SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
File No. 2-14213
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
File No. 811-0816
Amendment No. 106 [X]
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
4500 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (816) 531-5575
David C. Tucker, Esq., 4500 Main Street, 9th Floor, Kansas City, MO 64111
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: November 30, 2004
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[x] on November 30, 2004 pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) 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.
Your
American Century Investments
prospectus
A Class
B CLASS
C CLASS
Fundamental Equity Fund
NOVEMBER 30, 2004
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE
SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANYONE WHO
TELLS YOU OTHERWISE IS COMMITTING A CRIME.
American Century
Investment Services, Inc.
[american century investments logo and text logo]
[american century investments logo and text logo]
Dear Investor:
American Century Investments is committed to helping people make the most of
their financial opportunities. That's why we are focused on achieving superior
results and building long-term relationships with investors.
We believe our relationship with you begins with an easy to read prospectus that
provides you with the information you need to feel confident about your
investment decisions.
Naturally, you may have questions about investing after you read through the
prospectus. Please contact your investment professional with questions or for
more information about our funds.
Sincerely,
/s/Brian Jeter
Brian Jeter
Senior Vice President
Third Party Sales and Services
American Century Investment Services, Inc.
American Century Investments
P.O. Box 419786, Kansas City, MO 64141-6786
The American Century Investments logo, American Century and American Century
Investments are service marks of American Century Services Corporation.
Table of Contents
AN OVERVIEW OF THE FUND.......................................................2
FUND PERFORMANCE HISTORY......................................................3
FEES AND EXPENSES.............................................................4
OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND RISKS..............................................6
MANAGEMENT....................................................................8
INVESTING WITH AMERICAN CENTURY...............................................10
SHARE PRICE AND DISTRIBUTIONS.................................................17
TAXES.........................................................................19
MULTIPLE CLASS INFORMATION....................................................21
[graphic of triangle]
THIS SYMBOL IS USED THROUGHOUT THE BOOK TO HIGHLIGHT DEFINITIONS OF KEY
INVESTMENT TERMS AND TO PROVIDE OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE FUND
WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
The fund seeks long-term capital growth. Income is a secondary objective
WHAT ARE THE FUND'S PRIMARY INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS?
The fund looks for common stocks of companies that the fund's manager believes
are priced attractively in relation to their earnings growth potential and
estimated dividend production. The fund will generally invest in larger
companies, although it may purchase shares in companies of other sizes.
The fund's principal risks include
* MARKET RISK - The value of the fund's shares will go up and down based on
the performance of the companies whose securities it owns and other factors
generally affecting the securities market.
* PRINCIPAL LOSS - At any given time your shares may be worth more or less
than the price you paid for them. In other words, it is possible to lose
money by investing in the fund.
* FOREIGN SECURITIES - The fund may invest in foreign securities, which can
be riskier than investing in U.S. securities.
* STYLE RISK - If at any time the market is not favoring the fund's style,
the fund's gains may not be as big as, or its losses may be bigger than,
other equity funds using different investment styles.
[graphic of triangle]
AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT, AND IT IS NOT INSURED
OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (FDIC) OR ANY
OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
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2
FUND PERFORMANCE HISTORY
The fund's performance history is not available as of the date of this
prospectus. When a class of the fund has investment results for a full calendar
year, this section will feature charts that show annual total returns, highest
and lowest quarterly returns and average annual total returns for the fund. This
information indicates the volatility of the fund's historical returns from year
to year.
For current performance information, please call us at 1-800-378-9878 or visit
us at americancentury.com.
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3
FEES AND EXPENSES
The following tables describe the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and
hold shares of the fund.
SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) 5.75% None None
Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None (1) 5.00% (2) 1.00% (3)
(as a percentage of the original offering
price for B Class shares and the lower
of the original offering price or redemption
proceeds for A and C Class shares)
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(1) INVESTMENTS OF $1 MILLION OR MORE IN A CLASS SHARES MAY BE SUBJECT TO
A CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE OF 1.00% IF THE SHARES ARE REDEEMED
WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE DATE OF PURCHASE.
(2) THE CHARGE IS 5.00% DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, DECLINES
OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AS SHOWN ON PAGE 12, AND IS ELIMINATED AFTER SIX
YEARS.
(3) THE CHARGE IS 1.00% DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, AND IS
ELIMINATED THEREAFTER.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES THAT ARE DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS)
MANAGEMENT DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER TOTAL ANNUAL FUND
FEE (1) SERVICE (12B-1) FEES EXPENSES OPERATING EXPENSES
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Fundamental Equity
A Class 1.00% 0.25% (2) 0.00% (3) 1.25%
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B Class 1.00% 1.00% (2) 0.00% (3) 2.00%
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C Class 1.00% 1.00% (2) 0.00% (3) 2.00%
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(1) THE FUND HAS A STEPPED FEE SCHEDULE. AS A RESULT, THE FUND'S
MANAGEMENT FEE RATE GENERALLY DECREASES AS STRATEGY ASSETS INCREASE AND
INCREASES AS STRATEGY ASSETS DECREASE. SEE The Investment Advisor UNDER
Management FOR AN EXPLANATION OF STRATEGY ASSETS.
(2) THE 12B-1 FEE IS DESIGNED TO PERMIT INVESTORS TO PURCHASE SHARES
THROUGH BROKER-DEALERS, BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES. THE FEE MAY BE USED TO COMPENSATE SUCH FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES FOR DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER SHAREHOLDER SERVICES. FOR MORE
INFORMATION, SEE Service, Distribution and Administrative Fees, PAGE 21.
(3) OTHER EXPENSES, WHICH INCLUDE THE FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND'S
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS AND THEIR LEGAL COUNSEL, AS WELL AS INTEREST, ARE
EXPECTED TO BE LESS THAN 0.005% FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
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4
EXAMPLE
The examples in the tables below are intended to help you compare the costs of
investing in the fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. Of
course, your actual costs may be higher or lower. Assuming you . . .
* invest $10,000 in the fund
* redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods shown below
* earn a 5% return each year
* incur the same operating expenses as shown above
. . . your cost of investing in the fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
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Fundamental Equity
A Class $695 $947 $1,219 $1,991
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B Class $602 $923 $1,169 $2,115
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C Class $202 $623 $1,069 $2,305
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You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares.
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
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Fundamental Equity
A Class $695 $947 $1,219 $1,991
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B Class $202 $623 $1,069 $2,115
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C Class $202 $623 $1,069 $2,305
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5
OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND RISKS
WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
The fund seeks long-term capital growth. Income is a secondary objective.
HOW DOES THE FUND PURSUE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?
The fund generally looks for common stocks that the fund's manager believes are
attractively priced relative to the companies' earnings growth potential and
dividend yields. In implementing this approach, the manager uses an investment
methodology that focuses on stock-specific internal factors, such as achievable
earnings estimates, sustainable growth rates and dividend payouts. Risk control
measures implemented by the portfolio manager help to provide diversification of
securities and sectors within the fund.
The fund's investment approach is expected to generate returns with a lower
level of price volatility than is associated with more aggressive investments.
As a result, the fund is designed to meet the needs of long-term investors who
seek capital growth but do not want the price volatility typically associated
with more aggressive growth strategies.
Although the portfolio manager intends to invest the fund's assets primarily in
U.S. stocks, the fund may invest in securities of foreign companies. To the
extent the fund invests in foreign companies, most of those investments will be
in companies located and doing business in developed countries. Investments in
foreign securities present some unique risks that are more fully described in
the fund's statement of additional information.
The portfolio manager does not attempt to time the market. Instead, under normal
market conditions, he intends to keep at least 80% of the fund's assets invested
in equity securities at all times. When the manager believes it is prudent, the
fund may invest a portion of its assets in convertible securities,
equity-equivalent securities, foreign securities, short-term securities,
non-leveraged futures contracts and other similar securities. Futures contracts,
a type of derivative security, can help the fund's cash assets remain liquid
while performing more like stocks. The fund has a policy governing futures
contracts and similar derivative securities to help manage the risk of these
types of investments. A complete description of the derivatives policy is
included in the statement of additional information.
[graphic of triangle]
EQUITY SECURITIES INCLUDE COMMON STOCK, PREFERRED STOCK, STOCK FUTURE
CONTRACTS, AND EQUITY-EQUIVALENT SECURITIES, SUCH AS DEBT SECURITIES
AND PREFERRED STOCK CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK, AND STOCK INDEX
FUTURES CONTRACTS.
When determining whether to sell a security, the portfolio manager considers
among other things, a security's price, whether a security's risk parameters
outweigh its return opportunities, general market conditions and any other
factor deemed relevant by the portfolio manager.
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6
WHAT KINDS OF SECURITIES DOES THE FUND BUY?
The fund will usually purchase common stocks, but it can purchase other types of
securities as well, such as domestic and foreign preferred stocks, convertible
securities, equity-equivalent securities, nonleveraged futures contracts and
options, notes, bonds and other debt securities, as discussed above. The fund
generally limits its purchase of debt securities to investment-grade
obligations.
WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND?
The value of the fund's shares depends on the value of the stocks and other
securities it owns. The value of the individual securities the fund owns will go
up and down depending on the performance of the companies that issued them,
general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.
At any given time your shares may be worth more or less than the price you paid
for them. In other words, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.
Market performance tends to be cyclical, and, in the various cycles, certain
investment styles may fall in and out of favor. If the market is not favoring a
fund's style, the fund's gains may not be as big as, or its losses may be bigger
than, other equity funds using different investment styles.
Although the portfolio manager intends to invest the fund's assets primarily in
U.S. stocks, the fund may invest in securities of foreign companies. Foreign
investment involves additional risks, including fluctuations in currency
exchange rates, less stable political and economic structures, reduced
availability of public information, and lack of uniform financial reporting and
regulatory practices similar to those that apply in the United States. These
factors make investing in foreign securities generally riskier than investing in
U.S. stocks. To the extent the fund invests in foreign securities, the overall
risk of the fund could be affected.
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7
MANAGEMENT
WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
The Board of Directors, investment advisor and portfolio manager play key roles
in the management of the fund.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors oversees the management of the fund and meets at least
quarterly to review reports about fund operations. Although the Board of
Directors does not manage the fund, it has hired an investment advisor to do so.
More than three-fourths of the directors are independent of the fund's advisor;
that is, they have never been employed by and have no financial interest in the
advisor or any of its affiliated companies (other than as shareholders of
American Century funds).
THE INVESTMENT ADVISOR
The fund's investment advisor is American Century Investment Management, Inc.
(the advisor). The advisor has been managing mutual funds since 1958 and is
headquartered at 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
The advisor is responsible for managing the investment portfolios of the fund
and directing the purchase and sale of its investment securities. The advisor
also arranges for transfer agency, custody and all other services necessary for
the fund to operate.
For the services it provides to the fund, the advisor receives a unified
management fee based on a percentage of the daily net assets of each specific
class of shares of the fund. For funds with a stepped fee schedule, the rate of
the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula
takes into account all of the advisor's assets under management in the fund's
investment strategy ("strategy assets") to calculate the appropriate fee rate
for the fund. The strategy assets include the fund's assets and the assets of
other clients of the advisor that are not in the American Century family of
mutual funds but that have the same investment team and investment strategy. The
use of strategy assets, rather than fund assets, in calculating the fee rate for
a particular fund could allow a fund to realize scheduled cost savings more
quickly if the advisor acquires additional assets under management within a
strategy in addition to the fund's assets. The amount of the fee is calculated
daily and paid monthly in arrears. Fundamental Equity A, B and C Class will pay
the advisor a unified management fee of 1.000% of its pro rata share of the
first $20 billion of the strategy assets, 0.950% of its pro rata share of the
next $10 billion of the strategy assets, 0.925% of its pro rata share of the
next $10 billion of the strategy assets, 0.900% of its pro rata share of the
next $10 billion of the strategy assets, and 0.875% of its pro rata share over
$50 billion of the strategy assets.
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8
THE PORTFOLIO MANAGER
The advisor employs a portfolio manager and analyst to manage the fund. The team
meets regularly to review portfolio holdings. The portfolio manager buys and
sells securities for the fund as he sees fit, guided by the fund's investment
objectives and strategy.
The portfolio manager is identified below.
JERRY SULLIVAN
Mr. Sullivan, Vice President and Portfolio Manager, has been a member of the
team that manages Fundamental Equity since its inception. Since joining American
Century in February 2000, he served as a Portfolio Manager for Select and
continues to serve as a Portfolio Manager for Ultra. He was a Portfolio Manager
with the Franklin Templeton Group from March 1998 to October 1999. He has a
bachelor's degree in political science from Columbia College and an MBA with a
concentration in finance and accounting from the Columbia Graduate School of
Business.
Code of Ethics
American Century has a Code of Ethics designed to ensure that the interests of
fund shareholders come before the interests of the people who manage the funds.
Among other provisions, the Code of Ethics prohibits portfolio managers and
other investment personnel from buying securities in an initial public offering
or profiting from the purchase and sale of the same security within 60 calendar
days. It also contains limits on short-term transactions in American Century-
managed funds. In addition, the Code of Ethics requires portfolio managers and
other employees with access to information about the purchase or sale of
securities by the funds to obtain approval before executing personal trades.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
Fundamental investment policies contained in the statement of additional
information and the investment objectives of the fund may not be changed without
shareholder approval. The Board of Directors and/or the advisor may change any
other policies and investment strategies.
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9
INVESTING WITH AMERICAN CENTURY
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS
The shares offered by this prospectus are intended for purchase by participants
in employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and for persons purchasing
shares through investment advisors, broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies
and other financial intermediaries that provide various administrative and
distribution services.
Fundamental Equity offers the A, B and C Classes through this prospectus.
Although each class of shares represents an interest in the same fund, each has
a different cost structure, as described below. Which class is right for you
depends on many factors, including how long you plan to hold the shares, how
much you plan to invest, the fee structure of each class, and how you wish to
compensate your financial advisor for the services provided to you. Your
financial advisor can help you choose the option that is most appropriate.
The following chart provides a summary description of each class offered by this
prospectus:
A CLASS B CLASS
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Initial sales charge (1) No initial sales charge
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Generally no CDSC (2) Contingent deferred sales charge
on redemptions within six years
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12b-1 fee of 0.25% 12b-1 fee of 1.00%
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No conversion feature Convert to A Class shares
eight years after purchase
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Generally more appropriate Aggregate purchases limited
for long-term investors to amounts less than $100,000
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C CLASS
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No initial sales charge
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Contingent deferred sales charge on redemptions within 12 months
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12b-1 fee of 1.00%
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No conversion feature
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Aggregate purchases limited to amounts less than $1,000,000;
generally more appropriate for short-term investors
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(1) THE SALES CHARGE FOR A CLASS SHARES DECREASES DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF
YOUR INVESTMENT, AND MAY BE WAIVED FOR SOME PURCHASES. THERE IS NO SALES
CHARGE FOR PURCHASES OF $1,000,000 OR MORE.
(2) A CDSC OF 1.00% WILL BE CHARGED ON CERTAIN PURCHASES OF $1,000,000 OR
MORE THAT ARE REDEEMED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PURCHASE.
MINIMUM INITIAL INVESTMENT AMOUNTS
To open an account, the minimum initial investment amount for Fundamental Equity
is $2,000 for a Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA), and $2,500 for all
other accounts.
CALCULATION OF SALES CHARGES
A Class
A Class shares are sold at their offering price, which is net asset value plus
an initial sales charge. This sales charge varies depending on the amount of
your investment, and is deducted from your purchase before it is invested. The
sales charges and the amounts paid to your financial advisor are:
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10
SALES CHARGE SALES CHARGE AMOUNT PAID TO
AS A % OF AS A % OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR
PURCHASE AMOUNT OFFERING PRICE NET AMOUNT INVESTED AS A % OF OFFERING PRICE
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Less than $50,000 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
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$50,000 - $99,999 4.75% 4.99% 4.00%
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$100,000 - $249,999 3.75% 3.90% 3.25%
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$250,000 - $499,999 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
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$500,000 - $999,999 2.00% 2.04% 1.75%
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$1,000,000 - $3,999,999 0.00% 0.00% 1.00% (1)
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$4,000,000 - $9,999,999 0.00% 0.00% 0.50% (1)
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$10,000,000 or more 0.00% 0.00% 0.25% (1)
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(1) FOR PURCHASES OVER $1,000,000 BY QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS, NO
UPFRONT AMOUNT WILL BE PAID TO FINANCIAL ADVISORS.
There is no front-end sales charge for purchases of $1,000,000 or more, but if
you redeem your shares within one year of purchase you will pay a 1.00% deferred
sales charge, subject to the exceptions listed below. No sales charge applies to
reinvested dividends.
Reductions and Waivers of Sales Charges for A Class
You may qualify for a reduction or waiver of certain sales charges, but you or
your financial advisor must provide certain information, including the account
numbers of any accounts to be aggregated, to American Century at the time of
purchase in order to take advantage of such reduction or waiver.
You and your immediate family (your spouse and your children under the age of
21) may combine investments to reduce your A Class sales charge in the following
ways:
ACCOUNT AGGREGATION. Investments made by you and your immediate family may be
aggregated at each account's current market value if made for your own
account(s) and/or certain other accounts, such as:
* Certain trust accounts
* Solely controlled business accounts
* Single-participant retirement plans
* Endowments or foundations established and controlled by you or an
immediate family member
For purposes of aggregation, only investments made through individual level
accounts, rather than accounts aggregated at the intermediary level, may be
included.
CONCURRENT PURCHASES. You may combine simultaneous purchases in A, B or C Class
shares of any two or more American Century Advisor Funds to qualify for a
reduced A Class sales charge.
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION. You may take into account the current value of your
existing holdings in A, B or C Class shares of any American Century Advisor Fund
to determine your A Class sales charge.
LETTER OF INTENT. A Letter of Intent allows you to combine all non-money market
fund purchases of all A, B and C Class shares you intend to make over a 13-month
period to determine the applicable sales charge. Such purchases will be valued
at their historical cost for this purpose. At your request, purchases made
during the previous 90 days may be included; however, capital appreciation,
capital gains and reinvested dividends do not apply toward these combined
purchases. A portion of your account will be held in escrow to cover additional
A Class sales charges that will be due if your total investments over the
13-month period do not qualify for the applicable sales charge reduction.
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11
WAIVERS FOR CERTAIN INVESTORS. The sales charge on A Class shares may be waived
for:
* purchases by registered representatives and other employees of certain
financial intermediaries (and their immediate family members) having sales
agreements with the advisor or distributor
* wrap accounts maintained for clients of certain financial intermediaries
who have entered into agreements with American Century
* present or former officers, directors and employees (and their families)
of American Century
* qualified retirement plan purchases
* IRA Rollovers from any American Century Advisor Fund held in a qualified
retirement plan
* certain other investors as deemed appropriate by American Century
The information regarding A Class sales charges provided herein is included free
of charge and in a clear and prominent format at americancentury.com in the
INVESTORS USING ADVISORS and FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY portions of the Web site.
From the description of A Class shares, a hyperlink will take you directly to
this disclosure.
B Class
B Class shares are sold at their net asset value without an initial sales
charge. However, if you redeem your shares within six years of purchase date,
you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC). There is no CDSC on
shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gains.
REDEMPTION DURING CDSC AS A % OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE
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1st year 5.00%
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2nd year 4.00%
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3rd year 3.00%
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4th year 3.00%
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5th year 2.00%
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6th year 1.00%
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After 6th year None
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B Class shares will automatically convert to A Class shares in the month of
the eight-year anniversary of the purchase date.
C Class
C Class shares are sold at their net asset value without an initial sales
charge. However, if you redeem your shares within 12 months of purchase, you
will pay a CDSC of 1.00% of the original purchase price or the current market
value at redemption, whichever is less.
The CDSC will not be charged on shares acquired through reinvestment of
dividends or distributions or increases in the net asset value of shares.
