or mark-down. Transactions on U.S.
stock exchanges and some foreign stock exchanges involve the payment of
negotiated brokerage commissions. On exchanges on which commissions are
negotiated, the cost of transactions may vary among different brokers. On
most foreign exchanges, commissions are generally fixed. There is generally
no stated commission in the case of securities traded in domestic or foreign
over-the-counter markets, but the price of securities traded in
over-the-counter markets includes an undisclosed commission or mark-up. U.S.
government securities are generally purchased from underwriters or dealers,
although certain newly issued U.S. government securities may be purchased
directly from the U.S. Treasury or from the issuing agency or instrumentality.
SPARX USA will select specific portfolio investments and effect
transactions for the Fund for the Fund's equity investments in Japan and other
Asian countries. SPARX USA seeks to obtain the best net price and the most
favorable execution of orders, effecting transactions only through brokers and
dealers approved by Counsellors. In evaluating prices and executions, SPARX
USA will consider the factors it deems relevant, which may include the breadth
of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial
condition and
<PAGE>27
execution capability of a broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the
commission, if any, for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis.
In addition, to the extent that the execution and price offered by more than
one broker or dealer are comparable, SPARX USA may, in its discretion, effect
transactions in portfolio securities with dealers who provide brokerage and
research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) to SPARX USA, the Fund or
Counsellors and/or other accounts over which Counsellors or SPARX USA exercise
investment discretion. Research and other services received may be useful to
Counsellors or SPARX USA in serving both the Fund and its other clients and,
conversely, research or other services obtained by the placement of business
of other clients may be useful to Counsellors or SPARX USA in carrying out its
obligations to the Fund. The fees to Counsellors under its advisory agreement
with the Fund and SPARX USA under its sub-investment advisory agreement with
Counsellors and the Fund are not reduced by reason of its receiving any
brokerage and research services.
Investment decisions for the Fund concerning specific portfolio
securities are made independently from those for other clients advised by
Counsellors or SPARX USA. Such other investment clients may invest in the
same securities as the Fund. When purchases or sales of the same security are
made at substantially the same time on behalf of such other clients,
transactions are averaged as to price and available investments allocated as
to amount, in a manner which Counsellors or SPARX USA believes to be equitable
to each client, including the Fund. In some instances, this investment
procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the
size of the position obtained or sold for the Fund. To the extent permitted
by law, Counsellors or SPARX USA may aggregate the securities to be sold or
purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for such other
investment clients in order to obtain best execution.
During the fiscal period ended October 31, 1994, the Fund paid an
aggregate of approximately $89,270 in commissions to broker-dealers for
execution of portfolio transactions. No portfolio transactions have been
executed through Counsellors Securities, Inc., the Fund's distributor
("Counsellors Securities"), since the commencement of the Fund's operations.
Any portfolio transaction for the Fund may be executed through
Counsellors Securities if, in the Advisers' judgment, the use of Counsellors
Securities is likely to result in price and execution at least as favorable as
those of other qualified brokers, and if, in the transaction, Counsellors
Securities charges the Fund a commission rate consistent with those charged by
Counsellors Securities to comparable unaffiliated customers in similar
transactions. All transactions with affiliated brokers will comply with Rule
17e-1 under the 1940 Act.
In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold
to Counsellors, SPARX USA or Counsellors Securities or any affiliated person
of such companies. In addition, the Fund will not give preference to any
institutions with whom the
<PAGE>28
Fund enters into distribution or shareholder servicing agreements
("Agreements") concerning the provision of distribution services or support
services to customers ("Customers") who beneficially own the Fund's Common
Stock, par value $.001 per share, designated Common Stock - Series 1 (the
"Series 1 Shares") or Common Stock - Series 2 (the "Advisor Shares"). See the
Prospectuses, "Shareholder Servicing."
Transactions for the Fund may be effected on foreign securities
exchanges. In transactions for securities not actively traded on a foreign
securities exchange, the Fund will deal directly with the dealers who make a
market in the securities involved, except in those circumstances where better
prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such dealers usually are acting
as principal for their own account. On occasion, securities may be purchased
directly from the issuer. Such portfolio securities are generally traded on a
net basis and do not normally involve brokerage commissions. Securities firms
may receive brokerage commissions on certain portfolio transactions, including
options, futures and options on futures transactions and the purchase and sale
of underlying securities upon exercise of options.
The Fund may participate, if and when practicable, in bidding for
the purchase of securities for the Fund's portfolio directly from an issuer in
order to take advantage of the lower purchase price available to members of
such a group. The Fund will engage in this practice, however, only when the
Advisers, in their sole discretion, believe such practice to be otherwise in
the Fund's interest.
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund does not intend to seek profits through short-term trading,
but the rate of turnover will not be a limiting factor when the Fund deems it
desirable to sell or purchase securities. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate
is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of its portfolio
securities for the year by the monthly average value of the portfolio
securities. Securities with remaining maturities of one year or less at the
date of acquisition are excluded from the calculation.
Certain practices that may be employed by the Fund could result in
high portfolio turnover. For example, options on securities may be sold in
anticipation of a decline in the price of the underlying security (market
decline) or purchased in anticipation of a rise in the price of the underlying
security (market rise) and later sold.
JAPAN AND ITS SECURITIES MARKETS
The Fund will be subject to general economic and political
conditions in Japan. In addition to the considerations discussed above, these
include future political and economic developments, the possible imposition
of, or changes in, exchange controls or other Japanese
<PAGE>29
governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments, diplomatic
developments, political or social unrest and natural disasters.
The information set forth in this section has been extracted from
various governmental publications and other sources. The Fund makes no
representation as to the accuracy of the information, nor has the Fund
attempted to verify it. Furthermore, no representation is made that any
correlation exists between Japan or its economy in general and the performance
of the Fund.
Domestic Politics
Japan has a parliamentary form of government. The legislative power
is vested in the Japanese Diet, which consists of a House of Representatives
and a House of Councillors. Members of the House of Representatives are
elected for terms of four years unless the House of Representatives is
dissolved prior to the expiration of their full elected terms. Members of the
House of Councillors are elected for terms of six years with one-half of the
membership being elected every three years. Various political parties are
represented in the Diet, including the conservative Liberal Democratic Party
("LDP"), which until August 1993 had been in power nationally since its
formation in 1955. The LDP ceased to have a majority of the House of
Representatives in June 1993, when certain members of the House of
Representatives left the LDP and formed two new political parties. After an
election for the House of Representatives was held on July 18, 1993 and the
LDP failed to secure a majority, seven parties formed a coalition to control
the House of Representatives and chose Morihiro Hosokawa, the Representative
of the Japan New Party, to head their coalition. In April 1994, amid
accusations of financial improprieties, Prime Minister Hosokawa announced that
he would resign. Tsutomu Hata succeeded Mr. Hosokawa as prime minister and
formed a new cabinet as a minority coalition government. In June 1994 Mr.
Hata yielded to political pressure from opposition parties and resigned. He
was succeeded by Social Democratic Party leader Tomiichi Murayama, Japan's
first Socialist prime minister since 1948, who was chosen by a new and
unstable alliance between left-wing and conservative parties, including the
LDP. On September 18, 1994, 187 opposition politicians founded a new party,
the Reform Party led by Ichiro Ozawa, to oppose the government of Prime
Minister Murayama in the next elections. Political realignment has
continued in 1995 as the Social Democrats incurred significant losses in the
July elections. On August 28, 1995, the LDP elected Ryutaro Hashimoto, the
minister for trade and industry, as its new leader. Mr. Hashimoto, who favors
a stronger Japanese role in world affairs, is considered a leading candidate
for prime minister in the next elections. This political instability may
hamper Japan's ability to establish and maintain effective economic and fiscal
policies, and recent and future political developments may lead to changes in
policy that might adversely affect the Fund's investments.
<PAGE>30
Economic Background
Over the past 30 years Japan has experienced significant economic
development. During the era of high economic growth in the 1960's and early
1970's the expansion was based on the development of heavy industries such as
steel and shipbuilding. In the 1970's Japan moved into assembly industries
which employ high levels of technology and consume relatively low quantities
of resources, and since then has become a major producer of electrical and
electronic products and automobiles. Moreover, since the mid-1980's Japan has
become a major creditor nation. With the exception of the periods associated
with the oil crises of the 1970's, Japan has generally experienced very low
levels of inflation. In the mid-1990's, Japan has been plagued by rising
unemployment, excess capacity and significant bad debts in the banking sector.
Japan is largely dependent upon foreign economies for raw materials.
For instance, almost all of its oil is imported, the majority from the Middle
East. Oil prices therefore have a major impact on the domestic economy, as is
evidenced by the current account deficits triggered by the two oil crises of
the 1970's. Oil prices have declined mainly due to a worldwide easing of
demand for crude oil. The stabilized price of oil contributed to Japan's
sizeable current account surplus and stability of wholesale and consumer
prices since 1981. While Japan is working to reduce its dependence on foreign
materials, its lack of natural resources poses a significant obstacle to this
effort.
International trade is important to Japan's economy, as exports
provide the means to pay for many of the raw materials it must import.
Japan's trade surplus has increased dramatically in recent years, exceeding
$100 billion per year since 1991 and reaching a record high of $145 billion in
1994. Because of the concentration of Japanese exports in highly visible
products such as automobiles, machine tools and semiconductors, and the large
trade surpluses resulting therefrom, Japan has entered a difficult phase in
its relations with its trading partners, particularly with respect to the
United States, with whom the trade imbalance is the greatest. In 1995,
however, the trade surplus has decreased due to a drop in exports. The
reduced exports are due primarily to the strength of the yen and the impact of
the threatened U.S. trade sanctions. The United States and Japan have engaged
in "economic framework" negotiations to help increase the United States' share
in Japanese markets and reduce Japan's current account surplus, but progress
in the negotiations has been hampered by the recent political upheaval in
Japan. On June 28, 1995, the United States agreed not to impose trade
sanctions in return for a modest commitment by Japan to buy more American cars
and auto parts. Any trade sanctions imposed upon Japan by the United States
as a result of the current friction or otherwise could adversely affect Japan
and the performance of the Fund.
<PAGE>31
The following table sets forth the composition of Japan's trade
balance, as well as other components of its current account, for the years
shown.
CURRENT ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trade
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change from Change from Current
Year Exports Preceding Year Imports Preceding Year Trade Balance Services Transfers Balance
---- ------- -------------- ------- -------------- ------------- -------- --------- -------
(U.S. dollars in millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1984 168,290 15.7 124,003 8.8 44,257 (7,747) (1,507) 35,003
1985 174,015 3.4 118,029 (4.8) 55,986 (5,165) (1,652) 49,169
1986 205,591 18.1 112,764 (4.5) 92,827 (4,932) (2,050) 85,845
1987 224,605 9.2 128,219 13.7 96,386 (5,702) (3,669) 87,015
1988 259,765 15.7 164,753 28.5 95,012 (11,263) (4,118) 79,631
1989 269,570 3.8 192,653 16.9 76,917 (15,526) (4,234) 57,157
1990 280,374 4.0 216,846 12.6 63,528 (22,292) (5,475) 35,761
1991 306,557 9.3 203,513 (6.1) 103,044 (17,660) (12,483) 72,901
1992 330,850 7.9 198,502 (2.5) 132,348 (10,112) (4,685) 117,551
1993 351,292 6.2 209,778 5.7 141,514 (3,949) (6,117) 131,448
1994 384,176 9.4 238,232 13.6 145,944 (9,296) (7,508) 129,140
</TABLE>
Source: Institute of Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Ministry of Finance of
Japan
<PAGE>32
Economic Trends. The following table sets forth Japan's gross
domestic product for the years shown.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(yen in billions)
Consumption
Expenditures
Private [Y]277,676.8 [Y]270,919.4 [Y]264,824.1 [Y]255,084.2 [Y]243,628.1 [Y]228,483.2 [Y]215,122.0 [Y]204,585.3
Government 46,108.0 44,666.4 43,257.9 41,232.0 38,806.6 36,274.8 34,184.3 32,974.5
Capital Formation
(incl.
inventories)
Private 93,111.4 99,180.1 108,727.6 116,638.0 110,871.9 100,130.8 89,043.7 76,176.5
Government 42,227.3 40,295.8 35,110.1 30,062.3 28,182.6 25,724.5 24,660.9 23,673.8
Exports of Goods
and Services 44,449.2 44,243.8 47,409.4 46,809.7 45,919.9 42,351.8 37,483.2 36,209.6
Imports of Goods
and Services 34,424.0 33,333.1 36,183.8 38,529.3 42,871.8 36,768.1 29,065.1 25,194.9
GDP
(Expenditures) 469,148.7 465,972.4 463,145.3 451,296.9 24,537.2 396,197.0 371,429.0 348,425.0
Change in GDP
from Preceding
Year
Nominal terms 0.7% 0.6% 2.6% 6.3% 7.2% 6.7% 6.6% 4.1%
Real Terms 0.5% -0.2% 1.1% 4.3% 4.8% 4.7% 6.2% 4.1%
</TABLE>
Source: Institute of Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Ministry of Finance of
Japan
[Yen symbol is represented by [Y] in EDGAR-formatted document.]
<PAGE>33
The following tables set forth certain economic indicators in Japan
for the years shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNEMPLOYMENT
Labor Productivity
Index
Year Number Unemployed Percent Unemployed (Manufacturing)
---- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------
(in millions) (Base Year: 1990)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1984 1.61 2.7 72.4
1985 1.56 2.6 75.6
1986 1.67 2.8 77.0
1987 1.73 2.8 81.4
1988 1.55 2.5 90.8
1989 1.42 2.3 96.2
1990 1.34 2.1 100.0
1991 1.36 2.1 102.5
1992 1.42 2.2 97.0
1993 1.66 2.5 95.4
1994 1.92 2.9 98.3
</TABLE>
Source: Institute of Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Ministry of Finance of
Japan
WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX
(Base Year: 1990)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Change from
All Preceding
Year Commodities Year
---- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
1985 110.4 (1.1)%
1986 100.3 (9.1)
1987 96.5 (3.8)
1988 95.6 (0.9)
1989 98.0 2.5
1990 100.0 2.0
1991 99.4 (0.6)
1992 97.8 (1.6)
1993 95.0 (2.9)
1994 93.0 (2.1)
</TABLE>
Source: Financial Statistics of Japan (1993 ed. and June 1994
supp.), Institute of Fiscal and Monetary Policy,
Ministry of Finance of Japan; International Monetary
Fund
<PAGE>34
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Change from
Year General Preceding Year
---- ------- --------------
(Base Year: 1990)
<S> <C> <C>
1985 93.5 2.0%
1986 94.1 0.6
1987 94.2 0.1
1988 94.9 0.7
1989 97.0 2.3
1990 100.0 3.1
1991 103.3 3.3
1992 105.0 1.6
1993 106.4 1.3
1994 107.1 0.7
</TABLE>
Source: Financial Statistics of Japan (1993 ed. and June 1994 supp.),
Institute of Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Ministry of Finance of
Japan; International Monetary Fund
Currency Fluctuation. The Fund's investments in Japanese securities
will be denominated in yen and most income received by the Fund from such
investments will be in yen. However, the Fund's net asset value will be
reported, and distributions will be made, in U.S. dollars. Therefore, a
decline in the value of the yen relative to the U.S. dollar could have an
adverse effect on the value of the Fund's Japanese investments. The following
table presents the average exchange rates of Japanese yen for U.S. dollars for
the years shown:
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES
Year Yen Per U.S. Dollar
---- -------------------
1985 [Y]238.47
1986 168.35
1987 144.60
1988 128.17
1989 138.07
1990 145.00
1991 134.59
1992 126.79
1993 111.08
1994 102.18
Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Reserve
Bulletin
On September 19, 1995, the noon buying rate in New York City for
cable transfers payable in Japanese yen was 104.20 yen per U.S. dollar. The
recent relative
<PAGE>35
strength of the yen to the U.S. dollar may adversely affect the economy of
Japan, and, in particular, the export sector thereof.
