TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION
To the Stockholders:
In the third quarter of 2000, the stock market was volatile, as signs of a
slowing economy made investors worry that companies would not continue to post
strong earnings. During this period, Tri-Continental Corporation returned -0.58%
based on net asset value and 3.78% based on market price, compared with 3.64%
for the Lipper Closed-End Growth & Income Funds Average and -0.97% for the
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index (S&P 500).
By June of this year, it was apparent that the Federal Reserve Board's efforts
to slow the economy to a more sustainable pace were having an effect. Leading
economic indicators such as new home sales, retail sales, and manufacturing all
pointed to an economy that was still strong, but whose growth had slowed. The
Fed responded by leaving interest rates untouched at meetings in June, August,
and October of this year.
The stock market's reaction to the slowing economy has so far been mixed and
returns have been, in general, unimpressive. Periodically, the markets have
rallied on news of an economic slowdown (and therefore an end to interest rate
hikes). However, particularly in the third quarter, investors accustomed to
vigorous corporate earnings have reacted to earnings disappointments with
sell-offs; we saw this most acutely this past September and October.
The Nasdaq, a technology-dominated index, has been hit particularly hard this
year since experiencing a major correction in April. As of this writing, the
index had fallen back to the sell-off lows of last spring. Technology investors
have been made nervous by the prospect of slowing growth in these dynamic
companies, whose stock prices were once extremely high relative to the broader
market. We believe this readjustment of the Nasdaq is positive in the sense that
valuations are becoming more commensurate with earnings.
In the large-cap sector in which Tri-Continental Corporation invests, concerns
about earnings and slowing growth are legitimate. However, we remain optimistic
because the economy is still healthy and is growing at a reasonable rate. We
believe the stock market will respond well after recognizing this reality. As we
navigate this unpredictable market, we believe that the value of rigorous
company research and a coherent investment strategy is more important than ever.
We will continue to employ a long-term perspective and will seek to invest in
quality companies with strong earnings.
Thank you for your continued support of Tri-Continental Corporation. We look
forward to serving your investment needs for many years to come.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ William C. Morris
---------------------
William C. Morris
Chairman
/s/ Brian T. Zino
-----------------
Brian T. Zino
President
November 3, 2000
<PAGE>
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION
INTERVIEW WITH YOUR PORTFOLIO MANAGERS, CHARLES C. SMITH, JR. AND RODNEY COLLINS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[PHOTO OMITTED]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[PHOTO CAPTION]
SELIGMAN GROWTH AND INCOME TEAM: (FROM LEFT) AMY FUJII, JOHN ROTH, MELANIE
RAVENELL (ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT), (SEATED) CHARLES SMITH (PORTFOLIO MANAGER),
RODNEY COLLINS (CO-PORTFOLIO MANAGER)
HOW DID TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION PERFORM DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2000?
For the quarter ended September 30, 2000, Tri-Continental posted a total return
of -0.58% based on net asset value and 3.78% based on market price, compared to
3.64% for the Lipper Closed-End Growth & Income Funds Average and -0.97% for the
Standard and Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index (S&P 500).
WHAT ECONOMIC AND MARKET FACTORS AFFECTED TRI- CONTINENTAL'S PERFORMANCE IN THE
THIRD QUARTER?
Tri-Continental's third-quarter performance, as well as that of the stock market
overall, was tied to investor worries about higher interest rates, a slowing
economy, and corporate earnings. The Federal Reserve Board did not raise
interest rates at its June, August, and October meetings, signaling its feeling
that the economy had slowed to a more sustainable pace. Key companies issued
warnings that earnings would fall short of estimates, and nervous investors (who
had become accustomed to consistently strong earnings reports) punished the
stocks that disappointed. Investors have become afraid that future earnings will
be hurt by a weak euro, higher energy costs, and the overall slowdown in the
economy. Some companies will indeed be affected by these factors, but we think
the sharp sell-offs this quarter were something of an overreaction. September
and October have traditionally been difficult months for the stock market, and
this year, we had the added uncertainties of the presidential election and
renewed conflict in the Middle East.
WHAT SECTORS OF THE PORTFOLIO MOST IMPACTED TRI-CONTINENTAL'S RESULTS?
