<PAGE>
File No. 811-7217
File No. 33-55753
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
Form N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 X
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ____
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT
OF 1940 X
Amendment No. 1
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
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(Exact Name as Specified in Charter)
6300 Lamar Avenue, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66202-4200
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(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code (913) 236-2000
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Sharon K. Pappas, P. O. Box 29217, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective
_____ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
_____ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
__X__ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
_____ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
_____ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
_____ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485
____ this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment
===========================================================================
DECLARATION REQUIRED BY RULE 24f-2 (a) (1)
The issuer has registered an indefinite amount of its securities under the
Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 24f-2(a)(1). It is anticipated that the
Notice for the Registrant's fiscal year ending September 30, 1995 will be filed
on or about November 14, 1995.
<PAGE>
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
================================
Cross Reference Sheet
=====================
Part A of
Form N-1A
Item No. Prospectus Caption
- --------- ------------------
1 ........................ Cover Page
2(a) ..................... Expenses
(b) ..................... An Overview of the Fund
(c) ..................... An Overview of the Fund
3(a) ..................... *
(b) ..................... *
(c) ..................... Performance
(d)...................... Performance
4(a) ..................... About the Fund's Investment Principles
(b) ..................... About the Fund's Investment Principles
(c) ..................... About the Fund's Investment Principles
5(a) ..................... About the Fund's Management and Expenses
(b)...................... About the Fund's Management and Expenses; Inside
Back Cover
(c) ..................... About the Fund's Management and Expenses
(d) ..................... About the Fund's Management and Expenses; Inside
Back Cover
(e) ..................... About the Fund's Management and Expenses; Inside
Back Cover
(f) ..................... About the Fund's Management and Expenses
(g)(i)................... *
(g)(ii).................. About Your Account
5A........................ *
6(a) ..................... *
(b) ..................... About the Fund's Management and Expenses
(c) ..................... *
(d) ..................... *
(e) ..................... About Your Account; About Waddell & Reed, Inc.
(f)...................... About Your Account
(g) ..................... About Your Account
7(a) ..................... About the Fund's Management and Expenses; Inside
Back Cover
(b) ..................... About Your Account
(c) ..................... About Your Account
(d) ..................... About Your Account
(e) ..................... *
(f) ..................... About the Fund's Management and Expenses
8(a) ..................... About Your Account
(b) ..................... *
(c) ..................... About Your Account
(d) ..................... About Your Account
9 ........................ *
Part B of
Form N-1A
Item No. SAI Caption
- --------- -----------
10(a) ..................... Cover Page
(b) ..................... *
11 ........................ Cover Page
12 ........................ *
13(a) ..................... Investment Policies and Limitations
(b) ..................... Investment Policies and Limitations
(c) ..................... Investment Policies and Limitations
(d) ..................... Investment Policies and Limitations
14(a) ..................... Directors and Officers
(b) ..................... Directors and Officers
(c) ..................... *
15(a) ..................... *
(b) ..................... *
(c) ..................... Directors and Officers
16(a)(i) .................. Investment Management and Other Services
(a)(ii) ................. Directors and Officers; Investment Management and
Other Services
(a)(iii) ................ Investment Management and Other Services
(b) ..................... Investment Management and Other Services
(c) ..................... Investment Management and Other Services
(d) ..................... Investment Management and Other Services
(e) ..................... *
(f) ..................... Investment Management and Other Services
(g) ..................... *
(h) ..................... Investment Management and Other Services
(i) ..................... Investment Management and Other Services
17(a) ..................... Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
(b) ..................... *
(c) ..................... Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
(d) ..................... *
(e) ..................... *
18(a) ..................... Organization of the Fund
(b) ..................... *
19(a) ..................... Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares
(b) ..................... Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares
(c) ..................... Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares
20 ........................ Taxes
21(a) ..................... Investment Management and Other Services
(b) ..................... *
(c) ..................... *
22(a) ..................... *
(b)(i) .................. Performance Information
(b)(ii) ................. Performance Information
(b)(iii) ................ *
(b)(iv) ................. Performance Information
23 ........................ Financial Statements
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* Not Applicable or Negative Answer
<PAGE>
Please read this Prospectus before investing, and keep it on file for future
reference. It sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that you
ought to know before investing.
Additional information has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is contained in a Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")
dated September 12, 1995. The SAI is available free upon request to the Fund or
Waddell & Reed, Inc., the Fund's underwriter, at the address or telephone number
below. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and you will
not be aware of all facts unless you read both this Prospectus and the SAI.
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.
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
Class A Shares
This asset allocation fund seeks high total return with reduced risk over the
long term through investments in stocks, bonds, and short-term instruments.
This Prospectus describes one class of shares of the Fund -- Class A
shares.
Prospectus
September 12, 1995
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217
913-236-2000
<PAGE>
Table of Contents
An Overview of the Fund...............................3
Expenses.................................................5
Performance..............................................7
Explanation of Terms................................7
About Waddell & Reed.....................................9
About the Fund's Investment Principles of the Fund.......10
Investment Principles...............................10
Risk Considerations............................11
Securities and Investment Practices.................13
Fundamental Investment Policies and Restrictions....26
About Your Account.......................................28
Ways to Set Up Your Account....................28
Buying Shares.......................................30
Minimum Investments.................................32
Adding to Your Account..............................33
Selling Shares......................................33
Shareholder Services................................36
Personal Service...............................36
Reports........................................36
Exchanges......................................37
Automatic Transactions.........................37
Dividends, Distributions, and Taxes.................38
Distributions..................................38
Taxes..........................................38
About the Fund's Management and Expenses of the Fund.....41
WRIMCO and Its Affiliates...........................42
Breakdown of Expenses...............................43
Management Fee.................................44
Other Expenses.................................45
<PAGE>
An Overview of the Fund
The Fund: This Prospectus describes the Class A shares of United Asset
Strategy Fund, Inc., an open-end diversified management investment company.
Goal: United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") seeks high total return
with reduced risk over the long term. The Fund seeks to reduce risk over the
long term by spreading its assets among stocks, bonds and short-term
instruments, attempting to moderate the risk potential of investing solely in
one class of instruments. As with any mutual fund, there is no assurance that
the Fund will achieve its goal. See "About the Investment Principles of the
Fund" for further information.
Strategy: The Fund diversifies among stocks, bonds, and short-term instruments,
both in the United States and abroad, to pursue its specific goal. The Fund
designates a mix which represents the way the Fund's investments will generally
be allocated over the long term. This mix will vary over short-term periods as
Fund management adjusts the Fund's holdings - within defined ranges - based on
the current outlook for the different markets. See "About the Investment
Principles of the Fund" for further information.
Mix
_ Stocks 40% _ Bonds 40%
(can range (can range
from from
10-60%) 20-60%)
_ Short-term 20%
(can range from
0-70%)
Management: Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company ("WRIMCO") provides
investment advice to the Fund and manages the Fund's investments. WRIMCO is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Waddell & Reed, Inc. WRIMCO, Waddell & Reed, Inc.
and its predecessors have provided investment management services to registered
investment companies since 1940. See "About the Management and Expenses of the
Fund" for further information about management fees.
Distributor: Waddell & Reed, Inc. acts as principal underwriter and distributor
of the shares of the Fund.
Purchases: You may buy Class A shares of the Fund through Waddell & Reed, Inc.
and its account representatives. The price to buy a Class A share of the Fund
is the net asset value of a Class A share plus a sales charge. See "About Your
Account" for information on how to purchase Class A shares.
Redemptions: You may redeem your shares at net asset value. When you sell your
shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them. See "About
Your Account" for a description of redemption and reinvestment procedures.
Who May Want to Invest: Asset allocation funds are designed for investors who
want to diversify among stocks, bonds, and short-term instruments, in one fund.
If you are looking for an investment that uses this technique in pursuit of high
total return with reduced risk, this Fund may be appropriate for you.
Risk Considerations: Because the Fund owns different types of investments,
its performance will be affected by a variety of factors. The value of the
Fund's investments and the income it generates will vary from day to day,
generally reflecting changes in interest rates, market conditions, and other
company and economic news. Performance will also depend on WRIMCO's skill in
allocating assets. See "About the Investment Principles of the Fund" for
information about the risks associated with the Fund's investments.
<PAGE>
Expenses
Shareholder transaction expenses are charges you pay when you buy or sell shares
of a fund.
Maximum sales load
on purchases (as a
percentage of
offering price)5.75%
Maximum sales load
on reinvested
dividends None
Deferred
sales load None
Redemption feesNone
Exchange fee None
Annual Fund operating expenses.
Management fees10.81%
12b-1 fees2 0.25%
Other expenses3 0.29%
Total Fund
operating expenses4 1.35%
Example: You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
(1) 5% annual return5 and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
1 year $70
3 years $98
The purpose of the table is to assist you in understanding the various costs
and expenses that a shareholder of the Class A shares of the Fund will bear
directly or indirectly. The expenses are pro forma and estimated for the first
fiscal year of operations. The example should not be considered a
representation of past or future expenses; actual expenses may be greater or
lesser than those shown. For a more complete discussion of certain expenses and
fees, see "Breakdown of Expenses."
1The management fee for the Fund is higher than that of most funds.
2Expense information reflects the maximum 12b-1 service fee. The 12b-1 service
fee is paid as reimbursement for amounts actually expended by account
representatives, Waddell & Reed, Inc. and/or other third parties in connection
with the provision of personal services to Fund shareholders and/or maintenance
of shareholder accounts. See "Breakdown of Expenses" for further information
about the 12b-1 service fee.
3Estimated expenses for the first fiscal year of operation. Actual expenses may
be greater or lesser than those shown.
4Retirement plan accounts may be subject to a $2 fee imposed by the plan
custodian for use of the Flexible Withdrawal Service.
5Use of an assumed annual return of 5% is for illustration purposes only and is
not a representation of the Fund's future performance, which may be greater or
lesser.
<PAGE>
Performance
Mutual fund performance is commonly measured as total return. The Fund may
also advertise its performance by showing performance rankings. Performance
information is calculated and presented separately for each class of Fund
shares.
Explanation of Terms
Total Return is the overall change in value of an investment in the Fund over a
given period, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and distributions. A
cumulative total return reflects actual performance over a stated period of
time. An average annual total return is a hypothetical rate of return that, if
achieved annually, would have produced the same cumulative total return if
performance had been constant over the entire period. Average annual total
returns smooth out variations in performance; they are not the same as actual
year-by-year results. Standardized total return figures reflect payment of the
maximum sales charge. The Fund may also provide non-standardized performance
information which does not reflect deduction of the sales charge or which is for
periods other than those required to be presented or which differs otherwise
from standardized performance information.
Performance Rankings are comparisons of the Fund's performance to the
performance of other selected mutual funds, selected recognized market
indicators such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the Dow Jones
Industrial Average, or non-market indices or averages of mutual fund industry
groups. The Fund may quote its performance rankings and/or other information as
published by recognized independent mutual fund statistical services or by
publications of general interest. In connection with a ranking, the Fund may
provide additional information, such as the particular category to which it
relates, the number of funds in the category, the criteria upon which the
ranking is based, and the effect of sales charges, fee waivers and/or expense
reimbursements.
All performance information that the Fund advertises or includes in information
provided to present or prospective shareholders is historical in nature and is
not intended to represent or guarantee future results. The value of the Fund's
shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.
The Fund's recent performance and holdings will be detailed twice a year in
the Fund's annual and semiannual reports, which are sent to all Fund
shareholders.
<PAGE>
About Waddell & Reed
Since 1937, Waddell & Reed has been helping people make the most of their
financial future by helping them take advantage of various financial services.
Today, Waddell & Reed has over 2500 account representatives located throughout
the United States. Your primary contact in your dealings with Waddell & Reed
will be your local account representative. However, the Waddell & Reed
shareholder services department, which is part of the Waddell & Reed
headquarters operations in Overland Park, Kansas is available to assist you and
your Waddell & Reed account representative. You may speak with a customer
service representative by calling 913-236-2000.
<PAGE>
About the Investment Principles of the Fund
Investment Principles
The Fund seeks high total return with reduced risk over the long term by
allocating its assets among stocks, bonds, and short-term instruments.
Allocating assets among different types of investments allows the Fund to take
advantage of opportunities wherever they may occur, but also subjects the Fund
to the risks of a given investment type. Stock values generally fluctuate in
response to the activities of individual companies and general market and
economic conditions. The value of bonds and short-term instruments generally
fluctuates based on changes in interest rates and in the credit quality of the
issuer.
WRIMCO regularly reviews the Fund's allocation of assets and makes changes to
favor investments that it believes provide the most favorable outlook for
achieving the Fund's goal. Although WRIMCO uses its expertise and resources in
choosing investments and in allocating assets, WRIMCO's decisions may not always
be advantageous to the Fund. When you sell your shares, they may be worth more
or less than what you paid for them.
The Fund allocates its assets among the following classes, or types, of
investments. The stock class includes equity securities of all types. The bond
class includes all varieties of fixed-income instruments with maturities of more
than three years (including adjustable rate preferred stocks). The short-term
class includes all types of short-term instruments with remaining maturities of
three years or less. Within each of these classes, the Fund may invest in both
domestic and foreign securities.
WRIMCO has the ability to allocate the Fund's assets within specified ranges.
The Fund's mix indicates the benchmark for its combination of investments in
each class over time. WRIMCO may change the mix within the specified ranges
from time to time. The range and approximate percentage of the mix for each
asset class are shown below. Some types of investments, such as indexed
securities, can fall into more than one asset class.
Mix Range
- --------- ------
Stock
class 10-60%
40%
Bond
class 20-60%
40%
Short-term
class 0-70%
20%
In pursuit of the Fund's goal, WRIMCO will not try to pinpoint the precise
moment when a major reallocation should be made. Asset shifts among classes may
be made gradually over time. Under normal circumstances, a single reallocation
will not involve more than 10% of the Fund's total assets.
Within each class, WRIMCO seeks to maximize total return. WRIMCO seeks to
maximize total return within the stock class by actively allocating assets to
industry sectors expected to benefit from major trends, and to individual stocks
that WRIMCO believes to have superior growth potential. WRIMCO seeks to
maximize total return within the bond class by adjusting the Fund's investments
in securities with different credit qualities, maturities, and coupon or
dividend rates, and by seeking to take advantage of yield differentials between
securities. WRIMCO seeks to maximize total return within the short-term asset
class by taking advantage of yield differentials between different instruments,
issuers, and currencies. WRIMCO intends to take advantage of yield
differentials by considering the purchase or sale of instruments when
differentials on spreads between various grades and maturities of such
instruments approach extreme levels relative to long-term norms.
WRIMCO normally invests the Fund's assets according to its investment strategy;
however, as a temporary defensive measure at times when WRIMCO believes that
stocks, bonds and certain short-term instruments do not offer a good investment
opportunity, it may temporarily invest up to all of the Fund's assets in money
market instruments rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Prime
1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("MIS"), or unrated securities judged by
WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality.
Risk Considerations
Because the Fund owns different types of investments, its performance will be
affected by a variety of factors. The value of the Fund's investments and the
income it generates will vary from day to day, generally reflecting changes in
interest rates, market conditions, and other company and economic news.
Performance will also depend on WRIMCO's skill in allocating assets. The Fund
diversifies across investment types more than most mutual funds. No one mutual
fund, however, can provide an appropriate balanced investment plan for all
investors.
As more fully discussed under "Securities and Investment Practices," certain
types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, and certain strategies WRIMCO
may employ in pursuit of the Fund's investment goal, involve special risks.
Lower-quality debt securities (commonly called "junk bonds") are considered to
be speculative and involve greater risk of default or price changes due to
changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. The market prices of these securities
may fluctuate more than higher-quality securities and may decline significantly
in periods of general economic difficulty. Foreign securities and foreign
currencies may involve risks relating to currency fluctuations, political or
economic conditions in the foreign country, and the potentially less stringent
investor protection and disclosure standards of foreign markets. These factors
could make foreign investments, especially those in developing countries, more
volatile.
The Fund can use various techniques to increase or decrease its exposure to
changing security prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity
prices, or other factors that affect security values. These techniques may
involve derivative transactions. If WRIMCO judges market conditions incorrectly
or employs a strategy that does not correlate well with the Fund's investments,
these techniques could result in a loss, regardless of whether the intent was to
reduce risk or increase return. These techniques may increase the volatility of
the Fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of
the risk assumed. In addition, these techniques could result in a loss if the
counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised or if there is not
a liquid secondary market to close out a position that the Fund has entered
into.
The value of mortgage-backed securities may be significantly affected by
changes in interest rates, the market's perception of the issuers, and the
creditworthiness of the parties involved. These securities may also be subject
to prepayment risk. Stripped securities involve risks that are similar to those
of other debt securities, although stripped securities may be more volatile.
See "Securities and Investment Practices" for a more detailed discussion
concerning the instruments in which the Fund may invest, and the strategies
WRIMCO may employ in pursuit of the Fund's investment goal.
Securities and Investment Practices
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of
instruments in which the Fund may invest, and strategies WRIMCO may employ in
pursuit of the Fund's investment goal. Certain types of instruments and
investment practices could entail significant risks and WRIMCO will invest in
these instruments and engage in these practices only to the extent that they are
consistent with the Fund's goal of high total return with reduced risk over the
long term. A summary of risks and restrictions associated with these instrument
types and investment practices is included as well.
WRIMCO might not buy all of these instruments or use all of these techniques to
the full extent permitted unless it believes that doing so will help the Fund
achieve its goal. As a shareholder, you will receive annual and semiannual
reports detailing the Fund's holdings.
Certain of the investment policies and restrictions of the Fund are also
stated below. A fundamental policy of the Fund may not be changed without the
approval of the shareholders of the Fund. Operating policies may be changed by
the Board of Directors without the approval of the affected shareholders. The
goal of the Fund is a fundamental policy. Unless otherwise indicated, the types
of securities and other assets in which the Fund may invest and other policies
are operating policies.
Policies and limitations are typically considered at the time of purchase; the
sale of instruments is usually not required in the event of a subsequent change
in circumstances.
Please see the SAI for further information concerning the following instruments
and associated risks.
Equity Securities. Equity securities represent an ownership interest in an
issuer. This ownership interest often gives the Fund the right to vote on
measures affecting the issuer's organization and operations. The Fund may
invest in domestic and foreign equity securities. Equity securities may include
common stocks, fixed-rate preferred stocks (including convertible preferred
stocks), warrants, rights, depositary receipts, securities of closed-end
investment companies, and other equity securities issued by companies of any
size, located anywhere in the world. Although common stocks and other equity
securities have a history of long-term growth in value, their prices tend to
fluctuate in the short term, particularly those of smaller companies.
Debt Securities. Bonds and other debt instruments are used by issuers to borrow
money from investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of
interest, and must repay the amount borrowed at maturity. Some debt securities,
such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest, but are purchased at a
discount from their face values.
Debt securities have varying degrees of quality and varying levels of
sensitivity to changes in interest rates. As a general matter, however, when
interest rates rise, the values of fixed rate debt securities fall and
conversely, when interest rates fall, the value of fixed rate debt securities
rise. The values of floating and adjustable rate debt securities are not as
sensitive to changes in interest rates as the values of fixed rate debt
securities. Longer-term bonds are generally more sensitive to interest rate
changes than shorter-term bonds.
U.S. Government Securities are high-quality instruments issued or guaranteed
as to principal or interest by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or
instrumentality of the U.S. government. Not all U.S. Government Securities are
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Some are supported
only by the credit of the agency that issued them.
Debt securities rated AAA, AA, A and BBB by S&P or Aaa, Aa, A and Baa by MIS, or
unrated securities which are, in WRIMCO's opinion, of equivalent quality to
rated securities in these categories, are considered to be of investment grade
quality. Debt securities rated in the lowest investment grade category (BBB by
S&P or Baa by MIS), or comparable unrated securities, may have speculative
characteristics. Debt securities rated in the lower rating categories of the
established rating services (BB or lower by S&P or Ba or lower by MIS), or
comparable unrated securities, (commonly called "junk bonds") have predominantly
speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The Fund may invest
in debt securities rated in any rating category by an established rating
service, including securities in the lowest category (D by S&P and C by MIS),
and unrated securities judged by WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality. Debt
securities rated D by S&P or C by MIS are in payment default or are regarded as
having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
S&P and MIS ratings are described in Appendix A to the SAI. Credit ratings for
individual securities may change from time to time, and the Fund may retain a
portfolio security whose rating has been changed.
Lower-quality debt securities ("junk bonds") are considered to be speculative
and involve greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the
issuer's creditworthiness. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate
more than high-quality securities and may decline significantly in periods of
general economic difficulty. While the market for high yield, high-risk
corporate debt securities has been in existence for many years and has weathered
previous economic downturns, the 1980s brought a dramatic increase in the use of
such securities to fund highly leveraged corporate acquisitions and
restructurings. Past experience may not provide an accurate indication of the
future performance of the high-yield, high-risk bond market, especially during
periods of economic recession. The market for lower-rated debt securities may
be thinner and less active than that for higher-rated debt securities, which can
adversely affect the prices at which the former are sold. Adverse publicity and
changing investor perceptions may decrease the values and liquidity of lower-
rated debt securities, especially in a thinly-traded market. Valuation becomes
more difficult and judgment plays a greater role in valuing lower-rated debt
securities than with respect to securities for which more external sources of
quotations and last sale information are available. Since the risk of default
is higher for lower-rated debt securities, WRIMCO's research and credit analysis
are an especially important part of managing securities of this type held by the
Fund. WRIMCO continuously monitors the issuers of lower-rated debt securities
in its portfolio in an attempt to determine if the issuers will have sufficient
cash flow and profits to meet required principal and interest payments. The
Fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to pursue
litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security holder to seek to
protect the interests of security holders if it determines this to be in the
best interest of the Fund's shareholders.
Zero coupon bonds do not make interest payments; instead, they are sold at a
deep discount from their face value and are redeemed at face value when they
mature. Because zero coupon bonds do not pay current income, their prices can
be very volatile when interest rates change. In calculating its dividends, the
Fund takes into account as income a portion of the difference between a zero
coupon bond's purchase price and its face value.
Preferred Stock is also rated by S&P and MIS, as described in Appendix A to the
SAI. Preferred stock rated AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or aaa, aa, a or baa by MIS
is considered to be of investment grade. Preferred stock rated BB or lower by
S&P or ba or lower by MIS is considered to have speculative characteristics.
The Fund may invest in preferred stock rated in any rating category by an
established rating service and unrated preferred stock judged by WRIMCO to be of
equivalent quality.
Convertible Securities. A convertible security is bond, debenture, note,
preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a
prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a
particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible
security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the
dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is
redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment
characteristics in that they generally have higher yields than those of common
stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower yields than comparable
nonconvertible securities, are less subject to fluctuation in value than the
underlying stock because they have fixed income characteristics, and provide the
potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common
stock increases.
The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates,
with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as
interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors
also may have an effect on the convertible security's investment value.
Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies
whose stock prices may be volatile. A convertible security may be subject to
redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the security's
governing instrument. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for
redemption, the Fund will be required to convert it into the underlying common
stock, sell it to a third party or permit the issuer to redeem the security.
Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on the Fund's ability to
achieve its investment objective.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund may not invest more than 35% of its
assets in lower-quality debt securities (those rated below BBB by S&P or Baa by
MIS and unrated securities judged by WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality).
However, the Fund does not currently intend to invest more than 20% of its total
assets in securities rated below investment-grade or judged by WRIMCO to be of
equivalent quality.
Money Market Instruments are high-quality debt instruments that present minimal
credit risk. They may include U.S. Government Securities, commercial paper and
other short-term corporate obligations, and certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances, bank deposits, and other financial institution obligations. These
instruments may carry fixed or variable interest rates.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest in
money-market instruments rated below A-1 by S&P or Prime 1 by MIS, or judged by
WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality.
Foreign Securities and foreign currencies can involve significant risks in
addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. The value of securities
denominated in or indexed to foreign currencies, and of dividends and interest
from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies
strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities markets
generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets, and
prices on some foreign markets can be highly volatile. Many foreign countries
lack uniform accounting and disclosure standards comparable to those applicable
to U.S. companies, and it may be more difficult to obtain reliable information
regarding an issuer's financial condition and operations. In addition, the
costs of foreign investing, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions,
and custodial costs, are generally higher than for U.S. investments.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S. markets.
Foreign issuers, brokers, and securities markets may be subject to less
government supervision. Foreign security trading practices, including those
involving the release of assets in advance of payment, may involve increased
risks in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a broker-dealer, and
may involve substantial delays. It may also be difficult to enforce legal
rights in foreign countries.
Investing abroad also involves different political and economic risks. Foreign
investments may be affected by actions of foreign governments adverse to the
interests of U.S. investors, including the possibility of expropriation or
nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S.
investment or on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S.
dollars, or other government intervention. There may be a greater possibility
of default by foreign governments or foreign government-sponsored enterprises.
Investments in foreign countries also involve a risk of local political,
economic, or social instability, military action or unrest, or adverse
diplomatic developments. There is no assurance that WRIMCO will be able to
anticipate or counter these potential events or counter their effects.
The considerations noted above generally are intensified for investments in
developing countries. A developing country is a nation that, in WRIMCO's
opinion, is likely to experience long-term gross domestic product growth above
that expected to occur in the United States, the United Kingdom, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada. Developing countries may have relatively
unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries, and securities
markets that trade a small number of securities.
The Fund may invest in foreign securities that impose restrictions on transfer
within the U.S. or to U.S. persons. Although securities subject to transfer
restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less liquid than foreign
securities of the same class that are not subject to such restrictions.
Policies and Restrictions: Under normal conditions, the Fund intends to
limit its investments in foreign securities to no more than 50% of total assets.
The Fund currently intends to limit its investments in obligations of any single
foreign government to less than 25% of its total assets.
Derivative Transactions. The Fund can use various techniques to increase or
decrease its exposure to changing security prices, interest rates, currency
exchange rates, commodity prices, or other factors that affect security values.
These techniques may involve derivative transactions such as buying and selling
options and futures contracts, entering into currency exchange contracts or swap
agreements, and purchasing indexed securities.
Options offer large amounts of leverage, which will result in the Fund's net
asset value being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related
investment. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for
exchange-listed options. The market for options that are not listed on an
exchange may be less active than the market for exchange-listed options. The
Fund will be able to close a position in an option it has written only if there
is a market for the put or call. If the Fund is not able to enter into a
closing transaction on an option it has written, it will be required to maintain
the securities, or cash in the case of an option on an index, subject to the
call or the collateral underlying the put until a closing purchase transaction
can be entered into or the option expires. Because index options are settled in
cash, the Fund cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement
obligations on a call it has written on an index by holding the underlying
securities. The Fund bears the risk that the value of the securities it holds
will vary from the value of the index. Option transactions may increase the
Fund's portfolio turnover rate creating greater commission expenses, transaction
costs and tax consequences.
Since futures contracts and options thereon can replicate movements in the cash
markets for the securities in which the Fund invests without the large cash
investments required for dealing in such markets, they may subject the Fund to
greater and more volatile risks than might otherwise be the case. The principal
risks related to the use of such instruments are: imperfect correlation between
movements in the market price of the portfolio investments (held or intended)
and in the price of the futures contract or option; possible lack of a liquid
secondary market for closing out futures or options positions; the need for
additional portfolio management skills and techniques; and losses due to
unanticipated market price movements. The ordinary spreads between prices in
the cash and futures markets, due to the differences in the natures of those
markets, are subject to distortion. Due to the possibility of distortion, a
correct forecast of general interest or stock market trends by WRIMCO may still
not result in a successful transaction. WRIMCO may be incorrect in its
expectations as to the extent of various interest rate movements or stock market
movements or the time span within which the movements take place.
Gains and losses on investments in options and futures contracts depends on
WRIMCO's ability to predict correctly the direction of stock prices, interest
rates and other economic factors. See the SAI for further information about
these instruments and their risks.
Currencies may be exchanged on a spot (i.e., cash) basis, or by entering into
forward currency contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future
date, at a price set when the contract is entered into. Currency conversion
involves dealer spreads and other costs, although commissions usually are not
charged. Successful use of forward currency contracts will depend on WRIMCO's
skill in analyzing and predicting currency values. Forward currency contracts
may substantially change the Fund's investment exposure to changes in currency
exchange rates, and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not
perform as WRIMCO anticipates. There is no assurance that WRIMCO's use of
forward currency contracts will be advantageous to the Fund or that it will
hedge at an appropriate time.
With respect to the Fund's options, futures and forward currency contract
positions, the Fund will segregate assets as described in the SAI.
Swap agreements can take many different forms and are known by a variety of
names. The Fund is not limited to any particular form of swap agreement if
WRIMCO determines it is consistent with the Fund's investment objective and
policies. In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make
payments only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a
fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap obtains
the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified interest rate
exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an interest rate floor is
obligated to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls
below an agreed-upon level. An interest rate collar combines elements of buying
a cap and selling a floor. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may
increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Fund's investments and its
share price and yield. The most significant factor in the performance of swap
agreements is the change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other
factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from the Fund. If,
however, a swap agreement calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be
prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the counterparty's
creditworthiness declined, the value of a swap agreement would be likely to
decline, potentially resulting in losses.
Indexed securities are securities whose prices are indexed to the prices of
other securities, securities indices, currencies, precious metals or other
commodities, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but
not always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon
rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic. The
performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance
of the security, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed, and
may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the U.S. and abroad. At the
same time, indexed securities are subject to the credit risks associated with
the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the
issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the underlying instruments.
The Fund may invest in derivative mortgage-backed securities. These securities
are subject to significant market risks. See "Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed
Securities".
WRIMCO can use each of the practices described above for hedging purposes and
for speculative purposes. The use of derivative techniques for speculative
purposes can increase investment risk. See the SAI for further information
regarding the risks associated with these techniques.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest more
than 5% of its total assets in forward currency contracts.
Mortgage-Backed Securities may include pools of mortgages, such as
collateralized mortgage obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities.
The value of these securities may be significantly affected by changes in
interest rates, the market's perception of the issuers, and the creditworthiness
of the parties involved. The effective maturities of these securities are
estimated based upon expected prepayments. Rates of prepayment that exceed or
do not meet those anticipated may affect total return and increase risk.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest more
than 40% of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities.
Stripped Securities are the separate income or principal components of a debt
instrument. These involve risks that are similar to those of other debt
securities, although they may be more volatile. The prices of stripped
mortgage-backed securities may be particularly affected by changes in interest
rates. As interest rates fall, prepayment rates tend to increase, which tends
to reduce prices of "interest only" securities and increase prices of "principal
only" securities. Rising interest rates can have the opposite effect.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest more
than 5% of its total assets in stripped securities.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions are trading practices in which
payment and delivery for the securities take place at a future date. The market
value of a security could change during this period.
When purchasing securities on a delayed-delivery basis, the Fund assumes the
rights and risks of ownership, including the risk of price fluctuations.
Because the Fund is not required to pay for securities until the delivery date,
these risks are in addition to the risks associated with the Fund's other
investments. If the Fund remains substantially fully invested at a time when
delayed-delivery purchases are outstanding, the delayed-delivery purchases may
result in a form of leverage. When delayed-delivery purchases are outstanding,
the Fund will set aside appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial
account to cover its purchase obligations.
When the Fund has sold a security on a delayed-delivery basis, the Fund does not
participate in further gains or losses with respect to the security. If the
other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the
securities, the Fund could miss a favorable price opportunity, or could suffer a
loss. The Fund may renegotiate delayed-delivery transactions after they are
entered into, and may sell underlying securities before they are delivered,
which may result in capital gains or losses.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest more
than 5% of its total assets in when-issued and delayed delivery
transactions.
Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund buys a security at
one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back at a higher price. Delays
or losses could result if the other party to the agreement defaults or becomes
insolvent.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest in restricted
securities, which are securities that are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on resale. The Fund may also invest in illiquid investments.
Illiquid investments may be difficult to sell promptly at an acceptable price.
Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or may be costly to the
Fund.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund may not purchase a security if, as a
result, more than 15% of its assets would be invested in illiquid investments.
Other Instruments may include depositary receipts, rights, warrants and
securities of closed-end investment companies. As a shareholder in an
investment company, the Fund would bear its pro rata share of that investment
company's expenses, which could result in duplication of certain fees, including
management and administrative fees.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest more
than 10% of its total assets in securities of other investment companies,
subject to the limitations explained in the SAI.
Diversification. Diversifying a fund's investment portfolio can reduce the
risks of investing. This may include limiting the amount of money invested in
any one issuer or, on a broader scale, in any one industry.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, with respect to 75% of
total assets, the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in any
one issuer and may not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
a single issuer.
As a fundamental policy, the Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total
assets in any one industry. These limitations do not apply to U.S. Government
Securities.
Borrowing. The Fund may borrow from banks. If the Fund borrows money, its
share price may be subject to greater fluctuation until the borrowing is paid
off. If the Fund makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding,
this may be considered a form of leverage.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, the Fund may borrow only
for emergency or extraordinary purposes, but not in an amount exceeding 33 1/3%
of its total assets.
Lending. The Fund may lend securities to broker-dealers and institutions on a
short-term or long-term basis for the purpose of increasing income. This
practice could result in a loss or a delay in recovering the Fund's securities.
Loans will be made only to parties deemed by WRIMCO to be creditworthy.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, securities loans, in the
aggregate, may not exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets.
<PAGE>
About Your Account
The different ways to set up (register) your account are listed below.
Ways to Set Up Your Account
- ----------------------------------------------------
Individual or Joint Tenants
For your general investment needs
Individual accounts are owned by one person. Joint accounts can have two or
more owners (tenants).
- -----------------------------------------------------
Business or Organization
For investment needs of corporations, associations, partnerships, institutions,
or other groups
- -----------------------------------------------------
Retirement
To shelter your retirement savings from taxes
Retirement plans allow individuals to shelter investment income and capital
gains from current taxes. In addition, contributions to these accounts may be
tax deductible.
_ Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) allow anyone of legal age and under 70/
with earned income to invest up to $2,000 per tax year. The maximum is $2,250
if the investor's spouse has less than $250 of earned income in the taxable
year.
_ Rollover IRAs retain special tax advantages for certain distributions from
employer-sponsored retirement plans.
_ Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEP - IRAs) provide small business owners
or those with self-employed income (and their eligible employees) with many of
the same advantages as a Keogh, but with fewer administrative requirements.
_ Keogh Plans allow self-employed individuals to make tax-deductible
contributions for themselves up to 25% of their annual earned income, with a
maximum of $30,000 per year.
_ 401(k) Programs allow employees of corporations of all sizes to contribute a
percentage of their wages on a tax-deferred basis. These accounts need to be
established by the administrator or trustee of the plan.
_ 403(b) Custodial Accounts are available to employees of public school systems
or certain types of charitable organizations.
_ 457 Accounts allow employees of state and local governments and certain
charitable organizations to contribute a portion of their compensation on a
tax-deferred basis.
- -----------------------------------------------------
Gifts or Transfers to a Minor (UGMA, UTMA)
To invest for a child's education or other future needs
These custodial accounts provide a way to give money to a child and obtain tax
benefits. An individual can give up to $10,000 a year per child without paying
Federal gift tax. Depending on state laws, you can set up a custodial account
under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) or the Uniform Transfers to Minors
Act (UTMA).
- -----------------------------------------------------
Trust
For money being invested by a trust
The trust must be established before an account can be opened, or you may use a
trust form made available by Waddell & Reed. Contact your Waddell & Reed
account representative for the form.
- ------------------------------------------------------
Buying Shares
You may buy shares of the Fund through Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its account
representatives. To open your account you must complete and sign an
application. Your Waddell & Reed account representative can help you with any
questions you might have.
The price to buy a share of the Fund, called the offering price, is calculated
every business day.
The offering price of a Class A share (price to buy one Class A share) is the
Fund's Class A net asset value ("NAV") plus the sales charge shown in the table
below.
Sales
Sales Charge
Charge as
as Approx.
Percent Percent
of of
Size of Offering Amount
Purchase Price Invested
- -------- -------- --------
Under
$100,000 5.75% 6.10%
$100,000
to less
than
$200,000 4.75 4.99
$200,000
to less
than
$300,000 3.50 3.63
$300,000
to less
than
$500,000 2.50 2.56
$500,000
to less
than
$1,000,000 1.50 1.52
$1,000,000
to less
than
$2,000,000 1.00 1.01
$2,000,000
and over 0.00 0.00
The Fund's Class A NAV is the value of a single share. The Class A NAV is
computed by adding with respect to that Class the value of the Fund's
investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its liabilities, and then
dividing the result by the number of Class A shares outstanding.
The securities in the Fund's portfolio that are listed or traded on an exchange
are valued primarily using market quotations or, if market quotations are not
available, at their fair value in a manner determined in good faith by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors. Bonds are generally valued according to
prices quoted by a dealer in bonds that offers a pricing service. Short-term
debt securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
Other assets are valued at their fair value by or at the direction of the Board
of Directors.
The Fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is
open. The Fund normally calculates the net asset values of its shares as of the
later of the close of business of the NYSE, normally 4 p.m. Eastern time, or the
close of the regular session of any other securities or commodities exchange on
which an option or future held by the Fund is traded.
The Fund may invest in securities listed on foreign exchanges which may trade on
Saturdays or on customary U.S. national business holidays when the NYSE is
closed. Consequently, the NAV of Fund shares may be significantly affected on
days when the Fund does not price its shares and when you have no access to the
Fund.
When you place an order to buy shares, your order will be processed at the next
offering price calculated after your order is received and accepted. Note the
following:
Orders are accepted only at the home office of Waddell & Reed, Inc.
All of your purchases must be made in U.S. dollars.
If you buy shares by check, and then sell those shares by any method other
than by exchange to another fund in the United Group, the payment may be
delayed for up to ten days to ensure that your previous investment has
cleared.
The Fund does not issue certificates representing shares of the Fund.
When you sign your account application, you will be asked to certify that
your Social Security or taxpayer identification number is correct and whether
you are subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the
IRS.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. reserves the right to reject any purchase orders, including
purchases by exchange, and it and the Fund reserve the right to discontinue
offering Fund shares for purchase.
Lower sales charges are available by combining additional purchases of shares
of a corresponding class of any of the funds in the United Group, to the extent
otherwise permitted, except United Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., United Cash
Management, Inc., United Government Securities Fund, Inc. and United Municipal
High Income Fund, Inc., with the net asset value of Class A shares already held
("rights of accumulation") and by grouping all purchases of Class A shares made
during a thirteen-month period ("Statement of Intention"). Shares of a
corresponding class of another fund purchased through a contractual plan may not
be included unless the plan has been completed. Purchases by certain related
persons may be grouped. Additional information and applicable forms are
available from Waddell & Reed account representatives.
Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value by the Directors and officers
of the Fund, employees of Waddell & Reed, Inc., employees of their affiliates,
account representatives of Waddell & Reed, Inc. and the spouse, children,
parents, children's spouses and spouse's parents of each such Director, officer,
employee and account representative. Purchases of Class A shares in certain
retirement plans and certain trusts for these persons may also be made at net
asset value. Purchases of Class A shares in a 401(k) plan having 100 or more
eligible employees and purchases of Class A shares in a 457 plan having 100 or
more eligible employees may be made at net asset value. Shares may also be
issued at net asset value in a merger, acquisition or exchange offer made
pursuant to a plan of reorganization to which the Fund is a party.
Minimum Investments
To Open an Account $500
For certain
exchanges $100
For certain
retirement
accounts and
accounts opened
with Automatic
Investment Service $50
For certain
retirement
accounts and
accounts opened
through payroll
deductions for or
by employees of
WRIMCO, Waddell &
Reed, Inc. and
their affiliates$25
To Add to an Account
For certain
exchanges $100
For Automatic
Investment
Service $25
Adding to Your Account
Subject to the minimums described under "Minimum Investments," you can make
additional investments of any amount at any time.
To add to your account, make your check payable to Waddell & Reed, Inc. Mail
the check along with:
the detachable form that accompanies the confirmation of a prior purchase by
you or your year-to-date statement, or
a letter showing your account number, the account registration, and
stating that you wish to purchase Class A shares of United Asset Strategy
Fund, Inc.
Mail to Waddell & Reed, Inc. at the address printed on your confirmation or
year-to-date statement.
Selling Shares
You can arrange to take money out of your Fund account at any time by selling
(redeeming) some or all of your shares.
The redemption price (price to sell one Class A share) is the Fund's Class A
NAV.
To sell shares, your request must be made in writing.
Complete an Account Service Request form, available from your Waddell & Reed
account representative, or write a letter of instruction with:
the name on the account registration,
the Fund's name,
the Fund account number,
the dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed, and
any other applicable requirements listed in the table below.
Deliver the form or your letter to your Waddell & Reed account representative,
or mail it to:
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217
Unless otherwise instructed, Waddell & Reed will send a check to the address on
the account.
Special Requirements for Selling Shares
Account Type Special Requirements
- --------------- --------------------------
Individual or The written instructions
Joint Tenant must be signed by all
persons required to sign
for transactions, exactly
as their names appear on
the account.
Sole The written instructions
Proprietorship must be signed by the
individual owner of the
business.
UGMA, UTMA The custodian must sign
the written instructions
indicating capacity as
custodian.
Retirement The written instructions
account must be signed by a
properly authorized
person.
Trust The trustee must sign the
written instructions
indicating capacity as
trustee. If the trustee's
name is not in the account
registration, provide a
currently certified copy
of the trust document.
Business or At least one person
Organization authorized by corporate
resolution to act on the
account must sign the
written instructions.
Conservator, The written instructions
Guardian or must be signed by the
other fiduciary person properly authorized
by court order to act in
the particular fiduciary
capacity.
When you place an order to sell shares, your shares will be sold at the next
NAV calculated after your request is received and accepted by Waddell & Reed,
Inc. at its home office. Note the following:
Written requests for redemption must be in good order, which requires that if
more than one person owns the shares, each owner must sign the written
request.
If you recently purchased the shares by check, the Fund may delay payment of
redemption proceeds. You may arrange for the bank upon which the purchase
check was drawn to provide to the Fund telephone or written assurance,
satisfactory to the Fund, that the check has cleared and been honored. If no
such assurance is given, payment of the redemption proceeds on these shares
will be delayed until the earlier of 10 days or the date the Fund is able to
verify that your purchase check has cleared and been honored.
Redemptions may be suspended or payment dates postponed on days when the NYSE
is closed (other than weekends or holidays), when trading on the NYSE is
restricted, or as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Payment is normally made in cash, although under extraordinary conditions
redemptions may be made in portfolio securities.
The Fund reserves the right to require a signature guarantee on certain
redemption requests. This requirement is designed to protect you and Waddell &
Reed from fraud. The Fund may require a signature guarantee in certain
situations such as:
the request for redemption is made by a corporation, partnership or
fiduciary;
the request for redemption is made by someone other than the owner of record;
or
the check is being made payable to someone other than the owner of record.
The Fund will accept a signature guarantee from a national bank, a federally
chartered savings and loan or a member firm of a national stock exchange or
other eligible guarantor in accordance with procedures of the Fund's transfer
agent. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
The Fund reserves the right to redeem at NAV all shares of the Fund owned or
held by you having an aggregate NAV of less than $500. The Fund will give you
notice of its intention to redeem your shares and a 60-day opportunity to
purchase a sufficient number of additional shares to bring the aggregate NAV of
your shares to $500.
You may reinvest without charge all or part of the amount you redeemed by
sending to the Fund the amount you want to reinvest. The reinvested amounts
must be received by the Fund within thirty days after the date of your
redemption. You may do this only once as to Class A shares of the Fund.
