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AMERICAN
EXPRESS
Financial
Direct
Strategist Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.
May 3, 1996
Strategist Tax-Free High Yield Fund
This wrapper includes a prospectus that describes in detail the
Fund's objectives, investment policies, risks, sales charges, fees
and other matters of interest. Please read the prospectus
carefully before you invest or send money.
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American Express Financial Direct
American Express Financial Direct is a complete resource for all
your financial services needs. We offer convenient access to a
broad range of carefully selected investment products -- including
no-load mutual funds, discount brokerage services, money market
funds and more. We also provide the exceptional service you've
come to expect from American Express. For more information about
our investment products, please call one of our licensed Financial
Consultants.
1-800-AXP-8800
This page is not part of the prospectus.
<PAGE>
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Strategist Tax-Free High Yield Fund
Prospectus
May 3, 1996
This prospectus describes a diversified, no-load mutual fund,
Strategist Tax-Free High Yield Fund, a series of Strategist Tax-
Free Income Fund, Inc., whose goal is to provide high yield
generally exempt from federal income taxes.
The Fund has chosen to participate in a master/feeder structure.
Unlike most funds that invest directly in securities, it seeks to
achieve its objective by investing all of its assets in a Portfolio
of Tax-Free High Yield Trust, which is a separate investment
company. This arrangement is commonly known as a master/feeder
structure. The Portfolio in which the Fund invests has the same
investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Fund.
This prospectus contains facts that can help you decide if the Fund
is the right investment for you. Read it before you invest and
keep it for future reference.
Additional facts about the Fund are in a Statement of Additional
Information (SAI), filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The SAI, dated May 3, 1996, is incorporated here by
reference. For a free copy, contact American Express Financial
Direct.
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.
American Express Financial Direct
P.O. Box 59196
Minneapolis, MN 55459-0196
1-800-AXP-SERV
TTY: 1-800-710-5260
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Table of contents
The Fund in brief
Goal and types of Fund investments and their risks
Manager and distributor
Portfolio manager
Fund expenses
Performance
Total returns
Yield
Investment policies and risks
Facts about investments and their risks
Special considerations regarding master/feeder structure
Valuing Fund shares
How to purchase, exchange or redeem shares
How to purchase shares
How to exchange shares
How to redeem shares
Systematic purchase plans
Other important information
Special shareholder services
Services
Quick telephone reference
Distributions and taxes
Dividend and capital gain distributions
Reinvestments
Taxes
How to determine the correct TIN
How the Fund and Portfolio are organized
Shares
Voting rights
Shareholder meetings
Board members and officers
Investment manager
Administrator and transfer agent
Distributor
About the Advisor
Appendices
Appendix A: Description of bond ratings
Appendix B: 1996 Federal tax-exempt and taxable equivalent yield
calculation
Appendix C: Descriptions of derivative instruments
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The Fund in brief
Strategist Tax-Free High Yield Fund (the Fund) is a diversified
mutual fund that seeks to achieve its goal by investing all of its
assets in Tax-Free High Yield Portfolio (the Portfolio) of Tax-Free
High Yield Trust (the Trust) rather than by directly investing in
and managing its own portfolio of securities. The Fund is a series
of Strategist Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc. (the Company).
Goal and types of Fund investments and their risks
The Fund seeks to provide shareholders with a high yield generally
exempt from federal income taxes. It does so by investing all of
its assets in the Portfolio, which has the same investment
objective as the Fund. The Portfolio is a diversified mutual fund
that usually invests in medium- and lower-quality bonds and notes
issued by or on behalf of state and local governmental units whose
interest generally is exempt from federal income tax. The
Portfolio also may invest in derivative instruments and money
market instruments.
Because investments involve risk, the Fund cannot guarantee
achieving its goal. Some of the Portfolio's investments may be
considered speculative and involve additional investment risks.
The foregoing investment goal is a fundamental policy of the Fund
and Portfolio, which may not be changed unless authorized by a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or of the
Portfolio, as the case may be. However, the Fund may withdraw its
assets from the Portfolio at any time if the board of directors of
the Company determines that it is in the best interests of the Fund
to do so. In such event, the Company would consider what action
should be taken, including whether to retain an investment advisor
to manage the Fund's assets directly or to reinvest all of the
Fund's assets in another pooled investment entity.
Manager and distributor
The Portfolio is managed by American Express Financial Corporation
(the Advisor), a provider of financial services since 1894. The
Advisor currently manages more than $132 billion in assets. Shares
of the Fund are sold through American Express Service Corporation
(the Distributor), an affiliated company of the Advisor.
Portfolio manager
Kurt Larson joined the Advisor in 1961 and serves as vice president
and senior portfolio manager. He has managed the assets of the
predecessor of Tax-Free High Yield Portfolio since 1979.
Fund expenses
The purpose of the following table and example is to summarize the
aggregate expenses of the Fund and its Portfolio and to assist
investors in understanding the various costs and expenses that
investors in the Fund may bear directly or indirectly. The
Company's board believes that, over time, the aggregate per share
expenses of the Fund and its Portfolio should be approximately<PAGE>
PAGE 6
equal to (and may be less than) the per share expenses the Fund
would have if the Company retained its own investment advisor and
the assets of the Fund were
invested directly in the type of securities held by the Portfolio.
The percentages indicated as "Management fee" and "Other expenses"
are based on both the Fund's and Portfolio's projected fees and
expenses for the current fiscal year ending Nov. 30, 1996. For
additional information concerning Fund and Portfolio expenses, see
"How the Fund and Portfolio are Organized."
Shareholder transaction expenses
Maximum sales charge on purchases*
(as a percentage of offering price) 0%
Annual Fund and allocated Portfolio operating expenses
(% of average daily net assets):
Management fee** 0.44%
12b-1 fee 0.25%
Other expenses*** 0.26%
Total (after reimbursement) 0.95%
*There is no sales load; however, the Fund imposes a 0.50%
redemption fee for shares redeemed or exchanged within 180 days of
their purchase date. This fee reimburses the Fund for brokerage
fees and other costs incurred. This fee also helps assure that
long-term shareholders are not unfairly bearing the costs
associated with frequent traders.
**The management fee is paid by the Trust on behalf of the
Portfolio.
***Other expenses include an administrative services fee, a
transfer agency fee and other nonadvisory expenses.
The Advisor and the Distributor have agreed to waive certain fees
and to absorb certain other Fund expenses until Nov. 30, 1997.
Under this agreement, the Fund's total expenses will not exceed
0.95%. Without this agreement, the estimated Other expenses and
Total fund operating expense would have been 1.35% and 2.04%.
Example: Suppose for each year for the next 10 years, Fund
expenses are as above and annual return is 5%. If you sold your
shares at the end of the following years, for each $1,000 invested,
you would pay total expenses of:
1 year $10
3 years $30
5 years $53
10 years $117
The table and example do not represent actual expenses, past or
future. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown.
Because the Fund pays annual distribution (12b-1) fees, long-term
shareholders may indirectly pay an equivalent of more than a 7.25%
sales charge, the maximum permitted by the National Association of
Securities Dealers.<PAGE>
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Performance
Total return is the sum of all of your returns for a given period,
assuming you reinvest all distributions. It is calculated by
taking the total value of shares you own at the end of the period
(including shares acquired by reinvestment), less the price of
shares you purchased at the beginning of the period.
Average annual total return is the annually compounded rate of
return over a given time period (usually two or more years). It is
the total return for the period converted to an equivalent annual
figure.
Total returns
Average annual total returns as of Dec. 31, 1995
Purchase 1 year 5 years 10 years
made ago ago ago
Tax-Free High Yield
Fund +17.39% +8.28% +8.74%
Lehman Brothers
Municipal Bond Index +17.46 +8.81 +9.14
Cumulative total returns as of Dec. 31, 1995
Purchase 1 year 5 years 10 years
made ago ago ago
Tax-Free High Yield
Fund +17.39% +48.85% +131.15%
Lehman Brothers
Municipal Bond Index +17.46 +52.55 +139.95
In May 1996, IDS High Yield Tax-Exempt Fund transferred all of its
assets to the Portfolio. The performance information in the
foregoing tables represents performance of IDS High Yield Tax-
Exempt Fund prior to March 20, 1995 and of Class A shares of IDS
High Yield Tax-Exempt Fund from March 20, 1995 through Dec. 1995,
in each case adjusted to reflect the absence of sales charges on
shares of the Fund sold through this prospectus. The historical
performance has not been adjusted for any difference between the
estimated aggregate fees and expenses of the Fund and historical
fees and expenses of IDS High Yield Tax-Exempt Fund.
These examples show total returns from hypothetical investments in
the Fund. These returns are compared to those of a popular index
for the same periods.
For purposes of calculation, information about the Fund makes no
adjustments for taxes an investor may have paid on the reinvested
income and capital gains, and covers a period of widely fluctuating
securities prices. Returns shown should not be considered a
representation of the Fund's future performance.
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Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index made up
of a representative list of general obligation, revenue, insured
and pre-refunded bonds. The index is frequently used as a general
measure of tax-exempt bond market performance. However, the
securities used to create the index may not be representative of
the bonds held in the Portfolio. The index reflects reinvestment
of all distributions and changes in market prices, but excludes
brokerage commissions or other fees.
Yield
Yield is the net investment income earned per share for a specified
time period, divided by the net asset value at the end of the
period. From time to time the Fund may advertise its 30-day
annualized yield. The Fund calculates the 30-day annualized yield
by dividing:
o net investment income per share deemed earned during a 30-day
period by
o the net asset value per share on the last day of the period,
and
o converting the result to a yearly equivalent figure.
The Fund also may calculate a tax equivalent yield by dividing the
tax-exempt portion of its yield by one minus a stated income tax
rate. A tax equivalent yield demonstrates the taxable yield
necessary to produce an after-tax yield equivalent to that of a
fund that invests in exempt obligations.
The Fund's yield varies from day to day, mainly because share
values and offering prices (which are calculated daily) vary in
response to changes in interest rates. Net investment income
normally changes much less in the short run. Thus, when interest
rates rise and share values fall, yield tends to rise. When
interest rates fall, yield tends to follow. Past yields should not
be considered an indicator of future yields.
Investment policies and risks
Unlike mutual funds which directly acquire and manage their own
portfolio of securities, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment
objective by investing all of its assets in a Portfolio of the
Trust, which is a separate investment company. The Portfolio in
which the Fund invests has the same investment objectives, policies
and restrictions as the Fund. The board of directors of the
Company believes that by investing all of its assets in the
Portfolio, the Fund will be in a position to realize directly or
indirectly certain economies of scale inherent in managing a larger
asset base, although there is no assurance this will occur. The
policies described below apply both to the Fund and the Portfolio.
Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio will invest at least
80% of its net assets in bonds and notes issued by or on behalf of
state and local governmental units whose interest is exempt from
federal income tax (according to the opinion of counsel for the<PAGE>
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issuer) and is not subject to the alternative minimum tax. This
policy cannot be changed without approval of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities. Other investments include
derivative instruments, money market instruments and bonds subject
to the alternative minimum tax computation.
The various types of investments described above that the portfolio
manager uses to achieve investment performance are explained in
more detail in the next section and in the SAI.
Facts about investments and their risks
Bonds and notes exempt from federal income taxes: The price of
bonds generally falls as interest rates increase, and rises as
interest rates decrease. The price of bonds or notes also
fluctuates if the credit rating is upgraded or downgraded. The
price of bonds or notes below investment grade may react more to
the ability of a company to pay interest or principal when due than
to changes in interest rates. They have greater price
fluctuations, are more likely to experience a default, and
sometimes are referred to as junk bonds. Reduced market liquidity
for these bonds may occasionally make it more difficult to value
them.
The Portfolio usually invests in medium- and lower-quality notes
rated A, BBB or BB by Standard & Poor's Corporation, Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch Investors Services, Inc., or in
securities the portfolio manager believes have similar qualities
even though they are not rated or have been given a lower rating by
a rating agency. The Portfolio invests in higher-quality bonds and
notes when the difference in yield between higher- and lower-
quality securities does not warrant the increase in risk or there
is not an adequate supply of lower-quality securities. Securities
that are subsequently downgraded in quality may continue to be held
by the Portfolio and will be sold only when the investment manager
believes it is advantageous to do so.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Tax-Free High Yield Portfolio
Bond ratings and holdings for the period ending Dec. 31, 1995
S&P Rating Percent of
(or Moody's Protection of net assets in
Percent of or Fitch's principal and unrated securities
net assets equivalent) interest assessed by the Advisor
<S> <C> <C> <C>
22.12% AAA Highest quality 5.54%
6.09 AA High quality -
19.13 A Upper medium grade 0.22
23.74 BBB Medium grade 1.96
3.97 BB Moderately speculative 8.39
0.84 B Speculative 3.54
- CCC Highly speculative 0.43
- CC Poor quality -
- C Lowest quality 0.01
- D In default 0.18
20.73 Unrated Unrated securities 0.46
</TABLE>
(The information in the table above relates to IDS High Yield Tax-
Exempt Fund, a fund that transferred its assets to Tax-Free High <PAGE>
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Yield Portfolio in May 1996. See Appendix to this prospectus
describing bond ratings for further information.)
Bonds sold at a deep discount: Some bonds are sold at deep
discounts because they do not pay interest until maturity. They
include zero coupon bonds and PIK (pay-in-kind) bonds. To comply
with tax laws, the Portfolio has to recognize a computed amount of
interest income and pay dividends to unitholders even though no
cash has been received. In some instances, the Portfolio may have
to sell securities to have sufficient cash to pay the dividends.
Concentration: The Portfolio may invest more than 25% of its total
assets in industrial revenue bonds, but it does not intend to
invest more than 25% of its total assets in industrial revenue
bonds issued for companies in the same industry or state. As the
similarity in issuers increases, the potential for fluctuation in
the net asset value also increases.