CALCULATION OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC)
To minimize the amount of the CDSC you may pay when you redeem shares, the fund
will first redeem shares acquired through reinvested dividends and capital gain
distributions, which are not subject to a CDSC. Shares that have been in your
account long enough that they are not subject to a CDSC are redeemed next. For
any remaining redemption amount, shares will be sold in the order they were
purchased (earliest to latest).
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12
CDSC WAIVERS
Any applicable contingent deferred sales charge may be waived in the following
cases:
* redemptions through systematic withdrawal plans not exceeding annually:
* 12% of the lesser of the original purchase cost or current market
value for A Class shares
* 12% of the original purchase cost for B Class shares
* 12% of the lesser of the original purchase cost or current market
value for C Class shares
* distributions from IRAs due to attainment of age 59-1/2 for A Class and C
Class shares
* required minimum distributions from retirement accounts upon reaching age
70-1/2
* tax-free returns of excess contributions to IRAs
* redemptions due to death or post-purchase disability
* exchanges, unless the shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within the
original CDSC period
* IRA rollovers from any American Century Advisor Fund held in a qualified
retirement plan, for A Class shares only
* if no broker was compensated for the sale
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE
Within 90 days of a redemption of any A or B Class shares, you may reinvest all
of the redemption proceeds in A Class shares of any American Century Advisor
Fund at the then-current net asset value without paying an initial sales charge.
Any CDSC you paid on an A Class redemption that you are reinvesting will be
credited to your account. You or your financial advisor must notify the fund's
transfer agent in writing at the time of the reinvestment to take advantage of
this privilege, and you may use it only once.
EXCHANGING SHARES
You may exchange shares of the fund for shares of the same class of another
American Century Advisor Fund without a sales charge if you meet the following
criteria:
* The exchange is for a minimum of $100
* For an exchange that opens a new account, the amount of the exchange must
meet or exceed the minimum account size requirement for the fund receiving
the exchange
For purposes of computing any applicable CDSC on shares that have been
exchanged, the holding period will begin as of the date of purchase of the
original fund owned. Exchanges from a money market fund are subject to a sales
charge on the fund being purchased, unless the money market fund shares were
acquired by exchange from a fund with a sales charge or by reinvestment of
dividends or capital gains distributions.
BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
Your ability to purchase, exchange, redeem and transfer shares will be affected
by the policies of the financial intermediary through which you do business.
Some policy differences may include
* minimum investment requirements
* exchange policies
* fund choices
* cutoff time for investments
* trading restrictions
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13
In addition, your financial intermediary may charge a transaction fee for the
purchase or sale of fund shares. Please contact your intermediary or plan
sponsor for a complete description of its policies.
The fund has authorized certain FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES to accept orders on the
fund's behalf. American Century has contracts with these intermediaries
requiring them to track the time investment orders are received and to comply
with procedures relating to the transmission of orders. Orders must be received
by the intermediary on a fund's behalf before the time the net asset value is
determined in order to receive that day's share price. If those orders are
transmitted to American Century and paid for in accordance with the contract,
they will be priced at the net asset value next determined after your request is
received in the form required by the intermediary.
[graphic of triangle]
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES INCLUDE BANKS, BROKER-DEALERS, INSURANCE
COMPANIES AND INVESTMENT ADVISORS.
MODIFYING OR CANCELING AN INVESTMENT
Investment instructions are irrevocable. That means that once you have mailed or
otherwise transmitted your investment instruction, you may not modify or cancel
it. The fund reserves the right to suspend the offering of shares for a period
of time and to reject any specific investment (including a purchase by
exchange). Additionally, we may refuse a purchase if, in our judgment, it is of
a size that would disrupt the management of the fund.
ABUSIVE TRADING PRACTICES
We discourage excessive, short-term trading and other abusive trading practices
that may disrupt portfolio management strategies and harm fund performance. We
take steps to reduce the frequency and effect of these activities in our funds.
These steps include monitoring trading activity, imposing trading restrictions
on certain accounts, imposing redemption fees on certain funds, and using fair
value pricing when the advisor determines current market prices are not readily
available. Although these efforts are designed to discourage abusive trading
practices, these tools cannot eliminate the possibility that such activity will
occur. American Century seeks to exercise its judgment in implementing these
tools to the best of its abilities in a manner that it believes is consistent
with shareholder interests.
American Century uses a variety of techniques to monitor for and detect abusive
trading practices. These techniques may change from time to time as determined
by American Century in its sole discretion. To minimize harm to the funds and
their shareholders, we reserve the right to reject any purchase order (including
exchanges) from any shareholder we believe has a history of abusive trading or
whose trading, in our judgment, has been or may be disruptive to the funds. In
making this judgment, we may consider trading done in multiple accounts under
common ownership or control.
Currently, we may deem the sale of all or a substantial portion of a
shareholder's purchase of fund shares to be abusive if the sale is made
* within seven days of the purchase, or
* within 30 days of the purchase, if it happens more than once per year.
American Century reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to identify other
trading practices as abusive. In addition, American Century reserves the right
to accept purchases and exchanges in excess of the trading restrictions
discussed above if it believes that such transactions would not be inconsistent
with the best interests of fund shareholders or this policy.
------
14
Due to the complexity and subjectivity involved in identifying abusive trading
activity and the volume of shareholder transactions American Century handles,
there can be no assurance that American Century's efforts will identify all
trades or trading practices that may be considered abusive. In addition,
American Century's ability to monitor trades that are placed by individual
shareholders within group, or omnibus, accounts maintained by financial
intermediaries is severely limited because American Century generally does not
have access to the underlying shareholder account information. However, American
Century monitors aggregate trades placed in omnibus accounts and seeks to work
with financial intermediaries to discourage shareholders from engaging in
abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions on excessive trades. There
may be limitations on the ability of financial intermediaries to impose
restrictions on the trading practices of their clients. As a result, American
Century's ability to monitor and discourage abusive trading practices in omnibus
accounts may be limited.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNAUTHORIZED TRANSACTIONS
American Century and its affiliated companies use procedures reasonably designed
to confirm that telephone, electronic and other instructions are genuine. These
procedures include recording telephone calls, requesting personalized security
codes or other information, and sending confirmation of transactions. If we
follow these procedures, we are not responsible for any losses that may occur
due to unauthorized instructions. For transactions conducted over the Internet,
we recommend the use of a secure Internet browser. In addition, you should
verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you
receive them.
REDEMPTIONS
If you sell your B and C Class or, in certain cases, A Class shares within a
certain time after their purchase, you will pay a sales charge the amount of
which is contingent upon the amount of time you have held your shares, as
described above. Your redemption proceeds will be calculated using the NET ASSET
VALUE (NAV) next determined after we receive your transaction request in good
order.
[graphic of triangle]
A FUND'S NET ASSET VALUE, OR NAV, IS THE PRICE OF THE FUND'S SHARES.
However, we reserve the right to delay delivery of redemption proceeds up to
seven days. For example, each time you make an investment with American Century,
there is a seven-day holding period before we will release redemption proceeds
from those shares, unless you provide us with satisfactory proof that your
purchase funds have cleared. For funds with CheckWriting privileges, we will not
honor checks written against shares subject to this seven-day holding period.
Investments by wire generally require only a one-day holding period. If you
change your address, we may require that any redemption request made within 15
days be submitted in writing and be signed by all authorized signers with their
signatures guaranteed. If you change your bank information, we may impose a
15-day holding period before we will transfer or wire redemption proceeds to
your bank. In addition, we reserve the right to honor certain redemptions with
securities, rather than cash, as described in the next section.
------
15
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LARGE REDEMPTIONS
If, during any 90-day period, you redeem fund shares worth more than $250,000
(or 1% of the value of a fund's assets if that amount is less than $250,000), we
reserve the right to pay part or all of the redemption proceeds in excess of
this amount in readily marketable securities instead of in cash. The portfolio
managers would select these securities from the fund's portfolio.
We will value these securities in the same manner as we do in computing the
fund's net asset value. We may provide these securities in lieu of cash without
prior notice. Also, if payment is made in securities, you may have to pay
brokerage or other transaction costs to convert the securities to cash.
If your redemption would exceed this limit, and you would like to avoid being
paid in securities, please provide us with an unconditional instruction to
redeem at least 15 days prior to the date on which the redemption transaction is
to occur. The instruction must specify the dollar amount or number of shares to
be redeemed and the date of the transaction. This minimizes the effect of the
redemption on a fund and its remaining investors.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES IN LOW-BALANCE ACCOUNTS
If your account balance falls below the minimum initial investment amount for
any reason other than as a result of market fluctuation, we will notify you and
give you 90 days to meet the minimum. If you do not meet the deadline, American
Century reserves the right to redeem the shares in the account and send the
proceeds to your address of record. Please note that shares redeemed in this
manner may be subject to a sales charge if held less than the applicable time
period. You also may incur tax liability as a result of the redemption.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
A signature guarantee - which is different from a notarized signature - is a
warranty that the signature presented is genuine. We may require a signature
guarantee for the following transactions:
* Your redemption or distribution check, Check-A-Month or automatic
redemption is made payable to someone other than the account owners
* Your redemption proceeds or distribution amount is sent by wire or EFT to
a destination other than your personal bank account
* You are transferring ownership of an account over $100,000
We reserve the right to require a signature guarantee for other transactions, at
our discretion.
A NOTE ABOUT MAILINGS TO SHAREHOLDERS
To reduce the amount of mail you receive from us, we may deliver a single copy
of certain investor documents (such as shareholder reports and prospectuses) to
investors who share an address, even if accounts are registered under different
names. If you prefer to receive multiple copies of these documents individually
addressed, please contact your financial intermediary directly.
RIGHT TO CHANGE POLICIES
We reserve the right to change any stated investment requirement, including
those that relate to purchases, exchanges and redemptions. We also may alter,
add or discontinue any service or privilege. Changes may affect all investors or
only those in certain classes or groups. In addition, from time to time we may
waive a policy on a case-by-case basis, as the advisor deems appropriate.
------
16
SHARE PRICE AND DISTRIBUTIONS
SHARE PRICE
American Century determines the net asset value (NAV) of the fund as of the
close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4 p.m. Eastern
time) on each day the Exchange is open. On days when the Exchange is closed
(including certain U.S. holidays), we do not calculate the NAV. A fund share's
NAV is the current value of the fund's assets, minus any liabilities, divided by
the number of fund shares outstanding.
If the advisor determines that the current market price of a security owned by a
non-money market fund is not readily available, the advisor may determine its
fair value in accordance with procedures adopted by the fund's board.
Circumstances that may cause the advisor to determine the fair value of a
security held by the fund include, but are not limited to:
* for funds investing in foreign securities, an event occurs after the close
of the foreign exchange on which a portfolio security principally trades, but
before the close of the Exchange, that is likely to have changed the value of
the security
* a debt security has been declared in default
* trading in a security has been halted during the trading day
* the demand for the security (as reflected by its trading volume) is
insufficient for quoted prices to be reliable
If such circumstances occur, the advisor may determine the security's fair value
if the fair value determination would materially impact the fund's net asset
value. While fair value determinations involve judgments that are inherently
subjective, these determinations are made in good faith in accordance with
procedures adopted by a fund's board.
Trading of securities in foreign markets may not take place every day the
Exchange is open. Also, trading in some foreign markets and on some electronic
trading networks may take place on weekends or holidays when a fund's NAV is not
calculated. So, the value of a fund's portfolio may be affected on days when you
can't purchase or redeem shares of the fund.
We will price your purchase, exchange or redemption at the NAV next determined
after we receive your transaction request in GOOD ORDER.
[graphic of triangle]
GOOD ORDER MEANS THAT YOUR INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE FORM
REQUIRED BY AMERICAN CENTURY. THIS MAY INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, PROVIDING
THE FUND NAME AND ACCOUNT NUMBER, THE AMOUNT OF THE TRANSACTION AND ALL
REQUIRED SIGNATURES.
------
17
DISTRIBUTIONS
Federal tax laws require the fund to make distributions to its shareholders in
order to qualify as a "regulated investment company." Qualification as a
regulated investment company means the fund will not be subject to state or
federal income tax on amounts distributed. The distributions generally consist
of dividends and interest received by the fund, as well as CAPITAL GAINS
realized by the fund on the sale of its investment securities. The fund
generally pays distributions from net income and capital gains, if any, once a
year in December. The fund may make more frequent distributions, if necessary,
to comply with Internal Revenue Code provisions.
[graphic of triangle]
CAPITAL GAINS ARE INCREASES IN THE VALUES OF CAPITAL ASSETS, SUCH AS
STOCK, FROM THE TIME THE ASSETS ARE PURCHASED.
You will participate in fund distributions when they are declared, starting the
next business day after your purchase is effective. For example, if you purchase
shares on a day that a distribution is declared, you will not receive that
distribution. If you redeem shares, you will receive any distribution declared
on the day you redeem. If you redeem all shares, we will include any
distributions received with your redemption proceeds.
Participants in tax-deferred retirement plans must reinvest all distributions.
For investors investing through taxable accounts, we will reinvest distributions
unless you elect to have dividends and/or capital gains sent to another American
Century account, to your bank electronically, or to your home address or to
another person or address by check.
------
18
TAXES
The tax consequences of owning shares of the fund will vary depending on whether
you own them through a taxable or tax-deferred account. Tax consequences result
from distributions by the fund of dividend and interest income it has received
or capital gains it has generated through its investment activities. Tax
consequences also may result when investors sell fund shares after the net asset
value has increased or decreased.
Tax-Deferred Accounts
If you purchase fund shares through a tax-deferred account, such as an IRA or a
qualified employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan, income and capital
gains distributions usually will not be subject to current taxation but will
accumulate in your account under the plan on a tax-deferred basis. Likewise,
moving from one fund to another fund within a plan or tax-deferred account
generally will not cause you to be taxed. For information about the tax
consequences of making purchases or withdrawals through a tax-deferred account,
please consult your plan administrator, your summary plan description or a tax
advisor.
Taxable Accounts
If you own fund shares through a taxable account, you may be taxed on your
investments if the fund makes distributions or if you sell your fund shares.
Taxability of Distributions
Fund distributions may consist of income such as dividends and interest earned
by a fund from its investments, or capital gains generated by a fund from the
sale of investment securities. Distributions of income are taxed as ordinary
income, unless they are designated as QUALIFIED DIVIDEND INCOME and you meet a
minimum required holding period with respect to your shares of the fund, in
which case distributions of income are taxed as long-term capital gains.
[graphic of triangle]
QUALIFIED DIVIDEND INCOME IS A DIVIDEND RECEIVED BY THE FUND FROM THE
STOCK OF A DOMESTIC OR QUALIFYING FOREIGN CORPORATION, PROVIDED THAT THE
FUND HAS HELD THE STOCK FOR A REQUIRED HOLDING PERIOD.
For capital gains and for income distributions designated as qualified dividend
income, the following rates apply:
TAX RATE FOR 10% TAX RATE FOR
TYPE OF DISTRIBUTION AND 15% BRACKETS ALL OTHER BRACKETS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term capital gains Ordinary Income Ordinary Income
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term capital gains ( 1 year)
and Qualified Dividend Income 5% 15%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The tax status of any distributions of capital gains is determined by how long a
fund held the underlying security that was sold, not by how long you have been
invested in the fund, or whether you reinvest your distributions in additional
shares or take them in cash. For taxable accounts, American Century or your
financial intermediary will inform you of the tax status of fund distributions
for each calendar year in an annual tax mailing (Form 1099-DIV).
Distributions also may be subject to state and local taxes. Because everyone's
tax situation is unique, you may want to consult your tax professional about
federal, state and local tax consequences.
------
19
Taxes on Transactions
Your redemptions - including exchanges to other American Century funds- are
Subject to capital gains tax. The table above can provide a general guide for
Your potential tax liability when selling or exchanging fund shares. Short-term
capital gains are gains on fund shares you held for 12 months or less. Long-term
capital gains are gains on fund shares you held for more than 12 months. If your
shares decrease in value, their sale or exchange will result in a long-term or
short-term capital loss. However, you should note that loss realized upon the
sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital
gain to you with respect to those shares. If a loss is realized on the
redemption of fund shares, the reinvestment in additional fund shares within 30
days before or after the redemption may be subject to the wash sale rules of the
Internal Revenue Code. This may result in a postponement of the recognition of
such loss for federal income tax purposes.
If you have not certified to us that your Social Security number or tax
identification number is correct and that you are not subject to withholding, we
are required to withhold and pay to the IRS the applicable federal withholding
tax rate on taxable dividends, capital gains distributions and redemption
proceeds.
Buying a Dividend
Purchasing fund shares in a taxable account shortly before a distribution is
sometimes known as buying a dividend. In taxable accounts, you must pay income
taxes on the distribution whether you reinvest the distribution or take it in
cash. In addition, you will have to pay taxes on the distribution whether the
value of your investment decreased, increased or remained the same after you
bought the fund shares.
The risk in buying a dividend is that the fund's portfolio may build up taxable
gains throughout the period covered by a distribution, as securities are sold at
a profit. The fund distributes those gains to you, after subtracting any losses,
even if you did not own the shares when the gains occurred.
If you buy a dividend, you incur the full tax liability of the distribution
period, but you may not enjoy the full benefit of the gains realized in the
fund's portfolio.
------
20
MULTIPLE CLASS INFORMATION
The shares offered by this prospectus are A, B and C Class shares, which are
offered primarily through employer-sponsored retirement plans or through
institutions like investment advisors, banks, broker-dealers and insurance
companies.
The difference in the fee structures between the classes is the result of their
separate arrangements for shareholder and distribution services. It is not the
result of any difference in advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related
to the management of the fund's assets, which do not vary by class. Different
fees and expenses will affect performance.
Except as described below, all classes of shares of the fund have identical
voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, preferences, terms and
conditions. The only differences between the classes are (a) each class may be
subject to different expenses specific to that class; (b) each class has a
different identifying designation or name; (c) each class has exclusive voting
rights with respect to matters solely affecting such class; (d) each class may
have different exchange privileges; and (e) the B Class provides for automatic
conversion from that class into shares of A Class of the same fund after eight
years.
Service, Distribution and Administrative Fees
Investment Company Act Rule 12b-1 permits mutual funds that adopt a written plan
to pay certain expenses associated with the distribution of their shares out of
fund assets. Each class offered by this prospectus has a 12b-1 plan. The plans
provide for the fund to pay annual fees of 0.25% for A Class, 1.00% for B and C
Class to the distributor. The distributor may use these fees to pay for certain
ongoing shareholder and administrative services and for distribution services,
including past distribution services. The distributor pays all or a portion of
such fees to the investment advisors, banks, broker-dealers and insurance
companies that make the classes available. Because these fees are used to pay
for services that are not related to prospective sales of the fund, each class
will continue to make payments under its plan even if it is closed to new
investors. Because these fees are paid out of the fund's assets on an ongoing
basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may
cost you more than other types of sales charges. The higher fees for B and C
Class shares may cost you more over time than paying the initial sales charge
for A Class shares. For additional information about the plans and their terms,
see MULTIPLE CLASS STRUCTURE in the statement of additional information.
Certain financial intermediaries perform recordkeeping and administrative
services for their clients that would otherwise be performed by American
Century's transfer agent. In some circumstances, the advisor will pay such
service providers a fee for performing those services. Also, the advisor and the
fund's distributor may make payments for various additional services or other
expenses out of their profits or other available sources. Such expenses may
include distribution services, shareholder services or marketing, promotional or
related expenses. The amount of any payments described by this paragraph is
determined by the advisor or the distributor and is not paid by you.
------
21
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND IS CONTAINED IN THESE DOCUMENTS
Annual and Semiannual Reports
Annual and semiannual reports contain more information about the fund's
investments and the market conditions and investment strategies that
significantly affected the fund's performance during the most recent fiscal
period.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI contains a more detailed, legal description of the fund's operations,
investment restrictions, policies and practices. The SAI is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. This means that it is legally part of this
prospectus, even if you don't request a copy.
You may obtain a free copy of the SAI or annual and semiannual reports, and ask
questions about the fund or your accounts, by contacting American Century at the
address or telephone numbers listed below.