Under the terms of the 401(k) prototype plan which Waddell & Reed, Inc. has
available, the plan may have the right to make a loan to a plan participant by
redeeming Fund shares held by the plan. Principal and interest payments on the
loan made in accordance with the terms of the plan may be reinvested by the
plan, without payment of a sales charge, in shares of a corresponding class of
any of the funds in the United Group in which the plan may invest.
Shareholder Services
Waddell & Reed provides a variety of services to help you manage your account.
Personal Service
Your local Waddell & Reed account representative is available to provide
personal service. Additionally, the Waddell & Reed Customer Services staff is
available to respond promptly to your inquiries and requests.
Reports
Statements and reports sent to you include the following:
confirmation statements (after every purchase, exchange, transfer or
redemption)
year-to-date statements (quarterly)
annual and semiannual reports (every six months)
To reduce expenses, only one copy of most annual and semiannual reports will be
mailed to your household, even if you have more than one account with the Fund.
Call 913-236-2000 if you need copies of annual or semiannual reports or
historical account information.
Exchanges
You may sell your Class A shares and buy corresponding shares of other funds
in the United Group. You may exchange only into funds that are legally
registered for sale in your state of residence. Note that exchanges out of the
Fund may have tax consequences for you. Before exchanging into a fund, read its
prospectus.
Subject to certain conditions, exchanges of corresponding shares of certain
other funds in the United Group and automatic monthly exchanges of corresponding
shares of United Cash Management, Inc. may be made into the Fund.
The Fund reserves the right to terminate or modify these exchange privileges at
any time, upon notice in certain instances.
Automatic Transactions
Flexible Withdrawal Service lets you set up monthly, quarterly, semiannual or
annual redemptions from your account.
Regular Investment Plans
allow you to transfer money into your Fund account, or between fund accounts,
automatically. While regular investment plans do not guarantee a profit and
will not protect you against loss in a declining market, they can be an
excellent way to invest for retirement, a home, educational expenses, and other
long-term financial goals.
Certain restrictions and fees imposed by the plan custodian may also apply for
retirement accounts. Speak with your Waddell & Reed account representative for
more information.
Regular Investment Plans
Automatic Investment Service
To move money from your bank account to an existing Fund account
Minimum Frequency
$25 Monthly
Funds Plus Service To move money from United Cash Management, Inc. to the Fund
whether in the same or a different account
Minimum Frequency
$100 Monthly
Dividends, Distributions, and Taxes
Distributions
The Fund distributes substantially all of its net income and capital gains to
shareholders each year. Ordinarily, dividends are distributed from the Fund's
net investment income, which includes accrued interest, earned discount,
dividends and other income earned on portfolio assets less expenses, quarterly
in March, June, September and December. Net capital gains (and any net realized
gains from foreign currency transactions) ordinarily are distributed in
December. The Fund may make additional distributions if necessary to avoid
Federal income or excise taxes on its undistributed income and capital
gains.
Distribution Options. When you open an account, specify on your application how
you want to receive your distributions. The Fund offers three options:
1. Share Payment Option. Your dividend and capital gains distributions will
be automatically paid in additional Class A shares of the Fund. If you do not
indicate a choice on your application, you will be assigned this option.
2. Income-Earned Option. Your capital gains distributions will be
automatically paid in Class A shares, but you will be sent a check for each
dividend distribution.
3. Cash Option. You will be sent a check for your dividend and capital gains
distributions.
For retirement accounts, all distributions are automatically paid in Class A
shares.
Taxes
The Fund intends to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") so that it will
be relieved of Federal income tax on that part of its investment company taxable
income (consisting generally of net investment income, net short-term capital
gains and net gains from certain foreign currency transactions) and net capital
gains (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short term capital
loss) that are distributed to its shareholders.
There are tax requirements that all funds must follow in order to avoid Federal
taxation. In its effort to adhere to these requirements, the Fund may have to
limit its investment activity in some types of instruments.
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Fund will
be taxed. If your account is not a tax-deferred retirement account, you should
be aware of the following tax implications:
Taxes on distributions. Dividends from the Fund's investment company taxable
income are taxable to you as ordinary income whether received in cash or paid in
additional Fund shares. Distributions of the Fund's realized net capital gains,
when designated as such, are taxable to you as long-term capital gains, whether
received in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares and regardless of the
length of time you have owned your shares. The Fund notifies you after each
calendar year-end as to the amounts of dividends and distributions paid (or
deemed paid) to you for that year.
A portion of the dividends paid by the Fund, whether received in cash or paid in
additional Fund shares, may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction
allowed to corporations. The eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate
dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations. However, dividends
received by a corporate shareholder and deducted by it pursuant to the
dividends-received deduction are subject indirectly to the alternative minimum
tax.
Withholding. The Fund is required to withhold 31% of all dividends,
distributions and redemption proceeds payable to individuals and certain other
noncorporate shareholders who do not furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer
identification number. Withholding at that rate from dividends and
distributions also is required for such shareholders who otherwise are subject
to backup withholding.
Taxes on transactions. Your redemption of Fund shares will result in taxable
gain or loss to you, depending on whether the redemption proceeds are more or
less than your adjusted basis for the redeemed shares (which normally includes
any sales charge paid). An exchange of Fund shares for shares of any other fund
in the United Group generally will have similar tax consequences. However,
special rules apply when you dispose of Fund shares through a redemption or
exchange within ninety days after your purchase thereof and subsequently
reacquire Fund shares or acquire shares of another fund in the United Group
without paying a sales charge due to the thirty-day reinvestment privilege or
exchange privilege. See "About Your Account." In these cases, any gain on the
disposition of the Fund shares would be increased, or loss decreased, by the
amount of the sales charge you paid when those shares were acquired, and that
amount will increase the adjusted basis of the shares subsequently acquired. In
addition, if you purchase Class A shares of the Fund within thirty days before
or after redeeming other Class A shares of the Fund at a loss, part or all of
that loss will not be deductible and will increase the basis of the newly
purchased shares.
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal tax
considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders. There may be
other Federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a particular
investor. You are urged to consult your own tax adviser.
<PAGE>
About the Management and Expenses of the Fund
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. is a mutual fund: an investment that pools
shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal. In technical terms,
the Fund is an open-end diversified management investment company organized as a
corporation under Maryland law on August 25, 1994.
The Fund is governed by a Board of Directors, which has overall responsibility
for the management of the Fund's affairs. The majority of directors are not
affiliated with Waddell & Reed, Inc.
The Fund has two classes of shares. Prior to September 12, 1995, the Fund
offered only one class of shares to the public. Shares outstanding on that date
were designated as Class A shares, which are offered by this Prospectus. In
addition, the Fund offers Class Y shares through a separate Prospectus. Class Y
shares are designed for institutional investors. Class Y shares are not subject
to a sales charge on purchases and are not subject to redemption fees. Class Y
shares are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee. Additional information about Class
Y shares may be obtained by calling 913-236-2000 or by writing to Waddell &
Reed, Inc. at the address on the inside back cover of the Prospectus.
The Fund does not hold annual meetings of shareholders; however, certain
significant corporate matters, such as the approval of a new investment advisory
agreement or a change in a fundamental investment policy, which require
shareholder approval will be presented to shareholders at a meeting called by
the Board of Directors for such purpose.
Special meetings of shareholders may be called for any purpose upon receipt by
the Fund of a request in writing signed by shareholders holding not less than
25% of all shares entitled to vote at such meeting, provided certain conditions
stated in the Bylaws of the Fund are met. There will normally be no meeting of
the shareholders for the purpose of electing directors until such time as less
than a majority of directors holding office have been elected by shareholders,
at which time the directors then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for
the election of directors. To the extent that Section 16(c) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, ("1940 Act") applies to the Fund, the directors
are required to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon
the question of removal of any director when requested in writing to do so by
the shareholders of record of not less than 10% of the Fund's outstanding
shares.
Each share (regardless of Class) has one vote. All shares of the Fund vote
together as a single Class, except as to any matter for which a separate vote of
any Class is required by the 1940 Act, and except as to any matter which affects
the interests of one or more particular Classes, in which case only the
shareholders of the affected Classes are entitled to vote, each as a separate
Class. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable when purchased.
WRIMCO and Its Affiliates
The Fund is managed by WRIMCO, subject to the authority of the Fund's Board of
Directors. WRIMCO provides investment advice to the Fund and supervises the
Fund's investments. Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its predecessors served as
investment manager to each of the registered investment companies in the United
Group of Mutual Funds since 1940 or the inception of the company, whichever was
later, and to TMK/United Funds, Inc. since that fund's inception, until January
8, 1992, when it assigned its duties as investment manager and assigned its
professional staff for investment management services to WRIMCO. WRIMCO has
also served as investment manager for Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. since its
inception in September 1992 and Torchmark Government Securities Fund, Inc. and
Torchmark Insured Tax-Free Fund, Inc. since each commenced operations in
February 1993.
James D. Wineland is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of
the Fund. Mr. Wineland has held his Fund responsibilities since March 1995. He
is Vice President of WRIMCO, Vice President of the Fund and Vice President of
other investment companies for which WRIMCO serves as investment manager. Mr.
Wineland has served as the portfolio manager of investment companies managed by
Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its successor, WRIMCO, since January 1988 and has been
an employee of Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its successor, WRIMCO, since November
1984. Other members of WRIMCO's investment management department provide input
on market outlook, economic conditions, investment research and other
considerations relating to the Fund's investments.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. serves as the Fund's underwriter and as underwriter for
each of the other funds in the United Group of Mutual Funds and Waddell & Reed
Funds, Inc., and serves as the distributor for TMK/United Funds, Inc.
Waddell & Reed Services Company acts as transfer agent ("Shareholder Servicing
Agent") for the Fund and processes the payments of dividends. Waddell & Reed
Services Company also acts as agent ("Accounting Services Agent") in providing
bookkeeping and accounting services and assistance to the Fund and pricing daily
the value of shares of the Fund.
WRIMCO and Waddell & Reed Services Company are subsidiaries of Waddell & Reed,
Inc. Waddell & Reed, Inc. is a direct subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Financial
Services, Inc., a holding company and an indirect subsidiary of United Investors
Management Company, a holding company, and Torchmark Corporation, a holding
company.
WRIMCO places transactions for the portfolio of the Fund and in doing so may
consider sales of shares of the Fund and other funds it manages as a factor in
the selection of brokers to execute portfolio transactions.
Breakdown of Expenses
Like all mutual funds, the Fund pays fees related to its daily operations.
Expenses paid out of the Fund's assets are reflected in its share price or
dividends; they are neither billed directly to shareholders nor deducted from
shareholder accounts.
The Fund pays a management fee to WRIMCO for providing investment advice and
supervising its investments. The Fund also pays other expenses, which are
explained below.
Management Fee
The management fee of the Fund is calculated by adding a group fee to a
specific fee. It is accrued and paid to WRIMCO daily.
The specific fee is computed on the Fund's net asset value as of the close of
business each day at the annual rate of .30 of 1% of net assets. The group fee
is a pro rata participation based on the relative net asset size of the Fund in
the group fee computed each day on the combined net asset values of all the
funds in the United Group at the annual rates shown in the following table:
Group Fee Rate
Annual
Group Net Group
Asset Level Fee Rate
(all dollarsFor Each
in millions) Level
- ------------ ---------
From $0
to $750 .51 of 1%
From $750
to $1,500 .49 of 1%
From $1,500
to $2,250 .47 of 1%
From $2,250
to $3,000 .45 of 1%
From $3,000
to $3,750 .43 of 1%
From $3,750
to $7,500 .40 of 1%
From $7,500
to $12,000 .38 of 1%
Over $12,000.36 of 1%
Growth in assets of the United Group assures a lower group fee rate. When the
group net asset level is less than $750,000,000, the management fee for the Fund
is higher than that of most funds. For example, when the group net asset level
is less than $750,000,000, the Fund will pay a total management fee of .81 of 1%
of net assets (a specific fee of .30 of 1% of net assets plus a group fee of .51
of 1% of net assets).
Other Expenses
While the management fee is a significant component of the Fund's annual
operating costs, the Fund has other expenses as well.
The Fund pays the Accounting Services Agent a monthly fee based on the
average net assets of the Fund for accounting services. With respect to its
Class A shares, the Fund pays the Shareholder Servicing Agent a monthly fee for
each Class A shareholder account that was in existence at any time during the
month, and a fee for each account on which a dividend or distribution had a
record date during the month.
The Fund also pays other expenses, such as fees and expenses of certain
directors, audit and outside legal fees, costs of materials sent to
shareholders, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest, insurance premiums,
custodian fees, fees payable by the Fund under Federal or other securities laws
and to the Investment Company Institute, and extraordinary expenses including
litigation and indemnification relative to litigation.
The Fund has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act
with respect to its Class A shares. Under the Plan, the Fund may pay monthly a
fee to Waddell & Reed, Inc. in an amount not to exceed .25% of the Fund's
average annual net assets of its Class A shares. The fee is to be paid to
reimburse Waddell & Reed, Inc. for amounts it expends in connection with the
provision of personal services to Class A shareholders and/or maintenance of
Class A shareholder accounts. In particular, the Service Plan and a related
Service Agreement between the Fund and Waddell & Reed, Inc. contemplate that
these expenditures may include costs and expenses incurred by Waddell & Reed,
Inc. and its affiliates in compensating, training and supporting registered
account representatives, sales managers and/or other appropriate personnel in
providing personal services to Class A shareholders and/or maintaining Class A
shareholder accounts; increasing services provided to Class A shareholders by
office personnel located at field sales offices; engaging in other activities
useful in providing personal services to Class A shareholders and/or the
maintenance of shareholder accounts; and in compensating broker-dealers who may
regularly sell Class A shares, and other third parties, for providing Class A
shareholder services and/or maintaining Class A shareholder accounts.
The Fund cannot precisely predict what its portfolio turnover rate will be, but
it is anticipated that the annual turnover rate for the common stock portion of
its portfolio will not exceed 200% and that the annual turnover rate for the
other portion of its portfolio will not exceed 200%. A turnover rate in excess
of 100% could be considered high. A higher turnover will increase transaction
and commission costs and could generate taxable income or loss.
<PAGE>
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
Custodian Underwriter
UMB Bank, n.a. Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri 6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Legal Counsel Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP 66201-9217
1800 M Street, N. W. (913) 236-2000
Washington, D. C. 20036
Shareholder Servicing
Independent Accountants Agent
Price Waterhouse LLP Waddell & Reed
Kansas City, Missouri Services Company
6300 Lamar Avenue
Investment Manager P. O. Box 29217
Waddell & Reed Investment Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Management Company 66201-9217
6300 Lamar Avenue (913)236-2000
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas Accounting Services
66201-9217 Agent
(913) 236-2000 Waddell & Reed
Services Company
6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217
(913) 236-2000
<PAGE>
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
Class A Shares
PROSPECTUS
September 12, 1995
The United Group of Mutual Funds
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
United Cash Management, Inc.
United Continental Income Fund, Inc.
United Funds, Inc.
United Bond Fund
United Income Fund
United Accumulative Fund
United Science and Technology Fund
United Gold & Government Fund, Inc.
United Government Securities Fund, Inc.
United High Income Fund, Inc.
United High Income Fund II, Inc.
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
United Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
United Municipal High Income Fund, Inc.
United New Concepts Fund, Inc.
United Retirement Shares, Inc.
United Vanguard Fund, Inc.
NUP2017(9-95)
printed on recycled paper
<PAGE>
APPENDIX TO ELECTRONIC FILING ONLY
DESCRIBING GRAPH IN PROSPECTUS
SECTION "AN OVERVIEW OF THE FUND"
FOLLOWING THE PARAGRAPH BEGINNING "STRATEGY"
A pie chart divided into three parts, reflecting the mix "Stocks," "Bonds," and
"Short-term." The stocks and bonds slices are each 40% of the pie and the
short-term slice is 20% of the pie.
<PAGE>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION -- Information contained herein is subject to
completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities
has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet
become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be
accepted before the time the registration statement becomes effective. This
Prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer
to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which
such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful before registration or
qualification under the securities laws of any such state.
Please read this Prospectus before investing, and keep it on file for future
reference. It sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that you
ought to know before investing.
Additional information has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is contained in a Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")
dated September 12, 1995. The SAI is available free upon request to the Fund or
Waddell & Reed, Inc., the Fund's underwriter, at the address or telephone number
below. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and you will
not be aware of all facts unless you read both this Prospectus and the SAI.
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.
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
Class Y Shares
This asset allocation fund seeks high total return with reduced risk over the
long-term through investments in stocks, bonds, and short-term instruments.
This Prospectus describes one class of shares of the Fund -- Class Y Shares.
Prospectus
September 12, 1995
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
66201-9217
913-236-2000
<PAGE>
Table of Contents
An Overview of the Fund..................................3
Expenses.................................................5
Financial Highlights.....................................6
Performance..............................................7
Explanation of Terms................................7
About Waddell & Reed.....................................9
About the Investment Principles of the Fund..............10
Investment Principles...............................10
About Your Account.......................................11
Buying Shares.......................................11
Minimum Investments.................................13
Adding to Your Account..............................13
Selling Shares......................................13
Telephone Transactions..............................16
Shareholder Services................................16
Personal Service...............................16
Reports........................................16
Exchanges......................................16
Dividends, Distributions,...........................17
and Taxes...........................................17
Distributions..................................17
Taxes..........................................17
About the Management and Expenses of the Fund............20
WRIMCO and Its Affiliates...........................21
Breakdown of Expenses...............................22
Management Fee.................................22
Other Expenses.................................23
<PAGE>
An Overview of the Fund
The Fund: This Prospectus describes the Class Y shares of United Asset Strategy
Fund, Inc., an open-end, diversified management investment company.
Goal: United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") seeks high total return
with reduced risk over the long term. The Fund seeks to reduce risk over the
long term by spreading its assets among stocks, bonds and short-term
instruments, attempting to moderate the risk potential of investing solely in
one class of instruments. As with any mutual fund, there is no assurance that
the Fund will achieve its goal. See "About the Investment Principles of the
Fund" for further information.
Strategy: The Fund diversifies among stocks, bonds, and short-term instruments,
both in the United States and abroad, to pursue its specific goal. The Fund
designates a mix which represents the way the Fund's investments will generally
be allocated over the long term. This mix will vary over short-term periods as
Fund management adjusts the Fund's holdings - within defined ranges - based on
the current outlook for the different markets. See "About the Investment
Principles of the Fund" for further information.
Mix
_ Stocks 40% _ Bonds 40%
(can range (can range
from from
10-60%) 20-60%)
_ Short-term 20%
(can range from
0-70%)
Management: Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company ("WRIMCO") provides
investment advice to the Fund and manages the Fund's investments. WRIMCO is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Waddell & Reed, Inc. WRIMCO, Waddell & Reed, Inc.
and its predecessors have provided investment management services to registered
investment companies since 1940. See "About the Management and Expenses of the
Fund" for further information about management fees.
Distributor: Waddell & Reed, Inc. acts as principal underwriter and distributor
of the shares of the Fund.
Purchases: You may buy Class Y shares of the Fund through Waddell & Reed, Inc.
and its account representatives. The price to buy a Class Y share of the Fund
is the net asset value of a Class Y share. There is no sales charge incurred
upon purchase of Class Y shares of the Fund. See "About Your Account" for
information on how to purchase Class Y shares.
Redemptions: You may redeem your shares at net asset value. When you sell your
shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them. See "About
Your Account" for a description of redemption procedures.
Who May Want to Invest: Asset allocation funds are designed for investors who
want to diversify among stocks, bonds, and short-term instruments, in one fund.
If you are looking for an investment that uses this technique in pursuit of high
total return with reduced risk, this Fund may be appropriate for you.
Risk Considerations: Because the Fund owns different types of investments, its
performance will be affected by a variety of factors. The value of the Fund's
investments and the income generated will vary from day to day, generally
reflecting changes in interest rates, market conditions, and other company and
economic news. Performance will also depend on WRIMCO's skill in selecting
investments. See "About the Investment Principles of the Fund" for information
about the risks associated with the Fund's investments.
<PAGE>
Expenses
Shareholder transaction expenses are charges you pay when you buy or sell shares
of a fund.
Maximum sales load
on purchases None
Maximum sales load
on reinvested
dividends None
Deferred
sales load None
Redemption fees None
Exchange fee None
Annual Fund operating expenses (as a percentage of average net assets). 6
Management fees7 0.81%
12b-1 fees None
Other expenses 0.28%
Total Fund
operating expenses 1.09%
Example: You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
(1) 5% annual return8 and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
1 year $11
3 years $35
The purpose of this table is to assist you in understanding the various costs
and expenses that a shareholder of the Class Y shares of the Fund will bear
directly or indirectly. The example should not be considered a representation
of past or future expenses; actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those
shown. For a more complete discussion of certain expenses and fees, see
"Breakdown of Expenses."
6Estimated expenses for the first year of operation. Actual expenses may be
greater or lesser than those shown.
7The management fee for the Fund is higher than that of most funds.
8Use of an assumed annual return of 5% is for illustration purposes only and is
not a representation of the Fund's future performance, which may be greater or
lesser.
<PAGE>
Performance
Mutual fund performance is commonly measured as total return. The Fund may also
advertise its performance by showing performance rankings. Performance
information is calculated and presented separately for each class of Fund
shares.
Explanation of Terms
Total Return is the overall change in value of an investment in the Fund over a
given period, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and distributions. A
cumulative total return reflects actual performance over a stated period of
time. An average annual total return is a hypothetical rate of return that, if
achieved annually, would have produced the same cumulative total return if
performance had been constant over the entire period. Average annual total
returns smooth out variations in performance; they are not the same as actual
year-by-year results. Non-standardized total return may be for periods other
than those required to be presented or may otherwise differ from standardized
total return.
Performance Rankings are comparisons of the Fund's performance to the
performance of other selected mutual funds, selected recognized market
indicators such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the Dow Jones
Industrial Average, or non-market indices or averages of mutual fund industry
groups. The Fund may quote its performance rankings and/or other information as
published by recognized independent mutual fund statistical services or by
publications of general interest. In connection with a ranking, the Fund may
provide additional information, such as the particular category to which it
relates, the number of funds in the category, the criteria upon which the
ranking is based, and the effect of sales charges, fee waivers and/or expense
reimbursements.
All performance information that the Fund advertises or includes in information
provided to present or prospective shareholders is historical in nature and is
not intended to represent or guarantee future results. The value of the Fund's
shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.
The Fund's recent performance and holdings will be detailed twice a year in the
Fund's annual and semiannual reports, which are sent to all Fund shareholders.
<PAGE>
About Waddell & Reed
Since 1937, Waddell & Reed has been helping people make the most of their
financial future by helping them take advantage of various financial services.
Today, Waddell & Reed has over 2500 account representatives located throughout
the United States. Your primary contact in your dealings with Waddell & Reed
will be your local account representative. However, the Waddell & Reed
shareholder services department, which is part of the Waddell & Reed
headquarters operations in Overland Park, Kansas is available to assist you and
your Waddell & Reed account representative. You may speak with a customer
service representative by calling 913-236-2000.
<PAGE>
About the Investment Principles of the Fund
Investment Principles
The Fund seeks high total return with reduced risk over the long term by
allocating its assets among stocks, bonds, and short-term instruments.
Allocating assets among different types of investments allows the Fund to take
advantage of opportunities wherever they may occur, but also subjects the Fund
to the risks of a given investment type. Stock values generally fluctuate in
response to the activities of individual companies and general market and
economic conditions. The value of bonds and short-term instruments generally
fluctuates based on changes in interest rates and in the credit quality of the
issuer.
WRIMCO regularly reviews the Fund's allocation of assets and makes changes to
favor investments that it believes provide the most favorable outlook for
achieving the Fund's goal. Although WRIMCO uses its expertise and resources in
choosing investments and in allocating assets, WRIMCO's decisions may not always
be advantageous to the Fund. When you sell your shares, they may be worth more
or less than what you paid for them.
The Fund allocates its assets among the following classes, or types, of
investments. The stock class includes equity securities of all types. The bond
class includes all varieties of fixed-income instruments with maturities of more
than three years (including adjustable rate preferred stocks). The short-term
class includes all types of short-term instruments with remaining maturities of
three years or less. Within each of these classes, the Fund may invest in both
domestic and foreign securities.
WRIMCO has the ability to allocate the Fund's assets within specified ranges.
The Fund's mix indicates the benchmark for its combination of investments in
each class over time. WRIMCO may change the mix within the specified ranges
from time to time. The range and approximate percentage of the mix for each
asset class are shown below. Some types of investments, such as indexed
securities, can fall into more than one asset class.
Mix Range
- --------- ------
Stock
class 10-60%
40%
Bond
class 20-60%
40%
Short-term
class 0-70%
20%
In pursuit of the Fund's goal, WRIMCO will not try to pinpoint the precise
moment when a major reallocation should be made. Asset shifts among classes may
be made gradually over time. Under normal circumstances, a single reallocation
will not involve more than 10% of the Fund's total assets.
Within each class, WRIMCO seeks to maximize total return. WRIMCO seeks to
maximize total return within the stock class by actively allocating assets to
industry sectors expected to benefit from major trends, and to individual stocks
that WRIMCO believes to have superior growth potential. WRIMCO seeks to
maximize total return within the bond class by adjusting the Fund's investments
in securities with different credit qualities, maturities, and coupon or
dividend rates, and by seeking to take advantage of yield differentials between
securities. WRIMCO seeks to maximize total return within the short-term asset
class by taking advantage of yield differentials between different instruments,
issuers, and currencies. WRIMCO intends to take advantage of yield
differentials by considering the purchase or sale of instruments when
differentials on spreads between various grades and maturities of such
instruments approach extreme levels relative to long-term norms.
WRIMCO normally invests the Fund's assets according to its investment strategy;
however, as a temporary defensive measure at times when WRIMCO believes that
stocks, bonds and certain short-term instruments do not offer a good investment
opportunity, it may temporarily invest up to all of the Fund's assets in money
market instruments rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Prime
1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("MIS"), or unrated securities judged by
WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality.
Risk Considerations
Because the Fund owns different types of investments, its performance will be
affected by a variety of factors. The value of the Fund's investments and the
income it generates will vary from day to day, generally reflecting changes in
interest rates, market conditions, and other company and economic news.
Performance will also depend on WRIMCO's skill in allocating assets. The Fund
diversifies across investment types more than most mutual funds. No one mutual
fund, however, can provide an appropriate balanced investment plan for all
investors.
As more fully discussed under "Securities and Investment Practices," certain
types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, and certain strategies WRIMCO
may employ in pursuit of the Fund's investment goal, involve special risks.
Lower-quality debt securities (commonly called "junk bonds") are considered to
be speculative and involve greater risk of default or price changes due to
changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. The market prices of these securities
may fluctuate more than higher-quality securities and may decline significantly
in periods of general economic difficulty. Foreign securities and foreign
currencies may involve risks relating to currency fluctuations, political or
economic conditions in the foreign country, and the potentially less stringent
investor protection and disclosure standards of foreign markets. These factors
could make foreign investments, especially those in developing countries, more
volatile.
The Fund can use various techniques to increase or decrease its exposure to
changing security prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity
prices, or other factors that affect security values. These techniques may
involve derivative transactions. If WRIMCO judges market conditions incorrectly
or employs a strategy that does not correlate well with the Fund's investments,
these techniques could result in a loss, regardless of whether the intent was to
reduce risk or increase return. These techniques may increase the volatility of
the Fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of
the risk assumed. In addition, these techniques could result in a loss if the
counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised or if there is not
a liquid secondary market to close out a position that the Fund has entered
into.
The value of mortgage-backed securities may be significantly affected by changes
in interest rates, the market's perception of the issuers, and the
creditworthiness of the parties involved. These securities may also be subject
to prepayment risk. Stripped securities involve risks that are similar to those
of other debt securities, although stripped securities may be more volatile.
See "Securities and Investment Practices" for a more detailed discussion
concerning the instruments in which the Fund may invest, and the strategies
WRIMCO may employ in pursuit of the Fund's investment goal.
Securities and Investment Practices
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of instruments
in which the Fund may invest, and strategies WRIMCO may employ in pursuit of the
Fund's investment goal. Certain types of instruments and investment practices
could entail significant risks and WRIMCO will invest in these instruments and
engage in these practices only to the extent that they are consistent with the
Fund's goal of high total return with reduced risk over the long term. A
summary of risks and restrictions associated with these instrument types and
investment practices is included as well.
WRIMCO might not buy all of these instruments or use all of these techniques to
the full extent permitted unless it believes that doing so will help the Fund
achieve its goal. As a shareholder, you will receive annual and semiannual
reports detailing the Fund's holdings.
Certain of the investment policies and restrictions of the Fund are also stated
below. A fundamental policy of the Fund may not be changed without the approval
of the shareholders of the Fund. Operating policies may be changed by the Board
of Directors without the approval of the affected shareholders. The goal of the
Fund is a fundamental policy. Unless otherwise indicated, the types of
securities and other assets in which the Fund may invest and other policies are
operating policies.
Policies and limitations are typically considered at the time of purchase; the
sale of instruments is usually not required in the event of a subsequent change
in circumstances.
Please see the SAI for further information concerning the following instruments
and associated risks.
Equity Securities. Equity securities represent an ownership interest in an
issuer. This ownership interest often gives the Fund the right to vote on
measures affecting the issuer's organization and operations. The Fund may
invest in domestic and foreign equity securities. Equity securities may include
common stocks, fixed-rate preferred stocks (including convertible preferred
stocks), warrants, rights, depositary receipts, securities of closed-end
investment companies, and other equity securities issued by companies of any
size, located anywhere in the world. Although common stocks and other equity
securities have a history of long-term growth in value, their prices tend to
fluctuate in the short term, particularly those of smaller companies.
Debt Securities. Bonds and other debt instruments are used by issuers to borrow
money from investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of
interest, and must repay the amount borrowed at maturity. Some debt securities,
such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest, but are purchased at a
discount from their face values.
Debt securities have varying degrees of quality and varying levels of
sensitivity to changes in interest rates. As a general matter, however, when
interest rates rise, the values of fixed rate debt securities fall and
conversely, when interest rates fall, the value of fixed rate debt securities
rise. The values of floating and adjustable rate debt securities are not as
sensitive to changes in interest rates as the values of fixed rate debt
securities. Longer-term bonds are generally more sensitive to interest rate
changes than shorter-term bonds.
U.S. Government Securities are high-quality instruments issued or guaranteed as
to principal or interest by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or instrumentality
of the U.S. government. Not all U.S. Government Securities are backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States. Some are supported only by the
credit of the agency that issued them.
Debt securities rated AAA, AA, A and BBB by S&P or Aaa, Aa, A and Baa by MIS, or
unrated securities which are, in WRIMCO's opinion, of equivalent quality to
rated securities in these categories, are considered to be of investment grade
quality. Debt securities rated in the lowest investment grade category (BBB by
S&P or Baa by MIS), or comparable unrated securities, may have speculative
characteristics. Debt securities rated in the lower rating categories of the
established rating services (BB or lower by S&P or Ba or lower by MIS), or
comparable unrated securities, (commonly called "junk bonds") have predominantly
speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The Fund may invest
in debt securities rated in any rating category by an established rating
service, including securities in the lowest category (D by S&P and C by MIS),
and unrated securities judged by WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality. Debt
securities rated D by S&P or C by MIS are in payment default or are regarded as
having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
S&P and MIS ratings are described in Appendix A to the SAI. Credit ratings for
individual securities may change from time to time, and the Fund may retain a
portfolio security whose rating has been changed.
Lower-quality debt securities ("junk bonds") are considered to be speculative
and involve greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the
issuer's creditworthiness. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate
more than high-quality securities and may decline significantly in periods of
general economic difficulty. While the market for high yield, high-risk
corporate debt securities has been in existence for many years and has weathered
previous economic downturns, the 1980s brought a dramatic increase in the use of
such securities to fund highly leveraged corporate acquisitions and
restructurings. Past experience may not provide an accurate indication of the
future performance of the high-yield, high-risk bond market, especially during
periods of economic recession. The market for lower-rated debt securities may
be thinner and less active than that for higher-rated debt securities, which can
adversely affect the prices at which the former are sold. Adverse publicity and
changing investor perceptions may decrease the values and liquidity of lower-
rated debt securities, especially in a thinly-traded market. Valuation becomes
more difficult and judgment plays a greater role in valuing lower-rated debt
securities than with respect to securities for which more external sources of
quotations and last sale information are available. Since the risk of default
is higher for lower-rated debt securities, WRIMCO's research and credit analysis
are an especially important part of managing securities of this type held by the
Fund. WRIMCO continuously monitors the issuers of lower-rated debt securities
in its portfolio in an attempt to determine if the issuers will have sufficient
cash flow and profits to meet required principal and interest payments. The
Fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to pursue
litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security holder to seek to
protect the interests of security holders if it determines this to be in the
best interest of the Fund's shareholders.
Zero coupon bonds do not make interest payments; instead, they are sold at a
deep discount from their face value and are redeemed at face value when they
mature. Because zero coupon bonds do not pay current income, their prices can
be very volatile when interest rates change. In calculating its dividends, the
Fund takes into account as income a portion of the difference between a zero
coupon bond's purchase price and its face value.
Preferred Stock is also rated by S&P and MIS, as described in Appendix A to the
SAI. Preferred stock rated AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or aaa, aa, a or baa by MIS
is considered to be of investment grade. Preferred stock rated BB or lower by
S&P or ba or lower by MIS is considered to have speculative characteristics.
The Fund may invest in preferred stock rated in any rating category by an
established rating service and unrated preferred stock judged by WRIMCO to be of
equivalent quality.
Convertible Securities. A convertible security is bond, debenture, note,
preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a
prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a
particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible
security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the
dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is
redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment
characteristics in that they generally have higher yields than those of common
stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower yields than comparable
nonconvertible securities, are less subject to fluctuation in value than the
underlying stock because they have fixed income characteristics, and provide the
potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common
stock increases.
The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates,
with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as
interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors
also may have an effect on the convertible security's investment value.
Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies
whose stock prices may be volatile. A convertible security may be subject to
redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the security's
governing instrument. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for
redemption, the Fund will be required to convert it into the underlying common
stock, sell it to a third party or permit the issuer to redeem the security.
Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on the Fund's ability to
achieve its investment objective.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund may not invest more than 35% of its assets
in lower-quality debt securities (those rated below BBB by S&P or Baa by MIS and
unrated securities judged by WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality). However, the
Fund does not currently intend to invest more than 20% of its total assets in
securities rated below investment-grade or judged by WRIMCO to be of equivalent
quality.
Money Market Instruments are high-quality debt instruments that present minimal
credit risk. They may include U.S. Government Securities, commercial paper and
other short-term corporate obligations, and certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances, bank deposits, and other financial institution obligations. These
instruments may carry fixed or variable interest rates.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest in
money-market instruments rated below A-1 by S&P or Prime 1 by MIS, or judged by
WRIMCO to be of equivalent quality.
Foreign Securities and foreign currencies can involve significant risks in
addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. The value of securities
denominated in or indexed to foreign currencies, and of dividends and interest
from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies
strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities markets
generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets, and
prices on some foreign markets can be highly volatile. Many foreign countries
lack uniform accounting and disclosure standards comparable to those applicable
to U.S. companies, and it may be more difficult to obtain reliable information
regarding an issuer's financial condition and operations. In addition, the
costs of foreign investing, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions,
and custodial costs, are generally higher than for U.S. investments.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S. markets.
Foreign issuers, brokers, and securities markets may be subject to less
government supervision. Foreign security trading practices, including those
involving the release of assets in advance of payment, may involve increased
risks in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a broker-dealer, and
may involve substantial delays. It may also be difficult to enforce legal
rights in foreign countries.
Investing abroad also involves different political and economic risks. Foreign
investments may be affected by actions of foreign governments adverse to the
interests of U.S. investors, including the possibility of expropriation or
nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S.
investment or on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S.
dollars, or other government intervention. There may be a greater possibility
of default by foreign governments or foreign government-sponsored enterprises.
Investments in foreign countries also involve a risk of local political,
economic, or social instability, military action or unrest, or adverse
diplomatic developments. There is no assurance that WRIMCO will be able to
anticipate or counter these potential events or counter their effects.
The considerations noted above generally are intensified for investments in
developing countries. A developing country is a nation that, in WRIMCO's
opinion, is likely to experience long-term gross domestic product growth above
that expected to occur in the United States, the United Kingdom, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada. Developing countries may have relatively
unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries, and securities
markets that trade a small number of securities.
The Fund may invest in foreign securities that impose restrictions on transfer
within the U.S. or to U.S. persons. Although securities subject to transfer
restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less liquid than foreign
securities of the same class that are not subject to such restrictions.
Policies and Restrictions: Under normal conditions, the Fund intends to limit
its investments in foreign securities to no more than 50% of total assets. The
Fund currently intends to limit its investments in obligations of any single
foreign government to less than 25% of its total assets.
Derivative Transactions. The Fund can use various techniques to increase or
decrease its exposure to changing security prices, interest rates, currency
exchange rates, commodity prices, or other factors that affect security values.
These techniques may involve derivative transactions such as buying and selling
options and futures contracts, entering into currency exchange contracts or swap
agreements, and purchasing indexed securities.
Options offer large amounts of leverage, which will result in the Fund's net
asset value being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related
investment. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for
exchange-listed options. The market for options that are not listed on an
exchange may be less active than the market for exchange-listed options. The
Fund will be able to close a position in an option it has written only if there
is a market for the put or call. If the Fund is not able to enter into a
closing transaction on an option it has written, it will be required to maintain
the securities, or cash in the case of an option on an index, subject to the
call or the collateral underlying the put until a closing purchase transaction
can be entered into or the option expires. Because index options are settled in
cash, the Fund cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement
obligations on a call it has written on an index by holding the underlying
securities. The Fund bears the risk that the value of the securities it holds
will vary from the value of the index. Option transactions may increase the
Fund's portfolio turnover rate creating greater commission expenses, transaction
costs and tax consequences.
Since futures contracts and options thereon can replicate movements in the cash
markets for the securities in which the Fund invests without the large cash
investments required for dealing in such markets, they may subject the Fund to
greater and more volatile risks than might otherwise be the case. The principal
risks related to the use of such instruments are: imperfect correlation between
movements in the market price of the portfolio investments (held or intended)
and in the price of the futures contract or option; possible lack of a liquid
secondary market for closing out futures or options positions; the need for
additional portfolio management skills and techniques; and losses due to
unanticipated market price movements. The ordinary spreads between prices in
the cash and futures markets, due to the differences in the natures of those
markets, are subject to distortion. Due to the possibility of distortion, a
correct forecast of general interest or stock market trends by WRIMCO may still
not result in a successful transaction. WRIMCO may be incorrect in its
expectations as to the extent of various interest rate movements or stock market
movements or the time span within which the movements take place.
Gains and losses on investments in options and futures contracts depends on
WRIMCO's ability to predict correctly the direction of stock prices, interest
rates and other economic factors. See the SAI for further information about
these instruments and their risks.
Currencies may be exchanged on a spot (i.e., cash) basis, or by entering into
forward currency contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future
date, at a price set when the contract is entered into. Currency conversion
involves dealer spreads and other costs, although commissions usually are not
charged. Successful use of forward currency contracts will depend on WRIMCO's
skill in analyzing and predicting currency values. Forward currency contracts
may substantially change the Fund's investment exposure to changes in currency
exchange rates, and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not
perform as WRIMCO anticipates. There is no assurance that WRIMCO's use of
forward currency contracts will be advantageous to the Fund or that it will
hedge at an appropriate time.
With respect to the Fund's options, futures and forward currency contract
positions, the Fund will segregate assets as described in the SAI.
Swap agreements can take many different forms and are known by a variety of
names. The Fund is not limited to any particular form of swap agreement if
WRIMCO determines it is consistent with the Fund's investment objective and
policies. In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make
payments only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a
fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap obtains
the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified interest rate
exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an interest rate floor is
obligated to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls
below an agreed-upon level. An interest rate collar combines elements of buying
a cap and selling a floor. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may
increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Fund's investments and its
share price and yield. The most significant factor in the performance of swap
agreements is the change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other
factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from the Fund. If,
however, a swap agreement calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be
prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the counterparty's
creditworthiness declined, the value of a swap agreement would be likely to
decline, potentially resulting in losses.
Indexed securities are securities whose prices are indexed to the prices of
other securities, securities indices, currencies, precious metals or other
commodities, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but
not always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon
rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic. The
performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance
of the security, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed, and
may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the U.S. and abroad. At the
same time, indexed securities are subject to the credit risks associated with
the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the
issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the underlying instruments.
The Fund may invest in derivative mortgage-backed securities. These securities
are subject to significant market risks. See "Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed
Securities".
WRIMCO can use each of the practices described above for hedging purposes and
for speculative purposes. The use of derivative techniques for speculative
purposes can increase investment risk. See the SAI for further information
regarding the risks associated with these techniques.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest more
than 5% of its total assets in forward currency contracts.
Mortgage-Backed Securities may include pools of mortgages, such as
collateralized mortgage obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities.
The value of these securities may be significantly affected by changes in
interest rates, the market's perception of the issuers, and the creditworthiness
of the parties involved. The effective maturities of these securities are
estimated based upon expected prepayments. Rates of prepayment that exceed or
do not meet those anticipated may affect total return and increase risk.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest more
than 40% of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities.
Stripped Securities are the separate income or principal components of a debt
instrument. These involve risks that are similar to those of other debt
securities, although they may be more volatile. The prices of stripped
mortgage-backed securities may be particularly affected by changes in interest
rates. As interest rates fall, prepayment rates tend to increase, which tends
to reduce prices of "interest only" securities and increase prices of "principal
only" securities. Rising interest rates can have the opposite effect.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest more
than 5% of its total assets in stripped securities.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions are trading practices in which
payment and delivery for the securities take place at a future date. The market
value of a security could change during this period.
When purchasing securities on a delayed-delivery basis, the Fund assumes the
rights and risks of ownership, including the risk of price fluctuations.
Because the Fund is not required to pay for securities until the delivery date,
these risks are in addition to the risks associated with the Fund's other
investments. If the Fund remains substantially fully invested at a time when
delayed-delivery purchases are outstanding, the delayed-delivery purchases may
result in a form of leverage. When delayed-delivery purchases are outstanding,
the Fund will set aside appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial
account to cover its purchase obligations.
When the Fund has sold a security on a delayed-delivery basis, the Fund does not
participate in further gains or losses with respect to the security. If the
other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the
securities, the Fund could miss a favorable price opportunity, or could suffer a
loss. The Fund may renegotiate delayed-delivery transactions after they are
entered into, and may sell underlying securities before they are delivered,
which may result in capital gains or losses.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest more
than 5% of its total assets in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions.
Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund buys a security at
one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back at a higher price. Delays
or losses could result if the other party to the agreement defaults or becomes
insolvent.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest in restricted
securities, which are securities that are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on resale. The Fund may also invest in illiquid investments.
Illiquid investments may be difficult to sell promptly at an acceptable price.
Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or may be costly to the
Fund.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund may not purchase a security if, as a
result, more than 15% of its assets would be invested in illiquid investments.
Other Instruments may include depositary receipts, rights, warrants and
securities of closed-end investment companies. As a shareholder in an
investment company, the Fund would bear its pro rata share of that investment
company's expenses, which could result in duplication of certain fees, including
management and administrative fees.
Policies and Restrictions: The Fund does not currently intend to invest more
than 10% of its total assets in securities of other investment companies,
subject to the limitations explained in the SAI.
