<PAGE>
Supplement dated February 12, 1999
to the New England Stock Funds Class A, B and C shares and
Class Y shares Prospectuses dated May 1, 1998
FOR NEW ENGLAND EQUITY INCOME FUND
The following supplements the second paragraph in the "Fund Management" section
of each Prospectus: Effective immediately, Peter Ramsden and Tom Kolefas act as
portfolio managers of the Equity Income Fund.
FOR NEW ENGLAND VALUE FUND
AND
NEW ENGLAND BALANCED FUND
The following supplements the "Fund Management" section of each Prospectus:
Effective August 1998, Jeffrey Wardlow and Lauriann Kloppenburg have assumed
responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Value Fund. Also effective
August 1998, Jeffrey Wardlow and Gregg Watkins have assumed responsibility for
the day-to-day management of the equity portion of the Balanced Fund and the
responsibility for allocating the assets of the Balanced Fund between equity and
fixed-income securities. The day-to-day management of the fixed-income portion
of the Balanced Fund remains the same. Mr. Wardlow, Vice President of Loomis
Sayles, has managed the Loomis Sayles Core Value Fund since its inception in May
1991. Ms. Kloppenburg, Vice President and Director of Equity Research of Loomis
Sayles, has been employed by Loomis Sayles for more than five years. Mr.
Watkins, Vice President of Loomis Sayles, is also a portfolio manager of the
Loomis Sayles Mid-Cap Value Fund and has been employed by Loomis Sayles for more
than five years.
FOR NEW ENGLAND GROWTH FUND
Effective September 1, 1998, New England Growth Fund offers Class C shares to
the general public in addition to Class A and Class B shares. Therefore, the
following tables supplement "Annual fund operating expenses" and "Example" in
the "Schedule of Fees" section:
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net assets)
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NEW ENGLAND GROWTH FUND
CLASS C
Management Fees 0.67%
12b-1 Fees 1.00%*
Other Expenses 0.20%
Total Fund Operating
Expenses 1.87%
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*Because of the higher 12b-1 fees, long-term shareholders may pay more than the
economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted by rules of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
EXAMPLE
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment assuming (1) a 5%
annual return and (2) unless otherwise noted, redemption at period end. The 5%
return and expenses in the Example should not be considered indicative of actual
or expected Fund performance or expenses, both of which may be more or less than
those shown.
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NEW ENGLAND GROWTH FUND
CLASS C
(1) (2)
1 year $29 $19
3 years $59 $59
5 years $101 $101
10 years $219 $219
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(1) Assumes redemption at end of period.
(2) Assumes no redemption at end of period.
<PAGE>
Supplement dated February 12, 1999 to
New England Funds
Statement of Additional Information - Part II dated May 1, 1998
THE SECTION ENTITLED "STANDARD PERFORMANCE MEASURES - PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS"
IS AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
The Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 400 Stocks (the "S&P 400") is
a market capitalization-weighted and unmanaged index that includes approximately
10% of the capitalization of U.S. equity securities. This index is comprised of
stocks in the middle capitalization range. Any midcap stocks already included in
the S&P 500 are excluded from this index.
The Lehman Aggregate Bond Index is a market capitalization-weighted
aggregate index that includes nearly all debt issued by the U.S. Treasury, U.S.
Government agencies, U.S. corporations rated investment grade, and U.S. agency
debt backed by mortgage pools.
The Lehman Intermediate Government Bond Index (the "Lehman Int.
Government Index") is a market capitalization-weighted and unmanaged index of
bonds issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies having maturities between
one and ten years.
The Lehman Intermediate Government/Corporate Bond Index (the "Lehman
Int. G/C Index") is a market capitalization-weighted and unmanaged index
composed of the Lehman Government and Corporate Bond indices which include bonds
with maturities of up to ten years.
The Lehman High Yield Bond Index is a market capitalization-weighted,
unmanaged index of fixed-rate, noninvestment grade debt. Generally securities in
the index must be rated Ba1 or lower by Moody's, including defaulted issues. If
no Moody's rating is available, bonds must be rated BB+ or lower by S&P; and if
no S&P rating is available, bonds must be rated below investment grade by Fitch
Investor's Service. A small number of unrated bonds is included in the index; to
be eligible they must have previously held a high yield rating or have been
associated with a high yield issuer, and must trade accordingly.
The Lehman: Mutual Fund Short (1-5) Investment Grade Debt Index is an
unmanaged index composed of all publicly issued, fixed-rate, nonconvertible
investment grade domestic corporate debt with maturities of one to five years.
The Russell 3000 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index which
comprises 3,000 of the largest capitalized U.S. companies whose common stock is
traded in the United States on the NYSE, the American Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.
The Russell 2000 Index represents the smallest 2,000 companies within the
Russell 3000 Index as measured by market capitalization. The Russell 1000 Index
represents the largest 1,000 companies within the Russell 3000 Index. The
Russell 1000 Growth Index is an unmanaged subset of stocks from the larger
Russell 1000 Index, selected for their greater growth orientation. The Russell
1000 Value Index is an unmanaged subset of stocks from the larger Russell 1000
Index, selected for their greater value orientation.
The Morgan Stanley Capital International World ND Index (the "MSCI
World Index") is a market-capitalization weighted and unmanaged index that
includes common stock from all 23 MSCI developed market countries. The "ND"
indicates that the index is listed in U.S. dollars, with net dividends
reinvested.