You also can get information about the fund (including the SAI) from the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC charges a duplicating fee to
provide copies of this information.
IN PERSON SEC Public Reference Room
Washington, D.C.
Call 202-942-8090 for location and hours.
ON THE INTERNET * EDGAR database at sec.gov
* By email request at publicinfo@sec.gov
BY MAIL SEC Public Reference Section
Washington, D.C. 20549-0102
This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell securities of a fund in
any state, territory, or other jurisdiction where the fund's shares have not
been registered or qualified for sale, unless such registration or qualification
is not required, or under any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation
would be unlawful.
FUND REFERENCE FUND CODE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fundamental Equity Fund
A Class 113
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Class 313
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class 613
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Company Act File No. 811-0816
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS
P.O. Box 419786
Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6786
1-800-378-9878
0411
SH-PRS-40485
American Century
Investments
statement of
additional information
NOVEMBER 30, 2004
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
Balanced Fund
Capital Growth Fund
Capital Value Fund
Fundamental Equity
Giftrust(R)Fund
Growth Fund
Heritage Fund
New Opportunities Fund
New Opportunities II Fund
Select Fund
Ultra(R)Fund
Vista(sm) Fund
Veedot(R) Fund
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ADDS TO THE DISCUSSION IN THE FUNDS'
PROSPECTUSES DATED FEBRUARY 27, 2004 AND NOVEMBER 30, 2004, BUT IS NOT A
PROSPECTUS. THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHOULD BE READ IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE FUNDS' CURRENT PROSPECTUSES. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF A
PROSPECTUS, PLEASE CONTACT US AT ONE OF THE ADDRESSES OR TELEPHONE NUMBERS
LISTED ON THE BACK COVER OR VISIT AMERICAN CENTURY'S WEB SITE AT
AMERICANCENTURY.COM.
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE CERTAIN
INFORMATION THAT APPEARS IN THE FUNDS' ANNUAL AND SEMIANNUAL REPORTS, WHICH ARE
DELIVERED TO ALL INVESTORS. YOU MAY OBTAIN A FREE COPY OF THE FUNDS' ANNUAL OR
SEMIANNUAL REPORTS BY CALLING 1-800-345-2021.
American Century
Investment Services, Inc.
[american century investments logo and text logo]
The American Century Investments logo, American Century and American Century
Investments are service marks of American Century Services Corporation.
Table of Contents
The Funds' History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Fund Investment Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Fundamental Equity, Growth, Ultra, Select,
Vista, Heritage, Giftrust, New Opportunities,
New Opportunities II, Veedot and Capital Growth . . . . . . . . . . .4
Balanced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Capital Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Fund Investments and Risks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Investment Strategies and Risks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Investment Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Portfolio Turnover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
The Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Ownership of Fund Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Code of Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Proxy Voting Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
The Funds' Principal Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Service Providers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Investment Advisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Transfer Agent and Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Distributor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Other Service Providers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Custodian Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Brokerage Allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Fundamental Equity, Growth, Ultra, Select,
Vista, Heritage, Capital Value, Giftrust,
New Opportunities, New Opportunities II,
Veedot, Capital Growth and the Equity Portion of Balanced . . . . . .52
The Fixed-Income Portion of Balanced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Regular Broker-Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Information about Fund Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Multiple Class Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Buying and Selling Fund Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Valuation of a Fund's Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Federal Income Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
State and Local Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Explanation of Fixed-Income Securities Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
------
1
THE FUNDS' HISTORY
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. is a registered open-end management
investment company that was organized in 1957 as a Delaware corporation under
the name Twentieth Century Investors, Inc. On July 2, 1990, the company
reorganized as a Maryland corporation, and in January 1997 it changed its name
to American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. Throughout this statement of additional
information we refer to American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as the corporation.
Each fund described in this statement of additional information is a separate
series of the corporation and operates for many purposes as if it were an
independent company. Each fund has its own investment objective, strategy,
management team, assets, and tax identification and stock registration numbers.
FUND TICKER SYMBOL INCEPTION DATE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth
Investor Class TWCGX 10/31/1958
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class TWGIX 06/16/1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class TWGCX 11/28/2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R Class AGWRX 08/29/2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class TCRAX 06/04/1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra
Investor Class TWCUX 11/02/1981
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class TWUIX 11/14/1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class TWCCX 10/29/2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R Class AULRX 08/29/2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class TWUAX 10/02/1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select
Investor Class TWCIX 10/31/1958
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class TWSIX 03/13/1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Class AASLX 01/31/2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Class ABSLX 01/31/2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class ACSLX 01/31/2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class TWCAX 08/08/1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vista
Investor Class TWCVX 11/25/1983
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class TWVIX 11/14/1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class TWVCX 07/18/2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class TWVAX 10/02/1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage
Investor Class TWHIX 11/10/1987
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class ATHIX 06/16/1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class AHGCX 06/26/2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class ATHAX 07/11/1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced
Investor Class TWBIX 10/20/1988
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class ABINX 05/01/2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class TWBAX 01/06/1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
2
FUND TICKER SYMBOL INCEPTION DATE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Value
Investor Class ACTIX 03/31/1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class ACPIX 03/01/2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class ACCVX 05/14/2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giftrust
Investor Class TWGTX 11/25/1983
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities
Investor Class TWNOX 12/26/1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities II
Investor Class ANOIX 06/01/2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class N/A N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Class ANOAX 01/31/2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Class ANOBX 01/31/2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class ANOCX 01/31/2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veedot
Investor Class AMVIX 11/30/1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class AVDIX 08/01/2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class N/A N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth
A Class ACCGX 02/27/2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Class ACGBX 02/27/2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class ACPGX 02/27/2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fundamental Equity
A Class N/A 11/30/2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Class N/A 11/30/2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class N/A 11/30/2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND INVESTMENT GUIDELINES
This section explains the extent to which the funds' advisor, American Century
Investment Management, Inc., can use various investment vehicles and strategies
in managing each fund's assets. Descriptions of the investment techniques and
risks associated with each appear in the section, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND
RISKS, which begins on page 6. In the case of the funds' principal investment
strategies, these descriptions elaborate upon discussions contained in the
prospectuses.
Each fund, other than Veedot, is diversified as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the Investment Company Act). Diversified means that, with
respect to 75% of its total assets, each fund will not invest more than 5% of
its total assets in the securities of a single issuer or own more than 10% of
the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer.
Veedot is nondiversified. Although Veedot's managers expect that it will
ordinarily satisfy the requirements of a diversified fund, its nondiversified
status gives it more flexibility to invest heavily in the most attractive
companies identified by the fund's methodology.
To meet federal tax requirements for qualification as a regulated investment
company, each fund must limit its investments so that at the close of each
quarter of its taxable year
------
3
(1) no more than 25% of its total assets are invested in the securities of
a single issuer (other than the U.S. government or a regulated investment
company), and
(2) with respect to at least 50% of its total assets, no more than 5% of
its total assets are invested in the securities of a single issuer.
FUNDAMENTAL EQUITY, GROWTH, ULTRA, SELECT, VISTA, HERITAGE, GIFTRUST, NEW
OPPORTUNITIES, NEW OPPORTUNITIES II, VEEDOT AND CAPITAL GROWTH
In general, within the restrictions outlined here and in the funds'
prospectuses, the portfolio managers have broad powers to decide how to invest
fund assets, including the power to hold them uninvested.
Investments are varied according to what is judged advantageous under changing
economic conditions. It is the advisor's policy to retain maximum flexibility in
management without restrictive provisions as to the proportion of one or another
class of securities that may be held, subject to the investment restrictions
described on the following pages. It is the advisor's intention that each fund
will generally consist of domestic and foreign common stocks, convertible debt
securities and equity-equivalent securities. However, subject to the specific
limitations applicable to a fund, the funds' management teams may invest the
assets of each fund in varying amounts in other instruments and may use other
techniques, such as those reflected in Table 1 on page 5, when such a course is
deemed appropriate in order to pursue a fund's investment objective. Senior
securities that, in the opinion of the portfolio managers, are high-grade issues
also may be purchased for defensive purposes.
So long as a sufficient number of acceptable securities are available, the
portfolio managers intend to keep the funds fully invested, regardless of the
movement of stock or bond prices, generally. However, should a fund's investment
methodology fail to identify sufficient acceptable securities, or for any other
reason including the desire to take a temporary defensive position, the funds
may invest up to 100% of their assets in U.S. government securities. With regard
to Veedot, the portfolio managers intend to keep the fund fully invested so long
as the methodology identifies sufficient accelerating securities whose share
price patterns suggest their stock prices are likely to increase in value. In
most circumstances, each fund's actual level of cash and cash equivalents will
be less than 10%. The managers may use futures contracts as a way to expose each
fund's cash assets to the market while maintaining liquidity. As mentioned in
the prospectuses, the managers may not leverage a fund's portfolio; so there is
no greater market risk to the funds than if they purchase stocks. See DERIVATIVE
SECURITIES, page 9, SHORT-TERM SECURITIES, page 12 and FUTURES AND OPTIONS, page
13.
BALANCED
In general, within the restrictions outlined here and in the fund's prospectus,
the portfolio managers have broad powers to decide how to invest fund assets,
including the power to hold them uninvested. As a matter of fundamental policy,
the managers will invest approximately 60% of the fund's portfolio in equity
securities and the remainder in bonds and other fixed-income securities. The
equity portion of the fund generally will be invested in equity securities of
companies comprising the 1,500 largest publicly traded companies in the United
States. The fund's investment approach may cause its equity portion to be more
heavily invested in some industries than in others. However, it may not invest
more than 25% of its total assets in companies whose principal business
activities are in the same industry. In addition, as a diversified investment
company, its investments in a single issue are limited, as described above in
FUND INVESTMENT GUIDELINES. The portfolio managers also may purchase foreign
securities, convertible securities, equity-equivalent securities, non-leveraged
futures contracts and similar securities, and short-term securities. See Table
1, page 5.
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4
The fixed-income portion of the fund generally will be invested in a diversified
portfolio of high-grade government, corporate, asset-backed and similar
securities. There are no maturity restrictions on the fixed-income securities in
which the fund invests, but under normal conditions the weighted average
maturity for the fixed-income portion of the fund will be in the 3-to-10-year
range. The managers will actively manage the portfolio, adjusting the
portfolio's weighted average maturity in response to expected changes in
interest rates. During periods of rising interest rates, a shorter weighted
average maturity may be adopted in order to reduce the effect of bond price
declines on the fund's net asset value. When interest rates are falling and bond
prices rising, a longer weighted average portfolio maturity may be adopted. The
restrictions on the quality of the fixed-income securities the fund may purchase
are described in the prospectus. For a description of the fixed-income
securities rating system, see EXPLANATION OF FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES RATINGS, on
page 70.
CAPITAL VALUE
The portfolio managers will invest primarily in stocks of medium to large
companies that the managers believe are undervalued at the time of purchase. The
portfolio managers will usually purchase common stocks of U.S. and foreign
companies, but they can purchase other types of securities as well, such as
domestic and foreign preferred stocks, convertible securities, equity-equivalent
securities, notes, bonds and other debt securities. See Table 1, below.
TABLE 1
AN "X" IN THE TABLE BELOW INDICATES THAT THE FUND MAY INVEST IN THE SECURITY
OR EMPLOY THE INVESTMENT TECHNIQUE THAT APPEARS IN THE CORRESPONDING ROW.
FUNDAMENTAL
EQUITY
GROWTH NEW
ULTRA OPPORTUNITIES II
SELECT, VISTA NEW CAPITAL
CAPITAL GROWTH HERITAGE OPPORTUNITIES GIFTRUST BALANCED VALUE VEEDOT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign Securities X X X X X X X
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Convertible
Securities X X X X X X X
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short Sales X X X X X X X
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio Lending 33-1/3% 33-1/3% 33-1/% 33-1/3% 33-1/3% 33-1/3% 33-1/3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Derivative
Securities X X X X X X X
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in
Companies
with Limited
Operating
Histories 5% 10% 10% 10% 5% X 10%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Investment
Companies 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repurchase
Agreements X X X X X X X
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When-Issued and
Forward
Commitment
Agreements X X X X X X X
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restricted and
Illiquid
Securities 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-Term
Securities X X X X X X X
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Futures & Options X X X X X X X
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forward Currency
Exchange
Contracts X X X X X X X
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Equivalents X X X X X X X
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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5
AN "X" IN THE TABLE BELOW INDICATES THAT THE FUND MAY INVEST IN THE SECURITY
OR EMPLOY THE INVESTMENT TECHNIQUE THAT APPEARS IN THE CORRESPONDING ROW.
FUNDAMENTAL
EQUITY
GROWTH NEW
ULTRA OPPORTUNITIES II
SELECT, VISTA NEW CAPITAL
CAPITAL GROWTH HERITAGE OPPORTUNITIES GIFTRUST BALANCED VALUE VEEDOT
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed-Income
Securities
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt Securities X X X X X X X
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Municipal Notes X X
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Municipal Bonds X X
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable- and X X
Floating-Rate
Obligations
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obligations
with Term X X
Puts Attached
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tender Option
Bonds X
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero-Coupon and X
Step-Coupon
Securities
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inverse Floaters X X
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government X X X X X X X
Securities
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mortgage-Backed X
Securities
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset-Backed
Securities X
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
This section describes investment vehicles and techniques the portfolio managers
can use in managing a fund's assets. It also details the risks associated with
each, because each investment vehicle and technique contributes to a fund's
overall risk profile. To determine whether a fund may invest in a particular
investment vehicle, consult Table 1, page 5.
Foreign Securities
Each fund may invest an unlimited portion of its total assets in the securities
of foreign issuers, including foreign governments, when these securities meet
its standards of selection. Securities of foreign issuers may trade in the U.S.
or foreign securities markets.
The funds may invest in common stocks, convertible securities, preferred stocks,
bonds, notes and other debt securities of foreign issuers, foreign governments
and their agencies. The funds may purchase foreign securities of issuers whose
principal business activities are located in developed and emerging market
countries. The funds consider developed countries to include Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the
United States.
Investments in foreign securities may present certain risks, including:
CURRENCY RISK - The value of the foreign investments held by the funds may be
significantly affected by changes in currency exchange rates. The dollar value
of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises
against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to
increase when the value of the dollar falls against such currency. In addition,
the value of fund assets may be affected by losses and other expenses incurred
in converting between various currencies in order to purchase and sell foreign
securities, and by currency restrictions, exchange control regulation, currency
devaluations and political developments.
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6
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RISK - The economies of many of the countries in which
the funds invest are not as developed as the economy of the United States and
may be subject to significantly different forces. Political or social
instability, expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation and
limitations on the removal of funds or other assets also could adversely affect
the value of investments. Further, the funds may find it difficult or be unable
to enforce ownership rights, pursue legal remedies or obtain judgments in
foreign courts.
REGULATORY RISK - Foreign companies generally are not subject to the regulatory
controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, in general, there is less publicly
available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic
securities. Many foreign companies are not subject to uniform accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements
comparable to those applicable to domestic companies. Income from foreign
securities owned by the funds may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source,
which would reduce dividend income payable to shareholders.
MARKET AND TRADING RISK - Brokerage commission rates in foreign countries, which
generally are fixed rather than subject to negotiation as in the United States,
are likely to be higher. The securities markets in many of the countries in
which the funds invest will have substantially less trading volume than the
principal U.S. markets. As a result, the securities of some companies in these
countries may be less liquid and more volatile than comparable U.S. securities.
Furthermore, one securities broker may represent all or a significant part of
the trading volume in a particular country, resulting in higher trading costs
and decreased liquidity due to a lack of alternative trading partners. There
generally is less government regulation and supervision of foreign stock
exchanges, brokers and issuers, which may make it difficult to enforce
contractual obligations.
CLEARANCE AND SETTLEMENT RISK - Foreign securities markets also have different
clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been
times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of
securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions.
Delays in clearance and settlement could result in temporary periods when assets
of the funds are uninvested and no return is earned. The inability of the funds
to make intended security purchases due to clearance and settlement problems
could cause the funds to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to
dispose of portfolio securities due to clearance and settlement problems could
result either in losses to the funds due to subsequent declines in the value of
the portfolio security or, if the fund has entered into a contract to sell the
security, liability to the purchaser.
OWNERSHIP RISK - Evidence of securities ownership may be uncertain in many
foreign countries. As a result, there is a risk that a fund's trade details
could be incorrectly or fraudulently entered at the time of the transaction,
resulting in a loss to the fund.
Convertible Securities
A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other
security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of
common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular time period
at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to
receive the interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend paid on preferred
stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or
exchanged. Before conversion or exchange, such securities ordinarily provide a
stream of income with generally higher yields than common stocks of the same or
similar issuers, but lower than the yield on non-convertible debt. Of course,
there can be no assurance of current income because issuers of convertible
securities may default on their obligations. In addition, there can be no
assurance of capital appreciation because the value of the underlying common
stock will fluctuate. Because of the conversion feature, the managers consider
some convertible securities to be equity equivalents.
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7
The price of a convertible security will normally fluctuate in some proportion
to changes in the price of the underlying asset. A convertible security is
subject to risks relating to the activities of the issuer and/or general market
and economic conditions. The stream of income typically paid on a convertible
security may tend to cushion the security against declines in the price of the
underlying asset. However, the stream of income causes fluctuations based upon
changes in interest rates and the credit quality of the issuer. In general, the
value of a convertible security is a function of (1) its yield in comparison
with yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not
have a conversion privilege and (2) its worth, at market value, if converted or
exchanged into the underlying common stock. The price of a convertible security
often reflects such variations in the price of the underlying common stock in a
way that a non-convertible security does not. At any given time, investment
value generally depends upon such factors as the general level of interest
rates, the yield of similar nonconvertible securities, the financial strength of
the issuer and the seniority of the security in the issuer's capital structure.
A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer
at a predetermined price. If a convertible security held by a fund is called for
redemption, the fund would be required to permit the issuer to redeem the
security and convert it to underlying common stock or to cash, or would sell the
convertible security to a third party, which may have an adverse effect on the
fund. A convertible security may feature a put option that permits the holder of
the convertible security to sell that security back to the issuer at a
predetermined price. A fund generally invests in convertible securities for
their favorable price characteristics and total return potential and normally
would not exercise an option to convert unless the security is called or
conversion is forced.
Short Sales
A fund may engage in short sales for cash management purposes only if, at the
time of the short sale, the fund owns or has the right to acquire securities
equivalent in kind and amount to the securities being sold short.
In a short sale, the seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold and
is said to have a short position in those securities until delivery occurs. To
make delivery to the purchaser, the executing broker borrows the securities
being sold short on behalf of the seller. While the short position is
maintained, the seller collateralizes its obligation to deliver the securities
sold short in an amount equal to the proceeds of the short sale plus an
additional margin amount established by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve. If a fund engages in a short sale, the fund's custodian will segregate
cash, cash equivalents or other appropriate liquid securities on its records in
an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price. There will be certain
additional transaction costs associated with short sales, but the fund will
endeavor to offset these costs with income from the investment of the cash
proceeds of short sales.
Portfolio Lending
In order to realize additional income, a fund may lend its portfolio securities.
Such loans may not exceed one-third of the fund's total assets valued at market
except
* through the purchase of debt securities in accordance with its investment
objectives, policies and limitations, or
* by engaging in repurchase agreements with respect to portfolio securities.
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8
Derivative Securities
To the extent permitted by its investment objectives and policies, each of the
funds may invest in securities that are commonly referred to as derivative
securities. Generally, a derivative security is a financial arrangement the
value of which is based on, or derived from, a traditional security, asset, or
market index. Certain derivative securities are described more accurately as
index/structured securities. Index/structured securities are derivative
securities whose value or performance is linked to other equity securities (such
as depositary receipts), currencies, interest rates, indices or other financial
indicators (reference indices).
Some derivative securities, such as mortgage-related and other asset-backed
securities, are in many respects like any other investment, although they may be
more volatile or less liquid than more traditional debt securities.