Diversification. Diversifying a fund's investment portfolio can reduce the
risks of investing. This may include limiting the amount of money invested in
any one issuer or, on a broader scale, in any one industry.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, with respect to 75% of
total assets, the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in any
one issuer and may not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
a single issuer.
As a fundamental policy, the Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total
assets in any one industry. These limitations do not apply to U.S. Government
Securities.
Borrowing. The Fund may borrow from banks. If the Fund borrows money, its
share price may be subject to greater fluctuation until the borrowing is paid
off. If the Fund makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding,
this may be considered a form of leverage.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, the Fund may borrow only
for emergency or extraordinary purposes, but not in an amount exceeding 33 1/3%
of its total assets.
Lending. The Fund may lend securities to broker-dealers and institutions on a
short-term or long-term basis for the purpose of increasing income. This
practice could result in a loss or a delay in recovering the Fund's securities.
Loans will be made only to parties deemed by WRIMCO to be creditworthy.
Policies and Restrictions: As a fundamental policy, securities loans, in the
aggregate, may not exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets.
<PAGE>
About Your Account
Class Y shares are designed for institutional investors. Class Y shares are
available for purchase by:
_ participants of employee benefit plans established under section 403(b) or
section 457, or qualified under section 401, including 401(k) plans, of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), when the plan has 100 or
more eligible employees and holds the shares in an omnibus account on the Fund's
records;
_ banks, trust institutions and investment fund administrators investing for
their own accounts or for the accounts of their customers where such investments
for customer accounts are held in an omnibus account on the Fund's records;
_ government entities or authorities and corporations whose investment within
the first twelve months after initial investment is $10 million or more; and
_ certain retirement plans and trusts for employees and account
representatives of Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its affiliates.
Buying Shares
You may buy shares of the Fund through Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its account
representatives. To open your account you must complete and sign an
application. Your Waddell & Reed account representative can help you with any
questions you might have.
The price to buy a share of the Fund, called the offering price, is calculated
every business day.
The offering price of a Class Y share (price to buy one Class Y share) is the
Fund's Class Y net asset value ("NAV"). The Fund's Class Y shares are sold
without a sales charge.
To purchase by wire, you must first obtain an account number by calling 1-800-
366-2520, then fax or mail a completed application to Waddell & Reed, Inc., P.
O. Box 29217, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217, 913-236-5044. Instruct your
bank to wire the amount you wish to invest to UMB Bank, n.a., ABA Number
101000695, W&R Underwriter Account Number 0007978, FBO Customer Name and Account
Number.
To purchase by check, make your check payable to Waddell & Reed, Inc. Mail the
check, along with your completed application, to Waddell & Reed, Inc., P.O. Box
29217, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217.
The Fund's Class Y NAV is the value of a single share. The Class Y NAV is
computed by adding with respect to that Class the value of the Fund's
investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its liabilities, and then
dividing the result by the number of Class Y shares outstanding.
The securities in the Fund's portfolio that are listed or traded on an exchange
are valued primarily using market quotations or, if market quotations are not
available, at their fair value in a manner determined in good faith by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors. Bonds are generally valued according to
prices quoted by a dealer in bonds that offers a pricing service. Short-term
debt securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
Other assets are valued at their fair value by or at the direction of the Board
of Directors.
The Fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is
open. The Fund normally calculates the net asset values of its shares as of the
later of the close of business of the NYSE, normally 4 p.m. Eastern time, or the
close of the regular session of any other securities or commodities exchange on
which an option held by the Fund is traded.
The Fund may invest in securities listed on foreign exchanges which may trade on
Saturdays or on customary U.S. national business holidays when the NYSE is
closed. Consequently, the NAV of Fund shares may be significantly affected on
days when the Fund does not price its shares and when you have no access to the
Fund.
When you place an order to buy shares, your order will be processed at the next
offering price calculated after your order is received and accepted. Note the
following:
_ Orders are accepted only at the home office of Waddell & Reed, Inc.
_ All of your purchases must be made in U.S. dollars.
_ If you buy shares by check, and then sell those shares by any method other
than by exchange to another fund in the United Group, the payment may be delayed
for up to ten days to ensure that your previous investment has cleared.
_ The Fund does not issue certificates representing Class Y shares of the
Fund.
When you sign your account application, you will be asked to certify that your
Social Security or taxpayer identification number is correct and whether you are
subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. reserves the right to reject any purchase orders, including
purchases by exchange, and it and the Fund reserve the right to discontinue
offering Fund shares for purchase.
Minimum Investments
To Open an Account
For a government entity or authority or for a corporation: $10 million
(within
first twelve
months)
For other
investors: Any amount
Adding to Your Account
You can make additional investments of any amount at any time.
To add to your account by wire: Instruct your bank to wire the amount you wish
to invest, along with the account number and registration, to UMB Bank, n.a.,
ABA Number 101000695, W&R Underwriter Account Number 0007978, FBO Customer Name
and Account Number.
To add to your account by mail: Make your check payable to Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Mail the check along with a letter showing your account number, the account
registration and stating the fund whose shares you wish to purchase to:
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
P.O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217
Selling Shares
You can arrange to take money out of your Fund account at any time by selling
(redeeming) some or all of your shares.
The redemption price (price to sell one Class Y share) is the Fund's Class Y
NAV.
To sell shares by telephone or fax: If you have elected this method in your
application or by subsequent authorization, call 1-800-366-5465 or fax your
request to 913-236-5044 and give your instructions to redeem shares and make
payment by wire to your pre-designated bank account or by check to you at the
address on the account.
To sell shares by written request: Complete an Account Service Request form,
available from your Waddell & Reed account representative, or write a letter of
instruction with:
the name on the account registration,_
the Fund's name,_
the Fund account number,_
the dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed, and_
any other applicable requirements listed in the table below._
Deliver the form or your letter to your Waddell & Reed account representative,
or mail it to:
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
66201-9217
Unless otherwise instructed, Waddell & Reed will send a check to the address on
the account.
Special Requirements for Selling Shares
Account Type Special Requirements
Retirement The written instructions must
Account be signed by a properly
authorized person.
Trust The trustee must sign the
written instructions
indicating capacity as
trustee. If the trustee's
name is not in the account
registration, provide a
currently certified copy of
the trust document.
Business or At least one person authorized
Organization by corporate resolution to act
on the account must sign the
written instructions.
When you place an order to sell shares, your shares will be sold at the next NAV
calculated after your request is received and accepted by Waddell & Reed, Inc.
at its home office. Note the following:
Written requests for redemption must be in good order, which requires that_
if more than one person owns the shares, each owner must sign the written
request.
_ If you recently purchased the shares by check, the Fund may delay payment
of redemption proceeds. You may arrange for the bank upon which the purchase
check was drawn to provide to the Fund telephone or written assurance,
satisfactory to the Fund, that the check has cleared and been honored. If no
such assurance is given, payment of the redemption proceeds on these shares will
be delayed until the earlier of 10 days or the date the Fund is able to verify
that your purchase check has cleared and been honored.
_ Redemptions may be suspended or payment dates postponed on days when the
NYSE is closed (other than weekends or holidays), when trading on the NYSE is
restricted, or as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
_ Payment is normally made in cash, although under extraordinary conditions
redemptions may be made in portfolio securities.
The Fund reserves the right to require a signature guarantee on certain
redemption requests. This requirement is designed to protect you and Waddell &
Reed from fraud. The Fund may require a signature guarantee in certain
situations such as:
_ the request for redemption is made by a corporation, partnership or
fiduciary,
_ the request for redemption is made by someone other than the owner of
record, or
_ the check is being made payable to someone other than the owner of record.
The Fund will accept a signature guarantee from a national bank, a federally
chartered savings and loan or a member firm of a national stock exchange or
other eligible guarantor in accordance with procedures of the Fund's transfer
agent. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
The Fund reserves the right to redeem at NAV all shares of the Fund owned or
held by you having an aggregate NAV of less than $500. The Fund will give you
notice of its intention to redeem your shares and a 60-day opportunity to
purchase a sufficient number of additional shares to bring the aggregate NAV of
your shares to $500.
Telephone Transactions
The Fund and its agents will not be liable for following instructions
communicated by telephone that they reasonably believe to be genuine. The Fund
will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine. If the Fund fails to do so, the Fund may be liable for
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Current procedures
relating to instructions communicated by telephone include tape recording
instructions, requiring personal identification and providing written
confirmations of transactions effected pursuant to such instructions.
Shareholder Services
Waddell & Reed provides a variety of services to help you manage your account.
Personal Service
Your local Waddell & Reed account representative is available to provide
personal service. Additionally, the Waddell & Reed Customer Services staff is
available to respond promptly to your inquiries and requests.
Reports
Statements and reports sent to you include the following:
_ confirmation statements (after every purchase, exchange, transfer or
redemption)
_ year-to-date statements (quarterly)
_ annual and
semiannual reports (every six months)
To reduce expenses, only one copy of most annual and semiannual reports will be
mailed to your household, even if you have more than one account with the Fund.
Call 913-236-2000 if you need copies of annual or semiannual reports or
historical account information.
Exchanges
You may sell your Class Y shares and buy Class Y shares of other funds in the
United Group. You may exchange only into funds that are legally registered for
sale in your state of residence. Note that exchanges out of the Fund may have
tax consequences for you. Before exchanging into a fund, read its prospectus.
The Fund reserves the right to terminate or modify these exchange privileges at
any time, upon notice in certain instances.
Dividends, Distributions, and Taxes
Distributions
The Fund distributes substantially all of its net income and capital gains to
shareholders each year. Ordinarily, dividends are distributed from the Fund's
net investment income, which includes accrued interest, earned discount,
dividends and other income earned on portfolio assets less expenses, quarterly
in March, June, September and December. Net capital gains (and any net realized
gains from foreign currency transactions) ordinarily are distributed in
December. The Fund may make additional distributions if necessary to avoid
Federal income or excise taxes on undistributed income and capital gains.
Distribution Options. When you open an account, specify on your application how
you want to receive your distributions. The Fund offers three options:
1. Share Payment Option. Your dividend and capital gains distributions will be
automatically paid in additional Class Y shares of the Fund. If you do not
indicate a choice on your application, you will be assigned this option.
2. Income-Earned Option. Your capital gains distributions will be
automatically paid in Class Y shares, but you will be sent a check for each
dividend distribution.
3. Cash Option. You will be sent a check for your dividend and capital gains
distributions.
For retirement accounts, all distributions are automatically paid in Class Y
shares.
Taxes
The Fund intends to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company
under the Code so that it will be relieved of Federal income tax on that part of
its investment company taxable income (consisting generally of net investment
income, net short-term capital gains and net gains from certain foreign currency
transactions) and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gain
over net short term capital loss) that are distributed to its shareholders.
There are tax requirements that the Fund must follow in order to avoid Federal
taxation. In its effort to adhere to these requirements, the Fund may have to
limit its investment activity in some types of instruments.
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Fund will
be taxed. If your account is not a tax-deferred retirement account, you should
be aware of the following tax implications:
Taxes on distributions. Dividends from the Fund's investment company taxable
income are taxable to you as ordinary income whether received in cash or paid in
additional Fund shares. Distributions of the Fund's realized net capital gains,
when designated as such, are taxable to you as long-term capital gains, whether
received in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares and regardless of the
length of time you have owned your shares. The Fund notifies you after each
calendar year-end as to the amounts of dividends and distributions paid (or
deemed paid) to you for that year.
A portion of the dividends paid by the Fund, whether received in cash or paid in
additional Fund shares, may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction
allowed to corporations. The eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate
dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations. However, dividends
received by a corporate shareholder and deducted by it pursuant to the
dividends-received deduction are subject indirectly to the alternative minimum
tax.
Withholding. The Fund is required to withhold 31% of all dividends,
distributions and redemption proceeds payable to individuals and certain other
noncorporate shareholders who do not furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer
identification number. Withholding at that rate from dividends and
distributions also is required for such shareholders who otherwise are subject
to backup withholding.
Taxes on transactions. Your redemption of Fund shares will result in taxable
gain or loss to you, depending on whether the redemption proceeds are more or
less than your adjusted basis for the redeemed shares (which normally includes
any sales charge paid). An exchange of Fund shares for shares of any other fund
in the United Group generally will have similar tax consequences. In addition,
if you purchase Class Y shares of the Fund within thirty days before or after
redeeming other Class Y shares of the Fund at a loss, part or all of that loss
will not be deductible and will increase the basis of the newly purchased
shares.
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal tax
considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders. There may be
other Federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a particular
investor. You are urged to consult your own tax adviser.
<PAGE>
About the Management and Expenses of the Fund
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. is a mutual fund: an investment that pools
shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal. In technical terms,
the Fund is an open-end management investment company organized as a corporation
under Maryland law on August 25, 1994.
The Fund is governed by a Board of Directors, which has overall responsibility
for the management of its affairs. The majority of directors are not affiliated
with Waddell & Reed, Inc.
The Fund has two classes of shares. In addition to the Class Y shares offered
by this Prospectus, the Fund has issued and outstanding Class A shares which are
offered by Waddell & Reed, Inc. through a separate Prospectus. Prior to
September 12, 1995, the Fund offered only one class of shares to the public.
Shares outstanding on that date were designated as Class A shares. Class A
shares are subject to a sales charge on purchases but are not subject to
redemption fees. Class A shares are subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee at an annual
rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund's average net assets attributable to Class A
shares. Additional information about Class A shares may be obtained by calling
913-236-2000 or by writing to Waddell & Reed, Inc. at the address on the inside
back cover of the Prospectus.
The Fund does not hold annual meetings of shareholders; however, certain
significant corporate matters, such as the approval of a new investment advisory
agreement or a change in a fundamental investment policy, which require
shareholder approval will be presented to shareholders at a meeting called by
the Board of Directors for such purpose.
Special meetings of shareholders may be called for any purpose upon receipt by
the Fund of a request in writing signed by shareholders holding not less than
25% of all shares entitled to vote at such meeting, provided certain conditions
stated in the Bylaws of the Fund are met. There will normally be no meeting of
the shareholders for the purpose of electing directors until such time as less
than a majority of directors holding office have been elected by shareholders,
at which time the directors then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for
the election of directors. To the extent that Section 16(c) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"), applies to the Fund, the directors
are required to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon
the question of removal of any director when requested in writing to do so by
the shareholders of record of not less than 10% of the Fund's outstanding
shares.
Each share (regardless of Class) has one vote. All shares of the Fund vote
together as a single Class, except as to any matter for which a separate vote of
any Class is required by the 1940 Act, and except as to any matter which affects
the interests of one or more particular Classes, in which case only the
shareholders of the affected Classes are entitled to vote, each as a separate
Class. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable when purchased.
WRIMCO and Its Affiliates
The Fund is managed by WRIMCO, subject to the authority of the Fund's Board of
Directors. WRIMCO provides investment advice to the Fund and supervises the
Fund's investments. Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its predecessors served as
investment manager to each of the registered investment companies in the United
Group of Mutual Funds since 1940 or the inception of the company, whichever was
later, and to TMK/United Funds, Inc. since that fund's inception, until January
8, 1992, when it assigned its duties as investment manager and assigned its
professional staff for investment management services to WRIMCO. WRIMCO has
also served as investment manager for Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. since its
inception in September 1992 and Torchmark Government Securities Fund, Inc. and
Torchmark Insured Tax-Free Fund, Inc. since each commenced operations in
February 1993.
James D. Wineland is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the
Fund. Mr. Wineland has held his Fund responsibilities since March 1995. He is
Vice President of WRIMCO, Vice President of the Fund, and Vice President of
other investment companies for which WRIMCO serves as investment manager. Mr.
Wineland has served as the portfolio manager for investment companies managed by
Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its successor, WRIMCO, since January 1988 and has been
an employee of Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its successor, WRIMCO, since November
1984. Other members of WRIMCO's investment management department provide input
on market outlook, economic conditions, investment research and other
considerations relating to the Fund's investments.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. serves as the Fund's underwriter and as underwriter for
each of the other funds in the United Group of Mutual Funds and Waddell & Reed
Funds, Inc., and serves as the distributor for TMK/United Funds, Inc.
Waddell & Reed Services Company acts as transfer agent ("Shareholder Servicing
Agent") for the Fund and processes the payments of dividends. Waddell & Reed
Services Company also acts as agent ("Accounting Services Agent") in providing
bookkeeping and accounting services and assistance to the Fund and pricing daily
the value of its shares.
WRIMCO and Waddell & Reed Services Company are subsidiaries of Waddell & Reed,
Inc. Waddell & Reed, Inc. is a direct subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Financial
Services, Inc., a holding company, and an indirect subsidiary of United
Investors Management Company, a holding company, and Torchmark Corporation, a
holding company.
WRIMCO places transactions for the portfolio of the Fund and in doing so may
consider sales of shares of the Fund and other funds it manages as a factor in
the selection of brokers to execute portfolio transactions.
Breakdown of Expenses
Like all mutual funds, the Fund pays fees related to its daily operations.
Expenses paid out of the Fund's assets are reflected in its share price or
dividends; they are neither billed directly to shareholders nor deducted from
shareholder accounts.
The Fund pays a management fee to WRIMCO for providing investment advice and
supervising its investments. The Fund also pays other expenses, which are
explained below.
Management Fee
The management fee of the Fund is calculated by adding a group fee to a specific
fee. It is accrued and paid to WRIMCO daily.
The specific fee is computed on the Fund's net asset value as of the close of
business each day at the annual rate of .30 of 1% of its net assets. The group
fee is a pro rata participation based on the relative net asset size of the Fund
in the group fee computed each day on the combined net asset values of all the
funds in the United Group at the annual rates shown in the following table:
Group Fee Rate
Annual
Group Net Group
Asset Level Fee Rate
(all dollars For Each
in millions) Level
- ------------ --------
From $0
to $750 .51 of 1%
From $750
to $1,500 .49 of 1%
From $1,500
to $2,250 .47 of 1%
From $2,250
to $3,000 .45 of 1%
From $3,000
to $3,750 .43 of 1%
From $3,750
to $7,500 .40 of 1%
From $7,500
to $12,000 .38 of 1%
Over $12,000 .36 of 1%
Growth in assets of the United Group assures a lower group fee rate.
Other Expenses
While the management fee is a significant component of the Fund's annual
operating costs, the Fund has other expenses as well.
The Fund pays the Accounting Services Agent a monthly fee based on the average
net assets of the Fund for accounting services. With respect to its Class Y
shares, the Fund pays the Shareholder Servicing Agent a monthly fee based on the
average daily net assets of the Class for the preceding month.
The Fund also pays other expenses, such as fees and expenses of certain
directors, audit and outside legal fees, costs of materials sent to
shareholders, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest, insurance premiums,
custodian fees, fees payable by the Fund under federal or other securities laws
and to the Investment Company Institute, and extraordinary expenses including
litigation and indemnification relative to litigation.
The Fund cannot precisely predict what its portfolio turnover rate will be, but
it is anticipated that the annual turnover rate for the common stock portion of
its portfolio will not exceed 200% and that the annual turnover rate for the
other potion of its portfolio will not exceed 200%. A turnover rate in excess
of 100% could be considered high. A higher turnover will increase transaction
and commission costs and could generate taxable income or loss.
<PAGE>
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
Custodian Underwriter
UMB Bank, n.a. Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri 6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Legal Counsel Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP 66201-9217
1800 M Street, N. W. (913) 236-2000
Washington, D. C. 20036
Shareholder Servicing
Independent Accountants Agent
Price Waterhouse LLP Waddell & Reed
Kansas City, Missouri Services Company
6300 Lamar Avenue
Investment Manager P. O. Box 29217
Waddell & Reed Investment Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Management Company 66201-9217
6300 Lamar Avenue (913)236-2000
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas Accounting Services
66201-9217 Agent
(913) 236-2000 Waddell & Reed Services
Company
6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
66201-9217
(913) 236-2000
<PAGE>
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
Class Y Shares
PROSPECTUS
September 12, 1995
The United Group of Mutual Funds
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
United Cash Management, Inc.
United Continental Income Fund, Inc.
United Funds, Inc.
United Bond Fund
United Income Fund
United Accumulative Fund
United Science and Technology Fund
United Gold & Government Fund, Inc.
United Government Securities Fund, Inc.
United High Income Fund, Inc.
United High Income Fund II, Inc.
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
United Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
United Municipal High Income Fund, Inc.
United New Concepts Fund, Inc.
United Retirement Shares, Inc.
United Vanguard Fund, Inc.
NUP2017-Y(9-95)
printed on recycled paper
<PAGE>
APPENDIX TO ELECTRONIC FILING ONLY
DESCRIBING GRAPH IN PROSPECTUS
SECTION "AN OVERVIEW OF THE FUND"
FOLLOWING THE PARAGRAPH BEGINNING "STRATEGY"
A pie chart divided into three parts, reflecting the mix "Stocks," "Bonds," and
"Short-term." The stocks and bonds slices are each 40% of the pie and the
short-term slice is 20% of the pie.
<PAGE>
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
6300 Lamar Avenue
P. O. Box 29217
Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201-9217
(913) 236-2000
September 12, 1995
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information (the "SAI") is not a
prospectus. Investors should read this SAI in conjunction with a prospectus
("Prospectus") for the Class A shares or the Class Y shares, as applicable, of
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") dated September 12, 1995, which
may be obtained from the Fund or its underwriter, Waddell & Reed, Inc., at the
address or telephone number shown above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Investment Policies and Limitations ................ 2
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage ............... 24
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares ......... 26
Performance Information ............................ 38
Payments to Shareholders ........................... 40
Taxes .............................................. 41
Investment Management and Other Services ........... 45
Directors and Officers ............................. 49
Organization of the Fund ........................... 53
Appendix A ......................................... 55
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in the
Prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy or limitation
states a maximum percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any
security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards,
such standard or percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and
as a result of the Fund's acquisition of such security or other asset.
Accordingly, any subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances
will not be considered when determining whether the investment complies with the
Fund's investment policies and limitations.
The Fund's fundamental investment policies and limitations cannot be
changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding voting securities"
(as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act")) of
the Fund. However, except for the fundamental investment limitations set forth
below, the investment policies and limitations of the Fund are not fundamental
and may be changed by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval.
The following are the Fund's fundamental investment limitations set forth
in their entirety. The Fund may not:
(1) with respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets, purchase the
securities of any issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the
United States government, or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a
result thereof, (a) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in
the securities of such issuer, or (b) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer;
(2) issue bonds or any other class of securities preferred over shares of
the Fund in respect of the Fund's assets or earnings, provided that the Fund may
issue additional series and classes of shares in accordance with its Articles of
Incorporation;
(3) sell securities short, provided that transactions in futures
contracts, options and other financial instruments are not deemed to constitute
short sales;
(4) purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such
short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, and
provided that the Fund may make initial and variation margin payments in
connection with transactions in futures contracts, options and other financial
instruments;
(5) borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow money for emergency or
extraordinary purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an amount not
exceeding 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (less liabilities other than
borrowings). Any borrowings that come to exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the
Fund's total assets by reason of a decline in net assets will be reduced within
three days to the extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limitation. For
purposes of this limitation, "three days" means three days, exclusive of Sundays
and holidays;
(6) underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the
Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act
of 1933 in the disposition of restricted securities;
(7) purchase the securities of any issuer (other than obligations issued
or guaranteed by the United States government or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund's total assets
(taken at current value) would be invested in the securities of issuers having
their principal business activities in the same industry;
(8) invest in real estate limited partnerships or purchase or sell real
estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities (but this shall
not prevent the Fund from purchasing and selling securities issued by companies
or other entities or investment vehicles that deal in real estate or interests
therein, nor shall this prevent the Fund from purchasing interests in pools of
real estate mortgage loans);
(9) purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing and
selling currencies, futures contracts, options, forward currency contracts or
other financial instruments);
(10) make loans, except (a) by lending portfolio securities provided that
no securities loan will be made if, as a result thereof, more than 10% of the
Fund's total assets (taken at current value) would be lent to another party; (b)
through the purchase of a portion of an issue of debt securities in accordance
with its investment objective, policies, and limitations; and (c) by engaging in
repurchase agreements with respect to portfolio securities; or
(11) purchase or retain the securities of an issuer if the officers and
directors of the Fund and of Waddell & Reed Investment Company, the Fund's
investment manager ("WRIMCO"), owning beneficially more than / of 1% of the
securities of an issuer together own beneficially more than 5% of the securities
of that issuer.
The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed
by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval.
(i) The Fund may borrow money only from a bank. The Fund will not
purchase any security while borrowings representing more than 5% of its total
assets are outstanding.
(ii) The Fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if, as a
result, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in illiquid
investments.
(iii) The Fund does not currently intend to lend assets other than
securities to other parties, except by acquiring loans, loan participations, or
other forms of direct debt instruments. (This limitation does not apply to
purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements.)
(iv) The Fund does not currently intend to (a) purchase securities of
other investment companies, except in the open market where no commission except
the ordinary broker's commission is paid and if, as a result of such purchase,
the Fund does not have more than 10% of its total assets invested in such
securities, or (b) purchase or retain securities issued by other open-end
investment companies. Limitations (a) and (b) do not apply to securities
received as dividends, through offers of exchange, or as a result of a
reorganization, consolidation, or merger. As a shareholder in an investment
company, the Fund would bear its pro rata share of that investment company's
expenses, which could result in duplication of certain fees, including
management and administrative fees. However, in the event that the Fund
purchases or retains securities issued by any other open-end investment company,
WRIMCO will waive its advisory fee on that portion of the Fund's assets invested
in such securities and the Fund will only purchase securities of no-load, open-
end investment companies.
(v) The Fund does not currently intend to purchase the securities of any
issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by domestic or foreign
governments or political subdivision thereof) if, as a result, more than 5% of
its total assets would be invested in the securities of business enterprises
that, including predecessors, have a record of less than three years of
continuous operation. This restriction does not apply to any obligations issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or to
collateralized mortgage obligations, other mortgage-related securities, asset-
backed securities or indexed securities.
(vi) The Fund does not currently intend to purchase warrants, valued at
the lower of cost or market, in excess of 5% of the Fund's net assets. Included
in that amount, but not to exceed 2% of the Fund's net assets, may be warrants
that are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock
Exchange. Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to securities are
not subject to these restrictions.
(vii) The Fund does not currently intend to invest in oil, gas, or other
mineral exploration or development programs or leases.
For the Fund's limitations on futures and options transactions, see the
section entitled "Limitations on Futures and Options Transactions."
Asset Allocation
The short-term class includes all types of domestic and foreign securities
and money market instruments with remaining maturities of three years or less.
Short-term instruments may include corporate debt securities, such as commercial
paper and notes; government securities issued by U.S. or foreign governments or
their agencies or instrumentalities; bank deposits and other financial
institution obligations; repurchase agreements involving any type of security;
and other similar short-term instruments. These instruments may be denominated
in U.S. dollars or foreign currency.
The bond class includes all varieties of domestic and foreign fixed-income
securities with maturities greater than three years. Securities in this class
may include bonds, notes, adjustable-rate preferred stocks, convertible bonds,
mortgage-related and asset-backed securities, domestic and foreign government
and government agency securities, zero coupon bonds, and other intermediate and
long-term securities. As with the short-term class, these securities may be
denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currency. The Fund may also invest in
lower quality, high-yielding debt securities (commonly referred to as "junk
bonds"). The Fund currently intends to limit its investments in these
securities to 20% of its assets.
The stock class includes domestic and foreign equity securities of all
types (other than adjustable rate preferred stocks which are included in the
bond class). Securities in the stock class may include common stocks, fixed-
rate preferred stocks (including convertible preferred stocks), warrants,
rights, depositary receipts, securities of closed-end investment companies, and
other equity securities issued by companies of any size, located anywhere in the
world.
In making asset allocation decisions, WRIMCO typically evaluates
projections of risk, market conditions, economic conditions, volatility, yields,
and returns.
Specific Securities and Investment Practices
Illiquid Investments
Illiquid Investments are investments that cannot be sold or disposed of in
the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the prices at
which they are valued. Investments currently considered by the Fund to be
illiquid include repurchase agreements not entitling the holder to payment of
principal and interest within seven days, over-the-counter options, non-
government stripped fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities, direct debt
instruments, restricted securities and swap agreements. However, certain
restricted securities, such as securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A of
the Securities Act of 1933 and commercial paper which is exempt from
registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, will not be
considered by the Fund to be illiquid if WRIMCO has made a determination of
liquidity pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund's Board of Directors. With
respect to over-the-counter options the Fund writes, all or a portion of the
value of the underlying instrument may be illiquid depending on the assets held
to cover the option and the nature and terms of any agreement the Fund may have
to close out the option before expiration. In the absence of market quotations,
illiquid investments are priced at fair value as determined in good faith by a
committee appointed by the Board of Directors. If through a change in values,
net assets, or other circumstances, the Fund were in a position where more than
15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid securities, it would seek to
take appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
Restricted Securities
Restricted Securities generally can be sold in privately negotiated
transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities
Act of 1933, or in a registered public offering. Where registration is
required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration
expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek
registration and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an
effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market
conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than
prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.
Securities Lending
The Fund may lend securities to creditworthy parties such as broker-dealers
or institutional investors.
Securities lending allows the Fund to retain ownership of the securities
loaned and, at the same time, to earn additional income. Since there may be
delays in the recovery of loaned securities, or even a loss of rights in
collateral supplied should the borrower fail financially, loans will be made
only to parties deemed by WRIMCO to be creditworthy. Furthermore, securities
loans will only be made if, in WRIMCO's judgment, the consideration to be earned
from such loans would justify the risk.
WRIMCO understands that it is the current view of the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") Staff that the Fund may engage in loan transactions
only under the following conditions: (1) the Fund must receive 100% collateral
in the form of cash or cash equivalents (e.g., U.S. Treasury bills or notes)
from the borrower; (2) the borrower must increase the collateral whenever the
market value of the securities loaned (determined on a daily basis) rises above
the value of the collateral; (3) after giving notice, the Fund must be able to
terminate the loan at any time; (4) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on
the loan or a flat fee from the borrower, as well as amounts equivalent to any
dividends, interest, or other distributions on the securities loaned and to any
increase in market value; (5) the Fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees in
connection with the loan; and (6) the Board of Directors must be able to vote
proxies on the securities loaned, either by terminating the loan or by entering
into an alternative arrangement with the borrower.
Cash received through loan transactions may be invested in any security in
which the Fund is authorized to invest. Investing this cash subjects that
investment, as well as the security loaned, to market forces (i.e., capital
appreciation or depreciation).
Repurchase Agreements
In a repurchase agreement, the Fund purchases a security and simultaneously
commits to resell that security to the seller at an agreed upon price on an
agreed upon date. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed
upon incremental amount which is unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the
purchased security. A repurchase agreement involves the obligation of the
seller to pay the agreed upon price, which obligation is in effect secured by
the value (at least equal to the amount of the agreed upon resale price and
marked to market daily) of the underlying security. The Fund may engage in a
repurchase agreement with respect to any security in which it is authorized to
invest. While it does not presently appear possible to eliminate all risks from
these transactions (particularly the possibility of a decline in the market
value of the underlying securities, as well as delays and costs to the Fund in
connection with bankruptcy proceedings), it is the Fund's current policy to
limit repurchase agreement transactions to those parties whose creditworthiness
has been reviewed and found satisfactory by WRIMCO on the basis of criteria
established by the Board of Directors.
Variable or Floating Rate Instruments
Variable or Floating Rate Instruments (including notes purchased directly
from issuers) bear variable or floating interest rates and carry rights that
permit holders to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued
interest from the issuers or certain financial intermediaries. Floating rate
securities have interest rates that change whenever there is a change in a
designated base rate while variable rate instruments provide for a specified
periodic adjustment in the interest rate. These formulas are designed to result
in a market value for the instrument that approximates its par value.
Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Fund may buy and sell securities on a delayed-delivery or when-issued
basis. These transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase or sell
specific securities at a predetermined price or yield, with payment and delivery
taking place after the customary settlement period for that type of security
(and more than seven days in the future). Typically, no interest accrues to the
purchaser until the security is delivered. The Fund may receive fees for
entering into delayed-delivery transactions.
Warrants
Warrants basically are options to purchase equity securities at specific
prices valid for a specific period of time. The prices do not necessarily move
parallel to the prices of the underlying securities. Warrants have no voting
rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of
the issuer.
Mortgage-Backed Securities
The Fund may purchase mortgage-backed securities issued by government and
non-government entities such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other financial
institutions. A mortgage-backed security may be an obligation of the issuer
backed by a mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying
pool of mortgages. Some mortgage-backed securities, such as collateralized
mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), make payments of both principal and interest at a
variety of intervals; others make semiannual interest payments at a
predetermined rate and repay principal at maturity (like a typical bond).
Mortgage-backed securities are based on different types of mortgages including
those on commercial real estate or residential properties. Other types of
mortgage-backed securities will likely be developed in the future, and the Fund
may invest in them if WRIMCO determines they are consistent with the Fund's
investment objective and policies.
The value of mortgage-backed securities may change due to shifts in the
market's perception of issuers. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may
adversely affect the mortgage securities market as a whole. Non-government
mortgage-backed securities may offer higher yields than those issued by
government entities, but also may be subject to greater price changes than
government issues. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk.
Prepayment occurs when unscheduled or early payments are made on the underlying
mortgages.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities are created when a U.S. government
agency or a financial institution separates the interest and principal
components of a mortgage-backed security and sells them as individual
securities. The holder of the "principal-only" security (PO) receives the
principal payments made by the underlying mortgage-backed security, while the
holder of the "interest-only" security (IO) receives interest payments from the
same underlying security.
Asset-Backed Securities
Asset-backed securities represent interest in pools of consumer loans
(generally unrelated to mortgage loans) and most often are structured as pass-
through securities. Interest and principal payments ultimately depend upon
payment of the underlying loans by individuals, although the securities may be
supported by letters of credit or other credit enhancements. The value of
asset-backed securities may also depend on the creditworthiness of the servicing
agent for the loan pool, the originator of the loans, or the financial
institution providing the credit enhancement. The Fund does not currently
intend to invest in non-mortgage asset-backed securities.
Zero Coupon Bonds
A broker-dealer creates a derivative zero by separating the interest and
principal components of a U.S. Treasury security and selling them as two
individual securities. CATS (Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities),
TIGRs (Treasury Investment Growth Receipts), and TRs (Treasury Receipts) are
examples of derivative zeros.
A Federal Reserve Bank creates STRIPS (Separate Trading of Registered
Interest and Principal of Securities) by separating the interest and principal
components of an outstanding U.S. Treasury bond and selling them as individual
securities. Bonds issued by the Resolution Funding Corporation (REFCORP) and
the Financing Corporation (FICO) can also be separated in this fashion.
Original issue zeros are zero coupon securities originally issued by the U.S.
government, a government agency, or a corporation in zero coupon form.
Swap Agreements
Swap agreements, including caps, collars and floors, can be individually
negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of
investments or market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements
may increase or decrease the Fund's exposure to long- or short-term interest
rates (in the U.S. or abroad), foreign currency values, mortgage-backed security
values, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such as security prices or
inflation rates.
Swap agreements will tend to shift the Fund's investment exposure from one
type of investment to another. For example, if the Fund agrees to exchange
payments in dollars for payments in foreign currency, the swap agreement would
tend to decrease the Fund's exposure to U.S. interest rates and increase its
exposure to foreign currency and interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect
similar to buying or writing options.
The creditworthiness of firms with which the Fund enters into interest rate
swaps, caps or floors will be monitored by WRIMCO in accordance with procedures
adopted by the Fund's Board of Directors. If a default occurs by the other
party to such transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to
the agreements related to the transaction.
The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund's obligations over its
entitlements with respect to each swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an
amount of cash, U.S. Government Securities or other liquid high grade debt
obligations having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued
excess will be maintained in an account by a custodian that satisfies the
requirements of the 1940 Act. The Fund will also establish and maintain such
segregated accounts with respect to its total obligations under any swaps that
are not entered into on a net basis and with respect to any caps or floors that
are written by the Fund. WRIMCO and the Fund believe that swaps, caps and
floors do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly,
will not treat them as being subject to the Fund's borrowing restrictions.
Indexed Securities
The Fund may purchase securities whose prices are indexed to the prices of
other securities, securities indices, currencies, precious metals or other
commodities, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but
not always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon
rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic. Gold-
indexed securities, for example, typically provide for a maturity value that
depends on the price of gold, resulting in a security whose price tends to rise
and fall together with gold prices. Currency-indexed securities typically are
short-term to intermediate-term debt securities whose maturity values or
interest rates are determined by reference to the values of one or more
specified foreign currencies, and may offer higher yields than U.S. dollar-
denominated securities of equivalent issuers. Currency-indexed securities may
be positively or negatively indexed; that is, their maturity value may increase
when the specified currency value increases, resulting in a security that
performs similarly to a foreign-denominated instrument, or their maturity value
may decline when foreign currencies increase, resulting in a security whose
price characteristics are similar to a put on the underlying currency.
Currency-indexed securities may also have prices that depend on the values of a
number of different foreign currencies relative to each other.
Recent issuers of indexed securities have included banks, corporations, and
certain U.S. government agencies. WRIMCO will use its judgment in determining
whether indexed securities should be treated as short-term instruments, bonds,
stocks, or as a separate asset class for purposes of the Fund's investment
allocations, depending on the individual characteristics of the securities.
Certain indexed securities that are not traded on an established market may be
deemed illiquid.
Loans and Other Direct Debt Instruments
Direct debt instruments are interests in amounts owed by a corporate,
governmental, or other borrower to lenders or lending syndicates (loans and loan
participations), to suppliers of goods or services (trade claims or other
receivables), or to other parties. Direct debt instruments are subject to the
Fund's policies regarding the quality of debt securities.
Investments in direct debt instruments may entail less legal protection
for the Fund. Certain types of direct indebtedness purchased by the Fund, such
as letters of credit, revolving credit facilities, or other standby financing
commitments, obligate the Fund to pay additional cash on demand. These
commitments may have the effect of requiring the Fund to increase its investment
in a borrower at a time when it would not otherwise have done so, even if the
borrower's condition makes it unlikely that the amount will ever be repaid.
Other types of direct debt instruments, such as loans through direct assignment
of a financial institution's interest with respect to a loan, may involve
additional risks to the Fund. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, the Fund
could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and
liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral.
Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily
upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest.
Direct debt instruments may not be rated by any nationally recognized rating
service. If the Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments
on such indebtedness, the Fund's share price could be adversely affected. Loans
that are fully secured offer the Fund more protections than an unsecured loan in
the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is
no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would
satisfy the borrower's obligation, or that the collateral could be liquidated.
Indebtedness of borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor involves substantially
greater risks, and may be highly speculative. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy
or restructuring may never pay off their indebtedness, or may pay only a small
fraction of the amount owed. Direct indebtedness of developing countries also
involves a risk that the governmental entities responsible for the repayment of
the debt may be unable, or unwilling, to pay interest and principal when due.
Investments in loans through direct assignment of a financial institution's
interests with respect to a loan may involve additional risks to the Fund. For
example, if a loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of any
collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and
disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging
legal theories of lender liability, the Fund could be held liable as a co-
lender. Direct debt instruments may also involve a risk of insolvency of the
lending bank or other intermediary. Direct debt instruments that are not in the
form of securities may offer less legal protection to the Fund in the event of
fraud or misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance,
the Fund relies on WRIMCO's research in an attempt to avoid situations where
fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund.
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution that
acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of the loan, as
specified in the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other
indebtedness, the Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, it may have to
rely on the agent to apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower. If
assets held by the agent for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be
subject to the claims of the agent's general creditors, the Fund might incur
certain costs and delays in realizing payment on the loan or loan participation
and could suffer a loss of principal or interest.
Direct indebtedness purchased by the Fund may include letters of credit,
revolving credit facilities, or other standby financing commitments obligating
the Fund to pay additional cash on demand. These commitments may have the
effect of requiring the Fund to increase its investment in a borrower at a time
when it would not otherwise have done so, even if the borrower's condition makes
it unlikely that the amount will ever be repaid. The Fund will set aside
appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial account to cover its
potential obligations under standby financing commitments.
The Fund limits the amount of total assets that it will invest in any one
issuer or in issuers within the same industry (see limitations (1) and (7)).
For purposes of these limitations, the Fund generally will treat the borrower as
the "issuer" of indebtedness held by the Fund. In the case of loan
participations where a bank or other lending institution serves as financial
intermediary between the Fund and the borrower, if the participation does not
shift to the Fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower, SEC
interpretations require the Fund, in appropriate circumstances, to treat both
the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as "issuers" for
these purposes. Treating a financial intermediary as an issuer of indebtedness
may restrict the Fund's ability to invest in indebtedness related to a single
financial intermediary, or a group of intermediaries engaged in the same
industry, even if the underlying borrowers represent many different companies
and industries.
Foreign Investments
American Depositary Receipts and European Depositary Receipts (ADRs and
EDRs) are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign-based issuer
held in trust by a bank or similar financial institution. Designed for use in
U.S. and European securities markets, respectively, ADRs and EDRs are
alternatives to the purchase of the underlying securities in their national
markets and currencies and are not subject to the currency risk as in the case
of foreign denominated securities.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Fund may hold foreign currency deposits from time to time, and may
convert dollars and foreign currencies in the foreign exchange markets.
Currencies may be exchanged on a spot (i.e., cash) basis, or by entering into
forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date, at a
price set when the contract is entered into. Forward contracts generally are
traded in an interbank market conducted directly between currency traders
(usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The parties to a forward
contract may agree to offset or terminate the contract before its maturity, or
may hold the contract to maturity and complete the contemplated currency
exchange.
The Fund may use forward currency contracts to manage currency risks and to
facilitate transactions in foreign securities. The following discussion
summarizes the principal currency management strategies involving forward
contracts that could be used by the Fund.
In connection with purchases and sales of securities denominated in foreign
currencies, the Fund may enter into forward currency contracts to fix a definite
price for the purchase or sale in advance of the trade's settlement date. This
technique is sometimes referred to as a "settlement hedge" or "transaction
hedge." WRIMCO expects to enter into settlement hedges in the normal course of
managing the Fund's foreign investments. The Fund could also enter into forward
contracts to hedge an anticipated dividend or interest payment denominated in a
foreign currency or in anticipation of future purchases or sales of securities
denominated in foreign currency, even if the specific investments have not yet
been selected by WRIMCO.
The Fund may also use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in the
value of existing investments denominated in foreign currency. For example, if
the Fund owned securities denominated in pounds sterling, it could enter into a
forward contract to sell pounds sterling in return for U.S. dollars to hedge
against possible declines in the pound's value. Such a hedge, sometimes
referred to as a "position hedge," would tend to offset both positive and
negative currency fluctuations, but would not offset changes in security values
caused by other factors. The Fund could also hedge the position by selling
another currency expected to perform similarly to the pound sterling, for
example, by entering into a forward contract to sell Deutsche marks or European
Currency Units in return for U.S. dollars. This type of hedge, sometimes
referred to as a "proxy hedge," could offer advantages in terms of cost, yield,
or efficiency, but generally would not hedge currency exposure as effectively as
a simple hedge into U.S. dollars. Proxy hedges may result in losses if the
currency used to hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the
hedged securities are denominated.
The Fund may also use forward currency contracts to shift the Fund's
exposure to foreign currency exchange rate changes from one foreign currency to
another. For example, if the Fund owns securities denominated in a foreign
currency and WRIMCO believes that currency will decline relative to another
currency, it might enter into a forward contract to sell the appropriate amount
of the first foreign currency with payment to be made in the second foreign
currency. Transactions that use two foreign currencies are sometimes referred
to as "cross hedging." Use of a different foreign currency magnifies the Fund's
exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Fund may also
purchase forward currency contracts to enhance income when WRIMCO anticipates
that the foreign currency will appreciate in value, but securities denominated
in that currency do not present attractive investment opportunities.