Geological Factors. The islands of Japan lie in the western Pacific
Ocean, off the eastern coast of the continent of Asia. Japan has in the past
experienced earthquakes and tidal waves of varying degrees of severity. On
January 17, 1995, the Great Hanshin Earthquake killed over 5,000 people and
severely damaged the port of Kobe, Japan's largest container port. The
government has announced a $5.9 billion plan to repair the port and estimates
damage to the region at approximately $96 billion. However, the long-term
economic effects of the earthquake on the Japanese economy as a whole and on
the Fund's investments cannot be predicted.
Securities Markets
There are eight stock exchanges in Japan. Of these, the Tokyo Stock
Exchange is by far the largest, followed by the Osaka Stock Exchange and the
Nagoya Stock Exchange. These exchanges divide the market for domestic stocks
into two sections, with newly listed companies and smaller companies assigned
to the Second Section and larger companies assigned to the First Section.
The following table sets forth the number of Japanese companies
listed on each of the eight Japanese stock exchanges as of the end of 1994.
<TABLE> <CAPTION>
NUMBER OF DOMESTIC COMPANIES LISTED ON ALL STOCK EXCHANGES
Tokyo Osaka Nagoya
--------------- ------------- -------------
1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd
Sec. Sec. Sec. Sec. Sec. Sec. Kyoto Hiroshima Fukuoka Nigata Sapporo
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- --------- ------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1,235 454 855 344 431 129 240 203 260 200 193
</TABLE>
Source: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Fact Book 1995
<PAGE>36
The following table sets forth the trading volume and value of
Japanese stocks on each of the eight Japanese stock exchanges for the years
shown.
STOCK TRADING VOLUME & VALUE ON ALL STOCK EXCHANGES
(shares in millions; yen in billions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
All Exchanges Tokyo Osaka Nagoya
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Year Volume Value Volume Value Volume Value Volume Value
---- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1989 . . . . . 256,296 [Y]386,395 222,599 [Y]332,617 25,096 [Y]41,679 7,263 [Y]10,395
1990 . . . . . 145,837 231,837 123,099 186,667 17,187 35,813 4,323 7,301
1991 . . . . . 107,844 134,160 93,606 110,897 10,998 18,723 2,479 3,586
1992 . . . . . 82,563 80,456 66,408 60,110 12,069 15,575 3,300 3,876
1993 . . . . . 101,172 106,123 86,934 86,889 10,439 14,635 2,779 3,459
1994 . . . . . 105,936 114,622 84,514 87,356 14,903 19,349 4,719 5,780
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Kyoto Hiroshima Fukuoka Niigata Sapporo
------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ---------------
Volume Value Volume Value Volume Value Volume Value Volume Value
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1989 . . . 331 [Y]443 190 [Y]235 268 [Y]330 398 [Y]475 151 [Y]221
1990 . . . 416 770 169 261 203 405 245 334 195 286
1991 . . . 220 300 125 149 122 174 181 208 113 123
1992 . . . 225 322 110 136 139 129 163 178 149 129
1993 . . . 222 340 185 178 229 225 206 226 173 170
1994 . . . 447 562 255 312 578 669 249 299 267 296
</TABLE>
Source: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Fact Book 1995; Tokyo Stock Exchange
New York
<PAGE>37
The following table sets forth the stock trading value of Japanese
stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange for the years shown.
TOKYO STOCK EXCHANGE
STOCK TRADING VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Total Daily Average High Low Turnover Ratio
---- ----- ------------- ---- --- --------------
(yen in millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1984 . . . . . . . . . . . . . [Y] 7,974,003 [Y] 36,843 [Y] 75,652 [Y] 3,682 47.1%
1985 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78,711,048 276,179 727,316 110,512 44.7
1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159,836,218 572,890 1,682,060 115,244 67.2
1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,736,971 915,098 2,382,114 221,230 80.6
1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285,521,260 1,045,865 2,768,810 192,704 70.2
1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332,616,597 1,335,810 2,796,946 392,347 61.1
1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186,666,820 758,808 1,464,920 218,205 37.7
1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110,897,491 450,803 1,531,064 151,565 29.3
1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60,110,391 243,362 686,737 97,616 18.0
1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86,889,072 353,208 1,422,760 61,747 28.3
1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87,355,567 353,666 1,114,216 123,904 25.6
</TABLE>
Source: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Fact Book 1995; Tokyo Stock Exchange New York
OTC Market. Trading of securities on the Japanese OTC market ("OTC
Market" or "JASDAQ") is regulated primarily by the Japan Securities Dealers
Association (the "JSDA"). The JSDA reports the daily high and low selling
prices, the last selling price on each day, trading volumes, market
capitalization and the number of corporate issues registered with the JSDA as
traded over-the-counter by the member firms of the JSDA.
<PAGE>38
The following table sets forth the number of issues traded in, the
market capitalization of, and the trading value of stocks in, the Japanese OTC
market for the years shown.
JAPANESE OTC MARKET
NUMBER OF ISSUES, MARKET CAPITALIZATION
AND TRADING VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Stock Trading Value
(yen in thousands)
No. of
Year Issues Market Capitalization Total Daily Average
---- ------ --------------------- ----- -------------
(yen in millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1985 150 1,572,308 195,711,396 686,706
1986 161 2,138,063 450,081,898 1,642,634
1987 172 2,489,409 400,065,211 1,460,092
1988 216 4,270,830 721,639,214 2,643,367
1989 279 12,508,712 2,085,482,912 8,375,433
1990 357 11,972,160 6,111,700,820 24,844,312
1991 446 13,001,864 5,043,126,216 20,500,513
1992 451 8,008,572 1,091,101,849 4,417,416
1993 491 11,318,446 2,880,539,952 11,709,512
1994 581 14,628,729 5,384,108,058 21,798,008
</TABLE>
Source: JSDA, 1993 Annual Statistics for the OTC Market; Japan Securities
Research Institute
Securities Indexes. The Tokyo Stock Price Index ("TOPIX") is a
composite index of all common stocks listed on the First Section of the Tokyo
Stock Exchange. TOPIX reflects the change in the aggregate market value of
the common stocks as compared to the aggregate market value of those stocks as
of the close on January 4, 1968.
<PAGE>39
The following table sets forth the high, low and year-end TOPIX for
the years shown.
TOPIX (Tokyo Stock Price Index)
(Jan. 4, 1968=100)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Year-end High Low
---- -------- ---- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1985 1,049.40 1,058.35 916.93
1986 1,556.37 1,583.35 1,025.85
1987 1,725.83 2,258.56 1,557.46
1988 2,357.03 2,357.03 1,690.44
1989 2,881.37 2,884.80 2,364.33
1990 1,733.83 2,867.70 1,523.43
1991 1,714.68 2,028.85 1,638.06
1992 1,307.66 1,763.43 1,102.50
1993 1,439.31 1,698.67 1,250.06
1994 1,559.09 1,712.73 1,445.97
</TABLE>
Source: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Fact Book 1995; Tokyo Stock
Exchange New York
The Nikkei OTC Average is a price weighted index of the quotations
of the OTC registered stock traded by members of the JSDA. The following
table sets forth the year-end Nikkei OTC Average for the years shown.
NIKKEI OTC AVERAGE
Nikkei OTC
Year Average
---- ----------
1985 814.2
1986 1,056.4
1987 1,107.0
1988 1,313.1
1989 2,597.5
1990 2,175.5
1991 1,946.1
1992 1,227.9
1993 1,447.6
1994 1,776.1
Sources: The Nikkei Shimbun; Bloomberg Financial Markets
As these indexes reflect, share prices of companies traded on
Japanese stock exchanges and on the Japanese OTC market reached historical
peaks (which were later referred to as the "bubble") in 1989 and 1990.
Afterwards stock prices in both markets decreased significantly, reaching
their lowest levels in the second half of 1992. There can be no assurance
that additional market corrections will not occur.
<PAGE>40
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Officers and Board of Directors
The names (and ages) of the Fund's Directors and officers, their
addresses, present positions and principal occupations during the past five
years and other affiliations are set forth below.
Richard N. Cooper (61) Director
Room 7E47OHB National Intelligence Counsel;
Central Intelligence Agency Professor at Harvard University; Director
930 Dolly Madison Blvd. or Trustee of Circuit City Stores, Inc.
McClain, Virginia 22107 (retail electronics and appliances) and
Phoenix Home Life Insurance Co.
Donald J. Donahue (71) Director
99 Indian Field Road Chairman of Magma Copper Company since
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 January 1987; Director or Trustee of GEV
Corporation and Signet Star Reinsurance
Company; Chairman and Director of NAC Holdings
from September 1990-June 1993.
Jack W. Fritz (68) . . Director
2425 North Fish Creek Road Private investor; Consultant and Director of
P.O. Box 483 Fritz Broadcasting, Inc. and Fritz
Wilson, Wyoming 83014 Communications (developers and operators of
radio stations); Director of Advo, Inc.
(direct mail advertising).
John L. Furth* (64) . . Chairman of the Board
466 Lexington Avenue Vice Chairman and Director of E.M. Warburg,
New York, New York 10017-3147 Pincus & Co., Inc. ("EMW"); Associated with
EMW since 1970; Chairman of the Board or Chief
Executive Officer of 15 other investment
companies advised by Counsellors; President of
one other investment company advised by
Counsellors.
- ------------------------
* Indicates a Director who is an "interested person" of the fund as defined
in the 1940.
<PAGE>41
Thomas A. Melfe (63) . . . Director
30 Rockefeller Plaza Partner in the law firm of Donovan Leisure
New York, New York 10112 Newton & Irvine; Director of Municipal Fund
for New York Investors, Inc.
Alexander B. Trowbridge (66) Director
1155 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. President of Trowbridge Partners, Inc.
Suite 700 (business consulting) from January
Washington, DC 20036 1990-January 1994; President of the National
Association of Manufacturers from 1980-1990;
Director or Trustee of New England Mutual Life
Insurance Co., ICOS Corporation
(biopharmaceuticals), P.H.H. Corporation
(fleet auto management; housing and plant
relocation service), WMX Technologies Inc.
(solid and hazardous waste collection and
disposal), The Rouse Company (real estate
development), SunResorts International Ltd.
(hotel and real estate management), Harris
Corp. (electronics and communications
equipment), The Gillette Co. (personal care
products) and Sun Company Inc. (petroleum
refining and marketing).
Richard H. King (51) . . . President and Co-Portfolio Manager
466 Lexington Avenue Portfolio Manager or Co-Portfolio Manager of
New York, New York 10017-3147 other Warburg Pincus Funds; Managing Director
of EMW since 1989; Associated with EMW since
1989; President of 3 other investment
companies advised by Counsellors.
Arnold M. Reichman (47) Executive Vice President
466 Lexington Avenue Managing Director and Assistant Secretary of
New York, New York 10017-3147 EMW; Associated with EMW since 1984; Senior
Vice President, Secretary and Chief Operating
Officer of Counsellors Securities; President
or Executive Vice President of 15 other
investment companies advised by Counsellors.
Eugene L. Podsiadlo (38) Senior Vice President
466 Lexington Avenue Managing Director of EMW; Associated with
New York, New York 10017-3147 EMW since 1991; Vice President of Citibank,
N.A. from 1987-1991; Senior Vice President
<PAGE>42
of Counsellors Securities and 15 other
investment companies advised by
Counsellors.
Eugene P. Grace (44) . . . . Vice President and Secretary
466 Lexington Avenue Associated with EMW since April 1994;
New York, New York 10017-3147 Attorney-at-law from September 1989-April
1994; life insurance agent, New York Life
Insurance Company from 1993-1994; General
Counsel and Secretary, Home Unity Savings Bank
from 1991-1992; Vice President and Chief
Compliance Officer of Counsellors Securities;
Vice President and Secretary of 15 other
investment companies advised by Counsellors.
Stephen Distler (42) . . . . Vice President and
466 Lexington Avenue Chief Financial Officer
New York, New York 10017-3147 Managing Director, Controller and Assistant
Secretary of EMW; Associated with EMW since
1984; Treasurer of Counsellors Securities;
Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Accounting
Officer or Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of 15 other investment companies
advised by Counsellors.
Howard Conroy (41) . . Vice President, Treasurer and Chief
466 Lexington Avenue Accounting Officer Associated with EMW since
New York, New York 10017-3147 1992; Associated with Martin Geller, C.P.A.
from 1990-1992; Vice President, Finance with
Gabelli/Rosenthal & Partners, L.P. until 1990;
Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Accounting
Officer of 14 other investment companies
advised by Counsellors.
Karen Amato (31) . . . Assistant Secretary
466 Lexington Avenue Associated with EMW since 1987; Assistant
New York, New York 10017-3147 Secretary of 15 other investment companies
advised by Counsellors.
No employee of Counsellors, SPARX USA or PFPC Inc., the Fund's co-
administrator ("PFPC"), or any of their affiliates receives any compensation
from the Fund for acting as an officer or director of the Fund. Each Director
who is not a director, trustee, officer or employee of Counsellors, SPARX USA,
PFPC or any of their affiliates receives an annual fee of $500, and $250 for
each meeting of the Board attended by him for his services
<PAGE>43
as Director and is reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with his
attendance at Board meetings.
