1933 Act File No. 33-11410 1940 Act File No. 811-4533 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 Form N-1A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 X Pre-Effective Amendment No. .._____ Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 .__X__ and/or REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 __X__ Amendment No. 25 .__X__ FEDERATED MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Federated Investors Funds 5800 Corporate Drive Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237-7000 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (412) 288-1900 (Registrant's Telephone Number) John W. McGonigle, Esquire Federated Investors Tower 1001 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779 (Name and Address of Agent for Service) (Notices should be sent to the Agent for Service) It is proposed that this filing will become effective: immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) X on _October 29, 2001__, pursuant to paragraph (b) 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) on _____________, pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) on _________________, pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485 If appropriate, check the following box: This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. Copies to: Matthew G. Maloney, Esquire Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky, LLP 2101 L Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037
Federated Investors
World-Class Investment Manager
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October 31, 2001
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A mutual fund seeking to provide a high level of current income which is generally exempt from federal regular income tax by investing primarily in a portfolio of long-term, medium quality and non-investment grade tax exempt securities.
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As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
NOT FDIC INSURED * MAY LOSE VALUE * NO BANK GUARANTEE
Risk/Return Summary 1
What are the Fund's Fees and Expenses? 3
What are the Fund's Investment Strategies? 4
What are the Principal Securities in Which the Fund Invests? 6
What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund? 9
What Do Shares Cost? 10
How is the Fund Sold? 14
How to Purchase Shares 14
How to Redeem and Exchange Shares 16
Account and Share Information 20
Who Manages the Fund? 21
Financial Information 22
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The Fund's investment objective is to provide a high level of current income which is generally exempt from federal regular income tax. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the strategies and policies described in this prospectus.
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The Fund pursues its objective by investing in a portfolio of tax exempt securities so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. Interest income from the Fund's investments may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax for individuals and corporations (AMT). The Fund invests primarily in long-term, medium quality and non-investment grade tax exempt securities.
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All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
The primary factors that may reduce the Fund's returns include:
The Shares offered by this prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund's Class A Shares total returns on a calendar year-end basis.
The total returns displayed for the Fund's Class A Shares do not reflect the payment of any sales charges or recurring shareholder account fees. If these charges or fees had been included, the returns shown would have been lower.
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The Fund's Class A Shares total return for the nine-month period from January 1, 2001 to September 30, 2001 was 5.34%.
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Within the period shown in the Chart, the Fund's Class A Shares highest quarterly return was 3.38% (quarter ended June 30, 1997). Its lowest quarterly return was (2.59%) (quarter ended December 31, 1999).
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The following table represents the Fund's Class A, B and C Shares Average Annual Total Returns, reduced to reflect applicable sales charges, for the calendar periods ended December 31, 2000. The table shows the Fund's Class A, B and C Shares total returns averaged over a period of years relative to the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index (LBMB), a broad-based market performance benchmark for the tax exempt bond market, and the Lipper High Yield Municipal Debt Funds Average (LHMD), an average of funds with similar objectives. Total returns for the index and average shown do not reflect sales charges, expenses or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund's performance. Indexes and averages are unmanaged, and it is not possible to invest directly in an index or an average.
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Calendar Period |
|
Class A |
|
Class B |
|
Class C |
|
LBMB |
|
LHMD |
1 Year |
|
1.04% |
|
(0.36)% |
|
4.14% |
|
11.68% |
|
4.79% |
Start of Performance1 |
|
2.69% |
|
2.61% |
|
2.99% |
|
6.55% |
|
4.24% |
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1 The Fund's Class A, B and C Shares start of performance date was August 5, 1996.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This information provides you with historical performance information so that you can analyze whether the Fund's investment risks are balanced by its potential returns.
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This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Class A, B or C Shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees |
|
Class A |
|
Class B |
|
Class C |
Fees Paid Directly From Your Investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
4.50% |
|
None |
|
None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable) |
|
None |
|
5.50% |
|
1.00% |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable) |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
Exchange Fee |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waivers)1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses That are Deducted From Fund Assets (as percentage of average net assets) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fee2 |
|
0.60% |
|
0.60% |
|
0.60% |
Distribution (12b-1) Fee |
|
0.25%3 |
|
0.75% |
|
0.75% |
Shareholder Services Fee |
|
0.25% |
|
0.25% |
|
0.25% |
Other Expenses |
|
0.25% |
|
0.25% |
|
0.25% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
1.35% |
|
1.85%4 |
|
1.85% |
1 Although not contractually obligated to do so, the adviser and distributor waived certain amounts. These are shown below along with the net expenses the Fund actually paid for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001. |
||||||
Total Waivers of Fund Expenses |
|
0.26% |
|
0.01% |
|
0.01% |
Total Actual Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after waivers) |
|
1.09% |
|
1.84% |
|
1.84% |
2 The adviser voluntarily waived a portion of the management fee. The adviser can terminate this voluntary waiver at any time. The management fee paid by the Fund (after the voluntary waiver) was 0.59% for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001. |
||||||
3 Class A Shares did not pay or accrue the distribution (12b-1) fee for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001. Class A Shares has no present intention of paying or accruing the distribution (12b-1) fee during the fiscal year ending August 31, 2002. |
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4 After Class B Shares have been held for eight years from the date of purchase, they will automatically convert to Class A Shares on the 15th of the following month. Class A Shares pay lower operating expenses than Class B Shares. |
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund's Class A, B and C Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
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The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund's Class A, B and C Shares for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. Expenses assuming no redemption are also shown. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund's Class A, B and C Shares operating expenses are before waivers as shown in the table and remain the same. Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
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Share Class |
|
1 Year |
|
3 Years |
|
5 Years |
|
10 Years |
Class A: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses assuming redemption |
|
$581 |
|
$858 |
|
$1,156 |
|
$2,001 |
|
||||||||
Expenses assuming no redemption |
|
$581 |
|
$858 |
|
$1,156 |
|
$2,001 |
|
||||||||
Class B: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses assuming redemption |
|
$738 |
|
$982 |
|
$1,201 |
|
$2,039 |
|
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Expenses assuming no redemption |
|
$188 |
|
$582 |
|
$1,001 |
|
$2,039 |
|
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Class C: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses assuming redemption |
|
$288 |
|
$582 |
|
$1,001 |
|
$2,169 |
|
||||||||
Expenses assuming no redemption |
|
$188 |
|
$582 |
|
$1,001 |
|
$2,169 |
|
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The Fund invests in a portfolio of tax exempt securities so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. Interest from the Fund's investments may be subject to AMT. The Fund invests primarily in long-term tax exempt securities that are: (1) medium quality (i.e., securities rated in the third or fourth highest rating category by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) or unrated securities of comparable quality); or (2) non-investment grade. The Fund's investment adviser (Adviser) actively manages the Fund's portfolio, seeking to manage credit risk assumed by the Fund and provide superior levels of income.
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The Adviser manages credit risk by performing a fundamental credit analysis on all tax exempt securities before the Fund purchases such securities. The Adviser considers various factors, including the economic feasibility of revenue bond financings and general purpose financings; the financial condition of the issuer or guarantor; and political developments that may affect credit quality. The Adviser monitors the credit risks of all tax exempt securities on an ongoing basis by reviewing periodic financial data and ratings of NRSROs.
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The Adviser performs a more intensive credit analysis on non-investment grade tax exempt securities. In addition to the review process described above, the Adviser generally visits the site that the issuer is developing with the proceeds of the offering and engages in detailed discussions with the issuer regarding the offering.
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The Adviser attempts to provide superior levels of income by investing in long-term tax exempt securities and managing the duration of the Fund. "Duration" measures the sensitivity of a security's price to changes in interest rates. The greater a portfolio's duration, the greater the change in the portfolio's value in response to a change in market interest rates. The Adviser increases or reduces the Fund's portfolio duration based on its interest rate outlook. When the Adviser expects interest rates to fall, it maintains a longer portfolio duration. When the Adviser expects interest rates to increase, it shortens the portfolio duration. The Adviser considers a variety of factors in formulating its interest rate outlook, including current and expected U.S. economic growth; current and expected interest rates and inflation; the Federal Reserve's monetary policy; and supply and demand factors related to the municipal market and the effect they may have on the returns offered for various bond maturities. Duration management is less important when a greater portion of the Fund is allocated to non-investment grade tax exempt securities, because such securities are less sensitive to interest rate changes.
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The Adviser also attempts to provide superior levels of income by investing in non-investment grade tax exempt securities, which generally provide higher yields. The percentage that the Adviser allocates to non-investment grade securities will vary depending on the supply of non-investment grade tax exempt securities and the credit spread between investment grade tax exempt securities and non-investment grade tax exempt securities. If the credit spread narrows, the Adviser may increase its allocation to investment grade securities without limitation; if the credit spread broadens, the Adviser may increase its allocation to non-investment grade securities without limitation. The Adviser may invest up to 100% of the Fund's assets in non-investment grade tax exempt securities.
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The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in cash and shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations. It may do this to minimize potential losses and maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions during adverse market conditions. This may cause the Fund to distribute taxable income to investors. This may also cause the Fund to give up greater investment returns to maintain the safety of principal, that is, the original amount invested by shareholders.
Tax exempt securities are fixed income securities that pay interest that is not subject to federal regular income taxes. Fixed income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or adjusted periodically.
Typically, states, counties, cities and other political subdivisions and authorities issue tax exempt securities. The market categorizes tax exempt securities by their source of repayment.
General obligation bonds are supported by the issuer's power to exact property or other taxes. The issuer must impose and collect taxes sufficient to pay principal and interest on the bonds. However, the issuer's authority to impose additional taxes may be limited by its charter or state law.
Special revenue bonds are payable solely from specific revenues received by the issuer such as specific taxes, assessments, tolls or fees. Bondholders may not collect from the municipality's general taxes or revenues. For example, a municipality may issue bonds to build a toll road and pledge the tolls to repay the bonds. Therefore, a shortfall in the tolls normally would result in a default on the bonds.
Private activity bonds are special revenue bonds used to finance private entities. For example, a municipality may issue bonds to finance a new factory to improve its local economy. The municipality would lend the proceeds from its bonds to the company using the factory, and the company would agree to make loan payments sufficient to repay the bonds. The bonds would be payable solely from the company's loan payments, not from any other revenues of the municipality. Therefore, any default on the loan normally would result in a default on the bonds.
The interest on many types of private activity bonds is subject to AMT. The Fund may invest in bonds subject to AMT.
Municipalities may enter into leases for equipment or facilities. In order to comply with state public financing laws, these leases are typically subject to annual appropriation. In other words, a municipality may end a lease, without penalty, by not providing for the lease payments in its annual budget. After the lease ends, the lessor can resell the equipment or facility but may lose money on the sale.
The Fund may invest in securities supported by pools of municipal leases. The most common type of lease backed securities are certificates of participation (COPs). However, the Fund may also invest directly in individual leases.
An inverse floater has a floating or variable interest rate that moves in the opposite direction of market interest rates. When market interest rates go up, the interest rate paid on the inverse floater goes down; when market interest rates go down, the interest rate paid on the inverse floater goes up. Inverse floaters generally respond more rapidly to market interest rate changes than fixed rate, tax exempt securities. Inverse floaters are subject to interest rate risks and leverage risks.
Zero coupon securities do not pay interest or principal until final maturity unlike debt securities that provide periodic payments of interest (referred to as a coupon payment). Investors buy zero coupon securities at a price below the amount payable at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the amount paid at maturity represents interest on the zero coupon security. Investors must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which increases the interest rate risks and credit risks of a zero coupon security.
Credit enhancement consists of an arrangement in which a company agrees to pay amounts due on a fixed income security if the issuer defaults. In some cases the company providing credit enhancement makes all payments directly to the security holders and receives reimbursement from the issuer. Normally, the credit enhancer has greater financial resources and liquidity than the issuer. For this reason, the Adviser usually evaluates the credit risk of a fixed income security based solely upon its credit enhancement.
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Delayed delivery transactions, including when-issued transactions, are arrangements in which the Fund buys securities for a set price, with payment and delivery of the securities scheduled for a future time. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund. The Fund records the transactions when it agrees to buy the securities and reflects their value in determining the price of its shares. Settlement dates may be a month or more after entering into these transactions so that the market values of the securities bought may vary from the purchase prices. Therefore, delayed delivery transactions create interest rate risks for the Fund. Delayed delivery transactions also involve credit risks in the event of a counterparty default.
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In order to secure its obligations in connection with special transactions, the Fund will either own the underlying assets or set aside readily marketable securities with a value that equals or exceeds the Fund's obligations. Unless the Fund has other readily marketable assets to set aside, it cannot trade assets to secure such obligations without terminating the special transactions.
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Credit risk is the possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due. If an issuer defaults, the Fund will lose money.
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Many tax exempt securities receive credit ratings from NRSROs such as Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Service. These NRSROs assign ratings to securities by assessing the likelihood of issuer default. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser's credit assessment.
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Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.
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Prices of tax exempt securities rise and fall in response to changes in the interest rate paid by similar securities. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of tax exempt securities fall. However, market factors, such as the demand for particular tax exempt securities, may cause the price of certain fixed income securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.
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Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of tax exempt securities with longer durations. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a tax exempt security to changes in interest rates.
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Trading opportunities are more limited for tax exempt securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held.
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Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund's performance.
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Call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a tax exempt security before maturity (a call) at a price below its current market price. An increase in the likelihood of a call may reduce the security's price.
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If a tax exempt security is called, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other tax exempt securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks or other less favorable characteristics.
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Securities rated below investment grade, also known as junk bonds, generally entail greater credit, interest rate and liquidity risks than investment grade securities. For example, their prices are more volatile, economic downturns and financial setbacks may affect their prices more negatively, and their trading market may be more limited. The Adviser may invest up to 100% of the Fund's assets in non-investment grade tax exempt securities.
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A substantial part of the Fund's portfolio may be comprised of securities credit enhanced by banks, insurance companies or companies with similar characteristics. As a result, the Fund will be more susceptible to any economic, business, political or other developments which generally affect these entities.
Leverage risk is created when an investment exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested. Changes in the value of such an investment magnify the Fund's risk of loss and potential for gain.
Investments can have these same results if their returns are based on a multiple of a specified index, security or other benchmark.
You can purchase, redeem or exchange Shares any day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. When the Fund receives your transaction request in proper form (as described in this prospectus) it is processed at the next calculated net asset value (NAV) plus any applicable front-end sales charge (public offering price).
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NAV is determined at the end of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open.
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The Fund generally values fixed income securities according to the mean between bid and asked prices as furnished by an independent pricing service, except that fixed income securities with remaining maturities of less than 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost.
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The Fund's current NAV and public offering price may be found in the mutual funds section of certain local newspapers under "Federated."
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The following table summarizes the minimum required investment amount and the maximum sales charge, if any, that you will pay on an investment in the Fund. Keep in mind that investment professionals may charge you fees for their services in connection with your Share transactions.
Shares Offered |
|
Minimum |
|
Maximum Sales Charge |
||
Front-End |
|
Contingent |
||||
Class A |
|
$1,500/$100 |
|
4.50% |
|
None |
Class B |
|
$1,500/$100 |
|
None |
|
5.50% |
Class C |
|
$1,500/$100 |
|
None |
|
1.00% |
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1 The minimum subsequent investment amounts for Systematic Investment Programs (SIP) are $50. Investment professionals may impose higher or lower minimum investment requirements on their customers than those imposed by the Fund. Orders for $250,000 or more will be invested in Class A Shares instead of Class B Shares to maximize your return and minimize the sales charges and marketing fees. Accounts held in the name of an investment professional may be treated differently. After Class B Shares have been held for eight years from the date of purchase, they will automatically convert to Class A Shares on the 15th of the following month. This conversion is a non-taxable event.