The sectors that most positively influenced the portfolio in the third quarter
were health care, utilities, and finance. Tri-Continental was overweighted in
all three, and this mitigated an otherwise tough quarter. The technology, basic
materials, and telecommunications sectors all performed poorly. Technology hurt
Tri-Continental's performance most because it is the portfolio's largest sector
weighting. Fortunately, however, the portfolio was underweighted in basic
materials and, by the end of the quarter, was underweighted in
telecommunications as well. The telecommunications sector suffered because of
intense competition impacting companies' profitability. During the third
quarter, we were underweighted in consumer cyclicals and consumer staples, not
because we feared a decrease in consumer spending, but because we did not see a
clear catalyst for earnings acceleration for many of these companies.
2 (continued on page 4)
<PAGE>
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Results Per Common Share
TOTAL RETURNS
FOR PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average Annual
---------------------------------------
Three Nine One Five 10
Months* Months* Year Years Years
-------- -------- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MARKET PRICE** 3.78% (3.25)% 2.53% 17.76% 15.51%
NET ASSET VALUE** (0.58) (0.86) 8.30 17.60 15.91
LIPPER CLOSED-END
GROWTH & INCOME
FUNDS AVERAGE*** 3.64 4.70 16.27 16.54 16.69
S&P 500*** (0.97) (1.39) 13.28 21.52 19.36
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRICE PER SHARE
September 30, 2000 June 30, 2000 March 31, 2000 December 31, 1999
------------------- --------------- ---------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MARKET PRICE $26.125 $25.25 $25.50 $27.875
NET ASSET VALUE 31.52 31.80 32.76 32.82
</TABLE>
DIVIDEND AND CAPITAL GAIN INFORMATION
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
Capital Gain
------------------------------------------------------
Dividend Paid+ Paid Realized Unrealized
--------------- ----------- ----------- -------------
$0.25 $0.56++ $1.69 $6.81+++
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The rates of return will vary and the principal value of an investment will
fluctuate. Shares, if sold, may be worth more or less than their original
cost. Past performance is not indicative of future investment results.
* Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
** These rates of return reflect changes in market price or net asset
value, as applicable, and assume that all distributions within the
period are taken in additional shares.
*** The Lipper Closed-End Growth & Income Funds Average and the S&P 500 are
unmanaged benchmarks that assume investment of dividends. The Lipper
Closed-End Growth & Income Funds Average excludes the effect of any
costs associated with the purchase of shares, and the S&P 500 excludes
the effect of fees and sales charges. Investors cannot invest directly
in an index or an average.
+ Preferred Stockholders were paid dividends totaling $1.875 per share.
++ Represents realized capital gains from 1999, which were paid on June 22,
2000.
+++ Represents the per share amount of net unrealized appreciation of
portfolio securities as of September 30, 2000.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3
<PAGE>
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION
INTERVIEW WITH YOUR PORTFOLIO MANAGERS (continued)
WHAT WAS YOUR INVESTMENT STRATEGY?
We took strategic advantage of the weakness in the technology sector by
buying quality technology companies whose stocks, we believed, had been unfairly
driven down by the overall flight from this sector. Over the short term,
technology hurt performance, but we are taking a long-term perspective and
anticipate that the leading technology companies will bounce back strongly. When
and if that happens, we believe the portfolio will be well positioned to
benefit. Technology is still the most dynamic sector of the economy, and we
don't expect this to change.
WHY HAS TRI-CONTINENTAL EXPERIENCED A DECLINE IN ITS DIVIDEND YIELD?
We understand that some Stockholders are concerned about Tri-Continental's
declining dividend yield. In recent years, we have observed a significant change
in the market, in which dividend yields have declined and capital gains have
become an increasingly greater component of the market's total return. (An
asset's total return is comprised of two components: the asset's capital
appreciation and the income the asset produces.)