Directors' Compensation
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Total Compensation from
Compensation from all Investment Companies
Name of Director Fund+ Managed by Counsellors+*
---------------- ----------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
John L. Furth None** None**
Richard N. Cooper $1,500 $39,500
Donald J. Donahue $1,500 $39,500
Jack W. Fritz $1,500 $39,500
Thomas A. Melfe $1,500 $39,500
Alexander B. Trowbridge $1,500 $39,500
</TABLE>
__________________
+ Since the Fund had not completed its first full fiscal year as of October
31, 1994, amounts shown are estimates of future payments to be made in
the fiscal year ending October 31, 1995 pursuant to existing
arrangements.
* Each Director also serves as a Director or Trustee of 15 other investment
companies advised by Counsellors.
** Mr. Furth is considered to be an interested person of the Fund and
Counsellors, as defined under Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, and,
accordingly, receives no compensation from the Fund or any other
investment company managed by Counsellors.
Mr. Richard H. King, president and co-portfolio manager of the Fund,
earned a B.A. degree from Durham University in England. Mr. King is also
portfolio manager of Warburg Pincus International Equity Fund and the
International Equity Portfolios of Warburg Pincus Institutional Fund, Inc. and
Warburg Pincus Trust and a co-portfolio manager of Warburg Pincus Emerging
Markets Fund. From 1968 to 1982, he worked at W.I. Carr Sons & Company
(Overseas), a leading international brokerage firm. He resided in the Far
East as an investment analyst from 1970 to 1977, became director, and later
relocated to the U.S. where he became founder and president of W.I. Carr
(America), based in New York. From 1982 to 1984 Mr. King was a director in
charge of the Far East equity investments at N.M. Rothschild International
Asset Management, a London merchant bank. In 1984 Mr. King
<PAGE>44
became chief investment officer and director for all international investment
strategy with Fiduciary Trust Company International S.A., in London. He
managed an EAFE mutual fund (FTIT) 1985-1986 which grew from $3 million to
over $100 million during this two-year period.
Mr. Nicholas P.W. Horsley, co-portfolio manager of the Fund, is also
a co-portfolio manager of Warburg Pincus Emerging Markets Fund and an
associate portfolio manager and research analyst of Warburg, Pincus
International Equity Fund and the International Equity Portfolios of Warburg
Pincus Institutional Fund, Inc. and Warburg Pincus Trust. He joined
Counsellors in 1993. From 1981 to 1984 Mr. Horsley was a Securities Analyst
at Barclays Merchant Bank in London, UK and Johannesburg, RSA. From 1984 to
1986 he was a Senior Analyst with BZW Investment Management in London. From
1986 to 1993 he was a director, portfolio manager and analyst at Barclays
deZoete Wedd in New York City. Mr. Horsley earned B.A. and M.A. degrees with
honors from University College, Oxford.
Mr. Nicholas P. Edwards, co-portfolio manager of the Fund, is also
an associate portfolio manager and research analyst of Warburg Pincus
International Equity Fund and the International Equity Portfolios of Warburg
Pincus Institutional Fund, Inc. and Warburg Pincus Trust. Prior to joining
Counsellors in August 1995, Mr. Edwards was a director at Jardine Fleming
Investment Advisors, Tokyo. He was a vice president of Robert Fleming Inc. in
New York City from 1988 to 1991. Mr. Edwards earned M.A. degrees from Oxford
University and Hiroshima University in Japan.
Mr. Shuhei Abe of SPARX USA is also a Co-Portfolio Manager of the
Fund. Mr. Abe is the founder and president of SPARX Asset Management Company,
Ltd. ("SPARX"). Prior to founding SPARX in 1988, Mr. Abe worked for Soros
Fund Management and Credit Suisse Trust Bank as an independent adviser. Mr.
Abe began his career as an analyst at Nomura Research Institute in 1982 and
worked in institutional equity sales at Nomura Securities International (New
York).
Mr. Toshikatsu Kimura is an associate portfolio manager of the Fund.
Mr. Kimura has been a portfolio manager and analyst at SPARX since 1992,
before which time he was a warrant trader and portfolio manager, respectively,
at Sanyo Securities and Sanyo Investment Management from 1986 to 1990, and at
Funai Capital from 1990 to 1992.
As of August 31, 1995, Directors and officers of the Fund as a group
owned of record 32,667 of the Fund's outstanding Common Shares. As of the
same date, Mr. John L. Furth may be deemed to have beneficially owned 14.57%
of the Fund's outstanding Common Shares, including shares owned by clients for
which Counsellors has investment discretion. Mr. Furth disclaims ownership of
these shares and does not intend to exercise voting rights with respect to
these shares. No Directors or officers owned of record any Advisor Shares.
<PAGE>45
Investment Adviser, Sub-Investment Adviser and Co-Administrators
Counsellors serves as investment adviser to the Fund and SPARX USA
serves as sub-investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to separate written
agreements (the "Advisory Agreement" and the "Sub-Advisory Agreement,"
respectively). Counsellors Funds Service, Inc. ("Counsellors Service") and
PFPC serve as co-administrators to the Fund pursuant to separate written
agreements (the "Counsellors Service Co-Administration Agreement" and the
"PFPC Co-Administration Agreement," respectively). The services provided by,
and the fees payable by the Fund to, Counsellors under the Advisory Agreement,
SPARX USA under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, Counsellors Service under the
Counsellors Service Co-Administration Agreement and PFPC under the PFPC Co-
Administration Agreement are described in the Prospectuses. Each class of
shares of the Fund bears its proportionate share of fees payable to
Counsellors, SPARX USA, Counsellors Service and PFPC in the proportion that
its assets bear to the aggregate assets of the Fund at the time of
calculation.
Counsellors agrees that if, in any fiscal year, the expenses borne
by the Fund exceed the applicable expense limitations imposed by the
securities regulations of any state in which shares of the Fund are registered
or qualified for sale to the public, it will reimburse the Fund to the extent
required by such regulations. Unless otherwise required by law, such
reimbursement would be accrued and paid on a monthly basis. At the date of
this Statement of Additional Information, the most restrictive annual expense
limitation applicable to the Fund is 2.5% of the first $30 million of the
average net assets of the Fund, 2% of the next $70 million of the average net
assets of the Fund and 1.5% of the remaining average net assets of the Fund.
The advisory fee payable by the Fund is calculated at an annual rate
based on a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets. See the
Prospectuses, "Management of the Fund." During the fiscal period ending
October 31, 1994, Counsellors voluntarily waived $13,176 of the $13,176 in
investment advisory fees earned and reimbursed $39,144 in expenses. During
the fiscal period ending October 31, 1994, no fees were waived by SPARX USA.
For the fiscal period ending October 31, 1994, PFPC received $7,084 under the
PFPC Co-Administration Agreement. During the fiscal period ending October 31,
1994, Counsellors Service received $1,054 under the Counsellors Service Co-
Administration Agreement.
Organization of the Fund
The Fund was incorporated on July 26, 1994 under the laws of the
State of Maryland. The Fund's charter authorizes the Board to issue three
billion full and fractional shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share.
Common Stock ("Common Shares"), Common Stock - Series 1 and Advisor Shares
have been authorized by the Fund's charter, although only Common Shares and
Advisor Shares have been issued by the Fund. When matters are submitted for
shareholder vote, each shareholder will have one vote for each share owned and
proportionate, fractional votes for fractional shares held. Shareholders
<PAGE>46
generally vote in the aggregate, except with respect to (i) matters affecting
only the shares of a particular class, in which case only the shares of the
affected class would be entitled to vote, or (ii) when the 1940 Act requires
that shares of the classes be voted separately. There will normally be no
meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Directors unless and
until such time as less than a majority of the Directors holding office have
been elected by shareholders. The Directors will call a meeting for any
purpose when requested to do so in writing by shareholders of record of not
less than 10% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
All shareholders of the Fund in each class, upon liquidation, will
participate ratably in the Fund's net assets. Shares do not have cumulative
voting rights, which means that holders of more than 50% of the shares voting
for the election of Directors can elect all Directors. Shares are
transferable but have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights.
Custodian and Transfer Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") serves as
custodian of the Fund's assets pursuant to a custodian agreement (the
"Custodian Agreement"). Under the Custodian Agreement, State Street (i)
maintains a separate account or accounts in the name of the Fund, (ii) holds
and transfers portfolio securities on account of the Fund, (iii) makes
receipts and disbursements of money on behalf of the Fund, (iv) collects and
receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the
Fund's portfolio securities and (v) makes periodic reports to the Board
concerning the Fund's custodial arrangements. State Street is authorized to
select one or more foreign or domestic banks or trust companies to serve as
sub-custodian on behalf of the Fund, provided that State Street remains
responsible for the performance of all its duties under the Custodian
Agreement and holds the Fund harmless from the acts and omissions of any
sub-custodian.
State Street also serves as the shareholder servicing, transfer and
dividend disbursing agent of the Fund pursuant to a Transfer Agency and
Service Agreement, under which State Street (i) issues and redeems shares of
the Fund, (ii) addresses and mails all communications by the Fund to record
owners of Fund shares, including reports to shareholders, dividend and
distribution notices and proxy material for its meetings of shareholders,
(iii) maintains shareholder accounts and, if requested, sub-accounts and
(iv) makes periodic reports to the Board concerning the transfer agent's
operations with respect to the Fund. The principal business address of State
Street is 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. State Street has
delegated to Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., a 50% owned subsidiary
("BFDS"), responsibility for most shareholder servicing functions. BFDS's
principal business address is 2 Heritage Drive, Boston, Massachusetts 02171.
<PAGE>47
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing
Common Shares. The Fund has entered into a Shareholder Servicing
and Distribution Plan (the "12b-1 Plan"), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
1940 Act, pursuant to which the Fund will pay Counsellors Securities, in
consideration for Services (as defined below), a fee calculated at an annual
rate of .25% of the average daily net assets of the Common Shares of the Fund.
Services performed by Counsellors Securities include (i) the sale of the
Common Shares, as set forth in the 12b-1 Plan ("Selling Services"), (ii)
ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of Common Shareholders of
the Fund, as set forth in the 12b-1 Plan ("Shareholder Services"), and (iii)
sub-transfer agency services, subaccounting services or administrative
services related to the sale of the Common Shares, as set forth in the 12b-1
Plan ("Administrative Services" and collectively with Selling Services and
Administrative Services, "Services") including, without limitation, (a)
payments reflecting an allocation of overhead and other office expenses of
Counsellors Securities related to providing Services; (b) payments made to,
and reimbursement of expenses of, persons who provide support services in
connection with the distribution of the Common Shares including, but not
limited to, office space and equipment, telephone facilities, answering
routine inquiries regarding the Fund, and providing any other Shareholder
Services; (c) payments made to compensate selected dealers or other authorized
persons for providing any Services; (d) costs relating to the formulation and
implementation of marketing and promotional activities for the Common Shares,
including, but not limited to, direct mail promotions and television, radio,
newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising, and related travel and
entertainment expenses; (e) costs of printing and distributing prospectuses,
statements of additional information and reports of the Fund to prospective
shareholders of the Fund; and (f) costs involved in obtaining whatever
information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional
activities that the Fund may, from time to time, deem advisable. The Fund's
Common Shares paid Counsellors Securities $2,635 in the period ending October
31, 1994, all of which was spent on advertising.
Pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan, Counsellors Securities provides the
Board with periodic reports of amounts expended under the 12b-1 Plan and the
purpose for which the expenditures were made.
Advisor Shares. The Fund may, in the future, enter into Agreements
with institutions ("Institutions") to perform certain distribution,
shareholder servicing, administrative and accounting services for their
Customers who are beneficial owners of Advisor Shares. See the Prospectuses,
"Shareholder Servicing." The Fund's Agreements with Institutions with respect
to Advisor Shares will be governed by a distribution plan (the "Distribution
Plan"). The Distribution Plan requires the Board, at least quarterly, to
receive and review written reports of amounts expended under the Distribution
Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
General. An Institution with which the Fund has entered into an
Agreement with respect to either its Common Shares or Advisor Shares may
charge a Customer one or
<PAGE>48
more of the following types of fees, as agreed upon by the Institution and the
Customer, with respect to the cash management or other services provided by
the Institution: (i) account fees (a fixed amount per month or per year);
(ii) transaction fees (a fixed amount per transaction processed); (iii)
compensation balance requirements (a minimum dollar amount a Customer must
maintain in order to obtain the services offered); or (iv) account maintenance
fees (a periodic charge based upon the percentage of assets in the account or
of the dividend paid on those assets). Services provided by an Institution to
Customers are in addition to, and not duplicative of, the services to be
provided under the Fund's co-administration and distribution and shareholder
servicing arrangements. A Customer of an Institution should read the relevant
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information in conjunction with the
Agreement and other literature describing the services and related fees that
would be provided by the Institution to its Customers prior to any purchase of
Fund shares. Prospectuses are available from the Fund's distributor upon
request. No preference will be shown in the selection of Fund portfolio
investments for the instruments of Institutions.
The Distribution Plan and the 12b-1 Plan will continue in effect for
so long as their continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the
Board, including a majority of the Directors who are not interested persons of
the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Distribution Plan or the 12b-1 Plan, as the case may be
("Independent Directors"). Any material amendment of the Distribution Plan or
the 12b-1 Plan would require the approval of the Board in the manner described
above. Neither the 12b-1 Plan nor the Distribution Plan may be amended to
increase materially the amount to be spent thereunder without shareholder
approval of the relevant class of shares. The Distribution Plan or the 12b-1
Plan may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by vote of a majority of
the Independent Directors or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the relevant class of shares of the Fund.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The offering price of the Fund's shares is equal to the per share
net asset value of the relevant class of shares of the Fund. Information on
how to purchase and redeem Fund shares and how such shares are priced is
included in the Prospectuses under "Net Asset Value."
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or
postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which the
NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during
which trading on the NYSE is restricted, or during which (as determined by the
SEC) an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or fair valuation of
portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods
as the SEC may permit. (The Fund may also suspend or postpone the recordation
of an exchange of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing
conditions.)
<PAGE>49
If the Board determines that conditions exist which make payment of
redemption proceeds wholly in cash unwise or undesirable, the Fund may make
payment wholly or partly in securities or other property. If a redemption is
paid wholly or partly in securities or other property, a shareholder would
incur transaction costs in disposing of the redemption proceeds. The Fund
intends to comply with Rule 18f-1 promulgated under the 1940 Act with respect
to redemptions in kind.
