-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: keymaster@town.hall.org Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFkwCgYEVQgBAQICAgADSwAwSAJBALeWW4xDV4i7+b6+UyPn5RtObb1cJ7VkACDq pKb9/DClgTKIm08lCfoilvi9Wl4SODbR1+1waHhiGmeZO8OdgLUCAwEAAQ== MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, chaN9Rs8KY6n6jJKqtRoPGdb6lY3cUL/9sxmXabI6SdOwkn5z0+5CCazKbeatkBL UEIes0V8bqt1Zfn//Ft6Xw== 0000789289-95-000005.txt : 19950814 0000789289-95-000005.hdr.sgml : 19950814 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000789289-95-000005 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 497 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19950811 SROS: NONE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BLANCHARD FUNDS CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000789289 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000] IRS NUMBER: 133333918 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 0430 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 497 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 033-03165 FILM NUMBER: 95561558 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 41 MADSON AVE 24TH FL CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10010 BUSINESS PHONE: 2127797979 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 41 MADISON AVENUE 24TH FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10010 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BLANCHARD STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19901225 497 1 THE BLANCHARD GROUP OF FUNDS BLANCHARD WORLDWIDE EMERGING MARKETS FUND SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 7, 1995, AS SUPPLEMENTED ON AUGUST 11, 1995 FOR MARYLAND INVESTORS ONLY The following is to be read and is deemed to be a part of the Prospectus. RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS LOWER QUALITY FIXED INCOME SECURITIES. The FUND may invest up to 35% of its assets in lower quality fixed income securities. The lower quality fixed income securities that may comprise all of the fixed income sector's investments generally produce a higher current yield than do fixed income securities of higher quality. However, these high risk/high return securities are considered speculative because they involve greater price volatility and risk than do higher quality fixed income securities and yields on these fixed income securities will tend to fluctuate over time. Although the market value of all fixed income securities varies as a result of changes in prevailing interest rates (e.g., when interest rates rise, the market value of fixed income securities can be expected to decline), values of lower quality fixed income securities tend to react differently than the values of higher quality fixed income securities. Conversely, lower quality fixed income securities also involve a greater risk of default by the issuer in the payment of principal and income and are more sensitive to economic downturns and recessions than higher quality fixed income securities. The financial stress resulting from an economic downturn could have a greater negative effect on the ability of issuers of lower quality fixed income securities to service their principal and interest payments, to meet projected business goals and to obtain additional financing than on more creditworthy issuers. In the event of an issuer's default in payment of principal or interest on such securities, or any other fixed income securities in the FUND's portfolio, the net asset value of the FUND will be negatively affected. Moreover, as the market for lower quality fixed income securities is relatively new one, a severe economic downturn might increase the number of defaults, thereby adversely affecting the value of all outstanding lower quality fixed income securities and disrupting the market for such securities. Fixed income securities purchased by the FUND as part of an initial underwriting present an additional risk due to their lack of market history. These risks are exacerbated with respect to fixed income securities rated Caa or lower by Moody's or CCC or lower by S&P. Unrated fixed income securities generally carry the same risks as do lower rated fixed income securities. Lower quality fixed income securities are typically traded among a smaller number of broker-dealers rather than in a broad secondary market. Purchasers of lower quality fixed income securities tend to be institutions, rather than individuals, a factor that further limits the secondary market. To the extent that no established retail secondary market exists, many lower quality fixed income securities may not be as liquid as Treasury and investment grade bonds. The ability of the FUND to sell lower quality fixed income securities will be adversely affected to the extent that such securities are thinly traded or illiquid. Moreover, the ability of the FUND to value lower quality fixed income securities becomes more difficult, and judgment plays a greater role in valuation, as there is less reliable, objective data available with respect to such securities that are thinly traded or illiquid. Unrated fixed income securities are not necessarily of lower quality than rated fixed income securities, but they may not be attractive to as many buyers. Because investors may perceive that there are greater risks associated with the lower quality fixed income securities of the type in which the FUND may invest, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those for lower quality fixed income securities. Changes in perception of issuers' creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner in the lower quality segments of the fixed income securities market than do changes in higher quality segments of the fixed income securities market, resulting in greater yield and price volatility. The speculative characteristics of lower rated fixed income securities are set forth in Appendix A. OFFITBANK believes that the risk of investing in such high yielding, fixed income securities may be minimized through careful analysis of prospective issuers. Although the opinion of ratings services such as Moody's and S&P is considered in selecting portfolio securities, they evaluate the safety of the principal and the interest payments of the security, not their market value risk. Additionally, credit rating agencies may experience slight delays in updating ratings to reflect current events. OFFITBANK relies, primarily, on its own credit analysis. This may suggest, however, that the achievement of one portion of the FUND's investment objective is more dependent on OFFITBANK's proprietary credit analysis, than is otherwise the case for a fund that invests exclusively in higher