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2 Front-End Sales Charge is expressed as a percentage of public offering price. See "Sales Charge When You Purchase."
3 See "Sales Charge When You Redeem."
Class A Shares |
|
|
||
Purchase Amount |
|
Sales Charge |
|
Sales Charge |
Less than $100,000 |
|
4.50% |
|
4.71% |
$100,000 but less than $250,000 |
|
3.75% |
|
3.90% |
$250,000 but less than $500,000 |
|
2.50% |
|
2.56% |
$500,000 but less than $1 million |
|
2.00% |
|
2.04% |
$1 million or greater1 |
|
0.00% |
|
0.00% |
1 A contingent deferred sales charge of 0.75% of the redemption amount applies to Class A Shares redeemed up to 24 months after purchase under certain investment programs where an investment professional received an advance payment on the transaction.
If your investment qualifies for a reduction or elimination of the sales charge as described below, you or your investment professional should notify the Fund's Distributor at the time of purchase. If the Distributor is not notified, you will receive the reduced sales charge only on additional purchases, and not retroactively on previous purchases.
The sales charge at purchase may be reduced or eliminated by:
The sales charge will be eliminated when you purchase Shares:
Your redemption proceeds may be reduced by a sales charge, commonly referred to as a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).
Class A Shares: |
|
|
A CDSC of 0.75% of the redemption amount applies to Class A Shares redeemed up to 24 months after purchase under certain investment programs where an investment professional received an advance payment on the transaction. |
||
Class B Shares: |
|
|
Shares Held Up To: |
|
CDSC |
1 Year |
|
5.50% |
2 Years |
|
4.75% |
3 Years |
|
4.00% |
4 Years |
|
3.00% |
5 Years |
|
2.00% |
6 Years |
|
1.00% |
7 Years or More |
|
0.00% |
Class C Shares: |
|
|
You will pay a 1% CDSC if you redeem Shares within one year of the purchase date. |
If your investment qualifies for a reduction or elimination of the CDSC as described below, you or your investment professional should notify the Distributor at the time of redemption. If the Distributor is not notified, the CDSC will apply.
You will not be charged a CDSC when redeeming Shares:
To keep the sales charge as low as possible, the Fund redeems your Shares in this order:
The CDSC is then calculated using the share price at the time of purchase or redemption, whichever is lower.
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The Fund offers four share classes: Class A, B, C and F Shares, each representing interests in a single portfolio of securities. This prospectus relates only to Class A, B and C Shares. Each share class has different sales charges and other expenses, which affect their performance. Contact your investment professional or call 1-800-341-7400 for more information concerning the other class.
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The Fund's Distributor, Federated Securities Corp., markets the Shares described in this prospectus to individuals, directly or through investment professionals. The Fund may not be a suitable investment for retirement plans.
When the Distributor receives marketing fees and sales charges, it may pay some or all of them to investment professionals. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay out of their assets other amounts (including items of material value) to investment professionals for marketing and servicing Shares. The Distributor is a subsidiary of Federated Investors, Inc. (Federated).
The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan, which allows it to pay marketing fees to the Distributor and investment professionals for the sale, distribution and customer servicing of the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. Because these Shares pay marketing fees on an ongoing basis, your investment cost may be higher over time than other shares with different sales charges and marketing fees.
You may purchase Shares through an investment professional, directly from the Fund, or through an exchange from another Federated Fund. The Fund reserves the right to reject any request to purchase or exchange Shares.
Where the Fund offers more than one share class and you do not specify the class choice on your New Account Form or form of payment (e.g., Federal Reserve wire or check) you automatically will receive Class A Shares.
Investment professionals should send payments according to the instructions in the sections "By Wire" or "By Check."
You will become the owner of Shares and your Shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your wire or your check. If your check does not clear, your purchase will be canceled and you could be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Fund or Federated Shareholder Services Company, the Fund's transfer agent.
An institution may establish an account and place an order by calling the Fund and the Shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives the order.
Send your wire to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Boston, MA
Dollar Amount of Wire
ABA Number 011000028
Attention: EDGEWIRE
Wire Order Number, Dealer Number or Group Number
Nominee/Institution Name
Fund Name and Number and Account Number
You cannot purchase Shares by wire on holidays when wire transfers are restricted.
Make your check payable to The Federated Funds, note your account number on the check, and mail it to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
If you send your check by a private courier or overnight delivery service that requires a street address, mail it to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
1099 Hingham Street
Rockland, MA 02370-3317
Payment should be made in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. The Fund will not accept third-party checks (checks originally payable to someone other than you or The Federated Funds).
You may purchase Shares through an exchange from the same Share class of another Federated Fund. You must meet the minimum initial investment requirement for purchasing Shares and both accounts must have identical registrations.
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Once you have opened an account, you may automatically purchase additional Shares on a regular basis by completing the SIP section of the New Account Form or by contacting the Fund or your investment professional.
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Once you have opened an account, you may purchase additional Shares through a depository institution that is an ACH member. This purchase option can be established by completing the appropriate sections of the New Account Form.
You should redeem or exchange Shares:
Submit your redemption or exchange request to your investment professional by the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The redemption amount you will receive is based upon the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives the order from your investment professional.
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You may redeem or exchange Shares by simply calling the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
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If you call before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), you will receive a redemption amount based on that day's NAV.
You may redeem or exchange Shares by mailing a written request to the Fund.
You will receive a redemption amount based on the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your written request in proper form.
Send requests by mail to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
Send requests by private courier or overnight delivery service to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
1099 Hingham Street
Rockland, MA 02370-3317
All requests must include:
Call your investment professional or the Fund if you need special instructions.
Signatures must be guaranteed if:
A signature guarantee is designed to protect your account from fraud. Obtain a signature guarantee from a bank or trust company, savings association, credit union or broker, dealer, or securities exchange member. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
Your redemption proceeds will be mailed by check to your address of record. The following payment options are available if you complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form. These payment options require a signature guarantee if they were not established when the account was opened:
Although the Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash, it reserves the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution of the Fund's portfolio securities.
Redemption proceeds normally are wired or mailed within one business day after receiving a request in proper form. Payment may be delayed up to seven days:
You will not accrue interest or dividends on uncashed checks from the Fund if those checks are undeliverable and returned to the Fund.
You may exchange Shares of the Fund into Shares of the same class of another Federated Fund. To do this, you must:
An exchange is treated as a redemption and a subsequent purchase, and is a taxable transaction.
<R>
The Fund may modify or terminate the exchange privilege at any time. The Fund's management or investment adviser may determine from the amount, frequency and pattern of exchanges that a shareholder is engaged in excessive trading that is detrimental to the Fund and other shareholders. If this occurs, the Fund may terminate the availability of exchanges to that shareholder and may bar that shareholder from purchasing other Federated Funds.
</R>
<R>
You may automatically redeem or exchange Shares in a minimum amount of $100 on a regular basis. Complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form or contact your investment professional or the Fund. Your account value must meet the minimum initial investment amount at the time the program is established. This program may reduce, and eventually deplete, your account. Payments should not be considered yield or income.
</R>
<R>
Generally, it is not advisable to continue to purchase Class A Shares subject to a sales charge while redeeming Shares using this program.
</R>
You will not be charged a CDSC on SWP redemptions if:
<R>
You will be subject to a CDSC on redemption amounts that exceed the 12% annual limit. In measuring the redemption percentage, your account is valued when you establish the SWP and then annually at calendar year-end. You can redeem monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually.
</R>
For SWP accounts established prior to April 1, 1999, your account must be at least one year old in order to be eligible for the waiver of the CDSC.
The Fund will record your telephone instructions. If the Fund does not follow reasonable procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.
The Fund no longer issues share certificates. If you are redeeming or exchanging Shares represented by certificates previously issued by the Fund, you must return the certificates with your written redemption or exchange request. For your protection, send your certificates by registered or certified mail, but do not endorse them.
You will receive confirmation of purchases, redemptions and exchanges (except for systematic transactions). In addition, you will receive periodic statements reporting all account activity, including systematic transactions, dividends and capital gains paid.
The Fund declares and pays any dividends monthly to shareholders. Dividends are paid to all shareholders invested in the Fund on the record date. The record date is the date on which a shareholder must officially own Shares in order to earn a dividend.
In addition, the Fund pays any capital gains at least annually. Your dividends and capital gains distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional Shares without a sales charge, unless you elect cash payments.
If you purchase Shares just before a Fund declares a capital gain distribution, you will pay the full price for the Shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable distribution, whether or not you reinvest the distribution in Shares. Therefore, you should consider the tax implications of purchasing Shares shortly before the Fund declares a capital gain. Contact your investment professional or the Fund for information concerning when dividends and capital gains will be paid.
Due to the high cost of maintaining accounts with low balances, accounts may be closed if redemptions or exchanges cause the account balance to fall below the minimum initial investment amount. Before an account is closed, you will be notified and allowed 30 days to purchase additional Shares to meet the minimum.
The Fund sends an annual statement of your account activity to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. It is anticipated that Fund distributions will be primarily dividends that are exempt from federal income tax, although a portion of the Fund's dividends may not be exempt. Dividends may be subject to state and local taxes. Capital gains and non-exempt dividends are taxable whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Fund. Redemptions and exchanges are taxable sales. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your federal, state and local tax liability.
The Board of Directors governs the Fund. The Board selects and oversees the Adviser, Federated Investment Management Company. The Adviser manages the Fund's assets, including buying and selling portfolio securities. The Adviser's address is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779.
<R>
The Adviser and other subsidiaries of Federated advise approximately 190 mutual funds and separate accounts, which totaled approximately $140 billion in assets as of December 31, 2000. Federated was established in 1955 and is one of the largest mutual fund investment managers in the United States with approximately 1,800 employees. More than 4,000 investment professionals make Federated Funds available to their customers.
</R>
<R>
Mary Jo Ochson has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since May 1996. She is Vice President of the Fund. Ms. Ochson joined Federated in 1982 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager and a Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1996. From 1988 through 1995, Ms. Ochson served as a Portfolio Manager and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser. Ms. Ochson is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received her M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh.
</R>
<R>
J. Scott Albrecht has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since May 1996. Mr. Albrecht joined Federated in 1989. He has been a Senior Portfolio Manager since 1997 and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1994. He was a Portfolio Manager from 1994 to 1996. Mr. Albrecht is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received his M.S. in Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
</R>
The Adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee of 0.60% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses.
<R>
The Financial Highlights will help you understand the Fund's financial performance for its past five fiscal years. Some of the information is presented on a per share basis. Total returns represent the rate an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains.
</R>
<R>
This information has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, whose report, along with the Fund's audited financial statements, is included in the Annual Report.
</R>
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
Year Ended August 31 |
|
2001 |
|
|
2000 |
1 |
|
1999 |
|
|
1998 |
|
|
1997 |
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ 9.78 |
|
|
$10.22 |
|
|
$11.04 |
|
|
$10.67 |
|
|
$10.33 |
|
Income From Investment Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
0.55 |
|
|
0.56 |
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
0.54 |
|
|
0.58 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts |
|
0.15 |
|
|
(0.44 |
) |
|
(0.82 |
) |
|
0.39 |
|
|
0.33 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS |
|
0.70 |
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
0.93 |
|
|
0.91 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from net investment income |
|
(0.57 |
) |
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
(0.55 |
) |
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
(0.57 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ 9.91 |
|
|
$ 9.78 |
|
|
$10.22 |
|
|
$11.04 |
|
|
$10.67 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total Return2 |
|
7.48 |
% |
|
1.37 |
% |
|
(2.58 |
)% |
|
8.91 |
% |
|
9.07 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Expenses |
|
1.09 |
% |
|
1.09 |
% |
|
1.07 |
% |
|
1.08 |
% |
|
1.09 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
|
5.69 |
% |
|
5.74 |
% |
|
5.14 |
% |
|
4.98 |
% |
|
5.29 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Expense waiver/reimbursement3 |
|
0.01 |
% |
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) |
|
$106,555 |
|
$92,883 |
|
$109,297 |
|
$112,179 |
|
$94,941 |
|
||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover |
|
30 |
% |
|
18 |
% |
|
25 |
% |
|
41 |
% |
|
20 |
% |
|
1 Beginning with the year ended August 31, 2000, the Fund was audited by Ernst & Young LLP. Each of the previous years was audited by other auditors.
2 Based on NAV, which does not reflect the sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
3 This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
Further information about the Fund's performance is contained in the Fund's Annual Report dated August 31, 2001, which can be obtained free of charge.
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
Year Ended August 31 |
|
2001 |
|
|
2000 |
1 |
|
1999 |
|
|
1998 |
|
|
1997 |
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ 9.77 |
|
|
$10.22 |
|
|
$11.03 |
|
|
$10.66 |
|
|
$10.33 |
|
Income From Investment Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
0.47 |
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
0.47 |
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
0.51 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts |
|
0.16 |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
(0.81 |
) |
|
0.40 |
|
|
0.31 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS |
|
0.63 |
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
(0.34 |
) |
|
0.84 |
|
|
0.82 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from net investment income |
|
(0.50 |
) |
|
(0.49 |
) |
|
(0.47 |
) |
|
(0.47 |
) |
|
(0.49 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ 9.90 |
|
|
$ 9.77 |
|
|
$10.22 |
|
|
$11.03 |
|
|
$10.66 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total Return2 |
|
6.67 |
% |
|
0.51 |
% |
|
(3.23 |
)% |
|
8.08 |
% |
|
8.17 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Expenses |
|
1.84 |
% |
|
1.84 |
% |
|
1.82 |
% |
|
1.83 |
% |
|
1.84 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
|
4.94 |
% |
|
4.99 |
% |
|
4.39 |
% |
|
4.25 |
% |
|
4.55 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Expense waiver/reimbursement3 |
|
0.01 |
% |
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) |
|
$91,074 |
|
$71,512 |
|
$77,440 |
|
$47,028 |
|
$14,997 |
|
||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover |
|
30 |
% |
|
18 |
% |
|
25 |
% |
|
41 |
% |
|
20 |
% |
|
1 Beginning with the year ended August 31, 2000, the Fund was audited by Ernst & Young LLP. Each of the previous years was audited by other auditors.
2 Based on NAV, which does not reflect the sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
3 This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
Further information about the Fund's performance is contained in the Fund's Annual Report dated August 31, 2001, which can be obtained free of charge.