Derivative instruments: The portfolio manager may use derivative
instruments in addition to securities to achieve investment
performance. Derivative instruments include futures, options and
forward contracts. Such instruments may be used to maintain cash
reserves while remaining fully invested, to offset anticipated
declines in values of investments, to facilitate trading, to reduce
transaction costs or to pursue higher investment returns.
Derivative instruments are characterized by requiring little or no
initial payment and a daily change in price based on or derived
from a security, a currency, a group of securities or currencies,
or an index. A number of strategies or combination of instruments
can be used to achieve the desired investment performance
characteristics. A small change in the value of the underlying
security, currency or index will cause a sizable gain or loss in
the price of the derivative instrument. Derivative instruments
allow the portfolio manager to change the investment performance
characteristics very quickly and at lower costs. Risks include
losses of premiums, rapid changes in prices, defaults by other
parties and inability to close such instruments. The Portfolio
will use derivative instruments only to achieve the same investment
performance characteristics it could achieve by directly holding
those securities and currencies permitted under the investment
policies. The Portfolio will designate cash or appropriate liquid
assets to cover its portfolio obligations. The use of derivative
instruments may produce taxable income. No more than 5% of the
Portfolio's net assets can be used at any one time for good faith
deposits on futures and premiums for options on futures that do not
offset existing investment positions. The Portfolio is not limited
as to the percentage of its assets that may be invested in
permissible investments, including derivatives, except as otherwise
explicitly provided in this prospectus or the SAI. For
descriptions of these and other types of derivative instruments,
see the Appendix to this prospectus and the SAI.
Securities and derivative instruments that are illiquid: A
security or derivative instrument is illiquid if it cannot be sold
quickly in the normal course of business. Some investments cannot
be resold to the U.S. public because of their terms or government
regulations. All securities and derivative instruments, however, <PAGE>
PAGE 11
can be sold in private sales, and many may be sold to other
institutions and qualified buyers or on foreign markets. The
portfolio manager will follow guidelines established by the board
and consider relevant factors such as the nature of the security
and the number of likely buyers when determining whether a security
is illiquid.
No more than 10% of the Portfolio's net assets will be held in
securities and derivative instruments that are illiquid.
Money market instruments: Short-term tax-exempt debt securities
rated in the top two grades or the equivalent are used to meet
daily cash needs and at various times to hold assets until better
investment opportunities arise. Under extraordinary conditions
where, in the opinion of the portfolio manager, appropriate short-
term tax-exempt securities are not available, the Portfolio is
authorized to make certain taxable investments as described in the
SAI.
The investment policies described above may be changed by the
board.
Lending portfolio securities: The Portfolio may lend its
securities to earn income so long as borrowers provide collateral
equal to the market value of the loans. The risks are that
borrowers will not provide collateral when required or return
securities when due. Unless holders of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities approve otherwise, loans may not
exceed 30% of the Portfolio's net assets.
Special considerations regarding master/feeder structure
An investor in the Fund should be aware that the Fund, unlike
mutual funds which directly acquire and manage their own portfolios
of securities, seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing its assets in the Portfolio of the Trust with an
identical investment objective. This arrangement is commonly known
as a master/feeder structure. The Trust is a separate investment
company. Therefore, the Fund's interest in securities owned by the
Portfolio is indirect. The board has considered the advantages and
disadvantages of investing the assets of the Fund in the Portfolio
and believes that this approach will be in the best interests of
the Fund and its shareholders by positioning the Fund to realize
certain economies of scale inherent in managing a larger asset
base. Until recently, the Advisor sponsored and advised only
traditionally structured funds that invest directly in a portfolio
of securities and retain their own investment manager. Funds that
invest all their assets in interests in a separate investment
company are a relatively new development in the mutual fund
industry and may be subject to additional regulations and risks.
The investment objective, policies and restrictions of the
Portfolio are described under the captions "Goal and types of Fund
investments and their risks" and "Investment policies and risks."
Additional information on investment policies may be found in the
SAI.<PAGE>
PAGE 12
In addition to selling an interest to the Fund, the Portfolio may
sell interests to other affiliated and non-affiliated mutual funds
and to institutional investors. Such investors will invest in the
Portfolio on the same terms and conditions and will pay a
proportionate share of the Portfolio's expenses. However, the
other investors investing in the Portfolio are not required to sell
their shares at the same price as the Fund due to variations in
sales commissions and other operating expenses. Therefore,
investors in the Fund should be aware that these differences may
result in differences in returns experienced by investors in the
different funds that invest in the same Portfolio. Information
regarding other funds or pooled investment entities that invest in
the Portfolio of the Trust may be obtained by contacting a service
representative at 1-800-437-3133.
The Fund may withdraw (completely redeem) all its assets from the
Portfolio at any time if the board determines that it is in the
best interest of the Fund to do so. In the event the Fund
withdraws all of its assets from the Portfolio, the board would
consider what action might be taken, including investing all assets
of the Fund in another pooled investment entity or retaining an
investment advisor to manage the Fund's assets in accordance with
its investment objective. The investment objective of the Fund and
the Portfolio can only be changed with the approval of holders of
outstanding voting securities. If the objective of the Portfolio
changes and shareholders of the Fund do not approve a parallel
change in the Fund's investment objective, the Company would seek
an alternative investment vehicle for that Fund or retain an
investment advisor on its behalf.
Investors in the Fund should be aware that smaller funds investing
in the Portfolio may be adversely affected by the actions of larger
funds investing in the Portfolio. For example, if a large fund
withdraws from the Portfolio, the remaining funds may experience
higher prorated operating expenses, thereby producing lower
returns. Additionally, the Portfolio may become less diverse,
resulting in increased portfolio risk, and experience decreasing
economies of scale. Institutional investors in the Portfolio that
have a greater pro rata ownership than the Fund could have
effective voting control over the operation of the Portfolio.
Certain changes in the Portfolio's fundamental objectives, policies
and restrictions could require the Fund to redeem its interest in
the Portfolio. Any such withdrawal could result in a distribution
of in-kind portfolio securities (as opposed to cash distribution).
If securities are distributed, the Fund could incur brokerage, tax
or other charges in converting the securities to cash. In
addition, a distribution in kind may result in a less diversified
portfolio of investments or adversely affect the liquidity of the
Fund.
Wherever the Fund as an investor in the Portfolio is requested to
vote on matters pertaining to the Portfolio, the Fund will hold a
meeting of Fund shareholders and will vote its interests in the
Portfolio for or against such matters proportionately to the
instructions to vote for or against such matters received from Fund
shareholders. The Fund will vote shares for which it receives no
voting instructions in the same proportion as the shares for which
it receives voting instructions. See "Fund expenses" for a<PAGE>
PAGE 13
complete description of the management and other expenses
associated with the Fund's investment in the Portfolio.
Valuing Fund shares
The net asset value (NAV) is the value of a single Fund share. It
is the total value of the Fund's investments in the corresponding
Portfolio and other assets, less any liabilities, divided by the
number of shares outstanding. The NAV is the price at which you
purchase Fund shares and the price you receive when you sell your
shares. It usually changes from day to day, and is calculated at
the close of business, normally 3 p.m. Central time, each business
day (any day the New York Stock Exchange is open). NAV generally
declines as interest rates increase and rises as interest rates
decline.
To establish the net assets, all securities are valued as of the
close of each business day. In valuing assets:
o Securities (except bonds) and assets with available market
values are valued on that basis.
o Securities maturing in 60 days or less are valued at
amortized cost.
o Bonds and assets without readily available market values are
valued according to methods selected in good faith by the
board of trustees.
How to purchase, exchange or redeem shares
How to purchase shares
You may purchase shares of the Fund through an Investment
Management Account (IMA) maintained with American Express Service
Corporation (the Distributor). There is no fee to open an IMA
account. Payment for shares must be made directly to the
Distributor.
If you already have an IMA account, you may buy shares in the Fund
as described below and need not open a new account.
If you do not have an IMA account, complete an IMA Account
Application (available by calling 1-800-AXP-SERV) and mail the
application to American Express Financial Direct, P.O. Box 59196,
Minneapolis, MN 55459-0196. Corporations and other organizations
should contact the Distributor to determine which additional forms
may be necessary to open an IMA account.
You may deposit money into your IMA account by check, wire or many
other forms of electronic funds transfer (securities may also be
deposited). All deposit checks should be made payable to the
Distributor. If you would like to wire funds into your existing
IMA account, please contact the Distributor at 1-800-AXP-SERV for
instructions.<PAGE>
PAGE 14
Minimum Fund investment requirements. Your initial investment in
the Fund may be as low as $2,000 ($1,000 for custodial accounts,
Individual Retirement Accounts and certain other retirement plans).
The minimum subsequent investment is $100. These requirements may
be reduced or waived as described in the SAI.
When and at what price shares will be purchased. You must have
money available in your IMA account in order to purchase Fund
shares. If your request and payment (including money transmitted
by wire) are received and accepted by the Distributor before 2 p.m.
Central time, your money will be invested at the net asset value
determined as of the close of business (normally 3 p.m. Central
time) that day. If your request and payment are received after
that time, your request will not be accepted or your payment
invested until the next business day. (See "Valuing Fund shares.")
Methods of purchasing shares. There are three convenient ways to
purchase shares of the Fund. You may choose the one that works
best for you. The Distributor will send you confirmation of your
purchase request.
By phone:
You may use money in your IMA account to make initial and
subsequent purchases. To place your order, call 1-800-AXP-
SERV.
By mail:
Written purchase requests (along with any checks) should be
mailed to American Express Financial Direct, P.O. Box 59196,
Minneapolis, MN 55459-0196, and should contain the following
information:
o your IMA account number (or an IMA Account Application)
o the name of the Fund and the dollar amount of shares
you would like purchased
Your check should be made out to the Distributor. It will be
deposited into your IMA account and used, as necessary, to
cover your purchase request.
By systematic purchase:
Once you have opened an IMA account, you may authorize the
Distributor to automatically purchase shares on your behalf
at intervals and in amounts selected by you. (See
"Systematic Purchase Plans.")
Other purchase information. The Fund reserves the right, in its
sole discretion and without prior notice to shareholders, to
withdraw or suspend all or any part of the offering made by this
prospectus, to reject purchase requests or to change the minimum
investment requirements. All requests to purchase shares of the
Fund are subject to acceptance by the Fund and the Distributor and
are not binding until confirmed or accepted in writing. The
Distributor will charge a $15 service fee against an investor's IMA<PAGE>
PAGE 15
account if his or her investment check is returned because of
insufficient or uncollected funds or a stop payment order.
How to exchange shares
The exchange privilege allows you to exchange your investment in
the Fund at no charge for shares of other funds in the Strategist
Fund Group available in your state. For complete information,
including fees and expenses, read the prospectus carefully before
exchanging into a new fund. Any exchange will involve the
redemption of Fund shares and the purchase of shares in another
fund on the basis of the net asset value per share of each fund.
An exchange may result in a gain or loss and is a taxable event for
federal income tax purposes. When exchanging into
another fund you must meet that fund's minimum investment
requirements. The Fund reserves the right to modify, terminate or
limit the exchange privilege. The current limit is four exchanges
per calendar year. The Distributor and the Fund reserve the right
to reject any exchange, limit the amount or modify or discontinue
the exchange privilege, to prevent abuse or adverse effects on the
Fund and its shareholders.
How to redeem shares
The price at which shares will be redeemed. Shares will be
redeemed at the net asset value per share next determined after
receipt by the Distributor of proper redemption instructions, as
described below.
The Fund imposes a 0.50% redemption fee for shares redeemed or
exchanged within 180 days of their purchase date. This fee
reimburses the Fund for brokerage fees and other costs incurred.
This fee also helps assure that long-term shareholders are not
unfairly bearing the costs associated with frequent traders.
Payment of redemption proceeds. Normally, payment for redeemed
shares will be credited directly to your IMA account on the next
business day. However, the Fund may delay payment, but not later
than seven days after the Distributor receives your redemption
instructions in proper form. Redemption proceeds will be held
there or mailed to you depending on the account standing
instructions you selected.
If you recently purchased shares by check, your redemption proceeds
may be held in your IMA account until your check clears (which may
take up to 10 days from the purchase date) before a check is mailed
to you.
A redemption is a taxable transaction. If your proceeds from your
redemption are more or less than the cost of your shares, you will
have a gain or loss, which can affect your tax liability.
Redeeming shares held in an IRA or qualified retirement account may
subject you to certain federal taxes, penalties and reporting
requirements. Consult your tax advisor.<PAGE>
PAGE 16
Methods of exchanging or redeeming shares
By phone:
You may exchange between any of the Strategist Funds or redeem your
shares by calling 1-800-AXP-SERV. Telephone exchanges or
redemptions may be difficult to implement during periods of drastic
economic or market changes. If you experience difficulties in
exchanging or redeeming shares by telephone, you can mail your
exchange or redemption requests as described below.
To properly process your telephone exchange or redemption request
we will need the following information:
o your IMA account number and your name (for exchanges, both
funds must be registered in the same ownership)
o the name of the fund from which you wish to exchange or
redeem shares
o the dollar amount or number of shares you want to exchange or
redeem
o the name of the fund into which shares are to be exchanged,
if applicable
Telephone exchange or redemption requests received before 2 p.m.
(Central time) on any business day, once the caller's identity and
account ownership have been verified by the Distributor, will be
processed at the net asset value determined as of the close of
business (normally 3 p.m. Central time) that day.
By mail:
You may also request an exchange or redemption by writing to
American Express Financial Direct, P.O. Box 59196, Minneapolis, MN
55459-0196. Once an exchange or redemption request is mailed it is
irrevocable and cannot be modified or canceled.