Automatic Cash Withdrawal Plan. An automatic cash withdrawal plan
(the "Plan") is available to shareholders who wish to receive specific amounts
of cash periodically. Withdrawals may be made under the Plan by redeeming as
many shares of the Fund as may be necessary to cover the stipulated withdrawal
payment. To the extent that withdrawals exceed dividends, distributions and
appreciation of a shareholder's investment in the Fund, there will be a
reduction in the value of the shareholder's investment and continued
withdrawal payments may reduce the shareholder's investment and ultimately
exhaust it. Withdrawal payments should not be considered as income from
investment in the Fund. All dividends and distributions on shares in the Plan
are automatically reinvested at net asset value in additional shares of the
Fund.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
An exchange privilege with certain other funds advised by
Counsellors is available to investors in the Fund. The funds into which
exchanges can be made by holders of Common Shares currently are the Common
Shares of Warburg Pincus Cash Reserve Fund, Warburg Pincus New York Tax Exempt
Fund, Warburg Pincus New York Intermediate Municipal Fund, Warburg Pincus Tax
Free Fund, Warburg Pincus Intermediate Maturity Government Fund, Warburg
Pincus Fixed Income Fund, Warburg Pincus Short-Term Tax-Advantaged Bond Fund,
Warburg Pincus Global Fixed Income Fund, Warburg Pincus Balanced Fund, Warburg
Pincus Growth & Income Fund, Warburg Pincus Capital Appreciation Fund, Warburg
Pincus Emerging Growth Fund, Warburg Pincus Post-Venture Capital Fund, Warburg
Pincus International Equity Fund and Warburg Pincus Emerging Markets Fund.
Common Shareholders of the Fund may exchange all or part of their shares for
Common Shares of these or other mutual funds organized by Counsellors in the
future on the basis of their relative net asset values per share at the time
of the exchange. Exchanges of Advisor Shares may currently be made with
Advisor Shares of Warburg Pincus Balanced Fund, Warburg Pincus Capital
Appreciation Fund, Warburg Pincus Emerging Growth Fund, Warburg Pincus Growth
& Income Fund and Warburg Pincus International Equity Fund at their relative
net asset values at the time of the exchange.
The exchange privilege enables shareholders to acquire shares in a
fund with a different investment objective when they believe that a shift
between funds is an appropriate investment decision. This privilege is
available to shareholders residing in any state in which the Common Shares or
Advisor Shares being acquired, as relevant, may legally be sold. Prior to any
exchange, the investor should obtain and review a copy of the current
<PAGE>50
prospectus of the relevant class of each fund into which an exchange is being
considered. Shareholders may obtain a prospectus of the relevant class of the
fund into which they are contemplating an exchange from Counsellors
Securities.
Upon receipt of proper instructions and all necessary supporting
documents, shares submitted for exchange are redeemed at the then-current net
asset value of the relevant class and the proceeds are invested on the same
day, at a price as described above, in shares of the relevant class of the
fund being acquired. Counsellors reserves the right to reject more than three
exchange requests by a shareholder in any 30-day period. The exchange
privilege may be modified or terminated at any time upon 60 days' notice to
shareholders.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING TAXES
The discussion set out below of tax considerations generally
affecting the Fund and its shareholders is intended to be only a summary and
is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning by prospective
shareholders. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the
Fund.
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a "regulated investment
company" under Subchapter M of the Code. If it qualifies as a regulated
investment company, the Fund will pay no federal income taxes on its taxable
net investment income (that is, taxable income other than net realized capital
gains) and its net realized capital gains that are distributed to
shareholders. To qualify under Subchapter M, the Fund must, among other
things: (i) distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its taxable net
investment income (for this purpose consisting of taxable net investment
income and net realized short-term capital gains); (ii) derive at least 90% of
its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to loans of
securities, gains from the sale or other disposition of securities, or other
income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures, and
forward contracts) derived with respect to the Fund's business of investing in
securities; (iii) derive less than 30% of its annual gross income from the
sale or other disposition of securities, options, futures or forward contracts
held for less than three months; and (iv) diversify its holdings so that, at
the end of each fiscal quarter of the Fund (a) at least 50% of the market
value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. government securities
and other securities, with those other securities limited, with respect to any
one issuer, to an amount no greater in value than 5% of the Fund's total
assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the
issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund's assets is
invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government
securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or
more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be in the same
or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses. In meeting
these requirements, the Fund may be restricted in the selling of securities
held by the Fund for less than three months and in the utilization of certain
of the investment techniques described above and in the Fund's
<PAGE>51
Prospectuses. As a regulated investment company, the Fund will be subject to
a 4% non-deductible excise tax measured with respect to certain undistributed
amounts of ordinary income and capital gain required to be but not distributed
under a prescribed formula. The formula requires payment to shareholders
during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the
Fund's taxable ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98% of the
excess of its capital gains over capital losses realized during the one-year
period ending October 31 during such year, together with any undistributed,
untaxed amounts of ordinary income and capital gains from the previous
calendar year. The Fund expects to pay the dividends and make the
distributions necessary to avoid the application of this excise tax.
The Fund's transactions, if any, in foreign currencies, forward
contracts, options and futures contracts (including options and forward
contracts on foreign currencies) will be subject to special provisions of the
Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses
recognized by the Fund (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary
or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund, defer Fund losses
and cause the Fund to be subject to hyperinflationary currency rules. These
rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions
to shareholders. These provisions also (i) will require the Fund to mark-to-
market certain types of its positions (i.e., treat them as if they were closed
out) and (ii) may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash
with which to pay dividends or make distributions in amounts necessary to
satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes.
The Fund will monitor its transactions, will make the appropriate tax
elections and will make the appropriate entries in its books and records when
it acquires any foreign currency, forward contract, option, futures contract
or hedged investment so that (a) neither the Fund nor its shareholders will be
treated as receiving a materially greater amount of capital gains or
distributions than actually realized or received, (b) the Fund will be able to
use substantially all of its losses for the fiscal years in which the losses
actually occur and (c) the Fund will continue to qualify as a regulated
investment company.
A shareholder of the Fund receiving dividends or distributions in
additional shares should be treated for federal income tax purposes as
receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that a
shareholder receiving cash dividends or distributions receives, and should
have a cost basis in the shares received equal to that amount.
Investors considering buying shares just prior to a dividend or
capital gain distribution should be aware that, although the price of shares
purchased at that time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution,
those who purchase just prior to a distribution will receive a distribution
that will nevertheless be taxable to them. Upon the sale or exchange of
shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss depending upon the
amount realized and the basis in the shares. Such gain or loss will be
treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the
shareholder's hands, and, as described in the Prospectuses, will be long-term
or short-term depending upon the shareholder's holding period for the shares.
Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the
<PAGE>52
extent the shares disposed of are replaced, including replacement through the
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions in the Fund, within
a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the
disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired
will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss.
Each shareholder will receive an annual statement as to the federal
income tax status of his dividends and distributions from the Fund for the
prior calendar year. Furthermore, shareholders will also receive, if
appropriate, various written notices after the close of the Fund's taxable
year regarding the federal income tax status of certain dividends and
distributions that were paid (or that are treated as having been paid) by the
Fund to its shareholders during the preceding year.
If a shareholder fails to furnish a correct taxpayer identification
number, fails to report fully dividend or interest income, or fails to certify
that he has provided a correct taxpayer identification number and that he is
not subject to "backup withholding," the shareholder may be subject to a 31%
"backup withholding" tax with respect to (i) taxable dividends and dis-
tributions and (ii) the proceeds of any sales or repurchases of shares of the
Fund. An individual's taxpayer identification number is his social security
number. Corporate shareholders and other shareholders specified in the Code
are or may be exempt from backup withholding. The backup withholding tax is
not an additional tax and may be credited against a taxpayer's federal income
tax liability. Dividends and distributions also may be subject to state and
local taxes depending on each shareholder's particular situation.
Investment in Passive Foreign Investment Companies
If the Fund purchases shares in certain foreign entities classified
under the Code as "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs"), the Fund
may be subject to federal income tax on a portion of an "excess distribution"
or gain from the disposition of the shares, even though the income may have to
be distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its shareholders. In
addition, gain on the disposition of shares in a PFIC generally is treated as
ordinary income even though the shares are capital assets in the hands of the
Fund. Certain interest charges may be imposed on either the Fund or its
shareholders with respect to any taxes arising from excess distributions or
gains on the disposition of shares in a PFIC.
The Fund may be eligible to elect to include in its gross income its
share of earnings of a PFIC on a current basis. Generally, the election would
eliminate the interest charge and the ordinary income treatment on the
disposition of stock, but such an election may have the effect of accelerating
the recognition of income and gains by the Fund compared to a fund that did
not make the election. In addition, information required to make such an
election may not be available to the Fund.
On April 1, 1992 proposed regulations of the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") were published providing a mark-to-market election for
regulated investment companies. The IRS subsequently issued a notice
indicating that final regulations will
<PAGE>53
provide that regulated investment companies may elect the mark-to-market
election for tax years ending after March 31, 1992 and before April 1, 1993.
Whether and to what extent the notice will apply to taxable years of the Fund
is unclear. If the Fund is not able to make the foregoing election, it may be
able to avoid the interest charge (but not the ordinary income treatment) on
disposition of the stock by electing, under proposed regulations, each year to
mark-to market the stock (that is, treat it as if it were sold for fair market
value). Such an election could result in acceleration of income to the Fund.
DETERMINATION OF PERFORMANCE
From time to time, the Fund may quote the total return of its
Common Shares and/or Advisor Shares in advertisements or in reports and other
communications to shareholders. With respect to the Fund's Common Shares,
the Fund's average annual total return for the period commencing September
30, 1994 (commencement of operations) and ending October 31, 1994 and for the
six- month period ended April 30, 1995 was -15.84% and -36.72%, respectively
(-17.76% and -38.02%, respectively, without waivers). These figures are
calculated by finding the average annual compounded rates of return for the
one-, five- and ten- (or such shorter period as the relevant class of shares
has been offered) year periods that would equate the initial amount invested
to the ending redeemable value according to the following formula:
P (1 + T)[*GRAPHIC OMITTED-SEE FOOTNOTE BELOW] = ERV. For purposes of this
formula, "P" is a hypothetical investment of $1,000; "T" is average annual
total return; "n" is number of years; and "ERV" is the ending redeemable
value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the one-,
five- or ten-year periods (or fractional portion thereof). Total return or
"T" is computed by finding the average annual change in the value of an
initial $1,000 investment over the period and assumes that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested during the period. The Advisor Shares average
annual total return for the period commencing September 30, 1994
(commencement of operations) and ending October 31, 1994 and for the
six-month period ended April 30, 1995 was -15.84% and -36.89%, respectively
(-20.58% and -38.50%, respectively, without waivers).
The Fund may advertise, from time to time, comparisons of the
performance of its Common Shares and/or Advisor Shares with that of one or
more other mutual funds with similar investment objectives. The Fund may
advertise average annual calendar-year-to-date and calendar quarter returns,
which are calculated according to the formula set forth in the preceding
paragraph, except that the relevant measuring period would be the number of
months that have elapsed in the current calendar year or most recent three
months, as the case may be. With respect to the Fund's Common Shares, the
Fund's actual total return for the three-month period ending on December 31,
1994 was -3.70% (-4.20% without waivers). With respect to the Advisor Shares,
the Fund's actual total return for the three-month period ending on December
31, 1994 was -3.70% (-4.60% without waivers). Investors should note that this
performance may not be representative of the Fund's total return in longer
market cycles.
- ------------------------
* - The expression (1 + T) is being raised to the nth power.
<PAGE>54
The performance of a class of Fund shares will vary from time to
time depending upon market conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio
and operating expenses allocable to it. As described above, total return is
based on historical earnings and is not intended to indicate future
performance. Consequently, any given performance quotation should not be
considered as representative of performance for any specified period in the
future. Performance information may be useful as a basis for comparison with
other investment alternatives. However, the Fund's performance will
fluctuate, unlike certain bank deposits or other investments which pay a fixed
yield for a stated period of time. Any fees charged by Institutions or other
institutional investors directly to their customers in connection with invest-
ments in Fund shares are not reflected in the Fund's total return, and such
fees, if charged, will reduce the actual return received by customers on their
investments.
Counsellors believes that a diversified portfolio of international
equity securities, when combined with a similarly diversified portfolio of
domestic equity securities, tends to have a lower volatility than a portfolio
composed entirely of domestic securities. Furthermore, international equities
have been shown to reduce volatility in single asset portfolios regardless of
whether the investments are in all domestic equities or all domestic fixed-
income instruments, and research indicates that volatility can be
significantly decreased when international equities are added.
To illustrate this point, the performance of international equity
securities, as measured by the Morgan Stanley Capital International (EAFE)
Europe, Australia and Far East Index (the "MS-EAFE Index"), has equalled or
exceeded that of domestic equity securities, as measured by the Standard &
Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index (the "S & P 500 Index") in 14 of the last 23
years. The following table compares annual total returns of the MS-EAFE Index
and the S & P 500 Index for the calendar years shown.
<PAGE>55
MS-EAFE Index vs. S&P 500 Index
1972-1994
Annual Total Return
Year MS-EAFE Index S&P 500 Index
---- ------------- -------------
1972* 36.36 18.61
1973* -14.91 -14.92
1974* -23.61 -26.56
1975 35.39 37.07
1976 2.55 23.54
1977* 18.06 -7.20
1978* 32.62 6.37
1979 4.75 18.61
1980 22.58 32.27
1981* -2.27 -5.24
1982 -1.85 21.42
1983* 23.70 22.50
1984* 7.39 6.27
1985* 56.16 31.73
1986* 69.44 18.62
1987* 24.64 5.28
1988* 28.27 16.49
1989 10.54 31.61
1990 -23.44 -3.11
1991 12.13 30.36
1992 -12.17 7.60
1993* 32.60 10.06
1994* 7.78 1.28
_________________
* The MS-EAFE Index has outperformed the S&P 500 Index 14 out of the last
23 years.
The quoted performance information shown above is not intended to
indicate the future performance of the Fund.
From time to time, the Fund may advertise evaluations of a class of
Fund shares published by nationally recognized financial publications, such as
Morningstar, Inc. or Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Morningstar, Inc. rates
funds in broad categories based on risk/reward analyses over various time
periods. In addition, advertising or supplemental sales literature relating
to the Fund may describe the percentage decline from all-time high levels for
certain foreign stock markets. It may also describe how the Fund differs from
the
<PAGE>56
MS-EAFE Index in composition. The Fund may also discuss in advertising and
sales literature the history of Japanese stock markets, including the Tokyo
Stock Exchange and OTC market. Sales literature and advertising may also
discuss trends in the economy and corporate structure in Japan, including the
contrast between the sales growth, profit growth, Price/Earnings ratios, and
Return on Equity (ROE) of large older export-dominated companies and smaller
service companies; it may discuss the cultural changes taking place among
consumers in Japan, including increasing cost-consciousness and accumulation
of purchasing power and wealth among Japanese consumers, and the ability of
new companies to take advantage of these trends. The Fund may also discuss
current statistics and projections of the volume, market capitalization,
sector weightings and number of issues traded on the Japan OTC market and
Tokyo Stock Exchange, and may include graphs of such statistics in advertising
and other sales literature.