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
Year Ended August 31 |
|
2001 |
|
|
2000 |
1 |
|
1999 |
|
|
1998 |
|
|
1997 |
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ 9.77 |
|
|
$10.22 |
|
|
$11.03 |
|
|
$10.66 |
|
|
$10.33 |
|
Income From Investment Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
0.47 |
|
|
0.48 |
|
|
0.47 |
|
|
0.45 |
|
|
0.50 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts |
|
0.16 |
|
|
(0.44 |
) |
|
(0.81 |
) |
|
0.40 |
|
|
0.32 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS |
|
0.63 |
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
(0.34 |
) |
|
0.85 |
|
|
0.82 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from net investment income |
|
(0.50 |
) |
|
(0.49 |
) |
|
(0.47 |
) |
|
(0.48 |
) |
|
(0.49 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ 9.90 |
|
|
$ 9.77 |
|
|
$10.22 |
|
|
$11.03 |
|
|
$10.66 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total Return2 |
|
6.66 |
% |
|
0.51 |
% |
|
(3.24 |
)% |
|
8.11 |
% |
|
8.17 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Expenses |
|
1.84 |
% |
|
1.84 |
% |
|
1.82 |
% |
|
1.83 |
% |
|
1.86 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
|
4.94 |
% |
|
4.99 |
% |
|
4.39 |
% |
|
4.24 |
% |
|
4.51 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Expense waiver/reimbursement3 |
|
0.01 |
% |
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) |
|
$10,953 |
|
$8,858 |
|
$7,603 |
|
$6,269 |
|
$1,950 |
|
||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover |
|
30 |
% |
|
18 |
% |
|
25 |
% |
|
41 |
% |
|
20 |
% |
|
1 Beginning with the year ended August 31, 2000, the Fund was audited by Ernst & Young LLP. Each of the previous years was audited by other auditors.
2 Based on NAV, which does not reflect the sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
3 This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
Further information about the Fund's performance is contained in the Fund's Annual Report dated August 31, 2001, which can be obtained free of charge.
<R>
A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) dated October 31, 2001, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Additional information about the Fund and its investments is contained in the Fund's SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders as they become available. The Annual Report's Management's Discussion of Fund Performance discusses market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year. To obtain the SAI, Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other information without charge, and to make inquiries, call your investment professional or the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
</R>
<R>
You can obtain information about the Fund (including the SAI) by writing to or visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. You may also access Fund information from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You can purchase copies of this information by contacting the SEC by email at publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. Call 1-202-942-8090 for information on the Public Reference Room's operations and copying fees.
</R>
Federated
World-Class Investment Manager
Federated Municipal
Opportunities Fund, Inc.
Federated Investors Funds
5800 Corporate
Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
15237-7000
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Federated
Securities Corp., Distributor
Investment Company Act File No. 811-4533
Federated is a registered mark of Federated Investors, Inc. 2001 ©Federated Investors, Inc.
Cusip 313910200
Cusip 313910309
Cusip 313910408
<R>
G00570-03 (10/01)
</R>
Federated Investors
World-Class Investment Manager
<R>
</R>
<R>
October 31, 2001
</R>
<R>
A mutual fund seeking to provide a high level of current income which is generally exempt from federal regular income tax by investing primarily in a portfolio of long-term, medium quality and non-investment grade tax exempt securities.
</R>
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Risk/Return Summary 1
What are the Fund's Fees and Expenses? 3
What are the Fund's Investment Strategies? 4
What are the Principal Securities in Which the Fund Invests? 6
What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund? 8
What Do Shares Cost? 10
How is the Fund Sold? 13
How to Purchase Shares 13
How to Redeem and Exchange Shares 16
Account and Share Information 20
Who Manages the Fund? 21
Financial Information 23
<R>
The Fund's investment objective is to provide a high level of current income which is generally exempt from federal regular income tax. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the strategies and policies described in this prospectus.
</R>
<R>
The Fund pursues its objective by investing in a portfolio of tax exempt securities so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. Interest income from the Fund's investments may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax for individuals and corporations (AMT). The Fund invests primarily in long-term, medium quality and non-investment grade tax exempt securities.
</R>
All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund's returns include:
The Shares offered by this prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund's Class F Shares total returns on a calendar year-end basis.
The total returns displayed for the Fund's Class F Shares do not reflect the payment of any sales charges or recurring shareholder account fees. If these charges or fees had been included, the returns shown would have been lower.
<R>
The Fund's Class F Shares total return for the nine-month period from January 1, 2001 to September 30, 2001 was 5.23%.
</R>
Within the period shown in the Chart, the Fund's Class F Shares highest quarterly return was 6.60% (quarter ended March 31, 1995). Its lowest quarterly return was (5.39%) (quarter ended March 31, 1994).
<R>
The following table represents the Fund's Class F Shares Average Annual Total Returns, reduced to reflect applicable sales charges, for the calendar periods ended December 31, 2000. The table shows the Fund's Class F Shares total returns averaged over a period of years relative to the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index (LBMB), a broad-based market performance benchmark for the tax exempt bond market, and the Lipper High Yield Municipal Debt Funds Average (LHMD), an average of funds with similar objectives. Total returns for the index and average shown do not reflect sales charges, expenses or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund's performance. Indexes and averages are unmanaged, and it is not possible to invest directly in an index or an average.
</R>
Calendar Period |
|
Class F |
|
LBMB |
|
LHMD |
1 Year |
|
3.86% |
|
11.68% |
|
4.79% |
5 Years |
|
2.98% |
|
5.84% |
|
3.74% |
10 Years |
|
5.35% |
|
7.32% |
|
5.96% |
<R>
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This information provides you with historical performance information so that you can analyze whether the Fund's investment risks are balanced by its potential returns.
</R>
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Class F Shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees |
|
|
Fees Paid Directly From Your Investment |
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
1.00% |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable) |
|
1.00% |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
None |
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable) |
|
None |
Exchange Fee |
|
None |
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waivers)1 |
|
|
Expenses That are Deducted From Fund Assets (as a percentage of average net assets) |
|
|
Management Fee2 |
|
0.60% |
Distribution (12b-1) Fee3 |
|
0.25% |
Shareholder Services Fee |
|
0.25% |
Other Expenses |
|
0.25% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
1.35% |
1 Although not contractually obligated to do so, the adviser and distributor waived certain amounts. These are shown below along with the net expenses the Fund actually paid for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001. |
||
Total Waivers of Fund Expenses |
|
0.26% |
Total Actual Annual Operating Expenses (after waivers) |
|
1.09% |
2 The adviser voluntarily waived a portion of the management fee. The adviser can terminate this voluntary waiver at any time. The management fee paid by the Fund (after the voluntary waiver) was 0.59% for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001. |
||
3 Class F Shares did not pay or accrue the distribution (12b-1) fee during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001. Class F Shares has no present intention of paying or accruing the distribution (12b-1) fee during the fiscal year ending August 31, 2002. |
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund's Class F Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
<R>
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund's Class F Shares for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. Expenses assuming no redemption are also shown. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's Class F Shares operating expenses are before waivers as shown in the table and remain the same. Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
</R>
|
|
1 Year |
|
3 Years |
|
5 Years |
|
10 Years |
Expenses assuming redemption |
|
$336 |
|
$623 |
|
$832 |
|
$1,708 |
|
||||||||
Expenses assuming no redemption |
|
$236 |
|
$523 |
|
$832 |
|
$1,708 |
|
<R>
The Fund invests in a portfolio of tax exempt securities so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from federal regular income tax. Interest from the Fund's investments may be subject to AMT. The Fund's investment adviser (Adviser) actively manages the Fund's portfolio, seeking to manage credit risk assumed by the Fund and provide superior levels of income. The Fund invests primarily in long-term tax exempt securities that are: (1) medium quality (i.e., securities rated in the third or fourth highest rating category by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) or unrated securities of comparable quality); or (2) non-investment grade.
</R>
The Adviser manages credit risk by performing a fundamental credit analysis on all tax exempt securities before the Fund purchases such securities. The Adviser considers various factors, including the economic feasibility of revenue bond financings and general purpose financings; the financial condition of the issuer or guarantor; and political developments that may affect credit quality. The Adviser monitors the credit risks of all tax exempt securities on an ongoing basis by reviewing periodic financial data and ratings of NRSROs.
<R>
The Adviser performs a more intensive credit analysis on non-investment grade tax exempt securities. In addition to the review process described above, the Adviser generally visits the site that the issuer is developing with the proceeds of the offering and engages in detailed discussions with the issuer regarding the offering.
</R>
<R>
The Adviser attempts to provide superior levels of income by investing in long-term tax exempt securities and managing the duration of the Fund. "Duration" measures the sensitivity of a security's price to changes in interest rates. The greater a portfolio's duration, the greater the change in the portfolio's value in response to a change in market interest rates. The Adviser increases or reduces the Fund's portfolio duration based on its interest rate outlook. When the Adviser expects interest rates to fall, it maintains a longer portfolio duration. When the Adviser expects interest rates to increase, it shortens the portfolio duration. The Adviser considers a variety of factors in formulating its interest rate outlook, including current and expected U.S. economic growth; current and expected interest rates and inflation; the Federal Reserve's monetary policy; and supply and demand factors related to the municipal market and the effect they may have on the returns offered for various bond maturities. Duration management is less important when a greater portion of the Fund is allocated to non-investment grade tax exempt securities, because such securities are less sensitive to interest rate changes.
</R>
<R>
The Adviser also attempts to provide superior levels of income by investing in non-investment grade tax exempt securities, which generally provide higher yields. The percentage that the Adviser allocates to non-investment grade securities will vary depending on the supply of non-investment grade tax exempt securities and the credit spread between investment grade tax exempt securities and non-investment grade tax exempt securities. If the credit spread narrows, the Adviser may increase its allocation to investment grade securities without limitation; if the credit spread broadens, the Adviser may increase its allocation to non-investment grade securities without limitation. The Adviser may invest up to 100% of the Fund's assets in non-investment grade tax exempt securities.
</R>
The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in cash and shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations. It may do this to minimize potential losses and maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions during adverse market conditions. This may cause the Fund to give up greater investment returns to maintain the safety of principal, that is, the original amount invested by shareholders.
Tax exempt securities are fixed income securities that pay interest that is not subject to federal regular income taxes. Fixed income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or adjusted periodically.
Typically, states, counties, cities and other political subdivisions and authorities issue tax exempt securities. The market categorizes tax exempt securities by their source of repayment.
General obligation bonds are supported by the issuer's power to exact property or other taxes. The issuer must impose and collect taxes sufficient to pay principal and interest on the bonds. However, the issuer's authority to impose additional taxes may be limited by its charter or state law.
Special revenue bonds are payable solely from specific revenues received by the issuer such as specific taxes, assessments, tolls or fees. Bondholders may not collect from the municipality's general taxes or revenues. For example, a municipality may issue bonds to build a toll road and pledge the tolls to repay the bonds. Therefore, a shortfall in the tolls normally would result in a default on the bonds.
Private activity bonds are special revenue bonds used to finance private entities. For example, a municipality may issue bonds to finance a new factory to improve its local economy. The municipality would lend the proceeds from its bonds to the company using the factory, and the company would agree to make loan payments sufficient to repay the bonds. The bonds would be payable solely from the company's loan payments, not from any other revenues of the municipality. Therefore, any default on the loan normally would result in a default on the bonds.
The interest on many types of private activity bonds is subject to AMT. The Fund may invest in bonds subject to AMT.
Municipalities may enter into leases for equipment or facilities. In order to comply with state public financing laws, these leases are typically subject to annual appropriation. In other words, a municipality may end a lease, without penalty, by not providing for the lease payments in its annual budget. After the lease ends, the lessor can resell the equipment or facility but may lose money on the sale.
The Fund may invest in securities supported by pools of municipal leases. The most common type of lease backed securities are certificates of participation (COPs). However, the Fund may also invest directly in individual leases.
An inverse floater has a floating or variable interest rate that moves in the opposite direction of market interest rates. When market interest rates go up, the interest rate paid on the inverse floater goes down; when market interest rates go down, the interest rate paid on the inverse floater goes up. Inverse floaters generally respond more rapidly to market interest rate changes than fixed rate, tax exempt securities. Inverse floaters are subject to interest rate risks and leverage risks.
Zero coupon securities do not pay interest or principal until final maturity unlike debt securities that provide periodic payments of interest (referred to as a coupon payment). Investors buy zero coupon securities at a price below the amount payable at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the amount paid at maturity represents interest on the zero coupon security. Investors must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which increases the interest rate risks and credit risks of a zero coupon security.
Credit enhancement consists of an arrangement in which a company agrees to pay amounts due on a fixed income security if the issuer defaults. In some cases the company providing credit enhancement makes all payments directly to the security holders and receives reimbursement from the issuer. Normally, the credit enhancer has greater financial resources and liquidity than the issuer. For this reason, the Adviser usually evaluates the credit risk of a fixed income security based solely upon its credit enhancement.
<R>
</R>
<R>
</R>
<R>
Delayed delivery transactions, including when- issued transactions, are arrangements in which the Fund buys securities for a set price, with payment and delivery of the securities scheduled for a future time. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund. The Fund records the transaction when it agrees to buy the securities and reflects their value in determining the price of its shares. Settlement dates may be a month or more after entering into these transactions so that the market values of the securities bought may vary from the purchase prices. Therefore, delayed delivery transactions create interest rate risks for the Fund. Delayed delivery transactions also involve credit risks in the event of a counterparty default.
</R>
<R>
</R>
<R>
In order to secure its obligations in connection with special transactions, the Fund will either own the underlying assets or set aside readily marketable securities with a value that equals or exceeds the Fund's obligations. Unless the Fund has other readily marketable assets to set aside, it cannot trade assets to secure such obligations without terminating the special transactions.
</R>
Credit risk is the possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due. If an issuer defaults, the Fund will lose money.
<R>
Many tax exempt securities receive credit ratings from NRSROs such as Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Service. These NRSROs assign ratings to securities by assessing the likelihood of issuer default. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser's credit assessment.
</R>
Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.
<R>
Prices of tax exempt securities rise and fall in response to changes in the interest rate paid by similar securities. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of tax exempt securities fall. However, market factors, such as the demand for particular tax exempt securities, may cause the price of certain tax exempt securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.
</R>
<R>
Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of tax exempt securities with longer durations. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a tax exempt security to changes in interest rates.
</R>
<R>
Trading opportunities are more limited for tax exempt securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held.
</R>
<R>
Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund's performance.
</R>
<R>
Call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a tax exempt security before maturity (a call) at a price below its current market price. An increase in the likelihood of a call may reduce the security's price.
</R>
<R>
If a tax exempt security is called, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other tax exempt securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks or other less favorable characteristics.
</R>
<R>
</R>
<R>
Securities rated below investment grade, also known as junk bonds, generally entail greater credit, interest rate and liquidity risks than investment grade securities. For example, their prices are more volatile, economic downturns and financial setbacks may affect their prices more negatively, and their trading market may be more limited. The Adviser may invest up to 100% of the Fund's assets in non-investment grade bonds.
</R>
A substantial part of the Fund's portfolio may be comprised of securities credit enhanced by banks, insurance companies or companies with similar characteristics. As a result, the Fund will be more susceptible to any economic, business, political or other developments which generally affect these entities.
Leverage risk is created when an investment exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested. Changes in the value of such an investment magnify the Fund's risk of loss and potential for gain.
Investments can have these same results if their returns are based on a multiple of a specified index, security or other benchmark.
You can purchase, redeem or exchange Shares any day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. When the Fund receives your transaction request in proper form (as described in this prospectus) it is processed at the next calculated net asset value (NAV) plus any applicable front-end sales charge (public offering price). NAV is determined at the end of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open.
<R>
The Fund generally values fixed income securities according to the mean between bid and asked prices as furnished by an independent pricing service, except that fixed income securities with remaining maturities of less than 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost.
</R>
<R>
The Fund's current NAV and public offering price may be found in the mutual funds section of certain local newspapers under "Federated."