To properly process your mailed exchange or redemption request, we
will need a letter from you that contains the following
information:
o your IMA account number
o the name of the fund from which you wish to exchange or
redeem shares
o the dollar amount or number of shares you want to exchange or
redeem
o the name of the fund into which shares are to be exchanged,
if applicable, and
o a signature of at least one of the IMA account holders in the
exact form specified on the account
Telephone transactions. You may make purchase, redemption and
exchange requests by mail or by calling 1-800-AXP-SERV where
trained representatives are available to answer questions about the
Fund and your account. The privilege to initiate transactions by
telephone is automatically available through your IMA account. The
Fund will honor any telephone transaction believed to be authentic
and will use reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions<PAGE>
PAGE 17
communicated by telephone are genuine. This includes asking
identifying questions and tape recording calls. If these
procedures are not followed, the Fund may be liable for losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Telephone privileges
may be modified or discontinued at any time.
Systematic purchase plans
The Distributor offers a Systematic Purchase Plan (SPP) that allows
you to make periodic investments in Strategist Funds automatically
and conveniently. A SPP can be used as a dollar cost averaging
program and saves you time and expense associated with writing
checks or wiring funds.
Investment minimums: You can make automatic investments in any
amount, from $100 to $50,000.
Investment methods: Automatic investments are made from your IMA
account and you may select from several different investment
methods to make automatic investment(s):
a) Using uninvested cash in your IMA account: If you elect to
use this option to make your automatic investments,
uninvested cash in your IMA account will be used to make the
investment and, if necessary, shares of your Money Market
Fund will be redeemed to cover the balance of the purchase.
b) Using bank authorization or direct deposit: Bank
authorizations (transfers from a bank checking or savings
account) and direct deposit (automatic deposit of all or a
portion of a payroll or government check) are two of the
investment method options that are available through SPP.
Money is transferred into your IMA account and automatic
investments can be made using these amounts.
If you elect to use bank authorizations and/or direct deposit for
your automatic investments, you will select two dates: a transfer
date (when the money is transferred into your IMA account) and your
investment date. The automatic investment date selected may be the
same day of your bank authorization or direct deposit. Your
investment date should be on or close to the transfer/deposit date
in order to minimize uninvested cash in your IMA account.
If you make changes to your bank authorization or direct deposit
date, it may also be necessary to change your automatic investment
date to coincide with the new transfer/deposit date.
Investment frequency: You can select the frequency of your
automatic investments (twice monthly, monthly or quarterly) and
choose either the 5th or the 20th of the month for your automatic
investment dates. Quarterly investments are made on the date
selected in the first month of each quarter (January, April, July
and October).<PAGE>
PAGE 18
Changing instructions to an already established plan: If you want
to change the fund(s) selected for your SPP you may do so by
calling 1-800-AXP-SERV, or by sending written instructions clearly
outlining the changes to American Express Financial Direct, P.O.
Box 59196, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0196. Written notification must
include the following:
o The funds with SPP that you want to cancel
o The newly selected fund(s) in which you want to begin
making automatic investments and the amount to be
invested in each fund
o The investment frequency and investment dates for your
new automatic investments
Information on changing bank authorization and direct deposit
instructions is included in the Systematic Purchase Plan Terms and
Conditions brochure which you will receive after enrolling in SPP.
Terminating your SPP. If you wish to terminate your SPP, you may
call 1-800-AXP-SERV, or send written instructions to American
Express Financial Direct, P.O. Box 59196, Minneapolis, MN 55459-
0196.
Terminating bank authorizations and direct deposit. If you wish to
terminate your bank authorizations, you may do so at any time by
notifying American Express Financial Direct in writing. You must
notify your employer or government agency to cancel direct deposit.
Your bank authorization and/or direct deposit will not
automatically terminate when you cancel your SPP.
IMPORTANT: If you are canceling your bank authorizations and/or
direct deposit and you wish to cancel your SPP, you must also
provide instructions stating that the Distributor should cancel
your SPP. You may notify the Distributor by sending written
instructions to the address above or telephoning 1-800-AXP-SERV.
Your systematic investments will continue using IMA account assets
if the Distributor does not receive notification to terminate your
systematic investments as well.
To avoid procedural difficulties, the Distributor should receive
instructions to change or terminate your SPP or bank authorizations
at least 10 days prior to your scheduled investment date.
Additional information. This information is only a summary of the
Systematic Purchase Plan Terms and Conditions brochure that you
will receive if you choose to enroll in SPP. Please read it
carefully and keep it for future reference.
Other important information
Minimum balance and account requirements. The Fund reserves the
right to redeem your shares if, as a result of redemptions, the
aggregate value of your holdings in the Fund drops below $1,000
($500 in the case of custodial accounts, IRAs and other retirement
plans). You will be notified in writing 30 days before the Fund<PAGE>
PAGE 19
takes such action to allow you to increase your holdings to the
minimum level. If you close your IMA account, the Fund will
automatically redeem your shares.
Wire transfers to your bank. Funds can be wired from your IMA
account to your bank account. Call the Distributor for additional
information on wire transfers. A $15 service fee will be charged
against your IMA account for each wire sent.
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make
any representations not contained in this prospectus in connection
with the offering being made by this prospectus and, if given or
made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as
having been authorized by the Fund or its Distributor. This
prospectus does not constitute an offering by the Fund or by the
Distributor in any jurisdiction in which such offering may not be
lawfully made.
Special shareholder services
Services
To help you track and evaluate the performance of your investments,
you will receive these services:
Quarterly statements listing all of your holdings and transactions
during the previous three months.
Yearly tax statements featuring average-cost-basis reporting of
capital gains or losses if you redeem your shares along with
distribution information - which simplifies tax calculations.
Quick telephone reference
American Express Financial Direct Team
Fund performance, objectives and account inquiries, redemptions and
exchanges, dividend payments or reinvestments and automatic payment
arrangements
1-800-AXP-SERV
TTY Service
For the hearing impaired
1-800-710-5260
Distributions and taxes
As a shareholder you are entitled to your share of the Fund's net
income and any net gains realized on its investments. The Fund
distributes dividends and capital gain distributions to qualify as
a regulated investment company and to avoid paying corporate income
and excise taxes. Dividend and capital gain distributions will
have tax consequences you should know about.<PAGE>
PAGE 20
Dividend and capital gain distributions
Investment income is allocated to the Fund by the Portfolio, less
direct and allocated expenses. The Fund's net realized capital
gains or losses, if any, consist of the net realized capital gains
or losses allocated to the Fund from the Portfolio. The Fund's net
investment income from dividends and interest is distributed to you
monthly as dividends. Short-term capital gains are distributed at
the end of the calendar year and are included in net investment
income. The Fund will offset any net realized capital gains by any
available capital loss carryovers. The net realized capital gains,
if any, are distributed at the end of the calendar year as capital
gain distributions. Before they're distributed, net long term
capital gains are included in the value of each share. After
they're distributed, the value of each share drops by the per-share
amount of the distribution. (If your distributions are reinvested,
the total value of your holdings will not change.) Short-term
capital gains earned by the Fund are paid to shareholders as part
of their ordinary income dividend and are taxable as ordinary
income.
Reinvestments
Dividends and capital gain distributions are automatically
reinvested in additional shares of the Fund, unless you request the
Fund in writing or by phone to pay distributions to you in cash.
The reinvestment price is the net asset value at close of business
on the day the distribution is paid. (Your quarterly statement
will confirm the amount invested and the number of shares
purchased.)
If you choose cash distributions, you will receive only those
declared after your request has been processed.
Taxes
The Fund has received a Private Letter Ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service stating that, for purposes of the Internal Revenue
Code, the Fund will be regarded as directly holding its allocable
share of the income and gain realized by the Portfolio.
Dividends distributed from interest earned on tax-exempt securities
(exempt-interest dividends) are exempt from federal income taxes
but may be subject to state and local taxes. Dividends distributed
from other income earned and capital gain distributions are not
exempt from federal income taxes. Distributions are taxable in the
year the Fund declares them regardless of whether you take them in
cash or reinvest them.
Interest on certain private activity bonds is a preference item for
purposes of the individual and corporate alternative minimum taxes.
To the extent the Fund earns such income, it will flow through to
its shareholders and may be taxable to those shareholders who are
subject to the alternative minimum tax.<PAGE>
PAGE 21
Because interest on municipal bonds and notes is tax-exempt for
federal income tax purposes, any interest on borrowed money used
directly or indirectly to purchase Fund shares is not deductible on
your federal income tax return. You should consult a tax advisor
regarding its deductibility for state and local income tax
purposes.
Each January, you will receive a tax statement showing the kinds
and total amount of all distributions you received during the
previous year. You must report distributions on your tax returns,
even if they are reinvested in additional shares.
Buying a dividend creates a tax liability. This means buying
shares shortly before a capital gain distribution. You pay the
full pre-distribution price for the shares, then receive a portion
of your investment back as a distribution, which is taxable.
Redemptions and exchanges subject you to a tax on any capital gain.
If you sell shares for more than their cost, the difference is a
capital gain. Your gain may be either short term (for shares held
for one year or less) or long term (for shares held for more than
one year).
Your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is important. As with
any financial account you open, you must list your current and
correct Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) -- either your Social
Security or Employer Identification number. The TIN must be
certified under penalties of perjury on your application when you
open an account.
If you don't provide the TIN, or the TIN you report is incorrect,
you could be subject to backup withholding of 31% of taxable
distributions and proceeds from certain sales and exchanges. You
also could be subject to further penalties, such as:
o a $50 penalty for each failure to supply your correct TIN
o a civil penalty of $500 if you make a false statement that
results in no backup withholding
o criminal penalties for falsifying information
You also could be subject to backup withholding because you failed
to report interest or dividends on your tax return as required.<PAGE>
PAGE 22
How to determine the correct TIN
For this type of account: Use the Social Security or
Employer Identification number
of:
Individual or joint account The individual or individuals
listed on the account
Custodian account of a minor The minor
(Uniform Gifts/Transfers to
Minors Act)
A living trust The grantor-trustee (the person
who puts the money into the
trust)
An irrevocable trust, pension The legal entity (not the
trust or estate personal representative or
trustee, unless no legal entity
is designated in the account
title)
Sole proprietorship The owner
Partnership The partnership
Corporate The corporation
Association, club or The organization
tax-exempt organization
For details on TIN requirements, call 1-800-AXP-SERV for federal
Form W-9, "Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and
Certification."
Important: This information is a brief and selective summary of
certain federal tax rules that apply to the Fund. Tax matters are
highly individual and complex, and you should consult a qualified
tax advisor about your personal situation.
How the Fund and Portfolio are organized
The Fund is a series of Strategist Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc., an
open-end management investment company, as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company was incorporated on
Sept. 1, 1995 in Minnesota. The Company's headquarters are at IDS
Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010.
Shares
The Fund is owned by its shareholders. All shares issued by the
Fund are of the same class -- capital stock. Par value is 1 cent
per share. Both full and fractional shares can be issued.<PAGE>
PAGE 23
Voting rights
As a shareholder, you have voting rights over the Fund's management
and fundamental policies. You are entitled to one vote for each
share you own. Shares of the Fund have cumulative voting rights.
Shareholder meetings
The Company does not hold annual shareholder meetings. However,
the board members may call meetings at their discretion, or on
demand by holders of 10% or more of the Company's outstanding
shares, to elect or remove board members.
Board members and officers
Shareholders of the Company elect a board that oversees the
operations of the Fund and chooses the Company's officers. The
Company's officers are responsible for day-to-day business
decisions based on policies set by the board. Information about
the board members and officers of both the Company and the Trust is
found in the SAI under the caption "Board Members and Officers."
Investment manager
The Trust, on behalf of the Portfolio, pays the Advisor for
managing the assets of the Portfolio. Under its Investment
Management Services Agreement, the Advisor determines which
securities will be purchased, held or sold by the Portfolio
(subject to the direction and control of the board of trustees).
The Advisor is paid a fee for these services based on the average
daily net assets of the Portfolio, as follows:
Assets Annual rate at
(billions) each asset level
First $1.0 0.490%
Next 1.0 0.465
Next 1.0 0.440
Next 3.0 0.415
Next 3.0 0.390
Over 9.0 0.360
Under the agreement, the Portfolio also pays taxes, brokerage
commissions and nonadvisory expenses.
Administrator and transfer agent
Under an Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the
Advisor for administration and accounting services at an annual
rate of 0.04% decreasing in gradual percentages to 0.02% as assets
increase.
In addition, under a separate Transfer Agency Agreement, the
Advisor maintains shareholder accounts and records for the Fund.
The Fund pays an annual fee of $25 per shareholder account for this
service.<PAGE>
PAGE 24
Distributor
The Fund sells shares through the Distributor under a Distribution
Agreement. The Distributor is located at IDS Tower 10,
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Travel Related Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
American Express Company, a financial services company with
headquarters at American Express Tower, World Financial Center, New
York, NY 10285. Financial consultants representing the
Distributor provide information to investors about individual
investment programs, the Fund and its operations, new account
applications, exchange and redemption requests. The Fund reserves
the right to sell shares through other financial intermediaries or
broker/dealers. In that event, the account terms would also be
governed by rules that the intermediary may establish.
To help defray costs, including costs for marketing, sales
administration, training, overhead, advertising and related
functions, the Funds pay the Distributor a distribution fee, also
known as a 12b-1 fee. This fee is paid under a Plan and Agreement
of Distribution that follows the terms of Rule 12b-1 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Under this Agreement, the Fund
pays a distribution fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's
average daily net assets for distribution-related services. This
fee will not cover all of the costs incurred by the Distributor.
Total fees and expenses (excluding taxes and brokerage commissions)
cannot exceed the most restrictive applicable state expense
limitation.
About the Advisor
The Advisor is located at IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010.
It is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company. The
Portfolio may pay brokerage commissions to broker-dealer affiliates
of the Advisor.
<PAGE>
PAGE 25
Appendix A
Description of bond ratings
Bond ratings concern the quality of the issuing state or local
governmental unit. They are not an opinion of the market value of
the security. Such ratings are opinions on whether the principal
and interest will be repaid when due. A security's rating may
change, which could affect its price. Ratings by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. are Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C. Ratings
by Standard & Poor's Corporation are AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC,
CC, C and D. The following is a compilation of the two agencies'
rating descriptions. For further information, see the SAI.