Successful use of forward currency contracts will depend on WRIMCO's skill
in analyzing and predicting currency values. Forward contracts may
substantially change the Fund's investment exposure to changes in currency
exchange rates, and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not
perform as WRIMCO anticipates. There is no assurance that WRIMCO's use of
forward currency contracts will be advantageous to the Fund or that it will
hedge at an appropriate time.
At the maturity of a forward contract that the Fund has sold, the Fund may
either sell the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency, or
it may retain the security and terminate the obligation to deliver the foreign
currency by purchasing an "offsetting" forward contract with the same currency
trader obligating the Fund to purchase, on the same maturity date, the same
amount of the foreign currency. However, the currency trader is not obligated
to enter into such an offsetting forward contract. It is impossible to forecast
with absolute precision the market value of portfolio securities at the
expiration of the forward contract. Accordingly, if the Fund determines to sell
the portfolio security and make delivery of the underlying foreign currency, it
may be necessary for the Fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the
spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of the
security is less than the amount of foreign currency that the Fund is obligated
to deliver.
If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting
transaction, it will incur a gain or loss to the extent that there has been
movement in forward contract prices. Should forward prices decline during the
period between the Fund's entering into a forward contract for the sale of a
foreign currency and the date it enters into the offsetting forward contract,
the Fund will realize a gain to the extent the price at which it has agreed to
sell the foreign currency exceeds the price at which it has agreed to purchase
the foreign currency. Should forward prices increase, it will suffer a loss to
the extent the price at which it has agreed to purchase the foreign currency
exceeds the price at which it has agreed to sell the foreign currency. The
policies described in this section are non-fundamental policies of the Fund.
Options, Futures and Other Strategies
Limitations on Futures and Options Transactions. The Fund must operate
within certain restrictions as to positions in futures contracts, options on
futures contracts and options on a foreign currency traded on an exchange
regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") under a rule
("CFTC Rule") adopted by the CFTC under the Commodity Exchange Act ("CEA") to be
eligible for the exclusion provided by the CFTC Rule from regulation by the Fund
with the CFTC as a "commodity pool operator" (as defined under the CEA), and
must represent to the CFTC that it will operate within such restrictions. Under
these restrictions, to the extent that the Fund enters into futures contracts,
options on futures contracts and options on foreign currencies traded on a CFTC-
regulated exchange, in each case that are not for bona fide hedging purposes (as
defined by the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to
establish these positions (excluding the amount by which options are "in-the-
money") may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund's portfolio,
after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any
contracts the Fund has entered into. (In general, a call option on a futures
contract is "in-the-money" if the value of the underlying futures contract
exceeds the strike, i.e., exercise, price of the call; a put option on a futures
contract is "in-the-money" if the value of the underlying futures contract is
exceeded by the strike price of the put.)
In addition, the Fund will not: (a) sell futures contracts, purchase put
options, or write call options if, as a result, more than 50% of the Fund's
total assets would be hedged with futures and options under normal conditions;
or (b) purchase futures contracts or write put options if, as a result, the
Fund's total obligations upon settlement or exercise of purchased futures
contracts and written put options would exceed 25% of its total assets. These
limitations do not apply to options attached to or acquired or traded together
with their underlying securities, and do not apply to securities that
incorporate features similar to options. The Fund will not invest in puts,
calls, straddles, spreads, and any combination thereof if by reason thereof the
value of its aggregate investment in such classes of securities will exceed 5%
of its total assets. For as long as required by applicable state securities
regulation, (1) the aggregate value of securities underlying put options written
by the Fund, determined as of the date the put options are written, will not
exceed 50% of the Fund's net assets, (2) the Fund will only buy or sell (a)
options on securities, indices or futures contracts, or (b) futures contracts,
in each case that are offered through the facilities of a national securities
association or that are listed on a national securities or commodities exchange,
other than the permitted OTC options described under "Investment Policies and
Limitations -- OTC Options" below, (3) the aggregate premiums paid on all
options on securities, indices or futures contracts purchased by the Fund that
are held at any time will not exceed 20% of the Fund's total net assets, and (4)
the aggregate margin deposits on all futures and options thereon held at any
time by the Fund will not exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets.
The above limitations on the Fund's investments in futures contracts and
options, and the Fund's policies regarding futures contracts and options
discussed elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information, may be changed
as regulatory agencies permit.
Futures Contracts. When the Fund purchases a futures contract, it agrees
to purchase a specified underlying instrument or commodity at a specified future
date. When the Fund sells a futures contract, it agrees to sell the underlying
instrument or commodity at a specified future date. The price at which the
purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the Fund enters into the
contract. Some currently available futures contracts are based on specific
securities, such as U.S. Treasury bonds or notes, and some are based on indices
of securities prices, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
Index (S&P 500). Futures contracts are also traded on commodities, such as
precious metals, foreign currencies, and other financial instruments. Futures
can be held until their delivery dates, or can be closed out before then if a
liquid secondary market is available.
The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem
with the value of its underlying instrument or commodity. Therefore, purchasing
futures contracts will tend to increase the Fund's exposure to positive and
negative price fluctuations in the underlying instrument or commodity, much as
if it had purchased the underlying instrument or commodity directly. When the
Fund sells a futures contract, in contrast, the value of its futures position
will tend to move in a direction contrary to the market. Selling futures
contracts, therefore, will tend to offset both positive and negative market
price changes, much as if the underlying instrument or commodity had been sold.
Purchasing Put and Call Options. By purchasing a put option, the Fund
obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the underlying instrument at
a fixed strike price. In return for this right, the Fund pays the current
market price for the option (known as the option premium). Options have various
types of underlying instruments, including specific securities, indices of
securities prices, currencies, and futures contracts. The Fund may terminate
its position in a put option it has purchased by allowing it to expire or by
exercising the option. If the option is allowed to expire, the Fund will lose
the entire premium it paid. If the Fund exercises the option, it completes the
sale of the underlying instrument at the strike price. The Fund may also
terminate a put option position by closing it out in the secondary market at its
current price, if a liquid secondary market exists.
The buyer of a typical put option can expect to realize a gain if the
underlying instrument's price falls substantially. However, if the underlying
instrument's price does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the
option, a put buyer can expect to suffer a loss (limited to the amount of the
premium paid, plus related transaction costs).
The features of call options are essentially the same as those of put
options, except that the purchaser of a call option obtains the right to
purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the option's strike
price. A call buyer typically attempts to participate in a potential price
increase in the underlying instrument with risk limited to the cost of the
option if the instrument's price falls. At the same time, the buyer can expect
to suffer a loss if the instrument's price does not rise sufficiently to offset
the cost of the option.
Writing Put and Call Options. When the Fund writes a put option, it takes
the opposite side of the transaction from the option's purchaser. In return for
receipt of the premium, the Fund assumes the obligation to pay the strike price
for the option's underlying instrument if the other party to the option chooses
to exercise it. The Fund may seek to terminate its position in a put option it
writes before exercise by closing out the option in the secondary market at its
current price. If the secondary market is not liquid, however, the Fund must
continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option is outstanding,
regardless of price changes, and must continue to set aside assets to cover its
position.
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.
Writing a call option obligates the Fund to sell or deliver the option's
underlying instrument, in return for the strike price, upon exercise of the
option. The characteristics of writing call options are similar to those of
writing put options, except that writing calls generally is a profitable
strategy if prices remain the same or fall. Through receipt of the option
premium, a call writer mitigates the effects of a price decline. At the same
time, because a call writer must be prepared to deliver the underlying
instrument in return for the strike price, even if its current value is greater,
a call writer gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
Options on Indices. Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and
calls on securities or futures contracts except that all settlements are in cash
and gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question rather than on
price movements in individual securities or futures contracts. When the Fund
writes a call on an index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the
expiration date, the purchaser of the call, upon exercise of the call, will
receive from the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon
which the call is based is greater than the exercise price of the call. The
amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index
and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple ("multiplier"),
which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference. When
the Fund buys a call on an index, it pays a premium and has the same rights as
to such call as are indicated above. When the Fund buys a put on an index, it
pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the
seller of the put, upon the Fund's exercise of the put, to deliver to the Fund
an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based
is less than the exercise price of the put, which amount of cash is determined
by the multiplier, as described above for calls. When the Fund writes a put on
an index, it receives a premium and the purchaser has the right, prior to the
expiration date, to require the Fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to
the difference between the closing level of the index and the exercise price
times the multiplier if the closing level is less than the exercise price.
The risks of investment in options on indices may be greater than options
on securities. Because index options are settled in cash, when the Fund writes
a call on an index it cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement
obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities. The Fund can
offset some of the risk of writing a call index option by holding a diversified
portfolio of securities similar to those on which the underlying index is based.
However, the Fund cannot, as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio
containing exactly the same securities as underlie the index and, as a result,
bears a risk that the value of the securities held will vary from the value of
the index.
Even if the Fund could assemble a portfolio that exactly reproduced the
composition of the underlying index, it still would not be fully covered from a
risk standpoint because of the "timing risk" inherent in writing index options.
When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is
entitled to receive is determined by the difference between the exercise price
and the closing index level on the date when the option is exercised. As with
other kinds of options, the Fund as the call writer will not learn that it has
been assigned until the next business day at the earliest. The time lag between
exercise and notice of assignment poses no risk for the writer of a covered call
on a specific underlying security, such as common stock, because there the
writer's obligation is to deliver the underlying security, not to pay its value
as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the writer already owns the
underlying security, it can satisfy its settlement obligations by simply
delivering it, and the risk that its value may have declined since the exercise
date is borne by the exercising holder. In contrast, even if the writer of an
index call holds securities that exactly match the composition of the underlying
index, it will not be able to satisfy its assignment obligations by delivering
those securities against payment of the exercise price. Instead, it will be
required to pay cash in an amount based on the closing index value on the
exercise date. By the time it learns that it has been assigned, the index may
have declined, with a corresponding decline in the value of its portfolio. This
"timing risk" is an inherent limitation on the ability of index call writers to
cover their risk exposure by holding securities positions.
If the Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the
closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level
of the underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the
exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the
difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option
(times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.
Options on Futures Contracts. When the Fund writes an option on a futures
contract, it becomes obligated, in return for the premium paid, to assume a
position in the futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time
during the term of the option. If the Fund has written a call, it becomes
obligated to assume a "short" position in the futures contract, which means that
it is required to deliver the underlying securities. If it has written a put,
it becomes obligated to assume a "long" position in the futures contract, which
means that it is required to take delivery of the underlying securities. When
the Fund purchases an option on a futures contract, it acquires the right, in
return for the premium it paid, to assume a position in the futures contract, a
"long" position if the option is a call and a "short" position if the option is
a put.
Combined Positions. The Fund may purchase and write options in combination
with each other, or in combination with futures or forward contracts, to adjust
the risk and return characteristics of the overall position. For example, the
Fund may purchase a put option and write a call option on the same underlying
instrument, in order to construct a combined position whose risk and return
characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract. Another possible
combined position would involve writing a call option at one strike price and
buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the
written call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because
combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher
transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
Correlation of Price Changes. Because there are limited number of types of
exchange-traded options and futures contracts, it is likely that the
standardized contracts available will not match the Fund's current or
anticipated investments exactly. The Fund may invest in options and futures
contracts based on securities with different issuers, maturities, or other
characteristics from the securities in which it typically invests, which
involves a risk that the options or futures position will not track the
performance of the Fund's other investments.
Options and futures prices can also diverge from the prices of their
underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match the Fund's
investments well. Options and futures prices are affected by such factors as
current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the
underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration of the contract,
which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may
also result from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets
and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and
futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation
limits or trading halts. The Fund may purchase or sell options and futures
contracts with a greater or lesser value than the securities it wishes to hedge
or intends to purchase in order to attempt to compensate for differences in
volatility between the contract and the securities, although this may not be
successful in all cases. If price changes in the Fund's options or futures
positions are poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may
fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that are not offset by
gains in other investments.
The risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the price of an
index future and movements in the price of the securities that are the subject
of the hedge increases as the composition of the Fund's portfolio diverges from
the securities included in the applicable index. The price of the index futures
may move more than or less than the price of the securities being hedged. If
the price of the index future moves less than the price of the securities that
are the subject of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective but, if the
price of the securities being hedged has moved in an unfavorable direction, the
Fund would be in a better position than if it had not hedged at all. If the
price of the securities being hedged has moved in a favorable direction, this
advantage will be partially offset by the futures contract. If the price of the
futures contract moves more than the price of the security, the Fund will
experience either a loss or a gain on the futures contract that will not be
completely offset by movements in the price of the securities that are the
subject of the hedge. To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements
in the price of the securities being hedged and movements in the price of the
index futures, the Fund may buy or sell index futures in a greater dollar amount
than the dollar amount of the securities being hedged if the historical
volatility of the prices of such securities being hedged is more than the
historical volatility of the prices of the securities included in the index. It
is also possible that, where the Fund has sold futures contracts to hedge its
portfolio against decline in the market, the market may advance and the value of
the securities held in the portfolio may decline. If this occurred, the Fund
would lose money on the futures contract and also experience a decline in value
of its portfolio securities. However, while this could occur for a very brief
period or to a very small degree, over time the value of a diversified portfolio
of securities will tend to move in the same direction as the market indices on
which the futures contracts are based.
Where index futures are purchased to hedge against a possible increase in
the price of securities before the Fund is able to invest in them in an orderly
fashion, it is possible that the market may decline instead. If the Fund then
concludes not to invest in them at that time because of concern as to possible
further market decline or for other reasons, it will realize a loss on the
futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in the price of the
securities it had anticipated purchasing.
Margin Requirements and Daily Limits. Unlike when the Fund purchases or
sells securities, no price is paid or received by it when it purchases or sells
a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit an amount
of cash or U.S. Treasury Bills equal to a varying specified percentage of the
contract amount. This amount is known as initial margin. Cash held in the
margin account is not income producing. Subsequent payments, called variation
margin, to and from the futures commission merchant ("FCM") will be made on a
daily basis as the price of the underlying instrument fluctuates making the
futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking-to-market."
If the Fund writes an option on a futures contract, it will be required to
deposit initial and variation margin pursuant to the requirements similar to
those applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an
option on a futures contract are included in the initial margin deposit.
Changes in variation margin are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or
losses. If required by the SEC, initial margin payments will be deposited with
the Fund's custodian bank in an account registered in the FCM's name; access to
the assets in that account may be made by the FCM only under specified
conditions. At any time prior to expiration of a futures contract or option
thereon, the Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite
position, which will operate to terminate its position in the futures contract
or option. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional
cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund and the Fund realizes a
loss or a gain. Although futures contracts by their terms call for the actual
delivery or acquisition of the underlying obligation, in most cases the
contractual obligation is fulfilled without having to make or take delivery.
The Fund does not generally intend to make or take delivery of the underlying
obligation. All transactions in futures contracts and options thereon are made,
offset or fulfilled through a clearing house associated with the exchange on
which the contracts are traded. Although the Fund intends to buy and sell
futures contracts and options thereon only on exchanges where there appears to
be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market will exist for any particular futures contract or option thereon at any
particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures
contract or options position.
Liquidity of Options and Futures Contracts. There is no assurance a liquid
secondary market will exist for any particular options or futures contract at
any particular time. Options may have relatively low trading volume and
liquidity if their strike prices are not close to the underlying instrument's
current price. Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish
daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or option
thereon can vary from the previous day's settlement price; once that limit is
reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. Daily
price limits do not limit potential losses because prices could move to the
daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading, thereby
preventing the liquidation of unfavorable positions.
If the Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or option thereon
due to the imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses. The
Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position.
In addition, the Fund would be required to make daily variation margin payments
and might be required to maintain the position being hedged by the futures
contract or option or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated account.
OTC Options. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with
respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike
price, the terms of over-the-counter ("OTC") options (options not traded on
exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to
the option contract. While this type of arrangement allows the Fund great
flexibility to tailor an option to its needs, OTC options generally involve
greater credit risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the
clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded.
Generally, the OTC foreign currency options used by the Fund are European-
style options. This means that the option is only exercisable immediately prior
to its expiration. This is in contrast to American-style options, which are
exercisable at any time prior to the expiration date of the option.
For so long as required by applicable state securities regulation, the Fund
will only trade OTC options (a) if exchange-traded options are not available,
(b) there is an active OTC market in such options, and (c) transactions are all
through a broker-dealer with a minimum net worth of $20 million. This guideline
may be modified by the Fund's Board of Directors without a shareholder vote.
Options and Futures Relating to Foreign Currencies. Currency futures
contracts are similar to forward currency exchange contracts, except that they
are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and are standardized as
to contract size and delivery date. Most currency futures contracts call for
payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. The underlying instrument of a currency
option may be a foreign currency, which generally is purchased or delivered in
exchange for U.S. dollars, or may be a futures contract. The purchaser of a
currency call obtains the right to purchase the underlying currency, and the
purchaser of a currency put obtains the right to sell the underlying currency.
The uses and risks of currency options and futures are similar to options
and futures relating to securities or indices, as discussed above. The Fund may
purchase and sell currency futures and may purchase and write currency options
to increase or decrease its exposure to different foreign currencies. The Fund
may also purchase and write currency options in conjunction with each other or
with currency futures or forward contracts. Currency futures and options values
can be expected to correlate with exchange rates, but may not reflect other
factors that affect the value of the Fund's investments. A currency hedge, for
example, should protect a Yen-denominated security from a decline in the Yen,
but will not protect the Fund against a price decline resulting from
deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because the value of the Fund's
foreign-denominated investments changes in response to many factors other than
exchange rates, it may not be possible to match the amount of currency options
and futures to the value of the Fund's investments exactly over time.
Turnover. The Fund's options and futures activities may affect its
turnover rate and brokerage commission payments. The exercise of calls or puts
written by the Fund, and the sale or purchase of futures contracts, may cause it
to sell or purchase related investments, thus increasing its turnover rate.
Once the Fund has received an exercise notice on an option it has written, it
cannot effect a closing transaction in order to terminate its obligation under
the option and must deliver or receive the underlying securities at the exercise
price. The exercise of puts purchased by the Fund may also cause the sale of
related investments, also increasing turnover; although such exercise is within
the Fund's control, holding a protective put might cause it to sell the related
investments for reasons that would not exist in the absence of the put. The
Fund will pay a brokerage commission each time it buys or sells a put or call or
purchases or sells a futures contract. Such commissions may be higher than
those that would apply to direct purchases or sales.
Asset Coverage for Forward Contract, Futures and Options Positions.
Transactions using forward contracts, futures contracts and options (other than
options that the Fund has purchased) expose the Fund to an obligation to another
party. The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either
(1) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities, currencies, or other
options, futures contracts or forward contracts, or (2) cash, receivables and
short-term debt securities with a value sufficient at all times to cover its
potential obligations not covered as provided in (1) above. The Fund will
comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the
guidelines so require, set aside cash, U.S. Government Securities or other
liquid, high-grade debt securities in a segregated account with its custodian in
the prescribed amount.
Assets used as cover or held in a segregated account cannot be sold while
the position in the corresponding forward contract, futures contract or option
is open, unless they are replaced with similar assets. As a result, the
commitment of a large portion of the Fund's assets to cover or segregated
accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet
redemption requests or other current obligations.
Portfolio Turnover
A portfolio turnover rate is, in general, the percentage computed by taking
the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a year and dividing
it by the monthly average of the market value of such securities during the
year, excluding certain short-term securities. The Fund's turnover rate may
vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year and may be
affected by cash requirements for the redemption of its shares.
The Fund cannot precisely predict what its portfolio turnover rate will be,
but it is anticipated that its annual turnover rate for the common stock portion
of its portfolio will not exceed 200% and that the annual turnover rate for the
other portion of its portfolio will not exceed 200%. A high turnover rate will
increase transaction costs and commission costs that will be borne by the Fund
and could generate taxable income or loss.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
One of the duties undertaken by WRIMCO pursuant to the Investment
Management Agreement between the Fund and WRIMCO is to arrange the purchase and
sale of securities for the portfolio of the Fund. Transactions in securities
other than those for which an exchange is the primary market are generally done
with dealers acting as principals or market makers. Brokerage commissions are
paid primarily for effecting transactions in securities traded on an exchange
and otherwise only if it appears likely that a better price or execution can be
obtained. The individual who manages the Fund may manage other Funds or
advisory accounts with similar investment objectives. It can be anticipated
that the manager will frequently place concurrent orders for all or most
accounts for which the manager has responsibility. Transactions effected
pursuant to such combined orders are averaged as to price and allocated in
accordance with the purchase or sale orders actually placed for each Fund or
advisory account.
To effect the portfolio transactions of the Fund, WRIMCO is authorized to
engage broker-dealers ("brokers") which, in its best judgment based on all
relevant factors, will implement the policy of the Fund to achieve "best
execution" (prompt and reliable execution at the best price obtainable) for
reasonable and competitive commissions. WRIMCO need not seek competitive
commission bidding but is expected to minimize the commissions paid to the
extent consistent with the interests and policies of the Fund. Subject to
review by the Board of Directors, such policies include the selection of brokers
which provide execution and/or research services and other services, including
pricing or quotation services directly or through others ("brokerage services")
considered by WRIMCO to be useful or desirable for its investment management of
the Fund and/or the other Funds and accounts over which WRIMCO or its affiliates
have investment discretion.
Brokerage services are, in general, defined by reference to Section 28(e)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as including (i) advice, either directly
or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities, the
advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities and the
availability of securities and purchasers or sellers; (ii) furnishing analyses
and reports; or (iii) effecting securities transactions and performing functions
incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement and custody). "Investment
discretion" is, in general, defined as having authorization to determine what
securities shall be purchased or sold for an account, or making those decisions
even though someone else has responsibility.
The commissions paid to brokers that provide such brokerage services may be
higher than another qualified broker would charge for effecting comparable
transactions if a good faith determination is made by WRIMCO that the commission
is reasonable in relation to the brokerage services provided. Subject to the
foregoing considerations WRIMCO may also consider the willingness of particular
brokers and dealers to sell shares of the Fund and other Funds managed by WRIMCO
and its affiliates as a factor in their selection. No allocation of brokerage
or principal business is made to provide any other benefits to WRIMCO or its
affiliates.
The investment research provided by a particular broker may be useful only
to one or more of the other advisory accounts of WRIMCO and its affiliates and
investment research received for the commissions of those other accounts may be
useful both to the Fund and one or more of such other accounts. To the extent
that electronic or other products provided by such brokers to assist WRIMCO in
making investment management decisions are used for administration or other non-
research purposes, a reasonable allocation of the cost of the product
attributable to its non-research use is made by WRIMCO.
Such investment research (which may be supplied by a third party at the
instance of a broker) includes information on particular companies and
industries as well as market, economic or institutional activity areas. It
serves to broaden the scope and supplement the research activities of WRIMCO;
serves to make available additional views for consideration and comparisons; and
enables WRIMCO to obtain market information on the price of securities held in
the Fund's portfolio or being considered for purchase.
In placing transactions for the Fund's portfolio, WRIMCO may consider sales
of shares of the Fund and other Funds managed by WRIMCO and its affiliates as a
factor in the selection of brokers to execute portfolio transactions. WRIMCO
intends to allocate brokerage on the basis of this factor only if the sale is $2
million or more and there is no sales charge. This results in the consideration
only of sales which by their nature would not ordinarily be made by Waddell &
Reed, Inc.'s direct sales force and is done in order to prevent the direct sales
force from being disadvantaged by the fact that it cannot participate in Fund
brokerage.
The Fund, WRIMCO and Waddell & Reed, Inc. have adopted a Code of Ethics
which imposes restrictions on the personal investment activities of their
employees, officers and interested directors.
Buying and Selling with Other Funds
The Fund and one or more of the other funds in the United Group, Waddell &
Reed Funds, Inc., TMK/United Funds, Inc., Torchmark Government Securities Fund,
Inc. and Torchmark Insured Tax-Free Fund, Inc. or accounts over which Waddell &
Reed Asset Management Company exercises investment discretion frequently buy or
sell the same securities at the same time. If this happens, the amount of each
purchase or sale is divided. This is done on the basis of the amount of
securities each Fund or account wanted to buy or sell. Sharing in large
transactions could affect the price the Fund pays or receives or the amount it
buys or sells. However, sometimes a better negotiated commission is available.
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES
Determination of Offering Price
The net asset value of each Class of the shares of the Fund is the value
of the assets of that Class, less the Class's liabilities, divided by the total
number of outstanding shares of that Class.
The offering price of a Class A share is its net asset value next
determined following acceptance of a purchase order plus the sales charge
described in the Prospectus. The offering price of a Class Y share is its net
asset value next determined following acceptance of a purchase order.
The number of shares you receive for your purchase depends on the next
offering price after Waddell & Reed, Inc., the Fund's underwriter, receives and
accepts your order at its principal business office at the address shown on the
cover of this SAI. You will be sent a confirmation after your purchase which
will indicate how many shares you have purchased.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. need not accept any purchase order, and it or the Fund
may determine to discontinue offering Fund shares for purchase.
The net asset value and offering price per share are ordinarily computed
once on each day that the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "NYSE") is open for
trading as of the later of the close of the regular session of the NYSE or the
close of the regular session of any other securities or commodities exchange on
which an option or future held by the Fund is traded. The NYSE annually
announces the days on which it will not be open for trading. The most recent
announcement indicates that it will not be open on the following days: New
Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. However, it is possible that the NYSE
may close on other days. The net asset value will change every business day,
since the value of the Fund's assets and the number of shares outstanding
changes every business day.
The securities in the portfolio of the Fund, except as otherwise noted,
listed or traded on a stock exchange, are valued on the basis of the last sale
on that day or, lacking any sales, at a price which is the mean between the
closing bid and asked prices. Other securities that are traded over-the-counter
are priced using National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations
("NASDAQ"), which provides information on bid and asked prices quoted by major
dealers in such stocks. Bonds, other than convertible bonds, are valued using a
pricing system provided by a major dealer in bonds. Convertible bonds are
valued using this pricing system only on days when there is no sale reported.
Short-term debt securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates
market. When market quotations are not readily available, securities and other
assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures
established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the
Fund's Board of Directors.
Options and futures contracts purchased and held by the Fund are valued at
the last sales price thereof on the securities or commodities exchanges on which
they are traded, or, if there are no transactions, at the mean between bid and
asked prices. Ordinarily, the close of the regular session for option trading
on national securities exchanges is 4:10 p.m. Eastern time and the close of the
regular session for commodities exchanges is 4:15 p.m. Eastern time. Futures
contracts will be valued with reference to established futures exchanges. The
value of a futures contract purchased by the Fund will be either the closing
price of that contract or the bid price. Conversely, the value of a futures
contract sold by the Fund will be either the closing price or the asked price.
When the Fund writes a put or call, an amount equal to the premium received
is included in the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset, and
an equivalent deferred credit is included in the liability section. The
deferred credit is marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the
put or call. If a call the Fund wrote is exercised, the proceeds received on
the sale of the related investment are increased by the amount of the premium
the Fund received. If the Fund exercised a call it purchased, the amount paid
to purchase the related investment is increased by the amount of the premium
paid. If a put written by the Fund is exercised, the amount that the Fund pays
to purchase the related investment is decreased by the amount of the premium it
received. If the Fund exercises a put it purchased, the amount the Fund
receives from the sale of the related investment is reduced by the amount of the
premium it paid. If a put or call written by the Fund expires, it has a gain in
the amount of the premium; if it enters into a closing purchase transaction, it
will have a gain or loss depending on whether the premium was more or less than
the cost of the closing transaction.
Foreign currency exchange rates are generally determined prior to the
close of the trading of the regular session of the NYSE. Occasionally, events
affecting the value of foreign investments and such exchange rates occur between
the time at which they are determined and the close of the regular session of
trading on the NYSE, which events will not be reflected in a computation of the
Fund's net asset value on that day. If events materially affecting the value of
such investments or currency exchange rates occur during such time period, the
investments will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under
procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility
of the Board of Directors. The foreign currency exchange transactions of the
Fund conducted on a spot basis are valued at the spot rate for purchasing or
selling currency prevailing on the foreign exchange market. Under normal market
conditions, this rate differs from the prevailing exchange rate by an amount
generally less than one-tenth of one percent due to the costs of converting from
one currency to another.
Optional delivery standby commitments are valued at fair value under the
general supervision and responsibility of the Fund's Board of Directors. They
are accounted for in the same manner as exchange-listed puts.
Minimum Initial and Subsequent Investments
For Class A shares, initial investments must be at least $500 with the
exceptions described in this paragraph. A $100 minimum initial investment
pertains to certain exchanges of shares from another fund in the United Group.
A $50 minimum initial investment pertains to purchases for certain retirement
plan accounts and to accounts for which an investor has arranged, at the time of
initial investment, to make subsequent purchases for the account by having
regular monthly withdrawals of $25 or more made from a bank account. A minimum
initial investment of $25 is applicable to purchases made through payroll
deduction for or by employees of WRIMCO, Waddell & Reed, Inc., their affiliates,
or certain retirement plan accounts. Except with respect to certain exchanges
and automatic withdrawals from a bank account, a shareholder may make subsequent
investments of any amount. See "Exchanges for Shares of Other Funds in the
United Group."
For Class Y shares, investments by government entities or authorities or by
corporations must total at least $10 million within the first twelve months
after initial investment. There is no initial investment minimum for other
Class Y investors.
Reduced Sales Charges (Applicable to Class A Shares Only)
Account Grouping
For the purpose of taking advantage of the lower sales charges available
for large purchases of Class A shares, a purchase in any of categories 1 through
7 listed below made by an individual or deemed to be made by an individual may
be grouped with purchases in any other of these categories.
1. Purchases by an individual for his or her own account (includes purchases
under the United Funds Revocable Trust Form);
2. Purchases by that individual's spouse purchasing for his or her own account
(includes purchases under the United Funds Revocable Trust Form of spouse);
3. Purchases by that individual or his or her spouse in their joint account;
4. Purchases by that individual or his or her spouse for the account of their
child under age 21;
5. Purchases by any custodian for the child of that individual or spouse in a
Uniform Gift to Minors Act ("UGMA") or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act
account;
6. Purchases by that individual or his or her spouse for his or her Individual
Retirement Account ("IRA"), Section 457 of the Code salary reduction plan
account provided that such purchases are subject to a sales charge (see
"Net Asset Value Purchases"), tax sheltered annuity account ("TSA") or
Keogh plan account, provided that the individual and spouse are the only
participants in the Keogh plan; and
7. Purchases by a trustee under a trust where that individual or his or her
spouse is the settlor (the person who establishes the trust).
All purchases of Class A shares made for a participant in a multi-
participant Keogh plan may be grouped only with other purchases made under the
same plan; a multi-participant Keogh plan is defined as a plan in which there is
more than one participant where one or more of the participants is other than
the spouse of the owner/employer.
All purchases of Class A shares made under a "qualified" employee benefit
plan of an incorporated business will be grouped. A "qualified" employee
benefit plan is established pursuant to Section 401 of the Code. All qualified
employee benefit plans of any one employer or affiliated employers will also be
grouped. An affiliate is defined as an employer that directly, or indirectly,
controls or is controlled by or is under control with another employer.
All purchases of Class A shares made under a simplified employee pension
plan ("SEP"), payroll deduction plan or similar arrangement adopted by an
employer or affiliated employers (as defined above) may be grouped provided that
the employer elects to have all such purchases grouped at the time the plan is
set up. If the employer does not make such an election, the purchases made by
individual employees under the plan may be grouped with the other accounts of
the individual employees described above.
Account grouping as described above is available under the following
circumstances.
One-time Purchases. A one-time purchase of Class A shares in accounts
eligible for grouping may be combined for purposes of determining the
availability of a reduced sales charge. In order for an eligible purchase to be
grouped, the investor must advise Waddell & Reed, Inc. at the time the purchase
is made that it is eligible for grouping and identify the accounts with which it
may be grouped.
Rights of Accumulation. If Class A shares are held in any account and an
additional purchase is made in that account or in any account eligible for
grouping with that account, the additional purchase is combined with the net
asset value of the existing account as of the date the new purchase is accepted
by Waddell & Reed, Inc. for the purpose of determining the availability of a
reduced sales charge.
In order to be entitled to rights of accumulation, the purchaser must
inform Waddell & Reed, Inc. that the purchaser is entitled to a reduced charge
and provide Waddell & Reed, Inc. with the name and number of the existing
account with which the purchase may be combined.
If a purchaser holds shares which have been purchased under a
contractual plan the shares held under the plan may be combined with the
additional purchase only if the contractual plan has been completed.
Statement of Intention
The benefit of a reduced sales charge for larger purchases of Class A
shares is also available under a Statement of Intention. By signing a Statement
of Intention form, which is available from Waddell & Reed, Inc., the purchaser
indicates an intention to invest, over a 13-month period, a dollar amount which
is sufficient to qualify for a reduced sales charge. The 13-month period begins
on the date the first purchase made under the Statement is accepted by Waddell &
Reed, Inc. Each purchase made from time to time under the Statement is treated
as if the purchaser were buying at one time the total amount which he or she
intends to invest. The sales charge applicable to all purchases of Class A
shares made under the terms of the Statement will be the sales charge in effect
on the beginning date of the 13-month period.
In determining the amount which the purchaser must invest in order to
qualify for a reduced sales charge under a Statement of Intention, the
investor's rights of accumulation (see above) will be taken into account; that
is, Class A shares already held in the same account in which the purchase is
being made or in any account eligible for grouping with that account, as
described above, will be included.
A copy of the Statement of Intention signed by a purchaser will be returned
to the purchaser after it is accepted by Waddell & Reed, Inc. and will set forth
the dollar amount of Class A shares which must be purchased within the 13-month
period in order to qualify for the reduced sales charge.
If a purchaser holds shares which have been purchased under a contractual
plan, the shares held under the plan will be taken into account in determining
the amount which must be invested under the Statement only if the contractual
plan has been completed.
The minimum initial investment under a Statement of Intention is 5% of
the dollar amount which must be invested under the Statement. An amount equal
to 5% of the purchase required under the Statement will be held "in escrow." If
a purchaser does not, during the period covered by the Statement, invest the
amount required to qualify for the reduced sales charge under the terms of the
Statement, he or she will be responsible for payment of the sales charge
applicable to the amount actually invested. The additional sales charge owed on
purchases of Class A shares made under a Statement which is not completed will
be collected by redeeming part of the shares purchased under the Statement and
held "in escrow" unless the purchaser makes payment of this amount to Waddell &
Reed, Inc. within 20 days of Waddell & Reed, Inc.'s request for payment.
If the actual amount invested is higher than the amount an investor intends
to invest, and is large enough to qualify for a sales charge lower than that
available under the Statement of Intention, the lower sales charge will apply.
A Statement of Intention does not bind the purchaser to buy, or Waddell &
Reed, Inc. to sell, the shares covered by the Statement.
With respect to Statements of Intention for $2,000,000 or purchases
otherwise qualifying for no sales charge under the terms of the Statement of
Intention, the initial investment must be at least $200,000, and the value of
any shares redeemed during the 13-month period which were acquired under the
Statement will be deducted in computing the aggregate purchases under the
Statement.
Statements of Intention are not available for purchases made under a SEP
where the employer has elected to have all purchases under the SEP grouped.
Other Funds in the United Group
Reduced sales charges for larger purchases of Class A shares apply to
purchases of any of the funds in the United Group which are subject to a sales
charge. A purchase of, or shares held, in any of the funds in the United Group
which are subject to the same sales charge as the Fund will be treated as an
investment in the Fund for the purpose of determining the applicable sales
charge. The following funds in the United Group have shares that are subject to
a maximum 5.75% ("full") sales charge as described in the prospectus of each
fund: United Funds, Inc., United International Growth Fund, Inc., United
Continental Income Fund, Inc., United Vanguard Fund, Inc., United Retirement
Shares, Inc., United High Income Fund, Inc., United New Concepts Fund, Inc.,
United Gold & Government Fund, Inc., United High Income Fund II, Inc., and
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. The following funds in the United Group have
shares that are subject to a "reduced" sales charge as described in the
prospectus of each fund: United Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., United Government
Securities Fund, Inc. and United Municipal High Income Fund, Inc. For the
purposes of obtaining the lower sales charge which applies to large purchases,
purchases in a fund in the United Group of shares that are subject to a full
sales charge may not be grouped with purchases of shares in a fund in the United
Group that are subject to a reduced sales charge; conversely, purchases of
shares in a fund with a reduced sales charge may not be grouped or combined with
purchases of shares of a fund that are subject to a full sales charge.
United Cash Management, Inc. is not subject to a sales charge. Purchases
in that fund are not eligible for grouping with purchases in any other fund.
Net Asset Value Purchases of Class A Shares
As stated in the Prospectus, Class A shares of the Fund may be purchased at
net asset value by the Directors and officers of the Fund, employees of Waddell
& Reed, Inc., employees of their affiliates, account representatives of Waddell
& Reed, Inc. and the spouse, children, parents, children's spouses and spouse's
parents of each such Director, officer, employee and account representative.
"Child" includes stepchild; "parent" includes stepparent. Purchases of Class A
shares in an IRA sponsored by Waddell & Reed, Inc. established for any of these
eligible purchasers may also be at net asset value. Purchases of Class A shares
in any tax qualified retirement plan under which the eligible purchaser is the
sole participant may also be made at net asset value. Trusts under which the
grantor and the trustee or a co-trustee are each an eligible purchaser are also
eligible for net asset value purchases of Class A shares. "Employees" includes
retired employees. A retired employee is an individual separated from service
from Waddell & Reed, Inc. or affiliated companies with a vested interest in any
Employee Benefit Plan sponsored by Waddell & Reed, Inc. or its affiliated
companies. "Account representatives" includes retired account representatives.
A "retired account representative" is any account representative who was, at the
time of separation from service from Waddell & Reed, Inc., a Senior Account
Representative. A custodian under the Uniform Gifts (or Transfers) to Minors
Act purchasing for the child or grandchild of any employee or account
representative may purchase Class A shares at net asset value whether or not the
custodian himself is an eligible purchaser.
Purchases of Class A shares in a 401(k) plan having 100 or more eligible
employees and purchases of Class A shares in a 457 plan having 100 or more
eligible employees may be made at net asset value.
Reinvestment Privilege
The Fund offers a one-time reinvestment privilege that allows you to
reinvest without charge all or part of any amount you redeem from the Fund by
sending to the Fund the amount you wish to reinvest. The amount you return will
be reinvested at the net asset value next determined after the Fund receives the
returned amount. Your written request to reinvest and the amount to be
reinvested must be received within 30 days after your redemption request was
received, and the Fund must be offering shares of the Fund at the time your
reinvestment request is received. You can do this only once as to shares of the
Fund; however, you do not use up this privilege by redeeming shares to invest
the proceeds at net asset value in a Keogh plan or an IRA.
Reasons for Differences in Public Offering Price of Class A shares
As described herein and in the Prospectus, there are a number of instances
in which the Fund's Class A shares are sold or issued on a basis other than the
maximum public offering price, that is, the net asset value plus the highest
sales charge. Some of these relate to lower or eliminated sales charges for
larger purchases of Class A shares, whether made at one time or over a period of
time as under a Statement of Intention or right of accumulation. See the table
of sales charges in the Prospectus. The reasons for these quantity discounts
are, in general, that (i) they are traditional and have long been permitted in
the industry and are therefore necessary to meet competition as to sales of
shares of other funds having such discounts; (ii) certain quantity discounts are
required by rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (as
are elimination of sales charges on the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions); and (iii) they are designed to avoid an unduly large dollar
amount of sales charge on substantial purchases in view of reduced selling
expenses. Quantity discounts are made available to certain related persons for
reasons of family unity and to provide a benefit to tax-exempt plans and
organizations.
The reasons for the other instances in which there are reduced or
eliminated sales charges for Class A shares are as follows. Exchanges at net
asset value are permitted because a sales charge has already been paid on the
shares exchanged. Sales of Class A shares without sales charge are permitted to
Directors, officers and certain others due to reduced or eliminated selling
expenses and since such sales may aid in the development of a sound employee
organization, encourage incentive, responsibility and interest in the United
Group and an identification with its aims and policies. Limited reinvestments
of redemptions of Class A shares at no sales charge are permitted to attempt to
protect against mistaken or not fully informed redemption decisions. Class A
shares may be issued at no sales charge in plans of reorganization due to
reduced or eliminated sales expenses and since, in some cases, such issuance is
exempted by the 1940 Act from the otherwise applicable restrictions as to what
sales charge must be imposed. In no case in which there is a reduced or
eliminated sales charge are the interests of existing Class A shareholders
adversely affected since, in each case, the Fund receives the net asset value
per share of all shares sold or issued.
Retirement Plans
As described in the Class A Prospectus, your account may be set up as a
funding vehicle for a retirement plan. For individual taxpayers meeting certain
requirements, Waddell & Reed, Inc. offers prototype documents for the following
retirement plans. All of these plans involve investment in shares of the Fund
(or shares of certain other funds in the United Group).
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Investors having earned income may
set up a plan that is commonly called an IRA. Under an IRA, an investor can
contribute each year up to 100% of his or her earned income, up to an annual
maximum of $2,000. The annual maximum is $2,250 if an investor's spouse has
earned income of $250 or less in a taxable year. If an investor's spouse has at
least $2,000 of earned income in a taxable year, the annual maximum is $4,000
($2,000 for each spouse). The contributions are deductible unless the investor
(or, if married, either spouse) is an active participant in a qualified
retirement plan or if, notwithstanding that the investor or one or both spouses
so participate, their adjusted gross income does not exceed certain levels.
An investor may also use an IRA to receive a rollover contribution which is
either (a) a direct rollover from an employer's plan or (b) a rollover of an
eligible distribution paid to the investor from an employer's plan or another
IRA. To the extent a rollover contribution is made to an IRA, the distribution
will not be subject to Federal income tax until distributed from the IRA. A
direct rollover generally applies to any distribution from an employer's plan
(including a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7) of the Code, but not an
IRA) other than certain periodic payments, required minimum distributions and
other specified distributions. In a direct rollover, the eligible rollover
distribution is paid directly to the IRA, not to the investor. If, instead, an
investor receives payment of an eligible rollover distribution, all or a portion
of that distribution generally may be rolled over to an IRA within 60 days after
receipt of the distribution. Because mandatory Federal income tax withholding
applies to any eligible rollover distribution which is not paid in a direct
rollover, investors should consult their tax advisers or pension consultants as
to the applicable tax rules. If you already have an IRA, you may have the
assets in that IRA transferred directly to an IRA offered by Waddell & Reed,
Inc.
Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plans and Salary Reduction SEP (SARSEP)
plans. Employers can make contributions to SEP-IRAs established for employees.
An employer may contribute up to 15% of compensation, not to exceed $22,500, per
year for each employee.
Keogh Plans. Keogh plans, which are available to self-employed
individuals, are defined contribution plans that may be either a money purchase
plan or a profit sharing plan. As a general rule, an investor under a defined
contribution Keogh plan can contribute each year up to 25% of his or her annual
earned income, with an annual maximum of $30,000.
457 Plans. If an investor is an employee of a state or local government or
of certain types of charitable organizations, he or she may be able to enter
into a deferred compensation arrangement in accordance with Section 457 of the
Code.