</R>
The following table summarizes the minimum required investment amount and the maximum sales charge, if any, that you will pay on an investment in the Fund. Keep in mind that investment professionals may charge you fees for their services in connection with your Share transactions.
Shares Offered |
|
Minimum |
|
Maximum Sales Charge |
||
Front-End |
|
Contingent |
||||
Class F |
|
$1,500/$100 |
|
1.00% |
|
1.00% |
<R>
1 The minimum subsequent investment amounts for Systematic Investment Programs (SIP) are $50. Investment professionals may impose higher or lower minimum investment requirements on their customers than those imposed by the Fund.
</R>
2 Front-End Sales Charge is expressed as a percentage of public offering price. See "Sales Charge When You Purchase."
3 See "Sales Charge When You Redeem."
Class F Shares |
|
|
||
Purchase Amount |
|
Sales Charge |
|
Sales Charge |
Less than $1 million |
|
1.00% |
|
1.01% |
$1 million or greater |
|
0.00% |
|
0.00% |
<R>
If your investment qualifies for an elimination of the sales charge as described below, you or your investment professional should notify the Fund's Distributor at the time of purchase. If the Distributor is not notified, you will receive the reduced sales charge only on additional purchases, and not retroactively on previous purchases.
</R>
The sales charge at purchase may be eliminated by:
The sales charge will be eliminated when you purchase Shares:
Your redemption proceeds may be reduced by a sales charge, commonly referred to as a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).
Class F Shares |
|
|
||
Purchase Amount |
|
Shares Held |
|
CDSC |
Up to $2 million |
|
4 years or less |
|
1.00% |
$2 - $5 million |
|
2 years or less |
|
0.50% |
$5 million or more |
|
1 year or less |
|
0.25% |
<R>
If your investment qualifies for a reduction or elimination of the CDSC as described below, you or your investment professional should notify the Distributor at the time of redemption. If the Distributor is not notified, the CDSC will apply.
</R>
You will not be charged a CDSC when redeeming Shares:
To keep the sales charge as low as possible, the Fund redeems your Shares in this order:
The CDSC is then calculated using the share price at the time of purchase or redemption, whichever is lower.
<R>
The Fund offers four share classes: Class A, B, C and F Shares, each representing interests in a single portfolio of securities. This prospectus relates only to Class F Shares. Each share class has different sales charges and other expenses, which affect their performance. Contact your investment professional or call 1-800-341-7400 for more information concerning the other classes.
</R>
The Fund's Distributor, Federated Securities Corp., markets the Shares described in this prospectus to individuals, directly or through investment professionals. The Fund may not be a suitable investment for retirement plans.
When the Distributor receives marketing fees and sales charges, it may pay some or all of them to investment professionals. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay out of their assets other amounts (including items of material value) to investment professionals for marketing and servicing Shares. The Distributor is a subsidiary of Federated Investors, Inc. (Federated).
The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan, which allows it to pay marketing fees to the Distributor and investment professionals for the sale, distribution and customer servicing of the Fund's Class F Shares. Because these Shares pay marketing fees on an ongoing basis, your investment cost may be higher over time than other shares with different sales charges and marketing fees.
You may purchase Shares through an investment professional, directly from the Fund, or through an exchange from another Federated Fund. The Fund reserves the right to reject any request to purchase or exchange Shares.
Where the Fund offers more than one share class and you do not specify the class choice on your New Account Form or form of payment (e.g., Federal Reserve wire or check) you automatically will receive Class A Shares.
Investment professionals should send payments according to the instructions in the sections "By Wire" or "By Check."
You will become the owner of Shares and your Shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your wire or your check. If your check does not clear, your purchase will be canceled and you could be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Fund or Federated Shareholder Services Company, the Fund's transfer agent.
An institution may establish an account and place an order by calling the Fund and the Shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives the order.
Send your wire to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Boston, MA
Dollar Amount of Wire
ABA Number 011000028
Attention: EDGEWIRE
Wire Order Number, Dealer Number or Group Number
Nominee/Institution Name
Fund Name and Number and Account Number
You cannot purchase Shares by wire on holidays when wire transfers are restricted.
Make your check payable to The Federated Funds, note your account number on the check, and mail it to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
If you send your check by a private courier or overnight delivery service that requires a street address, mail it to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
1099 Hingham Street
Rockland, MA 02370-3317
Payment should be made in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. The Fund will not accept third-party checks (checks originally payable to someone other than you or The Federated Funds).
You may purchase Shares through an exchange from the same Share class of another Federated Fund. You must meet the minimum initial investment requirement for purchasing Shares and both accounts must have identical registrations.
Once you have opened an account, you may automatically purchase additional Shares on a regular basis by completing the Systematic Investment Program section of the New Account Form or by contacting the Fund or your investment professional.
Once you have opened an account, you may purchase additional Shares through a depository institution that is an ACH member. This purchase option can be established by completing the appropriate sections of the New Account Form.
You should redeem or exchange Shares:
Submit your redemption or exchange request to your investment professional by the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The redemption amount you will receive is based upon the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives the order from your investment professional.
<R>
You may redeem or exchange Shares by simply calling the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
</R>
If you call before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) you will receive a redemption amount based on that day's NAV.
You may redeem or exchange Shares by mailing a written request to the Fund.
You will receive a redemption amount based on the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your written request in proper form.
Send requests by mail to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
Send requests by private courier or overnight delivery service to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
1099 Hingham Street
Rockland, MA 02370-3317
All requests must include:
Call your investment professional or the Fund if you need special instructions.
Signatures must be guaranteed if:
A signature guarantee is designed to protect your account from fraud. Obtain a signature guarantee from a bank or trust company, savings association, credit union or broker, dealer, or securities exchange member. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
Your redemption proceeds will be mailed by check to your address of record. The following payment options are available if you complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form. These payment options require a signature guarantee if they were not established when the account was opened:
Although the Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash, it reserves the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution of the Fund's portfolio securities.
Redemption proceeds normally are wired or mailed within one business day after receiving a request in proper form. Payment may be delayed up to seven days:
You will not accrue interest or dividends on uncashed checks from the Fund if those checks are undeliverable and returned to the Fund.
You may exchange Shares of the Fund into Shares of the same class of another Federated Fund. To do this, you must:
An exchange is treated as a redemption and a subsequent purchase, and is a taxable transaction.
<R>
The Fund may modify or terminate the exchange privilege at any time. The Fund's management or investment adviser may determine from the amount, frequency and pattern of exchanges that a shareholder is engaged in excessive trading that is detrimental to the Fund and other shareholders. If this occurs, the Fund may terminate the availability of exchanges to that shareholder and may bar that shareholder from purchasing other Federated Funds.
</R>
You may automatically redeem or exchange Shares in a minimum amount of $100 on a regular basis. Complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form or contact your investment professional or the Fund. Your account value must meet the minimum initial investment amount at the time the program is established. This program may reduce, and eventually deplete, your account. Payments should not be considered yield or income.
<R>
Generally, it is not advisable to continue to purchase Class F Shares subject to a sales charge while redeeming Shares using this program.
</R>
The Fund will record your telephone instructions. If the Fund does not follow reasonable procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.
The Fund no longer issues share certificates. If you are redeeming or exchanging Shares represented by certificates previously issued by the Fund, you must return the certificates with your written redemption or exchange request. For your protection, send your certificates by registered or certified mail, but do not endorse them.
You will receive confirmation of purchases, redemptions and exchanges (except for systematic transactions). In addition, you will receive periodic statements reporting all account activity, including systematic transactions, dividends and capital gains paid.
The Fund declares and pays any dividends monthly to shareholders. Dividends are paid to all shareholders invested in the Fund on the record date. The record date is the date on which a shareholder must officially own Shares in order to earn a dividend.
In addition, the Fund pays any capital gains at least annually. Your dividends and capital gains distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional Shares without a sales charge, unless you elect cash payments.
If you purchase Shares just before a Fund declares a capital gain distribution, you will pay the full price for the Shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable distribution, whether or not you reinvest the distribution in Shares. Therefore, you should consider the tax implications of purchasing Shares shortly before the Fund declares a capital gain. Contact your investment professional or the Fund for information concerning when dividends and capital gains will be paid.
Due to the high cost of maintaining accounts with low balances, accounts may be closed if redemptions or exchanges cause the account balance to fall below the minimum initial investment amount. Before an account is closed, you will be notified and allowed 30 days to purchase additional Shares to meet the minimum.
The Fund sends an annual statement of your account activity to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. It is anticipated that Fund distributions will be primarily dividends that are exempt from federal income tax, although a portion of the Fund's dividends may not be exempt. Dividends may be subject to state and local taxes. Capital gains and non-exempt dividends are taxable whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Fund. Redemptions and exchanges are taxable sales. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your federal, state and local tax liability.
The Board of Directors governs the Fund. The Board selects and oversees the Adviser, Federated Investment Management Company. The Adviser manages the Fund's assets, including buying and selling portfolio securities. The Adviser's address is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779.
<R>
The Adviser and other subsidiaries of Federated advise approximately 190 mutual funds and separate accounts, which totaled approximately $140 billion in assets as of December 31, 2000. Federated was established in 1955 and is one of the largest mutual fund investment managers in the United States with approximately 1,800 employees. More than 4,000 investment professionals make Federated Funds available to their customers.
</R>
<R>
Mary Jo Ochson has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since May 1996. She is Vice President of the Fund. Ms. Ochson joined Federated in 1982 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager and a Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1996. From 1988 through 1995, Ms. Ochson served as a Portfolio Manager and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser. Ms. Ochson is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received her M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh.
</R>
<R>
J. Scott Albrecht has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since May 1996. Mr. Albrecht joined Federated in 1989. He has been a Senior Portfolio Manager since 1997 and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1994. He was a Portfolio Manager from 1994 to 1996. Mr. Albrecht is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received his M.S. in Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
</R>
The Adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee of 0.60% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses.
The Financial Highlights will help you understand the Fund's financial performance for its past five fiscal years. Some of the information is presented on a per share basis. Total returns represent the rate an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains.
<R>
This information has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, whose report, along with the Fund's audited financial statements, is included in the Annual Report.
</R>
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
Year Ended August 31 |
|
2001 |
|
|
2000 |
1 |
|
1999 |
|
|
1998 |
|
|
1997 |
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$9.78 |
|
|
$10.22 |
|
|
$11.04 |
|
|
$10.67 |
|
|
$10.33 |
|
Income From Investment Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
0.55 |
|
|
0.56 |
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
0.54 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts |
|
0.15 |
|
|
(0.44 |
) |
|
(0.82 |
) |
|
0.38 |
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS |
|
0.70 |
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
0.93 |
|
|
0.91 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from net investment income |
|
(0.57 |
) |
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
(0.55 |
) |
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
(0.57 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$9.91 |
|
|
$ 9.78 |
|
|
$10.22 |
|
|
$11.04 |
|
|
$10.67 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total Return2 |
|
7.48 |
% |
|
1.37 |
% |
|
(2.58 |
)% |
|
8.91 |
% |
|
9.07 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Expenses |
|
1.09 |
% |
|
1.09 |
% |
|
1.07 |
% |
|
1.08 |
% |
|
1.08 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
|
5.69 |
% |
|
5.73 |
% |
|
5.14 |
% |
|
4.98 |
% |
|
5.23 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Expense waiver/reimbursement3 |
|
0.01 |
% |
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
0.01 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) |
|
$197,154 |
|
$214,913 |
|
$269,667 |
|
$317,178 |
|
$331,588 |
|
||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover |
|
30 |
% |
|
18 |
% |
|
25 |
% |
|
41 |
% |
|
20 |
% |
|
1 Beginning with the year ended August 31, 2000, the Fund was audited by Ernst & Young LLP. Each of the previous years was audited by other auditors.
2 Based on NAV, which does not reflect the sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
3 This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
Further information about the Fund's performance is contained in the Fund's Annual Report, dated August 31, 2001, which can be obtained free of charge.
<R>
A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) dated October 31, 2001, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Additional information about the Fund and its investments is contained in the Fund's SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders as they become available. The Annual Report's Management's Discussion of Fund Performance discusses market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year. To obtain the SAI, Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other information without charge, and to make inquiries, call your investment professional or the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
</R>
<R>
You can obtain information about the Fund (including the SAI) by writing to or visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. You may also access Fund information from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You can purchase copies of this information by contacting the SEC by email at publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. Call 1-202-942-8090 for information on the Public Reference Room's operations and copying fees.
</R>
Federated
World-Class Investment Manager
Federated Municipal
Opportunities Fund, Inc.
Federated Investors Funds
5800 Corporate
Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
15237-7000
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Federated
Securities Corp., Distributor
Investment Company Act File No. 811-4533
Federated is a registered mark of Federated Investors, Inc. 2001 ©Federated Investors, Inc.
Cusip 313910101
<R>
G00570-02-F (10/01)
</R>
<R>
</R>
<R>
</R>
<R>
October 31, 2001
</R>
<R>
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. Read this SAI in conjunction with the prospectus for Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares and the prospectus for Class F Shares for Federated Municipal Opportunities Fund, Inc. (Fund), dated October 31, 2001. This SAI incorporates by reference the Fund's Annual Report. Obtain the prospectuses or the Annual Report without charge by calling 1-800-341-7400.
</R>
<R>
Federated
World-Class Investment Manager
Federated Municipal
Opportunities Fund, Inc.
Federated Investors Funds
5800 Corporate
Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
15237-7000
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Federated
Securities Corp., Distributor
8092709B (10/01)
</R>
How is the Fund Organized? 1
Securities in Which the Fund Invests 1
What Do Shares Cost? 4
How is the Fund Sold? 6
Subaccounting Services 7
Redemption in Kind 7
Account and Share Information 7
Tax Information 7
Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund? 8
How Does the Fund Measure Performance? 11
Who is Federated Investors, Inc.? 14
Financial Information 15
Investment Ratings 15
Addresses 18
<R>
The Fund is a diversified open-end, management investment company that was established under the laws of the State of Maryland on November 26, 1986. The Board of Directors (the Board) has established four classes of shares of the Fund, known as Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class F Shares (Shares). This SAI relates to all classes of Shares. The Fund's investment adviser is Federated Investment Management Company (Adviser).
</R>
<R>
The Fund's principal securities are described in the prospectus. Additional securities, and further details regarding the principal securities, are outlined below. In pursuing its investment strategy, the Fund may invest in such securities for any purpose that is consistent with its investment objective.
</R>
Fixed income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or adjusted periodically. In addition, the issuer of a fixed income security must repay the principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time. Fixed income securities provide more regular income than equity securities. However, the returns on fixed income securities are limited and normally do not increase with the issuer's earnings. This limits the potential appreciation of fixed income securities as compared to equity securities.
A security's yield measures the annual income earned on a security as a percentage of its price. A security's yield will increase or decrease depending upon whether it costs less (a discount) or more (a premium) than the principal amount. If the issuer may redeem the security before its scheduled maturity, the price and yield on a discount or premium security may change based upon the probability of an early redemption. Securities with higher risks generally have higher yields.
Tax exempt securities are fixed income securities that pay interest that is not subject to federal regular income taxes. Typically, states, counties, cities and other political subdivisions and authorities issue tax exempt securities. The market categorizes tax exempt securities by their source of repayment.