Aaa/AAA - Judged to be of the best quality and carry the smallest
degree of investment risk. Interest and principal are secure.
Aa/AA - Judged to be high-grade although margins of protection for
interest and principal may not be quite as good as Aaa or AAA rated
securities.
A - Considered upper-medium grade. Protection for interest and
principal is deemed adequate but may be susceptible to future
impairment.
Baa/BBB - Considered medium-grade obligations. Protection for
interest and principal is adequate over the short-term; however,
these obligations may have certain speculative characteristics.
Ba/BB - Considered to have speculative elements. The protection of
interest and principal payments may be very moderate.
B - Lack characteristics of more desirable investments. There may
be small assurance over any long period of time of the payment of
interest and principal.
Caa/CCC - Are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or
there may be risk with respect to principal or interest.
Ca/CC - Represent obligations that are highly speculative. Such
issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C - Are obligations with a higher degree of speculation. These
securities have major risk exposures to default.
D - Are in payment default. The D rating is used when interest
payments or principal payments are not made on the due date.
Non-rated securities will be considered for investment when they
possess a risk comparable to that of rated securities consistent
with the Portfolio's objectives and policies. When assessing the
risk involved in each non-rated security, the Portfolio will
consider the financial condition of the issuer or the protection
afforded by the terms of the security.
<PAGE>
PAGE 26
Definitions of zero-coupon and pay-in-kind securities
A zero-coupon security is a security that is sold at a deep
discount from its face value and makes no periodic interest
payments. The buyer of such a security receives a rate of return
by gradual appreciation of the security, which is redeemed at face
value on the maturity date.
A pay-in-kind security is a security in which the issuer has the
option to make interest payments in cash or in additional
securities. The securities issued as interest usually have the
same terms, including maturity date, as the pay-in-kind securities.
<PAGE>
PAGE 27
Appendix B
1996 Federal Tax-Exempt and Taxable Equivalent Yield Calculation
These tables will help you determine your federal taxable yield
equivalents for given rates of tax-exempt income.
STEP 1: Calculating your marginal tax rate.
Using your Taxable Income and Adjusted Gross Income figures as
guides, you can locate your Marginal Tax Rate in the table below.
First locate your Taxable Income in a filing status and income
range in the left-hand column. Then, locate your Adjusted Gross
Income at the top of the chart. At the point where your Taxable
Income line meets your Adjusted Gross Income column the percentage
indicated is an approximation of your Marginal Tax Rate. For
example: Let's assume you are married filing jointly, your taxable
income is $138,000 and your adjustable gross income is $175,000.
Under Taxable Income married filing jointly status, $138,000 is in
the $96,900-$147,700 range. Under Adjusted Gross Income, $175,000
is in the $117,950 to $176,950 column. The Taxable Income line and
Adjusted Gross Income column meet at 31.93%. This is the rate
you'll use in Step 2.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Taxable income** Adjusted gross income*
__________________________________________________________________________________________
<S> <C> <C>
$0 $117,950 $176,950 Over
to to to
$117,950(1) $176,950(2) $299,450(3) $299,450(2)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Married Filing Jointly
$ 0 - $ 40,100 15.00%
40,100 - 96,900 28.00 28.84%
96,900 - 147,700 31.00 31.93 33.19%
147,700 - 263,750 36.00 37.08 38.55 37.08%
263,750 + 39.60 42.40*** 40.79
__________________________________________________________________________________________
0 $117,950 Over
to to
$117,950(1) $240,450(3) $240,450(2)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Single
$ 0 - $ 24,000 15.00%
24,000 - 58,150 28.00
58,150 - 121,300 31.00 32.56%
121,300 - 263,750 36.00 37.81 37.08%
263,750 + 39.60 40.79
__________________________________________________________________________________________
*Gross income with certain adjustments before taking itemized deductions and personal exemptions.
**Amount subject to federal income tax after itemized deductions and personal exemptions.
***This rate is applicable only in the limited case where your adjusted gross income is less than $299,450
and your taxable income exceeds $263,750.
<PAGE>
PAGE 28
(1) No Phase-out -- Assumes no phase-out of itemized deductions or
personal exemptions.
(2) Itemized Deductions Phase-out -- Assumes a single taxpayer has
one personal exemption and joint taxpayers have two personal
exemptions.
(3) Itemized Deductions and Personal Exemption Phase-outs --
Assumes a single taxpayer has one personal exemption, joint
taxpayers have two personal exemptions and itemized deductions
continue to phase-out.
</TABLE>
If these assumptions do not apply to you, it will be necessary to
construct your own personalized tax equivalency table.
STEP 2: Determining your federal taxable yield equivalents.
Using 31.93%, you may determine that a tax-exempt yield of 4% is
equivalent to earning a taxable 5.88% yield.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
For these Tax-Exempt Rates:
___________________________________________________________________________________________
3.50% 4.00% 4.50% 5.00% 5.50% 6.00% 6.50% 7.00%
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Marginal Tax Rates Equal the Taxable Rates shown below:
___________________________________________________________________________________________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
15.00% 4.12 4.71 5.29 5.88 6.47 7.06 7.65 8.24
28.00% 4.86 5.56 6.25 6.94 7.64 8.33 9.03 9.72
28.84% 4.92 5.62 6.32 7.03 7.73 8.43 9.13 9.84
31.00% 5.07 5.80 6.52 7.25 7.97 8.70 9.42 10.14
31.93% 5.14 5.88 6.61 7.35 8.08 8.81 9.55 10.28
32.56% 5.19 5.93 6.67 7.41 8.16 8.90 9.64 10.38
33.19% 5.24 5.99 6.74 7.48 8.23 8.98 9.73 10.48
36.00% 5.47 6.25 7.03 7.81 8.59 9.38 10.16 10.94
37.08% 5.56 6.36 7.15 7.95 8.74 9.54 10.33 11.13
37.81% 5.63 6.43 7.24 8.04 8.84 9.65 10.45 11.26
38.55% 5.70 6.51 7.32 8.14 8.95 9.76 10.58 11.39
39.60% 5.79 6.62 7.45 8.28 9.11 9.93 10.76 11.59
40.79% 5.91 6.76 7.60 8.44 9.29 10.13 10.98 11.82
42.40% 6.08 6.94 7.81 8.68 9.55 10.42 11.28 12.15
___________________________________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 29
Appendix C
Descriptions of derivative instruments
What follows are brief descriptions of derivative instruments the
Portfolio may use. At various times the Portfolio may use some or
all of these instruments and is not limited to these instruments.
It may use other similar types of instruments if they are
consistent with the Portfolio's investment goal and policies. For
more information on these instruments, see the SAI.
Options and futures contracts. An option is an agreement to buy or
sell an instrument at a set price during a certain period of time.
A futures contract is an agreement to buy and sell an instrument
for a set price on a future date. The Portfolio may buy and sell
options and futures contracts to manage its exposure to changing
interest rates, security prices and currency exchange rates.
Options and futures may be used to hedge the Portfolio's
investments against price fluctuations or to increase market
exposure.
Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. Asset-backed
securities include interests in pools of assets such as motor
vehicle installment sale contracts, installment loan contracts,
leases on various types of real and personal property, receivables
from revolving credit (credit card) agreements or other categories
of receivables. Mortgage-backed securities include collateralized
mortgage obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities.
Interest and principal payments depend on payment of the underlying
loans or mortgages. The value of these securities may also be
affected by changes in interest rates, the market's perception of
the issuers and the creditworthiness of the parties involved. The
non-mortgage related asset-backed securities do not have the
benefit of a security interest in the related collateral.
Stripped mortgage-backed securities include interest only (IO) and
principal only (PO) securities. Cash flows and yields on IOs and
POs are extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments on
the underlying mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities.
Indexed securities. The value of indexed securities is linked to
currencies, interest rates, commodities, indexes or other financial
indicators. Most indexed securities are short- to intermediate-
term fixed income securities whose values at maturity or interest
rates rise or fall according to the change in one or more specified
underlying instruments. Indexed securities may be more volatile
than the underlying instrument itself.
Inverse floaters. Inverse floaters are created by underwriters
using the interest payment on securities. A portion of the
interest received is paid to holders of instruments based on
current interest rates for short-term securities. The remainder,
minus a servicing fee, is paid to holders of inverse floaters. As
interest rates go down, the holders of the inverse floaters receive
more income and an increase in the price for the inverse floaters.
As interest rates go up, the holders of the inverse floaters
receive less income and a decrease in the price for the inverse
floaters.<PAGE>
PAGE 30
Structured products. Structured products are over-the-counter
financial instruments created specifically to meet the needs of one
or a small number of investors. The instrument may consist of a
warrant, an option or a forward contract embedded in a note or any
of a wide variety of debt, equity and/or currency combinations.
Risks of structured products include the inability to close such
instruments, rapid changes in the market and defaults by other
parties.
<PAGE>
PAGE 31
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<PAGE>
PAGE 32
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<PAGE>
PAGE 33
American Express Service Corporation, Distributor
<PAGE>
PAGE 34
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FOR
STRATEGIST TAX-FREE INCOME FUND, INC.
May 3, 1996
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus.
It should be read together with the Fund's prospectus which may be
obtained by calling American Express Financial Direct,
1-800-AXP-SERV (TTY: 1-800-710-5260) or by writing to P.O. Box
59196, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0196.
This SAI is dated May 3, 1996, and it is to be used with the Fund's
prospectus dated May 3, 1996.
<PAGE>
PAGE 35
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Goal and Investment Policies.........................See Prospectus
Additional Investment Policies................................p. 3
Portfolio Transactions........................................p. 6
Brokerage Commissions Paid to Brokers Affiliated
with the Advisor..............................................p. 8
Performance Information.......................................p. 8
Valuing Fund Shares...........................................p. 11
Investing in the Fund.........................................p. 12
Redeeming Shares..............................................p. 12
Pay-out Plans.................................................p. 13
Taxes.........................................................p. 15
Agreements....................................................p. 16
Board Members and Officers....................................p. 18
Custodian.....................................................p. 22
Independent Auditors..........................................p. 23
Prospectus....................................................p. 23
Appendix A: Description of Short-Term Securities.............p. 24
Appendix B: Options and Interest Rate Futures Contracts......p. 26
Appendix C: Dollar-Cost Averaging............................p. 32
Financial Statements..........................................p. 33
<PAGE>
PAGE 36
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
Strategist Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc. (the Company) is a series
mutual fund with one series of capital stock representing interests
in Strategist Tax-Free High Yield Fund (the Fund). The Fund is a
diversified mutual fund with its own goals and investment policies.
The Fund seeks to achieve its goals by investing all of its assets
in a corresponding series portfolio (the Portfolio) of Tax-Free
Income Trust (the Trust), a separate investment company, rather
than by directly investing in and managing its own portfolio of
securities.
Fundamental investment policies adopted by the Fund or Portfolio
cannot be changed without the approval of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund or Portfolio, as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940. Whenever the Fund is
requested to vote on a change in the investment policies of the
corresponding Portfolio, the Company will hold a meeting of Fund
shareholders and will cast the Fund's vote as instructed by the
shareholders.
Notwithstanding any of the Fund's other investment policies, the
Fund may invest its assets in an open-end management investment
company having substantially the same investment objectives,
policies and restrictions as the Fund for the purpose of having
those assets managed as part of a combined pool.
Investment Policies applicable to the Portfolio:
These are investment policies in addition to those presented in the
prospectus. The policies below are fundamental policies that apply
both to the Fund and its corresponding Portfolio and may be changed
only with shareholder/unitholder approval. Unless holders of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities agree to make the
change, the Portfolio will not:
'Act as an underwriter (sell securities for others). However,
under the securities laws, the Portfolio may be deemed to be an
underwriter when it purchases restricted securities directly from
the issuer and later resells them.
'Borrow money or property, except as a temporary measure for
extraordinary or emergency purposes, in an amount not exceeding
one-third of the market value of its total assets (including
borrowings) less liabilities (other than borrowings) immediately
after the borrowing. The Portfolio has not borrowed in the past
and has no present intention to borrow.
'Make cash loans if the total commitment amount exceeds 5% of the
Portfolio's total assets.
'Invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one
company, government or political subdivision thereof, except the
limitation will not apply to investments in securities issued by
the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and except
that up to 25% of the Portfolio's total assets may be invested <PAGE>
PAGE 37
without regard to this 5% limitation. For purposes of this policy,
the terms of a municipal security determine the issuer.
'Buy or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership
of securities or other instruments, except this shall not prevent
the Portfolio from investing in securities or other instruments
backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the
real estate business or real estate investment trusts. For
purposes of this policy, real estate includes real estate limited
partnerships.
'Buy or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments, except this shall not
prevent the Portfolio from buying or selling options and futures
contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments
backed by, or whose value is derived from, physical commodities.
'Lend portfolio securities in excess of 30% of its net assets. The
current policy of the board is to make these loans, either long- or
short-term, to broker-dealers. In making such loans, the Portfolio
gets the market price in cash, U.S. government securities, letters
of credit or such other collateral as may be permitted by
regulatory agencies and approved by the board. If the market price
of the loaned securities goes up, the Portfolio will get additional
collateral on a daily basis. The risks are that the borrower may
not provide additional collateral when required or return the
securities when due. During the existence of the loan, the
Portfolio receives cash payments equivalent to all interest or
other distributions paid on the loaned securities. A loan will not
be made unless the Advisor believes the opportunity for additional
income outweighs the risks.
The policies below are non-fundamental policies that apply both to
the Fund and its corresponding Portfolio and may be changed without
shareholder/unitholder approval. Unless changed by the board, the
Portfolio will not:
'Buy on margin or sell short, except it may enter into interest
rate future contracts.
