497K3B 1 bcg-fundprofile.txt TRP BLUE CHIP GROWTH FUND, JANUARY 1, 2002 January 1, 2002 FUND PROFILE T. ROWE PRICE Blue Chip Growth Fund A stock fund seeking long-term capital growth through high-quality U.S. growth companies. This profile summarizes key information about the fund that is included in the fund's prospectus. The fund's prospectus includes additional information about the fund, including a more detailed description of the risks associated with investing in the fund that you may want to consider before you invest. You may obtain the prospectus and other information about the fund at no cost by calling 1-800-638-5660, or by visiting our Web site at www.troweprice.com. TROWEPRICELOGO 1 1 FUND PROFILE --------------------------------------------------------- What is the fund's objective? The fund seeks to provide long-term capital growth. Income is a secondary objective. What is the fund's principal investment strategy? We will invest 65% of total assets in the common stocks of large and medium-sized blue chip growth companies. These are firms that, in our view, are well-established in their industries and have the potential for above-average earnings. We focus on companies with leading market position, seasoned management, and strong financial fundamentals. Our investment approach reflects our belief that solid company fundamentals (with emphasis on strong growth in earnings per share or operating cash flow) combined with a positive industry outlook will ultimately reward investors with strong investment performance. Some of the companies we target will have good prospects for dividend growth. While most assets will be invested in U.S. common stocks, other securities may also be purchased, including foreign stocks, futures, and options, in keeping with fund objectives. The fund may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to secure gains, limit losses, or redeploy assets into more promising opportunities. Further information about the fund's investments, including a review of market conditions and fund strategies and their impact on performance, is available in the annual and semiannual shareholder reports. To obtain free copies of these documents, call 1-800-638-5660. What are the main risks of investing in the fund? Even well-established growth stocks can be volatile. Since growth companies usually invest a high portion of earnings in their own businesses, their stocks may lack the dividends that can cushion share prices in a down market. Since many investors buy these stocks because of anticipated superior earnings growth, earnings disappointments often result in sharp price declines. Also, medium-sized companies may have greater volatility than larger ones. As with all equity funds, this fund's share price can fall because of weakness in the broad market, a particular industry, or specific holdings. The market as a whole can decline for many reasons, including adverse political or economic developments here or abroad, changes in investor psychology, or heavy institutional selling. The prospects for an industry or company may deteriorate because of a variety of factors, including disappointing earnings or changes in the competitive environment. In addition, our assessment of companies held in the fund may prove incorrect, resulting in losses or poor performance even in a rising market. Finally, the fund's investment approach could fall out of favor with the investing public, resulting in lagging performance versus other types of stock funds. 2 FUND PROFILE --------------------------------------------------------- Foreign stock holdings are subject to the risk that some holdings may lose value because of declining foreign currencies or adverse political or economic events overseas. Investments in futures and options, if any, are subject to additional volatility and potential losses. As with any mutual fund, there can be no guarantee the fund will achieve its objective. . The fund's share price may decline, so when you sell your shares, you may lose money. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. How can I tell if the fund is appropriate for me? Consider your investment goals, your time horizon for achieving them, and your tolerance for risk. If you are willing to accept the risk of investing in established growth stocks in an effort to achieve long-term capital growth, the fund could be appropriate for you. This fund should not represent your complete investment program or be used for short-term trading purposes. The fund can be used in both regular and tax-deferred accounts, such as IRAs. . Equity investors should have a long-term investment horizon and be willing to wait out bear markets. How has the fund performed in the past? The bar chart showing calendar year returns and the average annual total return table indicate risk by illustrating how much returns can differ from one year to the next and over time. Fund past performance is no guarantee of future returns. The fund can also experience short-term performance swings, as shown by the best and worst calendar quarter returns during the years depicted in the chart. 3 3 FUND PROFILE ---------------------------------------------------------
Calendar Year Total Returns "94" "95" "96" "97" "98" "99" "00" "01" ---------------------------------------------------------------- 0.80 37.90 27.75 27.56 28.84 20.00 -2.53 -14.42 ----------------------------------------------------------------
Quarter ended Total return Best quarter 12/31/98 24.71% Worst quarter 3/31/01 -17.19% Table 1 Average Annual Total Returns
Periods ended 12/31/2001 Since inception 1 year 5 years (06/30/1993) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Blue Chip Growth Fund -14.42% 10.47% 15.24% S&P 500 Stock Index -11.89 10.70 13.75 Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds -22.95 8.15 11.01 Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These figures include changes in principal value, reinvested dividends, and capital gain distributions, if any. What fees or expenses will I pay? The fund is 100% no load. There are no fees or charges to buy or sell fund shares, reinvest dividends, or exchange into other T. Rowe Price funds. There are no 12b-1 fees. Table 2 Fees and Expenses of the Fund*
Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that are deducted from fund assets) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management fee 0.62%/ // / Other expenses 0.29% Total annual fund operating expenses 0.91%/ // / --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Redemption proceeds of less than $5,000 sent by wire are subject to a $5 fee paid to the fund. Accounts with less than a $2,000 balance (with certain exceptions) are subject to a $10 fee. 4 FUND PROFILE --------------------------------------------------------- Example. The following table gives you a rough idea of how expense ratios may translate into dollars and helps you to compare the cost of investing in this fund with that of other mutual funds. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, the table shows how much you would pay if operating expenses remain the same, you invest $10,000, earn a 5% annual return, and hold the investment for the following periods and then redeem:
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years ---------------------------------------------------- $93 $290 $504 $1,120 ----------------------------------------------------
Who manages the fund? The fund is managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Founded in 1937, T. Rowe Price and its affiliates manage investments for individual and institutional accounts. The company offers a comprehensive array of stock, bond, and money market funds directly to the investing public. Larry J. Puglia manages the fund day to day and has been chairman of its Investment Advisory Committee since 1996. He joined T. Rowe Price in 1990 and has been a portfolio manager since 1993. Note: The following questions and answers about buying and selling shares and services do not apply to employer-sponsored retirement plans. If you are a participant in one of these plans, please call your plan's toll-free number for additional information. How can I purchase shares? Fill out the New Account Form and return it with your check in the postpaid envelope. The minimum initial purchase is $2,500 ($1,000 for IRAs and gifts or transfers to minors). The minimum subsequent investment is $100 ($50 for IRAs, gifts or transfers to minors, or Automatic Asset Builder). You can also open an account by bank wire, by exchanging from another T. Rowe Price fund, or by transferring assets from another financial institution. How can I sell shares? You may redeem or sell any portion of your account on any business day. Simply write to us or call. You can also access your account at any time via Tele*Access /(R)/ or our Web site. We offer convenient exchange among our entire family of domestic and international funds. Restrictions may apply in special circumstances, and some redemption requests need a signature guarantee. When will I receive income and capital gain distributions? The fund distributes income and net capital gains, if any, at year-end. For regular accounts, income and short-term gains are taxable at ordinary income rates, and long-term gains are taxable at the capital gains rate. Distributions are rein- 5 5 FUND PROFILE --------------------------------------------------------- vested automatically in additional shares unless you choose another option, such as receiving a check. Distributions paid to IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are automatically reinvested. What services are available? A wide range, including but not limited to: . retirement plans for individuals and large and small businesses; . automated information and transaction services by telephone or computer; . electronic transfers between fund and bank accounts; . automatic investing and automatic exchange; . brokerage services; and . asset manager accounts. FUND PROFILE --------------------------------------------------------- T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. 100 East Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21202 www.troweprice.com LOGO RPS F93-035 T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., Distributor