AUDITORS AND COUNSEL
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. ("Coopers & Lybrand"), with principal
offices at 2400 Eleven Penn Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves
as independent auditors for the Fund. The financial statements that appear in
this Statement of Additional Information for the fiscal period ended October
31, 1994 have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand, whose report thereon appears
elsewhere herein and has been included herein in reliance upon the report of
such firm of independent auditors given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher serves as counsel for the Fund as well as
counsel to Counsellors, Counsellors Service and Counsellors Securities.
MISCELLANEOUS
As of August 31, 1995, the name, address and percentage of ownership
of each person (other than Mr. Furth, see "Management of the Fund") that owns
of record 5% or more of the Fund's outstanding shares were as follows:
Common Shares
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab") Reinvest Accounts, Attn:
Mutual Funds Department, 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 -
- - 28.90%. The Fund believes that Schwab is not the beneficial owner of shares
held of record by it. Mr. Lionel I. Pincus, Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of EMW, may be deemed to have beneficially owned 14.65% of
the Common Shares outstanding, including shares owned by clients for which
Counsellors has investment discretion and by companies that EMW may be deemed
to control. Mr. Pincus disclaims ownership of these shares and does not
intend to exercise voting rights with respect to these shares.
<PAGE>57
Advisor Shares
Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc., Attn: Stephen Distler, 466
Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017-3140 -- 87.00%. Counsellors holds these
shares as a result of limited distribution activities of the Advisor Shares
since commencement of the Fund's operations. Mr. Pincus may be deemed to have
beneficially owned 86.96% of the Advisor Shares outstanding, including shares
owned by clients for which Counsellors has investment discretion and by
companies that EMW may be deemed to control. Mr. Pincus disclaims ownership
of these shares and does not intend to exercise voting rights with respect to
these shares.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's financial statements for the fiscal period ended October
31, 1994 (audited) and for the period ended April 30, 1995 (unaudited) follow
the Report of Independent Auditors.
<PAGE>A-1
APPENDIX
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
Commercial Paper Ratings
Commercial paper rated A-1 by Standard and Poor's Ratings Group
("S&P") indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is
strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign designation. Capacity for timely
payment on commercial paper rated A-2 is satisfactory, but the relative degree
of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.
The rating Prime-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned
by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's"). Issuers rated Prime-1 (or
related supporting institutions) are considered to have a superior capacity
for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Issuers rated Prime-2 (or
related supporting institutions) are considered to have a strong capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will normally be
evidenced by many of the characteristics of issuers rated Prime-1 but to a
lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more
subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still
appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternative
liquidity is maintained.
Corporate Bond Ratings
The following summarizes the ratings used by S&P for corporate
bonds:
AAA - This is the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt
obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal.
AA - Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from AAA issues only in small degree.
A - Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated
categories.
BBB - This is the lowest investment grade. Debt rated BBB is
regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Although it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic
conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to pay interest and repay principal for bonds in this category than
for bonds in higher rated categories.
BB, B and CCC - Debt rated BB and B are regarded, on balance, as
predominately speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in
<PAGE>A-2
accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB represents a lower degree of
speculation than B, and CCC the highest degree of speculation. While such
bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse
conditions.
BB - Bonds rated BB have less near-term vulnerability to default
than other speculative issues. However, they face major ongoing uncertainties
or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, which
could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal
payments. The BB rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior
debt that is assigned an actual or implied BBB rating.
B - Bonds rated B have a greater vulnerability to default but
currently have the capacity to meet interest payments and principal
repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely
impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating.
CCC - Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to
default and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic
conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In
the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, it is not
likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied B or B- rating.
CC - This rating is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior
debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC rating.
C - This rating is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior
debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating. The C rating
may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed,
but debt service payments are continued.
Additionally, the rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no
interest is being paid. Such debt is rated between debt rated C and debt
rated D.
To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the ratings
from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to
show relative standing within this major rating category.
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 S&P believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will
be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.
<PAGE>A-3
The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody's for corporate
bonds:
Aaa - Bonds that 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
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 that 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
desirable investments. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of
maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be
small.
Moody's applies numerical modifiers (1, 2 and 3) with respect to the
bonds rated "Aa" through "B." The modifier 1 indicates that the bond being
rated 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 bond
ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.
Caa - Bonds that are rated Caa are of poor standing. These issues
may be in default or present elements of danger may exist with respect to
principal or interest.
<PAGE>A-4
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.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Boards of Directors, Trustees and Shareholders of
Warburg Pincus Equity Funds:
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets of the following
Warburg Pincus Funds (consisting of Warburg Pincus Capital Appreciation Fund
('Capital Appreciation Fund'), Warburg Pincus Emerging Growth Fund ('Emerging
Growth Fund') and Warburg Pincus International Equity Fund ('International
Equity Fund') and the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities including
the schedule of investments of Warburg Pincus Japan OTC Fund (with the Capital
Appreciation Fund, Emerging Growth Fund and International Equity Fund, the
'Warburg Pincus Equity Funds') as of October 31, 1994, and the related
statements of operations for the year (or period) then ended, and the statements
of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years
(or period) in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Funds' management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights
based on our audits. The financial highlights of the Warburg Pincus Equity Funds
for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 1992, except for the
Warburg Pincus Japan OTC Fund, which commenced operations on September 30, 1994,
were audited by other auditors, whose report dated December 15, 1992, expressed
an unqualified opinion.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of
October 31, 1994 by correspondence with the custodians and brokers. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
each of the Warburg Pincus Equity Funds as of October 31, 1994, and the results
of their operations for the year (or period) then ended, and the changes in
their net assets and their financial highlights for the two years (or period) in
the period then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
2400 Eleven Penn Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 12, 1994
40
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES VALUE
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
JAPAN COMMON STOCK (83.5%)
Apparel (1.0%)
Yagi Corp. 6,000 $ 164,791
-----------
Auto Parts (4.3%)
Hirata Technical Co., Ltd. 9,000 227,672
SNT Corp. 37,000 469,902
-----------
697,574
-----------
Commercial Services (9.8%)
Daiwabo Information System Co. 3,000 88,900
Data Communication System Co. 4,000 113,578
Jastec Corp. 2,000 31,182
Kanto Biomedical Laboratory 8,000 152,814
Kyosei Rentemu Co., Ltd. 18,000 537,119
Nagase Brothers Inc. 2,000 67,321
N. I. C. Corp. 4,000 125,555
Nihon Jumbo Co., Ltd. 3,000 178,111
Square Co., Ltd. + 6,000 304,182
-----------
1,598,762
-----------
Computers (4.3%)
I. O. Data Device Inc. 12,000 509,241
Yamaichi Electric Co., Ltd. 9,000 191,430
-----------
700,671
-----------
Cosmetics/Personal Care (2.7%)
Mandom Corp. 21,000 440,165
-----------
Electrical Equipment (0.7%)
Optex Co., Ltd. 4,000 99,122
Tokyo Seimitsu 1,000 14,559
-----------
113,681
-----------
Electronics (3.1%)
Fujitsu Denso Ltd. 2,000 44,605
New Japan Radio Co., Ltd. + 19,000 255,034
Y. A. C. Co., Ltd. 3,000 203,820
-----------
503,459
-----------
Engineering & Construction (1.3%)
Suruga Construction Co., Ltd. 7,000 219,721
-----------
Financial Services (2.1%)
Acom Co., Ltd. 4,000 147,031
Japan Associated Finance Co., Ltd. 1,000 147,651
Promise Co., Ltd. 1,000 55,756
-----------
350,438
-----------
</TABLE>
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
23
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONT'D)
October 31, 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES VALUE
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
JAPAN COMMON STOCK (CONT'D)
Food Processing (7.1%)
Iwatsuka Confectionery Co., Ltd. 18,000 $ 219,308
Kadoya Sesame Mills Inc. 5,000 148,167
O. K. Food Industry Co., Ltd. + 18,000 86,794
Sato Foods Industries Co., Ltd. 10,000 216,830
Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd. 31,000 499,329
-----------
1,170,428
-----------
Machinery (0.5%)
Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd. + 2,000 25,400
Sato Corp. 2,000 54,930
-----------
80,330
-----------
Medical Supplies (1.4%)
Seed Co., Ltd. 6,000 226,123
-----------
Metal Fabricate/Hardware (3.8%)
KDK Corp. 36,000 472,070
Sankyo Frontier Co., Ltd. 4,000 144,140
-----------
616,210
-----------
Office/Business Equipment (3.8%)
King Jim Co., Ltd. 9,000 241,611
Katsuragawa Electric Co., Ltd. 17,000 382,654
-----------
624,265
-----------
Pharmaceutical (3.1%)
Seikagaku Corp. 12,000 514,197
-----------
Restaurants/Food Service (5.3%)
Coco's Japan Co., Ltd. 1,000 14,455
Daisyo Corp. 15,000 480,124
Plenus Co., Ltd. 5,000 366,546
-----------
861,125
-----------
Retail (13.6%)
Belluna Co., Ltd. + 6,000 265,772
Cowboy Co., Ltd. 9,000 418,173
Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. 2,000 223,025
Home Wide Corp. 5,000 108,415
Kahma Co., Ltd. 3,000 92,308
Kuroganeya Co., Ltd. 15,000 309,757
Nikku Sangyo Co., Ltd. + 10,000 179,659
Sari Corp. 5,000 180,692
Sundrug Co., Ltd. 6,000 442,953
-----------
2,220,754
-----------
</TABLE>
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONT'D)
October 31, 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES VALUE
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
JAPAN COMMON STOCK (CONT'D)
Transportation (2.7%)
Daito Koun Co., Ltd. 38,000 $ 447,290
-----------
Wholesale/Distribution (12.9%)
Arc Land Sakamoto Co., Ltd. 4,000 99,122
Hikari Furniture Co., Ltd. 41,000 766,237
Kuraya Corp. 26,600 604,234
Nikkodo Co., Ltd 12,000 167,269
Toho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 44,000 481,569
-----------
2,118,431
-----------
TOTAL JAPAN COMMON STOCK (Cost $13,713,446) 13,668,415
-----------
<CAPTION>
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (16.5%) PAR
----------
<S> <C> <C>
Repurchase agreement with PNC Securities Corp. dated 10/31/94 at 4.30% to be
repurchased at $2,700,323 on 11/01/94. (Collateralized by $2,760,000 U.S. Treasury
Bill due 03/16/95, with a market value of $2,703,420.) (Cost $2,700,000) $2,700,000 $ 2,700,000
-----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.0%) (Cost $16,413,446*) $16,368,415
-----------
-----------
</TABLE>
+ Non-income producing security.
* Also cost for Federal income tax purposes.
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
25
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
October 31, 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Investments at value (Cost $16,413,446) $16,368,415
Cash 2,171,652
Receivable for Fund shares sold 1,377,671
Foreign currency (Cost $546,981) 546,981
Deferred organizational costs 177,649
Receivable for unrealized gain on forward contracts 11,591
Interest receivable 322
-----------
Total assets 20,654,281
-----------
LIABILITIES
Payable for investments purchased (Cost $554,864) 556,523
Deferred organizational costs payable 180,660
Accrued expenses 37,706
Other liabilities 756
-----------
Total liabilities 775,645
-----------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO 2,017,092 COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING AND
115 SERIES 2 SHARES OUTSTANDING $19,878,636
-----------
-----------
NET ASSET VALUE, offering and redemption price per common share
($19,877,503[div]2,017,092) $9.85
-----
-----
NET ASSET VALUE, offering and redemption price per Series 2 share
($1,133[div]115) $9.85
-----
-----
</TABLE>
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
26
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Year or Period Ended October 31, 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus
Capital Appreciation Emerging Growth International Equity Japan OTC
Fund Fund Fund Fund*
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends $ 1,956,407 $ 739,797 $ 15,187,073 $ 0
Interest 239,527 876,658 2,739,415 15,656
Foreign taxes withheld (1,168) (24,340) (1,836,587) 0
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
Total investment income 2,194,766 1,592,115 16,089,901 15,656
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
EXPENSES:
Investment advisory 1,172,857 2,234,376 9,879,319 13,176
Administrative services 300,806 451,159 1,722,729 8,138
Audit 24,264 27,121 65,628 15,000
Custodian/Sub-custodian 50,291 90,040 1,017,575 1,054
Directors/Trustees 10,000 10,000 11,000 1,250
Distribution 0 0 0 2,635
Insurance 15,532 15,918 32,972 0
Legal 25,034 31,983 47,493 0
Organizational 0 0 4,756 3,011
Printing 29,531 42,588 94,447 1,000
Registration 28,348 77,436 580,302 14,597
Shareholder servicing 53,002 226,626 593,276 0
Transfer agent 79,364 131,476 675,657 3,000
Miscellaneous 32,670 32,446 53,814 0
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
1,821,699 3,371,169 14,778,968 62,861
Less: fees waived and expenses
reimbursed (11,179) (100,408) 0 (52,320)
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
Total expenses 1,810,520 3,270,761 14,778,968 10,541
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
Net investment income (loss) 384,246 (1,678,646) 1,310,933 5,115
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) FROM
INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED
ITEMS:
Net realized gain (loss) from security
transactions 11,173,174 (5,721,525) 48,091,665 0
Net realized loss from foreign currency
related items 0 0 (2,772,944) (294,437)
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized
appreciation from investments and
foreign currency related items (9,106,613) 10,930,919 82,484,415 (35,099)
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) from investments and
foreign currency related
items 2,066,561 5,209,394 127,803,136 (329,536)
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
Net increase (decrease) in net
assets from operations $ 2,450,807 $ 3,530,748 $129,114,069 $ (324,421)
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
</TABLE>
* For the period September 30, 1994 (Commencement of Operations) through
October 31, 1994.