Variable rate demand instruments are tax exempt securities that require the issuer or a third party, such as a dealer or bank, to repurchase the security for its face value upon demand. The securities also pay interest at a variable rate intended to cause the securities to trade at their face value. The Fund treats demand instruments as short-term securities, because their variable interest rate adjusts in response to changes in market rates, even though their stated maturity may extend beyond 13 months.
Municipal notes are short-term tax exempt securities. Many municipalities issue such notes to fund their current operations before collecting taxes or other municipal revenues. Municipalities may also issue notes to fund capital projects prior to issuing long-term bonds. The issuers typically repay the notes at the end of their fiscal year, either with taxes, other revenues or proceeds from newly issued notes or bonds.
Tax increment financing (TIF) bonds are payable from increases in taxes or other revenues attributable to projects financed by the bonds. For example, a municipality may issue TIF bonds to redevelop a commercial area. The TIF bonds would be payable solely from any increase in sales taxes collected from merchants in the area. The bonds could default if merchants' sales, and related tax collections, failed to increase as anticipated.
The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies, including the securities of affiliated money market funds, as an efficient means of carrying out its investment policies and managing its uninvested cash.
Derivative contracts are financial instruments that require payments based upon changes in the values of designated (or underlying) securities, currencies, commodities, financial indices or other assets. Some derivative contracts (such as futures, forwards and options) require payments relating to a future trade involving the underlying asset. The other party to a derivative contract is referred to as a counterparty.
Many derivative contracts are traded on securities or commodities exchanges. In this case, the exchange sets all the terms of the contract except for the price. Investors make payments due under their contracts through the exchange. Most exchanges require investors to maintain margin accounts through their brokers to cover their potential obligations to the exchange. Parties to the contract make (or collect) daily payments to the margin accounts to reflect losses (or gains) in the value of their contracts. This protects investors against potential defaults by the counterparty. Trading contracts on an exchange also allows investors to close out their contracts by entering into offsetting contracts.
For example, the Fund could close out an open contract to buy an asset at a future date by entering into an offsetting contract to sell the same asset on the same date. If the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. Exchanges may limit the amount of open contracts permitted at any one time. Such limits may prevent the Fund from closing out a position. If this happens, the Fund will be required to keep the contract open (even if it is losing money on the contract), and to make any payments required under the contract (even if it has to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices to do so). Inability to close out a contract could also harm the Fund by preventing it from disposing of or trading any assets it has been using to secure its obligations under the contract.
Depending upon how the Fund uses derivative contracts and the relationships between the market value of a derivative contract and the underlying asset, derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund's exposure to interest rate risks, and may also expose the Fund to liquidity and leverage risks.
The Fund may trade in the following types of derivative contracts.
Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of an underlying asset at a specified price, date and time. Entering into a contract to buy an underlying asset is commonly referred to as buying a contract or holding a long position in the asset. Entering into a contract to sell an underlying asset is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position in the asset. Futures contracts are considered to be commodity contracts. The Fund may buy and sell interest rate and index futures contracts.
Options are rights to buy or sell an underlying asset for a specified price (the exercise price) during, or at the end of, a specified period. A call option gives the holder (buyer) the right to buy the underlying asset from the seller (writer) of the option. A put option gives the holder the right to sell the underlying asset to the writer of the option. The writer of the option receives a payment, or premium, from the buyer, which the writer keeps regardless of whether the buyer uses (or exercises) the option.
The Fund may:
The Fund may not buy or sell futures contracts or related options if the margin deposits and premiums paid for these securities would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's total assets.
The Fund may make temporary defensive investments in the following taxable securities:
Corporate debt securities are fixed income securities issued by businesses. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most prevalent types of corporate debt securities. The Fund may also purchase interests in bank loans to companies.
Commercial paper is an issuer's obligation with a maturity of less than nine months. Companies typically issue commercial paper to pay for current expenditures. Most issuers constantly reissue their commercial paper and use the proceeds (or bank loans) to repay maturing paper. If the issuer cannot continue to obtain liquidity in this fashion, its commercial paper may default.
Treasury securities are direct obligations of the federal government of the United States.
Agency securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or other government sponsored entity acting under federal authority (a "GSE"). The United States supports some GSEs with its full faith and credit. Other GSEs receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. A few GSEs have no explicit financial support, but are regarded as having implied support because the federal government sponsors their activities.
Bank instruments are unsecured interest bearing deposits with banks. Bank instruments include bank accounts, time deposits, certificates of deposit and banker's acceptances.
Repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Fund buys a security from a dealer or bank and agrees to sell the security back at a mutually agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price exceeds the sale price, reflecting the Fund's return on the transaction. This return is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying security. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with banks and other recognized financial institutions, such as securities dealers, deemed creditworthy by the Adviser.
The Fund's custodian or subcustodian will take possession of the securities subject to repurchase agreements. The Adviser or subcustodian will monitor the value of the underlying security each day to ensure that the value of the security always equals or exceeds the repurchase price.
Repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks.
Reverse repurchase agreements are repurchase agreements in which the Fund is the seller (rather than the buyer) of the securities, and agrees to repurchase them at an agreed upon time and price. A reverse repurchase agreement may be viewed as a type of borrowing by the Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements create leverage risks because the Fund must repurchase the underlying security at a higher price, regardless of the market value of the security at the time of repurchase.
<R>
</R>
<R>
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has granted an exemption that permits the Fund and all other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Investors, Inc. (Federated funds) to lend and borrow money for certain temporary purposes directly to and from other Federated funds. Participation in this inter-fund lending program is voluntary for both borrowing and lending funds, and an inter-fund loan is only made if it benefits each participating fund. Federated administers the program according to procedures approved by the Fund's Board, and the Board monitors the operation of the program. Any inter-fund loan must comply with certain conditions set out in the exemption, which are designed to assure fairness and protect all participating funds.
</R>
<R>
For example, inter-fund lending is permitted only: (a) to meet shareholder redemption requests; and (b) to meet commitments arising from "failed" trades. All inter-fund loans must be repaid in seven days or less. The Fund's participation in this program must be consistent with its investment policies and limitations, and must meet certain percentage tests. Inter-fund loans may be made only when the rate of interest to be charged is more attractive to the lending fund than market-competitive rates on overnight repurchase agreements (the Repo Rate) and more attractive to the borrowing fund than the rate of interest that would be charged by an unaffiliated bank for short-term borrowings (the Bank Loan Rate), as determined by the Board. The interest rate imposed on inter-fund loans is the average of the Repo Rate and the Bank Loan Rate.
</R>
The Fund does not intend to engage in delayed delivery transactions to an extent that would cause the segregation of more than 20% of the total value of its assets.
In order to secure its obligations in connection with derivatives contracts or special transactions, including delayed delivery transactions, the Fund will either own the underlying assets, enter into an offsetting transaction or set aside readily marketable securities with a value that equals or exceeds the Fund's obligations. Unless the Fund has other readily marketable assets to set aside, it cannot trade assets used to secure such obligations without entering into an offsetting derivatives contract or terminating a special transaction. This may cause the Fund to miss favorable trading opportunities or to realize losses on derivatives contracts or special transactions.
The Adviser will determine whether a security is investment grade based upon the credit ratings given by one or more nationally recognized rating services. For example, Standard & Poor's, a rating service, assigns ratings to investment grade securities (AAA, AA, A, and BBB) based on their assessment of the likelihood of the issuer's inability to pay interest or principal (default) when due on each security. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser's credit assessment that the security is comparable to investment grade.
<R>
There are many factors which may affect an investment in the Fund. The Fund's principal risks are described in its prospectuses. Additional risk factors are outlined below.
</R>
<R>
In order to be tax exempt, municipal securities must meet certain legal requirements. Failure to meet such requirements may cause the interest received and distributed by the Fund to shareholders to be taxable.
</R>
Changes or proposed changes in federal tax laws may cause the prices of municipal securities to fall.
Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out a derivative contract when it wants to. If this happens, the Fund will be required to continue to hold the security or keep the position open, and the Fund could incur losses.
<R>
</R>
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide a high level of current income which is generally exempt from the federal regular income tax.
<R>
The Fund will invest its assets so that at least 80% of the income that it distributes will be exempt from the federal regular income tax, except when investing for "defensive" purposes.
</R>
<R>
The investment objective and policy may not be changed by the Fund's Board without shareholder approval.
</R>
The Fund will not purchase any securities on margin, but may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for clearance of transactions. The deposit or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures contracts or related options transactions is not considered the purchase of a security on margin.
The Fund will not issue senior securities except that the Fund may borrow money and engage in reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to one-third of the value of its total assets, including the amounts borrowed.
The Fund will not borrow money or engage in reverse repurchase agreements for investment leverage, but rather as a temporary, extraordinary, or emergency measure or to facilitate management of the portfolio by enabling the Fund to meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio securities is deemed to be inconvenient or disadvantageous. During the period any reverse repurchase agreements are outstanding, but only to the extent necessary to assure completion of the reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund will restrict the purchase of portfolio instruments to money market instruments maturing on or before the expiration date of the reverse repurchase agreements.
<R>
The Fund will not mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets except to secure permitted borrowings. In those cases, it may pledge assets having a market value not exceeding the lesser of the dollar amounts borrowed or 10% of the value of total assets at the time of the borrowing. Neither the deposit of underlying securities and other assets in escrow in connection with the writing of put or call options on municipal bonds nor margin deposits for the purchase and sale of financial futures contracts and related options are deemed to be a pledge.
</R>
The Fund will not buy or sell real estate, although it may invest in securities of companies whose business involves the purchase or sale of real estate or in securities which are secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, except that the Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and related options.
<R>
The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities, except as it may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the sale of restricted securities which the Fund may purchase pursuant to its investment objective, policies and limitations.
</R>
<R>
</R>
<R>
The Fund will not lend any of its assets except portfolio securities up to one-third of the value of its total assets (this shall not prevent the purchase or holding of municipal bonds, repurchase agreements, or other transactions which are permitted by the Fund's investment objective and policies).
</R>
The Fund will not sell securities short.
<R>
</R>
<R>
With respect to securities comprising 75% of the value of its total assets, the Fund will not purchase securities of any one issuer (other than cash; cash items; securities issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements collateralized by such U.S. government securities; and securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or the Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
</R>
<R>
The above limitations cannot be changed unless authorized by the Board and by the "vote of a majority of its outstanding voting securities," as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act). The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change in these limitations becomes effective.
</R>
<R>
</R>
The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities are any securities that are subject to restrictions on resale under federal securities law. Under criteria established by the Directors, certain restricted securities are determined to be liquid. To the extent that restricted securities are not determined to be liquid, the Fund will limit their purchase, together with other illiquid securities, to 15% of its net assets.
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The Fund considers certificates of deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank or savings and loan having capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."
</R>
Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of the investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such limitation.
<R>
The preceding limitations regarding buying on margin, borrowing money and pledging assets do not apply to intra-day cash advances made by the Fund's custodian, or the grant of a security interest in securities by the Fund to its custodian to collateralize such intra-day cash advances, in order to enable the Fund to settle securities purchases or to redeem Shares of the Fund.
</R>
<R>
</R>
Market values of the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
Prices provided by independent pricing services may be determined without relying exclusively on quoted prices and may consider institutional trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, stability, risk, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data or factors. From time to time, when prices cannot be obtained from an independent pricing service, securities may be valued based on quotes from broker-dealers or other financial institutions that trade the securities.
The Fund's net asset value (NAV) per Share fluctuates and is based on the market value of all securities and other assets of the Fund.
The NAV for each class of Shares may differ due to the variance in daily net income realized by each class. Such variance will reflect only accrued net income to which the shareholders of a particular class are entitled.
You can reduce or eliminate the applicable front-end sales charge, as follows:
Larger purchases of the same Share class reduce or eliminate the sales charge you pay. You can combine purchases of Shares made on the same day by you, your spouse and your children under age 21. In addition, purchases made at one time by a trustee or fiduciary for a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account can be combined.
If you make an additional purchase of Shares, you can count previous Share purchases still invested in the Fund in calculating the applicable sales charge on the additional purchase.
You can combine concurrent purchases of the same share class of two or more Federated Funds in calculating the applicable sales charge.
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</R>
You can sign a Letter of Intent committing to purchase a certain amount of the same class of Shares within a 13-month period to combine such purchases in calculating the sales charge. The Fund's custodian will hold Shares in escrow equal to the maximum applicable sales charge. If you complete the Letter of Intent, the Custodian will release the Shares in escrow to your account. If you do not fulfill the Letter of Intent, the Custodian will redeem the appropriate amount from the Shares held in escrow to pay the sales charges that were not applied to your purchases.
You may reinvest, within 120 days, your Share redemption proceeds at the next determined NAV without any sales charge.
The following individuals and their immediate family members may buy Shares at NAV without any sales charge because there are nominal sales efforts associated with their purchases:
Shareholders of the Fund known as "Federated Life Members" are exempt from paying any front-end sales charge. These shareholders joined the Fund originally:
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</R>
These reductions or eliminations are offered because: no sales commissions have been advanced to the investment professional selling Shares; the shareholder has already paid a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC); or nominal sales efforts are associated with the original purchase of Shares.
Upon notification to the Distributor or the Fund's transfer agent, no CDSC will be imposed on redemptions:
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</R>
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</R>
Under the Distributor's Contract with the Fund, the Distributor (Federated Securities Corp.) offers Shares on a continuous, best-efforts basis.
The Distributor receives a front-end sales charge on certain Share sales. The Distributor generally pays up to 90% (and as much as 100%) of this charge to investment professionals for sales and/or administrative services. Any payments to investment professionals in excess of 90% of the front-end sales charge are considered supplemental payments. The Distributor retains any portion not paid to an investment professional.
As a compensation-type plan, the Rule 12b-1 Plan is designed to pay the Distributor (who may then pay investment professionals such as banks, broker/dealers, trust departments of banks, and registered investment advisers) for marketing activities (such as advertising, printing and distributing prospectuses, and providing incentives to investment professionals) to promote sales of Shares so that overall Fund assets are maintained or increased. This helps the Fund achieve economies of scale, reduce per share expenses, and provide cash for orderly portfolio management and Share redemptions. In addition, the Fund's service providers that receive asset-based fees also benefit from stable or increasing Fund assets.
The Fund may compensate the Distributor more or less than its actual marketing expenses. In no event will the Fund pay for any expenses of the Distributor that exceed the maximum Rule 12b-1 Plan fee.
For some classes of Shares, the maximum Rule 12b-1 Plan fee that can be paid in any one year may not be sufficient to cover the marketing-related expenses the Distributor has incurred. Therefore, it may take the Distributor a number of years to recoup these expenses.
Federated and its subsidiaries may benefit from arrangements where the Rule 12b-1 Plan fees related to Class B Shares may be paid to third parties who have advanced commissions to investment professionals.
The Fund may pay Federated Shareholder Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, Inc. (Federated), for providing shareholder services and maintaining shareholder accounts. Federated Shareholder Services Company may select others to perform these services for their customers and may pay them fees.
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Investment professionals (such as broker/dealers or banks) may be paid fees, in significant amounts, out of the assets of the Distributor and/or Federated Shareholder Services Company. (These fees do not come out of Fund assets.) The Distributor and/or Federated Shareholder Services Company may be reimbursed by the Adviser or its affiliates.