There are many different types of derivative securities and many different ways
to use them. Futures and options are commonly used for traditional hedging
purposes to attempt to protect a fund from exposure to changing interest rates,
securities prices, or currency exchange rates and for cash management purposes
as a low-cost method of gaining exposure to a particular securities market
without investing directly in those securities.
No fund may invest in a derivative security unless the reference index or the
instrument to which it relates is an eligible investment for the fund. For
example, a security whose underlying value is linked to the price of oil would
not be a permissible investment because the funds may not invest in oil and gas
leases or futures.
The return on a derivative security may increase or decrease, depending upon
changes in the reference index or instrument to which it relates.
There are risks associated with investing in derivative securities, including:
* the risk that the underlying security, interest rate, market index or
other financial asset will not move in the direction the portfolio managers
anticipate;
* the possibility that there may be no liquid secondary market, or the
possibility that price fluctuation limits may be imposed by the exchange,
either of which may make it difficult or impossible to close out a position
when desired;
* the risk that adverse price movements in an instrument can result in a
loss substantially greater than a fund's initial investment; and
* the risk that the counterparty will fail to perform its obligations.
The Board of Directors has approved the advisor's policy regarding investments
in derivative securities. That policy specifies factors that must be considered
in connection with a purchase of derivative securities and provides that a fund
may not invest in a derivative security if it would be possible for a fund to
lose more money than the notional value of the investment. The policy also
establishes a committee that must review certain proposed purchases before the
purchases can be made. The advisor will report on fund activity in derivative
securities to the Board of Directors as necessary.
Swap Agreements
Each fund may invest in swap agreements, consistent with its investment
objective and strategies. A fund may enter into a swap agreement in order to,
for example, attempt to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a
lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of
instruments in other markets; protect against currency fluctuations; attempt to
manage duration to protect against any increase in the price of securities the
fund anticipates purchasing at a later date; or gain exposure to certain markets
in the most economical way possible.
Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional
investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a
standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or
differentials in rates of return) earned or
------
9
realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be
adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped"
between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a "notional
amount," i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount
invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in
a "basket" of securities representing a particular index. Forms of swap
agreements include, for example, interest rate swaps, under which fixed- or
floating-rate interest payments on a specific principal amount are exchanged and
total return swaps, under which one party agrees to pay the other the total
return of a defined underlying asset (usually an index, stock, bond or defined
portfolio of loans and mortgages) in exchange for fee payments, often a variable
stream of cashflows based on LIBOR. The funds may enter into credit default swap
agreements to hedge an existing position by purchasing or selling credit
protection. Credit default swaps enable an investor to buy/sell protection
against a credit event of a specific issuer. The seller of credit protection
against a security or basket of securities receives an up-front or periodic
payment to compensate against potential default event(s). The fund may enhance
returns by selling protection or attempt to mitigate credit risk by buying
protection. Market supply and demand factors may cause distortions between the
cash securities market and the credit default swap market.
Whether a fund's use of swap agreements will be successful depends on the
advisor's ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are
likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Interest rate swaps
could result in losses if interest rate changes are not correctly anticipated by
the fund. Total return swaps could result in losses if the reference index,
security, or investments do not perform as anticipated by the fund. Credit
default swaps could result in losses if the fund does not correctly evaluate the
creditworthiness of the issuer on which the credit default swap is based.
Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater
than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. Moreover, a
fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap
agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement
counterparty. The funds will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties
that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. Certain restrictions imposed on
the funds by the Internal Revenue Code may limit the funds' ability to use swap
agreements. The swaps market is a relatively new market and is largely
unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including
potential government regulation, could adversely affect a fund's ability to
terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under
such agreements.
Investment in Issuers with Limited Operating Histories
The funds may invest a portion of their assets in the securities of issuers with
limited operating histories. The managers consider an issuer to have a limited
operating history if that issuer has a record of less than three years of
continuous operation. The managers will consider periods of capital formation,
incubation, consolidations, and research and development in determining whether
a particular issuer has a record of three years of continuous operation.
Investments in securities of issuers with limited operating histories may
involve greater risks than investments in securities of more mature issuers. By
their nature, such issuers present limited operating histories and financial
information upon which the managers may base their investment decision on behalf
of the funds. In addition, financial and other information regarding such
issuers, when available, may be incomplete or inaccurate.
For purposes of this limitation, "issuers" refers to operating companies that
issue securities for the purposes of issuing debt or raising capital as a means
of financing their ongoing operations. It does not, however, refer to entities,
corporate or otherwise, that are created for the express purpose of securitizing
obligations or income streams. For example, a fund's investments in a trust
created for the purpose of pooling mortgage obligations would not be subject to
the limitation.
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10
Repurchase Agreements
Each fund may invest in repurchase agreements when they present an attractive
short-term return on cash that is not otherwise committed to the purchase of
securities pursuant to the investment policies of that fund.
A repurchase agreement occurs when, at the time a fund purchases an
interest-bearing obligation, the seller (a bank or a broker-dealer registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) agrees to purchase it on a specified
date in the future at an agreed-upon price. The repurchase price reflects an
agreed-upon interest rate during the time the fund's money is invested in the
security.
Because the security purchased constitutes collateral for the repurchase
obligation, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by
the security purchased. The fund's risk is the seller's ability to pay the
agreed-upon repurchase price on the repurchase date. If the seller defaults, the
fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral, which would reduce the
amount realized thereon. If the seller seeks relief under the bankruptcy laws,
the disposition of the collateral may be delayed or limited. To the extent the
value of the security decreases, the fund could experience a loss.
The funds will limit repurchase agreement transactions to securities issued by
the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities, and will enter into
such transactions with those banks and securities dealers who are deemed
creditworthy by the funds' advisor.
Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days would count toward a
fund's 15% limit on illiquid securities.
When-Issued and Forward Commitment Agreements
The funds may sometimes purchase new issues of securities on a when-issued or
forward commitment basis in which the transaction price and yield are each fixed
at the time the commitment is made, but payment and delivery occur at a future
date.
For example, a fund may sell a security and at the same time make a commitment
to purchase the same or a comparable security at a future date and specified
price. Conversely, a fund may purchase a security and at the same time make a
commitment to sell the same or a comparable security at a future date and
specified price. These types of transactions are executed simultaneously in what
are known as dollar-rolls, buy/sell back transactions, cash and carry, or
financing transactions. For example, a broker-dealer may seek to purchase a
particular security that a fund owns. The fund will sell that security to the
broker-dealer and simultaneously enter into a forward commitment agreement to
buy it back at a future date. This type of transaction generates income for the
fund if the dealer is willing to execute the transaction at a favorable price in
order to acquire a specific security.
When purchasing securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, a fund
assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the risks of price and
yield fluctuations. Market rates of interest on debt securities at the time of
delivery may be higher or lower than those contracted for on the when-issued
security. Accordingly, the value of that security may decline prior to delivery,
which could result in a loss to the fund. While the fund will make commitments
to purchase or sell securities with the intention of actually receiving or
delivering them, it may sell the securities before the settlement date if doing
so is deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy.
In purchasing securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, a fund
will segregate cash, cash equivalents or other appropriate liquid securities on
its record in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price. When the time
comes to pay for the when-issued securities, the fund will meet its obligations
with available cash, through the sale of securities, or, although it would not
normally expect to do so, by selling the when-issued securities themselves
(which may have a market value greater or less than the fund's payment
obligation). Selling securities to meet when-issued or forward commitment
obligations may generate taxable capital gains or losses.
------
11
Restricted and Illiquid Securities
The funds may, from time to time, purchase restricted or illiquid securities,
including Rule 144A securities, when they present attractive investment
opportunities that otherwise meet the funds' criteria for selection. Rule 144A
securities are securities that are privately placed with and traded among
qualified institutional investors rather than the general public. Although Rule
144A securities are considered restricted securities, they are not necessarily
illiquid.
With respect to securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken the position that the
liquidity of such securities in the portfolio of a fund offering redeemable
securities is a question of fact for the Board of Directors to determine, such
determination to be based upon a consideration of the readily available trading
markets and the review of any contractual restrictions. Accordingly, the Board
of Directors is responsible for developing and establishing the guidelines and
procedures for determining the liquidity of Rule 144A securities. As allowed by
Rule 144A, the Board of Directors has delegated the day-to-day function of
determining the liquidity of Rule 144A securities to the portfolio managers. The
board retains the responsibility to monitor the implementation of the guidelines
and procedures it has adopted.
Because the secondary market for restricted securities is generally limited to
certain qualified institutional investors, the liquidity of such securities may
be limited accordingly and a fund may, from time to time, hold a Rule 144A or
other security that is illiquid. In such an event, the portfolio managers will
consider appropriate remedies to minimize the effect on such fund's liquidity.
Short-Term Securities
In order to meet anticipated redemptions, anticipated purchases of additional
securities for a fund's portfolio, or, in some cases, for temporary defensive
purposes, these funds may invest a portion of their assets in money market and
other short-term securities.
Examples of those securities include:
* Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and its agencies
and instrumentalities
* Commercial Paper
* Certificates of Deposit and Euro Dollar Certificates of Deposit
* Bankers' Acceptances
* Short-term notes, bonds, debentures or other debt instruments
* Repurchase agreements
* Money market funds
Under the Investment Company Act, a fund's investment in other investment
companies (including money market funds) currently is limited to (a) 3% of the
total voting stock of any one investment company; (b) 5% of the fund's total
assets with respect to any one investment company; and (c) 10% of a fund's total
assets in the aggregate. These investments may include investments in money
market funds managed by the advisor. Any investment in money market funds must
be consistent with the investment policies and restrictions of the fund making
the investment.
Other Investment Companies
Each of the funds may invest up to 10% of its total assets in other investment
companies, such as mutual funds, provided that the investment is consistent with
the fund's investment policies and restrictions. These investments may include
investments in money market funds managed by the advisor. Under the Investment
Company Act, a fund's investment in such securities, subject to certain
exceptions, currently is limited to
------
12
* 3% of the total voting stock of any one investment company;
* 5% of the fund's total assets with respect to any one investment company;
and
* 10% of a fund's total assets in the aggregate.
Such purchases will be made in the open market where no commission or profit to
a sponsor or dealer results from the purchase other than the customary brokers'
commissions. As a shareholder of another investment company, a fund would bear,
along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment
company's expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition
to the management fee that each fund bears directly in connection with its own
operations.
Each fund may invest in exchange traded funds (ETFs), such as Standard & Poor's
Depository Receipts (SPDRs) and the NASDAQ-100 index-tracking ETF (CUBES or
QQQs), with the same percentage limitations as investments in registered
investment companies. ETFs are a type of index fund bought and sold on a
securities exchange. An ETF trades like common stock and represents a fixed
portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of
a particular domestic or foreign market index. A fund may purchase an ETF to
temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market while
awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally
reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to
track, although the lack of liquidity on an ETF could result in it being more
volatile. Additionally, ETFs have management fees, which increase their cost.
Futures and Options
Each fund may enter into futures contracts, options or options on futures
contracts. Futures contracts provide for the sale by one party and purchase by
another party of a specific security at a specified future time and price.
Generally, futures transactions will be used to:
* protect against a decline in market value of the fund's securities
(taking a short futures position),
* protect against the risk of an increase in market value for securities in
which the fund generally invests at a time when the fund is not fully
invested (taking a long futures position), or
* provide a temporary substitute for the purchase of an individual security
that may not be purchased in an orderly fashion.
Some futures and options strategies, such as selling futures, buying puts and
writing calls, hedge a fund's investments against price fluctuations. Other
strategies, such as buying futures, writing puts and buying calls, tend to
increase market exposure.
Although other techniques may be used to control a fund's exposure to market
fluctuations, the use of futures contracts may be a more effective means of
hedging this exposure. While a fund pays brokerage commissions in connection
with opening and closing out futures positions, these costs are lower than the
transaction costs incurred in the purchase and sale of the underlying
securities.
For example, the sale of a future by a fund means the fund becomes obligated to
deliver the security (or securities, in the case of an index future) at a
specified price on a specified date. The purchase of a future means the fund
becomes obligated to buy the security (or securities) at a specified price on a
specified date. The portfolio managers may engage in futures and options
transactions based on securities indices, provided that the transactions are
consistent with the fund's investment objectives. Examples of indices that may
be used include the Bond Buyer Index of Municipal Bonds for fixed-income funds,
or the S&P 500 Index for equity funds. The managers also may engage in futures
and options transactions based on specific securities, such as U.S. Treasury
bonds or notes. Futures contracts are traded on national futures exchanges.
Futures exchanges and trading are regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act by
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), a U.S. government agency.
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Index futures contracts differ from traditional futures contracts in that when
delivery takes place, no stocks or bonds change hands. Instead, these contracts
settle in cash at the spot market value of the index. Although other types of
futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of the
underlying securities, in most cases the contracts are closed out before the
settlement date. A futures position may be closed by taking an opposite position
in an identical contract (i.e., buying a contract that has previously been sold
or selling a contract that has previously been bought).
Unlike when the fund purchases or sells a security, no price is paid or received
by the fund upon the purchase or sale of the future. Initially, the fund will be
required to deposit an amount of cash or securities equal to a varying specified
percentage of the contract amount. This amount is known as initial margin. The
margin deposit is intended to ensure completion of the contract (delivery or
acceptance of the underlying security) if it is not terminated prior to the
specified delivery date. A margin deposit does not constitute a margin
transaction for purposes of the fund's investment restrictions. Minimum initial
margin requirements are established by the futures exchanges and may be revised.
In addition, brokers may establish margin deposit requirements that are higher
than the exchange minimums. Cash held in the margin accounts generally is not
income-producing. However, coupon bearing securities, such as Treasury bills and
bonds, held in margin accounts generally will earn income. Subsequent payments
to and from the broker, called variation margin, will be made on a daily basis
as the price of the underlying security or index fluctuates, making the future
more or less valuable, a process known as marking the contract to market.
Changes in variation margin are recorded by the fund as unrealized gains or
losses. At any time prior to expiration of the future, the fund may elect to
close the position by taking an opposite position. A final determination of
variation margin is then made; additional cash is required to be paid by or
released to the fund and the fund realizes a loss or gain.
RISKS RELATED TO FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
Futures and options prices can be volatile, and trading in these markets
involves certain risks. If the portfolio managers apply a hedge at an
inappropriate time or judge interest rate or equity market trends incorrectly,
futures and options strategies may lower a fund's return.
A fund could suffer losses if it is unable to close out its position because of
an illiquid secondary market. Futures contracts may be closed out only on an
exchange that provides a secondary market for these contracts, and there is no
assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures
contract at any particular time. Consequently, it may not be possible to close a
futures position when the portfolio managers consider it appropriate or
desirable to do so. In the event of adverse price movements, a fund would be
required to continue making daily cash payments to maintain its required margin.
If the fund had insufficient cash, it might have to sell portfolio securities to
meet daily margin requirements at a time when the portfolio managers would not
otherwise elect to do so. In addition, a fund may be required to deliver or take
delivery of instruments underlying futures contracts it holds. The portfolio
managers will seek to minimize these risks by limiting the futures contracts
entered into on behalf of the funds to those traded on national futures
exchanges and for which there appears to be a liquid secondary market.
A fund could suffer losses if the prices of its futures and options positions
were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if securities underlying
futures contracts purchased by a fund had different maturities than those of the
portfolio securities being hedged. Such imperfect correlation may give rise to
circumstances in which a fund loses money on a futures contract at the same time
that it experiences a decline in the value of its hedged portfolio securities. A
fund also could lose margin payments it has deposited with a margin broker, if,
for example, the broker became bankrupt.
Most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures
contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the
maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down
from the previous day's settlement price at
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the end of the trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a
particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond
the limit. However, the daily limit governs only price movement during a
particular trading day and, therefore, does not limit potential losses. In
addition, the daily limit may prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several
consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt
liquidation of futures positions and subjecting some futures traders to
substantial losses.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES
By purchasing an option on a futures contract, a fund obtains the right, but not
the obligation, to sell the futures contract (a put option) or to buy the
contract (a call option) at a fixed strike price. A fund can terminate its
position in a put option by allowing it to expire or by exercising the option.
If the option is exercised, the fund completes the sale of the underlying
security at the strike price. Purchasing an option on a futures contract does
not require a fund to make margin payments unless the option is exercised.
Although they do not currently intend to do so, the funds may write (or sell)
call options that obligate them to sell (or deliver) the option's underlying
instrument upon exercise of the option. While the receipt of option premiums
would mitigate the effects of price declines, the funds would give up some
ability to participate in a price increase on the underlying security. If a fund
were to engage in options transactions, it would own the futures contract at the
time a call were written and would keep the contract open until the obligation
to deliver it pursuant to the call expired.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
Each fund may enter into futures contracts, options or options on futures
contracts.
Under the Commodity Exchange Act, a fund may enter into futures and options
transactions (a) for hedging purposes without regard to the percentage of assets
committed to initial margin and option premiums or (b) for purposes other than
hedging, provided that assets committed to initial margin and option premiums do
not exceed 5% of the fund's total assets. To the extent required by law, each
fund will segregate cash, cash equivalents or other appropriate liquid
securities on its records in an amount sufficient to cover its obligations under
the futures contracts and options.
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts
Each fund may purchase and sell foreign currency on a spot (i.e., cash) basis
and may engage in forward currency contracts, currency options and futures
transactions for hedging or any other lawful purpose. See DERIVATIVE SECURITIES,
page 9.
The funds expect to use forward currency contracts under two circumstances:
(1) When the portfolio managers are purchasing or selling a security
denominated in a foreign currency and wish to lock in the U.S. dollar price
of that security, the portfolio managers would be able to enter into a
forward currency contract to do so;
(2) When the portfolio managers believe that the currency of a particular
foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, a
fund would be able to enter into a forward currency contract to sell
foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar amount approximating the value of
some or all of its portfolio securities either denominated in, or whose
value is tied to, such foreign currency.
In the first circumstance, when a fund enters into a trade for the purchase or
sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency, it may be desirable to
establish (lock in) the U.S. dollar cost or proceeds. By entering into forward
currency contracts in U.S. dollars for the purchase or sale of a foreign
currency involved in an underlying security transaction, the fund will be able
to protect itself against a possible loss between trade and settlement dates
resulting from the adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar
and the subject foreign currency.
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In the second circumstance, when the portfolio managers believe that the
currency of a particular country may suffer a substantial decline relative to
the U.S. dollar, a fund could enter into a forward currency contract to sell for
a fixed dollar amount the amount in foreign currencies approximating the value
of some or all of its portfolio securities either denominated in, or whose value
is tied to, such foreign currency. The fund will cover outstanding forward
contracts by maintaining liquid portfolio securities denominated in, or whose
value is tied to, the currency underlying the forward contract or the currency
being hedged. To the extent that the fund is not able to cover its forward
currency positions with underlying portfolio securities, the fund will segregate
on its records cash or other liquid assets having a value equal to the aggregate
amount of the fund's commitments under the forward currency contact.
The precise matching of forward currency contracts in the amounts and values of
securities involved generally would not be possible because the future values of
such foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the
values of those securities between the date the forward currency contract is
entered into and the date it matures. Predicting short-term currency market
movements is extremely difficult, and the successful execution of short-term
hedging strategy is highly uncertain. The portfolio managers do not intend to
enter into such contracts on a regular basis. Normally, consideration of the
prospect for currency parities will be incorporated into the long-term
investment decisions made with respect to overall diversification strategies.
However, the portfolio managers believe that it is important to have flexibility
to enter into such forward currency contracts when they determine that a fund's
best interests may be served.
When the forward currency contract matures, the fund may either sell the
portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency, or it may retain
the security and terminate the obligation to deliver the foreign currency by
purchasing an offsetting forward currency contract with the same currency trader
that obligates the fund to purchase, on the same maturity date, the same amount
of the foreign currency.
It is impossible to forecast with absolute precision the market value of
portfolio securities at the expiration of the forward currency contract.