'Pledge or mortgage its assets beyond 15% of total assets. If the
Portfolio were ever to do so, valuation of the pledged or mortgaged
assets would be based on market values. For purposes of this
restriction, collateral arrangements for margin deposits on futures
contracts are not deemed to be a pledge of assets.
'Invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities whose issuer
or guarantor of principal and interest has been in operation for
less than three years.
'Invest in voting securities, securities of investment companies or
exploration or development programs, such as oil, gas or mineral
leases. <PAGE>
PAGE 38
'Invest more than 5% of its net assets in warrants. Under one
state's law, no more than 2% of the Portfolio's net assets may be
invested in warrants not listed on the New York or American Stock
Exchange.
'Invest more than 10% of its net assets in securities and
derivative instruments that are illiquid. In determining the
liquidity of municipal lease obligations, American Express
Financial Corporation (the Advisor), under guidelines established
by the board, will consider the essential nature of the leased
property, the likelihood that the municipality will continue
appropriating funding for the leased property, and other relevant
factors related to the general credit quality of the municipality
and the marketability of the municipal lease obligation.
The Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its net assets in certain
taxable investments for temporary defensive purposes. It may
purchase short-term U.S. and Canadian government securities. It
may invest in bank obligations including negotiable certificates of
deposit, non-negotiable fixed time deposits, bankers' acceptances
and letters of credit. The issuing bank or savings and loan
generally must have capital, surplus and undivided profits (as of
the date of its most recently published annual financial
statements) in excess of $100 million (or the equivalent in the
instance of a foreign branch of a U.S. bank) at the date of
investment.
The Portfolio may purchase short-term corporate notes and
obligations rated in the top two classifications by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or Standard & Poor's Corporation
(S&P) or the equivalent. It also may use repurchase agreements
with broker-dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and with commercial banks. Repurchase agreements involve
investments in debt securities where the seller (broker-dealer or
bank) agrees to repurchase the securities from the Portfolio at
cost plus an agreed-to interest rate within a specified time. A
risk of a repurchase agreement is that if the seller seeks the
protection of the bankruptcy laws, the Portfolio's ability to
liquidate the security involved could be impaired, and it might
subsequently incur a loss if the value of the security declines or
if the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its
obligation.
The Portfolio may invest in commercial paper issued in transactions
not involving a public offering under Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933 (4(2) paper). In determining the liquidity
of 4(2) paper, the Advisor, under guidelines established by the
board, will evaluate relevant factors such as the issuer and the
size and nature of its commercial paper programs, the willingness
and ability of the issuer or dealer to repurchase the paper, and
the nature of the clearance and settlement procedures for the
paper.
For a description of short-term securities, see Appendix A. For a
discussion on options and interest rate futures contracts, see <PAGE>
PAGE 39
Appendix B. For a discussion on dollar-cost averaging, see
Appendix C.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Subject to policies set by the board, the Advisor is authorized to
determine, consistent with the Portfolio's investment goal and
policies, which securities will be purchased, held or sold. In
determining where the buy and sell orders are to be placed, the
Advisor has been directed to use its best efforts to obtain the
best available price and most favorable execution except where
otherwise authorized by the board.
The Advisor has a strict Code of Ethics that prohibits its
affiliated personnel from engaging in personal investment
activities that compete with or attempt to take advantage of
planned portfolio transactions for any of the Trusts in the
Preferred Master Trust Group. The Advisor carefully monitors
compliance with its Code of Ethics.
Normally, the Portfolio's securities are traded on a principal
rather than an agency basis. In other words, the Advisor will
trade directly with the issuer or with a dealer who buys or sells
for its own account, rather than acting on behalf of another
client. The Advisor does not pay the dealer commissions. Instead,
the dealer's profit, if any, is the difference, or spread, between
the dealer's purchase and sale price for the security.
On occasion, it may be desirable to compensate a broker for
research services or for brokerage services by paying a commission
that might not otherwise be charged or a commission in excess of
the amount another broker might charge. The board has adopted a
policy authorizing the Advisor to do so to the extent authorized by
law, if the Advisor determines, in good faith, that such commission
is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage or research
services provided by a broker or dealer, viewed either in the light
of that transaction or the Advisor's overall responsibilities to
the portfolios advised by the Advisor.
Research provided by brokers supplements the Advisor's own research
activities. Such services include economic data on, and analysis
of, U.S. and foreign economies; information on specific industries;
information about specific companies, including earnings estimates;
purchase recommendations for stocks and bonds; portfolio strategy
services; political, economic, business and industry trend
assessments; historical statistical information; market data
services providing information on specific issues and prices; and
technical analysis of various aspects of the securities markets,
including technical charts. Research services may take the form of
written reports, computer software or personal contact by telephone
or at seminars or other meetings. The Advisor has obtained, and in
the future may obtain, computer hardware from brokers, including
but not limited to personal computers that will be used exclusively
for investment decision-making purposes, which include the
research, portfolio management and trading functions and other <PAGE>
PAGE 40
services to the extent permitted under an interpretation by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
When paying a commission that might not otherwise be charged or a
commission in excess of the amount another broker might charge, the
Advisor must follow procedures authorized by the board. To date,
three procedures have been authorized. One procedure permits the
Advisor to direct an order to buy or sell a security traded on a
national securities exchange to a specific broker for research
services it has provided. The second procedure permits the
Advisor, in order to obtain research, to direct an order on an
agency basis to buy or sell a security traded in the over-the-
counter market to a firm that does not make a market in that
security. The commission paid generally includes compensation for
research services. The third procedure permits the Advisor, in
order to obtain research and brokerage services, to cause the
Portfolio to pay a commission in excess of the amount another
broker might have charged. The Advisor has advised the Trust it is
necessary to do business with a number of brokerage firms on a
continuing basis to obtain such services as the handling of large
orders, the willingness of a broker to risk its own money by taking
a position in a security, and the specialized handling of a
particular group of securities that only certain brokers may be
able to offer. As a result of this arrangement, some Portfolio
transactions may not be effected at the lowest commission, but the
Advisor believes it may obtain better overall execution. The
Advisor has assured the Trust that under all three procedures the
amount of commission paid will be reasonable and competitive in
relation to the value of the brokerage services performed or
research provided.
All other transactions shall be placed on the basis of obtaining
the best available price and the most favorable execution. In so
doing, if, in the professional opinion of the person responsible
for selecting the broker or dealer, several firms can execute the
transaction on the same basis, consideration will be given by such
person to those firms offering research services. Such services
may be used by the Advisor in providing advice to all the Trusts in
the Preferred Master Trust Group, their corresponding Funds, and
other accounts advised by the Advisor, even though it is not
possible to relate the benefits to any particular fund, portfolio
or account.
Each investment decision made for a Portfolio is made independently
from any decision made for other portfolios or accounts advised by
the Advisor or any of its subsidiaries. When a Portfolio buys or
sells the same security as another portfolio or account, the
Advisor carries out the purchase or sale in a way the Trust agrees
in advance is fair. Although sharing in large transactions may
adversely affect the price or volume purchased or sold by the
Portfolio, the Portfolio hopes to gain an overall advantage in
execution. The Advisor has assured the Trust it will continue to
seek ways to reduce brokerage costs.
On a periodic basis, the Advisor makes a comprehensive review of <PAGE>
PAGE 41
the broker-dealers it uses and the overall reasonableness of their
commissions. The review evaluates execution, operational
efficiency and research services.
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID TO BROKERS AFFILIATED WITH THE ADVISOR
Affiliates of American Express Company (American Express) (of which
the Advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary) may engage in brokerage
and other securities transactions on behalf of the Portfolio
according to procedures adopted by the board and to the extent
consistent with applicable provisions of the federal securities
laws. The Advisor will use an American Express affiliate only if
(i) the Advisor determines that the Portfolio will receive prices
and executions at least as favorable as those
offered by qualified independent brokers performing similar
brokerage and other services for the Portfolio and (ii) the
affiliate charges the Portfolio commission rates consistent with
those the affiliate charges comparable unaffiliated customers in
similar transactions and if such use is consistent with terms of
the Investment Management Services Agreement.
The Advisor may direct brokerage to compensate an affiliate. The
Advisor will receive research on South Africa from New Africa
Advisors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sloan Financial Group. The
Advisor owns 100% of IDS Capital Holdings Inc. which in turn owns
40% of Sloan Financial Group. New Africa Advisors will send
research to the Advisor and in turn the Advisor will direct trades
to a particular broker. The broker will have an agreement to pay
New Africa Advisors. All transactions will be on a best execution
basis. Compensation received will be reasonable for the services
rendered.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Fund may quote various performance figures to illustrate past
performance. Average annual total return and current yield
quotations used by the Fund are based on standardized methods of
computing performance as required by the SEC. An explanation of
the methods used by the Fund to compute performance follows.
Average annual total return
The Fund may calculate average annual total return for certain
periods by finding the average annual compounded rates of return
over the period that would equate the initial amount invested to
the ending redeemable value, according to the following formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment, made at the beginning of a period, at the
end of the period (or fractional portion thereof)<PAGE>
PAGE 42
Aggregate total return
The Fund may calculate aggregate total return for certain periods
representing the cumulative change in the value of an investment in
the Fund over a specified period of time according to the following
formula:
ERV - P
P
where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment, made at the beginning of a period, at the
end of the period (or fractional portion thereof)
Annualized yield
The Fund may calculate an annualized yield by dividing the net
investment income per share deemed earned during a period by the
net asset value per share on the last day of the period and
annualizing the results.
Yield is calculated according to the following formula:
Yield = 2[(a-b + 1)6 - 1]
cd
where: a = dividends and interest earned during the period
b = aggregate expenses accrued for the period (net of
reimbursements)
c = the average daily number of shares outstanding
during the period that were entitled to receive
dividends
d = the maximum offering price per share on the last
day of the period
The Fund's yield, calculated as described above according to the
formula prescribed by the SEC, is a hypothetical return based on
market value yield to maturity for the Portfolio's securities. It
is not necessarily indicative of the amount which was or may be
paid to the Fund's shareholders. Actual amounts paid to the Fund's
shareholders are reflected in the distribution yield.
Distribution yield
Distribution yield is calculated according to the following
formula:
D divided by POP F equals DY
30 30
where: D = sum of dividends for 30-day period
POP = sum of public offering price for 30-day period
F = annualizing factor
DY = distribution yield<PAGE>
PAGE 43
Tax-Equivalent Yield
Tax-equivalent yield is calculated by dividing that portion of the
yield (as calculated above) which is tax-exempt by one minus a
stated income tax rate and adding the result to that portion, if
any, of the yield that is not tax-exempt. The following table
shows the fund's tax equivalent yield, based on federal but not
state tax rates, for the 30-day period ended Nov. 30, 1995.
Marginal
Income Tax Tax-Equivalent Yield
Bracket Distribution Annualized
Class A
15.0% 6.60% 5.82%
28.0% 7.79% 6.88%
33.0% 8.37% 7.39%
Class B
15.0% 6.07% 5.25%
28.0% 7.17% 6.19%
33.0% 7.70% 6.66%
Class Y
15.0% 7.14% 6.33%
28.0% 8.43% 7.47%
33.0% 9.06% 8.03%
In its sales material and other communications, the Fund may quote,
compare or refer to rankings, yields or returns as published by
independent statistical services or publishers and publications
such as The Bank Rate Monitor National Index, Barron's, Business
Week, Donoghue's Money Market Fund Report, Financial Services Week,
Financial Times, Financial World, Forbes, Fortune, Global Investor,
Institutional Investor, Investor's Daily, Kiplinger's Personal
Finance, Lipper Analytical Services, Money, Mutual Fund Forecaster,
Newsweek, The New York Times, Personal Investor, Stanger Report,
Sylvia Porter's Personal Finance, USA Today, U.S. News and World
Report, The Wall Street Journal and Wiesenberger Investment
Companies Service.
In May 1996, IDS High Yield Tax-Exempt Fund (the IDS Fund), an
open-end investment company managed by the Advisor, transferred all
of its assets to the Portfolio in exchange for units therein. Also
in May 1996, the Fund transferred all of its assets to the
Portfolio in connection with the commencement of its operations.
On March 20, 1995, the IDS Fund converted to a multiple class
structure pursuant to which three classes of shares are offered:
Class A, Class B and Class Y. Class A shares are sold with a 5%
sales charge, a 0.175% service fee and no 12b-1 fee.
Performance quoted by the Fund is based on the performance and
yield of the IDS Fund prior to March 20, 1995 and to Class A shares
of the IDS Fund from March 20, 1995 through Dec. 31, 1995, <PAGE>
PAGE 44
adjusted for differences in sales charge.
The historical performance has not been adjusted for any difference
between the estimated aggregate fees and expenses of the Fund and
historical fees and expenses of the IDS Fund.
The Portfolio turnover rate for the Fund was 14% in 1995, and 17%
in 1994. For periods prior to the Fund's commencement of
operations, turnover rates are based on the turnover rate of the
IDS Fund, which transferred all of its assets to the Portfolio in
May 1996. A high turnover rate (in excess of 100%) results in
higher fees and expenses.
VALUING FUND SHARES
The value of an individual share is determined by using the net
asset value before shareholder transactions for the day and
dividing that figure by the number of shares outstanding at the end
of the previous day.
In determining net assets before shareholder transactions, the
securities held by the Fund's corresponding Portfolio are valued as
follows as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange
(the Exchange):
'Securities, except bonds other than convertibles, traded on a
securities exchange for which a last-quoted sales price is readily
available are valued at the last-quoted sales price on the exchange
where such security is primarily traded.
'Securities traded on a securities exchange for which a last-quoted
sales price is not readily available are valued at the mean of the
closing bid and asked prices, looking first to the bid and asked
prices on the exchange where the security is primarily traded and,
if none exist, to the over-the-counter market.
'Securities included in the NASDAQ National Market System are
valued at the last-quoted sales price in this market.
'Securities included in the NASDAQ National Market System for which
a last-quoted sales price is not readily available, and other
securities traded over-the-counter but not included in the NASDAQ
National Market System are valued at the mean of the closing bid
and asked prices.