TSAs - Custodial Accounts and Title I Plans. If an investor is an employee
of a public school system or of certain types of charitable organizations, he or
she may be able to enter into a deferred compensation arrangement through a
custodian account under Section 403(b) of the Code. Some organizations have
adopted Title I plans, which are funded by employer contributions in addition to
employee deferrals.
401(k) Plans. With a 401(k) plan, employees can make tax-deferred
contributions into a plan to which the employer may also contribute, usually on
a matching basis. An employee may defer each year up to 25% of compensation,
subject to certain annual maximums, which may be increased each year based on
cost-of-living adjustments.
More detailed information about these arrangements and applicable forms are
available from Waddell & Reed, Inc. These plans may involve complex tax
questions as to premature distributions and other matters. Investors should
consult their tax adviser or pension consultant.
Exchanges for Shares of Other Funds in the United Group
Class A Share Exchanges
Once a sales charge has been paid on shares of a fund in the United Group,
you may exchange these shares and any shares acquired through payment of
dividends or distributions from these shares for corresponding shares of another
fund in the United Group. The shares you exchange must be worth at least $100
or you must already own shares of the fund in the United Group into which you
want to exchange.
You may exchange corresponding shares you own in another fund in the United
Group for Class A shares of the Fund without charge if (i) the shares of the
fund you are exchanging from are subject to a full sales charge and a sales
charge was paid on these shares, or (ii) the shares were received in exchange
for shares of a fund that are subject to a full sales charge and for which a
sales charge was paid, or (iii) the shares were acquired from payment of
dividends and distributions paid or shares subject to a full sales charge and
for which a sales charge was paid. The shares you are exchanging may have been
involved one or more such exchanges so long as a sales charge was paid on the
shares originally purchased. Also, shares acquired without a sales charge
because the purchase was $2 million or more will be treated the same as shares
on which a sales charge was paid.
Corresponding shares of funds subject to a reduced sales charge (United
Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., United Government Securities Fund, Inc. and United
Municipal High Income Fund, Inc.) may be exchanged for Class A shares of the
Fund only if (i) you have received those shares as a result of one or more
exchanges of shares on which a sales charge was originally paid, or (ii) the
shares have been held from the date of the original purchase for at least six
months.
Subject to the above rules regarding sales charges, you may have a specific
dollar amount of corresponding shares of United Cash Management, Inc.
automatically exchanged each month into Class A shares of the Fund or any other
fund in the United Group. The shares of United Cash Management, Inc. which you
designate for automatic exchange must be worth at least $100 or you must own
Class A shares of the fund in the United Group into which you want to exchange.
The minimum value of shares which you may designate for automatic exchange is
$100, which may be allocated among the Class A or corresponding shares of
different funds in the United Group so long as each fund receives a value of at
least $25. Minimum initial investment and minimum balance requirements apply to
such automatic exchange service. You may redeem your Class A shares of a Fund
and use the proceeds to purchase Class Y shares of that Fund if you meet the
criteria for purchasing Class Y shares.
Class Y Share Exchanges
Class Y shares of a Fund may be exchanged for Class Y shares of any other
fund in the United Group.
General Exchange Information
When you exchange shares, the total shares you receive will have the same
aggregate net asset value as the total shares you exchange. The relative values
are those next figured after your exchange request is received in good
order.
These exchange rights and other exchange rights concerning the other funds
in the United Group can in most instances be eliminated or modified at any time,
upon notice in certain circumstances, and any such exchange may not be accepted.
Redemptions
Redemption payments are made within seven days, unless delayed because
of emergency conditions determined by the SEC, when the NYSE is closed (other
than on weekends and holidays) or when trading on the NYSE is restricted.
Payment is made in cash, although under extraordinary conditions, redemptions
may be made in portfolio securities. Redemptions may be made in portfolio
securities if the Fund's Board of Directors decides that conditions exist making
cash payments undesirable. The securities would be valued at the value used in
determining net asset value. There would be brokerage costs to the redeeming
shareholder in selling such securities. The Fund, however, has elected to be
governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, pursuant to which it is obligated to
redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net asset
value during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.
Flexible Withdrawal Service
If you qualify, you may arrange to receive through the Flexible
Withdrawal Service (the "Service") regular monthly, quarterly, semiannual or
annual payments by redeeming on a regular basis Class A shares that you own of
the Fund or Class A or corresponding shares of any of the funds in the United
Group. It would be a disadvantage to an investor to make additional purchases
of shares while a withdrawal program is in effect because it would result in
duplication of sales charges. Applicable forms are available from Waddell &
Reed, Inc.
To qualify for the Service, you must have invested at least $10,000 in
Class A or corresponding shares which you still own of any of the Funds in the
United Group; or, you must own Class A or corresponding shares having a value of
at least $10,000. The value for this purpose is the value at the offering
price.
You can choose to have your shares redeemed to receive:
(1) a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual payment of $50 or more;
(2) a monthly payment, which will change each month, equal to one-twelfth
of a percentage of the value of the shares in the Account (you select the
percentage); or
(3) a monthly or quarterly payment, which will change each month or
quarter, by redeeming a fixed number of shares (at least five shares).
Shares are redeemed on the 20th day of the month in which the payment is to
be made, or on the prior business day if the 20th is not a business day.
Payments are made within five days of the redemption.
Retirement Plan Accounts may be subject to a fee imposed by the Plan
Custodian for use of their service.
The dividends and distributions on shares you have made available for
the Service are paid in additional shares. All payments under the Service are
made by redeeming shares, which may involve a gain or loss for tax purposes. To
the extent that payments exceed dividends and distributions, the number of Class
A shares you own will decrease. When all of the shares in your account are
redeemed, you will not receive any further payments. Thus, the payments are not
an annuity or an income or return on your investment.
You may at any time change the manner in which you have chosen to have
shares redeemed to any of the other choices originally available to you. You
can at any time redeem part or all of the shares in your account; if you redeem
all of the shares, the Service is terminated. The Fund can also terminate the
Service by notifying you in writing.
After the end of each calendar year, information on shares redeemed will be
sent to you to assist you in completing your Federal income tax return.
Mandatory Redemption of Certain Small Accounts
The Fund has the right to compel the redemption of shares held under any
account or any plan if the aggregate net asset value of such shares (taken at
cost or value as the Board of Directors may determine) is less than $500. The
Board of Directors has no intent to compel redemptions in the foreseeable
future. If it should elect to compel redemptions, shareholders who are affected
will receive prior written notice and will be permitted 60 days to bring their
accounts up to the minimum before the redemption is processed.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Waddell & Reed, Inc., the Fund's underwriter, or the Fund may from time to
time publish the Fund's total return and/or performance information in
advertisements and sales materials.
Total Return
The Fund's average annual total return quotation is computed according
to a standardized method prescribed by SEC rules. The average annual total
return for the Fund for a specific period is found by taking a hypothetical
$1,000 investment in Fund shares on the first day of the period and computing
the "redeemable value" of that investment at the end of the period.
Standardized total return information is calculated by assuming an initial
$1,000 investment and, for Class A shares, from which the maximum sales load of
5.75% is deducted. All dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested
in shares of the applicable Class at net asset value for the Class as of the day
the dividend or distribution is paid. No sales load is charged on reinvested
dividends or distributions on Class A shares. The formula used to calculate the
total return for a particular class of the Fund is:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Where : P = $1,000 initial payment
T = Average annual total return
n = Number of years
ERV = Ending redeemable value of the $1,000 investment for the
periods shown.
Non-standardized performance information may also be presented. For
example, a Fund may also compute total return for its Class A shares without
deduction of the sales load in which case the same formula noted above will be
used but the entire amount of the $1,000 initial payment will be assumed to have
been invested. If the sales charge applicable to Class A shares were reflected,
it would reduce the performance quoted for that Class.
Calculation of cumulative total return is not subject to a prescribed
formula. The cumulative total return for a Class for a specific period is
calculated by first taking a hypothetical initial investment in Fund shares on
the first day of the period and computing the "redeemable value" of that
investment at the end of the period. The cumulative total return percentage is
then determined by subtracting the initial investment from the redeemable value
and dividing the remainder by the initial investment and expressing the result
as a percentage. The calculation assumes that all income and capital gains
distributions of the Class have been reinvested at net asset value on the
reinvestment dates during the period. Cumulative total return may also be shown
as the increased dollar value of the hypothetical investment in the Class over
the period.
Performance Rankings
Waddell & Reed, Inc. or the Fund also may from time to time publish in
advertisements or sales material performance rankings as published by recognized
independent mutual fund statistical services such as Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., or by publications of general interest such as Forbes, Money, The Wall
Street Journal, Business Week, Barron's, Fortune or Morningstar Mutual Fund
Values. Each Class of the Fund may also compare its performance to that of
other selected mutual funds or selected recognized market indicators such as the
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Performance information may be quoted numerically or presented in a table, graph
or other illustration.
All performance information that the Fund advertises or includes in sales
material is historical in nature and is not intended to represent or guarantee
future results. The value of the Fund's shares when redeemed may be more or
less than their original cost.
PAYMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
General
There are three sources for the payments the Fund makes to you as a
shareholder of a Class of shares of the Fund, other than payments when you
redeem your shares. The first source is the Fund's net investment income, which
is derived from the dividends, interest and earned discount on the securities it
holds, less expenses (which will vary by Class). The second source is realized
capital gains, which are derived from the proceeds received from the sale of
securities at a price higher than the Fund's tax basis (usually cost) in such
securities; these gains can be either long-term or short-term, depending on how
long the Fund has owned the securities before it sells them. The third source
is net realized gains from foreign currency transactions. The payments made to
shareholders from net investment income, net short-term capital gains, and net
realized gains from certain foreign currency transactions are called dividends.
Payments, if any, from long-term capital gains are called distributions.
The Fund pays distributions only if it has net realized capital gain (the
excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses). It
may or may not have such gains, depending on whether securities are sold and at
what price. If the Fund has net realized capital gains, it will pay
distributions once each year, in the latter part of the fourth calendar quarter.
Even if it has net capital gains for a year, the Fund does not pay out the gains
if it has applicable prior year losses to offset the gains.
Choices you Have on your Dividends and Distributions
On your application form, you can give instructions that (i) you want
cash for your dividends and distributions, (ii) you want your dividends and
distributions paid in shares of the Fund of the same class as that with respect
to which they were paid or (iii) you want cash for your dividends and want your
distributions paid in shares of the Fund of the same class as that with respect
to which they were paid. You can change your instructions at any time. If you
give no instructions, your dividends and distributions will be paid in shares of
the Fund of the same class as that with respect to which they were paid. All
payments in Fund shares are at net asset value without any sales charge. The
net asset value used for this purpose is that computed as of the record date for
the dividend or distribution, although this could be changed by the Board of
Directors.
Even if you get dividends and distributions on Class A shares in cash, you
can thereafter reinvest them (or distributions only) in Class A shares of the
Fund at net asset value next determined after receipt by Waddell & Reed, Inc. of
the amount clearly identified as a reinvestment. The reinvestment must be
within 45 days after the payment.
TAXES
General
In order to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment
company ("RIC") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), the Fund
must distribute to its shareholders for each taxable year at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income (consisting generally of net investment
income, net short-term capital gains and net gains from certain foreign currency
transactions) and must meet several additional requirements. These requirements
include the following: (1) the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income
each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities
loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign
currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures or forward
contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in securities or
those currencies ("Income Requirement"); (2) the Fund must derive less than 30%
of its gross income each taxable year from the sale or other disposition of
securities, or any of the following, that were held for less than three months -
- - (i) options, futures contracts, or forward contracts or (ii) foreign
currencies (or options, futures contracts or forward contracts thereon) that are
not directly related to the Fund's principal business of investing in securities
(or options and futures contracts with respect to securities) ("Short-Short
Limitation"); (3) at the close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at
least 50% of the value of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash
items, U.S. Government Securities, securities of other RICs and other securities
that are limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not
exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and that does not represent
more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and (4) at the
close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, not more than 25% of the value
of its total assets may be invested in securities (other than U.S. Government
Securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer.
Dividends and distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or
December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a date in one of
those months are deemed to have been paid by the Fund and received by the
shareholders on December 31 of that year if they are paid by the Fund during the
following January. Accordingly, those dividends and distributions will be taxed
to shareholders for the year in which that December 31 falls.
If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for six months or less,
the loss will be treated as long-term, instead of short-term, capital loss to
the extent of any distributions received on those shares. Investors also should
be aware that if shares are purchased shortly before the record date for a
dividend or distribution, the purchaser will receive some portion of the
purchase price back as a taxable dividend or distribution.
The Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax ("Excise Tax") to
the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially
all of its ordinary income for that year and capital gains net income for the
one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, plus certain other amounts.
It is the Fund's policy to make sufficient distributions each year to avoid
imposition of the Excise Tax. The Code permits the Fund to defer into the next
calendar year net capital losses incurred between each November 1 and the end of
the current calendar year.
Income from Foreign Securities
Dividends and interest received by the Fund may be subject to income,
withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions
that would reduce the yield on its securities. Tax conventions between certain
countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate these foreign taxes,
however, and many foreign countries do not impose taxes on capital gains in
respect of investments by foreign investors.
Foreign Currency Gains and Losses
Gains or losses (1) from the disposition of foreign currencies, (2) from
the disposition of debt securities denominated in foreign currency that are
attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the
date of acquisition of the security and the date of disposition, and (3) that
are attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates that occur between the time
the Fund accrues interest, dividends or other receivables or accrues expenses or
other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund
actually collects the receivables or pays the liabilities, generally are treated
as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses, referred to under the Code
as "section 988" gains or losses, may increase or decrease the amount of the
Fund's investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders.
Income from Options, Futures Contracts and Currencies
The use of hedging strategies, such as writing (selling) and purchasing
options and futures contracts and entering into forward contracts, involves
complex rules that will determine for income tax purposes the character and
timing of recognition of the gains and losses the Fund realizes in connection
therewith. Income from foreign currencies (except certain gains therefrom that
may be excluded by future regulations), and income from transactions in options,
futures contracts and forward contracts derived by the Fund with respect to its
business of investing in securities will qualify as permissible income under the
Income Requirement. However, income from the disposition of options and futures
will be subject to the Short-Short Limitation if they are held for less than
three months. Income from the disposition of foreign currencies and forward
contracts thereon that are not directly related to the Fund's principal business
of investing in securities (or options and futures with respect to securities)
also will be subject to the Short-Short Limitation if they are held for less
than three months.
If the Fund satisfies certain requirements, any increase in value of a
position that is part of a "designated hedge" will be offset by any decrease in
value (whether realized or not) of the offsetting hedging position during the
period of the hedge for purposes of determining whether the Fund satisfies the
Short-Short Limitation. Thus, only the net gains (if any) from the designated
hedge will be included in gross income for purposes of that limitation. The
Fund intends that, when it engages in hedging transactions, they will qualify
for this treatment, but at the present time it is not clear whether this
treatment will be available for all of the Fund's hedging transactions. To the
extent this treatment is not available, the Fund may be forced to defer the
closing out of options, futures and certain forward contracts beyond the time
when it otherwise would be advantageous to do so, in order for the Fund to
continue to qualify as a RIC.
Any income the Fund earns from writing options is taxed as short-term
capital gains. If the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will
have a short-term capital gain or loss based on the difference between the
premium it receives for the option it wrote and the premium it pays for the
option it buys. If an option written by the Fund expires without being
exercised, the premium it receives also will be a short-term gain. If such an
option is exercised and thus the Fund sells the securities subject to the
option, the premium the Fund receives will be added to the exercise price to
determine the gains or losses on the sale. The Fund will not write so many
options that it could fail to continue to qualify as a RIC.
Certain options and futures in which the Fund may invest will be "section
1256 contracts." Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of each
taxable year, other than section 1256 contracts that are part of a "mixed
straddle" with respect to which the Fund has made an election not to have the
following rules apply, are "marked-to-market" (that is, treated as sold for
their fair market value) for federal income tax purposes, with the result that
unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized. Sixty
percent of any net gains or losses recognized on these deemed sales, and 60% of
any net realized gains or losses from any actual sales of section 1256
contracts, are treated as long-term capital gains or losses, and the balance is
treated as short-term capital gains or losses. Section 1256 contracts also may
be marked-to-market for purposes of the Excise Tax and for other purposes.
Code section 1092 (dealing with straddles) may also affect the taxation of
options and futures contracts in which the Fund may invest. Section 1092
defines a "straddle" as offsetting positions with respect to personal property;
for these purposes, options and futures contracts are personal property.
Section 1092 generally provides that any loss from the disposition of a position
in a straddle may be deducted only to the extent the loss exceeds the unrealized
gain on the offsetting position(s) of the straddle. Section 1092 also provides
certain "wash sale" rules, which apply to transactions where a position is sold
at a loss and a new offsetting position is acquired within a prescribed period,
and "short sale" rules applicable to straddles. If the Fund makes certain
elections, the amount, character and timing of the recognition of gains and
losses from the affected straddle positions will be determined under rules that
vary according to the elections made. Because only a few of the regulations
implementing the straddle rules have been promulgated, the tax consequences of
straddle transactions to the Fund are not entirely clear.
Zero Coupon and Payment-in-Kind Securities
The Fund may acquire zero coupon or other securities issued with original
issue discount. As the holder of those securities, the Fund must include in its
income the original issue discount that accrues on the securities during the
taxable year, even if the Fund receives no corresponding payment on the
securities during the year. Similarly, the Fund must include in its gross
income securities it receives as "interest" on payment-in-kind securities.
Because the Fund annually must distribute substantially all of its investment
company taxable income, including any original issue discount and other non-cash
income, in order to satisfy the distribution requirement described above and to
avoid imposition of the Excise Tax, it may be required in a particular year to
distribute as a dividend an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash
it actually receives. Those distributions will be made from the Fund's cash
assets or from the proceeds of sales of portfolio securities, if necessary. The
Fund may realize capital gains or losses from those sales, which would increase
or decrease its investment company taxable income and/or net capital gains. In
addition, any such gains may be realized on the disposition of securities held
for less than three months. Because of the Short-Short Limitation, any such
gains would reduce the Fund's ability to sell other securities, or options or
futures, held for less than three months that it might wish to sell in the
ordinary course of its portfolio management.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
The Management Agreement
The Fund has an Investment Management Agreement (the "Management
Agreement") with WRIMCO. Under the Management Agreement, WRIMCO is employed to
supervise the investments of the Fund and provide investment advice to the Fund.
The address of WRIMCO is 6300 Lamar Avenue, P.O. Box 29217, Shawnee Mission,
Kansas 66201-9217.
WRIMCO is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Waddell & Reed, Inc. Waddell &
Reed, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Financial Services,
Inc., a holding company. Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc. is a wholly-
owned subsidiary of United Investors Management Company. United Investors
Management Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torchmark Corporation.
Torchmark Corporation is a publicly held company. The address of Torchmark
Corporation and United Investors Management Company is 2001 Third Avenue South,
Birmingham, Alabama 35233.
Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its predecessors served as investment manager
to each of the registered investment companies in the United Group of Mutual
Funds since 1940 or the company's inception date, whichever was later, and to
TMK/United Funds, Inc. since that Fund's inception, until January 8, 1992, when
it assigned the Management Agreement for these Funds and all related investment
management duties (and the related professional staff) to WRIMCO, subject to the
authority of the fund's Board of Directors. WRIMCO has also served as
investment manager for Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. since its inception in
September 1992 and Torchmark Government Securities Fund, Inc. and Torchmark
Insured Tax-Free Fund, Inc. since they each commenced operations in February
1993. Waddell & Reed, Inc. serves as principal underwriter for the Fund and the
investment companies in the United Group of Mutual Funds and Waddell & Reed
Funds, Inc. and serves as distributor for TMK/United Funds, Inc.
The Management Agreement permits WRIMCO or an affiliate of WRIMCO to enter
into a separate agreement for transfer agency services ("Shareholder Servicing
Agreement") and a separate agreement for accounting services ("Accounting
Services Agreement") with the Fund. The Management Agreement contains detailed
provisions as to the matters to be considered by the Fund's Board of Directors
prior to approving any Shareholder Servicing Agreement or Accounting Services
Agreement.
Shareholder Services
Under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement entered into between the Fund and
Waddell & Reed Services Company (the "Agent"), a subsidiary of Waddell & Reed,
Inc., the Agent performs shareholder servicing functions, including the
maintenance of shareholder accounts, the issuance, transfer and redemption of
shares, distribution of dividends and payment of redemptions, the furnishing of
related information to the Fund and handling of shareholder inquiries. A new
Shareholder Servicing Agreement, or amendments to the existing one, may be
approved by the Fund's Board of Directors without shareholder approval.
Accounting Services
Under the Accounting Services Agreement entered into between the Fund and
the Agent, the Agent provides the Fund with bookkeeping and accounting services
and assistance, including maintenance of the Fund's records, pricing of the
Fund's shares, and preparation of prospectuses for existing shareholders, proxy
statements and certain reports. A new Accounting Services Agreement, or
amendments to an existing one, may be approved by the Fund's Board of Directors
without shareholder approval.
Payments by the Fund for Management, Accounting and Shareholder Services
Under the Management Agreement, as compensation for WRIMCO's management
services, the Fund pays WRIMCO a fee as described in the Prospectus. The Fund
accrues and pays this fee daily. For purposes of calculating the daily fee the
Fund does not include money owed to it by Waddell & Reed, Inc. for shares which
it has sold but not yet paid to the Fund.
Under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement, with respect to Class A
shares the Fund pays the Agent a monthly fee of $1.0208 for each shareholder
account that was in existence at any time during the prior month, plus $0.30 for
each account on which a dividend or distribution, of cash or shares, had a
record date in that month. For Class Y shares, the Fund pays the Agent a
monthly fee equal to one-twelfth of .15 of 1% of the average daily net assets of
that Class for the preceding month. The Fund also pays certain out-of-pocket
expenses of the Agent, including long distance telephone communication costs;
microfilm and storage costs for certain documents; forms, printing and mailing
costs; and legal and special services not provided by Waddell & Reed, Inc.,
WRIMCO or the Agent.
Under the Accounting Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Agent a monthly
fee of one-twelfth of the annual fee shown in the following table.
Accounting Services Fee
Average
Net Asset Level Annual Fee
(all dollars in millions) Rate for Each Level
- ------------------------- --------------------
From $ 0 to $ 10 $ 0
From $ 10 to $ 25 $ 10,000
From $ 25 to $ 50 $ 20,000
From $ 50 to $ 100 $ 30,000
From $ 100 to $ 200 $ 40,000
From $ 200 to $ 350 $ 50,000
From $ 350 to $ 550 $ 60,000
From $ 550 to $ 750 $ 70,000
From $ 750 to $ 1,000 $ 85,000
$1,000 and Over $100,000
The State of California imposes limits on the amount of certain expenses
the Fund can pay by requiring WRIMCO to reduce its fee to the extent any
included expenses exceed 2.5% of the Fund's first $30 million of average net
assets, 2% of the next $70 million of average net assets and 1.5% of any
remaining average net assets during a fiscal year. The limit does not include
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses, such as
litigation, that usually do not arise in the normal operations of a mutual fund.
The Fund's other expenses, including its management fee, are included. The Fund
will notify shareholders of any change in the limitation.
Since the Fund pays a management fee for investment supervision and an
accounting services fee for the accounting services as discussed above, WRIMCO
and the Agent, respectively, pay all of their own expenses in providing these
services. Amounts paid by the Fund under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement
are described above. Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its affiliates pay the Fund's
Directors and officers who are affiliated with WRIMCO and its affiliates. The
Fund pays the fees and expenses of the Fund's other Directors.
Waddell & Reed, Inc., under an Underwriting Agreement separate from the
Management Agreement, Shareholder Servicing Agreement and Accounting Services
Agreement, acts as the Fund's underwriter. Waddell & Reed, Inc. offers and
sells the Fund's shares on a continuous basis. It is not required to sell any
particular number of shares and thus sells shares only for purchase orders
received. Under this Underwriting Agreement, Waddell & Reed, Inc. pays the
costs of sales literature, including the costs of shareholder reports used as
sales literature, and the costs of printing the prospectuses furnished to it by
the Fund.
A major portion of the sales charge for Class A shares is paid to
account representatives and sales managers of Waddell & Reed, Inc. Waddell &
Reed, Inc. may compensate its account representatives as to purchases for which
there is no sales charge.
The Fund pays all of its other expenses. These include the costs of
materials sent to shareholders, audit and outside legal fees, taxes, brokerage
commissions, interest, insurance premiums, custodian fees, fees payable by the
Fund under Federal or other securities laws and to the Investment Company
Institute and nonrecurring and extraordinary expenses, including litigation and
indemnification relating to litigation.
Under a Service Plan for Class A shares (the "Plan") adopted by the Fund
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may pay Waddell & Reed,
Inc., a fee not to exceed .25% of the Fund's average annual net assets
attributable to Class A shares, paid monthly, to reimburse Waddell & Reed, Inc.
for its costs and expenses in connection with the provision of personal services
to Class A shareholders of the Fund and/or maintenance of Class A shareholder
accounts.
The Plan and a related Service Agreement between the Fund and Waddell &
Reed, Inc. contemplate that Waddell & Reed, Inc. may be reimbursed for amounts
it expends in compensating, training and supporting registered account
representatives, sales managers and/or other appropriate personnel in providing
personal services to Class A shareholders of the Fund and/or maintaining Class A
shareholder accounts; increasing services provided to Class A shareholders of
the Fund by office personnel located at field sales offices; engaging in other
activities useful in providing personal service to Class A shareholders of the
Fund and/or maintenance of Class A shareholder accounts; and in compensating
broker-dealers who may regularly sell Class A shares of the Fund, and other
third parties, for providing shareholder services and/or maintaining shareholder
accounts with respect to Class A shares.
The Plan and the Service Agreement were approved by the Fund's Board of
Directors, including the Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund
and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the
Plan or any agreement referred to in the Plan (hereafter, the "Plan Directors").
The Plan was also approved by Waddell & Reed, Inc. as the sole shareholder of
the affected shares of the Fund at the time.
Among other things, the Plan provides that (i) Waddell & Reed, Inc. will
provide to the Directors of the Fund at least quarterly, and the Directors will
review, a report of amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made, (ii) the Plan will continue in effect only so long
as it is approved at least annually, and any material amendments thereto will be
effective only if approved, by the Directors including the Plan Directors acting
in person at a meeting called for that purpose, (iii) amounts to be paid by the
Fund under the Plan may not be materially increased without the vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, and (iv)
while the Plan remains in effect, the selection and nomination of the Directors
who are Plan Directors will be committed to the discretion of the Plan
Directors.
Custodial and Auditing Services
The custodian for the Fund is UMB Bank, n.a., Kansas City, Missouri. In
general, the custodian is responsible for holding the Fund's cash and
securities. If Fund assets are held in foreign countries, the Fund will comply
with Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act. Price Waterhouse LLP, Kansas City,
Missouri, the Fund's independent accountants, audits the Fund's financial
statements.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The day-to-day affairs of the Fund are handled by outside organizations
selected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has responsibility
for establishing broad corporate policies for the Fund and for overseeing
overall performance of the selected experts. The Board has the benefit of
advice and reports from independent counsel and independent auditors.
The principal occupation during at least the past five years of each
Director and officer of the Fund is given below. Each of the persons listed
through and including Mr. Wright is a member of the Fund's Board of Directors.
The other persons are officers but not Board members. For purposes of this
section, the term "Fund Complex" includes each of the registered investment
companies in the United Group of Mutual Funds, Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc.,
TMK/United Funds, Inc., Torchmark Government Securities Fund, Inc. and Torchmark
Insured Tax-Free Fund, Inc. Each of the Fund's Directors is also a Director of
each of the Funds in the Fund Complex and each of the Fund's officers is also an
officer of one or more of the Funds in the Fund Complex.
RONALD K. RICHEY*
2001 Third Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama 35233
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fund and each of the other funds
in the Fund Complex; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Waddell & Reed
Financial Services, Inc., United Investors Management Company and United
Investors Life Insurance Company; Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of Torchmark Corporation; Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.; formerly, Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
KEITH A. TUCKER*
President of the Fund and each of the other Funds in the Fund Complex;
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Waddell & Reed Financial
Services, Inc.; Chairman of the Board of Directors of WRIMCO, Waddell & Reed,
Inc., Waddell & Reed Services Company, Waddell & Reed Asset Management Company
and Torchmark Distributors, Inc., an affiliate of Waddell & Reed, Inc.; Vice
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President of
United Investors Management Company; Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Torchmark Corporation; Director of Southwestern Life Corporation; formerly,
partner in Trivest, a private investment concern; formerly, Director of Atlantis
Group, Inc., a diversified company.
HENRY L. BELLMON
Route 1
P. O. Box 26
Red Rock, Oklahoma 74651
Rancher; Professor, Oklahoma State University; formerly, Governor of
Oklahoma; prior to his current service as Director of the funds in the United
Group, TMK/United Funds, Inc., Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc., Torchmark Government
Securities Fund, Inc. and Torchmark Insured Tax-Free Fund, Inc., he served in
such capacity for the funds in the United Group and TMK/United Funds, Inc.
DODDS I. BUCHANAN
905 13th Street
Boulder, Colorado 80302
Advisory Director, The Hand Companies; President, Buchanan Ranch Corp.;
formerly, Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing Services, The Meyer
Group of Management Consultants; formerly, Chairman, Department of Marketing,
Transportation and Tourism, University of Colorado; formerly, Professor of
Marketing, College of Business, University of Colorado.
JAY B. DILLINGHAM
926 Livestock Exchange Building
Kansas City, Missouri 64102
Formerly, President and Director of Kansas City Stock Yards Company;
formerly, Partner in Dillingham Farms, a farming operation.
JOHN F. HAYES*
335 N. Washington
Suite 260
Hutchinson, Kansas 67504-2977
Director of Central Bank and Trust; Director of Central Financial
Corporation; formerly, President of Gilliland & Hayes, P.A., a law firm.
GLENDON E. JOHNSON
7300 Corporate Center Drive
P. O. Box 020270
Miami, Florida 33126-1208
Director and Chief Executive Officer of John Alden Financial Corporation
and subsidiaries.
WILLIAM T. MORGAN*
1799 Westridge Road
Los Angeles, California 90049
Retired; formerly, Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of
the Fund and each fund in the Fund Complex then in existence. (Mr. Morgan
retired as Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the funds in the
Fund Complex then in existence on April 30, 1993); formerly, President, Director
and Chief Executive Officer of WRIMCO and Waddell & Reed, Inc.; formerly,
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Waddell & Reed Services Company; formerly,
Director of Waddell & Reed Asset Management Company, United Investors Management
Company and United Investors Life Insurance Company, affiliates of Waddell &
Reed, Inc.
DOYLE PATTERSON
1030 West 56th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64113
Associated with Republic Real Estate, engaged in real estate management and
investment; formerly, Director of The Vendo Company, a manufacturer and
distributor of vending machines.
FREDERICK VOGEL III
1805 West Bradley Road
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217
Retired.
PAUL S. WISE
P. O. Box 5248
8648 Silver Saddle Drive
Carefree, Arizona 85377
Director of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan.
LESLIE S. WRIGHT
2302 Brookshire Place
Birmingham, Alabama 35213
Chancellor of Samford University; formerly, Director of City Federal
Savings and Loan Association; formerly, President of Samford University.
Robert L. Hechler
Vice President and Principal Financial Officer of the Fund and each of the
other funds in the Fund Complex; Vice President, Chief Operations Officer,
Director and Treasurer of Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc.; Executive
Vice President, Principal Financial Officer, Director and Treasurer of WRIMCO;
President, Chief Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Director and
Treasurer of Waddell & Reed, Inc.; Director and Treasurer of Waddell & Reed
Asset Management Company; President, Director and Treasurer of Waddell & Reed
Services Company; Vice President, Treasurer and Director of Torchmark
Distributors, Inc.
Henry J. Herrmann
Vice President of the Fund and each of the other funds in the Fund Complex;
Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Director of Waddell & Reed
Financial Services, Inc.; Director of Waddell & Reed, Inc.; President, Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Director of WRIMCO and Waddell &
Reed Asset Management Company; Senior Vice President and Chief Investment
Officer of United Investors Management Company.
Theodore W. Howard
Vice President, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer of the Fund and
each of the other funds in the Fund Complex; Vice President of Waddell & Reed
Services Company.
Sharon K. Pappas
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Fund and each of
the other funds in the Fund Complex; Vice President, Secretary and General
Counsel of Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel of WRIMCO and Waddell & Reed, Inc.; Director,
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Waddell & Reed Services
Company; Director, Secretary and General Counsel of Waddell & Reed Asset
Management Company; Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Torchmark
Distributors, Inc.; formerly Assistant General Counsel of Waddell & Reed, Inc.,
WRIMCO, Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc., Waddell & Reed Asset Management
Company and Waddell & Reed Services Company.
James D. Wineland
Vice President of the Fund and Vice President of three other funds in
the Fund Complex; Vice President of WRIMCO; formerly Vice President of Waddell &
Reed, Inc.
The address of each person is 6300 Lamar Avenue, P.O. Box 29217, Shawnee
Mission, Kansas 66201-9217 unless a different address is given.
As of the date of this SAI, four of the Fund's Directors may be deemed
to be "interested persons" as defined in the 1940 Act of its underwriter,
Waddell & Reed, Inc., or of its manager, WRIMCO. The Directors who may be
deemed to be "interested persons" are indicated as such by an asterisk.
The Board of Directors has created an honorary position of Director
Emeritus, which position a director may elect after resignation from the Board
provided the director has attained the age of 75 and has served as a director of
the funds in the United Group for a total of at least five years. A Director
Emeritus receives fees in recognition of his past services whether or not
services are rendered in his capacity as Director Emeritus, but has no authority
or responsibility with respect to management of the Fund. Currently, no person
serves as a Director Emeritus.
The Fund will pay annual fees to each Director, other than Directors who
are affiliates of Waddell & Reed, Inc., and to each Director Emeritus in an
amount to be determined by the Board of Directors after the Fund has been in
operation one full year. No fees are currently paid to Directors or Directors
Emeritus. The Director's fees will be allocated among the funds in the United
Group, Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc. and TMK/United Funds, Inc. based on their
relative size. The officers will be paid by Waddell & Reed, Inc. or its
affiliates.
Shareholdings
As of June 30, 1995, all of the Fund's Directors and officers as a group
owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
ORGANIZATION OF THE FUND
The Fund was organized on August 25, 1994, and has no prior history.
The Shares of the Fund
The Fund offers two Classes of shares: Class A and Class Y. Prior to
September 12, 1995, the Fund offered only one Class of shares to the public.
Shares outstanding on that date were designated as Class A shares. Each Class
represents interest in the same assets of the Fund and differ as follows: each
Class of shares has exclusive voting rights on matters pertaining to matters
appropriately limited to that Class; Class A shares are subject to an initial
sales charge and to an ongoing service fee; each Class may bear differing
amounts of certain Class-specific expenses; and each Class has a separate
exchange privilege. The Fund does not anticipate that there will be any
conflicts between the interests of holders of the different Classes of shares of
the Fund by virtue of those Classes. On an ongoing basis, the Board of
Directors will consider whether any such conflict exists and, if so, take
appropriate action. Each share of the Fund is entitled to equal voting,
dividend, liquidation and redemption rights, except that due to the differing
expenses borne by the two Classes, dividends and liquidation proceeds of Class A
shares are expected to be lower than for Class Y shares of the Fund. Each
fractional share of a Class has the same rights, in proportion, as a full share
of that Class.
Those shares held by Waddell & Reed, Inc. (as described below) will be
voted in proportion to the voting instructions which are received on any matter.
Voting instructions to abstain on any item to be voted upon will be applied to
reduce the votes eligible to be cast by Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Initial Investment and Organizational Expenses
On February 23, 1995, Waddell & Reed, Inc. purchased for investment
20,000 shares of the Fund at a net asset value of $5.00 per share.
The Fund's organizational expenses in the amount of $48,800 have been
advanced by Waddell & Reed, Inc. and are an obligation to be paid by the Fund.
These expenses are being amortized over the 60-month period following the date
of the initial public offering of the Fund's shares. In the event that all or
part of Waddell & Reed, Inc.'s initial investment in the Fund's shares is
redeemed prior to the full reimbursement of the organizational expenses, the
Fund's obligation to make reimbursement will cease.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
The following are descriptions of some of the ratings of securities which
the Fund may use. The Fund may also use ratings provided by other nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations in determining the securities
eligible for investment.
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group. A Standard & Poor's ("S&P") corporate
bond rating is a current assessment of the creditworthiness of an obligor with
respect to a specific obligation. This assessment of creditworthiness may take
into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees.
The debt rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a
security, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for
a particular investor.
The ratings are based on current information furnished to S&P by the
issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does
not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on
unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended or
withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or
based on other circumstances.
The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
1. Likelihood of default -- capacity and willingness of the obligor as to
the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in
accordance with the terms of the obligation;
2. Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
3. Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in
the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the
laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
AAA -- Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity
to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA -- Debt rated AA also qualifies as high quality debt. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is very strong, and debt rated AA 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 -- Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas 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
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC, C - Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded as having
predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay
interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB
indicates the lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree of
speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures
to adverse conditions.
BB -- Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces 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 -- Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has
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 indefinable 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 -- The rating CC is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior
debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC rating.
C -- The rating C 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.
CI -- The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is
being paid.
D -- Debt rated D is in payment default. It is used when interest
payments or principal payments are not made on a due date even if the applicable
grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be
made during such grace periods. The D rating will also be used upon a filing of
a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or Minus (-) -- 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 the major rating categories.
NR -- Indicates that no public rating has been requested, that there is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a
particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.
Debt Obligations of issuers outside the United States and its territories
are rated on the same basis as domestic corporate and municipal issues. The
ratings measure the creditworthiness of the obligor but do not take into account
currency exchange and related uncertainties.
Bond Investment Quality Standards: Under present commercial bank
regulations issued by the Comptroller of the Currency, bonds rated in the top
four categories (AAA, AA, A, BBB, commonly known as "investment grade" ratings)
are generally regarded as eligible for bank investment. In addition, the laws
of various states governing legal investments may impose certain rating or other
standards for obligations eligible for investment by savings banks, trust
companies, insurance companies and fiduciaries generally.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. A brief description of the applicable
Moody's Investors Service ("MIS") rating symbols and their meanings follows:
Aaa -- Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality.
They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to
as "gilt edge". Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change such changes as can be visualized are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa -- Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known
as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins
of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuations 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. Some bonds lack outstanding
investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
NOTE: Bonds within the above categories which possess the strongest investment
attributes are designated by the symbol "1" following the rating.
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 good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B -- Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the
desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of
maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be
small.
Caa -- Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be
in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal
or interest.
Ca -- Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative
in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
C -- Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues
so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
any real investment standing.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group. A S&P preferred stock rating is an
assessment of the capacity and willingness of an issuer to pay preferred stock
dividends and any applicable sinking fund obligations. A preferred stock rating
differs from a bond rating inasmuch as it is assigned to an equity issue, which
issue is intrinsically different from, and subordinated to, a debt issue.
Therefore, to reflect this difference, the preferred stock rating symbol will
normally not be higher than the debt rating symbol assigned to, or that would be
assigned to, the senior debt of the same issuer.
The preferred stock ratings are based on the following considerations:
1. Likelihood of payment - capacity and willingness of the issuer to meet the
timely payment of preferred stock dividends and any applicable sinking fund
requirements in accordance with the terms of the obligation;
2. Nature of, and provisions of, the issue;
3. Relative position of the issue in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization,
or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting
creditors' rights.
AAA -- This is the highest rating that may be assigned by S&P to a
preferred stock issue and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the
preferred stock obligations.
AA -- A preferred stock issue rated AA also qualifies as a high-quality
fixed income security. The capacity to pay preferred stock obligations is very
strong, although not as overwhelming as for issues rated AAA.
A -- An issue rated A is backed by a sound capacity to pay the preferred
stock obligations, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions.
BBB -- An issue rated BBB is regarded as backed by an adequate capacity to
pay the preferred stock obligations. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make payments for a preferred
stock in this category than for issues in the 'A' category.
BB, B, CCC -- Preferred stock rated BB, B, and CCC are regarded, on
balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to
pay preferred stock obligations. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation
and CCC the highest degree of speculation. While such issues will likely have
some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
CC -- The rating CC is reserved for a preferred stock issue in arrears on
dividends or sinking fund payments but that is currently paying.
C -- A preferred stock rated C is a non-paying issue.
D -- A preferred stock rated D is a non-paying issue with the issuer in
default on debt instruments.
NR -- This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a
particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.
Plus (+) or minus (-) -- To provide more detailed indications of preferred
stock quality, the rating from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a
plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
A preferred stock rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold
a security inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for
a particular investor. The ratings are based on current information furnished
to S&P by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers
reliable. S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may,
on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be
changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability
of, such information, or based on other circumstances.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Because of the fundamental differences
between preferred stocks and bonds, a variation of MIS' familiar bond rating
symbols is used in the quality ranking of preferred stock. The symbols are
designed to avoid comparison with bond quality in absolute terms. It should
always be borne in mind that preferred stock occupies a junior position to bonds
within a particular capital structure and that these securities are rated within
the universe of preferred stocks.
Note: MIS applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each rating
classification; the modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher
end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking
and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its
generic rating category.
Preferred stock rating symbols and their definitions are as follows:
aaa -- An issue which is rated aaa is considered to be a top-quality
preferred stock. This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk
of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks.
aa -- An issue which is rated aa is considered a high-grade preferred
stock. This rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance the earnings
and asset protection will remain relatively well-maintained in the foreseeable
future.
a -- An issue which is rated a is considered to be an upper-medium grade
preferred stock. While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the aaa
and aa classification, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected
to be maintained at adequate levels.
baa -- An issue which is rated baa is considered to be a medium-grade
preferred stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Earnings and
asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any
great length of time.
ba -- An issue which is rated ba is considered to have speculative elements
and its future cannot be considered well assured. Earnings and asset protection
may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods.
Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.
b -- An issue which is rated b generally lacks the characteristics of a
desirable investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other
terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small.
caa -- An issue which is rated caa is likely to be in arrears on dividend
payments. This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future
status of payments.
ca -- An issue which is rated ca is speculative in a high degree and is
likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual
payments.
c -- This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock.
Issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever
attaining any real investment standing.
DESCRIPTION OF NOTE RATINGS
Standard and Poor's Rating's Group. A S&P note rating reflects the
liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes maturing in 3
years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond 3 years
will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will
be used in making that assessment.
--Amortization schedule (the larger the final maturity relative to other
maturities, the more likely the issue is to be treated as a note).
--Source of Payment (the more the issue depends on the market for its
refinancing, the more likely it is to be treated as a note.)
The note rating symbols and definitions are as follows:
SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Issues determined to
possess very strong characteristics are given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some
vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term
of the notes.
SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. MIS Short-Term Loan Ratings -- MIS
ratings for state and municipal short-term obligations will be designated
Moody's Investment Grade (MIG). This distinction is in recognition of the
differences between short-term credit risk and long-term risk. Factors
affecting the liquidity of the borrower are uppermost in importance in short-
term borrowing, while various factors of major importance in bond risk are of
lesser importance over the short run. Rating symbols and their meanings
follow:
MIG 1 -- This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong
protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated
broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2 -- This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are
ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3 -- This designation denotes favorable quality. All security elements
are accounted for but this is lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding
grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for
refinancing is likely to be less well established.
MIG 4 -- This designation denotes adequate quality. Protection commonly
regarded as required of an investment security is present and although not
distinctly or predominantly speculative, there is specific risk.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group. A S&P commercial paper rating is a
current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt considered short-
term in the relevant market. Ratings are graded into several categories,
ranging from "A-1" for the highest quality obligations to D for the lowest.