Accordingly, it may be necessary for a fund to purchase additional foreign
currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the
market value of the security is less than the amount of foreign currency the
fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security to
make delivery of the foreign currency the fund is obligated to deliver.
Equity Equivalents
In addition to investing in common stocks, the funds may invest in other equity
securities and equity equivalents, including securities that permit a fund to
receive an equity interest in an issuer, the opportunity to acquire an equity
interest in an issuer, or the opportunity to receive a return on its investment
that permits the fund to benefit from the growth over time in the equity of an
issuer. Examples of equity securities and equity equivalents include preferred
stock, convertible preferred stock and convertible debt securities.
Equity equivalents also may include securities whose value or return is derived
from the value or return of a different security.
Debt Securities
Each of the funds may invest in debt securities when the portfolio managers
believe such securities represent an attractive investment for the fund. The
funds may invest in debt securities for income, or as a defensive strategy when
the managers believe adverse economic or market conditions exist.
The value of debt securities in which the funds may invest will fluctuate based
upon changes in interest rates and the credit quality of the issuer. Debt
securities generally will be limited to investment-grade obligations. Investment
grade means that at the time of purchase, such obligations are rated within the
four highest categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating
organization (for example, at least Baa by Moody's Investors
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Service, Inc. or BBB by Standard & Poor's Corporation), or, if not rated, are of
equivalent investment quality as determined by the fund's advisor. According to
Moody's, bonds rated Baa are medium-grade and possess some speculative
characteristics. A BBB rating by S&P indicates S&P's belief that a security
exhibits a satisfactory degree of safety and capacity for repayment, but is more
vulnerable to adverse economic conditions and changing circumstances.
In addition, the value of a fund's investments in fixed-income securities will
change as prevailing interest rates change. In general, the prices of such
securities vary inversely with interest rates. As prevailing interest rates
fall, the prices of bonds and other securities that trade on a yield basis
generally rise. When prevailing interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
Depending upon the particular amount and type of fixed-income securities
holdings of a fund, these changes may impact the net asset value of that fund's
shares.
Municipal Notes
Municipal notes are issued by state and local governments or government entities
to provide short-term capital or to meet cash flow needs.
Tax Anticipation Notes (TANs) are issued in anticipation of seasonal tax
revenues, such as ad valorem property, income, sales, use and business taxes,
and are payable from these future taxes. TANs usually are general obligations of
the issuer. General obligations are backed by the issuer's full faith and credit
based on its ability to levy taxes for the timely payment of interest and
repayment of principal, although such levies may be constitutionally or
statutorily limited as to rate or amount.
Revenue Anticipation Notes (RANs) are issued with the expectation that receipt
of future revenues, such as federal revenue sharing or state aid payments, will
be used to repay the notes. Typically, these notes also constitute general
obligations of the issuer.
Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) are issued to provide interim financing until
long-term financing can be arranged. In most cases, the long-term bonds provide
the money for repayment of the notes.
Municipal Bonds
Municipal bonds, which generally have maturities of more than one year when
issued, are designed to meet longer-term capital needs. These securities have
two principal classifications: general obligation bonds and revenue bonds.
General Obligation (GO) bonds are issued by states, counties, cities, towns and
regional districts to fund a variety of public projects, including construction
of and improvements to schools, highways, and water and sewer systems. GO bonds
are backed by the issuer's full faith and credit based on its ability to levy
taxes for the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal, although
such levies may be constitutionally or statutorily limited as to rate or amount.
Revenue Bonds are not backed by an issuer's taxing authority; rather, interest
and principal are secured by the net revenues from a project or facility.
Revenue bonds are issued to finance a variety of capital projects, including
construction or refurbishment of utility and waste disposal systems, highways,
bridges, tunnels, air and seaport facilities, schools and hospitals. Many
revenue bond issuers provide additional security in the form of a debt-service
reserve fund that may be used to make payments of interest and repayments of
principal on the issuer's obligations. Some revenue bond financings are further
protected by a state's assurance (without obligation) that it will make up
deficiencies in the debt-service reserve fund.
Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs), a type of revenue bond, are issued by or on
behalf of public authorities to finance privately operated facilities. These
bonds are used to finance business, manufacturing, housing, athletic and
pollution control projects, as well as public facilities such as mass transit
systems, air and seaport facilities and parking garages. Payment of interest and
repayment of principal on an IDB depend solely on the ability of the facility's
operator to meet financial obligations, and on the pledge, if any, of
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the real or personal property financed. The interest earned on IDBs may be
subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.
Variable- and Floating-Rate Obligations
Variable- and floating-rate demand obligations (VRDOs and FRDOs) carry rights
that permit holders to demand payment of the unpaid principal plus accrued
interest, from the issuers or from financial intermediaries. Floating-rate
securities, or floaters, have interest rates that change whenever there is a
change in a designated base rate; variable-rate instruments provide for a
specified, periodic adjustment in the interest rate, which typically is based on
an index. These rate formulas are designed to result in a market value for the
VRDO or FRDO that approximates par value.
Obligations with Term Puts Attached
Balanced and Capital Value may invest in fixed-rate bonds subject to third-party
puts and participation interests in such bonds that are held by a bank in trust
or otherwise, which have tender options or demand features attached. These
tender options or demand features permit the funds to tender (or put) their
bonds to an institution at periodic intervals and to receive the principal
amount thereof. The portfolio managers expect that the funds will pay more for
securities with puts attached than for securities without these liquidity
features.
Because it is difficult to evaluate the likelihood of exercise or the potential
benefit of a put, puts normally will be determined to have a value of zero,
regardless of whether any direct or indirect consideration is paid. Accordingly,
puts as separate securities are not expected to affect the funds' weighted
average maturities. When a fund has paid for a put, the cost will be reflected
as unrealized depreciation on the underlying security for the period the put is
held. Any gain on the sale of the underlying security will be reduced by the
cost of the put.
There is a risk that the seller of an obligation with a put attached will not be
able to repurchase the underlying obligation when (or if) a fund attempts to
exercise the put. To minimize such risks, the funds will purchase obligations
with puts attached only from sellers deemed creditworthy by the portfolio
managers under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Tender Option Bonds
Tender Option Bonds (TOBs) were created to increase the supply of high-quality,
short-term tax-exempt obligations, and thus they are of particular interest to
money market funds. However, Capital Value may purchase these instruments.
TOBs are created by municipal bond dealers who purchase long-term tax-exempt
bonds in the secondary market, place the certificates in trusts, and sell
interests in the trusts with puts or other liquidity guarantees attached. The
credit quality of the resulting synthetic short-term instrument is based on the
put provider's short-term rating and the underlying bond's long-term rating.
There is some risk that a remarketing agent will renege on a tender option
agreement if the underlying bond is downgraded or defaults. Because of this, the
portfolio managers monitor the credit quality of bonds underlying the funds' TOB
holdings and intend to sell or put back any TOB if the rating on the underlying
bond falls below the second-highest rating category designated by a rating
agency.
Zero-Coupon and Step-Coupon Securities
Balanced may purchase zero-coupon debt securities. Zero-coupon securities do not
make regular cash interest payments, and are sold at a deep discount to their
face value.
The fund may also purchase step-coupon or step-rate debt securities. Instead of
having a fixed coupon for the life of the security, coupon or interest payments
may increase to predetermined rates at future dates. The issuer generally
retains the right to call the
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security. Some step-coupon securities are issued with no coupon payments at all
during an initial period, and only become interest-bearing at a future date;
these securities are sold at a deep discount to their face value.
Although zero-coupon and certain step-coupon securities may not pay current cash
income, federal income tax law requires the holder to include in income each
year the portion of any original issue discount and other noncash income on such
securities accrued during that year. In order to continue to qualify for
treatment as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code and
avoid certain excise tax, the funds are required to make distributions of any
original issue discount and other noncash income accrued for each year.
Accordingly, the funds may be required to dispose of other portfolio securities,
which may occur in periods of adverse market prices, in order to generate a case
to meet these distribution requirements.
Inverse Floaters
Balanced and Capital Value may hold inverse floaters. An inverse floater is a
type of derivative security that bears an interest rate that moves inversely to
market interest rates. As market interest rates rise, the interest rate on
inverse floaters goes down, and vice versa. Generally, this is accomplished by
expressing the interest rate on the inverse floater as an above-market fixed
rate of interest, reduced by an amount determined by reference to a market-based
or bond-specific floating interest rate (as well as by any fees associated with
administering the inverse floater program).
Inverse floaters may be issued in conjunction with an equal amount of Dutch
Auction floating-rate bonds (floaters), or a market-based index may be used to
set the interest rate on these securities. A Dutch Auction is an auction system
in which the price of the security is gradually lowered until it meets a
responsive bid and is sold. Floaters and inverse floaters may be brought to
market by (1) a broker-dealer who purchases fixed-rate bonds and places them in
a trust, or (2) an issuer seeking to reduce interest expenses by using a
floater/inverse floater structure in lieu of fixed-rate bonds.
In the case of a broker-dealer structured offering (where underlying fixed-rate
bonds have been placed in a trust), distributions from the underlying bonds are
allocated to floater and inverse floater holders in the following manner:
(i) Floater holders receive interest based on rates set at a six-month
interval or at a Dutch Auction, which is typically held every 28 to 35
days. Current and prospective floater holders bid the minimum interest rate
that they are willing to accept on the floaters, and the interest rate is
set just high enough to ensure that all of the floaters are sold.
(ii) Inverse floater holders receive all of the interest that remains, if
any, on the underlying bonds after floater interest and auction fees are
paid. The interest rates on inverse floaters may be significantly reduced,
even to zero, if interest rates rise.
Procedures for determining the interest payment on floaters and inverse floaters
brought to market directly by the issuer are comparable, although the interest
paid on the inverse floaters is based on a presumed coupon rate that would have
been required to bring fixed-rate bonds to market at the time the floaters and
inverse floaters were issued.
Where inverse floaters are issued in conjunction with floaters, inverse floater
holders may be given the right to acquire the underlying security (or to create
a fixed-rate bond) by calling an equal amount of corresponding floaters. The
underlying security may then be held or sold. However, typically, there are time
constraints and other limitations associated with any right to combine interests
and claim the underlying security.
Floater holders subject to a Dutch Auction procedure generally do not have the
right to put back their interests to the issuer or to a third party. If a Dutch
Auction fails, the floater holder may be required to hold its position until the
underlying bond matures, during which time interest on the floater is capped at
a predetermined rate.
The secondary market for floaters and inverse floaters may be limited. The
market value of inverse floaters tends to be significantly more volatile than
fixed-rate bonds.
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U.S. Government Securities
U.S. Treasury bills, notes, zero-coupon bonds and other bonds are direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury, which has never failed to pay interest and
repay principal when due. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one year or
less, Treasury notes from two to 10 years, and Treasury bonds more than 10
years. Although U.S. Treasury securities carry little principal risk if held to
maturity, the prices of these securities (like all debt securities) change
between issuance and maturity in response to fluctuating market interest rates.
A number of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities issue debt
securities. These agencies generally are created by Congress to fulfill a
specific need, such as providing credit to home buyers or farmers. Among these
agencies are the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Farm Credit Banks, the
Student Loan Marketing Association and the Resolution Funding Corporation.
Some agency securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
government, and some are guaranteed only by the issuing agency. Agency
securities typically offer somewhat higher yields than U.S. Treasury securities
with similar maturities. However, these securities may involve greater risk of
default than securities backed by the U.S. Treasury.
Interest rates on agency securities may be fixed for the term of the investment
(fixed-rate agency securities) or tied to prevailing interest rates
(floating-rate agency securities). Interest rate resets on floating-rate agency
securities generally occur at intervals of one year or less, based on changes in
a predetermined interest rate index.
Floating-rate agency securities frequently have caps limiting the extent to
which coupon rates can be raised. The price of a floating-rate agency security
may decline if its capped coupon rate is lower than prevailing market interest
rates. Fixed- and floating-rate agency securities may be issued with a call date
(which permits redemption before the maturity date). The exercise of a call may
reduce an obligation's yield to maturity.
INTEREST RATE RESETS ON FLOATING-RATE U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY SECURITIES
Interest rate resets on floating-rate U.S. government agency securities
generally occur at intervals of one year or less in response to changes in a
predetermined interest rate index. There are two main categories of indices:
those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated
measure, such as a cost-of-funds index. Commonly used indices include the
three-month, six-month and one-year Treasury bill rates; the two-year Treasury
note yield; the Eleventh District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds Index
(EDCOFI); and the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Fluctuations in the
prices of floating-rate U.S. government agency securities are typically
attributed to differences between the coupon rates on these securities and
prevailing market interest rates between interest rate reset dates.
Mortgage-Backed Securities
BACKGROUND
A mortgage-backed security represents an ownership interest in a pool of
mortgage loans. The loans are made by financial institutions to finance home and
other real estate purchases. As the loans are repaid, investors receive payments
of both interest and principal.
Like fixed-income securities such as U.S. Treasury bonds, mortgage-backed
securities pay a stated rate of interest during the life of the security.
However, unlike a bond, which returns principal to the investor in one lump sum
at maturity, mortgage-backed securities return principal to the investor in
increments during the life of the security.
Because the timing and speed of principal repayments vary, the cash flow on
mortgage-backed securities is irregular. If mortgage holders sell their homes,
refinance their loans, prepay their mortgages or default on their loans, the
principal is distributed pro rata to investors.
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As with other fixed-income securities, the prices of mortgage-backed securities
fluctuate in response to changing interest rates; when interest rates fall, the
prices of mortgage-backed securities rise, and vice versa. Changing interest
rates have additional significance for mortgage-backed securities investors,
however, because they influence prepayment rates (the rates at which mortgage
holders prepay their mortgages), which in turn affect the yields on
mortgage-backed securities. When interest rates decline, prepayment rates
generally increase. Mortgage holders take advantage of the opportunity to
refinance their mortgages at lower rates with lower monthly payments. When
interest rates rise, mortgage holders are less inclined to refinance their
mortgages. The effect of prepayment activity on yield depends on whether the
mortgage-backed security was purchased at a premium or at a discount.
A fund may receive principal sooner than it expected because of accelerated
prepayments. Under these circumstances, the fund might have to reinvest returned
principal at rates lower than it would have earned if principal payments were
made on schedule. Conversely, a mortgage-backed security may exceed its
anticipated life if prepayment rates decelerate unexpectedly. Under these
circumstances, a fund might miss an opportunity to earn interest at higher
prevailing rates.
GNMA CERTIFICATES
The Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) is a wholly owned corporate
instrumentality of the United States within the Department of Housing and Urban
Development. The National Housing Act of 1934 (Housing Act), as amended,
authorizes GNMA to guarantee the timely payment of interest and repayment of
principal on certificates that are backed by a pool of mortgage loans insured by
the Federal Housing Administration under the Housing Act, or by Title V of the
Housing Act of 1949 (FHA Loans), or guaranteed by the Veterans' Affairs under
the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (VA Loans), as amended, or by pools of
other eligible mortgage loans. The Housing Act provides that the full faith and
credit of the U.S. government is pledged to the payment of all amounts that may
be required to be paid under any guarantee. GNMA has unlimited authority to
borrow from the U.S. Treasury in order to meet its obligations under this
guarantee.
GNMA certificates represent a pro rata interest in one or more pools of the
following types of mortgage loans: (a) fixed-rate level payment mortgage loans;
(b) fixed-rate graduated payment mortgage loans (GPMs); (c) fixed-rate growing
equity mortgage loans (GEMs); (d) fixed-rate mortgage loans secured by
manufactured (mobile) homes (MHs); (e) mortgage loans on multifamily residential
properties under construction (CLCs); (f) mortgage loans on completed
multifamily projects (PLCs); (g) fixed-rate mortgage loans that use escrowed
funds to reduce the borrower's monthly payments during the early years of the
mortgage loans (buydown mortgage loans); and (h) mortgage loans that provide for
payment adjustments based on periodic changes in interest rates or in other
payment terms of the mortgage loans.
FANNIE MAE CERTIFICATES
The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or Fannie Mae) is a federally
chartered and privately owned corporation established under the Federal National
Mortgage Association Charter Act. Fannie Mae was originally established in 1938
as a U.S. government agency designed to provide supplemental liquidity to the
mortgage market and was reorganized as a stockholder-owned and privately managed
corporation by legislation enacted in 1968. Fannie Mae acquires capital from
investors who would not ordinarily invest in mortgage loans directly and thereby
expands the total amount of funds available for housing. This money is used to
buy home mortgage loans from local lenders, replenishing the supply of capital
available for mortgage lending.
Fannie Mae certificates represent a pro rata interest in one or more pools of
FHA Loans, VA Loans, or, most commonly, conventional mortgage loans (i.e.,
mortgage loans that are not insured or guaranteed by a government agency) of the
following types: (a) fixed-rate level payment mortgage loans; (b) fixed-rate
growing equity mortgage loans; (c) fixed-rate graduated payment mortgage loans;
(d) adjustable-rate mortgage loans; and (e) fixed-rate mortgage loans secured by
multifamily projects.
------
21
Fannie Mae certificates entitle the registered holder to receive amounts
representing a pro rata interest in scheduled principal and interest payments
(at the certificate's pass-through rate, which is net of any servicing and
guarantee fees on the underlying mortgage loans), any principal prepayments, and
a proportionate interest in the full principal amount of any foreclosed or
otherwise liquidated mortgage loan. The full and timely payment of interest and
repayment of principal on each Fannie Mae certificate is guaranteed by Fannie
Mae; this guarantee is not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
government.
FREDDIE MAC CERTIFICATES
The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC or Freddie Mac) is a corporate
instrumentality of the United States created pursuant to the Emergency Home
Finance Act of 1970 (FHLMC Act), as amended. Freddie Mac was established
primarily for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit. Its
principal activity consists of purchasing first-lien conventional residential
mortgage loans (and participation interests in such mortgage loans) and
reselling these loans in the form of mortgage-backed securities, primarily
Freddie Mac certificates.
Freddie Mac certificates represent a pro rata interest in a group of mortgage
loans (a Freddie Mac certificate group) purchased by Freddie Mac. The mortgage
loans underlying Freddie Mac certificates consist of fixed- or adjustable-rate
mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of between 10 and 30 years,
substantially all of which are secured by first-liens on one- to four-family
residential properties or multifamily projects. Each mortgage loan must meet
standards set forth in the FHLMC Act. A Freddie Mac certificate group may
include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests
in whole loans, and participations composing another Freddie Mac certificate
group.
Freddie Mac guarantees to each registered holder of a Freddie Mac certificate
the timely payment of interest at the rate provided for by the certificate.
Freddie Mac also guarantees ultimate collection of all principal on the related
mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction, but generally does not
guarantee the timely repayment of principal. Freddie Mac may remit principal at
any time after default on an underlying mortgage loan, but no later than 30 days
following (a) foreclosure sale, (b) payment of a claim by any mortgage insurer,
or (c) the expiration of any right of redemption, whichever occurs later, and in
any event no later than one year after demand has been made upon the mortgager
for accelerated payment of principal. Obligations guaranteed by Freddie Mac are
not backed by the full faith and credit pledge of the U.S. government.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS (CMOS)
A CMO is a multiclass bond backed by a pool of mortgage pass-through
certificates or mortgage loans. CMOs may be collateralized by (a) GNMA, Fannie
Mae or Freddie Mac pass-through certificates; (b) unsecured mortgage loans
insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of
Veterans' Affairs; (c) unsecuritized conventional mortgages; or (d) any
combination thereof.
In structuring a CMO, an issuer distributes cash flow from the underlying
collateral over a series of classes called tranches. Each CMO is a set of two or
more tranches, with average lives and cash flow patterns designed to meet
specific investment objectives. The average life expectancies of the different
tranches in a four-part deal, for example, might be two, five, seven and 20
years.
As payments on the underlying mortgage loans are collected, the CMO issuer pays
the coupon rate of interest to the bondholders in each tranche. At the outset,
scheduled and unscheduled principal payments go to investors in the first
tranches. Investors in later tranches do not begin receiving principal payments
until the prior tranches are paid off. This basic type of CMO is known as a
sequential pay or plain vanilla CMO.