quality fixed income securities. Once the rating of a portfolio security or the quality determination ascribed by OFFITBANK to an unrated fixed income security has been downgraded, OFFITBANK will consider all circumstances deemed relevant in determining whether to continue to hold the security. Investors should recognize that investing in securities of companies in emerging countries involves certain special considerations and risk factors, including those set forth below, which are not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. companies. FOREIGN CURRENCY CONSIDERATIONS The FUND's assets will be invested principally in securities of entities in emerging markets and substantially all of the income received by the FUND will be in foreign currencies. However, the FUND will compute and distribute its income in U.S. dollars, and the computation of income will be made on the date that the income is earned by the FUND at the foreign exchange rate in effect on that date. Therefore, if the value of the foreign currencies in which the FUND receives its income falls relative to the U.S. dollar between the earning of the income and the time at which the FUND converts the foreign currencies to U.S. dollars, the FUND will be required to liquidate securities in order to make distributions if the FUND has insufficient cash in U.S. dollars to meet distribution requirements. The liquidation of investments, if required, may have an adverse impact of the FUND's performance. In addition, if the liquidated investments include securities that have been held less than three months, such sales may jeopardize the FUND's status as a regulated investment company under the Code. See "Tax Matters". Since the FUND will invest in securities denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of securities in the FUND's portfolio and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. Further, the FUND may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer normally will offer to sell a foreign currency to the FUND at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the FUND desire immediately to resell that currency to the dealer. The FUND will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or through entering into forward, futures or options contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. The FUND may seek to protect the value of some portion or all of its portfolio holdings against currency exchange contracts and currency futures contracts and options on such futures contracts, as well as purchase put or call options on currencies, in U.S. or foreign markets. In order to hedge against adverse market shifts, the FUND may purchase put and call options on stocks, write covered call options on stocks and enter into stock index futures contracts and related options. There can be no guarantee that instruments suitable for hedging currency or market shifts will be available at the time when the FUND wishes to use them. Moreover, investors should be aware that in most emerging countries the markets for certain of these hedging instruments are not highly developed and that in many emerging countries no such markets currently exist. INVESTMENT AND REPATRIATION RESTRICTIONS Some emerging market countries have laws and regulations that currently preclude direct foreign investment in the securities of their companies. However, indirect foreign investment in the securities of companies listed and traded on the stock exchange in these countries is permitted by certain emerging market countries through investment funds which have been specifically authorized. The FUND may invest in these investment funds subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act. If the FUND invests in such investment funds, the FUND's shareholders will bear not only their proportionate share of the expenses of the FUND (including operating expenses and the fees of the Manager), but also will indirectly bear similar expenses of the underlying investment funds. See also "Tax Matters" for a discussion of passive foreign investment companies. In addition, prior governmental approval for foreign investments may be required under certain c ircumstances in some emerging market countries, and the extent of foreign investment in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other emerging countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies in emerging market countries to prevent, among other concerns, violation of foreign investment limitations. Repatriation of investment income, capital and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some emerging market countries. The FUND could be adversely affected by delays in or a refusal to grant any required governmental registration or approval for such repatriation or by withholding taxes imposed by emerging market countries on interest or dividends paid on securities held by the FUND or gains from the disposition of such securities. See "Tax Matters". EMERGING MARKET SECURITIES MARKETS Trading volume in emerging market securities markets is substantially less than that in the United States. Further, securities of some emerging market country companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. Commissions for trading on emerging market country stock exchanges are generally higher than commissions for trading on U.S. exchanges, although the Portfolio Adviser will endeavor to achieve the most favorable net results on the FUND's portfolio transactions and may, in certain instances, be able to purchase its portfolio investments on other stock exchanges where commissions are negotiable. Companies in emerging market countries are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and disclosure requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Consequently, there may be less publicly available information about an emerging market country company than about a U.S. company. Further, there is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the United States. INVESTMENTS IN UNLISTED SECURITIES Although the Fund expects to invest primarily in listed securities, it may invest up to 15% of its total assets in the aggregate in unlisted Emerging Market Equity Securities, including investments in new and early stage companies, which may involve a high degree of business and financial risk that can result in substantial losses. Because of the absence of any trading market for these investments, the FUND may take longer to liquidate these positions than would be the case for the publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized on these sales could be less than those originally paid by the FUND. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to public disclosure and other investor protection requirements applicable to publicly traded securities. ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL RISKS. The economies of individual emerging market countries may differ favorable or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, currency depreciation, capital reinvestment, resource self- sufficiency and balance of payments position. Further, the economies of developing countries generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. With respect to any emerging market country, there is the possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political changes, government regulation, social instability or diplomatic developments (including war) which could affect adversely the economies of such countries or the value of the FUND's investment in those countries. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain and enforce a judgment in a court outside of the United States. August 11, 1995 FEDERATED SECURITIES CORP. Distributor A subsidiary of Federated Investors Federated Investors Tower Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 G01335-10 (8/95) THE BLANCHARD GROUP OF FUNDS BLANCHARD WORLDWIDE EMERGING MARKETS FUND SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 7, 1995, AS SUPPLEMENTED ON AUGUST 11, 1995 FOR TEXAS INVESTORS ONLY I. The first sentence of the fifth paragraph under the heading "Investment Objective and Policies" at page 6 of the Prospectus is amended to read as follows: " The Portfolio Adviser for Fixed Income Securities may invest all of the fixed income sector's total assets in lower-quality fixed income securities, commonly referred to as "junk bonds," if the Portfolio Adviser deems that such high yield/high risk securities present attractive investment opportunities." II. The section of the Prospectus "Risk Factors and Special Considerations" on pages 16 and 17 should be read and is deemed a part of the sub-section of the Prospectus "Risk Factor and Special Considerations" on page 7. August 11, 1995 FEDERATED SECURITIES CORP. Distributor A subsidiary of Federated Investors Federated Investors Tower Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 G01335-10 (8/95) THE BLANCHARD GROUP OF FUNDS BLANCHARD WORLDWIDE EMERGING MARKETS FUND SUPPLEMENT DATED AUGUST 11, 1995 TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 7, 1995 FOR VERMONT INVESTORS ONLY The Blanchard Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund is not presently being offered to Vermont investors. August 11, 1995 FEDERATED SECURITIES CORP. Distributor A subsidiary of Federated Investors Federated Investors Tower Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 G01335-10 (8/95) THE BLANCHARD GROUP OF FUNDS BLANCHARD SHORT-TERM BOND FUND BLANCHARD FLEXIBLE INCOME FUND SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 7, 1995, AS SUPPLEMENTED ON AUGUST 11, 1995 FOR MISSOURI INVESTORS ONLY The FUND may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from yield disparities among different issues of securities, to seek short-term profits during periods of fluctuating interest rates, or for other reasons. Such trading will increase the FUND's rate of turnover and the possible incidence of short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income. The FUND's Manager anticipates that the annual turnover in the FUND will not be in excess of 200%. An annual turnover rate of 200% occurs, for example, when the dollar equivalent of all the securities in the FUND's portfolio are replaced two times in a period of one year. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater expenses than a lower rate, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestment in other securities, which expenses must be borne by the FUND and its shareholders. High portfolio turnover rate also may result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains. In order to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company for Federal Tax purposes, less than 30% of the annual gross income of the FUND must be derived from the sale of securities held by the FUND for less than three months. August 11, 1995 FEDERATED SECURITIES CORP. Distributor A subsidiary of Federated Investors Federated Investors Tower Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 G01335-05 (8/95) THE BLANCHARD GROUP OF FUNDS BLANCHARD AMERICAN EQUITY FUND SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 7, 1995, AS SUPPLEMENTED ON AUGUST 11, 1995 FOR MISSOURI INVESTORS ONLY The Fund's objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital. The Fund's portfolio is primarily composed of equity securities of companies of various sizes which are currently experiencing a rate of earnings growth greater than the average of such rate for all companies included in Standard & Poor's 500-Stock Index. The Fund's strategy does not prelude investment in large, seasoned companies which in the judgment of the Fund's portfolio adviser possess superior potential returns similar to companies with formative growth profiles. The Fund may also invest in established smaller companies and in small-to medium size growth companies. Investors should realize that equity securities of small-to medium-size companies may involve greater risk than is associated with investing in more established companies. Small-to medium-size companies often have limited product and market diversification, fewer financial resources or may be dependent on a few key managers. Any one of the foregoing may change suddenly having an immediate impact on the value of the company's securities. Furthermore, whenever the securities markets are experiencing rapid price changes due to national economic trends, secondary growth securities have historically been subject to exaggerated price changes. As a result of the Fund's policy to invest in companies in the small- to medium-size category, the market prices of many of the securities purchased and held by the Fund may fluctuate widely. Any income received from securities held by the Fund will be incidental, and an investor should not consider a purchase of shares of the Fund as equivalent to a complete investment program. The Fund's management fee is higher than that paid by most other domestic equity funds. However, the allocation of the Funds's assets in small- to medium-size companies requires substantial research and analysis on the part of the Fund's investment adviser in respect of such companies. August 11, 1995 FEDERATED SECURITIES CORP. Distributor A subsidiary of Federated Investors Federated Investors Tower Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 G01335-02 (8/95) -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----