Issuers rated A are further referred to by use of numbers 1, 2 and 3 to indicate
the relative degree of safety. Issues assigned an A rating (the highest rating)
are regarded as having the greatest capacity for timely payment. An A-1
designation 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. An A-2 rating
indicates that capacity for timely payment is satisfactory; however, the
relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1. Issues
rated A-3 have adequate capacity for timely payment; however, they are more
vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations
carrying the higher designations. Issues rated B are regarded as having only
speculative capacity for timely payment. A C rating is assigned to short-term
debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment. Debt rated D is in
payment default, which occurs 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.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. MIS commercial paper ratings are opinions
of the ability of issuers to repay punctually promissory obligations not having
an original maturity in excess of nine months. MIS employs the designations of
Prime 1, Prime 2 and Prime 3, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the
relative repayment capacity of rated issuers. Issuers rated Prime 1 have a
superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations and
repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by (1) lending market positions in
well established industries; (2) high rates of return on Funds employed; (3)
conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt and ample
asset protection; (4) broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial
charges and high internal cash generation; and (5) well established access to a
range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity. Issuers
rated Prime 2 also have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory
obligations as will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics
described above for Prime 1 issuers, 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; and ample alternate liquidity is maintained. Issuers rated
Prime 3 have an acceptable capacity for repayment of short-term promissory
obligations, as will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics above
for Prime 1 issuers, but to a lesser degree. The effect of industry
characteristics and market composition may be more pronounced; variability in
earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection
measurements and requirement for relatively high financial leverage; and
adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
DOLLAR-WEIGHTED AVERAGE MATURITY
Dollar-Weighted Average Maturity is derived by multiplying the value of
each investment by the number of days remaining to its maturity, adding these
calculations, and then dividing the total by the value of the Fund's portfolio.
An obligation's maturity is typically determined on a stated final maturity
basis, although there are some exceptions to this rule.
For example, if it is probable that the issuer of an instrument will take
advantage of a maturity-shortening device, such as a call, refunding, or
redemption provision, the date on which the instrument will probably be called,
refunded, or redeemed may be considered to be its maturity date. Also, the
maturities of mortgage-backed securities and some asset-backed securities, such
as collateralized mortgage obligations, are determined on a weighted average
life basis, which is the average time for principal to be repaid. For a
mortgage security, this average time is calculated by assuming a constant
prepayment rate for the life of the mortgage. The weighted average life of
these securities is likely to be substantially shorter than their stated final
maturity.
<PAGE>
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
February 24, 1995
Assets
Cash held by the Custodian ...................... $100,000
Unamortized organization expenses (Note 1) ...... 48,800
--------
Total assets .................................. 148,800
Liabilities
Accrued liabilities (Note 1) .................... (48,800)
--------
Total net assets .............................. $100,000
............................................... ========
Net Assets
$0.01 par value capital stock
Capital stock ................................. $ 200
Additional paid-in capital .................... 99,800
--------
Net assets applicable to outstanding units
of capital ................................. $100,000
========
Net asset value, redemption and offering
price per share ................................. $5.00
======
Capital shares outstanding ......................... 20,000
Capital shares authorized ........................ 1,000,000,000
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
NOTE 1 -- Organization
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), a Maryland corporation, was
organized on August 25, 1994 and has been inactive since that date except for
matters relating to its organization and registration as an investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the registration of its shares
under the Securities Act of 1933.
On February 23, 1995, Waddell & Reed, Inc. ("W&R") purchased for investment
20,000 shares of the Fund at their net asset value of $5.00 per share.
Organizational expenses estimated to be $48,800, which have been advanced
by W&R, have been accrued as deferred organizational expenses. These costs will
be amortized and are payable evenly over the 60-month period following the date
of the Prospectus. In the event that all or any part of W&R's initial
investment in the Fund's shares is redeemed prior to the full reimbursement of
these organizational expenses, the Fund's obligation to make further
reimbursement will cease.
Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company ("WRIMCO"), investment manager
to the Fund, and Waddell & Reed Services Company, shareholder servicing agent
and accounting services agent for the Fund, are each wholly-owned subsidiaries
of W&R. W&R is an indirect subsidiary of Torchmark Corporation, a publicly held
company whose address in 2001 Third Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233.
W&R is an indirect subsidiary of United Investors Management Company, of which
Torchmark Corporation is the parent company. W&R is a direct subsidiary of
Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc., a holding company. Torchmark
Corporation is also the parent company of Liberty National Life Insurance
Company, Globe Life & Accident Insurance Company, American Insurance Company,
United Investors Life Insurance Company and others.
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
To the Shareholder and Board of Directors of
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of United Asset
Strategy Fund, Inc. ("the Fund") at February 24, 1995, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. This financial statement is the
responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an
opinion on this financial statement based on our audit. We conducted our audit
of this financial statement in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement, assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
Price Waterhouse LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
February 27, 1995
<PAGE>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
---------------------------------
(a) Financial Statements -- United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
Included in Part B:
-------------------
As of February 24, 1995
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Report of Independent Accountants
Included in Part C:
-------------------
Custodian Agreement, attached hereto as EX-99.B8-asca
Shareholder Servicing Agreement, attached hereto as EX-99.B9-asssa
Amendment to Service Agreement, attached hereto as EX-99.B9-assaam
Fund Class A Application, attached hereto as EX-99.B9-ascaapp
Fund Class Y Application, attached hereto as EX-99.B9-ascyapp
Consent of Independent Accountants, attached hereto as EX-99.B11-
consent
Service Plan, as restated, attached hereto as EX-99.B15-assp
Multiple Class Plan, attached hereto as EX-99.B18-asmcp
Financial data schedule, attached hereto as EX-27.B17-asfds
Other schedules prescribed by Regulation S-X are not filed because the
required matter is not present or is insignificant.
<PAGE>
(b) Exhibits:
(1) Articles of Incorporation filed October 3, 1994 as EX-99.B1-
ASArticles to the initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
(2) Bylaws filed October 3, 1994 as EX-99.B2-ASBylaws to the initial
Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
(3) Not applicable
(4) Article FIFTH, Article SEVENTH and Article TENTH of the Articles
of Incorporation of the Registrant, filed October 3, 1994 as EX-
99.B1-ASArticles to the initial Registration Statement on Form N-
1A*; Article II, Article VIII and Article XI of the Bylaws of the
Registrant, filed October 3, 1994 as EX-99.B2-Bylaws to the
initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
(5) Investment Management Agreement filed October 3, 1994 as EX-
99.B5-ASIMA to the initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
(6) Underwriting Agreement filed March 7, 1995 as EX-99.B6-asua to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A*
(7) Not applicable
(8) Custodian Agreement, attached hereto
(9) Shareholder Servicing Agreement, attached hereto
Accounting Services Agreement filed October 3, 1994 as EX-99.B9-
ASASA to the initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
Service Agreement filed October 3, 1994 as EX-99.B9-ASSA to the
initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
Amendment to Service Agreement, attached hereto
Fund NAV Application filed March 7, 1995 as EX-99.B9-asnavapp to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A*
Fund Class A Application, attached hereto
Fund Class Y Application, attached hereto
(10) Opinion and Consent of Counsel filed December 16, 1994 as EX-
99.B10-asopin to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
(11) Consent of Independent Accountants, attached hereto
(12) Not applicable
(13) Agreement with initial shareholder, Waddell & Reed, Inc. filed
March 7, 1995 as EX-99.B13-iniagr to Pre-Effective Amendment No.
2 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
(14) 1. Qualified Retirement Plan and Trust-Defined Contribution
Basic Plan Document filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-1-
03bpd to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A *
2. Qualified Retirement Plan-Summary Plan Description filed
December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-2-03spd to Pre-Effective
- ---------------------------------
*Incorporated herein by reference
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
3. Employer Contribution 403(b)-Adoption Agreement filed
December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-3-403baa to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
4. IRC Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan-Adoption
Agreement filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-4-457aa to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A*
5. IRC Section 457-Deferred Compensation Specimen Plan Document
filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-5-457bpd to Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A*
6. National Nonstandardized 401(k)Profit Sharing Plan-Adoption
Agreement filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-6-ns401aa to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A*
7. 401(k) Nonstandardized Profit Sharing Plan-Summary Plan
Description filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-7-ns401gs
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A*
8. National Nonstandardized Money Purchase Pension Plan-
Adoption Agreement filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-8-
nsmppaa to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A*
9. National Nonstandardized Profit Sharing Plan-Adoption
Agreement filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-9-nspspaa to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A*
10. Standardized 401(k) Profit sharing Plan-Adoption Agreement
filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-10-s401aa to Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A*
11. 401(k) Standardized Profit Sharing Plan-Summary Plan
Description filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-11-s401gis
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A*
12. Universal Simplified Employee Pension Plan-Adoption
Agreement filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-12-sepaa to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A*
13. Universal Simplified Employee Pension Plan-Basic Plan
Document filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-13-sepbpd to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A*
14. National Standardized Money Purchase Pension Plan-Adoption
Agreement filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-14-smppaa to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A*
15. Standardized Money Purchase pension Plan-Summary Plan
Description filed December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-15-smppgis
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A*
16. Standardized Profit Sharing Plan-Adoption Agreement filed
December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-16-spspaa to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
17. Standardized Profit Sharing Plan-summary Plan Description
field December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-17-spspgis to Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A*
18. 403(b)(7) Tax-sheltered Custodial Account Agreement filed
December 16, 1994 as EX-99.B14-18-tsa to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
19. Title I 403(b) Plan Document filed December 16, 1994 as EX-
99.B14-19-ttllpbd to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
- ---------------------------------
*Incorporated herein by reference
Registration Statement on Form N-1A*
(15) Service Plan, as restated, attached hereto
(16) Not applicable
(17) Financial Data Schedule, attached hereto
(18) Multiple Class Plan, attached hereto
25. Persons Controlled by or under common control with Registrant
------------------------------------------------------------
None
26. Number of Holders of Securities
-------------------------------
Number of Record Holders as of
Title of Class February 24, 1995
-------------- ------------------------------
Capital Stock One
27. Indemnification
---------------
Reference is made to Article X of the Articles of Incorporation of
Registrant filed October 3, 1994 as EX-99.B1-ASArticles to the initial
Registration Statement on Form N-1A*, Article IX of the By-Laws filed
October 3, 1994 as EX-99.B2-ASBylaws to the initial Registration Statement
on Form N-1A*; and to Article II of the Underwriting Agreement, attached
hereto, each of which provides indemnification. Also refer to Section 2-
418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law regarding indemnification of
directors, officers, employees and agents.
28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Manager
----------------------------------------------------
Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company is the Investment Manager of
the Registrant under the terms of an Investment Management Agreement
whereby it provides investment management services to the Registrant.
Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company is not engaged in any business
other than the provision of investment management services to those
registered investment companies as described in Part A and Part B of this
Registration Statement.
As to each director and officer of Waddell & Reed Investment Management
Company, reference is made to Part A and Part B of this Registration
Statement.
29. Principal Underwriter
-------------------------------------
(a) Waddell & Reed, Inc. is the principal underwriter of the Registrant.
It is also the principal underwriter to the following investment
companies:
United Funds, Inc.
United International Growth Fund, Inc.
United Continental Income Fund, Inc.
United Vanguard Fund, Inc.
United Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
United High Income Fund, Inc.
United Cash Management, Inc.
United Government Securities Fund, Inc.
- ---------------------------------
*Incorporated herein by reference
United New Concepts Fund, Inc.
United Gold & Government Fund, Inc.
United Municipal High Income Fund, Inc.
United High Income Fund II, Inc.
United Retirement Shares, Inc.
TMK/United Funds, Inc.
Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc.
and is depositor of the following unit investment trusts:
United Periodic Investment Plans to acquire shares of United Science
and Technology Fund
United Periodic Investment Plans to acquire shares of United
Accumulative Fund
United Income Investment Programs
United International Growth Investment Programs
United Continental Income Investment Programs
United Vanguard Investment Programs
(b) The information contained in the underwriter's application on form BD,
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is herein incorporated by
reference.
(c) No compensation was paid by the Registrant to any principal
underwriter who is not an affiliated person of the Registrant or any
affiliated person of such affiliated person.
30. Location of Accounts and Records
--------------------------------
The accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act and
rules promulgated thereunder are under the possession of Mr. Robert L.
Hechler and Ms. Sharon K. Pappas, as officers of the Registrant, each of
whose business address is Post Office Box 29217, Shawnee Mission, Kansas
66201-9217.
31. Management Services
-------------------
There are no service contracts other than as discussed in Part A and B of
this Registration Statement and listed in response to Items (b)(9) and
(b)(15) hereof.
32. Undertakings
------------
(a) Not applicable
(b) Not applicable
(c) The Fund agrees to furnish to each person to whom a prospectus is
delivered a copy of the Fund's latest annual report to shareholders
upon request and without charge.
(d) To the extent that Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, applies to the Fund, the Fund agrees, if requested
in writing by the shareholders of record of not less than 10% of the
Fund's outstanding shares, to call a meeting of the shareholders of
the Fund for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any
director and to assist in communications with other shareholders as
required by Section 16(c).
- ---------------------------------
*Incorporated herein by reference
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-
Effective Amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Overland Park, and State of Kansas, on the 14th
day of July, 1995.
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
(Registrant)
By /s/ Keith A. Tucker*
------------------------
Keith A. Tucker, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, and/or the
Investment Company Act of 1940, this Post-Effective Amendment has been signed
below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signatures Title
/s/Ronald K. Richey* Chairman of the Board July 14, 1995
- ---------------------- --------------------
Ronald K. Richey
/s/Keith A. Tucker* President and Director July 14, 1995
- ---------------------- (Principal Executive -------------------
Keith A. Tucker Officer)
/s/Theodore W. Howard* Vice President, July 14, 1995
- ---------------------- Treasurer and Principal --------------------
Theodore W. Howard Accounting Officer
/s/Robert L. Hechler* Vice President and July 14, 1995
- ---------------------- Principal Financial --------------------
Robert L. Hechler Officer
/s/ Henry L. Bellmon* Director July 14, 1995
- ---------------------- --------------------
Henry L. Bellmon
Director
- --------------------- --------------------
Dodds I. Buchanan
/s/Jay B. Dillingham* Director July 14, 1995
- -------------------- --------------------
Jay B. Dillingham
/s/John F. Hayes* Director July 14, 1995
- ------------------- --------------------
John F. Hayes
/s/Glendon E. Johnson* Director July 14, 1995
- ------------------- --------------------
Glendon E. Johnson
/s/William T. Morgan* Director July 14, 1995
- ------------------- --------------------
William T. Morgan
Director
- ------------------- --------------------
Doyle Patterson
/s/Frederick Vogel, III* Director July 14, 1995
- ------------------- --------------------
Frederick Vogel, III
/s/Paul S. Wise* Director July 14, 1995
- ------------------- --------------------
Paul S. Wise
Director
- ------------------- --------------------
Leslie S. Wright
/s/Linda Graves* Director July 14, 1995
- -------------------- -------------------
Linda Graves
/s/Eleanor Schwartz* Director July 14, 1995
- -------------------- -------------------
Eleanor Schwartz
/s/James Judd* Director July 14, 1995
- -------------------- -------------------
James Judd
*By
/s/Sharon K. Pappas
- --------------------
Sharon K. Pappas
Attorney-in-Fact
ATTEST:
/s/Amy D. Eisenbeis
- --------------------
Amy D. Eisenbeis
Assistant Secretary
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That each of the undersigned, UNITED FUNDS,
INC., UNITED INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC., UNITED MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.,
UNITED VANGUARD FUND, INC., UNITED HIGH INCOME FUND, INC., UNITED CASH
MANAGEMENT, INC., UNITED NEW CONCEPTS FUND, INC., UNITED GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
FUND, INC., UNITED MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME FUND, INC., UNITED GOLD & GOVERNMENT
FUND, INC., UNITED HIGH INCOME FUND II, INC., UNITED CONTINENTAL INCOME FUND,
INC., UNITED RETIREMENT SHARES, INC., UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.,
TMK/UNITED FUNDS, INC., WADDELL & REED FUNDS, INC., TORCHMARK INSURED TAX-FREE
FUND, INC. AND TORCHMARK GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND, INC. (each hereinafter
called the "Corporation"), and certain directors and officers for the
Corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint KEITH A. TUCKER, ROBERT L.
HECHLER, and SHARON K. PAPPAS, and each of them individually, their true and
lawful attorneys and agents to take any and all action and execute any and all
instruments which said attorneys and agents may deem necessary or advisable to
enable each Corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and any rules, regulations, orders
or other requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933
and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including specifically,
but without limitation of the foregoing, power and authority to sign the names
of each of such directors and officers in his behalf as such director or officer
has indicated below opposite his signature hereto, to any amendment or
supplement to the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, and to any instruments or documents filed or to be filed as a
part of or in connection with such Registration Statement; and each of the
undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and agents
shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Date: July 12, 1995 /s/Keith A. Tucker
---------------------
Keith A. Tucker, President
/s/Ronald K. Richey Chairman of the Board July 12, 1995
- -------------------- --------------
Ronald K. Richey
/s/Keith A. Tucker President and Director July 12, 1995
- -------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) --------------
Keith A. Tucker
/s/Theodore W. Howard Vice President, Treasurer July 12, 1995
- -------------------- and Principal Accounting --------------
Theodore W. Howard Officer
/s/Robert L. Hechler Vice President and July 12, 1995
- -------------------- Principal Financial --------------
Robert L. Hechler Officer
/s/Henry L. Bellmon Director July 12, 1995
- -------------------- --------------
Henry L. Bellmon
Director
- -------------------- --------------
Dodds I. Buchanan
/s/Jay B. Dillingham Director July 12, 1995
- -------------------- --------------
Jay B. Dillingham
/s/John F. Hayes Director July 12, 1995
- -------------------- --------------
John F. Hayes
/s/Glendon E. Johnson Director July 12, 1995
- -------------------- --------------
Glendon E. Johnson
/s/William T. Morgan Director July 12, 1994
- -------------------- --------------
William T. Morgan
Director
- -------------------- --------------
Doyle Patterson
/s/Frederick Vogel III Director July 12, 1995
- -------------------- --------------
Frederick Vogel III
/s/Paul S. Wise Director July 12, 1995
- -------------------- --------------
Paul S. Wise
Director
- -------------------- --------------
Leslie S. Wright
/s/Linda Graves Director July 12, 1995
- -------------------- --------------
Linda Graves
/s/Eleanor Schwartz Director July 12, 1995
- -------------------- --------------
Eleanor Schwartz
/s/James Judd Director July 12, 1995
- -------------------- --------------
James Judd
Attest:
/s/Sharon K. Pappas
- --------------------------------
Sharon K. Pappas, Vice President
and Secretary
<PAGE>
EX-99.B8-asca
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
Dated as of February 22, 1995
Between
UMB BANK, n.a.
and
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
<PAGE>
Table of Contents
ARTICLE
I. Appointment of Custodian
II. Powers and Duties of Custodian
2.01 Safekeeping
2.02 Manner of Holding Securities
2.03 Purchase of Assets
2.04 Exchanges of Securities
2.05 Sales of Securities
2.06 Depositary Receipts
2.07 Exercise of Rights, Tender Offers, Etc.
2.08 Stock Dividends, Rights, Etc.
2.09 Options
2.10 Futures Contracts
2.11 Borrowing
2.12 Interest Bearing Deposit
2.13 Foreign Exchange Transactions
2.14 Securities Loan
2.15 Collections
2.16 Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions
2.17 Proceeds from Shares Sold
2.18 Proxies, Notices, Etc.
2.19 Bills and Other Disbursements
2.20 Nondiscretionary Functions
2.21 Bank Accounts
2.22 Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System
2.23 Other Transfers
2.24 Establishment of Segregated Account
2.25 Custodian's Books and Records
2.26 Opinion of Fund's Independent
Certified Public Accountants
2.27 Reports by Independent Certified Public Accountants
2.28 Overdraft Facility
III. Proper Instructions, Special Instructions
and Related Matters
3.01 Proper Instruction and Special Instructions
3.02 Authorized Persons
3.03 Persons Having Access to Assets of the Portfolios
3.04 Actions of Custodian Based on Proper
Instructions and Special Instructions
IV. Subcustodians
4.01 Domestic Subcustodians
4.02 Foreign Sub-Subcustodians and
Interim Sub-Subcustodians
4.03 Special Subcustodians
4.04 Termination of a Subcustodian
4.05 Certification Regarding Foreign Sub-Subcustodians
V. Standard of Care, Indemnification
5.01 Standard of Care
5.02 Liability of the Custodian for Actions
of Other Person
5.03 Indemnification by Fund
5.04 Investment Limitations
5.05 Fund's Right to Proceed
5.06 Indemnification by Custodian
5.07 Custodian's Right to Proceed
VI. Compensation
VII. Termination
VIII.Defined Terms
IX. Miscellaneous
9.01 Execution of Documents, Etc.
9.02 Representations and Warranties
9.03 Entire Agreement
9.04 Waivers and Amendments
9.05 Interpretation
9.06 Captions
9.07 Governing Law
9.08 Notices
9.09 Assignment
9.10 Counterparts
9.11 Confidentiality
Appendices
Appendix "A"
Appendix "B"
<PAGE>
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 22nd day of February, 1995 between United Asset
Strategy Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") and UMB Bank, n.a. (the "Custodian").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint the Custodian as custodian on behalf
of the Fund in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder,
under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Custodian
has agreed so to act as custodian.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Fund hereby
employs and appoints the Custodian as a custodian of the cash, securities and
other assets owned by the Fund and deposited from time to time with the
Custodian ("Assets"). The Fund shall deliver to the Custodian, or shall cause
to be delivered to the Custodian, Assets during the term of this Agreement. The
Custodian is authorized to act under the terms and conditions of this Agreement
as the Fund's agent and shall be representing the Fund when acting within the
scope of this Agreement. The Custodian hereby accepts such appointment as
custodian and shall perform the duties and responsibilities set forth herein on
the terms and conditions set forth herein.
ARTICLE II
POWERS AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN
As custodian, the Custodian shall have and perform the powers and duties
set forth in this Article II. Pursuant to and in accordance with Article IV
hereof, the Custodian may appoint one or more Subcustodians (as hereinafter
defined) to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Custodian set
forth in this Article II and references to the Custodian in this Article II
shall include any Subcustodian so appointed.
Section 2.01. Safekeeping. The Custodian shall accept delivery of and
keep safely the Assets in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof on
behalf of the Fund.
Section 2.02. Manner of Holding Securities.
(a) The Custodian shall at all times hold securities of the Fund either:
(i) by physical possession of the share certificates or other instruments
representing such securities in registered or bearer form; or (ii) in book-entry
form by a Securities System (as hereinafter defined) in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.22 below.
(b) The Custodian may at all times hold registered securities of the Fund
in the name of the Fund or the Fund's nominee, or in the nominee name of the
Custodian unless specifically directed by Proper Instructions (as hereinafter
defined) to hold such registered securities in so-called street name; provided
that, in any event, all Assets shall be held in an account of the Custodian
containing only assets of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless it
receives Proper Instructions to the contrary, the Custodian shall register all
securities in the name of the Custodian's nominee as authorized by the Fund.
All securities held directly or indirectly by the Custodian hereunder shall at
all times be identifiable on the records of the Custodian. Except as otherwise
provided herein, the Custodian shall keep the Assets physically segregated from
those of other persons or entities. The Custodian shall execute and deliver all
certificates and documents in connection with registration of securities as may
be required by the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the laws
of any State or territory of the United States and the laws of any jurisdiction
in which the securities are held.
Section 2.03. Purchase of Assets.
(a) Security Purchases. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall pay for and receive securities purchased for the account of the
Fund, provided that payment shall be made by Custodian only upon receipt of the
securities: (a) by the Custodian; (b) by a clearing corporation of a national
securities exchange of which the Custodian is a member; or (c) by a Securities
System. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon receipt of Proper Instructions:
(i) in the case of a repurchase agreement, the Custodian may release funds to a
Securities System prior to the receipt of advice from the Securities System that
the securities underlying such repurchase agreement have been transferred by
book-entry into the Account (as hereinafter defined) maintained with such
Securities System by the Custodian, provided that the Custodian's instructions
to the Securities System require that the Securities System may make payment of
such funds to the other party to the repurchase agreement only upon transfer by
book-entry of the securities underlying the repurchase agreement into the
Account; (ii) in the case of time deposits, call account deposits, currency
deposits and other deposits, foreign exchange transactions, futures contracts or
options, pursuant to Sections 2.09, 2.10, 2.12 and 2.13 hereof, the Custodian
may make payment therefor before receipt of an advice or transaction; and (iii)
in the case of the purchase of securities, the settlement of which occurs
outside of the United States of America, the Custodian may make payment therefor
and receive delivery of such securities in accordance with local custom and
practice generally accepted by Institutional Clients (as hereinafter defined) in
the country in which the settlement occurs, but in all events subject to the
standard of care set forth in Article V hereof. For purposes of this Agreement,
an "Institutional Client" shall mean a major commercial bank, corporation,
insurance company, or substantially similar institution, which, as a substantial
part of its business operations, purchases or sells securities and makes use of
custodial services.
(b) Other Asset Purchases. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions and except
as otherwise provided herein, the Custodian shall pay for and receive other
Assets for the account of the Fund as provided in Proper Instructions.
Section 2.04. Exchanges of Securities. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Custodian shall exchange securities held by it for the account
of the Fund for other securities in connection with any reorganization,
recapitalization, split-up of shares, change of par value, conversion or other
event relating to the securities or the issuer of such securities, and shall
deposit any such securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization
or protective plan. The Custodian shall, without receiving Proper Instructions:
surrender securities for transfer into the name of the Fund, the Fund's nominee
or the nominee name of the Custodian as permitted by Section 2.02(b); and
surrender securities for a different number of certificates or instruments
representing the same number of shares or same principal amount of indebtedness,
provided that the securities to be issued will be delivered to the Custodian.
Section 2.05. Sales of Securities. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
the Custodian shall make delivery of securities which have been sold for the
account of the Fund, but only against payment therefor in the form of: (a)
cash, certified check, bank cashier's check, bank credit, or bank wire transfer;
(b) credit to the account of the Custodian with a clearing corporation of a
national securities exchange of which the Custodian is a member; or (c) credit
to the Account of the Custodian with a Securities System, in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.22 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) in the
case of the sale of securities, the settlement of which occurs outside of the
United States of America, such securities shall be delivered and paid for in
accordance with local custom and practice generally accepted by Institutional
Clients in the country in which the settlement occurs, but in all events subject
to the standard of care set forth in Article V hereof; and (ii) in the case of
securities held in physical form, such securities shall be delivered and paid
for in accordance with "street delivery custom" to a broker or its clearing
agent, against delivery to the Custodian of a receipt for such securities,
provided that the Custodian shall have taken reasonable steps to ensure prompt
collection of the payment for, or return of, such securities by the broker or
its clearing agent, and provided further that, subject to the standard of care
set forth in Article V hereof, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the
selection of or the failure or inability to perform of such broker or its
clearing agent.
Section 2.06. Depositary Receipts. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
the Custodian shall surrender securities to the depositary used for such
securities by an issuer of American Depositary Receipts or International
Depositary Receipts (hereinafter referred to, collectively , a "ADRs"), against
a written receipt therefor adequately describing such securities and written
evidence satisfactory to the Custodian that the depositary has acknowledged
receipt of instructions to issue ADRs with respect to such securities in the
name of the Custodian or a nominee of the Custodian, for delivery to the
Custodian at such place as the Custodian may from time to time designate. Upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall surrender ADRs to the issuer
thereof, against a written receipt therefor adequately describing the ADRs
surrendered and written evidence satisfactory to the Custodian that the issuer
of the ADRs has acknowledged receipt of instructions to cause its depository to
deliver the securities underlying such ADRs to the Custodian.
Section 2.07. Exercise of Rights, Tender Offers, Etc. Upon receipt of
Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) deliver warrants, puts, calls,
rights or similar securities to the issuer or trustee thereof (or to the agent
of such issuer or trustee) for the purpose of exercise or sale, provided that
the new securities, cash or other Assets, if any, acquired as a result of such
actions are to be delivered to the Custodian; and (b) deposit securities upon
invitations for tenders thereof, provided that the consideration for such
securities is to be paid or delivered to the Custodian, or the tendered
securities are to be returned to the Custodian. Notwithstanding any provision
of this Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund
in writing of (i) any default in payment of funds on securities; (ii) any
securities that have matured, been called or redeemed; and (iii) to the extent
the Custodian has notice which is contained in services to which it normally
subscribes for such purposes, or actual knowledge if not contained in such
services, any other default involving securities; and all announcements of
defaults, bankruptcies, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations,
recapitalizations or rights or privileges to subscribe, convert, exchange, put,
redeem or tender securities held subject to this Agreement. The Custodian
shall, following receipt or knowledge, convey such information to the Fund in a
timely manner based upon the circumstances of each particular case. Whenever
any such rights or privileges exist, the Fund will, in a timely manner based
upon the circumstances of each particular case, provide the Custodian with
Proper Instructions. Absent the Custodian's timely receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Custodian shall not be liable for not taking any action or not
exercising such rights prior to their expiration unless such failure is due to
Custodian's failure to give timely notice to the Fund in accordance with this
Section 2.07.
Section 2.08. Stock Dividends, Rights, Etc. The Custodian shall receive
and collect all stock dividends, rights and other items of like nature and, upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, take action with respect to the same as directed
in such Proper Instructions.
Section 2.09. Options. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions and in
accordance with the provisions of any agreement between the Custodian, any
registered broker-dealer and, if necessary, the Fund relating to compliance with
the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation (the "OCC") or of any registered
national securities exchange or similar organization(s), the Custodian shall:
(a) receive and retain confirmations or other documents, if any, evidencing the
purchase or writing of an option by the Fund; (b) deposit and maintain in a
segregated account, securities (either physically or by book-entry in a
Securities System), cash or other Assets; and (c) pay, release and/or transfer
such securities, cash or other Assets in accordance with any such agreement and
with notices or other communications evidencing the expiration, termination or
exercise of such options furnished by the OCC, the securities or options
exchange on which such options are traded or such other organization as may be
responsible for handling such option transactions. The Fund and the broker-
dealer shall be responsible for determining the sufficiency of assets held in
any segregated account established in compliance with applicable margin
maintenance requirements and the performance of other terms of any option
contract; provided, however, that the Custodian shall be liable for performance
of its duties under this Agreement and in accordance with Proper Instructions,
and shall be liable for performance of its duties under any other agreement
between the Custodian, any registered broker-dealer and, if necessary, the Fund.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Fund issues Proper
Instructions to sell a naked option (including stock index options), then as
part of the transaction, the Custodian, the Fund and the broker-dealer shall
have entered into a tri-party agreement, as described above.
Section 2.10. Futures Contracts. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
or pursuant to the provisions of any futures margin procedural agreement among
the Fund, the Custodian and any futures commission merchant (a "Procedural
Agreement"), the Custodian shall: (a) receive and retain confirmations, if any
evidencing the purchase of or sale of a futures contract or an option on a
futures contract by the Fund; (b) deposit and maintain in a segregated account
cash, securities and other Assets designated as initial, maintenance or
variation "margin" deposits intended to secure the Fund's performance of its
obligations under any futures contracts purchased or sold or any options on
futures contracts written by the Fund, in accordance with the provisions of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any commodity exchange or contract
market (such as the Chicago Board of Trade), or any similar organization(s),
regarding such margin deposits; and (c) release assets from and/or transfer
assets into such margin accounts only in accordance with any such Procedural
Agreements. The Fund and such futures commission merchant shall be responsible
for determining the sufficiency of assets held in the segregated account in
compliance with applicable margin maintenance requirements and the performance
of any futures contract or option on a futures contract in accordance with its
terms; provided, however, that the Custodian shall be liable for performance of
its duties under this Agreement and in accordance with Proper Instructions, and
shall be liable for performance of its duties under any Procedural Agreement.
Section 2.11. Borrowing. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall deliver securities of the Fund to lenders or their agents, or
otherwise establish a segregated account as agreed to by the Fund and the
Custodian, as collateral for borrowings effected by the Fund, provided that such
borrowed money is payable by the lender (a) to or upon the Custodian's order, as
Custodian for the Fund, and (b) concurrently with delivery of such securities.
Section 2.12. Interest Bearing Deposits. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions directing the Custodian to purchase interest bearing fixed term and
call deposits (hereinafter referred to collectively, as "Interest Bearing
Deposits") for the account of the Fund, the Custodian shall purchase such
Interest Bearing Deposits in the name of the Fund with such banks or trust
companies (including the Custodian, any Subcustodian or any subsidiary or
affiliate of the Custodian) (hereinafter referred to as "Banking Institutions")
and in such amounts as the Fund may direct pursuant to Proper Instructions.
Such Interest Bearing Deposits may be denominated in U.S. Dollars or other
currencies, as the Fund may determine and direct pursuant to Proper
Instructions. The Custodian shall include in its records with respect to the
Assets of the Fund appropriate notation as to the amount and currency of each
such Interest Bearing Deposit, the accepting Banking Institution and all other
appropriate details, and shall retain such forms of advice or receipt evidencing
such account, if any, as may be forwarded to the Custodian by the Banking
Institution. The responsibilities of the Custodian to the Fund for Interest
Bearing Deposits accepted on the Custodian's books in the United States shall be
that of a U.S. bank for a similar deposit. With respect to Interest Bearing
Deposits other than those accepted on the Custodian's books, (a) the Custodian
shall be responsible for the collection of income as set forth in Section 2.15
and the transmission of cash and instructions to and from such accounts; and
(b) the Custodian shall have no duty with respect to the selection of the
Banking Institution or, so long as the Custodian acts in accordance with Proper
Instructions and the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the failure of
such Banking Institution to pay upon demand. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Custodian shall take such reasonable actions as the Fund deems
necessary or appropriate to cause each such Interest Bearing Deposit account to
be insured to the maximum extent possible by all applicable deposit insurers
including, without limitation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Section 2.13. Foreign Exchange Transactions.
(a) Foreign Exchange Transactions Other than as Principal. Upon receipt
of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall settle foreign exchange contracts or
options to purchase and sell foreign currencies for spot and future delivery on
behalf of and for the account of the Fund with such currency brokers or Banking
Institutions as the Fund may determine and direct pursuant to Proper
Instructions. The Fund accepts full responsibility for its use of third party
foreign exchange brokers (any dealer other than the Foreign Subcustodian) (as
hereinafter defined) and for execution of said foreign exchange contracts and
understands that the Fund shall be responsible for any and all costs and
interest charges which may be incurred as a result of the failure or delay of
its third party broker to deliver foreign exchange unless such loss, damage, or
expense is caused by, or results from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct
of the Custodian. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian shall be
responsible for the transmission of cash and instructions to and from the
currency broker or Banking Institution with which the contract or option is
made, the safekeeping of all certificates and other documents and agreements
evidencing or relating to such foreign exchange transactions and the maintenance
of proper records as set forth in Section 2.25. The Custodian shall have no
duty with respect to the selection of the currency brokers or Banking
Institutions with which the Fund deals or, so long as the Custodian acts in
accordance with Proper Instructions, for the failure of such brokers or Banking
Institutions to comply with the terms of any contract or option.
(b) Foreign Exchange Contracts as Principal. The Custodian shall not be
obligated to enter into foreign exchange transactions as principal. However, if
the Custodian has made available to the Fund its services as a principal in
foreign exchange transactions, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall enter into foreign currencies for spot and future delivery on
behalf of and for the account of the Fund with the Custodian as principal. The
Custodian shall be responsible for the selection of the currency brokers or
Banking Institutions and the failure of such currency brokers or Banking
Institutions to comply with the terms of any contract or option.
(c) Payments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
upon receipt of Proper Instructions the Custodian may, in connection with a
foreign exchange contract, make free outgoing payments of cash in the form of
U.S. Dollars or foreign currency prior to receipt of confirmation of such
foreign exchange contract or confirmation that the countervalue currency
completing such contract has been delivered or received.
Section 2.14. Securities Loans. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
the Custodian shall, in connection with loans of securities by the Fund, deliver
securities of the Fund to the borrower thereof and may, except as otherwise
provided below, deliver such securities prior to receipt of the collateral, if
any, for such borrowing; provided that, in cases of loans of securities secured
by cash collateral, the Custodian's instructions to the Securities System shall
require that the Securities System deliver the securities of the Fund to the
borrower thereof only upon receipt of the collateral for such borrowing. The
Custodian shall retain on the Fund's behalf the right to any dividends, interest
or distribution on such loaned securities and any other rights specified in
Proper Instructions. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions and the loaned
securities, the Custodian will release the collateral to the borrower.
Section 2.15. Collections. The Custodian shall: (a) collect amounts
due and payable to the Fund with respect to portfolio securities and other
Assets; (b) promptly credit to the account of the Fund all income and other
payments relating to portfolio securities and other Assets held by the Custodian
hereunder upon Custodian's receipt of such income or payments or as otherwise
agreed in writing by the Custodian and the Fund; (c) promptly endorse and
deliver any instruments required to effect such collection; and (d) promptly
execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal, state,
local and foreign tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other
payments with respect to portfolio securities and other Assets, or in connection
with the transfer of such securities or other Assets; provided, however, that
with respect to portfolio securities registered in so-called street name, or
physical securities with variable interest rates, the Custodian shall use its
best efforts to collect amounts due and payable to the Fund. The Custodian
shall promptly notify the Fund in writing by facsimile transmission or in such
other manner as the Fund and Custodian may agree in writing if any amount
payable with respect to portfolio securities or other Assets is not received by
the Custodian when due. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the
collection of amounts due and payable with respect to portfolio securities or
other Assets that are in default.
Section 2.16. Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions. To enable the
Fund to pay dividends or other distributions to shareholders of the Fund and to
make payment to shareholders who have requested repurchase or redemption of
their shares of the Fund (collectively, the "Shares"), the Custodian shall
promptly release cash or securities (a) in the case of cash, upon receipt of
Proper Instructions, to one or more Distribution Accounts (as hereinafter
defined) designated by the Fund in such Proper Instructions; or (b) in the case
of securities, upon the receipt of Special Instructions (as hereinafter defined)
to such entity or account designated by the Fund in such Special Instructions.
For purposes of this Agreement, a "Distribution Account" shall mean an account
established at a Banking Institution designated by the Fund in Special
Instructions.
Section 2.17. Proceeds from Shares Sold. The Custodian shall receive
funds representing cash payments received for Shares issued or sold from time to
time by the Fund, and shall promptly credit such funds to the account of the
Fund. The Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund of Custodian's receipt of
cash in payment for Shares issued by the Fund by facsimile transmission or in
such other manner as the Fund and Custodian may agree in writing. Upon receipt
of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) deliver all federal funds
received by the Custodian in payment for Shares in payment for such investments
as may be set forth in such Proper Instructions and at a time agreed upon
between the Custodian and the Fund; and (b) make federal funds available to the
Fund as of specified times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the
Custodian, in the amount of checks received in payment for Shares which are
deposited to the accounts of the Fund.
Section 2.18. Proxies, Notices, Etc. The Custodian shall deliver or
cause to be delivered to the Fund, in the most expeditious manner practicable,
all forms of proxies, all notices of meetings, and any other notices or
announcements affecting or relating to securities owned by the Fund that are
received by the Custodian, any Subcustodian, or any nominee of either of them,
and, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall execute and
deliver, or cause such Subcustodian or nominee to execute and deliver, such
proxies or other authorizations as may be required. Except as directed pursuant
to Proper Instructions, neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian or nominee
shall vote upon any such securities, or execute any proxy to vote thereon, or
give any consent or take any other action with respect thereto. The Custodian
will not release the identity of the Fund to an issuer which requests such
information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985, for the
specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and the Fund
unless the Fund directs the Custodian otherwise in writing.
Section 2.19. Bills and Other Disbursements. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Custodian shall pay or cause to be paid, all bills,
statements, or other obligations of the Fund.
Section 2.20. Nondiscretionary Functions. The Custodian shall attend
to all nondiscretionary details not specifically covered by this Agreement in
accordance with industry standards in connection with the sale, exchange,
substitution, purchase, transfer or other dealings with securities or other
Assets held by the Custodian, except as otherwise directed from time to time
pursuant to Proper Instructions.
Section 2.21. Bank Accounts.
(a) Accounts with the Custodian. The Custodian shall open and operate a
bank account or accounts (hereinafter referred to collectively, as "Bank
Accounts") on the books of the Custodian; provided that such Bank Account(s)
shall be in the name of the Custodian or a nominee thereof, for the account of
the Fund, and shall be subject only to draft or order of the Custodian. The
responsibilities of the Custodian to the Fund for deposits accepted on the
Custodian's books shall be that of a U.S. bank for a similar deposit.
(b) Deposit Insurance. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall take such action as the Fund deems necessary or appropriate to
cause each deposit account established by the Custodian pursuant to this Section
2.21 to be insured to the maximum extent possible by all applicable deposit
insurers, including, without limitation, the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation.
Section 2.22. Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The
Custodian may deposit and/or maintain domestic securities owned by the Fund in:
(a) The Depository Trust Company; (b) the Participants Trust Company; (c) any
book-entry system as provided in (i) Subpart O of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31
CFR 306.115 (ii) Subpart B of Treasury Circular Public Debt Series No. 27-76, 31
CFR 350.2, or (iii) the book-entry regulations of federal agencies substantially
in the form of 31 CFR 306.115; or (d) any other domestic clearing agency
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under Section 17A
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or as may otherwise be authorized by the
Securities and Exchange Commission to serve in the capacity of depository or
clearing agent for the securities or other assets of investment companies) which
acts as a securities depository; provided, however, that no such deposit or
maintenance of securities may be made except with respect to those agencies and
entities the use of which the Fund has previously approved by Special
Instructions (each of the foregoing being referred to in this Agreement as a
"Securities System"). Use of a Securities System shall be in accordance with
applicable Federal Reserve Board and SEC rules and regulations, if any, and
subject to the following provisions:
(A) The Custodian or any Subcustodian may deposit and/or maintain
securities held hereunder in a Securities System, provided that such securities
are represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities
System which Account shall not contain any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers.
(B) The books and records of the Custodian shall at all times identify
those securities belonging to the Fund which are maintained in a Securities
System.
(C) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of the
Fund only upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System that such
securities have been transferred to the Account of the Custodian, and (ii) the
making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
transfer for the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer securities
sold for the account of the Fund only upon (iii) receipt of advice from the
Securities System that payment for such securities has been transferred to the
Account of the Custodian, and (iv) the making of an entry on the records of the
Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the Fund.
Copies of all advices from the Securities System relating to transfers of
securities for the account of the Fund shall identify the Fund, and shall be
maintained for the Fund by the Custodian. The Custodian shall deliver to the
Fund on the next succeeding business day daily transaction reports which shall
include each day's transactions in the Securities System for the account of the
Fund. Such transaction reports shall be delivered to the Fund or any agent
designated by the Fund pursuant to Proper Instructions, by computer or in such
other manner as the Fund and Custodian may agree in writing.
(D) The Custodian shall, if requested by the Fund pursuant to Proper
Instructions, provide the Fund with all reports obtained by the Custodian or any
Subcustodian with respect to a Securities System's accounting system, internal
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the
Securities System.
(E) Upon receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall terminate the
use of any Securities System (except the federal book-entry system) on behalf of
the Fund as promptly as practicable and shall take all actions reasonably
practicable to safeguard the securities of the Fund maintained with such
Securities System.