Some CMOs are structured so that the prepayment or market risks are transferred
from one tranche to another. Prepayment stability is improved in some tranches
if other tranches absorb more prepayment variability.
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22
The final tranche of a CMO often takes the form of a Z-bond, also known as an
accrual bond or accretion bond. Holders of these securities receive no cash
until the earlier tranches are paid in full. During the period that the other
tranches are outstanding, periodic interest payments are added to the initial
face amount of the Z-bond but are not paid to investors. When the prior tranches
are retired, the Z-bond receives coupon payments on its higher principal balance
plus any principal prepayments from the underlying mortgage loans. The existence
of a Z-bond tranche helps stabilize cash flow patterns in the other tranches. In
a changing interest rate environment, however, the value of the Z-bond tends to
be more volatile.
As CMOs have evolved, some classes of CMO bonds have become more prevalent. The
planned amortization class (PAC) and targeted amortization class (TAC), for
example, were designed to reduce prepayment risk by establishing a sinking-fund
structure. PAC and TAC bonds assure to varying degrees that investors will
receive payments over a predetermined period under various prepayment scenarios.
Although PAC and TAC bonds are similar, PAC bonds are better able to provide
stable cash flows under various prepayment scenarios than TAC bonds because of
the order in which these tranches are paid.
The existence of a PAC or TAC tranche can create higher levels of risk for other
tranches in the CMO because the stability of the PAC or TAC tranche is achieved
by creating at least one other tranche - known as a companion bond, support or
non-PAC bond - that absorbs the variability of principal cash flows. Because
companion bonds have a high degree of average life variability, they generally
pay a higher yield. A TAC bond can have some of the prepayment variability of a
companion bond if there is also a PAC bond in the CMO issue.
Floating-rate CMO tranches (floaters) pay a variable rate of interest that is
usually tied to the LIBOR. Institutional investors with short-term liabilities,
such as commercial banks, often find floating-rate CMOs attractive investments.
Super floaters (which float a certain percentage above LIBOR) and inverse
floaters (which float inversely to LIBOR) are variations on the floater
structure that have highly variable cash flows.
STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
Stripped mortgage-backed securities are created by segregating the cash flows
from underlying mortgage loans or mortgage securities to create two or more new
securities, each with a specified percentage of the underlying security's
principal or interest payments. Mortgage-backed securities may be partially
stripped so that each investor class receives some interest and some principal.
When securities are completely stripped, however, all of the interest is
distributed to holders of one type of security, known as an interest-only
security, or IO, and all of the principal is distributed to holders of another
type of security known as a principal-only security, or PO. Strips can be
created in a pass-through structure or as tranches of a CMO.
The market values of IOs and POs are very sensitive to interest rate and
prepayment rate fluctuations. POs, for example, increase (or decrease) in value
as interest rates decline (or rise). The price behavior of these securities also
depends on whether the mortgage collateral was purchased at a premium or
discount to its par value. Prepayments on discount coupon POs generally are much
lower than prepayments on premium coupon POs. IOs may be used to hedge a fund's
other investments because prepayments cause the value of an IO strip to move in
the opposite direction from other mortgage-backed securities.
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (CMBS)
CMBS are securities created from a pool of commercial mortgage loans, such as
loans for hotels, shopping centers, office buildings, apartment buildings, and
the like. Interest and principal payments from these loans are passed on to the
investor according to a particular schedule of payments. They may be issued by
U.S. government agencies or by private issuers. The credit quality of CMBS
depends primarily on the quality of the underlying loans and on the structure of
the particular deal. Generally, deals are structured with senior and subordinate
classes. Multiple classes may permit the issuance of securities with
------
23
payment terms, interest rates, or other characteristics differing both from
those of each other and those of the underlying assets. Examples include classes
having characteristics such as floating interest rates or scheduled amortization
of principal. Rating agencies rate the individual classes of the deal based on
the degree of seniority or subordination of a particular class and other
factors. The value of these securities may change because of actual or perceived
changes in the creditworthiness of individual borrowers, their tenants, the
servicing agents, or the general state of commercial real estate and other
factors.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Loans (ARMs)
ARMs eligible for inclusion in a mortgage pool generally will provide for a
fixed initial mortgage interest rate for a specified period of time, generally
for either the first three, six, 12, 24, 36, 60 or 84 scheduled monthly
payments. Thereafter, the interest rates are subject to periodic adjustment
based on changes in an index.
ARMs have minimum and maximum rates beyond which the mortgage interest rate may
not vary over the lifetime of the loan. Certain ARMs provide for additional
limitations on the maximum amount by which the mortgage interest rate may adjust
for any single adjustment period. Negatively amortizing ARMs may provide
limitations on changes in the required monthly payment. Limitations on monthly
payments can result in monthly payments that are greater or less than the amount
necessary to amortize a negatively amortizing ARM by its maturity at the
interest rate in effect during any particular month.
There are two types of indices that provide the basis for ARM rate adjustments:
those based on market rates and those based on a calculated measure, such as a
cost-of-funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized
indices include the one-year, three-year and five-year constant maturity U.S.
Treasury rates (as reported by the Federal Reserve Board); the three-month
Treasury bill rate; the 180-day Treasury bill rate; rates on longer-term
Treasury securities; the Eleventh District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds
Index (EDCOFI); the National Median Cost of Funds Index; the one-month,
three-month, six-month or one-year London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR); or
six-month CD rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity
Treasury rate or three-month LIBOR, are highly correlated with changes in market
interest rates. Other indices, such as the EDCOFI, tend to lag behind changes in
market rates and be somewhat less volatile over short periods of time.
The EDCOFI reflects the monthly weighted average cost of funds of savings and
loan associations and savings banks whose home offices are located in Arizona,
California and Nevada (the Federal Home Loan Bank Eleventh District) and who are
member institutions of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (the FHLB of
San Francisco), as computed from statistics tabulated and published by the FHLB
of San Francisco. The FHLB of San Francisco normally announces the Cost of Funds
Index on the last working day of the month following the month in which the cost
of funds was incurred.
One-year and three-year Constant Maturity Treasury (CMT) rates are calculated by
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on daily closing bid yields on
actively traded Treasury securities submitted by five leading broker-dealers.
The median bid yields are used to construct a daily yield curve.
The National Median Cost of Funds Index, similar to the EDCOFI, is calculated
monthly by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLBB) and represents the average
monthly interest expenses on liabilities of member institutions. A median,
rather than an arithmetic mean, is used to reduce the effect of extreme numbers.
LIBOR is the rate at which banks in London offer Eurodollars in trades between
banks. LIBOR has become a key rate in the U.S. domestic money market because it
is perceived to reflect the true global cost of money.
The portfolio managers may invest in ARMs whose periodic interest rate
adjustments are based on new indices as these indices become available.
------
24
Asset-Backed Securities (ABS)
ABS are structured like mortgage-backed securities, but instead of mortgage
loans or interest in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include, for
example, such items as motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan
contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, home equity
loans, student loans, small business loans, and receivables from credit card
agreements. The ability of an issuer of asset-backed securities to enforce its
security interest in the underlying assets may be limited. The value of an ABS
is affected by changes in the market's perception of the assets backing the
security, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the
originator of the loans, or the financial institution providing any credit
enhancement.
Payments of principal and interest passed through to holders of ABS are
typically supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of
credit, surety bond, limited guarantee by another entity or a priority to
certain of the borrower's other securities. The degree of credit enhancement
varies, and generally applies to only a fraction of the asset-backed security's
par value until exhausted. If the credit enhancement of an ABS held by the fund
has been exhausted, and if any required payments of principal and interest are
not made with respect to the underlying loans, the fund may experience losses or
delays in receiving payment.
Some types of ABS may be less effective than other types of securities as a
means of "locking in" attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the
need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of
significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates.
These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these
securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of
declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities,
although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods
of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the
effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining
interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction
in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities,
subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to
rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore,
potentially increasing the volatility of the fund.
The risks of investing in ABS are ultimately dependent upon the repayment of
loans by the individual or corporate borrowers. Although the fund would
generally have no recourse against the entity that originated the loans in the
event of default by a borrower, ABS typically are structured to mitigate this
risk of default.
Asset-backed securities are generally issued in more than one class, each with
different payment terms. Multiple class asset-backed securities may be used as a
method of providing credit support through creation of one or more classes whose
right to payments is made subordinate to the right to such payments of the
remaining class or classes. Multiple classes also may permit the issuance of
securities with payment terms, interest rates or other characteristics differing
both from those of each other and from those of the underlying assets. Examples
include so-called strips (asset-backed securities entitling the holder to
disproportionate interests with respect to the allocation of interest and
principal of the assets backing the security), and securities with classes
having characteristics such as floating interest rates or scheduled amortization
of principal.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
Unless otherwise indicated, with the exception of the percentage limitations on
borrowing, the policies described below apply at the time a fund enters into a
transaction. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease beyond the specified
limitation resulting from a change in a fund's net assets will not be considered
in determining whether it has complied with its investment policies.
------
25
Fundamental Investment Policies
The funds' fundamental investment policies are set forth below. These investment
policies and the funds' investment objectives set forth in their prospectuses
may not be changed without approval of a majority of the outstanding votes of
shareholders of a fund, as determined in accordance with the Investment Company
Act.
SUBJECT POLICY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senior Securities A fund may not issue senior securities, except as permitted
under the Investment Company Act.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowing A fund may not borrow money, except for temporary or
emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment)
in an amount not exceeding 33-1/3% of the fund's total
assets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lending A fund may not lend any security or make any other
loan if, as a result, more than 33-1/3% of the fund's
total assets would be lent to other parties, except (i)
through the purchase of debt securities in
accordance with its investment objective, policies and
limitations or (ii) by engaging in repurchase agreements
with respect to portfolio securities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate A fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless
acquired as a result of owner ship of securities or
other instruments. This policy shall not prevent a
fund from investing in securities or other
instruments backed by real estate or securities of
companies that deal in real estate or are engaged in
the real estate business.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentration A fund (except Veedot) may not concentrate its
investments in securities of issuers in a particular
industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed by
the U.S. government or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Underwriting A fund may not act as an underwriter of securities
issued by others, except to the extent that the fund
may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933 in the disposition of restricted
securities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commodities A fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities
unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities
or other instruments, provided that this limitation shall
not prohibit the fund from purchasing or selling options
and futures contracts or from investing in securities or
other instruments backed by physical commodities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Control A fund may not invest for purposes of exercising control
over management.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For purposes of the investment restrictions relating to lending and borrowing,
the funds have received an exemptive order from the SEC regarding an interfund
lending program. Under the terms of the exemptive order, the funds may borrow
money from or lend money to other ACIM-advised funds that permit such
transactions. All such transactions will be subject to the limits for borrowing
and lending set forth above. The funds will borrow money through the program
only when the costs are equal to or lower than the costs of short-term bank
loans. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend only overnight, but can
have a maximum duration of seven days. The funds will lend through the program
only when the returns are higher than those available from other short-term
instruments (such as repurchase agreements). The funds may have to borrow from a
bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed.
Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment
opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
For purposes of the investment restriction relating to concentration, a fund
shall not purchase any securities that would cause 25% or more of the value of
the fund's total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities
of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the
same industry, provided that
(a) there is no limitation with respect to obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government, any state, territory or possession of
the United States, the District of Columbia or any of their authorities,
agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions and repurchase
agreements secured by such obligations,
------
26
(b) wholly owned finance companies will be considered to be in the
industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to
financing the activities of their parents,
(c) utilities will be divided according to their services, for example,
gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric and telephone will each
be considered a separate industry, and
(d) personal credit and business credit businesses will be considered
separate industries.
Nonfundamental Investment Policies
In addition, the funds are subject to the following investment policies that are
not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Directors.
SUBJECT POLICY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leveraging A fund may not purchase additional investment securities
at any time during which outstanding borrowings exceed
5% of the total assets of the fund.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liquidity A fund may not purchase any security or enter into a
repurchase agreement if, as a result, more than 15% of
its net assets would be invested in illiquid securities.
Illiquid securities include repurchase agreements not
entitling the holder to payment of principal and
interest within seven days, and securities that are
illiquid by virtue of legal or contractual restrictions
on resale or the absence of a readily available market.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short Sales A fund may not sell securities short, unless it owns or
has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind
and amount to the securities sold short, and provided
that transactions in futures contracts and options
are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margin A fund may not purchase securities on margin, except
to obtain such short-term credits as are necessary
for the clearance of transactions, and provided that
margin payments in connection with futures contracts
and options on futures con tracts shall not constitute
purchasing securities on margin.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Futures and Options A fund may enter into futures contracts and write and
buy put and call options relating to futures contracts.
A fund may not, however, enter into leveraged futures
transactions if it would be possible for the fund to
lose more money than it invested.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issuers with Limited A fund may invest a portion of its assets in the
Operating Histories securities of issuers with limited operating
histories. An issuer is considered to have a limited
operating history if that issuer has a record of
less than three years of continuous operation. Periods
of capital formation, incubation, consolidations, and
research and development may be considered in
determining whether a particular issuer has a record of
three years of continuous operation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Investment Company Act imposes certain additional restrictions upon the
funds' ability to acquire securities issued by insurance companies,
broker-dealers, underwriters or investment advisors, and upon transactions with
affiliated persons as defined by the Act. It also defines and forbids the
creation of cross and circular ownership. Neither the SEC nor any other agency
of the federal or state government participates in or supervises the management
of the funds or their investment practices or policies.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The portfolio turnover rate of each fund is listed in the Financial Highlights
table in that fund's prospectus.
Capital Value Fund
The portfolio managers of Capital Value seek to minimize realized capital gains
by keeping portfolio turnover low and generally holding portfolio investments
for long periods. Because a higher turnover rate may increase taxable capital
gains, the managers carefully weigh the potential benefits of short-term
investing against the tax impact such investing would have on the fund's
shareholders. However, the portfolio managers may sell
------
27
securities to realize losses that can be used to offset realized capital gains.
They will take such actions when they believe the tax benefits from realizing
losses offset the near-term investment potential of that security.
Other Funds
With respect to each other fund, the managers may sell securities without regard
to the length of time the security has been held. Accordingly, each fund's
portfolio turnover rate may be substantial.
The portfolio managers intend to purchase a given security whenever they believe
it will contribute to the stated objective of a particular fund. In order to
achieve each fund's investment objective, the managers may sell a given security
regardless of the length of time it has been held in the portfolio, and
regardless of the gain or loss realized on the sale. The managers may sell a
portfolio security if they believe that the security is not fulfilling its
purpose because, among other things, it did not live up to the managers'
expectations, because it may be replaced with another security holding greater
promise, because it has reached its optimum potential, because of a change in
the circumstances of a particular company or industry or in general economic
conditions, or because of some combination of such reasons.
When a general decline in security prices is anticipated, the equity funds may
decrease or eliminate entirely their equity positions and increase their cash
positions, and when a general rise in price levels is anticipated, the equity
funds may increase their equity positions and decrease their cash positions.
However, it should be expected that the funds will, under most circumstances, be
essentially fully invested in equity securities.
Because investment decisions are based on a particular security's anticipated
contribution to a fund's investment objective, the managers believe that the
rate of portfolio turnover is irrelevant when they determine that a change is
required to pursue the fund's investment objective. As a result, a fund's annual
portfolio turnover rate cannot be anticipated and may be higher than that of
other mutual funds with similar investment objectives. Higher turnover would
generate correspondingly greater brokerage commissions, which is a cost the
funds pay directly. Portfolio turnover also may affect the character of capital
gains realized and distributed by the fund, if any, because short-term capital
gains are taxable as ordinary income.
Because the managers do not take portfolio turnover rate into account in making
investment decisions, (1) the managers have no intention of maintaining any
particular rate of portfolio turnover, whether high or low, and (2) the
portfolio turnover rates in the past should not be considered as representative
of the rates that will be attained in the future.
For Select, the higher portfolio turnover rate in 2002 was the result of
repositioning the portfolio to take advantage of investment opportunities, as
well as changes to the fund's portfolio team during the year.
MANAGEMENT
The individuals listed below serve as directors or officers of the funds. Each
director serves until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or
until he or she retires. Mandatory retirement age for independent directors is
72. Those listed as interested directors are "interested" primarily by virtue of
their engagement as officers of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC) or its
wholly owned subsidiaries, including the funds' investment adviser, American
Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor); the funds' principal
underwriter, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS); and the funds'
transfer agent, American Century Services Corporation (ACSC).
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28
The other directors, (more than three-fourths of the total number) are
independent; that is, they have never been employees or officers of, and have no
financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including
ACIM, ACIS and ACSC. The directors serve in this capacity for six registered
investment companies in the American Century family of funds.
All persons named as officers of the funds also serve in similar capacities for
the other 13 investment companies advised by ACIM, unless otherwise noted. Only
officers with policy-making functions are listed. No officer is compensated for
his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are
interested persons of the funds and appointed or re-appointed on an annual
basis. The officers serve in similar capacities for the other 13 registered
investment companies advised by ACIM.
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
POSITION(S) LENGTH IN FUND OTHER
HELD OF TIME COMPLEX DIRECTORSHIPS
NAME, ADDRESS WITH SERVED PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN BY HELD BY
(YEAR OF BIRTH) FUND (YEARS) DURING PAST 5 YEARS DIRECTOR DIRECTOR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interested Directors
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James E. Stowers, Jr. (1) Director, 45 Chairman, Director and 52 None
4500 Main Street Chairman controlling shareholder, ACC
Kansas City, MO 64111 of the Chairman, ACSC and
(1924) Board other ACC subsidiaries
Director, ACIM, ACSC and
other ACC subsidiaries
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James E. Stowers III (1) Director, 13 Co-Chairman, ACC 52 None
4500 Main Street Chairman (September 2000 to present)
Kansas City, MO 64111 of the Chief Executive Officer, ACC
(1959) Board (June 1996 to September 2000)
Director, ACC, ACIM, ACSC
and other ACC subsidiaries
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Independent Directors
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas A. Brown Director 23 Retired, Formerly Chief 52 None
4500 Main Street Executive Officer/Treasurer,
Kansas City, MO 64111 ASSOCIATED BEARINGS
(1940) COMPANY, a corporation
engaged in the sale
of bearings and power
transmission products
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrea C. Hall, Ph.D. Director 6 Senior Vice President, 52 Director, MIDWEST
4500 Main Street MIDWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Kansas City, MO 64111
(1945)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D.D. (Del) Hock Director 7 Retired, formerly Chairman, 52 Director,
4500 Main Street PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY ALLIED MOTION
Kansas City, MO 64111 OF COLORADO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(1935)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald H. Pratt Director, 8 Chairman, 52 Director,
4500 Main Street Vice Chairman WESTERN INVESTMENTS, INC. ATLAS-COPCO,
Kansas City, MO 64111 of the Retired Chairman of the Board, NORTH
(1937) Board BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY AMERICA INC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gale E. Sayers Director 3 President, Chief Executive 52 Director, TRIAD
4500 Main Street Officer and Founder, HOSPITALS, INC.
Kansas City, MO 64111 SAYERS 40, INC.
(1943)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) JAMES E. STOWERS, JR. IS THE FATHER OF JAMES E. STOWERS III.
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29
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
POSITION(S) LENGTH COMPLEX OTHER
HELD OF TIME OVERSEEN DIRECTORSHIPS
NAME, ADDRESS WITH SERVED PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) BY HELD BY
(YEAR OF BIRTH) FUND (YEARS) DURING PAST 5 YEARS DIRECTOR DIRECTOR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M. Jeannine Strandjord Director 9 Senior Vice President and 52 Director, DST
4500 Main Street Chief Integration Officer SYSTEMS, INC.,
Kansas City, MO 64111 SPRINT CORPORATION Director,
(1945) (September 2003 to present) EURONET
Senior Vice President- WORLDWIDE,
Financial Services INC.