'Futures and options traded on major exchanges are valued at the
last-quoted sales price on their primary exchange.
'Foreign securities traded outside the United States are generally
valued as of the time their trading is complete, which is usually
different from the close of the Exchange. Foreign securities
quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at
the current rate of exchange. Occasionally, events affecting the
value of such securities may occur between such times and the close
of the Exchange that will not be reflected in the computation of <PAGE>
PAGE 45
the Portfolio's net asset value. If events materially affecting
the value of such securities occur during such period, these
securities will be valued at their fair value according to
procedures decided upon in good faith by the board.
'Short-term securities maturing more than 60 days from the
valuation date are valued at the readily available market price or
approximate market value based on current interest rates. Short-
term securities maturing in 60 days or less that originally had
maturities of more than 60 days at acquisition date are valued at
amortized cost using the market value on the 61st day before
maturity. Short-term securities maturing in 60 days or less at
acquisition date are valued at amortized cost. Amortized cost is
an approximation of market value determined by systematically
increasing the carrying value of a security if acquired at a
discount, or reducing the carrying value if acquired at a premium,
so that the carrying value is equal to maturity value on the
maturity date.
'Securities without a readily available market price, bonds other
than convertibles and other assets are valued at fair value as
determined in good faith by the board. The board is responsible
for selecting methods it believes provide fair value. When
possible, bonds are valued by a pricing service independent from
the Trust. If a valuation of a bond is not available from a
pricing service, the bond will be valued by a dealer knowledgeable
about the bond if such a dealer is available.
The Exchange, American Express Service Corporation (AESC) and the
Fund will be closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
INVESTING IN THE FUND
The Fund's minimum initial investment requirement is $2,000 ($1,000
for Custodial Accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts and certain
other retirement plans). Subsequent investments of $100 or more
may be made. These minimum investment requirements may be changed
at any time and are not applicable to certain types of investors.
The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) will provide
account protection, in an amount up to $500,000, for securities,
including Fund shares (up to $100,000 protection for cash), held in
an Investment Management Account maintained with AESC. Of course,
SIPC account protection does not protect shareholders from share
price fluctuations.
REDEEMING SHARES
You have a right to redeem your shares at any time. For an
explanation of redemption procedures, please see the prospectus.
During an emergency, the board can suspend the computation of net
asset value, stop accepting payments for purchase of shares or <PAGE>
PAGE 46
suspend the duty of the Fund to redeem shares for more than seven
days. Such emergency situations would occur if:
'The Exchange closes for reasons other than the usual weekend and
holiday closings or trading on the Exchange is restricted, or
'Disposal of the Fund's securities is not reasonably practicable or
it is not reasonably practicable for a Fund to determine the fair
value of its net assets, or
'The SEC, under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the 1940 Act), as amended, declares a period of emergency to
exist.
Should the Fund stop selling shares, the board members may make a
deduction from the value of the assets held by the Fund to cover
the cost of future liquidations of the assets so as to distribute
fairly these costs among all shareholders.
Redemptions by the Fund
The Fund reserves the right to redeem, involuntarily, the shares of
any shareholder whose account has a value of less than a minimum
amount but only where the value of such account has been reduced by
voluntary redemption of shares. Until further notice, it is the
policy of the Fund not to exercise this right with respect to any
shareholder whose account has a value of $1,000 or more. In any
event, before the Fund redeems such shares and sends the proceeds
to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value
of the shares in the account is less than the minimum amount and
allow the shareholder 30 days to make an additional investment in
an amount which will increase the value of the accounts to at least
$1,000.
Redemptions in Kind
The Company has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act, which obligates the Fund to redeem shares in cash, with
respect to any one shareholder during any 90-day period, up to the
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Fund at the
beginning of such period. Although redemptions in excess of this
limitation would normally be paid in cash, the Fund reserves the
right to make payments in whole or in part in securities or other
assets in case of an emergency, or if the payment of such
redemption in cash would be detrimental to the existing
shareholders of the Fund as determined by the board. In such
circumstances, the securities distributed would be valued as set
forth in the Prospectus. Should the Fund distribute securities, a
shareholder may incur brokerage fees or other transaction costs in
converting the securities to cash.
PAY-OUT PLANS
You can use any of several pay-out plans to redeem your investment
in regular installments at no extra cost. While the plans differ <PAGE>
PAGE 47
on how the pay-out is figured, they all are based on the redemption
of your investment. Net investment income dividends and any
capital gain distributions will automatically be reinvested, unless
you elect to receive them in cash. If you are redeeming a tax-
qualified plan account for which American Express Trust Company
acts as custodian, you can elect to receive your dividends and
other distributions in cash when permitted by law. If you redeem
an IRA or a qualified retirement account, certain restrictions,
federal tax penalties and special federal income tax reporting
requirements may apply. You should consult your tax advisor about
this complex area of the tax law.
To start any of these plans, please submit an authorization form
supplied by American Express Financial Direct. For a copy, write
or call American Express Financial Direct, 1-800-AXP-SERV (TTY:
1-800-710-5260), P.O. Box 59196, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0196. Your
authorization must be received in the Minneapolis headquarters at
least five days before the date you want your payments to begin.
The initial payment must be at least $50. Payments will be made on
a monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. Your
choice is effective until you change or cancel it.
The following pay-out plans are designed to take care of the needs
of most shareholders. If you need a more irregular schedule of
payments, it may be necessary for you to make a series of
individual redemptions, in which case you will have to send in a
separate redemption request for each pay-out. The Fund reserves
the right to change or stop any pay-out plan and to stop making
such plans available.
Plan #1: Pay-out for a fixed period of time
If you choose this plan, a varying number of shares will be
redeemed at net asset value at regular intervals during the time
period you choose. This plan is designed to end in complete
redemption of all shares in your account with the Fund by the end
of the fixed period.
Plan #2: Redemption of a fixed number of shares
If you choose this plan, a fixed number of shares will be redeemed
at net asset value for each payment and that amount will be sent to
you. The length of time these payments continue is based on the
number of shares in your account with the Fund.
Plan #3: Redemption of a fixed dollar amount
If you decide on a fixed dollar amount, whatever number of shares
is necessary to make the payment will be redeemed in regular
installments until your account with the Fund is closed.
Plan #4: Redemption of a percentage of net asset value
Payments are made based on a fixed percentage of the net asset
value of the shares in the account computed on the day of each <PAGE>
PAGE 48
payment. Percentages range from 0.25% to 0.75%. For example, if
you are on this plan and arrange to take 0.5% each month, you will
get $50 if the value of your account with the Fund is $10,000 on
the payment date.
TAXES
All distributions of net investment income during the year will
have the same percentage designated as tax-exempt. This annual
percentage is expected to be substantially the same as the
percentage of tax-exempt income actually earned during any
particular distribution period. For the fiscal year ended Dec. 31,
1995, 21.82% of the income distribution was designated as exempt
from federal income taxes.
Capital gain distributions, if any, received by individual and
corporate shareholders, should be treated as long-term capital
gains regardless of how long they owned their shares. Short-term
capital gains earned by the Fund are paid to shareholders as part
of their ordinary income dividend and are taxable as ordinary
income, not capital gain.
If you are a "substantial user" (or related person) of facilities
financed by industrial development bonds, you should consult your
tax advisor before investing. The income from such bonds may not
be tax-exempt for you.
Interest on private activity bonds generally issued after August
1986 is a preference item for purposes of the individual and
corporate alternative minimum taxes. "Private-activity" (non-
governmental purpose) municipal bonds include industrial revenue
bonds, student-loan bonds and multi- and single-family housing
bonds. An exception is made for private activity bonds issued for
qualified--501(c)(3)--organizations, including non-profit colleges,
universities and hospitals. These bonds will continue to be tax-
exempt and will not be subject to the alternative minimum tax for
individuals. To the extent a fund earns income subject to the
alternative minimum tax, it will flow through to that fund's
shareholders and may subject some shareholders, depending on their
tax status, to the alternative minimum tax. The Fund reports the
percentage of its income earned from these bonds to shareholders
with their other tax information.
State law determines whether interest income on a particular
municipal bond is tax-exempt for state tax purposes. It also
determines the tax treatment of those bonds when earned by a mutual
fund and paid to the fund's shareholders. The Fund will tell you
the percentage of interest income from municipal bonds it received
during the year on a state-by-state basis. Your tax advisor should
help you report this income for state tax purposes.
Under federal tax law, by the end of a calendar year the Fund must
declare and pay dividends representing 98% of ordinary income for
that calendar year and 98% of net capital gains (both long-term and
short-term) for the 12-month period ending Nov. 30 of that <PAGE>
PAGE 49
calendar year. The Fund is subject to an excise tax equal to 4% of
the excess, if any, of the amount required to be distributed over
the amount actually distributed. The Fund intends to comply with
federal tax law and avoid any excise tax.
This is a brief summary that relates to federal income taxation
only. Shareholders should consult their tax advisor as to the
application of federal, state and local income tax laws to Fund
distributions.
AGREEMENTS
Investment Management Services Agreement
The Trust, on behalf of the Portfolio, has an Investment Management
Services Agreement with the Advisor. For its services, the Advisor
is paid a fee from the assets of the Portfolio, based upon the
following schedule:
Assets Annual rate at
(billions) each asset level
First $1.0 0.490%
Next 1.0 0.465
Next 1.0 0.440
Next 3.0 0.415
Next 3.0 0.390
Over 9.0 0.360
The fee is calculated for each calendar day on the basis of net
assets at the close of business two days prior to the day for which
the calculation is made. The management fee is paid monthly.
Under the Agreement, the Portfolio also pays taxes, brokerage
commissions and nonadvisory expenses, which include custodian fees;
audit and certain legal fees; fidelity bond premiums; registration
fees for units; Portfolio office expenses; consultants' fees;
compensation of board members, officers and employees; corporate
filing fees; organizational expenses; expenses incurred in
connection with lending portfolio securities; and expenses properly
payable by the Portfolios, approved by the board.
Administrative Services Agreement
The Company, on behalf of the Fund, has an Administrative Services
Agreement with the Advisor. Under this agreement, the Fund pays
the Advisor for providing administration and accounting services.
The fee is payable from the assets of the Fund and is calculated as
follows:
Fund assets Annual rate at
(billions) each asset level
First $1 0.040%
Next 1 0.035%
Next 1 0.030%
Next 3 0.025%<PAGE>
PAGE 50
Next 3 0.020%
Next 9 0.020%
Under the agreement, the Fund also pays taxes; audit and certain
legal fees; registration fees for shares; office expenses;
consultant's fees; compensation of board members, officers and
employees; corporate filing fees; organizational expenses; and
expenses properly payable by the Fund approved by the board.
Transfer Agency Agreement
The Company, on behalf of the Fund, has a Transfer Agency Agreement
with the Advisor. This agreement governs the responsibility for
administering and/or performing transfer agent functions, for
acting as service agent in connection with dividend and
distribution functions and for performing shareholder account
administration agent functions in connection with the issuance,
exchange and redemption or repurchase of the Fund's shares. The
fee is determined by multiplying the number of shareholder accounts
at the end of the day by a rate of $25 per year and dividing by the
number of days in the year.
Placement Agency Agreement
Pursuant to a Placement Agency Agreement, the Distributor acts as
placement agent of the units of the Trust.
Plan and Agreement of Distribution/Distribution Agreement
To help the Distributor defray the costs of distribution and
servicing, the Company and the Distributor have entered into a Plan
and Agreement of Distribution (Plan). These costs cover almost all
aspects of distributing Fund shares. Under the Plan, the
Distributor is paid a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's
average daily net assets.
The Plan must be approved annually by the board, including a
majority of the disinterested board members, if it is to continue
for more than a year. At least quarterly, the board must review
written reports concerning the amounts expended under the Plan and
the purposes for which the expenditures were made. The Plan and
any agreement related to it may be terminated at any time by vote
of a majority of board members who are not interested persons of
the Company and have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or in any agreement related to the Plan,
or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund or by the Distributor. The Plan (or any agreement related
to it) shall terminate in the event of its assignment, as that term
is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The
Plan may not be amended to increase the amount to be spent for
distribution without shareholder approval, and all material
amendments to the Plan must be approved by a majority of the board
members, including a majority of the board members who are not
interested persons of the Company and who do not have a financial
interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreement related to <PAGE>
PAGE 51
it. The selection and nomination of such disinterested board
members is the responsibility of such disinterested board members.
No board member who is not an interested person has any direct or
indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any
related agreement.
Total fees and expenses
Total combined fees and nonadvisory expenses of both the master
fund and this feeder fund cannot exceed the most restrictive
applicable state limitation. Currently, the most restrictive
applicable state expense limitation, subject to exclusion of
certain expenses, is 2.5% of the first $30 million of the Fund's
average daily net assets, 2% of the next $70 million and 1.5% of
average daily net assets over $100 million, on an annual basis. At
the end of each month, if the fees and expenses of the Fund exceed
this limitation for the Fund's fiscal year in progress, the Advisor
will assume all expenses in excess of the limitation. The Advisor
then may bill the Fund for such expenses in subsequent months up to
the end of that fiscal year, but not after that date. No interest
charges are assessed by the Advisor for expenses it assumes.
BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
The following is a list of the Company's board members and
officers, who are also board members and officers of all other
funds in the Strategist Fund Group. All shares of the Fund have
cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of board
members.
Directors and officers
Rodney P. Burwell
Born in 1939
Xerxes Corporation
7901 Xerxes Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN
Chairman, Xerxes Corporation (fiberglass storage tanks). Director,
Children's Broadcasting Network, Vaughn Communications, Sunbelt
Nursery Group, Fairview Corporation.
William J. Heron Jr.
Born in 1941
American Express Company
World Financial Center
New York, NY
Vice president of all funds in the Strategist Fund Group.
President of American Express Financial Direct since 1995. Chief
Executive Officer, Swig Investment Company from 1993 to 1995.