</R>
Investment professionals receive such fees for providing distribution-related and/or shareholder services, such as advertising, providing incentives to their sales personnel, sponsoring other activities intended to promote sales, and maintaining shareholder accounts. These payments may be based upon such factors as the number or value of Shares the investment professional sells or may sell; the value of client assets invested; and/or the type and nature of sales or marketing support furnished by the investment professional.
When an investment professional's customer purchases shares, the investment professional may receive:
In addition, the Distributor may pay investment professionals 0.25% of the purchase price of $1 million or more of Class A and Class F Shares that its customer has not redeemed over the first year.
Investment professionals purchasing Class A Shares for their customers are eligible to receive an advance payment from the Distributor based on the following breakpoints:
Amount |
|
Advance Payments |
First $1 - $5 million |
|
0.75% |
Next $5 - $20 million |
|
0.50% |
Over $20 million |
|
0.25% |
<R>
For accounts with assets over $1 million, the dealers advance payments reset annually to the first breakpoint on the anniversary of the first purchase.
</R>
Class A Share purchases under this program may be made by Letter of Intent or by combining concurrent purchases. The above advance payments will be paid only on those purchases that were not previously subject to a front-end sales charge and dealer advance payments. Certain retirement accounts may not be eligible for this program.
A contingent deferred sales charge of 0.75% of the redemption amount applies to Class A Shares redeemed up to 24 months after purchase. The CDSC does not apply under certain investment programs where the investment professional does not receive an advance payment on the transaction including, but not limited to, trust accounts and wrap programs where the investor pays an account level fee for investment management.
Investment professionals purchasing Class F Shares for their customers are eligible to receive an advance payment from the distributor of 0.25% of the purchase price.
<R>
Certain investment professionals may wish to use the transfer agent's subaccounting system to minimize their internal recordkeeping requirements. The transfer agent may charge a fee based on the level of subaccounting services rendered. Investment professionals holding Shares in a fiduciary, agency, custodial or similar capacity may charge or pass-through subaccounting fees as part of or in addition to normal trust or agency account fees. They may also charge fees for other services that may be related to the ownership of Shares. This information should, therefore, be read together with any agreement between the customer and the investment professional about the services provided, the fees charged for those services, and any restrictions and limitations imposed.
</R>
Although the Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash, it reserves the right, as described below, to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution of the Fund's portfolio securities.
Because the Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund is obligated to pay Share redemptions to any one shareholder in cash only up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets represented by such Share class during any 90-day period.
Any Share redemption payment greater than this amount will also be in cash unless the Fund's Board determines that payment should be in kind. In such a case, the Fund will pay all or a portion of the remainder of the redemption in portfolio securities, valued in the same way as the Fund determines its NAV. The portfolio securities will be selected in a manner that the Fund's Board deems fair and equitable and, to the extent available, such securities will be readily marketable.
Redemption in kind is not as liquid as a cash redemption. If redemption is made in kind, shareholders receiving the portfolio securities and selling them before their maturity could receive less than the redemption value of the securities and could incur certain transaction costs.
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Each share of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Director elections and other matters submitted to shareholders for vote.
</R>
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All Shares of the Fund have equal voting rights, except that in matters affecting only a particular class, only Shares of that class are entitled to vote.
</R>
Directors may be removed by the Board or by shareholders at a special meeting. A special meeting of shareholders will be called by the Board upon the written request of shareholders who own at least 10% of the Fund's outstanding shares of all series entitled to vote.
<R>
As of October 1, 2001, the following shareholders owned of record, beneficially, or both, 5% or more of outstanding Class A Shares: Edward Jones & Co., Maryland Hts., MO, owned approximately 2,514,020.779 shares (23.17%), Banc of America Securities LLC, San Francisco, CA, owned approximately 615,384.615 shares (5.67%).
</R>
<R>
As of October 1, 2001, the following shareholders owned of record, beneficially, or both, 5% or more of outstanding Class B Shares: Edward Jones & Co., Maryland Hts., MO, owned approximately 519,239.078 shares (5.57%).
</R>
<R>
As of October 1, 2001, the following shareholders owned of record, beneficially, or both, 5% or more of outstanding Class C Shares: Edward Jones & Co., Maryland Hts., MO, owned approximately 210,107.309 shares (19.25%), MLPF&S, Jacksonville, FL, for the sole benefit of its customers, owned approximately 174,582.731 shares (15.99%), U.S. Bancorp Investments Inc., Minneapolis, MN, owned approximately 90,991.811 shares (8.34%), NFSC FEBO # AFB-960896, West Jefferson, NC, owned approximately 54,744.526 shares (5.02%).
</R>
<R>
As of October 1, 2001, the following shareholders owned of record, beneficially, or both, 5% or more of outstanding Class F Shares: MLPF&S, Jacksonville, FL, for the sole benefit of its customers, owned approximately 4,619,317.325 shares (23.30%).
</R>
Shareholders owning 25% or more of outstanding Shares may be in control and be able to affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of shareholders.
<R>
The Fund intends to meet requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. If these requirements are not met, it will not receive special tax treatment and will be subject to federal corporate income tax.
</R>
<R>
The Board is responsible for managing the Fund's business affairs and for exercising all the Fund's powers except those reserved for the shareholders. Information about each Board member is provided below and includes each person's: name; address; birth date; present position(s) held with the Fund; principal occupations for the past five years and positions held prior to the past five years; total compensation received as a Director from the Fund for its most recent fiscal year, if applicable; and the total compensation received from the Federated Fund Complex for the most recent calendar year. The Federated Fund Complex comprises 44 investment companies, whose investment advisers are affiliated with the Fund's Adviser.
</R>
<R>
As of October 1, 2001, the Fund's Board and Officers as a group owned less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding Class A, B, C and F Shares.
</R>
Name |
|
Principal Occupations for Past Five Years |
|
Aggregate |
|
Total |
John F. Donahue*# |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Chairman and Director, Federated Investors, Inc.; Chairman, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.; formerly: Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company and Chairman and Director, Federated Investment Counseling. |
|
$0 |
|
$0 for the Fund and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Thomas G. Bigley |
|
Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Director, Member of Executive Committee, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; Director and Chairman of Audit Committee, Robroy Industries, Inc. (coated steel conduits/computer storage equipment); formerly: Senior Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Director, MED 3000 Group, Inc. (physician practice management); Director, Member of Executive Committee, University of Pittsburgh. |
|
$1,356.94 |
|
$128,847.72 for the Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
John T. Conroy, Jr. |
|
Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Chairman of the Board, Investment Properties Corporation; Partner or Trustee in private real estate ventures in Southwest Florida; formerly: President, Investment Properties Corporation; Senior Vice President, John R. Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors; President, Naples Property Management, Inc. and Northgate Village Development Corporation. |
|
$1,356.94 |
|
$128,847.66 for the Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Nicholas P. Constantakis |
|
Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee, Michael Baker Corporation (engineering, construction, operations and technical services); formerly: Partner, Andersen Worldwide SC. |
|
$1,356.94 |
|
$126,923.53 for the Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
John F. Cunningham |
|
Director or Trustee of some of the Federated Fund Complex; Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Cunningham & Co., Inc.
(strategic business consulting); Trustee Associate, Boston College;
Director, Iperia Corp. (communications/software); formerly: Director,
Redgate Communications and EMC Corporation (computer storage systems). |
|
$1,233.39 |
|
$115,368.16 for the Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.* |
|
Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center -- Downtown; Hematologist, Oncologist and Internist, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Member, National Board of Trustees, Leukemia Society of America. |
|
$1,233.39 |
|
$117,117.17 for the Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Peter E. Madden |
|
Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; formerly:
Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Court; President,
State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Corporation. |
|
$1,233.39 |
|
$117,117.14 for the Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Name |
|
Principal Occupations for Past Five Years |
|
Aggregate |
|
Total |
Charles F. Mansfield, Jr. |
|
Director or Trustee of some of the Federated Fund Complex; Management
Consultant. |
|
$1,356.94 |
|
$128,847.66 for the Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.# |
|
Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; President, Law
Professor, Duquesne University; Consulting Partner, Mollica & Murray;
Director, Michael Baker Corp. (engineering, construction, operations and
technical services). |
|
$1,309.45 |
|
$117,117.14 for the Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Marjorie P. Smuts |
|
Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Public
Relations/Marketing/Conference Planning. |
|
$1,233.39 |
|
$117,117.17 for the Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
John S. Walsh |
|
Director or Trustee of some of the Federated Fund Complex; President and Director, Heat Wagon, Inc. (manufacturer of construction temporary heaters); President and Director, Manufacturers Products, Inc. (distributor of portable construction heaters); President, Portable Heater Parts, a division of Manufacturers Products, Inc.; Director, Walsh & Kelly, Inc. (heavy highway contractor); formerly: Vice President, Walsh & Kelly, Inc. |
|
$1,233.39 |
|
$117,117.17 for the Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
J. Christopher Donahue* |
|
President or Executive Vice President of the Federated Fund Complex; Director or Trustee of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Federated Investors, Inc.; President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company; Trustee, Federated Investment Counseling; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp.; President and Chief Executive Officer, Passport Research, Ltd.; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company; formerly: President, Federated Investment Counseling. |
|
$0 |
|
$0 for the Fund and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Edward C. Gonzales |
|
President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; Vice Chairman, Federated Investors, Inc.; Trustee, Federated Administrative Services; formerly: Trustee or Director of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; CEO and Chairman, Federated Administrative Services; Vice President, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.; Director and Executive Vice President, Federated Securities Corp.; Director, Federated Services Company; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company. |
|
$0 |
|
$0 for the Fund and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
John W. McGonigle |
|
Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Federated Fund Complex; Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director, Federated Investors, Inc.; formerly: Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company and Federated Investment Counseling; Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Services Company and Federated Securities Corp. |
|
$0 |
|
$0 for the Fund and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Richard J. Thomas |
|
Treasurer of the Federated Fund Complex; Senior Vice President, Federated Administrative Services; formerly: Vice President, Federated Administrative Services; held various management positions within Funds Financial Services Division of Federated Investors, Inc. |
|
$0 |
|
$0 for the Fund and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Richard B. Fisher |
|
President or Vice President of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; Vice Chairman, Federated Investors, Inc.; Chairman, Federated Securities Corp.; formerly: Director or Trustee of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; Executive Vice President, Federated Investors, Inc. and Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federated Securities Corp. |
|
$0 |
|
$0 for the Fund and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Name |
|
Principal Occupations for Past Five Years |
|
Aggregate |
|
Total |
William D. Dawson III |
|
Chief Investment Officer of this Fund and various other Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; Executive Vice President, Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Management Company and Passport Research, Ltd.; Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Federated Investment Management Company; Registered Representative, Federated Securities Corp.; Portfolio Manager, Federated Administrative Services; Vice President, Federated Investors, Inc.; formerly: Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President, Federated Investment Counseling Institutional Portfolio Management Services Division; Senior Vice President, Federated Investment Management Company and Passport Research, Ltd. |
|
$0 |
|
$0 for the Fund and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Mary Jo Ochson |
|
Mary Jo Ochson has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since May 1996. She is Vice President of the Fund. Ms. Ochson joined Federated in 1982 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager and a Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1996. From 1988 through 1995, Ms. Ochson served as a Portfolio Manager and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser. Ms. Ochson is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received her M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh. |
|
$0 |
|
$0 for the Fund and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* An asterisk denotes a Director who is deemed to be an interested person as defined in the 1940 Act.
# A pound sign denotes a Member of the Board's Executive Committee, which handles the Board's responsibilities between its meetings.
Mr. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue, Executive Vice President and Director of the Fund.
The Adviser conducts investment research and makes investment decisions for the Fund.
The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Federated.
The Adviser shall not be liable to the Fund or any Fund shareholder for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or sale of any security or for anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties imposed upon it by its contract with the Fund.
Affiliates of the Adviser may, from time to time, provide certain electronic equipment and software to institutional customers in order to facilitate the purchase of Fund Shares offered by the Distributor.
As required by SEC rules, the Fund, its Adviser, and its Distributor have adopted codes of ethics. These codes govern securities trading activities of investment personnel, Fund Directors, and certain other employees. Although they do permit these people to trade in securities, including those that the Fund could buy, they also contain significant safeguards designed to protect the Fund and its shareholders from abuses in this area, such as requirements to obtain prior approval for, and to report, particular transactions.
When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio instruments, the Adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable price. The Adviser will generally use those who are recognized dealers in specific portfolio instruments, except when a better price and execution of the order can be obtained elsewhere. In selecting among firms believed to meet these criteria, the Adviser may give consideration to those firms which have sold or are selling Shares of the Fund and other funds distributed by the Distributor and its affiliates. The Adviser makes decisions on portfolio transactions and selects brokers and dealers subject to review by the Fund's Board.
Research services may include advice as to the advisability of investing in securities; security analysis and reports; economic studies; industry studies; receipt of quotations for portfolio evaluations; and similar services. Research services may be used by the Adviser or by affiliates of Federated in advising other accounts. To the extent that receipt of these services may replace services for which the Adviser or its affiliates might otherwise have paid, it would tend to reduce their expenses. The Adviser and its affiliates exercise reasonable business judgment in selecting those brokers who offer brokerage and research services to execute securities transactions. They determine in good faith that commissions charged by such persons are reasonable in relationship to the value of the brokerage and research services provided.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other accounts managed by the Adviser. When the Fund and one or more of those accounts invests in, or disposes of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated among the Fund and the account(s) in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable. While the coordination and ability to participate in volume transactions may benefit the Fund, it is possible that this procedure could adversely impact the price paid or received and/or the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund.
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated, provides administrative personnel and services (including certain legal and financial reporting services) necessary to operate the Fund. Federated Services Company provides these at the following annual rate of the average aggregate daily net assets of all Federated Funds as specified below:
Maximum Administrative Fee |
|
Average Aggregate Daily |
0.150 of 1% |
|
on the first $250 million |
0.125 of 1% |
|
on the next $250 million |
0.100 of 1% |
|
on the next $250 million |
0.075 of 1% |
|
on assets in excess of $750 million |
The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least $125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of Shares. Federated Services Company may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee and may reimburse the Fund for expenses.
Federated Services Company also provides certain accounting and recordkeeping services with respect to the Fund's portfolio investments for a fee based on Fund assets plus out-of-pocket expenses.
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, Massachusetts, is custodian for the securities and cash of the Fund.
Federated Services Company, through its registered transfer agent subsidiary Federated Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder records. The Fund pays the transfer agent a fee based on the size, type and number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.
<R>
The independent auditor for the Fund, Ernst & Young LLP, conducts its audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require it to plan and perform its audits to provide reasonable assurance about whether the Fund's financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement.
</R>
For the Year Ended August 31 |
|
2001 |
|
2000 |
|
1999 |
Advisory Fee Earned |
|
$2,309,007 |
|
$2,442,245 |
|
$2,898,235 |
|
||||||
Advisory Fee Reduction |
|
30,897 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
||||||
Brokerage Commissions |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
||||||
Administrative Fee |
|
289,781 |
|
306,616 |
|
364,212 |
|
||||||
12b-1 Fee: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Class B Shares |
|
590,218 |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
||||||
Class C Shares |
|
72,475 |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
||||||
Shareholder Services Fee: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Class A Shares |
|
239,122 |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
||||||
Class B Shares |
|
196,739 |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
||||||
Class C Shares |
|
24,158 |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
||||||
Class F Shares |
|
502,066 |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
Fees are allocated among classes based on their pro rata share of Fund assets, except for marketing (Rule 12b-1) fees and shareholder services fees, which are borne only by the applicable class of Shares.