Tri-Continental's lower dividend yield reflects, to a large extent, the
decline in the market. Ten years ago, the dividend yield of the S&P 500 stood at
3.92%. Five years later, it had declined to 2.40%, and by the end of September
2000, it was 1.14%. This downward trend reflects an increase in the number of
growth-oriented companies in the S&P average; growth stocks tend to pay low
dividends or none at all. Corporate America, as well, has focused less on
dividends in light of current tax laws and investors' attention to growth. In
order for Tri-Continental to maintain its high dividend payments as the market's
dividends are declining, it would be forced to sacrifice capital appreciation
potential. This is something that could negatively impact total return and which
we feel would not be in the best interests of the Stockholders. Tri-Continental
has not abandoned its pursuit of income, but strives for diversification among a
variety of companies -- including growth-oriented companies.
Going forward, dividend yields for Tri-Continental will vary both up and down
in response to changes in the economy and in the financial markets. At the same
time, we are very conscious of our Stockholders' income requirements. Options
for Stockholders wishing to increase cash flow include taking capital gains in
cash or participating in Tri-Continental's Systematic Withdrawal Plan, which
allows Stockholders to receive fixed payments from their investment at specified
regular intervals.
WHAT IS YOUR OUTLOOK?
We expect continued market volatility for the remainder of 2000. Corporate
earnings will likely be mixed, and concerns about the slowing economy will
linger. It's important to keep in mind, however, that economic growth is
slowing, not ending. We anticipate a rebound in some of the sectors that have
been hardest hit this year, especially technology. If earnings reports are good
(and they should be for many companies), market sentiment should improve. The
current market environment makes it important to invest in the right companies;
Tri-Continental's investments are in the stocks of high-quality companies, and
we expect them to post strong earnings growth.
4
<PAGE>
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION
LARGEST PORTFOLIO CHANGES
July 1 to September 30, 2000
SHARES
------------------------
HOLDINGS
ADDITIONS INCREASE 9/30/00
---------- ----------
COMMON STOCKS
Altera Corporation 705,000 705,000
Analog Devices, Inc. 598,500 598,500
Compaq Computer
Corporation 1,275,000 1,275,000
Micron Technology, Inc. 497,500 497,500
Novellus Systems, Inc. 685,900 685,900
Pharmacia Corporation 530,000 530,000
QUALCOMM Inc. 655,700 655,700
St. Jude Medical Inc. 1,630,000 1,630,000
Vitesse Semiconductor
Corporation 513,700 513,700
XL Capital Ltd. Class "A"
(Bermuda) 600,000 600,000
SHARES
------------------------
HOLDINGS
REDUCTIONS DECREASE 9/30/00
---------- ----------
COMMON STOCKS
American Home Products
Corporation 610,600 705,800
Anheuser-Busch Companies,
Inc. 533,500 327,000(1)
CVS Corporation 1,511,500 --
Ford Motor Company 1,619,509(2) --
Hewlett-Packard Company 345,700 --
Morgan (J.P.) & Co. Incorporated 302,300 --
PepsiCo, Inc. 889,200 680,800
Schering-Plough Corporation 853,200 --
Sun Microsystems, Inc. 328,400 --
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 685,000 1,114,100
Largest portfolio changes from the previous period to the current period are
based on cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities.
(1) Includes 255,900 shares received as a result of a 2-for-1 stock split.
(2) Includes 693,109 shares received as a result of a recapitalization.