Group Executive, Citicorp/Citibank from 1985 to 1993.<PAGE>
PAGE 52
Jean B. Keffeler
Born in 1945
The Keffeler Company
3033 Excelsior Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN
President, The Keffeler Company (management advisory services).
Director, National Computer Systems, American Paging Systems, Inc.
Thomas R. McBurney
Born in 1938
McBurney Management Advisors
1800 International Centre
900 2nd Ave. s.
Minneapolis, MN
President, McBurney Management Advisors. Director, The Valspar
Corporation (paints), Wenger Corporation, Security American
Financial Enterprises, Allina, Space Center Enterprises,
Greenspring Corporation.
James A. Mitchell
Born in 1941
2900 IDS Tower
Minneapolis, MN
President of all the funds in the Strategist Fund Group. Executive
vice President and director of AEFC. Chairman of the board and
chief executive officer of IDS Life Insurance Company. Director,
IDS Life Funds.
The following is a list of the Trust's board members and officers,
who are also board members and officers of all other Trusts in the
Preferred Master Trust Group and all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND
GROUP. All units have cumulative voting rights with respect to the
election of board members.
Trustees and officers
Lynne V. Cheney'
Born in 1941.
American Enterprise Institute
for Public Policy Research (AEI)
1150 17th St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Distinguished Fellow AEI. Former Chair of National Endowment of
the Humanities. Director, The Reader's Digest Association Inc.,
Lockheed-Martin, the Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
(advertising) and FPL Group, Inc. (holding company for Florida
Power Light).<PAGE>
PAGE 53
William H. Dudley**
Born in 1932.
2900 IDS Tower
Minneapolis, MN
Executive vice president and director of AEFC.
Robert F. Froehlke+
Born in 1922.
1201 Yale Place
Minneapolis, MN
Former president of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP.
Director, the ICI Mutual Insurance Co., Institute for Defense
Analyses, Marshall Erdman and Associates, Inc. (architectural
engineering) and Public Oversight Board of the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants.
David R. Hubers+**
Born in 1943.
2900 IDS Tower
Minneapolis, MN
President, chief executive officer and director of AEFC.
Previously, senior vice president, finance and chief financial
officer of AEFC.
Heinz F. Hutter+'
Born in 1929.
P.O. Box 5724
Minneapolis, MN
President and chief operating officer, Cargill, Incorporated
(commodity merchants and processors) from February 1991 to
September 1994. Executive vice president from 1981 to February
1991.
Anne P. Jones
Born in 1935.
5716 Bent Branch Rd.
Bethesda, MD
Attorney and telecommunications consultant. Former partner, law
firm of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan. Director, Motorola, Inc. and
C-Cor Electronics, Inc.
Melvin R. Laird
Born in 1922.
Reader's Digest Association, Inc.
1730 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Senior counsellor for national and international affairs, The
Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Chairman of the board, COMSAT
Corporation, former nine-term congressman, secretary of defense <PAGE>
PAGE 54
and presidential counsellor. Director, Martin Marietta Corp.,
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., The Reader's Digest Association,
Inc., Science Applications International Corp., Wallace Reader's
Digest Funds and Public Oversight Board (SEC Practice Section,
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants).
William R. Pearce+*
Born in 1927.
901 S. Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
President of all Trusts in the Preferred Master Trust Group since
April 1996 and president of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP
since June 1993. Former vice chairman of the board, Cargill,
Incorporated (commodity merchants and processors).
Edson W. Spencer+
Born in 1926.
4900 IDS Center
80 S. 8th St.
Minneapolis, MN
President, Spencer Associates Inc. (consulting). Chairman of the
board, Mayo Foundation (healthcare). Former chairman of the board
and chief executive officer, Honeywell Inc. Director, Boise
Cascade Corporation (forest products) and CBS Inc. Member of
International Advisory Councils, Robert Bosch (Germany) and NEC
(Japan).
John R. Thomas**
Born in 1937.
2900 IDS Tower
Minneapolis, MN
Senior vice president and director of AEFC.
Wheelock Whitney+
Born in 1926.
1900 Foshay Tower
821 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
Chairman, Whitney Management Company (manages family assets).
C. Angus Wurtele'
Born in 1934.
Valspar Corporation
Suite 1700
Foshay Tower
Minneapolis, MN
Chairman of the board and chief executive officer, The Valspar
Corporation (paints). Director, Bemis Corporation (packaging),
Donaldson Company (air cleaners & mufflers) and General Mills, Inc.
(consumer foods).<PAGE>
PAGE 55
+ Member of executive committee.
' Member of joint audit committee.
* Interested person of the Trust by reason of being an officer and
employee of the Trust.
**Interested person of the Trust by reason of being an officer,
board member, employee and/or shareholder of AEFC or American
Express.
The board also has appointed officers who are responsible for day-
to-day business decisions based on policies it has established.
In addition to Mr. Pearce, who is president, the Trust's other
officers are:
Leslie L. Ogg
Born in 1938.
901 S. Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
Vice president, general counsel and secretary of all Trusts in the
Preferred Master Trust Group and of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL
FUND GROUP.
Officers who also are officers and/or employees of AEFC:
Peter J. Anderson
Born in 1942.
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN
Vice president-investments of all Trusts in the Preferred Master
Trust Group and of all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP.
Director and senior vice president-investments of AEFC.
Melinda S. Urion
Born in 1953.
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN
Treasurer of all Trusts in the Preferred Master Trust Group and of
all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP. Director, senior vice
president and chief financial officer of AEFC. Director and
executive vice president and controller of IDS Life Insurance
Company.
CUSTODIAN
The Trust's securities and cash are held by American Express Trust
Company, 1200 Northstar Center West, 625 Marquette Ave.,
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2307, through a custodian agreement. The
Fund also retains the custodian pursuant to a custodian agreement.
The custodian is permitted to deposit some or all of its securities
in central depository systems as allowed by federal law. For its
services, the Portfolio pays the custodian a maintenance charge <PAGE>
PAGE 56
and a charge per transaction in addition to reimbursing the
custodian's out-of-pocket expenses.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Fund's and corresponding Portfolio's financial statements to be
contained in its Annual Report to shareholders at the end of the
fiscal year will be audited by independent auditors, KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, 4200 Norwest Center, 90 S. Seventh St., Minneapolis,
MN 55402-3900. The independent auditors also provide other
accounting and tax-related services as requested by the Fund.
PROSPECTUS
The prospectus dated May 3, 1996, is hereby incorporated in this
SAI by reference.
<PAGE>
PAGE 57
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SHORT-TERM SECURITIES
Short-term Tax-exempt Securities
A portion of the Portfolio's assets are in cash and short-term
securities for day-to-day operating purposes. The investments will
usually be in short-term municipal bonds and notes. These include:
(1) Tax anticipation notes sold to finance working capital needs
of municipalities in anticipation of receiving taxes on a future
date.
(2) Bond anticipation notes sold on an interim basis in
anticipation of a municipality issuing a longer term bond in the
future.
(3) Revenue anticipation notes issued in anticipation of revenues
from sources other than taxes, such as federal revenues available
under the Federal Revenue Sharing Program.
(4) Tax and revenue anticipation notes issued in anticipation of
revenues from taxes and other sources of revenue, except bond
placements.
(5) Construction loan notes insured by the Federal Housing
Administration which remain outstanding until permanent financing
by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or the
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) at the end of the
project construction period.
(6) Tax-exempt commercial paper with a stated maturity of 365
days or less issued by agencies of state and local governments to
finance seasonal working capital needs or as short-term financing
in anticipation of longer-term financing.
(7) Project notes issued by local housing authorities to finance
urban renewal and public housing projects. These notes are
guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
(8) Variable rate demand notes, on which the yield is adjusted at
periodic intervals not exceeding 31 days and on which the principal
must be repaid in not less than seven days' notice, are considered
short-term regardless of the stated maturity.
Short-term Taxable Securities and Repurchase Agreements
Depending on market conditions, a portion of the Portfolio's
investments may be in short-term taxable securities. These
include:
(1) Obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and
instrumentalities resulting principally from lending programs of
the U.S. government;<PAGE>
PAGE 58
(2) U.S. Treasury bills with maturities up to one year. The
difference between the purchase price and the maturity value or
resale price is the interest income to the Portfolio;
(3) Certificates of deposit or receipts with fixed interest rates
issued by banks in exchange for deposit of funds;
(4) Bankers' acceptances arising from short-term credit
arrangements designed to enable business to obtain funds to finance
commercial transactions;
(5) Letters of credit which are short-term notes issued in bearer
form with a bank letter of credit obligating the bank to pay the
bearer the amount of the note;
(6) Commercial paper rated in the two highest grades by Standard
& Poor's or Moody's. Commercial paper is generally defined as
unsecured short-term notes issued in bearer form by large well-
known corporations and finance companies. These ratings reflect a
review of management, economic evaluation of the industry
competition, liquidity, long-term debt and ten-year earning trends.
Standard & Poor's rating A-1 indicates that the degree of safety
regarding timely payment is either overwhelming or very strong.
Standard & Poor's ratings A-2 indicates that capacity for timely
payment on issues with this designation is strong.
Moody's rating Prime-1 (P-1) indicates a superior capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations.
Moody's rating Prime-2 (P-2) indicates a strong capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations.
(7) Repurchase agreements involving acquisition of securities by
the Portfolio with a concurrent agreement by the seller, usually a
bank or securities dealer, to reacquire the securities at cost plus
interest within a specified time. From this investment, the
Portfolio receives a fixed rate of return that is insulated from
market rate changes while it holds the security.
<PAGE>
PAGE 59
APPENDIX B
OPTIONS AND INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Portfolio may buy or write options traded on any U.S. or
foreign exchange or in the over-the-counter market. The Portfolio
may enter into interest rate futures contracts traded on any U.S.
or foreign exchange. The Portfolio also may buy or write put and
call options on these futures. Options in the over-the-counter
market will be purchased only when the investment manager believes
a liquid secondary market exists for the options and only from
dealers and institutions the investment manager believes present a
minimal credit risk. Some options are exercisable only on a
specific date. In that case, or if a liquid secondary market does
not exist, the Portfolio could be required to buy or sell
securities at disadvantageous prices, thereby incurring losses.
OPTIONS. An option is a contract. A person who buys a call option
for a security has the right to buy the security at a set price for
the length of the contract. A person who sells a call option is
called a writer. The writer of a call option agrees to sell the
security at the set price when the buyer wants to exercise the
option, no matter what the market price of the security is at that
time. A person who buys a put option has the right to sell a
security at a set price for the length of the contract. A person
who writes a put option agrees to buy the security at the set price
if the purchaser wants to exercise the option, no matter what the
market price of the security is at that time. An option is covered
if the writer owns the security (in the case of a call) or sets
aside the cash (in the case of a put) that would be required upon
exercise.
The price paid by the buyer for an option is called a premium. In
addition, the buyer generally pays a broker a commission. The
writer receives a premium, less a commission, at the time the
option is written. The cash received is retained by the writer
whether or not the option is exercised. A writer of a call option
may have to sell the security for a below-market price if the
market price rises above the exercise price. A writer of a put
option may have to pay an above-market price for the security if
its market price decreases below the exercise price.
Options can be used to produce incremental earnings, protect gains
and facilitate buying and selling securities for investment
purposes. The use of options and futures contracts may benefit the
Portfolio and its unitholders by improving the Portfolio's
liquidity and by helping to stabilize the value of its net assets.
Buying options. Put and call options may be used as a trading
technique to facilitate buying and selling securities for
investment reasons. Options are used as a trading technique to
take advantage of any disparity between the price of the underlying
security in the securities market and its price on the options
market. It is anticipated the trading technique will be utilized
only to effect a transaction when the price of the security plus <PAGE>
PAGE 60
the option price will be as good or better than the price at which
the security could be bought or sold directly. When the option is
purchased, the Portfolio pays a premium and a commission. It then
pays a second commission on the purchase or sale of the underlying
security when the option is exercised. For record-keeping and tax
purposes, the price obtained on the purchase of the underlying
security will be the combination of the exercise price, the premium
and both commissions. When using options as a trading technique,
commissions on the option will be set as if only the underlying
securities were traded.
Put and call options also may be held by the Portfolio for
investment purposes. Options permit the Portfolio to experience
the change in the value of a security with a relatively small
initial cash investment. The risk the Portfolio assumes when it
buys an option is the loss of the premium. To be beneficial to the
Portfolio, the price of the underlying security must change within
the time set by the option contract. Furthermore, the change must
be sufficient to cover the premium paid, the commissions paid both
in the acquisition of the option and in a closing transaction or in
the exercise of the option and subsequent sale (in the case of a
call) or purchase (in the case of a put) of the underlying
security. Even then the price change in the underlying security
does not ensure a profit since prices in the option market may not
reflect such a change.
Writing covered options. The Portfolio will write covered options
when it feels it is appropriate and will follow these guidelines:
'Underlying securities will continue to be bought or sold solely on
the basis of investment considerations consistent with the
Portfolio's goal.
'All options written by the Portfolio will be covered. For covered
call options if a decision is made to sell the security, the
Portfolio will attempt to terminate the option contract through a
closing purchase transaction.
'The Portfolio will write options only as permitted under federal
or state laws or regulations, such as those that limit the amount
of total assets subject to the options. While no limit has been
set by the Portfolio, it will conform to the requirements of
certain states. For example, California limits the writing of
options to 50% of the assets of a portfolio.
Net premiums on call options closed or premiums on expired call
options are treated as short-term capital gains. Since the
Portfolio is taxed as a regulated investment company under the
Internal Revenue Code, any gains on options and other securities
held less than three months must be limited to less than 30% of its
annual gross income.
If a covered call option is exercised, the security is sold by the
Portfolio. The Portfolio will recognize a capital gain or loss
based upon the difference between the proceeds and the security's <PAGE>
PAGE 61
basis.