Section 2.23. Other Transfers. Upon receipt of Special Instructions,
the Custodian shall make such other dispositions of securities, funds, or other
Assets of the Fund in a manner or for purposes other than as expressly set forth
in this Agreement, provided that the Special Instructions relating to such
disposition shall include a statement of the purposes for which the delivery is
to be made, the amount of funds, Assets and/or securities to be delivered and
the name of the person or persons to whom delivery is to be made, and shall
otherwise comply with the provisions of Sections 3.01 and 3.03 hereof.
Section 2.24. Establishment of Segregated Account. Upon receipt of
Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall establish and maintain on its books a
segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of the Fund, into which account
or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities or other Assets of the
Fund, including securities maintained by the Custodian in a Securities System
pursuant to Section 2.22 hereof, said account or accounts to be maintained: (a)
for the purposes set forth in Section 2.09, 2.10 and 2.11 hereof; (b) for the
purposes of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by Investment
Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the SEC
relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment
companies; or (c) for such other purposes as may be set forth, from time to
time, in Special Instructions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the
determination of the type or amount of Assets to be held in any segregated
account referred to in this Section 2.24.
Section 2.25. Custodian's Books and Records. The Custodian shall
provide any assistance reasonably requested by the Fund in the preparation of
reports to Fund shareholders and others, audits of accounts, and other
ministerial matters of like nature. The Custodian shall maintain complete and
accurate records with respect to securities and other Assets held for the
accounts of the Fund as required by the rules and regulations of the SEC
applicable to investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, including, but
not limited to: (a) journals or other records of original entry containing a
detailed and itemized daily record of all receipts and deliveries of securities
(including certificate and transaction identification numbers, if any), and all
receipts and disbursements of cash; (b) ledgers or other records reflecting (i)
securities in transfer, (ii) securities in physical possession, (iii) securities
borrowed, loaned or collateralizing obligations of the Fund, (iv) monies
borrowed and monies loaned (together with a record of the collateral therefor
and substitutions of such collateral), and (v) dividends and interest received;
and (c) cancelled checks and bank records relating thereto. The Custodian shall
keep such other books and records of the Fund as the Fund shall reasonably
request. All such books and records maintained by the Custodian shall be
maintained in a form acceptable to the Fund and in compliance with the rules and
regulations of the SEC, including, but not limited to, books and records
required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules and
regulations from time to time adopted thereunder. All books and records
maintained by the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times be the
property of the Fund and shall be available during normal business hours for
inspection and use by the Fund and its agents, including without limitation, its
independent certified public accountants. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, the Funds shall not take any actions or cause the Custodian to take
any actions which would knowingly cause, either directly or indirectly, the
Custodian to violate any applicable laws, regulations or orders.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2.25, in the event the Fund
purchases cash, securities and other Assets requiring the use of a Domestic
Subcustodian or Foreign Sub-Subcustodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to
rely upon and use the books, records and accountings of the Domestic
Subcustodian as its means of accounting to the Fund for all cash, securities and
other Assets deposited with such entities; provided however, that such books,
records and accountings on which the Bank may rely must be maintained in the
United States by such Domestic Subcustodian and, provided further, that any
agreement between the Custodian and such Domestic Subcustodian must state that
the Domestic Subcustodian agrees to make any records available upon request and
preserve, for the periods described in Rule 31a-2 of the 1940 Act, the records
required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 of the 1940 Act. In no event shall the
Custodian be entitled to rely upon and use books, records and accountings which
are maintained outside of the United States.
Section 2.26. Opinion of Fund's Independent Certified Public
Accountants. The Custodian shall take all reasonable action as the Fund may
request to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's
independent certified public accountants with respect to the Custodian's
activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A
and the Fund's Form N-SAR or other periodic reports to the SEC and with respect
to any other requirements of the SEC.
Section 2.27. Reports by Independent Certified Public Accountants. At
the request of the Fund, the Custodian shall deliver to the Fund a written
report prepared by the Custodian's independent certified public accountants with
respect to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the Custodian's accounting system, internal
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding cash, securities and other
assets, including cash, securities and other assets deposited and/or maintained
in a Securities System or with a Subcustodian. Such report shall be of
sufficient scope and in sufficient detail as may reasonably be required by the
Fund and as may reasonably be obtained by the Custodian.
Section 2.28. Overdraft Facility. In the event that the Custodian is
directed by Proper Instructions to make any payment or transfer of funds on
behalf of the Fund for which there would be, at the close of business on the
date of such payment or transfer, insufficient funds held by the Custodian on
behalf of the Fund, the Custodian may, in its sole discretion, provide an
overdraft (an "Overdraft") to the Fund in an amount sufficient to allow the
completion of such payment. Any Overdraft provided hereunder: (a) shall be
payable on the next business day, unless otherwise agreed by the Fund and the
Custodian; and (b) shall accrue interest from the date of the Overdraft to the
date of payment in full by the Fund at a rate agreed upon in writing, from time
to time, by the Custodian and the Fund. The purpose of such Overdrafts is to
temporarily finance extraordinary or emergency expenses not reasonably
foreseeable by the Fund. The Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in
writing ("Overdraft Notice") of any Overdraft by facsimile transmission or in
such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing. The
Custodian shall have a right of set-off against all Assets (except for Assets
held in a segregated margin account or otherwise pledged in connection with
options or futures contracts held for the benefit of the Fund and for Assets
allocated to any other Overdraft or loan made hereunder); provided, however, the
Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in writing of any intent to exercise a
right of set-off against Assets hereunder and shall not exercise any such right
of set-off against Assets hereunder unless and until the Fund has failed to pay
(within ten (10) days after the Fund's receipt of such notice of intent to
exercise a right of set-off), any Overdraft, together with all accrued interest
thereon. Notwithstanding the provisions of any applicable law, including,
without limitation, the Uniform Commercial Code, the only rights or remedies
which the Custodian is entitled to with respect to Overdrafts is the right of
set-off granted herein.
ARTICLE III
PROPER INSTRUCTIONS, SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
AND RELATED MATTERS
Section 3.01. Proper Instructions and Special Instructions.
(a) Proper Instructions. As used herein, the term "Proper Instructions"
shall mean: (i) a tested telex, a written (including, without limitation,
facsimile transmission) request, direction, instruction or certification signed
or initialed by or on behalf of the Fund by two or more Authorized Persons (as
hereinafter defined); (ii) a telephonic or other oral communication by one or
more Authorized Persons; or (iii) a communication effected directly between an
electro-mechanical or electronic device or system (including, without
limitation, computers) by or on behalf of the Fund by one or more Authorized
Persons; provided, however, that communications of the types described in
clauses (ii) and (iii) above purporting to be given by an Authorized Person
shall be considered Proper Instructions only if the Custodian reasonably
believes such communications to have been given by an Authorized Person with
respect to the transaction involved. Proper Instructions in the form of oral
communications shall be confirmed by the Fund by tested telex or in writing in
the manner set forth in clause (i) above, but the lack of such confirmation
shall in no way affect any action taken by the Custodian in reliance upon such
oral instructions prior to the Custodian's receipt of such confirmation. The
Fund and the Custodian are hereby authorized to record any and all telephonic or
other oral instructions communicated to the Custodian. Proper Instructions may
relate to specific transactions or to types or classes of transactions, and may
be in the form of standing instructions.
(b) Special Instructions. As used herein, the term "Special Instructions"
shall mean Proper Instructions countersigned or confirmed in writing by the
Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Fund or any other person designated
by the Treasurer of the Fund in writing, which countersignature or confirmation
shall be (i) included on the same instrument containing the Proper Instructions
or on a separate instrument relating thereto, and (ii) delivered by hand, by
facsimile transmission or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian
agree in writing.
(c) Address for Proper Instructions and Special Instructions. Proper
Instructions and Special Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian at the
address and/or telephone, telecopy or telex number agreed upon from time to time
by the Custodian and the Fund.
Section 3.02. Authorized Persons. Concurrently with the execution of
this Agreement and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian, duly certified as appropriate by a Treasurer or
Assistant Treasurer of the Fund, a certificate setting forth: (a) the names,
titles, signatures, and scope of authority of all persons authorized to give
Proper Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction,
certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund (collectively, the "Authorized
Persons" and individually, an "Authorized Person"); and (b) the names, titles
and signatures of those persons authorized to issue Special Instructions. Such
certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian as conclusive
evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full
force and effect until delivery to the Custodian of a similar certificate to the
contrary. Upon delivery of a certificate which deletes or does not include the
name(s) of a person previously authorized to give Proper Instructions or to
issue Special Instructions, such persons shall no longer be considered an
Authorized Person or authorized to issue Special Instructions.
Section 3.03. Persons Having Access to Assets of the Portfolios.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no
Authorized Person, Director, officer, employee or agent of the Fund shall have
physical access to the Assets of the Fund held by the Custodian nor shall the
Custodian deliver any Assets of the Fund to an account of such person; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section 3.03 shall prohibit (a) any Authorized
Person from giving Proper Instructions, or any person authorized to issue
Special Instructions from issuing Special Instructions, so long as such action
does not result in delivery of or access to Assets of the Fund prohibited by
this Section 3.03; or (b) the Fund's independent certified public accountants
from examining or reviewing the Assets of the Fund held by the Custodian. The
Fund will deliver from time to time a written certificate executed by two
Authorized Persons identifying such Authorized Persons, Directors, officers,
employees and agents of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent
that the person acting on behalf of the Custodian in making such delivery has
actual knowledge that any person is an Authorized Person, Director, officer,
employee or agent of the Fund, the Custodian will comply with this Section 3.03
as if the name of such Authorized Person, Director, officer, employee or agent
had been contained in a written certificate provided pursuant to this Section
3.03.
Section 3.04. Actions of Custodian Based on Proper Instructions and
Special Instructions. So long as and to the extent that the Custodian acts in
accordance with (a) Proper Instructions or Special Instructions, as the case may
be, and (b) the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall not be responsible
for the title, validity or genuineness of any property, or evidence of title
thereof, received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
SUBCUSTODIANS
From time to time, in accordance with the relevant provisions of this
Agreement, (i) the Custodian may appoint one or more Domestic Subcustodians and
Special Subcustodians (each, as hereinafter defined) to act on behalf of the
Fund; and (ii) any Domestic Subcustodian so appointed may appoint a Foreign Sub-
Subcustodian or Interim Sub-Subcustodian (as each are hereinafter defined) in
accordance with this Article IV. For purposes of this Agreement, all Domestic
Subcustodians, Special Subcustodians, Foreign Sub-Subcustodians and Interim Sub-
Subcustodians shall be referred to collectively as "Subcustodians".
Section 4.01. Domestic Subcustodians. The Custodian may, at any time
and from time to time, appoint any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the
1940 Act or any trust company or other entity any of which meet requirements of
a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder, to act as agent for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund as a
subcustodian for purposes of holding cash, securities and other Assets of the
Fund and performing other functions of the Custodian within the United States (a
"Domestic Subcustodian"); provided, that, the Custodian shall notify the Fund in
writing of the identity and qualifications of any proposed Domestic Subcustodian
at least sixty (60) days prior to the desired appointment of such Domestic
Subcustodian, and the Fund will notify the Custodian, in writing signed by two
or more Authorized Persons, of approval or disapproval of the appointment of the
proposed Domestic Subcustodian; and provided, further, that the Custodian may
not appoint any such Domestic Subcustodian without such prior written approval
of the Fund by such Authorized Persons. Each such duly approved Domestic
Subcustodian and the countries where, Foreign Sub-Subcustodians and the
securities depositories and clearing agencies through which they may hold
securities and other Assets of the Fund shall be as agreed upon by the parties
hereto in writing, from time to time, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 9.04 hereof (the "Subcustodian List").
Section 4.02. Foreign Sub-Subcustodians and Interim Sub-Subcustodians.
(a) Foreign Sub-Subcustodians. The Custodian may at any time appoint, or
cause a Domestic Subcustodian to appoint: (i) any bank, trust company or other
entity meeting requirements of an "eligible foreign custodian" under Section
17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder or by order of
the Securities and Exchange Commission exempted therefrom, or (ii) any bank as
defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a
custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder to act on behalf of the Fund as a sub-subcustodian for purposes of
holding cash, securities and other Assets of the Fund and performing other
functions of the Domestic Subcustodian in countries other than the United States
of America (a "Foreign Sub-Subcustodian"); provided that, prior to the
appointment or approval of any Foreign Sub-Subcustodian the Custodian shall, or
shall cause the Domestic Subcustodian to, notify the Fund, in writing, of the
identity and qualifications of the proposed Foreign Sub-Subcustodian and make a
copy of the proposed sub-subcustodian agreement available to the Fund at least
sixty (60) days prior to the desired appointment; and provided further that the
Custodian shall have obtained written confirmation from two or more Authorized
Persons of the approval of the Board of Directors or other governing body of the
Fund (which approval may be withheld in the sole discretion of such Board of
Directors or other governing body or entity) with respect to (i) the identity
and qualifications of any proposed Foreign Sub-Subcustodian, and (ii) the
country or countries in which, and the securities depositories or clearing
agencies (hereinafter "Securities Depositories and Clearing Agencies"), if any,
through which, any proposed Foreign Sub-Subcustodian is authorized to hold
securities and other Assets of the Fund. Each such duly approved Foreign Sub-
Subcustodian and the countries where and the Securities Depositories and
Clearing Agencies through which they may hold securities and other Assets of the
Fund shall be listed on the Subcustodian List. The Fund shall be responsible
for informing the Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment
which is to be held in a country in which no Foreign Sub-Subcustodian is
authorized to act, in order that there shall be sufficient time for the
Custodian or any Domestic Subcustodian to effect the appropriate arrangements
with a proposed Foreign Sub-Subcustodian, including obtaining approval as
provided in this Section 4.02(a). In connection with the appointment of any
Foreign Sub-Subcustodian, the Custodian shall, or shall cause the Domestic
Subcustodian to, enter into a sub-subcustodian agreement with the Foreign Sub-
Subcustodian in form and substance approved by the Fund, provided that the
agreement shall, in all events, comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder, and the terms and provisions of this
Agreement. The Custodian shall not and shall cause any Domestic Subcustodian
not to consent to the amendment of any sub-subcustodian agreement entered into
with a Foreign Sub-Subcustodian, or agree to any changes thereunder, or waive
any rights under such agreement, except upon prior approval pursuant to Special
Instructions.
(b) Interim Sub-Subcustodians. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
event that the Fund shall invest in a security or other Asset to be held in a
country in which no Foreign Sub-Subcustodian is authorized to act, the Custodian
shall, or shall cause the Domestic Subcustodian to, promptly notify the Fund in
writing by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as the Fund and
Custodian shall agree in writing of the unavailability of an approved Foreign
Sub-Subcustodian in such country; and upon the receipt of Special Instructions,
the Custodian shall, or shall cause the Domestic Subcustodian to, appoint or
approve any Person (as hereinafter defined) designated by the Fund in such
Special Instructions, to hold such security or other Asset. (Any Person
appointed or approved as a sub-subcustodian pursuant to this Section 4.02(b) is
hereinafter referred to as an "Interim Sub-Subcustodian.")
Section 4.03. Special Subcustodians. Upon receipt of Special
Instructions, the Custodian shall, on behalf of the Fund, appoint one or more
banks, trust companies or other entities designated in such Special Instructions
to act as a subcustodian for the purpose of (i) effecting third-party repurchase
transactions with banks, brokers, dealers or other entities, (ii) providing
depository and clearing agency services with respect to certain variable rate
demand note securities; and (iii) effecting any other transactions designated by
the Fund in Special Instructions. (Each such designated subcustodian is
hereinafter referred to as a "Special Subcustodian.") Each such duly appointed
Special Subcustodian shall be listed on the Subcustodian List. In connection
with the appointment of any Special Subcustodian, the Custodian shall enter into
a subcustodian agreement with the Special Subcustodian in form and substance
approved by the Fund, provided that such agreement shall in all events comply
with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and
the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The Custodian shall not amend any
subcustodian agreement entered into with a Special Subcustodian, or agree to
change or permit any changes thereunder, or waive any rights under such
agreement, except upon prior approval pursuant to Special Instructions.
Section 4.04. Termination of a Subcustodian. The Custodian shall (i)
cause each Domestic Subcustodian to, and (ii) use its best efforts to cause each
Interim Sub-Subcustodian and Special Subcustodian to, perform all of its
obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the subcustodian
agreement between the Custodian and such Domestic Subcustodian and Special
Subcustodian or between the Domestic Subcustodian and a Foreign Sub-Subcustodian
or Interim Sub-Subcustodian. In the event that the Custodian is unable to cause
such subcustodian or sub-subcustodian to fully perform its obligations
thereunder, the Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in writing and
forthwith, upon the receipt of Special Instructions, terminate or cause the
termination of such Subcustodian or Sub-Subcustodian with respect to the Fund
and, if necessary or desirable, appoint or cause the appointment of a
replacement Subcustodian or Sub-Subcustodian in accordance with the provisions
of this Article IV. In addition to the foregoing, the Custodian (A) may, at any
time in its discretion, upon written notification to the Fund, terminate any
Domestic Subcustodian, and (B) shall, upon receipt of Special Instructions,
terminate any Special Subcustodian with respect to the Fund, in accordance with
the termination provisions under the applicable subcustodian agreement, and (C)
shall, upon receipt of Special Instructions, cause the Domestic Subcustodian to
terminate any Foreign Sub-Subcustodian or Interim Sub-Subcustodian as to its use
of such entities with respect to the Fund, in accordance with the termination
provisions under the applicable sub-subcustodian agreement.
Section 4.05. Certification Regarding Foreign Sub-Subcustodians. Upon
request of the Fund, the Custodian shall deliver to the Fund a certificate
stating: (i) the identity of each Foreign Sub-Subcustodian then acting on
behalf of the Custodian; (ii) the countries in which and the Securities
Depositories and Clearing Agents through which each such Foreign Sub-
Subcustodian is then holding cash, securities and other Assets of the Fund; and
(iii) such other information as may be requested by the Fund to ensure
compliance with rules and regulations under the 1940 Act.
ARTICLE V
STANDARD OF CARE: INDEMNIFICATION
Section 5.01. Standard of Care.
(a) General Standard of Care. The Custodian shall exercise reasonable
care and diligence in carrying out all of its duties and obligations under this
Agreement, and shall be liable to the Fund for all loss, damage and expense
suffered or incurred by the Fund resulting from the failure of the Custodian to
exercise such reasonable care and diligence.
(b) Actions Prohibited by Applicable Law, Etc. In no event shall the
Custodian incur liability hereunder if the Custodian or any Subcustodian or
Securities System, or any subcustodian, Securities Depository or Clearing Agency
utilized by any such Subcustodian, or any nominee of the Custodian or any
Subcustodian (individually, a "Person") is prevented, forbidden or delayed from
performing, or omits to perform, any act or thing which this Agreement provides
shall be performed or omitted to be performed, by reason of: (i) any provision
of any present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of
America, or any state thereof, or of any foreign country, or political
subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction (and the Custodian
nor any other Person shall not be obligated to take any action contrary
thereto); or (ii) any act of God or war or other similar circumstance beyond the
control of the Custodian unless in each case, such delay or nonperformance is
caused by the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian.
(c) Mitigation by Custodian. Upon the occurrence of any event which
causes or may cause any loss, damage or expense to the Fund, (i) the Custodian
shall, (ii) the Custodian shall cause any applicable Domestic Subcustodian or
Foreign Sub-Subcustodian to, and (iii) the Custodian shall use its best efforts
to cause any applicable Interim Sub-Subcustodian or Special Subcustodian to, use
all commercially reasonable efforts and take all reasonable steps under the
circumstances to mitigate the effects of such event and to avoid continuing harm
to the Fund.
(d) Advice of Counsel. The Custodian shall be without liability for any
action reasonably taken or omitted in good faith pursuant to the written advise
of (i) counsel for the Fund, or (ii) at the expense of the Custodian, such other
counsel as the Fund and the Custodian may agree upon in writing; provided,
however, with respect to the performance of any action or omission of any action
upon such advice, the Custodian shall be required to conform to the standard of
care set forth in Section 5.01 (a).
(e) Expenses of the Fund. In addition to the liability of the Custodian
under this Article V, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for all
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with any claim
by the Fund against the Custodian arising from the obligations of the Custodian
hereunder including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses incurred by the Fund in asserting any such claim, and all expenses
incurred by the Fund in connection with any investigations, lawsuits or
proceedings relating to such claim; provided however, that the Fund has
recovered from the Custodian for such claim.
(f) Liability for Past Records. The Custodian shall have no liability in
respect of any loss, damage or expense suffered by the Fund, insofar as such
loss, damage or expense arises from the performance of the Custodian in reliance
upon records that were maintained for the Fund by entities other than the
Custodian prior to the Custodian's employment hereunder which the Custodian has
no reason to believe are inaccurate or incomplete after reasonable inquiry.
Section 5.02. Liability of the Custodian for Actions of Other Persons.
(a) Domestic Subcustodian and Foreign Sub-Subcustodian. The Custodian
shall be liable for the actions or omissions of any Domestic Subcustodian or
Foreign Sub-Subcustodian (excluding any Securities Depository or Clearing Agency
appointed by them) to the same extent as if such actions or omissions were
performed by the Custodian itself. In the event of any loss, damage or expense
suffered or incurred by the Fund caused by or resulting from the actions or
omissions of any Domestic Subcustodian or Foreign Sub-Subcustodian for which the
Custodian would otherwise be liable, the Custodian shall promptly reimburse the
Fund in the amount of any such loss, damage or expense.
(b) Special Subcustodians, Interim Sub-Subcustodians, Security Systems,
Securities Depositories and Clearing Agencies. The Custodian shall not be
liable to the Fund for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by the
Fund resulting from the actions or omissions of a Special Subcustodian, Interim
Sub-Subcustodian, Securities System, Securities Depository or Clearing Agency
unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by, or results from, the
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian; provided, however, in
the event of any such loss, damage or expense, the Custodian shall take all
reasonable steps to enforce such rights as it may have against such Special
Subcustodian, Interim Sub-Subcustodian, Security System, Securities Depository
or Clearing Agency to protect the interest of the Fund.
(c) Reimbursement of Expenses. The Fund agrees to reimburse the
Custodian for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Custodian in
connection with the fulfillment of its obligations under Section 5.01(c) as it
relates to Interim Sub-Subcustodians and Special Subcustodians and 5.02(b);
provided however, that such reimbursement shall not apply to expenses occasioned
by or resulting from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian.
Section 5.03. Indemnification by Fund.
(a) Indemnification Obligations of Fund. Subject to the limitations set
forth in this Agreement, the Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Custodian and its nominees from all loss, damage and expense (including
reasonable attorneys' fees) suffered or incurred by the Custodian or its nominee
caused by or arising from actions taken by the Custodian, its employees or
agents in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement;
provided, however, that such indemnity shall not apply to loss, damage and
expense occasioned by or resulting from the negligence, misfeasance or
misconduct of the Custodian or its nominee. In addition, the Fund agrees to
indemnify any Person against liability incurred by reason of taxes assessed to
such Person resulting from the fact that securities and other property of the
Fund are registered in the name of such Person in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall such
indemnification be applicable to income, franchise or similar taxes which may be
imposed or assessed against any Person. It is also understood that the Fund
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and its nominee for any loss
arising from a foreign currency transaction or contract, where the loss results
from a Sovereign Risk (as hereinafter defined) or where any Person maintaining
securities, currencies, deposits or other Assets of the Fund in connection with
any such transactions has exercised reasonable care maintaining such property or
in connection with any such transaction involving such Assets. A "Sovereign
Risk" shall mean nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, revaluation,
confiscation, seizure, cancellation, destruction or similar action by any
governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation,
imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency
restrictions, exchange controls, taxes, levies or other charges affecting the
Fund's property; or acts of war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution.
(b) Notice of Litigation. Right to Prosecute, Etc. The Fund shall not
be liable for indemnification under this Section 5.03 unless a Person shall have
promptly notified the Fund in writing of the commencement of any litigation or
proceeding brought against the Custodian or other Person in respect of which
indemnity may be sought under this Section 5.03. With respect to claims in such
litigation or proceedings for which indemnity by the Fund may be sought and
subject to applicable law and the ruling of any court of competent jurisdiction,
the Fund shall be entitled to participate in any such litigation or proceeding
with counsel of its choice at its own expense in respect of that portion of the
litigation for which the Fund may be subject to an indemnification obligation;
provided, however, a Person shall be entitled to participate in (but not
control) at its own cost and expense, the defense of any such litigation or
proceeding if the Fund has not acknowledged in writing it obligation to
indemnify the Person with respect to such litigation or proceeding. If the Fund
is not permitted to participate or control such litigation or proceeding under
applicable law or by a ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction, or if the
Fund chooses not to so participate, the Custodian or other Person shall not
consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement in any such
litigation or proceeding without providing the Fund with adequate notice of any
such settlement or judgment, and without the Fund's prior written consent which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. All Persons shall submit
written evidence to the Fund with respect to any cost or expense for which they
are seeking indemnification in such form and detail as the Fund may reasonably
request.
Section 5.04. Investment Limitations. If the Custodian has otherwise
complied with the terms and conditions of this Agreement in performing its duty
generally, and more particularly in connection with the purchase, sale or
exchange of securities made by or for the Fund, the Custodian shall not be
liable to the Fund and the Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian and its
nominees, for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by the Custodian
and its nominees arising out of any violation of any investment or other
limitation to which the Fund is subject except for violations of which the
Custodian has actual knowledge. For purposes of this Section 5.04 the term
"actual knowledge" shall mean knowledge gained by the Custodian by means other
than from any prospectus published by the Fund or contained in any filing by the
Fund with the SEC.
Section 5.05. Fund's Right to Proceed. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, the Fund shall have, at its election upon reasonable
notice to the Custodian, the right to enforce, to the extent permitted by any
applicable agreement and applicable law, the Custodian's rights against any
Subcustodian, Securities System or other Person for loss, damage or expense
caused the Fund by such Subcustodian, Securities System or other Person, which
the Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss, damage or expense, if
and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss,
expense or damage. If the Custodian makes the Fund whole for any such loss,
expense or damage, the Custodian shall retain the ability to enforce its rights
directly against such Subcustodian, Securities System or other Person. Upon the
Fund's election to enforce any rights of the Custodian under this Section 5.05,
the Fund shall reasonably prosecute all actions and proceedings directly
relating to the rights of the Custodian in respect of the loss, damage or
expense incurred by the Fund; provided that, so long as the Fund has
acknowledged in writing its obligation to indemnify the Custodian under Section
5.03 hereof with respect to such claim, the Fund shall retain the right to
settle, compromise and/or terminate any action or proceeding in respect of the
loss, damage or expense incurred by the Fund without the Custodian's consent and
provided further, that if the Fund has not made an acknowledgement of its
obligation to indemnify, the Fund shall not settle, compromise or terminate any
such action or proceeding without the written consent of the Custodian, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Custodian agrees to
cooperate with the Fund and take all actions reasonably requested by the Fund in
connection with the Fund's enforcement of any rights of the Custodian. Nothing
contained in this Section 5.05 shall be construed as an obligation of the Fund
to enforce the Custodian's rights. The Fund agrees to reimburse the Custodian
for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it in connection with the fulfillment of
its obligations under this Section 5.05; provided, however, that such
reimbursement shall not apply to expenses occasioned by or resulting from the
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian.
Section 5.06. Indemnification by Custodian.
(a) Indemnification Obligations of Custodian. Subject to the limitations
set forth in this Agreement and in addition to the reimbursement obligations
provided in Section 5.02(a), the Custodian agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Fund and its nominees from all loss, damage and expense (including
reasonable attorneys' fees) suffered or incurred by the Fund or its nominee
caused by or arising from the failure of the Custodian, its nominee, employees
or agents to comply with the terms or conditions of this Agreement or arising
out of the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or its
nominee.
(b) Notice of Litigation, Right to Prosecute, Etc. The Custodian shall
not be liable for indemnification under this Section 5.06 unless the Fund shall
have promptly notified the Custodian in writing of the commencement of any
litigation or proceeding brought against the Fund in respect of which indemnity
may be sought under this Section 5.06. With respect to claims in such
litigation or proceedings for which indemnity by the Custodian may be sought and
subject to applicable law and the ruling of any court of competent jurisdiction,
the Custodian shall be entitled to participate in any such litigation or
proceeding with counsel of its choice at its own expense in respect of that
portion of the litigation for which the Custodian may be subject to an
indemnification obligation; provided, however, the Fund shall be entitled to
participate in (but not control) at its own cost and expense, the defense of any
such litigation or proceeding if the Custodian has not acknowledged in writing
its obligation to indemnify the Fund with respect to such litigation or
proceeding. If the Custodian is not permitted to participate or control such
litigation or proceeding under applicable law or by a ruling of a court of
competent jurisdiction, or if the Custodian chooses not to so participate, the
Fund shall not consent to the entry of any judgement or enter into any
settlement in any such litigation or proceeding without providing the Custodian
with adequate notice of any such settlement or judgement, and without the
Custodian's prior written consent which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed. The Fund shall submit written evidence to the Custodian
with respect to any cost or expense for which it is seeking indemnification in
such form and detail as the Custodian may reasonably request.
Section 5.07. Custodian's Right to Proceed. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained herein, the Custodian shall have, at its election upon
reasonable notice to the Fund, the right to enforce, to the extent permitted by
any applicable agreement and applicable law, the Fund's rights against any
Subcustodian, Securities System or other Person for loss, damage or expense
caused the Custodian by such Subcustodian, Securities System or other Person,
which the Fund may have as a consequence of any such loss, damage or expense, if
and to the extent that the Custodian has not been made whole for any such loss,
expense or damage. If the Fund makes the Custodian whole for any such loss,
expense or damage, the Fund shall retain the ability to enforce its rights
directly against such Subcustodian, Securities System or other Person. Upon the
Custodian's election to enforce any rights of the Fund under this Section 5.07,
the Custodian shall reasonably prosecute all actions and proceedings directly
relating to the rights of the Fund in respect of the loss, damage and expense
incurred by the Custodian; provided that, so long as the Custodian has
acknowledged in writing its obligation to indemnify the Fund under Section 5.06
hereof with respect to such claim, the Custodian shall retain the right to
settle, compromise and/or terminate any action or proceeding in respect of the
loss, damage or expense incurred by the Custodian without the Fund's consent and
provided further, that if the Custodian has not made an acknowledgement of its
obligation to indemnify, the Custodian shall not settle, compromise or terminate
any such action or proceeding without the written consent of the Fund, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Fund agrees to
cooperate with the Custodian and take all actions reasonably requested by the
Custodian in connection with the Custodian's enforcement of any rights of the
Fund. Nothing contained in this Section 5.07 shall be construed as an
obligation of the Custodian to enforce the Fund's rights. The Custodian agrees
to reimburse the Fund for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it in connection
with the fulfillment of its obligations under this Section 5.07; provided,
however, that such reimbursement shall not apply to expenses occasioned by or
resulting from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Fund.
ARTICLE VI
COMPENSATION
For the initial three year period beginning on the effective date of this
Agreement, the Fund shall compensate the Custodian in the amount and at the
times specified in Appendix "B" attached hereto. Thereafter, the Fund shall
compensate the Custodian in the amount, and at times, as may be agreed upon in
writing, from time to time, by the Custodian and the Fund.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the first to
occur of: (a) termination by the Custodian by an instrument in writing
delivered or mailed (certified mail, return receipt requested) to the Fund, such
termination to take effect not sooner than ninety (90) days after the date of
such delivery or receipt; (b) termination by the Fund by an instrument in
writing delivered or mailed (certified mail, return receipt requested) to the
Custodian, such termination to take effect not sooner than ninety (90) days
after the date of such delivery or receipt; or (c) termination by the Fund by an
instrument in writing delivered to the Custodian, based upon the Fund's
determination that there is reasonable basis to conclude that the Custodian is
insolvent or that the financial condition of the Custodian is deteriorating in
any material respect, in which case termination shall take effect upon the
Custodian's receipt of such notice or at such later time as the Fund shall
designate. In the event of termination pursuant to this Article VII, the Fund
shall make payment of all accrued fees and unreimbursed expenses within a
reasonable time following termination and delivery of a statement to the Fund
setting forth such fees and expenses. The Fund shall identify in any notice of
termination a successor custodian to which the cash, securities and other Assets
of the Fund shall, upon termination of this Agreement, be delivered. In the
event that securities and other Assets remain in the possession of the Custodian
after the date of termination hereof owing to failure of the Fund to appoint a
successor custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to compensation for its
services in accordance with the fee schedule most recently in effect, for such
period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities and other Assets,
and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of
the Custodian and the Fund shall remain in full force and effect for such
period. In the event of the appointment of a successor custodian, the cash,
securities and other Assets owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian, any
Subcustodian or nominee shall be delivered, at the terminating party's expense,
to the successor custodian; and the Custodian agrees to cooperate with the Fund
in the execution of documents and performance of other actions necessary or
desirable in order to substitute the successor custodian for the Custodian under
this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
DEFINED TERMS
The following terms are defined in the following sections:
Term Section
- ---- -------
Account 2.22(A)
ADRs 2.06
Assets Article I
Authorized Person 3.02
Banking Institution 2.12
Bank Accounts 2.21
Clearing Agency 4.02(a)
Distribution Account 2.16
Domestic Subcustodian 4.01
Foreign Sub-Subcustodian 4.02(a)
Institutional Client 2.03
Interest Bearing Deposit 2.12
Interim Sub-Subcustodian 4.02(b)
OCC 2.09
Overdraft 2.28
Overdraft Notice 2.28
Person 5.01(b)
Procedural Agreement 2.10
Proper Instruction 3.01(a)
SEC 2.22
Securities Depositories 4.02(a)
Securities System 2.22
Shares 2.16
Sovereign Risk 5.03(a)
Special Instruction 3.01(b)
Special Subcustodian 4.03
Subcustodian Article IV
1940 Act Preamble
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.01. Execution of Documents, Etc.
(a) Actions by the Fund. Upon request, the Fund shall execute and
deliver to the Custodian such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments
as may be reasonable and necessary or desirable in connection with the
performance by the Custodian or any Subcustodian of their respective obligations
under this Agreement or any applicable subcustodian agreement, provided that the
exercise by the Custodian or any Subcustodian of any such rights shall in all
events be in compliance with the terms of this Agreement.
(b) Actions by Custodian. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall execute and deliver to the Fund or to such other parties as the
Fund may designate in such Proper Instructions, all such documents, instruments
or agreements as may be reasonable and necessary or desirable in order to
effectuate any of the transactions contemplated hereby and designated therein.
Section 9.02. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Representations and Warranties of the Fund. The Fund hereby
represents and warrants that each of the following shall be true, correct and
complete as of the date of execution of this Agreement and, unless notice to the
contrary is provided by the Fund to the Custodian, at all times during the term
of this Agreement: (i) the Fund is duly organized under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization and is registered as an open-end management
investment company under the 1940 Act or is a series of portfolio of such
entity; and (ii) the execution, delivery and performance by the Fund of this
Agreement are (w) within its power, (x) have been duly authorized by all
necessary action, and (y) will not (A) contribute to or result in a breach of or
default under or conflict with any existing law, order, regulation or ruling of
any governmental or regulatory agency or authority, or (B) violate any provision
of the Fund's corporate charter or other organizational document, or bylaws, or
any amendment thereof or any provision of its most recent Prospectus or
Statement of Additional Information.
(b) Representations and Warranties of the Custodian. The Custodian
hereby represents and warrants that each of the following shall be true, correct
and complete as of the date of execution of this Agreement and, unless notice to
the contrary is provided by the Custodian to the Fund, at all times during the
term of this Agreement: (i) the Custodian is duly organized under the laws of
its jurisdiction of organization and qualifies to serve as a custodian to open-
end management investment companies under the provisions of the 1940 Act; and
(ii) the execution, delivery and performance by the Custodian of this Agreement
are (w) within its power (x) have been duly authorized by all necessary action,
and (y) will not (A) contribute to or result in a breach of or default under or
conflict with any existing law, order, regulation or ruling of any governmental
or regulatory agency or authority, or (B) violate any provision of the
Custodian's corporate charter, or other organizational document, or bylaws, or
any amendment thereof. The Custodian acknowledges receipt of a copy of the
Fund's most recent Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Section 9.03. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
understanding and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof and accordingly, supersedes as of the effective date of this
Agreement any custodian agreement heretofore in effect between the Fund and the
Custodian.
Section 9.04. Waivers and Amendments. No provisions of this Agreement
may be waived, amended or deleted except by a statement in writing signed by the
party against which enforcement of such waiver, amendment or deletion is sought;
provided, however, the Subcustodian List may be amended from time to time by the
Fund's execution and delivery to the Custodian of an amended Subcustodian List,
in which case such amendment shall take effect immediately upon execution by the
Custodian.
Section 9.05. Interpretation. In connection with the operation of this
Agreement, the Custodian and the Fund may agree in writing from time to time on
such provisions interpretative of or in addition to the provisions of this
Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of
this Agreement. No interpretative or additional provisions made as provided in
the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
Section 9.06. Captions. Headings contained in this Agreement, which
are included as convenient references only, shall have no bearing upon the
interpretation of the terms of the Agreement or the obligations of the parties
hereto.
Section 9.07. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Missouri, in each case
without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
Section 9.08. Notices. Except in the case of Proper Instructions or
Special Instructions, and as otherwise provided in this Agreement, notices and
other writings contemplated by this Agreement shall be delivered by hand or by
facsimile transmission or as otherwise agreed to by the Fund and the Custodian
in writing (provided that in the case of delivery by facsimile transmission,
notice shall also be mailed postage prepaid) to the parties at the following
addresses:
(a) If to the Fund:
United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc.
6300 Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, Kansas 66202
Attn: Fund Treasurer
Telephone: 913-236-2000
Telefax: 913-236-1595
(b) If to the Custodian:
UMB Bank, n.a.
928 Grand Avenue, 10th Floor
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Attn: Securities Administration
Telephone: 816-860-7764
Telefax: 816-860-4869
or such other address as either party may have designated in writing to the
other party hereto.
Section 9.09. Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall
inure to the benefit of the Fund and the Custodian and their respective
successors and assigns, provided that, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01
hereof, neither party hereto may assign this Agreement or any of its rights or
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party.
Section 9.10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. This
Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed
and delivered by each of the parties.
Section 9.11. Confidentiality; Survival of Obligations. The parties
hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of
this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding
its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party
hereto shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of
rendering services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in
carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party without
the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be
applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or
thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this
Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by any bank examiner of the
Custodian or any Subcustodians, any auditor or examiner of the parties hereto,
by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or
regulation. The provisions of this Section 9.11 and Section 9.01, 9.07, Section
2.28, Section 3.04, Section 4.05, Section 7.01, Article V and Article VI hereof
and any other rights or obligations incurred or accrued by any party hereto
prior to termination of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed in its name and behalf on the day and year first above written.
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC. UMB BANK, n.a.
By: By:
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
<PAGE>
APPENDIX "A"
TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
AND
UMB BANK, n.a.
Dated as of February 22, 1995
The following is a list of Domestic Subcustodians, Foreign Sub-
Subcustodian and Special Subcustodians under the Custodian Agreement as
amended:
A. Domestic Subcustodians:
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
United Missouri Trust Company of New York
B. Foreign Sub-Subcustodians:
Country Sub-Subcustodian Depository
Argentina Citibank, n.a. CDV
Australia National Australia Bank Ltd. AUSTRACLEAR, RITs
Austria Creditanstalt Bankverein KONTROLLBANK (OEKB)
Belgium Banque Bruxelles Lambert CIK, BNB
Brazil First National Bank of BOVESPA, CLC
Boston, Brazil
Canada Canadian Imperial CDS
Bank of Commerce
Chile Citibank, n.a. None
Denmark Den Danske Bank VP
Finland Union Bank of Finland Securities Association
France Banque Indosuez SICOVAM;
Banque De France
Germany Berliner Handels KASSENVEREIN
Und Frankfurter Bank
Hong Kong HongKong & Shanghai HongKong Securities
Banking Corp. Clearing Company
Indonesia Citibank, n.a. None
Italy Banca Commerciale Italiana MONTE TITOLI,
Banca D'Italia
Japan Mitsui Trust & Banking Co. JASDEC,
Bank of Japan
Korea Citibank, n.a. Korean Securities
Depository Corporation
(KSD)
Malaysia HongKong & Shanghai MCD; Bank Negara
Banking Corp. Malaysia
Mexico Citibank Mexico, s.a. INDEVAL; Banco
De Mexico
Netherlands ABN - Amro Bank NECIGER;
De Nederlandsche
Bank
Norway Christiana Bank VPS
Peru Citibank, n.a. Caja De Valores
(CAVAL)
Philippines Citibank, n.a. None
Singapore HongKong & Shanghai CDP
Banking Corp.
Spain Banco Santander SCLV; Banco De Espana
Sweden Skandinaviska Enskilda VPC
Banken
Switzerland Union Bank of Switzerland SEGA
Thailand HongKong & Shanghai Share Depository
Banking Corp. Center (SDC)
Turkey Citibank, n.a. TvS, Central Bank
of Turkey
United Kingdom Midland Securities PLC CMO, CGO
C. Special Subcustodians:
Wilmington Trust Co.
The Bank of New York, n.a.
Euroclear
<PAGE>
APPENDIX "B"
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
AND
UMB BANK, n.a.
Dated as of February 22, 1995
The Fund shall be responsible for providing the Custodian the net asset
levels the Custodian requires to calculate the net asset portion of the
Custodian's fees. Such determinations shall be based upon the average monthly
assets of each Fund and shall specify the level of domestic assets and foreign
assets by country, as appropriate. Domestic assets shall include all assets
held in the United States including but not limited to American Depositary
Receipts. Foreign assets shall include all assets held outside the United
States including but not limited to securities which clear through Euroclear or
CEDEL. The Custodian will provide as soon as practicable after receiving the
information provided by the Fund with respect to the net asset level numbers, a
bill for the Fund, including such reasonable detail in support of each bill as
may be reasonably requested by the Fund. As used in this Appendix "B", "United
Funds" shall mean all funds in the United Group of Funds, TMK/United Funds,
Inc., Waddell & Reed Funds, Inc., Torchmark Insured Tax-Free Fund, Inc. and
Torchmark Government Securities Fund, Inc.
DOMESTIC CUSTODY FEE SCHEDULE
A. Annual Fee (combining all domestic assets):
An annual fee to be computed as of month end and payable each month of the
Fund's fiscal year (after receipt of the bill issued to each Fund based
upon its portion of domestic assets), at the annual rate of:
.00005 for the first $5,000,000,000 of the net assets of all the United
Funds, plus
.00004 for any net assets exceeding $5,000,000,000 of the assets of all the
United Funds.
B. Portfolio Transaction Fees (billed to each Fund):
(a)For each portfolio transaction* processed through a
Depository (DTC, PTC or Fed) $ 7.00
(b) For each portfolio transaction* processed through the
New York office (physical settlement) 20.00
(c)For each futures/options contract written 25.00
(d)For each principal/interest paydown 6.00
(e)For each interfund note transaction 5.00
* A portfolio transaction includes a receive, delivery, maturity, free
security
movement and corporate action.
C. Earnings Credits:
Positive earnings credits will be applied on all collected custody and cash
management balances of each Fund at the Custodian to earn the Custodian's
daily repurchase agreement rate less reserve requirements and FDIC
premiums. Negative earnings credits will be charged on all uncollected
custody and cash management balances of each Fund at the Custodian's prime
rate less 150 basis points on each day a negative balance occurs. Positive
and/or negative earnings credits will be monitored daily for each Fund and
the net positive or negative amount for each Fund will be included in the
monthly statements. Excess positive credits for each Fund will be carried
forward indefinitely.