SPRINT CORPORATION (January 2003
to September 2003)
Senior Vice President-Finance,
Global Markets Group
SPRINT CORPORATION
(December 1998 to January 2003)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy S. Webster Director 2 President and Chief 40 Director,
4500 Main Street Executive Officer, AMERICAN
Kansas City, MO 64111 AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA ITALIAN PASTA
(1961) COMPANY COMPANY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officers
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William M. Lyons President 3 Chief Executive Officer, ACC Not Not
4500 Main St. and other ACC subsidiaries applicable applicable
Kansas City, MO 64111 (September 2000 to present)
(1955) President, ACIS
(July 2003 to present)
President, ACC
(June 1997 to present)
President, ACIM
(September 2002 to present)
Chief Operating Officer, ACC
(June 1996 to September 2000)
Also serves as: Executive Vice
President, ACSC
and other ACC subsidiaries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert T. Jackson Executive 8 Chief Administrative Officer, Not Not
4500 Main St. Vice ACC (August 1997 to present) applicable applicable
Kansas City, MO 64111 President Chief Financial Officer, ACC
(1946) (May 1995 to present)
President, ACSC
(January 1999 to present)
Executive Vice President,
ACC (May 1995 to present)
Also serves as: Executive
Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer, ACIM, ACIS
and other ACC Subsidiaries
and Treasurer, ACIM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maryanne Roepke Senior 3 Senior Vice President Not Not
4500 Main St. Vice (April 1998 to present) and applicable applicable
Kansas City, MO 64111 President, Assistant Treasurer (September
(1956) Treasurer 1985 to present), ACSC
and Chief
Accounting
Officer
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David C. Tucker Senior Vice 3 Senior Vice President, Not Not
4500 Main St. President and General Counsel, ACIM applicable applicable
Kansas City, MO 64111 and ACIS, ACSC and other ACC
(1958) General subsidiaries
Counsel (June 1998 to present)
Vice President and General Counsel, ACC
(June 1998 to present)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
30
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
POSITION(S) LENGTH COMPLEX OTHER
HELD OF TIME OVERSEEN DIRECTORSHIPS
NAME, ADDRESS WITH SERVED PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) BY HELD BY
(YEAR OF BIRTH) FUND (YEARS) DURING PAST 5 YEARS DIRECTOR DIRECTOR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David H Reinmiller Vice President, 3 Chief Compliance Not Not
4500 Main St. and Officer, ACSC and ACIM applicable applicable
Kansas City, MO 64111 Chief less than (March 2001 to present)
(1963) Compliance 1 year Vice President, ACSC
Officer (March 2000 to present)
Vice President, ACIM
(March 2002 to present)
Vice President, ACIS
(March 2003 to present)
Assistant General
Counsel, ACSC
(December 1996
to January 2001)
Associate General
Counsel, ACSC
(July 2001 to present)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Leach Controller 6 Vice President, ACSC Not Not
4500 Main St. (February 2000 to present) applicable applicable
Kansas City, MO 64111 Controller-Fund Accounting,
(1966) ACSC (June 1997 to present)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon Zindel Tax Officer 6 Vice President, Not Not
4500 Main St. Corporate Tax, ACSC applicable applicable
Kansas City, MO 64111 (April 1998 to present)
(1967) Vice President,
ACIM, ACIS and
other ACC subsidiaries
(April 1999 to present)
President, AMERICAN
CENTURY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
SERVICES, INC.
(January 2000 to
December 2000)
Director, AMERICAN
CENTURY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
SERVICES, INC.
(FEBRUARY 2000 TO
DECEMBER 2003)
Treasurer, AMERICAN CENTURY
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
SERVICES, INC.
(December 2000 to
December 2003)
Treasurer, AMERICAN
CENTURY VENTURES, INC.
(December 1999 to
April 2001)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On December 23, 1999, American Century Services Corporation (ACSC) entered
into an agreement with DST Systems, Inc. (DST) under which DST would provide
back office software for transfer agency services provided by ACSC (the
Agreement). For its software, ACSC pays DST fees based in part on the number of
accounts and the number and type of transactions processed for those accounts.
Through December 31, 2003, DST received $23,732,445 in fees from ACSC. DST's
revenue for the calendar year ended December 31, 2003 was approximately $2.42
billion.
Ms. Strandjord is a director of DST and a holder of 28,031 shares and possesses
options to acquire an additional 55, 890 shares of DST common stock, the sum of
which is less than one percent (1%) of the shares outstanding. Because of her
official duties as a director of DST, she may be deemed to have an "indirect
interest" in the Agreement. However, the Board of Directors of the funds was not
required to nor did it approve or disapprove the Agreement, since the provision
of the services covered by the Agreement is within the discretion of ACSC. DST
was chosen by ACSC for its industry-leading role in providing cost-effective
back office support for mutual fund service providers such as ACSC. DST is the
largest mutual fund transfer agent, servicing more than 75 million mutual fund
accounts on its shareholder recordkeeping system. Ms. Strandjord's role as a
director of DST was not considered by ACSC; she was not involved in any way with
the negotiations between ACSC and DST; and her status as a director of either
DST or the funds was not a factor in the negotiations. The Board of Directors of
the funds and Bryan Cave LLP, counsel to the independent directors of the funds,
have concluded that the existence of this Agreement does not impair Ms.
Strandjord's ability to serve as an independent director under the Investment
Company Act.
------
31
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors oversees the management of the funds and meets at least
quarterly to review reports about fund operations. Although the Board of
Directors does not manage the funds, it has hired the advisor to do so. The
directors, in carrying out their fiduciary duty under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, are responsible for approving new and existing management contracts
with the funds' advisor. In carrying out these responsibilities, the board
reviews material factors to evaluate such contracts, including (but not limited
to) assessment of information related to the advisor's performance and expense
ratios, estimates of income and indirect benefits (if any) accruing to the
advisor, the advisor's overall management and projected profitability, and
services provided to the funds and their investors.
The board has the authority to manage the business of the funds on behalf of
their investors, and it has all powers necessary or convenient to carry out that
responsibility. Consequently, the directors may adopt Bylaws providing for the
regulation and management of the affairs of the funds and may amend and repeal
them to the extent that such Bylaws do not reserve that right to the funds'
investors. They may fill vacancies in or reduce the number of board members, and
may elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they
consider appropriate. They may appoint from their own number and establish and
terminate one or more committees consisting of two or more directors who may
exercise the powers and authority of the board to the extent that the directors
determine. They may, in general, delegate such authority as they consider
desirable to any officer of the funds, to any committee of the board, to any
agent or employee of the funds, or to any custodian, transfer or investor
servicing agent, or principal underwriter. Any determination as to what is in
the interests of the funds made by the directors in good faith shall be
conclusive.
Board Review of Investment Management Contracts
The Board of Directors oversees each fund's management and performance on a
continuous basis, and the board determines annually whether to approve and renew
the fund's investment management agreement. ACIM provides the board with
monthly, quarterly, or annual analyses of ACIM's performance in the following
areas:
* Investment performance of the funds (short-, medium- and long-term);
* Management of brokerage commission and trading costs (equity funds only);
* Shareholder services provided;
* Compliance with investment restrictions; and
* Fund accounting services provided (including the valuation of portfolio
securities);
Leaders of each fund's portfolio management team meet with the board
periodically to discuss the management and performance of the fund.
When considering whether to renew an investment advisory contract, the board
examines several factors, but does not identify any particular factor as
controlling their decision. Some of the factors considered by the board include:
the nature, extent, and quality of the advisory services provided as well as
other material facts, such as the investment performance of the fund's assets
managed by the adviser and the fair market value of the services provided. To
assess these factors, the board reviews both ACIM's performance and that of its
peers, as reported by independent gathering services such as Lipper Analytical
Services (for fund performance and expenses) and National Quality Review (for
shareholder services).
Additional information is provided to the board detailing other sources of
revenue to ACIM or its affiliates from its relationship with the fund and
intangible or "fall-out" benefits that accrue to the adviser and its affiliates,
if relevant, and the adviser's control of the investment expenses of the fund,
such as transaction costs, including ways in which portfolio transactions for
the fund are conducted and brokers are selected.
------
32
The board also reviews the investment performance of each fund compared with a
peer group of funds and an appropriate index or combination of indexes, in
addition to a comparative analysis of the total expense ratios of, and advisory
fees paid by, similar funds.
At the last review of the investment advisory contract, the board considered the
level of ACIM's profits in respect to the management of the American Century
family of funds, including the profitability of managing each fund. The board
conducted an extensive review of ACIM's methodology in allocating costs to the
management of each fund. The board concluded that the cost allocation
methodology employed by ACIM has a reasonable basis and is appropriate in light
of all of the circumstances. They considered the profits realized by ACIM in
connection with the operation of each fund and whether the amount of profit is a
fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of each fund. The board also
considered ACIM's profit margins in comparison with available industry data,
both accounting for and excluding marketing expenses.
When considering whether to approve the investment advisory contract for a new
fund (such as the Fundamental Equity Fund), the board examined many of the same
factors. While profitability of a non-existent fund cannot be measured, they
considered the entrepreneurial risk that the advisor assumes in launching a new
fund. In particular, they considered the effect of the unified management fee
structure and the fact that the total expense ratio of the fund would require
the advisor to assume a substantial part of the start-up costs of the fund. They
compared the resulting total expense ratio of the fund against its peers. They
considered the experience of the portfolio management staff designated to manage
the fund. Finally, they considered the position that the new fund would take in
the line up of the American Century family of funds and the benefits to
shareholders of existing funds and the new fund of the broadened product
offering.
Based on their evaluation of all material factors assisted by the advice of
independent legal counsel, the board, including the independent directors,
concluded that the management fee structures are fair and reasonable and that
the investment management contracts, as described above, should be continued.
Committees
The board has five standing committees to oversee specific functions of the
funds' operations. Information about these committees appears in the table
below. The director first named serves as chairman of the committee.
NUMBER OF
MEETINGS HELD
DURING LAST
COMMITTEE MEMBERS FUNCTION FISCAL YEAR
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive James E. Stowers, Jr. The Executive Committee performs the functions 0
James E. Stowers III of the Board of Directors between board meetings,
Donald H. Pratt subject to the limitations on its power set out in
the Maryland General Corporation Law, and except
for matters required by the Investment Company
Act to be acted upon by the whole board.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compliance Andrea C. Hall, PhD The Compliance and Shareholder Communications 5
and Shareholder Thomas A. Brown Committee reviews the results of the funds'
Communications Gale E. Sayers compliance testing program, reviews quarterly
reports from the Communications advisor to the
board regarding various compliance matters and
monitors the implementation of the funds' Code
of Ethics, including any violations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Audit D.D. (Del) Hock The Audit Committee approves the engagement 4
Donald H. Pratt of the funds' independent registered public
M. Jeannine Strandjord accounting firm, recommends approval of such
Timothy S. Webster engagement to the independent directors, and
oversees the activities of the funds' independent
registered public accounting firm. The Committee
receives reports from the advisor's Internal
Audit Department, which is accountable to the
Committee. The Committee also receives reporting
about compliance matters affecting the funds.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
33
NUMBER OF
MEETINGS HELD
DURING LAST
COMMITTEE MEMBERS FUNCTION FISCAL YEAR
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Governance Donald H. Pratt The Board Governance Committee primarily considers 0
M. Jeannine Strandjord and recommends individuals for nomination as directors.
Thomas A. Brown The names of potential director candidates are drawn
from a number of sources, including recommendations
from members of the board, management and shareholders.
See NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS below. This committee
also reviews and makes recommendations to the
board with respect to the composition of board
committees and other board-related matters, including
its organization, size, composition, responsibilities,
functions and compensation.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund Donald H. Pratt The Fund Performance Review Committee 0
Performance Thomas A. Brown reviews quarterly the investment activities and
Review Andrea C. Hall, Ph.D. strategies used to manage fund assets. The
D.D. (Del) Hock committee regularly receives reports from
Gale E. Sayers portfolio managers and other investment
M. Jeannine Strandjord personnel concerning the funds' investments.
Timothy S. Webster
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominations of Directors
As indicated in the table above, the Governance Committee is responsible for
identifying, evaluating and recommending qualified candidates for election to
the funds' Board of Directors. While the Governance Committee largely considers
nominees from searches that it conducts, the Committee will consider director
candidates submitted by shareholders. Any shareholder wishing to submit a
candidate for consideration should send the following information to the
Corporate Secretary, American Century Funds, 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
64111-7709:
* Shareholder's name, the fund name and number of fund shares owned and
length of period held;
* Name, age and address of the candidate;
* A detailed resume describing among other things the candidate's
educational background, occupation, employment history, financial knowledge
and expertise and material outside commitments (e.g., memberships on other
boards and committees, charitable foundations, etc.);
* Any other information relating to the candidate that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an
election contest pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934;
* Number of fund shares owned by the candidate and length of time held;
* A supporting statement which (i) describes the candidate's reasons for
seeking election to the Board of Directors and (ii) documents his/her
ability to satisfy the director qualifications described in the board's
policy;
* A signed statement from the candidate confirming his/her willingness to
serve on the Board of Directors.
The Corporate Secretary will promptly forward such materials to the Governance
Committee chairman. The Corporate Secretary also will maintain copies of such
materials for future reference by the Governance Committee when filling board
positions.
Shareholders may submit potential director candidates at any time pursuant to
these procedures. The Governance Committee will consider such candidates if a
vacancy arises or if the board decides to expand its membership, and at such
other times as the Governance Committee deems necessary or appropriate.
------
34
Compensation of Directors
The directors serve as directors for five American Century investment companies.
Each director who is not an interested person as defined in the Investment
Company Act receives compensation for service as a member of the board of all
five such companies based on a schedule that takes into account the number of
meetings attended and the assets of the funds for which the meetings are held.
These fees and expenses are divided among the five investment companies based,
in part, upon their relative net assets. Under the terms of the management
agreement with the advisor, the funds are responsible for paying such fees and
expenses.
The following table shows the aggregate compensation paid by the funds for the
periods indicated and by the five investment companies served by the board to
each director who is not an interested person as defined in the Investment
Company Act.
AGGREGATE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM
TOTAL COMPENSATION THE AMERICAN CENTURY
NAME OF DIRECTOR FROM THE FUNDS (1) FAMILY OF FUNDS (2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas A. Brown $51,630 $86,726
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrea C. Hall, Ph.D. $52,803 $88,728
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D.D. (Del) Hock $52,803 $88,728
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald H. Pratt $54,889 $92,228
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gale E. Sayers $51,017 $85,728
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M. Jeannine Strandjord $51,332 $86,228
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy S. Webster $50,416 $84,728
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) INCLUDES COMPENSATION PAID TO THE DIRECTORS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004, AND ALSO INCLUDES AMOUNTS DEFERRED AT THE ELECTION
OF THE DIRECTORS UNDER THE AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS' INDEPENDENT
DIRECTORS' DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN.
(2) INCLUDES COMPENSATION PAID BY THE FIVE INVESTMENT COMPANY MEMBERS OF
THE AMERICAN CENTURY FAMILY OF FUNDS SERVED BY THIS BOARD AT THE END OF THE
FISCAL YEAR. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION INCLUDED IN THE
PRECEDING TABLE IS AS FOLLOWS: MR. BROWN, $14,746; DR. HALL, $73,128; MR.
HOCK, $76,728; MR. PRATT, $12,000; MR. SAYER, $77,978; AND MR. WEBSTER,
$36,864.
The funds have adopted the American Century Mutual Funds' Independent Directors'
Deferred Compensation Plan. Under the plan, the independent directors may defer
receipt of all or any part of the fees to be paid to them for serving as
directors of the funds.
All deferred fees are credited to an account established in the name of the
directors. The amounts credited to the account then increase or decrease, as the
case may be, in accordance with the performance of one or more of the American
Century funds that are selected by the director. The account balance continues
to fluctuate in accordance with the performance of the selected fund or funds
until final payment of all amounts credited to the account. Directors are
allowed to change their designation of mutual funds from time to time.
No deferred fees are payable until such time as a director resigns, retires or
otherwise ceases to be a member of the Board of Directors. Directors may receive
deferred fee account balances either in a lump sum payment or in substantially
equal installment payments to be made over a period not to exceed 10 years. Upon
the death of a director, all remaining deferred fee account balances are paid to
the director's beneficiary or, if none, to the director's estate.
The plan is an unfunded plan and, accordingly, the funds have no obligation to
segregate assets to secure or fund the deferred fees. To date, the funds have
voluntarily funded their obligations. The rights of directors to receive their
deferred fee account balances are the
------
35
same as the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the funds. The plan may be
terminated at any time by the administrative committee of the plan. If
terminated, all deferred fee account balances will be paid in a lump sum.
No deferred fees were paid to any director under the plan during the fiscal year
ended October 31, 2004.
OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES
The directors owned shares in the funds as of December 31, 2003, as shown in the
table below. Because Fundamental Equity and Capital Growth were not in operation
as of the calendar year end, they are not included in the tables below.
NAME OF DIRECTORS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAMES E. JAMES E. THOMAS A. ROBERT W. ANDREA C
STOWERS, JR. STOWERS III BROWN DOERING HALL, PH.D.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Funds:
Growth E A B E A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra E C C E A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select E A C E A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vista E E C A C
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage A A B A A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giftrust B C A A A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced A A B A A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities A E C D C
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities II A A A A A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Value A A A A A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veedot A E C A A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in all
Registered Investment Companies
Overseen by Director in Family of
Investment Companies E E E E E
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RANGES: A-NONE, B-$1-$10,000, C-$10,001-$50,000, D-$50,001-$100,000, E-MORE THAN
$100,000
NAME OF DIRECTORS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D.D. (DEL) DONALD GALE E. M. JEANNINE TIMOTHY S.
HOCK H. PRATT SAYERS STRANDJORD WEBSTER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Funds:
Growth D A A A B
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra D A A D C
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select D A A A B
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vista E A A A C
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage A A A A A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giftrust A A A A A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced A A C A A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities A A A A B
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities II A A A A A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Value A A A A A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veedot A B A A C
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in all
Registered Investment Companies
Overseen by Director in Family of
Investment Companies E E C E E
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RANGES: A-NONE, B-$1-$10,000, C-$10,001-$50,000, D-$50,001-$100,000, E-MORE THAN
$100,000
------
36
CODE OF ETHICS
The funds, their investment advisor and principal underwriter have adopted a
code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act and the code of
ethics permits personnel subject to the code to invest in securities, including
securities that may be purchased or held by the funds, provided that they first
obtain approval from the compliance department before making such investments.
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
The advisor is responsible for exercising the voting rights associated with the
securities purchased and/or held by the funds. In exercising its voting
obligations, the advisor is guided by general fiduciary principles. It must act
prudently, solely in the interest of the funds, and for the exclusive purpose of
providing benefits to them. The advisor attempts to consider all factors of its
vote that could affect the value of the investment. The funds' Board of
Directors has approved the advisor's Proxy Voting Guidelines to govern the
advisor's proxy voting activities.
The advisor and the board have agreed on certain significant contributors to
shareholder value with respect to a number of matters that are often the subject
of proxy solicitations for shareholder meetings. The Proxy Voting Guidelines
specifically address these considerations and establish a framework for the
advisor's consideration of the vote that would be appropriate for the funds. In
particular, the Proxy Voting Guidelines outline principles and factors to be
considered in the exercise of voting authority for proposals addressing:
* Election of Directors
* Ratification of Selection of Auditors
* Equity-Based Compensation Plans
* Anti-Takeover Proposals
* Cumulative Voting
* Staggered Boards
* "Blank Check" Preferred Stock
* Elimination of Preemptive Rights
* Non-targeted Share Repurchase
* Increase in Authorized Common Stock
* "Supermajority" Voting Provisions or Super Voting Share Classes
* "Fair Price" Amendments
* Limiting the Right to Call Special Shareholder Meetings
* Poison Pills or Shareholder Rights Plans
* Golden Parachutes
* Reincorporation
* Confidential Voting
* Opting In or Out of State Takeover Laws
* Shareholder Proposals Involving Social, Moral or Ethical Matters
* Anti-Greenmail Proposals
* Changes to Indemnification Provisions
* Non-Stock Incentive Plans
* Director Tenure
* Directors' Stock Options Plans
* Director Share Ownership
Finally, the Proxy Voting Guidelines establish procedures for voting of proxies
in cases in which the advisor may have a potential conflict of interest.