10 LARGEST HOLDINGS
September 30, 2000
VALUE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Electric Company $188,153,550
Bank of New York Company, Inc. 122,457,319
Chubb Corporation (The) 121,520,175
Microsoft Corporation 114,913,406
American International Group, Inc. 114,767,587
Citigroup Inc. 111,765,190
Cisco Systems, Inc. 106,135,250
Exxon Mobil Corporation 95,595,475
United Technologies Corporation 92,417,588
Bank of America Corporation 87,586,032
5
<PAGE>
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (unaudited)
Shares Value
------- ---------
COMMON STOCKS - 92.9%
COMMUNICATION
EQUIPMENT - 3.9%
Ciena Corporation* 198,600 $ 24,378,150
Lucent Technologies, Inc.* 819,100 30,256,875
Nortel Networks
Corporation (Canada) 877,600 52,272,050
QUALCOMM Inc.* 655,700 46,718,625
--------------
$ 153,625,700
--------------
COMMUNICATIONS - 5.1%
AT&T Corp. 1,334,500 $ 39,200,937
SBC Communications, Inc. 1,161,380 58,069,000
Sprint Corporation 750,000 21,984,375
Verizon Communications 997,722 48,327,159
WorldCom, Inc.* 1,153,000 35,022,375
--------------
$ 202,603,846
--------------
CONSUMER GOODS
AND SERVICES - 3.0%
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. 327,000 $ 13,836,187
Coca-Cola Company (The) 443,000 24,420,375
PepsiCo, Inc. 680,800 31,316,800
Procter & Gamble
Company (The) 382,300 25,614,100
Ralston Purina Group 1,020,600 24,175,462
--------------
$ 119,362,924
--------------
DRUGS AND
HEALTH CARE - 12.9%
Abbott Laboratories 1,092,100 $ 51,943,006
American Home
Products Corporation 705,800 39,921,812
Baxter International Inc. 658,200 52,532,587
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 619,050 35,363,231
Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc.* 2,500 80,391
Guidant Corporation* 866,100 61,222,444
Johnson & Johnson 457,600 42,985,800
Merck & Co., Inc. 718,300 53,468,456
Pfizer Inc. 1,272,500 57,182,969
Pharmacia Corporation 530,000 31,899,375
St. Jude Medical Inc.* 1,630,000 83,130,000
--------------
$ 509,730,071
--------------
ELECTRIC AND
GAS UTILITIES - 3.6%
Unicom Corporation 1,170,200 $ 65,750,613
Williams Companies,
Inc. (The) 1,803,000 76,176,750
--------------
$ 141,927,363
--------------
ELECTRONIC
TECHNOLOGY - 16.5%
Altera Corporation* 705,000 $ 33,685,781
Analog Devices, Inc.* 598,500 49,413,656
Applied Materials, Inc.* 1,394,400 82,618,200
Cisco Systems, Inc.* 1,921,000 106,135,250
Compaq Computer
Corporation 1,275,000 35,164,500
Dell Computer Corporation* 1,555,300 47,874,078
EMC Corporation* 306,900 30,421,463
Gateway, Inc.* 337,100 15,759,425
Intel Corporation 2,047,800 85,047,694
International Business
Machines Corporation 588,950 66,256,875
Micron Technology, Inc.* 497,500 22,885,000
Novellus Systems, Inc.* 685,900 31,958,653
Proton Energy Systems, Inc.* 3,000 85,969
Vitesse Semiconductor
Corporation* 513,700 45,671,141
--------------
$ 652,977,685
--------------
ENERGY - 9.5%
Baker Hughes Incorporated 530,500 $ 19,694,813
BP Amoco plc (ADRs)
(United Kingdom) 1,009,300 53,492,900
Coastal Corporation (The) 1,040,000 77,090,000
Exxon Mobil Corporation 1,072,600 95,595,475
Royal Dutch Petroleum
Company (Netherlands) 1,111,600 66,626,525
Schlumberger Ltd. 809,400 66,623,737
--------------
$ 379,123,450
--------------
FINANCE AND
INSURANCE - 20.5%
American General Corporation 1,009,300 $ 78,725,400
American International
Group, Inc. 1,199,400 114,767,587
------------------------
See footnotes on page 7.
6
<PAGE>
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION
Shares Value
------- ---------
FINANCE AND
INSURANCE (continued)
Bank of America Corporation 1,672,287 $ 87,586,032
Bank of New York
Company, Inc. 2,184,300 122,457,319
Chubb Corporation (The) 1,535,800 121,520,175
Citigroup Inc. 2,067,333 111,765,190
Fannie Mae 726,500 51,944,750
Merrill Lynch & Co.