<R>
The Fund may advertise Share performance by using the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) standard method for calculating performance applicable to all mutual funds. The SEC also permits this standard performance information to be accompanied by non-standard performance information.
</R>
Share performance reflects the effect of non-recurring charges, such as maximum sales charges, which, if excluded, would increase the total return and yield. The performance of Shares depends upon such variables as: portfolio quality; average portfolio maturity; type and value of portfolio securities; changes in interest rates; changes or differences in the Fund's or any class of Shares' expenses; and various other factors.
Share performance fluctuates on a daily basis largely because net earnings fluctuate daily. Both net earnings and offering price per Share are factors in the computation of yield and total return.
<R>
Total returns are given for the one-year, five-year and ten-year or Start of Performance periods ended August 31, 2001.
</R>
<R>
Yield and Tax-Equivalent Yield are given for the 30-day period ended August 31, 2001.
</R>
|
30-Day Period |
|
1 Year |
|
5 Years |
|
10 Years |
|
Start of |
|
Class A: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return |
|
-- |
|
2.65% |
|
3.78% |
|
-- |
|
3.54% |
Yield |
|
4.63% |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
Tax-Equivalent Yield |
|
7.67% |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
Class B: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return |
|
-- |
|
1.17% |
|
3.61% |
|
-- |
|
3.53% |
Yield |
|
4.10% |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
Tax Equivalent Yield |
|
6.79% |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
Class C: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return |
|
-- |
|
5.66% |
|
3.94% |
|
-- |
|
3.69% |
Yield |
|
4.11% |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
Tax Equivalent Yield |
|
6.80% |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
Class F: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return |
|
-- |
|
5.40% |
|
4.54% |
|
-- |
|
6.22% |
Yield |
|
4.80% |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
Tax Equivalent Yield |
|
7.95% |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
-- |
Total return represents the change (expressed as a percentage) in the value of Shares over a specific period of time, and includes the investment of income and capital gains distributions.
The average annual total return for Shares is the average compounded rate of return for a given period that would equate a $1,000 initial investment to the ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending redeemable value is computed by multiplying the number of Shares owned at the end of the period by the NAV per Share at the end of the period. The number of Shares owned at the end of the period is based on the number of Shares purchased at the beginning of the period with $1,000, less any applicable sales charge, adjusted over the period by any additional Shares, assuming the annual reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.
The yield of Shares is calculated by dividing: (i) the net investment income per Share earned by the Shares over a 30-day period; by (ii) the maximum offering price per Share on the last day of the period. This number is then annualized using semi-annual compounding. This means that the amount of income generated during the 30-day period is assumed to be generated each month over a 12-month period and is reinvested every six months. The tax-equivalent yield of Shares is calculated similarly to the yield, but is adjusted to reflect the taxable yield that Shares would have had to earn to equal the actual yield, assuming the maximum combined federal and state tax rate. The yield and tax-equivalent yield do not necessarily reflect income actually earned by Shares because of certain adjustments required by the SEC and, therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other distributions paid to shareholders.
To the extent investment professionals and broker/dealers charge fees in connection with services provided in conjunction with an investment in Shares, the Share performance is lower for shareholders paying those fees.
Set forth below is a sample of a tax-equivalency table that may be used in advertising and sales literature. This table is for illustrative purposes only and is not representative of past or future performance of the Fund. The interest earned by the municipal securities owned by the Fund generally remains free from federal regular income tax and is often free from state and local taxes as well. However, some of the Fund's income may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax and state and/or local taxes.
Taxable Yield Equivalent for 2001 -- multistate municipal funds |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Federal Tax Bracket: |
|
15.00% |
|
28.00% |
|
31.00% |
|
36.00% |
|
39.60% |
Joint Return |
|
$1-45,200 |
|
$45,201-109,250 |
|
$109,251-166,450 |
|
$166,451-297,300 |
|
Over $297,300 |
|
||||||||||
Single Return |
|
$1-27,050 |
|
$27,051-65,550 |
|
$65,551-136,750 |
|
$136,751-297,300 |
|
Over $297,300 |
|
||||||||||
Tax-Exempt Yield: |
|
Taxable Yield Equivalent: |
|
|
|
|
||||
0.50% |
|
0.59% |
|
0.69% |
|
0.72% |
|
0.78% |
|
0.83% |
|
||||||||||
1.00% |
|
1.18% |
|
1.39% |
|
1.45% |
|
1.56% |
|
1.66% |
|
||||||||||
1.50% |
|
1.76% |
|
2.08% |
|
2.17% |
|
2.34% |
|
2.48% |
|
||||||||||
2.00% |
|
2.35% |
|
2.78% |
|
2.90% |
|
3.13% |
|
3.31% |
|
||||||||||
2.50% |
|
2.94% |
|
3.47% |
|
3.62% |
|
3.91% |
|
4.14% |
|
||||||||||
3.00% |
|
3.53% |
|
4.17% |
|
4.35% |
|
4.69% |
|
4.97% |
|
||||||||||
3.50% |
|
4.12% |
|
4.86% |
|
5.07% |
|
5.47% |
|
5.79% |
|
||||||||||
4.00% |
|
4.71% |
|
5.56% |
|
5.80% |
|
6.25% |
|
6.62% |
|
||||||||||
4.50% |
|
5.29% |
|
6.25% |
|
6.52% |
|
7.03% |
|
7.45% |
|
||||||||||
5.00% |
|
5.88% |
|
6.94% |
|
7.25% |
|
7.81% |
|
8.28% |
|
||||||||||
5.50% |
|
6.47% |
|
7.64% |
|
7.97% |
|
8.59% |
|
9.11% |
|
||||||||||
6.00% |
|
7.06% |
|
8.33% |
|
8.70% |
|
9.38% |
|
9.93% |
|
||||||||||
6.50% |
|
7.65% |
|
9.03% |
|
9.42% |
|
10.16% |
|
10.76% |
|
||||||||||
7.00% |
|
8.24% |
|
9.72% |
|
10.14% |
|
10.94% |
|
11.59% |
|
||||||||||
7.50% |
|
8.82% |
|
10.42% |
|
10.87% |
|
11.72% |
|
12.42% |
|
||||||||||
8.00% |
|
9.41% |
|
11.11% |
|
11.59% |
|
12.50% |
|
13.25% |
|
||||||||||
8.50% |
|
10.00% |
|
11.81% |
|
12.32% |
|
13.28% |
|
14.07% |
|
||||||||||
9.00% |
|
10.59% |
|
12.50% |
|
13.04% |
|
14.06% |
|
14.90% |
|
||||||||||
9.50% |
|
11.18% |
|
13.19% |
|
13.77% |
|
14.84% |
|
15.73% |
|
||||||||||
10.00% |
|
11.76% |
|
13.89% |
|
14.49% |
|
15.63% |
|
16.56% |
|
||||||||||
10.50% |
|
12.35% |
|
14.58% |
|
15.22% |
|
16.41% |
|
17.38% |
|
||||||||||
11.00% |
|
12.94% |
|
15.28% |
|
15.94% |
|
17.19% |
|
18.21% |
|
<R>
Note: The maximum marginal tax rate for each bracket was used in calculating the taxable yield equivalent.
</R>
Advertising and sales literature may include:
<R>
The Fund may compare its performance, or performance for the types of securities in which it invests, to a variety of other investments, including federally insured bank products such as bank savings accounts, certificates of deposit and Treasury bills.
</R>
The Fund may quote information from reliable sources regarding individual countries and regions, world stock exchanges, and economic and demographic statistics.
You may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more complete view of Share performance. When comparing performance, you should consider all relevant factors such as the composition of the index used, prevailing market conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods used to value portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial publications and/or indices which the Fund uses in advertising may include:
<R>
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. ranks funds in various fund categories by making comparative calculations using total return. Total return assumes the reinvestment of all capital gains distributions and income dividends and takes into account any change in net asset value over a specific period of time. From time to time, the Fund will quote its Lipper ranking in the high-yield municipal bond funds category in advertising and sales literature.
</R>
Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index is a broad-based market performance benchmark for the tax-exempt bond market.
Morningstar, Inc., an independent rating service, is the publisher of the bi-weekly Mutual Fund Values. Mutual Fund Values rates more than 1,000 NASDAQ-listed mutual funds of all types, according to their risk-adjusted returns. The maximum rating is five stars, and ratings are effective for two weeks.
Lipper figures represent the average total returns reported by all mutual funds designated by Lipper Analytical Services as falling into the respective categories indicated. They do not reflect sales charges.
Federated is dedicated to meeting investor needs by making structured, straightforward and consistent investment decisions. Federated investment products have a history of competitive performance and have gained the confidence of thousands of financial institutions and individual investors.
Federated's disciplined investment selection process is rooted in sound methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. At Federated, success in investment management does not depend solely on the skill of a single portfolio manager. It is a fusion of individual talents and state-of-the-art industry tools and resources. Federated's investment process involves teams of portfolio managers and analysts, and investment decisions are executed by traders who are dedicated to specific market sectors and who handle trillions of dollars in annual trading volume.
<R>
In the municipal sector, as of December 31, 2000, Federated managed 11 bond funds with approximately $4.0 billion in assets and 22 money market funds with approximately $41.8 billion in total assets. In 1976, Federated introduced one of the first municipal bond mutual funds in the industry and is now one of the largest institutional buyers of municipal securities. The Funds may quote statistics from organizations including The Tax Foundation and the National Taxpayers Union regarding the tax obligations of Americans.
</R>
<R>
In the equity sector, Federated has more than 31 years' experience. As of December 31, 2000, Federated managed 40 equity funds totaling approximately $20.6 billion in assets across growth, value, equity income, international, index and sector (i.e. utility) styles. Federated's value-oriented management style combines quantitative and qualitative analysis and features a structured, computer-assisted composite modeling system that was developed in the 1970s.
</R>
<R>
In the corporate bond sector, as of December 31, 2000, Federated managed 11 money market funds and 30 bond funds with assets approximating $20.9 billion and $9.7 billion, respectively. Federated's corporate bond decision making--based on intensive, diligent credit analysis--is backed by over 29 years of experience in the corporate bond sector. In 1972, Federated introduced one of the first high-yield bond funds in the industry. In 1983, Federated was one of the first fund managers to participate in the asset backed securities market, a market totaling more than $209 billion.
</R>
<R>
In the government sector, as of December 31, 2000, Federated managed 6 mortgage backed, 5 multi-sector government funds, 3 government/agency and 19 government money market mutual funds, with assets approximating $3.3 billion, $1.6 billion, $1.2 billion and $36.2 billion, respectively. Federated trades approximately $133.4 billion in U.S. government and mortgage backed securities daily and places approximately $28.5 billion in repurchase agreements each day. Federated introduced the first U.S. government fund to invest in U.S. government bond securities in 1969. Federated has been a major force in the short- and intermediate-term government markets since 1982 and currently manages approximately $50 billion in government funds within these maturity ranges.
</R>
<R>
In the money market sector, Federated gained prominence in the mutual fund industry in 1974 with the creation of the first institutional money market fund. Simultaneously, the company pioneered the use of the amortized cost method of accounting for valuing shares of money market funds, a principal means used by money managers today to value money market fund shares. Other innovations include the first institutional tax-free money market fund. As of December 31, 2000, Federated managed $99.0 billion in assets across 52 money market funds, including 19 government, 11 prime, 22 municipal and 1 euro-denominated with assets approximating $36.2 billion, $21.0 billion, $41.8 billion and $110 million, respectively.
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The Chief Investment Officers responsible for oversight of the various investment sectors within Federated are: U.S. equity and high yield--J. Thomas Madden; U.S. fixed income--William D. Dawson III; and global equities and fixed income--Henry A. Frantzen. The Chief Investment Officers are Executive Vice Presidents of the Federated advisory companies.
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Forty-nine percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions, have entrusted over $7 trillion to the more than 8,157 funds available, according to the Investment Company Institute.
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Federated distributes mutual funds through its subsidiaries for a variety of investment purposes. Specific markets include:
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Federated meets the needs of approximately 3,031 institutional clients nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a variety of purposes, including defined benefit and defined contribution programs, cash management, and asset/liability management. Institutional clients include corporations, pension funds, tax exempt entities, foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial advisers. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division, Federated Securities Corp.
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Other institutional clients include more than 1,600 banks and trust organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top 100 bank holding companies use Federated Funds in their clients' portfolios. The marketing effort to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice President, Bank Marketing & Sales.
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Federated Funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms nationwide--we have over 2,000 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer relationships across the country--supported by more wholesalers than any other mutual fund distributor. Federated's service to financial professionals and institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by DALBAR, Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz, President, Broker/Dealer Sales Division, Federated Securities Corp.
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The Financial Statements for the Fund for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001 are incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report to Shareholders of Federated Municipal Opportunities Fund, Inc. dated August 31, 2001.
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A Standard & Poor's (S&P) note rating reflects the liquidity concerns and market access risks unique to notes.
SP-1--Very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics will be given a plus sign (+) designation.
SP-2--Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
S&P assigns dual ratings to all long-term debt issues that have as part of their provisions a variable rate demand feature. The first rating (long-term rating) addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest when due, and the second rating (short-term rating) describes the demand characteristics. Several examples are AAA/A-1+, AA/A-1+, A/A-1. (The definitions for the long-term and the short-term ratings are provided below.)
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.
A-1--This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.
AAA--Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA--Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the highest-rated issues only in small degree.
A--Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.
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Moody's Investor Service (Moody's) short-term ratings are designated Moody's Investment Grade (MIG or VMIG). (See below.) The purpose of the MIG or VMIG ratings is to provide investors with a simple system by which the relative investment qualities of short-term obligations may be evaluated.
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MIG1--This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated broad based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG2--This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
Short-term ratings on issues with demand features are differentiated by the use of the VMIG symbol to reflect such characteristics as payment upon periodic demand rather than fixed maturity dates and payment relying on external liquidity. In this case, two ratings are usually assigned, (for example, Aaa/VMIG-1); the first representing an evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments, and the second representing an evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the demand feature. The VMIG rating can be assigned a 1 or 2 designation using the same definitions described above for the MIG rating.
P-1--Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics: leading market positions in well-established industries, high rates of return on funds employed, conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection, broad margins in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation, well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
P-2--Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above, but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa--Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group, they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
NR--Indicates that both the bonds and the obligor or credit enhancer are not currently rated by S&P or Moody's with respect to short-term indebtedness. However, management considers them to be of comparable quality to securities rated A-1 or P-1.
NR(1)--The underlying issuer/obligor/guarantor has other outstanding debt rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody's.
NR(2)--The underlying issuer/obligor/guarantor has other outstanding debt rated AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's.
NR(3)--The underlying issuer/obligor/guarantor has other outstanding debt rated A by S&P or Moody's.
F-1+--Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
F-1--Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance for timely payment, only slightly less in degree than issues rated F-1+.
F-2--Good Credit Quality. Issues carrying this rating have a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not as great as for issues assigned F-1+ and F-1 ratings.
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AAA--Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA--Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the higher-rated issues only in small degree.
A--Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.
BBB--Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.
BB--Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BBB rating.
B--Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating.
CCC--Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied B or B- rating.
CC--The rating CC typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating.
C--The rating C typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating. The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are continued.