D. Out-of-Pocket Expenses (passed directly from Special Subcustodians):
Includes all charges by any Special Subcustodian to the Custodian as
Custodian for any Assets held at the Special Subcustodian.
GLOBAL CUSTODY FEE SCHEDULE
A. Global Fee Schedule:
Market: Annual Asset Fees Transaction Fees
Argentina .0037 $85
Australia .0009 $85
Austria .0011 $70
Belgium .0011 $60
Brazil .0035 $60
Canada .0008 $35
Chile .0045 $85
Denmark .0011 $60
Finland .0011 $85
France .0011 $85
Germany .0008 $60
Hong Kong .0009 $85
India .0055 $135
Indonesia .0009 $85
Ireland .0011 $60
Italy .0011 $70
Japan .0008 $40
Korea .0035 $60
Malaysia .0009 $85
Mexico .0016 $60
Netherlands .0011 $35
New Zealand .0009 $85
Norway .0011 $85
Peru .0070 $160
Phillippines .0035 $95
Portugal .0035 $145
Singapore .0009 $85
Spain .0009 $85
Sweden .0011 $70
Switzerland .0009 $85
Thailand .0009 $85
Turkey .0045 $110
U.K. .0011 $60
Note: Fee Schedule eliminates sub-custodian asset and transaction-based out-
of-pocket expenses. Other sub-custodian out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. Scrip
fees, stamp duties, certificate fees, etc.)
B. Out-of-Pocket Expenses (passed directly from Brown Brothers Harriman &
Co.):
Includes, but is not limited to telex, legal, telephones, postage, and
direct expenses including but not limited to tax reclaim, customized
systems programming, certificate fees, duties, and registration fees.
C. Short-term Dollar Denominated Global Assets
Eurodollar CDs, Time Deposits
(1) An annual fee to be computed as of month end and payable each month of
the Fund's fiscal year (after receipt of the bill issued to the Fund
based upon its portion of short-term dollar denominated assets), at the
annual rate of:
.0004 on all short-term dollar denominated assets of the United Funds.
(2) Portfolio Transaction Fees:
First Chicago Clearing Centre-Trades with Members $136.00
First Chicago Clearing Centre-Trades with Non-members 153.00
First Chicago Clearing Centre-Income Collection 64.00
D. Euroclear Eligible Issues:
(1) An annual fee to be computed as of month end and payable each month of
the Fund's fiscal year (after receipt of the bill issued to the Fund
based upon its portion of Euroclear issues), at the annual rate of:
2.5 basis points on all United Funds Euroclear assets held in account
at
UMB Bank, n.a.
(2) Portfolio Transaction Fees:
Euroclear $60.00
EX-99.B9-asssa
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 12th day of September, 1995, by and between
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC. (the "Company") and Waddell & Reed Services
Company (the "Agent"),
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, The Company wishes, as applicable, to appoint the Agent or to
continue the appointment of the Agent to be its shareholder servicing agent
upon, and subject to, the terms and provisions of this Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this
Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
1. Appointment of Agent as Shareholder Servicing Agent for the Company;
Acceptance.
(1) The Company hereby appoints the Agent to act as Shareholder
Servicing Agent for the Company upon, and subject to, the terms and provisions
of this Agreement.
(2) The Agent hereby accepts the appointment as Shareholder Servicing
Agent for the Company and agrees to act as such upon, and subject to, the terms
and provisions of this Agreement.
2. Definitions.
(1) In this Agreement -
(a) The term the "Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940
as amended from time to time;
(b) The term "account" means the shares of the Company
registered on the books of the Company in the name of a shareholder and includes
shares subject to instructions by the shareholder with respect to periodic
redemptions and/or reinvestment in additional shares of any dividends payable on
said shares. An account does not include shares held under a plan or program
issued by a unit investment trust for which Waddell & Reed, Inc. was or is the
depositor or sponsor;
(c) The term "affiliate" of a person shall mean a person
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with that person;
(d) The term "Class" shall mean each separate sub-class of a
class of shares of the Company, as may now or in the future exist;
(e) The term "Fund" shall mean each separate class of shares of
the Company, as may now or in the future exist;
(f) The term "officers' instruction" means an instruction given
on behalf of the Company to the Agent and signed on behalf of the Company by any
one or more persons authorized to do so by the Company's Board of Directors;
(g) The term "prospectus" means the prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information of the applicable Fund or Class from time to time in
effect;
(h) The term "shares" means shares including fractional shares
of capital stock of the Company, whether or not such shares are evidenced by an
outstanding stock certificate issued by the Company;
(i) The term "shareholder" shall mean the owner of record of
shares of the Company;
(j) The term "stock certificate" means a certificate
representing shares in the form then currently in use by the Company.
3. Duties of the Agent.
The Agent shall perform such duties as shall be set forth in this
paragraph 3 and in accordance with the practice stated in Exhibit A of this
Agreement or any amendment thereof.
(1) Transfers.
Subject to the provisions of this Agreement the Agent hereby
agrees to perform the following functions as transfer agent for the Company:
(a) Recording the ownership, transfer, exchange and cancellation
of ownership of shares of the Company on the books of the Company;
(b) Causing the issuance, transfer, exchange and cancellation of
stock certificates;
(c) Establishing and maintaining records of accounts;
(d) Computing and causing to be prepared and mailed or otherwise
delivered to shareholders payment checks and notices of reinvestment in
additional shares of dividends, stock dividends or stock splits declared by the
Company on shares and of redemption proceeds due by the Company on redemption of
shares;
(e) Furnishing to shareholders such information as may be
reasonably required by the Company, including appropriate income tax
information;
(f) Addressing and mailing to shareholders prospectuses, annual
and semi-annual reports and proxy materials for shareholder meetings prepared by
or on behalf of the Company;
(g) Replacing allegedly lost, stolen or destroyed stock
certificates in accordance with and subject to procedures and conditions agreed
upon and set out in officers' instructions;
(h) Maintaining such books and records relating to transactions
effected by the Agent pursuant to this Agreement as are required by the Act, or
by rules or regulations thereunder, or by any other applicable provisions of
law, to be maintained by the Company or its transfer agent with respect to such
transactions; preserving, or causing to be preserved, any such books and records
for such periods as may be required by any such law, rule or regulation;
furnishing the Company such information as to such transactions and at such time
as may be reasonably required by it to comply with applicable laws and
regulations;
(i) Providing such services and carrying out such
responsibilities on behalf of the Company, or imposed on the Agent as the
Company's transfer agent, not otherwise expressly provided for in this Paragraph
3, as may be required by or be reasonably necessary to comply with any statute,
act, governmental rule, regulation or directive or court order, including,
without limitation, the requirements imposed by the Tax Equity and Fiscal
Responsibility Act of 1982 and the Income and Dividend Tax Compliance Act of
1983 relating to the withholding of tax from distributions to shareholders.
(2) Correspondence.
The Agent agrees to deal with and answer all correspondence from
or on behalf of shareholders relating to its functions under this Agreement.
4. Compensation of the Agent.
The Company agrees to pay the Agent for its services under this
Agreement in accordance with the schedule as then in effect set forth in Exhibit
B of this Agreement or any amendment thereof. In addition, the Company agrees
to reimburse the Agent for the following "out-of-pocket" expenses of the Agent
within five days after receipt of an itemized statement of such expenses, to the
extent that payment of such expenses has not been or is not to be made directly
by the Company: (i) costs of stationery, appropriate forms, envelopes, checks,
postage, printing (except cost of printing prospectuses, annual and semi-annual
reports and proxy materials) and mailing charges, including returned mail and
proxies, incurred by the Agent with respect to materials and communications sent
to shareholders in carrying out its duties to the Company under this Agreement;
(ii) long distance telephone costs incurred by the Agent for telephone
communications and microfilm and storage costs for transfer agency records and
documents; (iii) costs of all ancillary and supporting services and related
expenses (other than insurance premiums) reasonably required by and provided to
the Agent, other than by its employees or employees of an affiliate, with
respect to functions of the Company being performed by it in its capacity as
Agent hereunder, including legal advice and representation in litigation to the
extent that such payments are permitted under Paragraph 7 of this Agreement;
(iv) costs for special reports or information furnished on request pursuant to
this Agreement and not specifically required by the Agent by Paragraph 3 of this
Agreement; and (v) reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Agent in
connection with the duties of the Agent described in Paragraph (3)(1)(i). In
addition, the Company agrees to promptly pay over to the Agent any fees or
payment of charges it may receive from a shareholder for services furnished to
the shareholder by the Agent.
Services and operations incident to the sale and distribution of the
Company's shares, including sales communications, confirmations of investments
(not including reinvestment of dividends) and the clearing or collection of
payments will not be for the account or at the expense of the Company under this
Agreement.
5. Right of Company to Inspect Records, etc.
The Company will have the right under this Agreement to perform on
site inspection of records and accounts and to perform audits directly
pertaining to the Company shareholder accounts serviced by the Agent hereunder
at the Agent's facilities in accordance with reasonable procedures at the
frequency necessary to assure proper administration of the Agreement. The Agent
will cooperate with the Company's auditors or representatives of appropriate
regulatory agencies and furnish all reasonably requested records and data.
6. Insurance.
The Agent now has the insurance coverage described in Exhibit C,
attached hereto, and the Agent will not take any action to eliminate or decrease
such coverage during the term of this Agreement without receiving the approval
of the Fund in advance of any change, except the Agent, after giving reasonable
notice to the Company, may eliminate or decrease any coverage if the premiums
for such coverage are substantially increased.
7. Standard of Care; Indemnification.
The Agent will at all times exercise due diligence and good faith in
performing its duties hereunder. The Agent will make every reasonable effort
and take all reasonably available measures to assure the adequacy of its
personnel and facilities as well as the accurate performance of all services to
be performed by it hereunder within, at a minimum, the time requirements of any
applicable statutes, rules or regulations or as set forth in the prospectus.
The Agent shall not be responsible for, and the Company agrees to
indemnify the Agent for any losses, damages or expenses (including reasonable
counsel fees and expenses) (i) resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit
not resulting from the Agent's failure to exercise good faith or due diligence
and arising out of or in connection with the Agent's duties on behalf of the
Company hereunder; (ii) for any delay, error or omission by reason of
circumstances beyond its control, including acts of civil or military authority,
national emergencies, labor difficulties (except with respect to the Agent's
employees), fire, mechanical breakdown beyond its control, flood or catastrophe,
acts of God, insurrection, war, riots, or failure beyond its control of
transportation, communication or power supply; or (iii) for any action taken or
omitted to be taken by the Agent in good faith in reliance on (a) the
authenticity of any instrument or communication reasonably believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly made and signed or endorsed by an appropriate
person, (b) the accuracy of any records or information provided to it by the
Company, (c) any authorization or instruction contained in any officers'
instruction, or (d) with respect to the functions performed for the Company
listed under Paragraph 3(1) of this Agreement, any advice of counsel approved by
the Company who may be internally employed counsel or outside counsel, in either
case for the Company and/or the Agent.
In order for the rights to indemnification to apply, it is understood
that if in any case the Company may be asked to indemnify or hold the Agent
harmless, the Company shall be advised of all pertinent facts concerning the
situation in question, and it is further understood that the Agent will use
reasonable care to identify and notify the Company promptly concerning any
situation which presents or appears likely to present a claim for
indemnification against the Company. The Company shall have the option to
defend the Agent against any claim which may be the subject of this
indemnification and, in the event that the Company so elects, it will so notify
the Agent and thereupon the Company shall take over complete defense of the
claim and the Agent shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in such
situation for which the Agent shall seek indemnification under this paragraph.
The Agent will in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case
in which the Company will be asked to indemnify the Agent except with the
Company's prior written consent.
8. Term of the Agreement; Taking Effect; Amendments.
This Agreement shall become effective at the start of business on the
date hereof and shall continue, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, for a
period of one year and from year to year thereafter, provided that such
continuance shall be specifically approved as provided below.
This Agreement shall go into effect, or may be continued, or may be
amended or a new agreement between the Company and the Agent covering the
substance of this Agreement may be entered into only if the terms of this
Agreement, such continuance, the terms of such amendment or the terms of such
new agreement have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company,
including the vote of a majority of the directors who are not "interested
persons," as defined in the Act, of either party to this Agreement or of Waddell
& Reed Investment Management Company, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval. Such a vote is hereinafter referred to as a
"disinterested director vote."
Any disinterested director vote shall include a determination that (i)
the Agreement, amendment, new agreement or continuance in question is in the
best interests of the Company and its shareholders; (ii) the services to be
performed under the Agreement, the Agreement as amended, new agreement or
agreement to be continued, are services required for the operation of the
Company; (iii) the Agent can provide services the nature and quality of which
are at least equal to those provided by others offering the same or similar
services; and (iv) the fees for such services are fair and reasonable in the
light of the usual and customary charges made by others for services of the same
nature and quality.
9. Termination.
(1) This Agreement may be terminated by the Agent at any time without
penalty upon giving the Company 120 days' written notice (which notice may be
waived by the Company) and may be terminated by the Company at any time without
penalty upon giving the Agent sixty (60) days' written notice (which notice may
be waived by the Agent), provided that such termination by the Company shall be
directed or approved by the vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the
Company in office at the time or by the vote of the holders of a majority (as
defined in or under the Act) of the outstanding shares of the Company.
(2) On termination, the Agent will deliver to the Company or its
designee all files, documents and records of the Company used, kept or
maintained by the Agent in the performance of its services hereunder, including
such of the Company's records in machine readable form as may be maintained by
the Agent, as well as such summary and/or control data relating thereto used by
or available to the Agent.
(3) In the event of any termination which involves the appointment of
a new shareholder servicing agent, including the Company's acting as such on its
own behalf, the Company shall have the non-exclusive right to the use of the
data processing programs used by the Agent in connection with the performance of
its duties under this Agreement without charge.
(4) In addition, on such termination or in preparation therefore, at
the request of the Company and at the Company's expense the Agent shall provide
to the extent that its capabilities then permit such documentation, personnel
and equipment as may be reasonably necessary in order for a new agent or the
Company to fully assume and commence to perform the agency functions described
in this Agreement with a minimum disruption to the Company's activities.
10. Construction; Governing Law.
The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall
not be deemed to constitute a part hereof. Whenever the context requires, words
denoting singular shall be read to include the plural. This Agreement and the
rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall be construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Kansas, except to the
extent that the laws of the State of Maryland apply with respect to share
transactions.
11. Representations and Warranties of Agent.
Agent represents and warrants that it is a corporation duly organized
and existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Missouri, that
it is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of Kansas and
wherever its duties require, that it has the power and authority under laws and
by its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to enter into this Shareholder
Servicing Agreement and to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement.
12. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement and the Exhibits annexed hereto constitutes the entire
and complete agreement between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter
hereof, supersedes and merges all prior discussions between the parties hereto,
and may not be modified or amended orally.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereto caused this Agreement to
be duly executed on the day and year first above written.
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
By:_________________________________
Sharon K. Pappas, Vice President
ATTEST:
By:____________________________
Amy D. Eisenbeis, Assistant Secretary
WADDELL & REED SERVICES COMPANY
By:__________________________________
Robert L. Hechler, President
ATTEST:
By:___________________________
Sharon K. Pappas, Secretary
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
A. DUTIES IN SHARE TRANSFERS AND REGISTRATION
1. The Agent in carrying out its duties shall follow general commercial
practices and the Rules of the Stock Transfer Association, Inc. except as they
may conflict or be inconsistent with the specific provisions of the Company's
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, prospectus, applicable Federal and state
laws and regulations and this Agreement.
2. The Agent shall not require that the signature of the appropriate
person be guaranteed, witnessed or verified in order to effect a redemption,
transfer, exchange or change of address except as may from time to time be
directed by the Company as set forth in an officers' instruction. In the event
a signature guarantee is required by the Company, the Agent shall not inquire as
to the genuineness of the guarantee.
3. The Agent shall not replace a lost, stolen or misplaced stock
certificate without requiring and being furnished with an open penalty surety
bond protecting the Company and the Agent against loss.
B. The practices, procedures and requirements specified in A above may be
modified, altered, varied or supplemented as from time to time may be mutually
agreed upon by the Company and the Agent and evidenced on behalf of the Company
by an officers' instruction. Any such change shall not be deemed to be an
amendment to the Agreement within the meaning of Paragraph 8 of the Agreement.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
COMPENSATION
Class A Shares
An amount payable on the first day of each month of $1.0208 for each account of
the Company which was in existence during any portion of the immediately
preceding month and, in addition, to pay to the Agent the sum of $0.30 for each
account for which, during such month, a record date was established for payment
of a dividend, in cash or otherwise (which term includes a distribution),
irrespective of whether such dividend was payable in that month or later or was
payable directly or was to be reinvested.
Class Y Shares
An amount payable on the first day of each month equal to 1/12 of .15 of 1% of
the average daily net assets of the Class for the preceding month.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
Bond or
Name of Bond Policy No. Insurer
Investment Company 87015194B ICI Mutual
Blanket Bond Form Insurance
Company
Fidelity $25,000,000
Audit Expense 500,000
On Premises 25,000,000
In Transit 25,000,000
Forgery or Alteration 25,000,000
Securities 25,000,000
Counterfeit Currency 25,000,000
Uncollectible Items of
Deposit 25,000
Voice-Initiated Transactions 25,000,000
Total Limit 25,000,000
Directors and Officers/ 87015194D ICI Mutual
Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance
Insurance Form Company
Total Limit $ 5,000,000
Blanket Lost Instrument Bond (Mail Loss) 30S100639551 Aetna Life
& Casualty
Blanket Undertaking Lost Instrument
Probate Waiver 42SUN339806 Hartford
Casualty
Insurance
EX-99.B9-assaam
AMENDMENT TO SERVICE AGREEMENT
This Amendment to the Service Agreement made this 3rd day of July, 1995, by and
between United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. (the "Company") and Waddell & Reed,
Inc. ("W&R").
WHEREAS, the Company and W&R have entered into a certain Service Agreement dated
March 9, 1995 which the parties now desire to amend to clarify that the Service
Agreement, as amended, relates solely to the Class A shares of the Company, as
such shares may now or in the future exist;
AND WHEREAS, the Company has adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 a Service Plan applicable to Class A shares.
NOW THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed as follows:
1. It is understood that the Service Agreement, as previously amended, is
applicable only with respect to the Class A shares of the Company, as such
shares may now or in the future exist.
2. The Company represents that this Amendment has been approved by vote of the
Board of Directors of the Company and of the directors of the Company who
are not interested persons of the Company and who have no direct financial
interest in the operation of the Service Plan or this Agreement
("independent directors"), which was cast in person by such directors at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on approval of this Amendment.
3. It is understood that this Amendment is part of the aforesaid Service
Agreement and is subject to continuation and termination as set forth in
the Service Agreement and to the other provisions set forth therein.
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
By:
------------------------
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
By:
-----------------------
EX-99.B9-ascaapp
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
P.O. Box 29217 United Group of Funds Division Office Stamp
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201-9217 APPLICATION
I (We make application for an account to be established as follows:
________________________________________________________________________
REGISTRATION TYPE (one only) Trans Code: ________
Date Tramsmitted: _____
________________________________________________________________________
NON RETIREMENT PLAN
[ ] Single Name [ ] Joint Tenants W/ROS [ ] Declaration of Trust Revocable
(Attach CUF0022)
[ ] Uniform Gifts (Transfers) To Minors [ ] Other:___________________________
(Use this section for
Retirement Plans with
Custodians other than
Fidciary Trust Co.)
________________________________________________________________________
RETIREMENT PLAN (Fiduciary Trust Co -- Cust., except for 457 Plans) See
Retirement Plan and Custody Agreement for annual custodian fees
[ ] Individual IRA
[ ] Spousal IRA [ ] Keogh Participant (Profit Sharing Plan)
[ ] Rollover (Qual. plan lump [ ] Keogh Participant (Money Purchase Plan)
sum distr.) (For a new Plan, tear out page 2 of
[ ] Simplified Pension Plan Adoption Agreement in MRP1182)
(For a new, Plan tear out
page 1 of Adoption Agreement
in MRP1166)
[ ] TSA or [ ] 457 ____________________________________________
(If billing is required, Employer's Name (Do not Abbreviate)
attach form #CUF1417) _____________________________________________
Street City State Zip
[ ] If Tri-Vest, enter Partnership name _____________________ Amt $______
(Attach subscription Agreement and
Confidential Questionnaire CRP1186)
United Fund to receive partnership distributions: _____________________
Fund Name
Note: If Partnership not available W&R is authorized to place
investments in United Cash Management (a Fund of The United
Group of Funds) until next partnership is available.
________________________________________________________________________
REGISTRATION [ ] NEW ACCOUNT or [ ] NEW FUND FOR EXISTING ACCOUNT:
(Must have same ownership) [][][][][][][]-[]
Date of Birth
___________________________________________________________________________
Individual Name (exactly as desired) If spousal IRA, name of working spouse
_________________________
_______________________
Month Day Year
___________________________________________________________________________
Joint Name (if any, exactly as desired) If spousal IRA, name of non-working
spouse
_________________________ _____________
Month Day Year Relationship (For grouping purposes)
___________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address
____________________________ ______________ ________ ____/_______-______
City State Zip Telephone
Social Security #:[][][]-[][]-[][][][] or Taxpayer Identification #:
[][]-[][][][][][][]
___________________________________________________________________________
INVESTMENTS Make check payable to Waddell & Reed
Code Code
621-Income 626-Gold & Government
622-Science and Technology 627-Continental Income
623-Accumulative 628-High Income
624-Bond 629-Vanguard
625-International Growth 630-New Concepts
Code Code
634-High Income II 760-Municipal Bond (not available
680-Retirement Shares for Ret. Plans)
684-Asset Strategy 762-Municipal High Income (not
750-Cash Management available for Reg. Plan)
___________________________________________________________________________
OPEN ACCOUNT
If Retirement Plan
Fund Amount Trade Yr. Deductible or
(enter code) Enclosed Number of Contr. Non-Deductible
[][][] $_________ _________ 19_____ ______
[][][] $_________ _________ 19_____ ______
[][][] $_________ _________ 19_____ ______
[][][] $_________ _________ 19_____ ______
[][][] $_________ _________ 19_____ ______
Total $_________
Monthly DIV/C.G. Distr** Certificate
TOP From AIS* (Assumes RR) Desired
Another Carrier (if any) RR CC CR (Specify)
[] $_________ [] [] [] __________
[] $_________ [] [] [] __________
[] $_________ [] [] [] __________
[] $_________ [] [] [] __________
[] $_________ [] [] [] __________
$_________
___________________________________________________________________________
*Attach AIS Authorization Form #CUF0714 **RR=Reinvest Div/Cap Gain CC=Cash
Div/Reinvest Cap Gain
INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Fund Completion Amount If IRA, Yr.
(enter code) Amount Enclosed of Contribution
[][][] $__________ $__________ 19_____
(621,625,629)
Deductible or Monthly AIS*
Non-Deductible (If any)
______ $_________
___________________________________________________________________________
OPEN ACCOUNTS ONLY
This Purchase entitled to a reduced sales load charge for the following reason:
[ ] Statement of Intention to Invest $____________ [ ] (600 products)
[ ] New SOI (Attach CUF0671) [ ] Existing SOI [ ] (700 products)
[ ] Rights of Accumulation With Accounts ___,___,___ or Group [][][][][][][]
[ ] Identify Other Accounts Being Established at This Time: _______________
___________________________________________________________________________
CHECK SERVICE Send information to establish redemption checking account for:
[ ] United Government Securities [ ] United Cash Management
___________________________________________________________________________
EXPEDITED REDEMPTION: For United Cash Management Only.
Complete items below:
_______________________________________________
Name & Address of Bank/Broker/Savings & Loan
_______________________________________________
Street
_______________________________________________
City State Zip
_______________________________________________
Account Number
If Account is with a Broker or Savings and Loan, provide
_______________________________________________
Name of Its Commercial Bank
_______________________________________________
Street
_______________________________________________
City State Zip
_______________________________________________
Its Account # with Its Commercial Bank
On United Cash Management Accounts where expedited redemption is requested,
Waddell & Reed, Inc. is authorized to honor telephonic, telegraphic or written
requests from anyone for redemption of all or any fund shares so long as the
proceeds are transmitted to the identified account. All wires must be
transmitted exactly as registered on the United Cash Management Fund Account.
___________________________________________________________________________
BENEFICIARY: For Retirement Plan Accounts Only.
Full Name of Beneficiary Tax Identification No. Relationship Percent
________________________ ______________________ ____________ ______%
________________________ ______________________ ____________ ______%
________________________ ______________________ ____________ ______%
___________________________________________________________________________
CONFIDENTIAL DATA (Must be completed on New Accounts/New Products)
1. Gross Family Income: $___ 2. Taxable Income $___ 3. Number of Dependents ___
4. Occupation: _________________________ 5. Employer Name: _____________________
6. Employer Address: ___________________________________________________________
7. Savings and Liquid Assets: $___ 11. Investment Objectives (mark all that
apply):
8. Other Assets (excluding home, furnishings, cars): $___ [] Retirement Savings
9. Net Worth (Assets minus liabilities): $___ [] Children's College []Income
10. Are you associated with an NASD Member? Yes ___ No ___ [] Other
needs/goals
(specify in
Special
Remarks)
12. Special Remarks/Considerations: _______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
13. Residence Address: ____________________________________________________
(if different from Street City State Zip
Mailing Address on
Reverse Side)
___________________________________________________________________________
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
* I (we) have received a copy of the current prospectus of the Funds selected.
* If purchasing an IRA, I (we) certify that I (we) have read the Retirement
Plan and Custody Agreement and agree to the terms and conditions set forth
therein, and do hereby establish the Individual Retirement Plan.
* Under penalities of perjury, I certify that the social security number or
other taxpayer identification number shown on reverse side is correct and
(strike the following if not true) that I am not subject to tax withholding
because I have not been notified by the IRS that I am subject to withholding
as a result of a failure to report all interest and dividends or I was
subject to withholding and the IRS has notified me that I am no longer
subject to withholding.
* Since a major portion of the sales charge for Variable Investment Programs
is deducted from payments made in the first year, I understand that a loss
will undoubtedly result if I withdraw or discontinue payments during the
early years of the program.
Signature(s) of Purchaser (all joint purchasers must sign). Sign exactly as
name(s) appear in registration.
___________________ _________________________ ___________________________
(Signature) (Printed Name) (Title, if any)
___________________ _________________________ ___________________________
(Signature) (Printed Name) (Title, if any)
___________________ _________________________ ___________________________
(Signature) (Printed Name) (Title, if any)
_________________________ ______________________________
Date Representative Signature
[OSJ: (H.O.USE) ] [][][][][]
Representative Number
Fiduciary Trust Company of New Hampshire accepts
appointment as Custodian in accordance with the
Custody Agreement:
By:____________________________________________
Fiduciary Trust Company Authorized Signature
Check Any Items Enclosed With Application
[] Declaration Trust Revocable (CUF0022)
[] Partnership Subscription Agreement
[] Parntership Confidential Questionnaire (CRP1186)
[] Statement of Intention (CUF0671)
[] AIS Authorization (CUF0714)
[] Funds Plus (CUF1444)
[] Additional Applications _______________________________________
[] Check enclosed # _________________________________
[] Other: ___________________________________________
CAP0001(11/94)
EX-99.B9-ascyapp
UNITED FUND GROUP OF FUNDS INSTITUTIONAL
WADDELL & REED FUNDS PURCHASE
APPLICATION
INSTRUCTIONS You can open an account by calling 1-800-366-2520 or by mailing
an application and check to Waddell & Reed, Inc., 6300 Lamar, Shawnee Mission,
Kansas 66202 Date:
Fill in where applicable 6300 Lamar, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66202.
Account Name ___________________________________________________________________
Tax I.D. No. _________________________________
Registration
Name _______________________________________________________________or
______________________________________________________________________
Number and Street _____________________________________________________
Soc. Sec. No. _________________________________
FULL ADDRESS
Please fill in completely, including telephone number.
City______________State _________Zip Code _________
Telephone _________________________________________________ Citizen of: []
U.S. [] Other (specify) ___________________________
[] Please establish an account(s) as follows:
INITIAL Dividends and capital
INVESTMENT(S): gains to be paid in:*
Account No. Assigned _________________Amount Shares Cash
FUND(S) TO BE PURCHASED
___________________________________________________________________
$________ [] []
___________________________________________________________________
$________ [] []
___________________________________________________________________
$________ [] []
___________________________________________________________________
$________ [] []
Total amount $________________ *If no election is checked,
all payments will be made in shares.
I (We) hereby authorize Waddell & Reed Services Co. to act upon instructions
received by telephone to have amounts withdrawn from my organization's
account(s) in the Portfolio(s) and wired or mailed to the bank account designed
below.
I (We) hereby ratify any such instructions and agree that none of the Fund(s),
Waddell & Reed, Inc. nor Waddell & Reed Services will be liable for any loss,
liability, cost or expense for acting upon such instructions in accordance with
the procedures set forth in the Prospectus.
EXPEDITED
REDEMPTION Note: The indicated bank should be a member of the Federal
Reserve System.
SERVICE
Please fill in completely.
Name of Bank
_____________________________________________________________________
Bank A.B.A. No. _________________________
Number and Street
____________________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________________________________ State
_________________________________ Zip Code ___________________
Account Name __________________________________________________________ Account
No. ________________________________________
TELEPHONE This account will be established with a telephone exchange
EXCHANGE privilege which will authorize Waddell & Reed Services Co. to act upon
PRIVILEGE instructions by telephone to exchange Fund shares held in my (our)
account for shares of other Funds eligible under the Exchange Privilege to be
held in an identically registered account(s) (see Prospectus for details),
unless you check the box on the left to indicate your rejection of this service.
Check box at the right
if this service is NOT requsted. I (We) hereby ratify any instructions given
pursuant to this authorization and agree that none of the funds, Waddell & Reed,
Inc. nor Waddell & Reed Serices Company will be liable for any loss, liability,
cost or expense for acting upon instructions believed to be genuine.[]
Under penalties of perjury, I (we) certify that the number shown on this
application is the correct Tax Identification Number of my organization (or my
correct Social Security Number if the account is for my personal use) and that
the organization is not (I am not) subject to backup withholding either because
if it has not (I have not) been notified that it is (I am) subject to backup
withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest, dividends or
capital gains, or the Internal Revenue Service has notified it (me) that it is
no (I am no) longer subject to backup withholding. The undersigned certify that
I (we) have full authority and legal capacity to purchase shares of the Fund and
affirm that I (we) have received a current Prospectus and agree to be bound by
its terms.
AUTHORIZED
SIGNATURE(S)
Complete Corporate resolution on
reverse side.
1.___________________ 2. ___________________________
Authorized Signature Authorized Signature
_____________________ ____________________________
Title Title
3. _________________ 4. ___________________________
Authorized Signature Authorized Signature
____________________ ____________________________
Title Title
Corporate Resolution
IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR YOU TO PROVIDE A CERTIFIED COPY OF A CORPORATE
RESOLUTION OR OTHER CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO AUTHORIZE WITHDRAWALS. THE
SAMPLES BELOW MAY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE OR YOU MAY USE YOUR OWN. IT IS
UNDERSTOOD THAT THE FUND(S) WADDELL & REED, INC. AFFILIATES AND ITS CUSTODIAN
BANK, MAY RELY UPON THESE AUTHORIZATIONS UNTIL REVOKED OR AMENDED BY WRITTEN
NOTICE DELIVERED TO THE FUND(S) BY REGISTERED MAIL.
CERTIFIED COPY OF RESOLUTION (Corporation or Association)
The undersigned hereby certifies and affirms that he is duly elected (title)
__________________________________________ of (corporate name)
_________________________ a corporation organized under the laws of (the State
of) __________________________ and that the following is a true and correct copy
of a resolution adopted by the corporation's Board of Directors at a meeting
duly called and held on (date) ________________________________.
RESOLVED, that any (enter number required to act) _________ of the corporation's
following identified officers (enter titles only)
____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ are
authorized to execute investment applications with the United Fund Group/W&R
Funds and any Fund investment accounts in the name of the corporation; to invest
such funds of the corporation in shares issued by one or more United Fund/W&R
Funds ("Fund Shares"), as they deem appropriate; and to issue instructions
(including the execution of money fund drafts, if applicable) pertaining to the
redemption, exchange or transfer of Fund Shares.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that each shall be held harmless and fully protected in
relying from time to time upon any certifications by the secretary or any
assistant secretary of the corporation as to the name of the individuals
occupying the above identified offices, and in acting in reliance upon the
foregoing resolutions, until actual receipt by them of a certified copy of a
resolution of the Board of Directors of the corporation modifying or revoking
any or all such resolutions.
The undersigned further certifies that the following individuals occupy the
offices designated. (Attach additional list if necessary.)
___________________________________________________________________
x______________________________________________________________________
Name/Title (please print or type) (Signature)
___________________________________________________________________
x______________________________________________________________________
Name/Title (please print or type) (Signature)
___________________________________________________________________
x______________________________________________________________________
Name/Title (please print or type) (Signature)
___________________________________________________________________
x______________________________________________________________________
Name/Title (please print or type) (Signature)
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Corporate Name CORPORATE SEAL (Date)
Certified from Minutes: _______________________________________________
Name and Title
CONFIDENTAL DATA (Must be completed on New Accounts/New Products)
1. Annual Income: $_______________________________ 2. Taxable Income:
$________
3. Total Investment Assets: ________________________________________________
4. Other Assets: _______________________________________
5. Net Worth (Assets minus Liabilities):
________________________________________________________________________________
________________
6. Investment Objectives (mark all that apply)6. [] Retirement Needs h
Reserves6. [] Other needs/goals (specify in Special Remarks)
7. Special Remarks/Considerations:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
INITIAL INVESTMENT INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO INVEST
By Federal Funds Wire By Mail
Obtain account number from the Fund. Complete Purchase Application
Telephone toll free: 1-800-366-2520 Make check payable to Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Instruct bank to transmit investment by Federal funds wire to: u
Mail application and check to:
United Missouri Bank Waddell & Reed Services
Co.,Kansas City, Missouri 6300 Lamar
ABA Number: 101000695 Shawnee Mission, KS 66202
W&R Underwriter Account
#0007978
FBO _____________________________________
Fund Acct # _______________________________
FUND CODES
737 - United Accumulative - Class Y 763 - United Municipal High
Income - Class Y
785 - United Asset Strategy - Class Y 748 - United New Concepts -
Class Y
738 - United Bond - Class Y 783 - United Retirement Shares
- - Class Y
745 - United Continental Income - Class Y 736 - United Science and
Technology - Class Y
744 - United Gold & Government - Class Y 747 - United Vanguard -Class Y
754 - United Government Securities - Class Y 716 - W&R Asset Strategy -
Class Y
746 - United High Income - Class Y 715 - W&R International Growth
- - Class Y
749 - United High Income II - Class Y 712 - W&R Growth - Class Y
735 - United Income - Class Y 713 - W&R Limited-Term Bond -
Class Y
739 - United International Growth - Class Y 714 - W&R Municipal Bond -
Class Y
761 - United Municipal Bond - Class Y 711 - W&R Total Return Class Y
EX-99.B11-consent
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional Information
constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of our report dated
February 27, 1995, relating to the financial statement (which consists of the
statement of assets and liabilities and the notes to the statement of assets and
liabilities) of United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc., which appears in such
Statement of Additional Information. We also consent to the reference to us
under the heading "Custodial and Auditing Services" in such Statement of
Additional Information.
Price Waterhouse LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
July 14, 1995
EX-99.B15-assp
SERVICE PLAN
FOR CLASS A SHARES
(Adopted on March 9, 1995
and Restated on September 12, 1995)
This Plan is adopted by United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. (the "Company"),
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Act") to provide for payment by the Company of certain expenses in connection
with the provision of personal services to the Company's Class A shareholders
and/or maintenance of its Class A shareholder accounts. Payments under the Plan
are to be made to Waddell & Reed, Inc. ("W&R") which serves as the principal
underwriter for the Company under the terms of a written Service Agreement
("Agreement") separate and apart from the Underwriting Agreement pursuant to
which W&R offers and sells the shares of the Company.
Service Fee
The Company is authorized to pay to W&R an amount not to exceed .25 of 1% of the
average net assets of the Class A shares as a "service fee" to finance
shareholder servicing by W&R, its affiliated companies and broker-dealers who
may sell Class A shares and to encourage and foster the maintenance of Class A
shareholder accounts. The amounts shall be payable to W&R monthly or at such
other intervals as the board of directors may determine to reimburse W&R for
costs and expenses incurred.
NASD Definition
For purposes of this Plan the "service fee" shall be considered a payment made
by the Company for personal service and/or maintenance of Class A shareholder
accounts, as such is now defined by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), provided, however, if the NASD adopts a definition of
"service fee" for purposes of Article III, Section 26(b) of its Rules of Fair
Practice that differs from the definition of "service fee" as presently used, or
if the NASD adopts a related definition intended to define the same concept, the
definition of "service fee" as used herein shall be automatically amended to
conform to the NASD definition.
Quarterly Reports
W&R shall provide to the board of directors of the Company and the board of
directors shall review at least quarterly a written report of the amounts so
expended of the service fee paid or payable to it under this Plan and the
purposes for which such expenditures were made.
Approval of Plan
This Plan shall become effective when it has been approved by a vote of at least
a majority of the outstanding Class A voting securities of the Company (as
defined in the Act) and by a vote of the board of directors of the Company and
of the directors who are not interested persons of the Company and have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any
agreement related to this Plan (other than as directors or shareholders of the
Company) ("independent directors") cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such Plan. The initial Agreement shall become effective
the effective date of this Plan, provided, however, that it has been approved in
accordance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the Act.
Continuance
This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of one (1) year and thereafter
from year-to-year only so long as such continuance is approved by the directors,
including the independent directors, as specified hereinabove for the adoption
of a Plan by the directors and independent directors.
Director Consideration
In considering whether to adopt, implement or continue this Plan, the directors
shall have a duty to request and evaluate, and W&R shall have a duty to furnish,
such information as may be reasonably necessary to an informed determination of
whether this Plan should be adopted, implemented or continued.
Termination
This Plan may be terminated at any time by a vote of a majority of the
independent directors of the Company or by a vote of the majority of the
outstanding Class A voting securities of the Company without penalty. On
termination, the payment of all service fees shall cease, and the Company shall
have no obligation to W&R to reimburse it for any cost or expenditure it has
made or may make to service Class A shareholder accounts.
Amendments
This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for
personal service and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts without approval of
the Class A shareholders, and all material amendments of this Plan must be
approved in the manner prescribed for the adoption of the Plan as provided
hereinabove.
Directors
While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the directors who
are not interested persons of the Company shall be committed to the discretion
of the directors who are not interested persons of the Company.
Records
Copies of this Plan, the Agreement and reports made pursuant to this Plan shall
be preserved as provided in Rule 12b-1(f) under the Act.
EX-99.B18-asmcp
UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 18f-3
This Multiple Class Plan ("Plan") pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"), sets forth the multiple
class structure for United Asset Strategy Fund, Inc. ("Fund"). This multiple
class structure was approved by the Board of Directors of United Asset Strategy
Fund, Inc. on February 8, 1995, under an order of exemption issued by the
Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 1995. This Plan describes the
classes of shares of stock of the Fund -- Class A shares and Class Y shares --
offered to the public on or after September 12, 1995 ("Implementation Date").
General Description of the Classes:
Class A Shares. Class A shares will be sold to the general public subject
to an initial sales charge. The maximum sales charge is 5.75% of the amount
invested and declines to 0% based on discounts for volume purchases. The
initial sales charge is waived for certain eligible purchasers.
Class A shares also will be subject to a service fee charged pursuant to a
Service Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act ("Rule 12b-1")
that provides for a maximum fee of .25% of the average annual net assets of the
Class A shares of the Fund. All of the shares of the Fund issued pursuant to a
Fund prospectus effective prior to the Implementation Date and that are
outstanding on the Implementation Date will be designated as Class A shares.
Class Y Shares. Class Y shares will be sold without an initial sales
charge and without a 12b-1 fee. Class Y shares are designed for institutional
investors and will be available for purchase by: (i) participants of employee
benefit plans established under section 403(b) or section 457, or qualified
under section 401, including 401(k) plans, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
("Code"), when the plan has 100 or more eligible employees and holds the shares
in an omnibus account on the Fund's records; (ii) banks, trust institutions and
investment fund administrators investing for their own accounts or for the
accounts of their customers where such investments for customer accounts are
held in an omnibus account on the Fund's records; (iii) government entities or
authorities and corporations whose investment within the first twelve months
after initial investment is $10 million or more; and (iv) certain retirement
plans and trusts for employees and sales representatives of Waddell & Reed, Inc.
and its affiliates.
Expense Allocations of Each Class:
In addition to the difference with respect to 12b-1 fees, Class A shares
and Class Y shares of the Fund differ with respect to the applicable shareholder
servicing fees. Class A shares pay a monthly shareholder servicing fee of
$1.0208 for each Class A shareholder account which was in existence during the
prior month, plus $0.30 for each Class A account on which a dividend or
distribution had a record date in that month. Class Y shares pay a monthly
shareholder servicing fee equal to one-twelfth of .15 of 1% of the average daily
net Class Y assets for the preceding month.
Each Class may also pay a different amount of the following other expenses:
(a) stationery, printing, postage and delivery expenses related to
preparing and distributing materials such as shareholder reports,
prospectuses, and proxy statements to current shareholders of a specific
Class;
(b) Blue Sky registration fees incurred by a specific Class of
shares;
(c) SEC registration fees incurred by a specific Class of shares;
(d) expenses of administrative personnel and services required to
support the shareholders of a specific Class of shares;
(e) Directors' fees or expenses incurred as a result of issues
relating to a specific Class of shares;
(f) accounting expenses relating solely to a specific Class of
shares;
(g) auditors' fees, litigation expenses, and legal fees and expenses
relating to a specific Class of shares; and
(h) expenses incurred in connection with shareholders meetings as a
result of issues relating to a specific Class of shares.
The shareholder servicing fees and other expenses listed above which are
attributable to a particular Class are charged directly to the net assets of the
particular Class and, thus, are borne on a pro rata basis by the outstanding
shares of that Class.
Certain expenses that may not be attributable to a particular Class are
allocated based on the relative daily net assets of that Class.
Exchange Privileges:
Class A shares of the Fund may be exchanged for corresponding shares of any
other fund in the United Group of Mutual Funds.
Class Y shares may be exchanged for Class Y shares of any other fund in the
United Group of Mutual Funds.
These exchange privileges may be modified or terminated by the Fund, and
exchanges may only be made into funds that are legally registered for sale in
the investor's state of residence.
Additional Information:
This Plan is qualified by and subject to the terms of the then current
prospectus for the applicable Class after the Implementation Date; provided,
however, that none of the terms set forth in any such prospectus shall be
inconsistent with the terms of the Classes contained in this Plan. The
prospectus for each Class contains additional information about that Class and
the Fund's multiple class structure.
July 14, 1995
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE SHEET
CONTAINTED IN THE INITIAL PROSPECTUS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000929922
<NAME> UNITED ASSET STRATEGY FUND, INC.
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END> FEB-24-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ASSETS-OTHER> 48,800
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 100,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 148,800
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 48,800
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 48,800
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 200
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 99,800
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 20,000
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
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<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
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<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
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<GROSS-EXPENSE> 0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 100,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 5
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
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<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 5
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