Incorporated 1,160,400 76,586,400
XL Capital Ltd. Class "A"
(Bermuda) 600,000 44,100,000
--------------
$ 809,452,853
--------------
MACHINERY AND
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT - 7.1%
General Electric Company 3,261,600 $ 188,153,550
United Technologies
Corporation 1,334,550 92,417,588
--------------
$ 280,571,138
--------------
OFFICE EQUIPMENT - 2.0%
Pitney Bowes Incorporated 2,021,000 $ 79,703,188
--------------
RETAIL TRADE - 1.4%
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 1,114,100 $ 53,616,063
--------------
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES - 7.4%
Agilent Technologies, Inc.* 731,849 $ 35,814,861
America Online, Inc.* 541,200 29,089,500
Electronic Data Systems
Corporation 1,292,000 53,618,000
JDS Uniphase Corporation* 184,300 17,445,147
Microsoft Corporation* 1,905,300 114,913,406
Oracle Corporation 526,600 41,469,750
--------------
$ 292,350,664
--------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost: $2,827,988,862) $3,675,044,945
--------------
Principal
Amount Value
---------- --------
TRI-CONTINENTAL
FINANCIAL DIVISION+ - 0.3%
(Cost: $12,014,195) $ 12,158,008
--------------
FIXED TIME
DEPOSITS - 7.2%
ABN-Amro, Grand Cayman,
6.69%, 10/2/00 $76,100,000 $ 76,100,000
Bank of Montreal, Grand
Cayman,
6.6562%, 10/2/00 70,000,000 70,000,000
Barclays Bank, Grand Cayman,
6.6875%, 10/2/00 70,000,000 70,000,000
National Westminster, Nassau,
6.625%, 10/2/00 70,000,000 70,000,000
--------------
TOTAL FIXED TIME DEPOSITS
(Cost: $286,100,000) $ 286,100,000
--------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100.4%
(Cost: $3,126,103,057) $3,973,302,953
OTHER ASSETS
LESS LIABILITIES - (0.4)% (15,631,284)
---------------
NET INVESTMENT ASSETS - 100.0% $3,957,671,669
===============
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Non-income producing security.
+ Restricted security.
Note: Investments in common stocks, bonds, limited partnership interests, and
short-term holdings maturing in more than 60 days are valued at current market
values or, in their absence, at fair values determined in accordance with
procedures approved by the Board of Directors. Securities traded on an exchange
are valued at last sales prices or, in their absence and in the case of
over-the-counter securities, at the mean of bid and ask prices. Short-term
holdings maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost.
7
<PAGE>
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION
STOCKHOLDER SERVICES
Tri-Continental provides a number of services to make maintaining an
investment in its Common Stock more convenient.
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND INVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN. Stockholders may
automatically purchase additional shares with dividends and capital gains. There
is no charge for this service. Stockholders may also purchase additional shares
directly from the Corporation. There is a service fee of a maximum of $2.00 for
each cash purchase transaction.
AUTOMATIC CASH WITHDRAWAL PLAN. Stockholders who hold common shares with a
market value of $5,000 or more may elect to receive a fixed amount from their
investment at regular intervals.
TRADITIONAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT (IRA). Stockholders who have earned
income and are under age 70 1/2 may contribute up to $2,000 per year to a
Traditional IRA. A working or non-working spouse may also contribute up to
$2,000 to a separate Traditional IRA. Contributions to a Traditional IRA may be
deductible or non-deductible. If you are NOT covered by an employer's retirement
plan, your contribution will always be deductible. For individuals who are
covered by a plan, contributions will be deductible if your modified adjusted
gross income (MAGI) in 2000 is less than $32,000. For spouses who are both
covered by a plan, contributions will be fully deductible if your MAGI is less
than $52,000. If one spouse does not work or is not covered by a retirement
plan, that spouse's contribution will be fully deductible provided your
household MAGI does not exceed $150,000. If your contribution is not deductible,
you may still take advantage of the tax-deferred accumulation of earnings in
your Traditional IRA.
ROLLOVER IRA. You may be eligible to roll over a distribution of assets received
from another IRA, a qualified employee benefit plan, or tax-deferred annuity
into a Rollover IRA with Tri-Continental. To avoid a tax penalty, the transfer
to a Rollover IRA must occur within 60 days of receipt of the qualifying
distribution. If you do not make a direct transfer of a distribution from a
qualified employee benefit plan or a tax-deferred annuity to a Rollover IRA, the
payor of the distribution must withhold 20% of the distribution.