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AAA--Bonds which are rated AAA are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
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AA--Bonds which are rated AA are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the AAA group, they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in AAA securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in AAA securities.
A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
BAA--Bonds which are rated BAA are considered as medium-grade obligations, (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
BA--Bonds which are BA are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
CAA--Bonds which are rated CAA are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
CA--Bonds which are rated CA represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C--Bonds which are rated C are the lowest-rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
AAA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F-1+.
A--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
BB--Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B--Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the life of the issue.
CCC--Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous business and economic environment.
CC--Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or principal seems probable over time.
C--Bonds are imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
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Prime-1--Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:
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Prime-2--Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
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A-1--This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.
FITCH-1--(Highest Grade) Commercial paper assigned this rating is regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
FITCH-2--(Very Good Grade) Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than the strongest issues.
Class A Shares
Class B Shares
Class C Shares
Class F Shares
Federated Investors Funds
5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Federated Investment Management Company
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
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Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116-5072
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PART C. OTHER INFORMATION. Item 23. Exhibits: (a) (i) Conformed copy of Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant; (10) (ii) Conformed copy of Certificate of Correction dated October 21, 1996; (10) (iii) Conformed copy of Certificate of Correction dated April 11, 1997; (15) (b) (i) Copy of Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant; (10) (ii) Copy of Amendment #6 to the By-Laws of the Registrant; (13) (iii) Copy of Amendment #7 to the By-Laws of the Registrant; (13) (iv) Copy of Amendment #8 to the By-Laws of the Registrant; (13) (c) (i) Copy of Specimen Certificate for Class A Shares; (10) (ii) Copy of Specimen Certificate for Class B Shares; (10) (iii) Copy of Specimen Certificate for Class C Shares; (10) (iv) Copy of Specimen Certificate for Class F Shares; (10) (d) (i) Conformed copy of the Investment Advisory Contract of the Registrant; (4) (ii) Conformed copy of the Amendment to Investment Advisory Contract between Federated Municipal Opportunities Fund, Inc. and Federated Investment Management Company (+) (e) (i) Conformed copy of Distributor's Contract of the Registrant; (10) (ii) Conformed copy of Exhibit A to the Distributor's Contract of the Registrant; (10) (iii) Conformed copy of Exhibit C to the Distributor's Contract of the Registrant; (10) (iv) Conformed copy of Exhibit D to the Distributor's Contract of the Registrant; (13) (v) Conformed copy of Distributor's Contract for Class B Shares of the Registrant, and Schedule A thereto; (13) (vi) The Registrant hereby incorporates the conformed copy of the specimen Mutual Funds Sales and Service Agreement; Mutual Funds Service Agreement; and Plan Trustee/Mutual Funds Service Agreement from Item 24(b)(6) of the Cash Trust Series II Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed with the Commission on July 24, 1995. (File Nos. 33-38550 and 811-6269). (vii) Conformed Copy of the Amendment to Distributor's Contract between Federated Municipal Opportunities Fund, Inc. and Federated Securities Corp. (+) (viii) Conformed Copy of the Amendment to Distributor's contract between Federated Funds with Class B Shares and Federated Securities Corp. (+) (f) Not applicable; (g) (i) Conformed copy of Custodian Agreement of the Registrant; (8) (ii) Conformed copy of Custodian Fee Schedule; (12) (h) (i) Conformed copy of Amended and Restated Agreement for Fund Accounting Services, Administrative Services, Transfer Agency Services, and Custody Services Procurement; (13) (ii) Conformed copy of Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Agreement; (12) (iii) Conformed copy of Principal Shareholder Servicer's Agreement; (13) (iv) Conformed copy of Exhibit 1 to the Principal Shareholder Servicer's Agreement and Schedule A thereto; (13) (v) Conformed copy of Shareholder Services Agreement for Class B Shares; (13) (vi) Conformed copy of Exhibit 1 to the Shareholder Services Agreement for Class B Shares, and Schedule A thereto; (13) (vii) The responses described in Item 23(e)(vi) are hereby incorporated by reference. (viii) Conformed copy of the Amendment to Agreement for Fund Accounting Services, Administrative Services, Transfer Agency Services, and Custody Services Procurement between Federated Investment Companies and Federated Services Company (+) (i) Conformed copy of Opinion and Consent of Counsel as to legality of shares being registered; (8) (j) Conformed copy of Consent of Independent Auditors; (+) (k) Not applicable; (l) Conformed copy of Initial Capital Understanding;(8) (m) (i) Conformed copy of Distribution Plan of the Registrant; (10) (ii) Conformed copy of Exhibit 1 Amendment to Distribution Plan of the Registrant; (13) (iii) The responses described in Item 23(e)(vi) are hereby incorporated by reference; (n) The Registrant hereby incorporates the conformed copy of the Multiple Class Plan from Item (n) of the Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc. Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed with the Commission on May 25, 2001. (File Nos. 2-29786 and 811-1704). (o) Conformed copy of Power of Attorney of the Registrant; (17) (i) Conformed copy of Power of Attorney of the Chief Investment Officer. (17) (p) The Registrant hereby incorporates the conformed copy of the Code of Ethics for Access Persons from Item 23(p) of the Federated Managed Allocation Portfolios, Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 25, 2001. (File Nos. 33-51247 and 811-7129). Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund: None. Item 25. Indemnification: (1) ----------------------------- + All Exhibits have been filed electronically. 1. Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Initial Registration Amendment No. 1 filed January 21, 1987. (File Nos. 33-11410 and 811-4533) 4. Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 filed August 25, 1989. (File Nos. 33-11410 and 811-4533) 8. Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 filed October 25, 1995. (File Nos. 33-11410 and 811-4533) 10. Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 filed October 25, 1996. (File Nos. 33-11410 and 811-4533) 12. Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 filed October 31, 1997. (File Nos. 33-11410 and 811-4533) 13. Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed October 1, 1998. (File Nos. 33-11410 and 811-4533) 14. Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 filed November 25, 1998. (File Nos. 33-11410 and 811-4533) 15. Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 filed August 30, 1999. (File Nos. 33-11410 and 811-4533) 16. Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 filed October 28, 1999. (File Nos. 33-11410 and 811-4533) 17. Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 filed October 24, 2000. (File Nos. 33-11410 and 811-4533) Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser: For a description of the other business of the investment adviser, see the section entitled "Who Manages the Fund?" in Part A. The affiliations with the Registrant of four of the Trustees and one of the Officers of the investment adviser are included in Part B of this Registration Statement under "Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund?" The remaining Trustees of the investment adviser and, in parentheses, their principal occupations are: Thomas R. Donahue, (Chief Financial Officer, Federated Investors, Inc.), 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222-3779 and Mark D. Olson (a principal of the firm Mark D. Olson & Company, L.L.C. and Partner, Wilson, Halbrook & Bayard, P.A.), Suite 301 Little Falls Center Two, 2751 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. The remaining Officers of the investment adviser are: Executive Vice Presidents: William D. Dawson, III Henry A. Frantzen J. Thomas Madden Senior Vice Presidents: Stephen F. Auth Joseph M. Balestrino David A. Briggs Jonathan C. Conley Deborah A. Cunningham Michael P. Donnelly Linda A. Duessel Mark E. Durbiano James E. Grefenstette Jeffrey A. Kozemchak Sandra W. McInerney Susan M. Nason Mary Jo Ochson Robert J. Ostrowski Bernard J. Picchi Richard Tito Peter Vutz Vice Presidents: Todd A. Abraham J. Scott Albrecht Randall S. Bauer Nancy J.Belz G. Andrew Bonnewell Micheal W. Casey Robert E. Cauley Ross M. Cohen Fred B. Crutchfield Lee R. Cunningham, II Alexandre de Bethmann B. Anthony Delserone, Jr. Donald T. Ellenberger Eamonn G. Folan Kathleen M. Foody-Malus Thomas M. Franks David P. Gilmore Marc Halperin John W. Harris Patricia L. Heagy Susan R. Hill William R. Jamison Constantine J. Kartsonas Nathan H. Kehm John C. Kerber Steven J. Lehman Marian R. Marinack Christopher Matyszewski Natalie F. Metz Joseph M. Natoli Jeffrey A. Petro John P. Quartarolo Keith J. Sabol Ihab L. Salib Roberto Sanchez-Dahl, Sr. Frank Semack Aash M. Shah Michael W. Sirianni, Jr. Christopher Smith Timothy G. Trebilcock Leonardo A. Vila Paige M. Wilhelm Richard M. Winkowski, Jr. Lori A. Wolff George B. Wright Assistant Vice Presidents: Catherine A. Arendas Angela A. Auchey Regina Chi David W. Cook James R. Crea, Jr. Karol M. Crummie Fred B. Crutchfield James H. Davis, II Kathryn P. Heagy John T. Gentry Carol Kayworth J. Andrew Kirschler Ram Kolluri Ted T. Lietz, Sr. Monica Lugani Natalie F. Metz Theresa Miller Thomas Mitchell Bob Nolte Mary Kay Pavuk Rae Ann Rice Sarath Sathkumara James W. Schaub Jennifer G. Setzenfand John Sidawi Diane R. Startari Kyle D. Stewart Peter Tropaitis Michael R. Tucker Steven J. Wagner Secretary: G. Andrew Bonnewell Treasurer: Thomas R. Donahue Assistant Secretaries: C. Grant Anderson Leslie K. Ross Assistant Treasurer: Denis McAuley, III The business address of each of the Officers of the investment adviser is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779. These individuals are also officers of a majority of the investment advisers to the investment companies in the Federated Fund Complex described in Part B of this Registration Statement. Item 27. Principal Underwriters: (a) Federated Securities Corp. the Distributor for shares of the Registrant, acts as principal underwriter for the following open-end investment companies, including the Registrant: Cash Trust Series II; Cash Trust Series, Inc.; CCMI Funds; Edward D. Jones & Co. Daily Passport Cash Trust; Federated Limited Duration Government Fund, Inc.; Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc.; Federated ARMs Fund; Federated Core Trust; Federated Equity Funds; Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated Fixed Income Securities, Inc.; Federated Fund for U.S. Government Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust; Federated Government Income Securities, Inc.; Federated High Income Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated High Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities Trust; Federated Income Trust; Federated Index Trust; Federated Institutional Trust; Federated Insurance Series; Federated International Series, Inc.; Federated Investment Series Funds, Inc.; Federated Managed Allocation Portfolios; Federated Municipal Opportunities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Securities Income Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal Trust; Federated Stock and Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock Trust; Federated Total Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S. Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 1-3 Years; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated Total Return Government Bond Fund; Federated Utility Fund, Inc.; Federated World Investment Series, Inc.; FirstMerit Funds; Hibernia Funds; Independence One Mutual Funds; Intermediate Municipal Trust; Marshall Funds, Inc.; Money Market Obligations Trust; Regions Funds; RIGGS Funds; SouthTrust Funds; Wachovia Variable Insurance Funds; The Wachovia Funds; The Wachovia Municipal Funds; and Vision Group of Funds, Inc. (b) (1) (2) (3) Positions and Offices Positions and Offices With Distributor Name With Registrant Chairman: Richard B. Fisher President Director: Arthur L. Cherry President-Institutional Sales and Director: John B. Fisher Director, Executive Vice Vice President and Assistant Secretary: Thomas R. Donahue President-Broker/Dealer And Director: James F. Getz Executive Vice President: David M. Taylor Senior Vice Presidents: Mark W. Bloss Richard W. Boyd Laura M. Deger Bryant R. Fisher Theodore Fadool, Jr. Christopher T. Fives James S. Hamilton James M. Heaton Keith Nixon Solon A. Person, IV Ronald M. Petnuch Timothy C. Pillion Thomas E. Territ Vice Presidents: John M. Albert Ernest G. Anderson Teresa M. Antoszyk John B. Bohnet Jane E. Broeren-Lambesis Matthew W. Brown David J. Callahan Mark Carroll Steven R. Cohen Mary J. Combs R. Edmond Connell, Jr. Kevin J. Crenny Daniel T. Culbertson G. Michael Cullen Marc C. Danile Robert J. Deuberry William C. Doyle Mark D. Fisher Timothy Franklin Mark A. Gessner Joseph D. Gibbons John K. Goettlicher G. Tad Gullickson Scott Gundersen Dayna C. Haferkamp Bruce E. Hastings Charlene H. Jennings H. Joseph Kennedy Michael W. Koenig Ed Koontz Dennis M. Laffey Christopher A. Layton Michael H. Liss Michael R. Manning Amy Michalisyn Mark J. Miehl Richard C. Mihm Alec H. Neilly Thomas A. Peter III Raleigh Peters Robert F. Phillips Richard A. Recker Eugene B. Reed Paul V. Riordan John Rogers Brian S. Ronayne Thomas S. Schinabeck Larry Sebbens Edward J. Segura Edward L. Smith David W. Spears John A. Staley Colin B. Starks Jeffrey A. Stewart James Swindell William C. Tustin Paul A. Uhlman Miles J. Wallace Richard B. Watts Terence Wiles Edward J. Wojnarowski Michael P. Wolff Assistant Vice Presidents: Robert W. Bauman Edward R. Bozek Charles L. Davis, Jr. Beth C. Dell Donald C. Edwards John T. Glickson Ernest L. Linane Renee L. Martin Lynn Sherwood-Long Secretary: Kirk A. Montgomery Treasurer: Denis McAuley, III Assistant Secretaries: Timothy S. Johnson Victor R. Siclari The business address of each of the Officers of Federated Securities Corp. is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779. (c) Not applicable Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records: All accounts and records required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 through 31a-3 promulgated thereunder are maintained at one of the following locations: Registrant.................... Federated Investors Tower .......................................... 1001 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 (Notices should be sent to the Agent for Service at the above address) Federated Investors Funds 5800 Corporate Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000 Federated Shareholder......... P.O. Box 8600 Services Company Boston, MA 02266-8600 ("Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent") Federated Services Company Federated Investors Tower ("Administrator") 1001 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 Federated Investment.......... Federated Investors Tower Management Company 1001 Liberty Avenue ("Adviser") Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 State Street Bank and Trust... P.O. Box 8600 Company Boston, MA 02266-8600 ("Custodian") Item 29. Management Services: Not applicable. Item 30. Undertakings: Registrant hereby undertakes to comply with the provisions of Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act with respect to the removal of Directors and the calling of special shareholder meetings by shareholders. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant, FEDERATED MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC. certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to its Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Pittsburgh and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the 25th day of October, 2001. FEDERATED MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC. BY: /s/ Leslie K. Ross Leslie K. Ross, Assistant Secretary Attorney in Fact for John F. Donahue October 25, 2001 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to its Registration Statement has been signed below by the following person in the capacity and on the date indicated: NAME TITLE DATE By: /s/ Leslie K. Ross Attorney In Fact October 25, 2001 Leslie K. Ross For the Persons ASSISTANT SECRETARY Listed Below NAME TITLE John F. Donahue* Chairman and Director (Chief Executive Officer) Richard B. Fisher* President William D. Dawson, III* Chief Investment Officer Richard J. Thomas* Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) Thomas G. Bigley* Director John T. Conroy, Jr.* Director Nicholas P. Constantakis* Director John F. Cunningham* Director J. Christopher Donahue* Executive Vice President and Director Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.* Director Peter E. Madden* Director Charles F. Mansfield, Jr.* Director John E. Murray, Jr., J.D.,S.J.D.* Director Marjorie P. Smuts* Director John S. Walsh* Director o By Power of Attorney