Options on many securities are listed on options exchanges. If the
Portfolio writes listed options, it will follow the rules of the
options exchange. Options are valued at the close of the New York
Stock Exchange. An option listed on a national exchange, CBOE or
NASDAQ will be valued at the last quoted sales price or, if such a
price is not readily available, at the mean of the last bid and
asked prices.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. A futures contract is an agreement between two
parties to buy and sell a security for a set price on a future
date. They have been established by boards of trade which have
been designated contracts markets by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC). Futures contracts trade on these markets in a
manner similar to the way a stock trades on a stock exchange, and
the boards of trade, through their clearing corporations, guarantee
performance of the contracts. Currently, there are futures
contracts based on such debt securities as long-term U.S. Treasury
bonds, Treasury notes, GNMA modified pass-through mortgage-backed
securities, three-month U.S. Treasury bills and bank certificates
of deposit. While futures contracts based on debt securities do
provide for the delivery and acceptance of securities, such
deliveries and acceptances are very seldom made. Generally, the
futures contract is terminated by entering into an offsetting
transaction. An offsetting transaction for a futures contract sale
is effected by the Portfolio entering into a futures contract
purchase for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of
financial instrument and same delivery date. If the price in the
sale exceeds the price in the offsetting purchase, the Portfolio
immediately is paid the difference and realizes a gain. If the
offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale price, the Portfolio
pays the difference and realizes a loss. Similarly, closing out a
futures contract purchase is effected by the Portfolio entering
into a futures contract sale. If the offsetting sale price
exceeds the purchase price, the Portfolio realizes a gain, and if
the offsetting sale price is less than the purchase price, the
Portfolio realizes a loss. At the time a futures contract is made,
a good-faith deposit called initial margin is set up within a
segregated account at the Portfolio's custodian bank. The initial
margin deposit is approximately 1.5% of a contract's face value.
Daily thereafter, the futures contract is valued and the payment of
variation margin is required so that each day the Portfolio would
pay out cash in an amount equal to any decline in the contract's
value or receive cash equal to any increase. At the time a futures
contract is closed out, a nominal commission is paid, which is
generally lower than the commission on a comparable transaction in
the cash markets.
The purpose of a futures contract, in the case of a portfolio
holding long-term debt securities, is to gain the benefit of
changes in interest rates without actually buying or selling
long-term debt securities. For example, if the Portfolio owned
long-term bonds and interest rates were expected to increase, it
might enter into futures contracts to sell securities which would <PAGE>
PAGE 62
have much the same effect as selling some of the long-term bonds it
owned.
Futures contracts are based on types of debt securities referred to
above, which have historically reacted to an increase or decline in
interest rates in a fashion similar to the debt securities the
Portfolio owns. If interest rates did increase, the value of the
debt securities in the portfolio would decline, but the value of
the Portfolio's futures contracts would increase at approximately
the same rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of the Portfolio
from declining as much as it otherwise would have. If, on the
other hand, the Portfolio held cash reserves and interest rates
were expected to decline, the Portfolio might enter into interest
rate futures contracts for the purchase of securities. If short-
term rates were higher than long-term rates, the ability to
continue holding these cash reserves would have a very beneficial
impact on the Portfolio's earnings. Even if short-term rates were
not higher, the Portfolio would still benefit from the income
earned by holding these short-term investments. At the same time,
by entering into futures contracts for the purchase of securities,
the Portfolio could take advantage of the anticipated rise in the
value of long-term bonds without actually buying them until the
market had stabilized. At that time, the futures contracts could
be liquidated and the Portfolio's cash reserves could then be used
to buy long-term bonds on the cash market. The Portfolio could
accomplish similar results by selling bonds with long maturities
and investing in bonds with short maturities when interest rates
are expected to increase or by buying bonds with long maturities
and selling bonds with short maturities when interest rates are
expected to decline. But by using futures contracts as an
investment tool, given the greater liquidity in the futures market
than in the cash market, it might be possible to accomplish the
same result more easily and more quickly. Successful use of
futures contracts depends on the investment manager's ability to
predict the future direction of interest rates. If the investment
manager's prediction is incorrect, the Portfolio would have been
better off had it not entered into futures contracts.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. Options give the holder a right to
buy or sell futures contracts in the future. Unlike a futures
contract, which requires the parties to the contract to buy and
sell a security on a set date, an option on a futures contract
merely entitles its holder to decide on or before a future date
(within nine months of the date of issue) whether to enter into
such a contract. If the holder decides not to enter into the
contract, all that is lost is the amount (premium) paid for the
option. Furthermore, because the value of the option is fixed at
the point of sale, there are no daily payments of cash to reflect
the change in the value of the underlying contract. However, since
an option gives the buyer the right to enter into a contract at a
set price for a fixed period of time, its value does change daily
and that change is reflected in the net asset value of the
Portfolio.<PAGE>
PAGE 63
RISKS. There are risks in engaging in each of the management tools
described above. The risk the Portfolio assumes when it buys an
option is the loss of the premium paid for the option. Purchasing
options also limits the use of monies that might otherwise be
available for long-term investments.
The risk involved in writing options on futures contracts the
Portfolio owns, or on securities held in its portfolio, is that
there could be an increase in the market value of such contracts or
securities. If that occurred, the option would be exercised and
the asset sold at a lower price than the cash market price. To
some extent, the risk of not realizing a gain could be reduced by
entering into a closing transaction. The Portfolio could enter
into a closing transaction by purchasing an option with the same
terms as the one it had previously sold. The cost to close the
option and terminate the Portfolio's obligation, however, might be
more or less than the premium received when it originally wrote the
option. Furthermore, the Portfolio might not be able to close the
option because of insufficient activity in the options market.
A risk in employing futures contracts to protect against the price
volatility of portfolio securities is that the prices of securities
subject to futures contracts may not correlate perfectly with the
behavior of the cash prices of the securities. The correlation may
be distorted because the futures market is dominated by short-term
traders seeking to profit from the difference between a contract or
security price and their cost of borrowed funds. Such distortions
are generally minor and would diminish as the contract approached
maturity.
Another risk is that the Portfolio's investment manager could be
incorrect in anticipating as to the direction or extent of various
interest rate movements or the time span within which the movements
take place. For example, if the Portfolio sold futures contracts
for the sale of securities in anticipation of an increase in
interest rates, and interest rates declined instead, the Portfolio
would lose money on the sale.
TAX TREATMENT. As permitted under federal income tax laws, the
Portfolio intends to identify futures contracts as mixed straddles
and not mark them to market, that is, not treat them as having been
sold at the end of the year at market value. Such an election may
result in the Portfolio being required to defer recognizing losses
incurred by entering into futures contracts and losses on
underlying securities identified as being hedged against.
Federal income-tax treatment of gains or losses from transactions
in options on futures contracts and indexes will depend on whether
such option is a section 1256 contract. If the option is a non-
equity option, the Portfolio will either make a 1256(d) election
and treat the option as a mixed straddle or mark to market the
option at fiscal year end and treat the gain/loss as 40% short-term
and 60% long-term. Certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
may also limit the Portfolio's ability to engage in futures
contracts and related options transactions. For example, at the <PAGE>
PAGE 64
close of each quarter of the Portfolio's taxable year, at least 50%
of the value of its assets must consist of cash, government
securities and other securities, subject to certain diversification
requirements. Less than 30% of its gross income must be derived
from sales of securities held less than three months.
The IRS has ruled publicly that an exchange-traded call option is a
security for purposes of the 50%-of-assets test and that its issuer
is the issuer of the underlying security, not the writer of the
option, for purposes of the diversification requirements. In order
to avoid realizing a gain within the three-month period, the
Portfolio may be required to defer closing out a contract beyond
the time when it might otherwise be advantageous to do so. The
Portfolio also may be restricted in purchasing put options for the
purpose of hedging underlying securities because of applying the
short sale holding period rules with respect to such underlying
securities.
Accounting for futures contracts will be according to generally
accepted accounting principles. Initial margin deposits will be
recognized as assets due from a broker (the Portfolio's agent in
acquiring the futures position). During the period the futures
contract is open, changes in value of the contract will be
recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking to market on a
daily basis to reflect the market value of the contract at the end
of each day's trading. Variation margin payments will be made or
received depending upon whether gains or losses are incurred. All
contracts and options will be valued at the last-quoted sales price
on their primary exchange.
<PAGE>
PAGE 65
APPENDIX C
DOLLAR-COST AVERAGING
A technique that works well for many investors is one that
eliminates random buy and sell decisions. One such system is
dollar-cost averaging. Dollar-cost averaging involves building a
portfolio through the investment of fixed amounts of money on a
regular basis regardless of the price or market condition. This
may enable an investor to smooth out the effects of the volatility
of the financial markets. By using this strategy, more shares will
be purchased when the price is low and less when the price is high.
As the accompanying chart illustrates, dollar-cost averaging tends
to keep the average price paid for the shares lower than the
average market price of shares purchased, although there is no
guarantee.
While this does not ensure a profit and does not protect against a
loss if the market declines, it is an effective way for many
shareholders who can continue investing through changing market
conditions to accumulate shares in a fund to meet long-term goals.
Dollar-cost averaging
___________________________________________________________________
Regular Market Price Shares
Investment of a Share Acquired
$100 $6.00 16.7
100 4.00 25.0
100 4.00 25.0
100 6.00 16.7
100 5.00 20.0
$500 $25.00 103.4
Average market price of a share over 5 periods:
$5.00 ($25.00 divided by 5).
The average price you paid for each share:
$4.84 ($500 divided by 103.4).
<PAGE>
PAGE 66
STRATEGIST TAX-FREE HIGH YIELD FUND
(a series within Strategist Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 15, 1996
Assets:
Investment in Tax-Free High Yield Portfolio $100,000
Organizational costs (note 5) 13,907
Total assets 113,907
Liabilities:
Payable to adviser (note 5) 13,907
Net assets applicable to oustanding capital stock $100,000
Represented by:
Capital stock - authorized 3 billion shares of $.01
par value; outstanding 10,000 shares $ 100
Additional paid-in capital 99,900
Total - representing net assets applicable to
outstanding capital stock $100,000
Net asset value per share of outstanding capital stock $ 10.00
See accompanying notes to financial statement.<PAGE>
PAGE 67
Independent Auditors' Report
The Board of Directors and Shareholder
Strategist Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.:
We have audited the statement of assets and liabilities of
Strategist Tax-Free High Yield Fund (a series within Strategist
Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.) as of April 15, 1996. This financial
statement is the responsibility of Fund management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement
based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statement is free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our procedures
included verification of the investment in Tax-Free High Yield
Portfolio by examination of the underlying Portfolio. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the statement of assets and liabilities referred to
above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Strategist Tax-Free High Yield Fund at April 15, 1996,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 16, 1996
<PAGE>
PAGE 68
STRATEGIST TAX-FREE HIGH YIELD FUND
(a series within Strategist Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.)
Notes to Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 15, 1996
1. Organization
The Fund is a series of Strategist Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc. and
is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a
diversified, open-end management investment company. The
Strategist Tax-Free High Yield Fund seeks to provide shareholders a
high yield generally exempt from federal income taxes. The Fund
invests substantially all of its assets in the Tax-Free High Yield
Portfolio (Portfolio), a series of Tax-Free Income Trust, an
open-end investment company which has the same investment
objectives as the Fund. The financial statements of the Portfolio
are included elsewhere in this report and should be read in
conjunction with the Fund's financial statements. The percentage of
the Portfolio owned by the Fund at April 15, 1996 was 100%.
The only transactions of the Fund since inception has been the
initial sale on April 15, 1996 of 10,000 shares of the Fund to
American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC), and the investment
of the proceeds in the underlying Portfolio.
2. Valuation of Investments
The Fund records its investment in the Portfolio at market value.
3. Investment Income and Expenses
The Fund records daily its pro rata share of the Portfolio's
income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses. In
addition, the Fund accrues its own expenses as follows:
Under an Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays AEFC for
administration and accounting services at a percentage of the
Fund's average daily net assets in reducing percentages from 0.04%
to 0.02% annually. Under this agreement, the Fund also pays taxes;
audit and certain legal fees; registration fees for shares; office
expenses; consultant's fees; compensation of board members,
corporate filing fees; organizational expenses; and any other
expenses properly payable by the Fund approved by the board.
Under a separate Transfer Agency Agreement, AEFC maintains
shareholder accounts and records. The Fund pays AEFC an annual fee
per shareholder account of $25.
Under a Plan and Agreement of Distribution, the Fund pays American
Express Service Corporation a distribution fee at an annual rate of
0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
A redemption fee of 0.5% is applied and retained by the Fund, if
shares are redeemed or exchanged within 180 days of purchase.<PAGE>
PAGE 69
4. Federal Taxes
The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of the Internal
Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute taxable income to the shareholders in amounts that will
avoid federal income and excise taxes.
5. Organizational Costs
The Fund expects to incur organizational expenses in connection
with the start-up and initial registration of the Fund. These costs
will be amortized over 60 months on a straight-line basis beginning
with the commencement of operations. If any or all of the shares
held by AEFC representing initial capital of the Fund are redeemed
during the amortization period, the redemption proceeds will be
reduced by the pro rata portion of the unamortized organizational
cost balance.
<PAGE>
PAGE 70
Statement of Differences
Difference Description
1) On cover page of prospectus, 1) FDIC disclosure has been
FDIC disclosure has been deleted since the fund(s)
deleted. are not being sold through
banks.
2) In performance section of 2) Disclosure stating the
prospectus, disclosure is comparative index(es) are
added to reflect comparative unmanaged is added due to
index(es) are unmanaged. an SEC comment.
3) A Dollar-Cost Averaging 3) The Appendix has been added
Appendix has been added to to the group of SAI
the SAI. Appendices.
4) In the Board Members and 4) Minor revisions are made to
Officers section of the SAI, update the board members'
minor revisions are made to biographies.
the biographies of William
Heron and James Mitchell.