ROTH IRA. You (and a working or non-working spouse) may each make an after-tax
contribution of up to $2,000 per year to a Roth IRA provided you have earned
income and meet the eligibility requirements. Your MAGI must be less than
$95,000 (individuals) or $150,000 (married couples) to be eligible to make a
full contribution to a Roth IRA. Total contributions to a Roth IRA and a
Traditional IRA cannot exceed $2,000 in any year. Earnings grow tax-free and
will be distributed to you tax-free and penalty-free provided that you hold your
account for at least five years and you take the distribution either after age
59 1/2, for disability, upon death, or to make a first-time home purchase (up to
$10,000). Unlike a Traditional IRA, you may contribute to a Roth IRA even if you
are over age 70 1/2 (if you have earned income), and you are not required to
take minimum distributions at age 70 1/2. If your MAGI is less than $100,000,
you may convert an existing Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA to take advantage of
tax-free distributions. You must pay taxes on any earnings and deductible
contributions in your Traditional IRA when converting it to a Roth IRA. Talk to
your financial advisor for more details on converting your Traditional IRA.
8
<PAGE>
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION
STOCKHOLDER SERVICES (continued)
RETIREMENT PLANNING -- QUALIFIED PLANS. Unincorporated businesses and the
self-employed may take advantage of the same benefits in their retirement plans
that are available to corporations. Contribution levels can go as high as 25% of
earned income (reduced by plan contributions), to a maximum of $30,000 per
participant. For retirement plan purposes, no more than $170,000 may be taken
into account as earned income under the plan in 2000 and future years (subject
to adjustments to reflect cost of living increases). Social Security integration
and employee vesting schedules are also available as options in the
Tri-Continental prototype retirement plans. Although you already may be
participating in an employer's retirement plan, you may be eligible to establish
another plan based upon income from other sources, such as director's fees.
RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES provides information about our prototype retirement
plans. The toll-free telephone number is (800) 445-1777 in the US and (212)
682-7600 outside the US.
Gifts Free of Federal Tax are often made using Tri-Continental Common Stock. You
may give as much as $10,000 a year to as many individuals as desired free of
federal gift tax, and a married couple may give up to $20,000 a year.
STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM. In November 1998, the Board of Directors authorized a
stock repurchase program through which Tri-Continental may repurchase up to 7.5%
of its then-outstanding common stock as long as its discount to net asset value
remains wider than 10%. The repurchase program seeks, among other things, to
moderate the growth in the number of shares outstanding, increase the net asset
value of the Corporation's outstanding shares, reduce the dilutive impact on
Stockholders who do not take capital gain distributions in additional shares,
and increase the liquidity of the Corporation's common stock in the marketplace.
As of September 30, 2000, 5.5 million shares had been repurchased. This is
approximately 4.6% of the shares outstanding as of November 19, 1998, when the
buy-back program was announced.
9
<PAGE>
TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION
For information about your Corporation, write to Corporate Communications,
J. & W. Seligman & Co. Incorporated, 100 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017. If you
want information about your investment account, write to Stockholder Services,
Seligman Data Corp., at the same address. You may also call Stockholder Services
at the telephone number listed below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
STOCKHOLDER RETIREMENT PLAN 24-HOUR AUTOMATED
SERVICES SERVICES TELEPHONE ACCESS SERVICE
(800) TRI-1092 (800) 445-1777 (800) 622-4597
(8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST) (8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10
<PAGE>
TRI-CONTINENTIAL CORPORATION THIRD QUARTER REPORT 2000
INVESTS TO PRODUCE
FUTURE GROWTH OF BOTH
CAPITAL AND INCOME,
WHILE PROVIDING REASONABLE
CURRENT INCOME.
[TRI-CONTINENTAL CORPORATION LOGO]
Tri-Continental Corporation
Managed by
[LOGO OF JWS]
J. & W. SELIGMAN & CO.
INCORPORATED
Investment Managers and Advisors
ESTABLISHED 1864
100 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
This report is intended only for the information of
Stockholders of those who have received the current
prospectus covering shares of Common Stock of Tri-
Continental Corporation, which contains information
about management fees and other costs.
CERTRI3c 9/00 AN INVESTMENT YOU CAN LIVE WITH