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
27
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus
Capital Appreciation Emerging Growth
Fund Fund
------------------------ ------------------------
For the Year Ended October 31, For the Year Ended October 31,
1994 1993 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) $ 384,246 $ 401,157 ($1,678,646) $(902,442)
Net realized gain (loss) from
security transactions 11,173,174 13,675,715 (5,721,525) 12,312,484
Net realized loss from foreign
currency related items 0 0 0 0
Net change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) from
investments and foreign currency
related items (9,106,613) 14,209,067 10,930,919 26,564,947
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net
assets resulting from
operations 2,450,807 28,285,939 3,530,748 37,974,989
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
FROM DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment
income:
Common shares (419,337) (459,634) 0 0
Series 2 shares (27,724) (95) 0 0
Distributions in excess of net
investment income:
Common shares 0 0 0 0
Series 2 shares 0 0 0 0
Distributions from capital gains:
Common shares (12,899,141) (6,877,271) (10,576,150) (2,054,285)
Series 2 shares (852,608) (102,444) (1,639,316) (132,545)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net decrease from distributions (14,198,810) (7,439,444) (12,215,466) (2,186,830)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Proceeds from sale of shares 45,617,531 46,439,011 180,813,270 89,478,924
Reinvested dividends 13,809,167 7,199,391 12,758,387 2,166,694
Net asset value of shares redeemed (49,851,500) (24,352,588) (71,767,717) (40,840,041)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase in net assets from
capital share transactions 9,575,198 29,285,814 121,803,940 50,805,577
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net
assets (2,172,805) 50,132,309 113,119,222 86,593,736
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period 169,687,298 119,554,989 191,553,536 104,959,800
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
End of period $167,514,493 $169,687,298 $304,672,758 $191,553,536
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
</TABLE>
28
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Warburg Pincus
Japan OTC
Fund
Warburg Pincus --------------
International Equity For the Period
Fund September 30, 1994
------------------------ (Commencement of
For the Year Ended October 31, Operations through
1994 1993 October 31, 1994
----------- ----------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$1,310,933 $ 638,986 $ 5,115
48,091,665 1,176,172 0
(2,772,944) (48,647) (294,437)
82,484,415 63,734,670 (35,099)
------------- ------------- --------------
129,114,069 65,501,181 (324,421)
------------- ------------ --------------
(1,764,380) (242,119) 0
(218,961) (9,224) 0
(223,659) 0 0
0 0 0
(1,047,367) (995,091) 0
(129,979) (16,719) 0
-------------- ------------ --------------
(3,384,346) (1,263,153) 0
-------------- ------------ --------------
1,430,739,923 283,608,350 20,287,158
2,950,772 1,184,585 0
(249,050,078) (29,360,993) (185,101)
------------- ------------ --------------
1,184,640,617 255,431,942 20,102,057
------------- ------------ --------------
1,310,370,340 319,669,970 19,777,636
422,905,163 103,235,193 101,000
-------------- ------------ --------------
$1,733,275,503 $422,905,163 $19,878,636
-------------- ------------ --------------
-------------- ------------ --------------
</TABLE>
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
29
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a Share of the Fund Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Shares Series 2 Shares
------------------- -------------------
For the Period For the Period
September 30, 1994 September 30, 1994
(Commencement of (Commencement of
Operations) through Operations) through
October 31, 1994 October 31, 1994
------------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 10.00 $ 10.00
--------- ---------
Income from Investment Operations:
Net Investment Income (Loss) .00 .00
Net Gain (Loss) on Securities and
Foreign Currency Related Items
(both realized and unrealized) (.15) (.15)
--------- ---------
Total from Investment Operations (.15) (.15)
--------- ---------
Less Distributions:
Dividends from net investment income .00 .00
Distributions from capital gains .00 .00
--------- ---------
Total Distributions .00 .00
--------- ---------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $ 9.85 $ 9.85
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
Total Return (15.84%)* (15.84%)*
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) $ 19,878 $ 1
Ratios to average daily net assets:
Operating expenses 1.00%* 1.18%*
Net investment income (loss) .49%* .12%*
Decrease reflected in above expense
ratios due to waivers/reimbursements 4.96%* 4.74%*
Portfolio Turnover Rate .00% .00%
</TABLE>
* Annualized
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
33
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Warburg Pincus Equity Funds are comprised of Warburg Pincus Capital
Appreciation Fund (the 'Capital Appreciation Fund') and Warburg Pincus
International Equity Fund (the 'International Equity Fund') which are registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the '1940 Act'), as
diversified, open-end management investment companies, and Warburg Pincus
Emerging Growth Fund (the 'Emerging Growth Fund') and Warburg Pincus Japan OTC
Fund (the 'Japan OTC Fund,' together with the Capital Appreciation Fund, the
International Equity Fund and the Emerging Growth Fund, the 'Funds') which are
registered under the 1940 Act as non-diversified, open-end management investment
companies.
Investment objectives for each Fund are as follows: the Capital
Appreciation Fund, the International Equity Fund and the Japan OTC Fund seek
long-term capital appreciation; the Emerging Growth Fund seeks maximum capital
appreciation.
The net asset value of each Fund is determined daily as of the close of
regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Each Fund's investments are
valued at market value, which is currently determined using the last reported
sales price. If no sales are reported, investments are valued at the last
reported bid price. In the absence of a quoted market value, investments are
valued at fair value as determined by or under the direction of the Fund's
governing Board. Short-term investments that mature in 60 days or less are
valued on the basis of amortized cost, which approximates market value.
The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars.
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the current
prevailing exchange rates. All assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at the current exchange rate
at the end of the period. Translation gains or losses resulting from changes in
the exchange rate during the reporting period and realized gains and losses on
the settlement of foreign currency transactions are reported in the results of
operations for the current period. The Funds do not isolate that portion of
gains and losses on investments in equity securities which are due to changes in
the foreign exchange rate from that which is due to changes in market prices of
equity securities.
Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Interest income is
recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Income, expenses (excluding class-specific expenses) and realized/unrealized
gains/losses are allocated proportionately to each class of shares based upon
the relative net asset value of outstanding shares. The cost of investments sold
is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial
reporting and income tax purposes.
Dividends from net investment income are declared and paid semiannually for
all Funds. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and
paid annually. However, to the extent that a net realized capital gain can be
reduced by a capital loss carryover, such gain will not be distributed.
Each Fund intends to continue to comply with the special provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code available to investment companies and therefore no Federal
income tax provision is required.
Costs incurred by the Japan OTC Fund in connection with its organization
have been deferred and are being amortized over a period of five years from the
date the Japan OTC Fund commenced its operations.
34
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D)
October 31, 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreement transactions. Under the terms
of a typical repurchase agreement, each Fund acquires an underlying security
subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase. The value of the
underlying security will be maintained at an amount at least equal to the total
amount of the purchase obligation, including interest. The collateral is in the
Fund's possession.
As of November 1, 1993, or inception, in the case of the Japan OTC Fund,
each Fund implemented AICPA Statement of Position 93-2 -- Determination,
Disclosure and Financial Statement Presentation of Income, Capital Gain, and
Return of Capital Distributions by Investment Companies. Adoption of this
standard results in the reclassification to paid-in capital of permanent
differences between tax and financial reporting of net investment income and net
realized gain (loss). The change has had no material effect on paid-in capital
or other components of the net assets of any of the Funds at November 1, 1993 or
inception, as the case may be. Distributions to shareholders and net asset
values were not affected by this change.
2. INVESTMENT ADVISER, CO-ADMINISTRATORS AND DISTRIBUTOR
Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc. ('Counsellors'), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Warburg, Pincus Counsellors G.P. ('Counsellors G.P.'), serves as
each Fund's investment adviser. For its investment advisory services,
Counsellors receives the following fees based on each Fund's average daily net
assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND ANNUAL RATE
- --------------------------------- ----------------------------------
<S> <C>
Capital Appreciation .70% of average daily net assets
Emerging Growth .90% of average daily net assets
International Equity 1.00% of average daily net assets
Japan OTC 1.25% of average daily net assets
</TABLE>
For the period or year ended October 31, 1994, investment advisory fees,
waivers and reimbursements were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS NET EXPENSE
FUND ADVISORY FEE WAIVER ADVISORY FEE REIMBURSEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------- ------------ --------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Appreciation $1,172,857 $ (11,179) $1,161,678 0
Emerging Growth 2,234,376 (100,408) 2,133,968 0
International Equity 9,879,319 0 9,879,319 0
Japan OTC 13,176 (13,176) 0 $(39,144)
</TABLE>
SPARX Investment & Research, USA, Inc. ('SPARX USA') serves as
sub-investment adviser for the Japan OTC Fund. From its investment advisory fee,
Counsellors pays SPARX USA a fee at an annual rate of .625% of the average daily
net assets of the Japan OTC Fund. No compensation is payable by the Japan OTC
Fund to SPARX USA for its sub-investment advisory services.
35
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D)
October 31, 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Counsellors Funds Service, Inc. ('CFSI'), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Counsellors, and PFPC Inc. ('PFPC'), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of PNC
Bank Corp. ('PNC'), serve as each Fund's co-administrators. For its
administrative services, CFSI currently receives a fee calculated at an annual
rate of .10% of each Fund's average daily net assets. For the period or year
ended October 31, 1994, administrative services fees earned by CFSI were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND CO-ADMINISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C>
Capital Appreciation $133,255
Emerging Growth 202,895
International Equity 871,165
Japan OTC 1,054
</TABLE>
Counsellors Securities Inc. ('CSI'), also a wholly owned subsidiary of
Counsellors, serves as each Fund's distributor. No compensation is payable by
the Capital Appreciation Fund, the Emerging Growth Fund or the International
Equity Fund to CSI for distribution services. For distribution services with
respect to the Common Shares of the Japan OTC Fund, CSI receives a fee at the
annual rate of .25% of the Japan OTC Fund's average daily net assets
attributable to the Common Shares; no compensation is payable to CSI with
respect to the Fund's Series 2 Shares. For the period ended October 31, 1994,
CSI earned $2,635 in distribution fees.
3. INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES
For the period or year ended October 31, 1994, purchases and sales of
investment securities (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND PURCHASES SALES
- ----------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Capital Appreciation $ 89,218,905 $ 82,854,233
Emerging Growth 245,154,617 138,723,249
International Equity 1,224,880,044 155,267,110
Japan OTC 13,713,446 0
</TABLE>
At October 31, 1994, the net unrealized appreciation from investments for
those securities having an excess of value over cost and net unrealized
depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over
value (based on cost for Federal income tax purposes) was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET UNREALIZED
UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION
FUND APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION)
- ----------------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Appreciation $ 34,034,231 $ (4,091,250) $ 29,942,981
Emerging Growth 59,051,417 (8,336,497) 50,714,920
International Equity 198,971,180 (57,952,506) 141,018,674
Japan OTC 254,382 (299,413) (45,031)
</TABLE>
36
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D)
October 31, 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS
The International Equity Fund and the Japan OTC Fund may enter into forward
currency contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a
fixed price on a future date. Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts
from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their
contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency
relative to the U.S. dollar. Each Fund will enter into forward contracts
primarily for hedging purposes. The forward currency contracts are adjusted by
the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are
recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized until the contract
settlement date.
At October 31, 1994, the Japan OTC Fund had the following open forward
foreign currency contract and had recorded an unrealized gain of $11,591:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SETTLEMENT CURRENCY CURRENCY
DATE BOUGHT SOLD
- --------- ----------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
11/30/94 14,000,000 U.S. Dollars 1,351,700,000 Japanese Yen
</TABLE>
5. SERIES 2 SHARES
The Emerging Growth Fund, the International Equity Fund and the Japan OTC
Fund are each authorized to issue three billion full and fractional shares of
capital stock, $.001 par value per share, of which one billion shares are
designated Series 2 Shares. The Capital Appreciation Fund is authorized to issue
an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest, $.001
par value per share, of which one billion shares are classified as Series 2
Shares. Series 2 Shares are identical to Common Shares in all respects except
that Series 2 Shares are sold to institutions ('Service Organizations') that
perform certain distribution, shareholder servicing, accounting and/or
administrative services for their customers who are beneficial owners of Series
2 Shares. Series 2 Shares bear the fees paid pursuant to a distribution plan
adopted by each Fund in an amount not to exceed .75 of 1.00% (on an annualized
basis) of the average daily net asset value of the shares held by the
institutions for the benefit of their customers and enjoy certain exclusive
voting rights on matters relating to those fees.
With respect to Series 2 Shares, Service Organizations earned the following
shareholder servicing fees for the year ended October 31, 1994:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEES
- ----------------------------------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C>
Capital Appreciation $ 53,002
Emerging Growth 226,626
International Equity 593,276
</TABLE>
37
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D)
October 31, 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transactions in shares of each Fund were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND EMERGING GROWTH FUND
Common Shares Series 2 Shares Common Shares Series 2 Shares
------------------------ ----------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------
For the Year Ended October 31, For the Year Ended October 31,
------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1994 1993 1994 1993 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shares sold 2,958,494 2,705,720 290,193 588,424 6,133,751 3,295,313 2,233,737 871,054
Shares issued to
shareholders on
reinvestment of
dividends 920,210 535,112 61,526 7,739 506,720 101,352 80,473 6,644
Shares redeemed (3,126,497) (1,710,437) (460,020) (38,003) (2,859,413) (1,870,167) (517,898) (67,545)
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase
(decrease) in
shares
outstanding 752,207 1,530,395 (108,301) 558,160 3,781,058 1,526,498 1,796,312 810,153
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Proceeds from sale
of shares $41,570,590 $38,018,578 $ 4,046,941 $8,420,433 $132,922,995 $71,149,417 $47,890,275 $18,329,507
Reinvested
dividends 12,945,690 7,096,852 863,477 102,539 11,015,146 2,034,149 1,743,241 132,545
Net asset value of
shares redeemed (43,449,501) (23,821,721) (6,401,999) (530,867) (61,126,667) (39,393,274) (10,641,050) (1,446,767)
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase
(decrease) from
capital share
transactions $11,066,779 $21,293,709 $(1,491,581) $7,992,105 $ 82,811,474 $33,790,292 $38,992,466 $17,015,285
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
</TABLE>
6. NET ASSETS
Net Assets at October 31, 1994, consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND EMERGING GROWTH FUND
Common Shares Series 2 Shares Total Common Shares Series 2 Shares Total
------------- --------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Capital contributed, net $118,516,377 $ 8,060,714 $126,577,091 $199,119,705 $60,627,302 $259,747,007
Accumulated net investment
income (loss) 0 0 0 0 0 0
Accumulated net realized
gain (loss) from security
transactions 10,795,522 198,899 10,994,421 (3,706,511 ) (2,122,042) (5,828,553)
Net unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) from
investments and foreign
currency related items 30,034,085 (91,104) 29,942,981 45,250,539 5,503,765 50,754,304
------------- --------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- ------------
Net assets $159,345,984 $ 8,168,509 $167,514,493 $240,663,733 $64,009,025 $304,672,758
------------- --------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- ------------
------------- --------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- ------------
</TABLE>
7. CAPITAL LOSS CARRYOVER
At October 31, 1994, the Emerging Growth Fund has a capital loss carryover
of $5,789,170 expiring in 2002 to offset possible future capital gains of the
Fund.
38
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND JAPAN OTC FUND
Common Series 2
Shares Shares
Common Shares Series 2 Shares ------------- ---------------
---------------------------- ------------------------- For the Period
For the Year Ended October 31, September 30, 1994
------------------------------------------------------- (Commencement of Operations)
1994 1993 1994 1993 through October 31, 1994
-------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
64,218,907 15,914,077 7,956,088 2,510,712 2,025,697 15
147,031 89,544 6,879 1,957 0 0
(11,861,720) (2,060,764) (795,406) (16,861) (18,605) 0
-------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------- ---------------
52,504,218 13,942,857 7,167,561 2,495,808 2,007,092 15
-------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------- ---------------
-------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------- ---------------
$1,275,306,263 $244,888,526 $155,433,660 $38,719,824 $20,287,008 $ 150
2,820,903 1,158,643 129,869 25,942 0 0
(233,614,600) (29,121,414) (15,435,478) (239,579) (185,101) 0
-------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------- ---------------
$1,044,512,566 $216,925,755 $140,128,051 $38,506,187 $20,101,907 $ 150
-------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------- ---------------
-------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------- ---------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND JAPAN OTC FUND
Common Shares Series 2 Shares Total Common Shares Series 2 Shares Total
-------------- --------------- -------------- ------------- --------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$1,368,158,592 $ 180,212,108 $1,548,370,700 $19,924,176 $ 1,150 $19,925,326
4,309,014 429,089 4,738,103 0 0 0
34,680,906 4,327,914 39,008,820 (11,574) (17) (11,591)
126,723,436 14,434,444 141,157,880 (35,099) 0 (35,099)
-------------- --------------- -------------- ------------- ------- ------------
$1,533,871,948 $ 199,403,555 $1,733,275,503 $19,877,503 $ 1,133 $19,878,636
-------------- --------------- -------------- ------------- ------- ------------
-------------- --------------- -------------- ------------- ------- ------------
</TABLE>
39
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
The division symbol shall be expressed as .........[div]
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
April 30, 1995 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES VALUE
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
JAPAN COMMON STOCK (90.0%)
Automotive Parts-Equipment (1.9%)
Harada Industry Co., Ltd. + 8,000 $ 185,714
SNT Corp. 28,000 270,000
-----------
455,714
-----------
Building Materials (2.6%)
Furusato Industries 35,000 379,167
Nozawa Corp. + 48,000 241,143
-----------
620,310
-----------
Computers (5.6%)
I.O. Data Device Inc. 26,000 1,247,381
Toyo Information Systems 11,000 116,547
-----------
1,363,928
-----------
Construction (18.8%)
Kawasho Lease System Corp. 56,500 975,298
Nishio Rent All 20,000 554,762
Onoken Co., Ltd. 38,900 1,004,917
Sacos Corp. 13,000 386,905
Sankyo Frontier Co., Ltd. 20,000 647,619
Tokai Lease Co., Ltd. 38,000 440,619
Yamadai Corp. + 10,000 103,571
Yamazaki Construction Co., Ltd. 18,000 349,286
Yokogawa Construction Co., Ltd. 5,000 122,619
-----------
4,585,596
-----------
Cosmetics/Personal Care (2.9%)
Mandom Corp. 37,500 709,821
-----------
Distribution/Wholesale (2.8%)
Arc Land Sakamoto Co., Ltd. 12,500 224,702
Hakuto Co., Ltd. 5,000 103,571
Trusco Nakayama Corp. 15,200 358,286
-----------
686,559
-----------
Electronics (13.0%)
Apic Yamada Corp. 500 17,798
KDK Corp. 17,000 155,833
New Japan Radio Co., Ltd. + 74,000 925,000
Satori Electric 17,000 847,976
Yaesu Musen Co., Ltd. 35,000 520,833
Yamaichi Electronics Co., Ltd. 41,000 707,738
-----------
3,175,178
-----------
Financial Services (1.7%)
Acom Co., Ltd. 4,400 126,238
Japan Associated Finance Co., Ltd. 2,000 245,238
Promise Co., Ltd. 1,200 52,429
-----------
423,905
-----------
Food Processing (7.8%)
Ito En Ltd. 15,000 300,000
Iwatsuka Confectionery Co., Ltd. 21,000 237,500
Sato Food Industries Co., Ltd. 35,000 650,000
Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd. 54,000 707,143
-----------
1,894,643
-----------
</TABLE>
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
18
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONT'D)
April 30, 1995 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES VALUE
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
JAPAN COMMON STOCK (CONT'D)
Glass Products (4.3%)
Kuramoto Seisakusho Co., Ltd. 16,000 $ 1,051,429
-----------
Home Furnishings/Housewares (3.2%)
Hikari Furniture 39,000 580,357
Nikku Sangyo Co., Ltd. 13,200 194,857
-----------
775,214
-----------
Lodging (1.9%)
Royal Hotel 46,000 461,095
-----------
Machinery/Heavy Equipment (5.6%)
Iseki Poly-Tech Inc. 34,000 485,714
Kito Corp. 45,000 883,929
-----------
1,369,643
-----------
Mail Order (1.2%)
Belluna Co., Ltd. 11,700 285,536
-----------
Manufacturing (5.7%)
Nakakita Seisakusho Co., Ltd. 44,000 209,000
Nitta Industrial Corp. 81,000 1,176,429
-----------
1,385,429
-----------
Pharmaceutical (5.6%)
Seikagaku Corp. 30,000 1,375,000
-----------
Printing/Publishing (0.8%)
Asia Securities Printing Co. 4,400 193,810
-----------
Restaurants/Food Service (1.3%)
Plenus Co., Ltd. 6,500 324,226
-----------
Retail Merchandising (0.7%)
Kraft Inc. + 8,000 175,238
-----------
Shipbuilding (1.2%)
Namura Shipbuilding 51,000 303,571
-----------
Transportation (1.4%)
Daito Koun Co., Ltd. 28,000 340,000
-----------
TOTAL JAPAN COMMON STOCK (Cost $21,905,994) 21,955,845
-----------
<CAPTION>
PAR
----------
<S> <C> <C>
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (10.0%)
Repurchase agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. dated 04/28/95 at 5.87% to be
repurchased at $2,439,193 on 05/01/95. (Collateralized by $2,475,000 U.S. Treasury
Note 6.50%, due 09/30/96, with a market value of $2,488,835.) (Cost $2,438,000) $2,438,000 2,438,000
-----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.0%) (Cost $24,343,994*) $24,393,845
-----------
-----------
</TABLE>
+ Non-income producing security.
* Also cost for Federal income tax purposes.
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
19
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
April 30, 1995 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
$24,393,845
Investments at value (Cost $24,343,994)
1,692,568
Foreign currency (Cost $1,726,495)
382,536
Receivable for investments sold (Cost $383,328)
190,166
Deferred organizational costs
83,602
Dividends and interest receivable (Cost $78,651)
30,313
Receivable for Fund shares sold
13,751
Receivable for unrealized gain on forward contracts
115,556
Other receivables
-----------
26,902,337
Total assets
-----------
LIABILITIES
292,097
Payable for investments purchased (Cost $293,187)
36,528
Accrued expenses
181
Other liabilities
-----------
328,806
Total liabilities
-----------
$26,573,531
NET ASSETS applicable to 3,386,751 Common Shares outstanding and
115 Advisor Shares* outstanding
-----------
-----------
$7.85
-----
-----
NET ASSET VALUE, offering and redemption price per Common Share ($26,572,630 [div] 3,386,751)
$7.84
-----
-----
NET ASSET VALUE, offering and redemption price per Advisor Share*
($901 [div] 115)
</TABLE>
* Advisor Shares refer to Series 2 Shares herein and in the prospectus.
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
20
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 1995 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus
Capital Appreciation Emerging Growth International Equity Japan OTC
Fund Fund Fund Fund
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends $ 866,566 $ 385,287 $ 16,884,622 $ 92,394
Interest 417,191 777,120 6,035,578 52,639
Foreign taxes withheld (2,423) 0 (2,632,413) (13,859)
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
Total investment income 1,281,334 1,162,407 20,287,787 131,174
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
EXPENSES:
Investment advisory 572,180 1,428,874 8,871,020 141,840
Administrative services 163,480 317,528 1,516,613 53,847
Audit 11,486 11,348 25,098 9,837
Custodian/Sub-custodian 26,453 56,264 900,807 22,943
Directors/Trustees 4,960 4,960 4,960 3,720
Distribution 0 0 0 28,368
Insurance 7,467 7,935 20,767 2,266
Legal 13,889 13,785 24,437 12,397
Organizational 0 0 0 19,066
Printing 12,853 16,604 39,399 7,690
Registration 16,018 43,913 292,491 24,613
Shareholder servicing 20,418 188,426 532,559 0
Transfer agent 37,099 60,883 532,321 41,327
Miscellaneous 17,498 15,667 38,126 3,712
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
903,801 2,166,187 12,798,598 371,626
Less: fees waived and expenses
reimbursed 0 0 0 (258,152)
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
Total expenses 903,801 2,166,187 12,798,598 113,474
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
Net investment income (loss) 377,533 (1,003,780) 7,489,189 17,700
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) FROM
INVESTMENTS AND
FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED ITEMS:
Net realized gain (loss) from security
transactions 6,497,435 14,451,273 (53,266,705) (1,943,522)
Net realized gain (loss) from foreign
currency related items 0 0 3,272,321 (3,394,945)
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized
appreciation from investments and
foreign currency related items 3,936,137 11,679,784 (110,594,381) 70,023
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) from investments and
foreign currency related
items 10,433,572 26,131,057 (160,588,765) (5,268,444)
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
Net increase (decrease) in net
assets from operations $ 10,811,105 $25,127,277 $ (153,099,576) $ (5,250,744)
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
-------------------- --------------- -------------------- --------------
</TABLE>
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
21
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus
Capital Appreciation Emerging Growth
Fund Fund
----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
For the For the
Six Months Ended For the Six Months Ended For the
April 30, 1995 Year Ended April 30, 1995 Year Ended
(Unaudited) October 31, 1994 (Unaudited) October 31, 1994
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) $ 377,533 $ 384,246 $ (1,003,780) $ (1,678,646)
Net realized gain (loss) from security
transactions 6,497,435 11,173,174 14,451,273 (5,721,525)
Net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency
related items 0 0 0 0
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) from investments and foreign
currency related items 3,936,137 (9,106,613) 11,679,784 10,930,919
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations 10,811,105 2,450,807 25,127,277 3,530,748
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
FROM DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income:
Common shares 0 (419,337) 0 0
Advisor shares 0 (27,724) 0 0
Distributions in excess of net investment
income:
Common shares 0 0 0 0
Advisor shares 0 0 0 0
Distributions from capital gains:
Common shares (10,460,742) (12,899,141) 0 (10,576,150)
Advisor shares (575,892) (852,608) 0 (1,639,316)
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net decrease from distributions (11,036,634) (14,198,810) 0 (12,215,466)
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Proceeds from sale of shares 39,742,671 45,617,531 111,724,784 180,813,270
Reinvested dividends 10,763,492 13,809,167 347,867 12,758,387
Net asset value of shares redeemed (27,720,617) (49,851,500) (54,921,210) (71,767,717)
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net increase in net assets from capital
share transactions 22,785,546 9,575,198 57,151,441 121,803,940
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets 22,560,017 (2,172,805) 82,278,718 113,119,222
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period 167,514,493 169,687,298 304,672,758 191,553,536
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
End of period $190,074,510 $167,514,493 $386,951,476 $304,672,758
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
</TABLE>
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
22
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus
International Equity Japan OTC
Fund Fund
------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------
For the Period
For the For the September 30, 1994
Six Months Ended For the Six Months Ended (Commencement of
April 30, 1995 Year Ended April 30, 1995 Operations) through
(Unaudited) October 31, 1994 (Unaudited) October 31, 1994
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 7,489,189 $ 1,310,933 $ 17,700 $ 5,115
(53,266,705) 48,091,665 (1,943,522) 0
3,272,321 (2,772,944) (3,394,945) (294,437)
(110,594,381) 82,484,415 70,023 (35,099)
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------------
(153,099,576) 129,114,069 (5,250,744) (324,421)
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------------
(5,808,212) (1,764,380) 0 0
(332,184) (218,961) 0 0
0 (223,659) 0 0
0 0 0 0
(42,332,078) (1,047,367) 0 0
(5,756,403) (129,979) 0 0
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------------
(54,228,877) (3,384,346) 0 0
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------------
826,097,889 1,430,739,923 17,783,234 20,287,158
49,503,945 2,950,772 0 0
(345,979,679) (249,050,078) (5,837,595) (185,101)
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------------
529,622,155 1,184,640,617 11,945,639 20,102,057
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------------
322,293,702 1,310,370,340 6,694,895 19,777,636
1,733,275,503 422,905,163 19,878,636 101,000
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------------
$2,055,569,205 $1,733,275,503 $ 26,573,531 $19,878,636
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------------
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------------
</TABLE>
23
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS JAPAN OTC FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a Share of the Fund Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Shares Advisor Shares
----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
For the Six For the Period For the Six For the Period
Months Ended September 30, 1994 Months Ended September 30, 1994
April 30, (Commencement of April 30, (Commencement of
1995 Operations) through 1995 Operations) through
(Unaudited) October 31, 1994 (Unaudited) October 31, 1994
------------ ------------------- ------------ -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 9.85 $ 10.00 $ 9.85 $ 10.00
----- ------ ----- ------
Income from Investment Operations:
Net Investment Income .01 .00 .00 .00
Net Loss from Securities and Foreign
Currency Related Items (both realized and
unrealized) (2.01) (.15) (2.01) (.15)
----- ------ ----- ------
Total From Investment Operations (2.00) (.15) (2.01) (.15)
----- ------ ----- ------
Less Distributions:
Dividends from net investment income .00 .00 .00 .00
Distributions from capital gains .00 .00 .00 .00
----- ------ ----- ------
Total Distributions .00 .00 .00 .00
----- ------ ----- ------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $ 7.85 $ 9.85 $ 7.84 $ 9.85
----- ------ ----- ------
----- ------ ----- ------
Total Return (36.72%)* (15.84%)* (36.89%)* (15.84%)*
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) $26,573 $19,878 $ 1 $ 1
Ratios to average daily net assets:
Operating expenses 1.00%* 1.00%* 1.25%* 1.18%*
Net investment income (loss) .16%* .49%* (.16%)* .12%*
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios
due to waivers/reimbursements 2.28%* 4.96%* 2.28%* 4.74%*
Portfolio turnover rate 138.17%* .00% 138.17%* .00%
</TABLE>
* Annualized
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
27
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
April 30, 1995 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Warburg Pincus Equity Funds are comprised of Warburg Pincus Capital
Appreciation Fund (the 'Capital Appreciation Fund') and Warburg Pincus
International Equity Fund (the 'International Equity Fund') which are registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the '1940 Act'), as
diversified, open-end management investment companies, and Warburg Pincus
Emerging Growth Fund (the 'Emerging Growth Fund') and Warburg Pincus Japan OTC
Fund (the 'Japan OTC Fund,' together with the Capital Appreciation Fund, the
International Equity Fund and the Emerging Growth Fund, the 'Funds') which are
registered under the 1940 Act as non-diversified, open-end management investment
companies.
Investment objectives for each Fund are as follows: the Capital
Appreciation Fund, the International Equity Fund and the Japan OTC Fund seek
long-term capital appreciation; the Emerging Growth Fund seeks maximum capital
appreciation.
The net asset value of each Fund is determined daily as of the close of
regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Each Fund's investments are
generally valued at market value, which is currently determined using the last
reported sales price. If no sales are reported, investments are valued at the
last reported bid price. In the absence of market quotations, investments are
generally valued at fair value as determined by or under the direction of the
Fund's governing Board. Short-term investments that mature in 60 days or less
are valued on the basis of amortized cost, which attempts to approximate market
value.
The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars.
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the current
prevailing exchange rates. All assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at the current exchange rate.
Translation gains or losses resulting from changes in the exchange rate during
the reporting period and realized gains and losses on the settlement of foreign
currency transactions are reported in the results of operations for the current
period. The Funds do not isolate that portion of gains and losses on investments
in equity securities which are due to changes in the foreign exchange rate from
that which are due to changes in market prices of equity securities.
Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Interest income is
recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Income, expenses (excluding class-specific expenses) and realized/unrealized
gains/losses are allocated proportionately to each class of shares based upon
the relative net asset value of outstanding shares. The cost of investments sold
is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial
reporting and income tax purposes.
Dividends from net investment income are declared and paid semiannually for
all Funds. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are declared
annually. However, to the extent that a net realized capital gain can be reduced
by a capital loss carryover, such gain will not be distributed. Income and
capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with Federal income tax
regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
Each Fund intends to continue to comply with the special provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code available to investment companies and therefore no Federal
income tax provision is required.
28
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D)
April 30, 1995 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs incurred by the Japan OTC Fund in connection with its organization
have been deferred and are being amortized over a period of five years from the
date the Japan OTC Fund commenced its operations.
Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreement transactions. Under the terms
of a typical repurchase agreement, a Fund acquires an underlying security
subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase. The value of the
underlying security collateral will be maintained at an amount at least equal to
the total amount of the purchase obligation, including interest. The collateral
is in the Fund's possession.
2. INVESTMENT ADVISER, CO-ADMINISTRATORS AND DISTRIBUTOR
Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc. ('Counsellors'), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Warburg, Pincus Counsellors G.P. ('Counsellors G.P.'), serves as
each Fund's investment adviser. For its investment advisory services,
Counsellors receives the following fees based on each Fund's average daily net
assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND ANNUAL RATE
- --------------------------------- ----------------------------------
<S> <C>
Capital Appreciation .70% of average daily net assets
Emerging Growth .90% of average daily net assets
International Equity 1.00% of average daily net assets
Japan OTC 1.25% of average daily net assets
</TABLE>
For the six months ended April 30, 1995, investment advisory fees, waivers
and reimbursements were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS NET EXPENSE
FUND ADVISORY FEE WAIVER ADVISORY FEE REIMBURSEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Appreciation $ 572,180 $ 0 $ 572,180 $ 0
Emerging Growth 1,428,874 0 1,428,874 0
International Equity 8,871,020 0 8,871,020 0
Japan OTC 141,840 (141,840) 0 116,312
</TABLE>
SPARX Investment & Research, USA, Inc. ('SPARX USA') serves as
sub-investment adviser for the Japan OTC Fund. From its investment advisory fee,
Counsellors pays SPARX USA a fee at an annual rate of .625% of the average daily
net assets of the Japan OTC Fund. No compensation is payable by the Japan OTC
Fund to SPARX USA for its sub-investment advisory services.
Counsellors Funds Service, Inc. ('CFSI'), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Counsellors, and PFPC Inc. ('PFPC'), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of PNC
Bank Corp. ('PNC'), serve as each Fund's co-administrators. For its
administrative services, CFSI receives a fee calculated at an annual rate of
.10% of each Fund's average daily net assets. For the six months ended April 30,
1995, administrative services fees earned by CFSI were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND CO-ADMINISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C>
Capital Appreciation $ 81,740
Emerging Growth 158,764
International Equity 887,102
Japan OTC 11,347
</TABLE>
29
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D)
April 30, 1995 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the six months ended April 30, 1995, administrative services fees
earned by PFPC were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND CO-ADMINISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C>
Capital Appreciation $ 81,740
Emerging Growth 158,764
International Equity 629,511
Japan OTC 42,500
</TABLE>
Counsellors Securities Inc. ('CSI'), also a wholly owned subsidiary of
Counsellors, serves as each Fund's distributor. No compensation is payable by
the Capital Appreciation Fund, the Emerging Growth Fund or the International
Equity Fund to CSI for distribution services. For distribution services with
respect to the Common Shares of the Japan OTC Fund, CSI receives a fee at an
annual rate of .25% of the Japan OTC Fund's average daily net assets
attributable to the Common Shares; no compensation is payable to CSI with
respect to the Fund's Advisor Shares. For the six months ended April 30, 1995,
CSI earned $28,368 in distribution fees.
3. INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES
For the six months ended April 30, 1995, purchases and sales of investment
securities (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND PURCHASES SALES
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Capital Appreciation $132,677,612 $117,699,248
Emerging Growth 191,272,370 144,738,127
International Equity 550,909,981 176,630,818
Japan OTC 23,632,862 13,544,562
</TABLE>
At April 30, 1995, the net unrealized appreciation from investments for
those securities having an excess of value over cost and net unrealized
depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over
value (based on cost for Federal income tax purposes) was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET UNREALIZED
UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION
FUND APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION)
- --------------------------------- ------------ -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Appreciation $ 35,905,406 $ (2,026,288) $ 33,879,118
Emerging Growth 69,461,748 (7,067,044) 62,394,704
International Equity 174,273,357 (142,868,247) 31,405,110
Japan OTC 1,197,112 (1,147,261) 49,851
</TABLE>
4. FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS
The International Equity Fund and the Japan OTC Fund may enter into forward
currency contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a
fixed price on a future date. Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts
from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the
30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D)
April 30, 1995 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a
foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. Each Fund may enter into forward
contracts for hedging purposes or to increase income and total return. The
forward currency contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the
underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded for financial statement
purposes as unrealized until the contract settlement date.
At April 30, 1995, the International Equity Fund had the following open
forward currency contract and had recorded an unrealized loss of $1,662,070:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SETTLEMENT CURRENCY CURRENCY
DATE BOUGHT SOLD
- ---------- ------------------------ ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
06/21/95 55,000,000 U.S. Dollars 4,725,050,000 Japanese Yen
</TABLE>
At April 30, 1995, the Japan OTC Fund had the following open forward
currency contract and had recorded an unrealized gain of $13,751:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SETTLEMENT CURRENCY CURRENCY
DATE BOUGHT SOLD
- ---------- ------------------------ ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
05/31/95 23,000,000 U.S. Dollars 1,922,340,000 Japanese Yen
</TABLE>
5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS; ADVISOR SHARES
The Emerging Growth Fund, the International Equity Fund and the Japan OTC
Fund are each authorized to issue three billion full and fractional shares of
capital stock, $.001 par value per share, of which one billion shares are
designated Advisor Shares. The Capital Appreciation Fund is authorized to issue
an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest, $.001
par value per share, of which one billion shares are classified as Advisor
Shares. Advisor Shares are identical to Common Shares in all respects except
that Advisor Shares are sold to institutions ('Service Organizations') that
perform certain distribution, shareholder servicing, accounting and/or
administrative services for their customers who are beneficial owners of Advisor
Shares. Advisor Shares bear the fees paid pursuant to a distribution plan
adopted by each Fund in an amount not to exceed .75% (on an annualized basis) of
the average daily net asset value of the shares held by the Service
Organizations for the benefit of their customers and enjoy certain exclusive
voting rights on matters relating to those fees.
With respect to Advisor Shares, Service Organizations earned the following
shareholder servicing fees for the six months ended April 30, 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEES
- ----------------------------------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C>
Capital Appreciation $ 20,418
Emerging Growth 188,426
International Equity 532,559
</TABLE>
31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS EQUITY FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT'D)
April 30, 1995 (Unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transactions in shares of each Fund were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND EMERGING GROWTH FUND
Common Shares Advisor Shares Common Shares Advisor Shares
-------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
For the Six For the Six For the Six For the Six
Months Ended For the Months Ended For the Months Ended For the Months Ended For the
April 30, Year Ended April 30, Year Ended April 30, Year Ended April 30, Year Ended
1995 October 31, 1995 October 31, 1995 October 31, 1995 October 31,
(Unaudited) 1994 (Unaudited) 1994 (Unaudited) 1994 (Unaudited) 1994
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shares sold 2,912,613 2,958,494 78,480 290,193 3,619,699 6,133,751 1,394,795 2,233,737
Shares issued to
shareholders on
reinvestment of
dividends 818,282 920,210 46,554 61,526 15,653 506,720 0 80,473
Shares redeemed (2,028,054 ) (3,126,497 ) (58,310) (460,020 ) (2,361,976 ) (2,859,413 ) (162,815 ) (517,898 )
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase
(decrease) in
shares
outstanding 1,702,841 752,207 66,724 (108,301 ) 1,273,376 3,781,058 1,231,980 1,796,312
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Proceeds from
sale of shares $38,700,495 $41,570,590 $1,042,176 $ 4,046,941 $81,131,951 $132,922,995 $30,592,833 $47,890,275
Reinvested
dividends 10,187,616 12,945,690 575,876 863,477 347,867 11,015,146 0 1,743,241
Net asset value
of shares
redeemed (26,954,367 ) (43,449,501 ) (766,250) (6,401,999 ) (51,476,215 ) (61,126,667 ) (3,444,995 ) (10,641,050 )
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase
(decrease) from
capital share
transactions $21,933,744 $11,066,779 $ 851,802 $(1,491,581 ) $30,003,603 $82,811,474 $27,147,838 $38,992,466
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
</TABLE>
6. NET ASSETS
Net Assets at April 30, 1995, consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND EMERGING GROWTH FUND
Common Shares Advisor Shares Total Common Shares Advisor Shares Total
------------- -------------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Capital contributed, net $140,449,920 $8,912,717 $149,362,637 $228,499,590 $ 87,395,078 $315,894,668
Accumulated net investment
income (loss) 377,867 (334) 377,533 0 0 0
Accumulated net realized
gain (loss) from security
transactions 6,503,951 (48,729) 6,455,222 7,352,467 1,270,253 8,622,720
Net unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) from
investments and foreign
currency related items 33,776,938 102,180 33,879,118 53,373,929 9,060,159 62,434,088
------------- -------------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ------------
Net assets $181,108,676 $8,965,834 $190,074,510 $289,225,986 $ 97,725,490 $386,951,476
------------- -------------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ------------
------------- -------------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ------------
</TABLE>
32
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
Common Shares Advisor Shares
----------------------------- ---------------------------
For the Six For the Six
Months Ended For the Months Ended For the
April 30, Year Ended April 30, Year Ended
1995 October 31, 1995 October 31,
(Unaudited) 1994 (Unaudited) 1994
------------ -------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
41,252,304 64,218,907 4,502,485 7,956,088
2,339,190 147,031 329,647 6,879
(19,160,200) (11,861,720) (224,062) (795,406)
------------ -------------- ------------ ------------
24,431,294 52,504,218 4,608,070 7,167,561
------------ -------------- ------------ ------------
------------ -------------- ------------ ------------
$745,654,489 $1,275,306,263 $80,443,400 $155,433,660
43,415,366 2,820,903 6,088,579 129,869
(341,896,486) (233,614,600) (4,083,193) (15,435,478)
------------ -------------- ------------ ------------
$447,173,369 $1,044,512,566 $82,448,786 $140,128,051
------------ -------------- ------------ ------------
------------ -------------- ------------ ------------
<CAPTION>
JAPAN OTC FUND
Common Shares Advisor Shares
----------------------------------- ----------------------------------
For the Period For the Period
For the Six September 30, 1994 For the Six September 30, 1994
Months Ended (Commencement of Months Ended (Commencement of
April 30, Operations) Through April 30, Operations) Through
1995 October 31, 1995 October 31,
(Unaudited) 1994 (Unaudited) 1994
------------- ------------------- ------------ -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
2,027,520 2,025,697 0 15
0 0 0 0
(657,861) (18,605) 0 0
------------- ---------- - ---
1,369,659 2,007,092 0 15
------------- ---------- - ---
------------- ---------- - ---
$ 17,783,234 $20,287,008 $0 $ 150
0 0 0 0
(5,837,595) (185,101) 0 0
------------- ---------- - ---
$ 11,945,639 $20,101,907 $0 $ 150
------------- ---------- - ---
------------- ---------- - ---
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND JAPAN OTC FUND
Common Shares Advisor Shares Total Common Shares Advisor Shares Total
-------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$1,815,331,961 $262,660,894 $2,077,992,855 $28,492,692 $1,028 $28,493,720
8,381,424 977,793 9,359,217 0 0 0
(54,458,264) (7,888,102) (62,346,366) (1,955,020) (93) (1,955,113)
27,448,056 3,115,443 30,563,499 34,958 (34) 34,924
-------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- ------ -----------
$1,796,703,177 $258,866,028 $2,055,569,205 $26,572,630 $ 901 $26,573,531
-------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- ------ -----------
-------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- ------ -----------
</TABLE>
33
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
The divided by symbol will be expressed as ....................... [div]