Companies with which the advisor has direct business relationships could
theoretically use these relationships to attempt to unduly influence the manner
in which American Century votes on matters for the funds. To ensure that such a
conflict of interest does not affect proxy votes cast for the funds, all
discretionary (including case-by-case) voting for these companies will be voted
in direct consultation with a committee of the independent directors of the
funds.
------
37
A copy of the advisor's Proxy Voting Guidelines and information regarding how
the advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most
recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on the ABOUT US page at
americancentury.com. The advisor's proxy voting record also is available on the
SEC's website at sec.gov.
THE FUNDS' PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
As of November 3, 2004, the following shareholders, beneficial or of record,
owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of the funds. Because
Fundamental Equity was not in operation as of November 3, 2004, it is not
included in the chart below.
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING
FUND/ SHARES OWNED SHARES OWNED
CLASS SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD BENEFICIALLY(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor
None
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional
Trustees of American Century 99.95% 0%
Mutual Funds Indep Directors
Def Comp Plan
Kansas City, Missouri
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor
Fulton Financial Adv TTEE 32% 0%
for Various Clients
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Reliance Trust Co. Cust 12% 0%
for Various Clients
Atlanta, Georgia
M L P F & S 10% 0%
Jacksonville, Florida
Lynspen & Co. 9% 0%
Birmingham, Alabama
Nationwide Trust Company 5% 0%
Columbus, Ohio
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth
A
American Century Investment 41% 41%
Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
AG Edwards & Sons Inc. CUST 31% 0%
FBO William Joseph Cronin 0% 8%
I.R.A. Rollover
El Dorado Hills, California
American Enterprise 9% 0%
Investment Services
Minneapolis, Minnesota
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) IF SHARES ARE REGISTERED IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S NAME OR IN THE NAME OF AN
INTERMEDIARY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A NAMED PARTY, WE REPORT THOSE SHARES AS
BEING BENEFICIALLY OWNED. OTHERWISE, AMERICAN CENTURY HAS NO INFORMATION
CONCERNING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES.
------
38
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING
SHARES OWNED SHARES OWNED
FUND/CLASS SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD BENEFICIALLY(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B
American Century Investment 73% 73%
Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
AG Edwards & Sons Inc. CUST 15% 0%
FBO CUST for 0% 6%
Betty Ten Broeck Weinstein
IRA Acct
Chicago, Illinois
American Enterprise Investment Services 10% 0%
Minneapolis, Minnesota
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C
American Century Investment 96% 96%
Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 26% 0%
San Francisco, California
Saxon & Co 18% 0%
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
US Bank Trustee 8% 0%
for Various Clients
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional
Saxon & Co. 53% 0%
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 43% 0%
San Francisco, California
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor
Nationwide Trust Company 61% 0%
Columbus, Ohio
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 32% 0%
San Francisco, California
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giftrust
None
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor
None
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) IF SHARES ARE REGISTERED IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S NAME OR IN THE NAME OF AN
INTERMEDIARY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A NAMED PARTY, WE REPORT THOSE SHARES AS
BEING BENEFICIALLY OWNED. OTHERWISE, AMERICAN CENTURY HAS NO INFORMATION
CONCERNING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES.
------
39
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING
FUND/ SHARES OWNED SHARES OWNED
CLASS SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD BENEFICIALLY(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional
State Street Bank TR 79% 0%
Lockheed Martin Co Defined Contributions
Plans Master Trust
Boston, Massachusetts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C
Pershing LLC 59% 0%
Jersey City, New Jersey
James J. McGeachin and 11% 0%
Janice K. McGeachin
Trustees J.R. McGeachin Inc. PSP
Idaho Falls, Idaho
MCB Trust Services 7% 0%
FBO Various Clients
Denver, Colorado
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R
MCB Trust Services Cust 78% 0%
for Various Clients
Denver, Colorado
American Century 22% 0%
Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor
Morgan Stanley DW Inc. 40% 0%
New York, New York
AG Edwards & Sons Inc. 18% 0%
St. Louis, Missouri
Nationwide Trust Co. 15% 0%
Columbus, Ohio
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 10% 0%
San Francisco, California
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor
State Street Bank & Trust Co TTEE 26% 0%
FBO Kraft Foods Inc. 0% 26%
Westwood, Massachusetts
State Street Bank & Trust Co. TR 13% 0%
Philip Morris Deferred
PSP and Trust
Jersey City, New Jersey
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) IF SHARES ARE REGISTERED IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S NAME OR IN THE NAME OF AN
INTERMEDIARY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A NAMED PARTY, WE REPORT THOSE SHARES AS
BEING BENEFICIALLY OWNED. OTHERWISE, AMERICAN CENTURY HAS NO INFORMATION
CONCERNING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES.
------
40
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING
FUND/ SHARES OWNED SHARES OWNED
CLASS SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD BENEFICIALLY(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional
Chase Manhattan Bank Trustee 52% 0%
The BOC Group Inc. Savings
Investment Plan Trust
New York, New York
The Chase Manhattan Bank NA TTEE 37% 0%
The Reynolds and Reynolds Co. 401(k)
Savings Plan Trust
New York, New York
Trustees of American Century 10% 10%
P/S & 401(k) Savings Plan & Trust
Kansas City, Missouri
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C
American Enterprise Investment Svcs 41% 0%
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mobank & Co. EB 23% 0%
Monroe, Michigan
LPL Financial Services 9% 0%
San Diego, California
National Financial Services Corp 8% 0%
New York, New York
James J. McGeachin and 7% 0%
Janice K. McGeachin Trustees
J.R. McGeachin Inc. PSP
Idaho Falls, Idaho
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 24% 0%
San Francisco, California
MCB Trust Services as Agent For 15% 0%
Citizens Bank
Providence, Rhode Island
AIG Federal Savings Bank Trustee 12% 0%
FBO Macomb-Oakland Regional 0% 9%
Center Money Purchase Plan
Houston, Texas
National Financial Services LLC 12% 0%
New York, New York
Mitra & Co. 8% 0%
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor
Trustees of American Century Profit 8% 8%
Sharing and 401K Savings Plan & Trust
Kansas City, Missouri
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) IF SHARES ARE REGISTERED IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S NAME OR IN THE NAME OF AN
INTERMEDIARY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A NAMED PARTY, WE REPORT THOSE SHARES AS
BEING BENEFICIALLY OWNED. OTHERWISE, AMERICAN CENTURY HAS NO INFORMATION
CONCERNING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES.
------
41
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING
FUND/ SHARES OWNED SHARES OWNED
CLASS SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD BENEFICIALLY(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities II
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor
US Bank Trustee 11% 0%
Private Asset O/A Platform 0% 6%
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional
None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 76% 0%
San Francisco, California
American Enterprise Investment Svcs 12% 0%
Minneapolis, Minnesota
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B
American Enterprise Investment Svcs 47% 0%
Minneapolis, Minnesota
AG Edwards & Sons Inc. 12% 0%
St. Louis, Missouri
National Financial Services Corp. 6% 0%
New York, New York
Pershing LLC 6% 0%
Jersey City, New Jersey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C
American Enterprise Investment Svcs 36% 0%
Minneapolis, Minnesota
MLPF&S Inc. 14% 0%
Jacksonville, Florida
A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. 7% 0%
St. Louis, Missouri
LPL Financial Services 6% 0%
San Diego, California
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor
None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional
Northern Trust Co. TR 32% 0%
CSX Corp Master Savings Plan
Chicago, Illinois
JP Morgan Chase Bank Trustee 28% 0%
Robert Bosch Corporation
Star Plan and Trust
Kansas City, Missouri
The Chase Manhattan Bank NA TR 12% 0%
Winnebago Industries Inc. Profit Sharing
& Deferred Savings Investment Plan
New York, New York
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) IF SHARES ARE REGISTERED IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S NAME OR IN THE NAME OF AN
INTERMEDIARY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A NAMED PARTY, WE REPORT THOSE SHARES AS
BEING BENEFICIALLY OWNED. OTHERWISE, AMERICAN CENTURY HAS NO INFORMATION
CONCERNING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES.
------
42
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING
FUND/ SHARES OWNED SHARES OWNED
CLASS SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD BENEFICIALLY(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional
The Chase Manhattan Bank NA TR 9% 0%
Huntsman Corp Salary Deferral Plan & Trust
New York, New York
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 84% 0%
San Francisco, California
American Enterprise Investment Svcs 6% 0%
Minneapolis, Minnesota
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B
American Enterprise Investment Svcs 47% 0%
Minneapolis, Minnesota
National Financial Services LLC 8% 0%
New York, New York
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. 7% 0%
New York, New York
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C
M L P F & S Inc. 35% 0%
Jacksonville, Florida
American Enterprise Investment Svcs 30% 0%
Minneapolis, Minnesota
AG Edwards and Sons Inc. 13% 0%
Saint Louis, Missouri
LPL Financial Services 7% 0%
San Diego, California
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor
UMB Bank NA 22% 0%
Fiduciary for Various Deferred Accounts
Topeka, Kansas
Orchard Trust Company Custodian 13% 0%
RHD Investors Choice 403B7
Englewood, Colorado
M L P F & S 11% 0%
Jacksonville, Florida
Saxon & Co. 11% 0%
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Security Benefit Life Insurance Co 10% 0%
Topeka, Kansas
Whitney National Bank TTEE for 7% 0%
Superior Energy 401(k) Plan
New Orleans, Louisiana
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) IF SHARES ARE REGISTERED IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S NAME OR IN THE NAME OF AN
INTERMEDIARY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A NAMED PARTY, WE REPORT THOSE SHARES AS
BEING BENEFICIALLY OWNED. OTHERWISE, AMERICAN CENTURY HAS NO INFORMATION
CONCERNING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES.
------
43
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING
SHARES OWNED SHARES OWNED
FUND/CLASS SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD BENEFICIALLY(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 7% 0%
San Francisco, California
Nationwide Insurance Co. 6% 0%
Columbus, Ohio
The Variable Annuity Life 5% 0%
Insurance Company
Houston, Texas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional
Fidelity FIIOC TR 17% 0%
FBO Intel SERP 401k 0% 13%
Covington, Kentucky
JP Morgan Chase Bank Trustee 13% 0%
401(k) Savings Plan of
JP Morgan Chase & Co. Trust
Brooklyn, New York
JP Morgan Chase Bank Trustee 11% 0%
Robert Bosch Corporation
Star Plan and Trust
Kansas City, Missouri
JP Morgan Chase TR 10% 0%
The Interpublic Group of
Companies Inc.
Savings Plan Trust
New York, New York
Nationwide Insurance Company 6% 0%
QPVA
Columbus, Ohio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor
Principal Life Insurance 17% 0%
Des Moines, Iowa
Nationwide Trust Company FSB 12% 0%
Columbus, Ohio
National Financial Services Corp. 10% 0%
New York, New York
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 6% 0%
San Francisco, California
Connecticut General Life 6% 0%
Hartford, Connecticut
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C
American Enterprise Investment Svcs 22% 0%
Minneapolis, Minnesota
First Clearing LLC 17% 0%
Richmond, Virginia
Mobank & Co EB 13% 0%
Monroe, Michigan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) IF SHARES ARE REGISTERED IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S NAME OR IN THE NAME OF AN
INTERMEDIARY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A NAMED PARTY, WE REPORT THOSE SHARES AS
BEING BENEFICIALLY OWNED. OTHERWISE, AMERICAN CENTURY HAS NO INFORMATION
CONCERNING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES.
------
44
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING
FUND/ SHARES OWNED SHARES OWNED
CLASS SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD BENEFICIALLY(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C
National Financial Services Corp. 8% 0%
New York, New York
Pershing LLC 7% 0%
Jersey City, New Jersey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R
ING National Trust 62% 0%
Hartford, Connecticut
Symetra Investment Services 18% 0%
Seattle, Washington
ING Life Insurance and Annuity Co. 12% 0%
Hartford, Connecticut
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance 8% 0%
Springfield, Massachusetts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vista
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor
None
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional
American Century Profit Sharing 43% 0%
and 401K Savings Plan and Trust
Kansas City, Missouri
The Chase Manhattan Bank NA TR 29% 0%
Huntsman Corp Salary
Deferral Plan & Trust
New York, New York
Trustees of Valassis Employees 9% 0%
Retirement Savings Plan
Livonia, Michigan
The Chase Manhattan Bank NA TR 7% 0%
Huntsman Corp MPP Plan & Trust
New York, New York
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor
Carey & Co. 27% 0%
Columbus, Ohio
Oklahoma Public Employees 23% 0%
Retirement System Board of Trustees
FBO OK State Employees 0% 16%
Def Group Plan
Greenwood Village, Colorado
FBO OK State Empl 0% 6%
Def Svgs Incentive Pln
Greenwood Village, Colorado
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 13% 0%
San Francisco, California
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) IF SHARES ARE REGISTERED IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S NAME OR IN THE NAME OF AN
INTERMEDIARY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A NAMED PARTY, WE REPORT THOSE SHARES AS
BEING BENEFICIALLY OWNED. OTHERWISE, AMERICAN CENTURY HAS NO INFORMATION
CONCERNING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES.
------
45
PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING
FUND/ SHARES OWNED SHARES OWNED
CLASS SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD BENEFICIALLY(1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vista
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor
James B. Anderson TR 8% 0%
American Chamber of Commerce Executives 0% 7%
Amended & Restated 401(k) Plan & Trust
Springfield, Missouri
Trustar/Delaware Charter 8% 0%
FBO Principal Financial Group 0% 6%
Wilmington, Delaware
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C
American Enterprise Investment Svcs 52% 0%
Minneapolis, Minnesota
First Clearing LLC 10% 0%
Richmond, Virginia
National Financial Services Corp. 8% 0%
New York, New York
MCB Trust Services Cust 8% 0%
FBO Gaston Medical Group PA 0% 6%
Denver, Colorado
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veedot
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor
None
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional
Trustees of American Century P/S 59% 59%
& 401K Savings Plan & Trust
Kansas City, Missouri
American Century Investment 17% 17%
Management Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
UMB TR 12% 12%
American Century Executive
Deferred Comp Plan Trust
Kansas City, Missouri
UMB TR 10% 0%
American Century Services Corp. 0% 8%
Stock Option Surrender Plan #95
Kansas City, Missouri
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor
None
(1) IF SHARES ARE REGISTERED IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S NAME OR IN THE NAME OF AN
INTERMEDIARY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A NAMED PARTY, WE REPORT THOSE SHARES AS
BEING BENEFICIALLY OWNED. OTHERWISE, AMERICAN CENTURY HAS NO INFORMATION
CONCERNING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES.
The funds are unaware of any other shareholders, beneficial or of record, who
own more than 5% of any class of a fund's outstanding shares. The funds are
unaware of any other shareholders, beneficial or of record, who own more than
25% of the voting securities of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. A
shareholder owning of record or beneficially more than 25% of a fund's
outstanding shares may be considered a controlling person.
------
46
The vote of any such person could have a more significant effect on matters
presented at a shareholders' meeting than votes of other shareholders. As of
November 3, 2004, the officers and directors of the funds, as a group, owned
less than 1% of any class of a fund's outstanding shares.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
The funds have no employees. To conduct the funds' day-to-day activities, the
funds have hired a number of service providers. Each service provider has a
specific function to fill on behalf of the funds that is described below.
ACIM, ACSC and ACIS are wholly owned by ACC. James E. Stowers, Jr., Chairman of
ACC, controls ACC by virtue of his ownership of a majority of its voting stock.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) serves as the investment
advisor for each of the funds. A description of the responsibilities of the
advisor appears in each prospectus under the heading MANAGEMENT.
For services provided to each fund, the advisor receives a fee based on a
percentage of the net assets of each fund. The amount of the fee is calculated
daily and paid monthly in arrears. For funds with a stepped fee schedule, the
rate of the fee is determined by applying the fee rate calculation formula
indicated in the table below. This formula takes into account all of the
advisor's assets under management in the fund's investment strategy ("strategy
assets") to calculate the appropriate fee rate for the fund. The strategy assets
include the fund's assets and the assets of other clients of the advisor that
are not in the American Century family of mutual funds but that have the same
investment team and investment strategy. The use of strategy assets, rather than
fund assets, in calculating the fee rate for a particular fund could allow a
fund to realize scheduled cost savings more quickly if the advisor acquires
additional assets under management within a strategy in addition to the fund's
assets. The management fee schedules for the funds appear below.
FUND CLASS PERCENTAGE OF STRATEGY ASSETS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced Investor 0.900% of first $1 billion
0.800% over $1 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional 0.700% of first $1 billion
0.600% over $1 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor 0.650% of first $1 billion
0.550% over $1 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth A, B and C 1.000% of first $20 billion
0.950% more than $20 billion to $30 billion
0.925% more than $30 billion to $40 billion
0.900% more than $40 billion to $50 billion
0.875% over $50 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Value Investor 1.10% of first $500 million
1.00% of next $500 million
0.90% over $1 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional 0.90% of first $500 million
0.80% of next $500 million
0.70% over $1 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor 0.85% of first $500 million
0.75% of next $500 million
0.65% over $1 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
47
FUND CLASS PERCENTAGE OF STRATEGY ASSETS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fundamental Equity A, B and C 1.000% of first $20 billion
0.950% more than $20 billion to $30 billion
0.925% more than $30 billion to $40 billion
0.900% more than $40 billion to $50 billion
0.875% over $50 billion
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giftrust Investor 1.00%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Investor, C and R 1.000% of first $20 billion
0.950% more than $20 billion to $30 billion
0.925% more than $30 billion to $40 billion
0.900% more than $40 billion to $50 billion
0.875% over $50 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional 0.800% of first $20 billion
0.750% more than $20 billion to $30 billion
0.725% more than $30 billion to $40 billion
0.700% more than $40 billion to $50 billion
0.675% over $50 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor 0.750% of first $20 billion
0.700% more than $20 billion to $30 billion
0.675% more than $30 billion to $40 billion
0.650% more than $40 billion to $50 billion
0.625% over $50 billion
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage Investor and C 1.000%
Institutional 0.800%
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor 0.750%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities Investor 1.50% of the first $500 million
1.30% of next $500 million
1.10% over $1 billion
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities II Investor, A, B and C 1.50% of the first $500 million
1.30% of next $500 million
1.10% over $1 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional 1.30% of the first $500 million
1.10% of next $500 million
0.90% over $1 billion
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Investor, A, B and C 1.000% of first $20 billion
0.950% more than $20 billion to $30 billion
0.925% more than $30 billion to $40 billion
0.900% more than $40 billion to $50 billion
0.875% over $50 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional 0.800% of first $20 billion
0.750% more than $20 billion to $30 billion
0.725% more than $30 billion to $40 billion
0.700% more than $40 billion to $50 billion
0.675% over $50 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor 0.750% of first $20 billion
0.700% more than $20 billion to $30 billion
0.675% more than $30 billion to $40 billion
0.650% more than $40 billion to $50 billion
0.625% over $50 billion
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
48
FUND CLASS PERCENTAGE OF STRATEGY ASSETS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra Investor, C and R 1.000% of first $20 billion
0.950% more than $20 billion to $30 billion
0.925% more than $30 billion to $40 billion
0.900% more than $40 billion to $50 billion
0.875% over $50 billion
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional 0.800% of first $20 billion
0.750% more than $20 billion to $30 billion
0.725% more than $30 billion to $40 billion
0.700% more than $40 billion to $50 billion
0.675% over $50 billion
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor 0.750% of first $20 billion
0.700% more than $20 billion to $30 billion
0.675% more than $30 billion to $40 billion
0.650% more than $40 billion to $50 billion
0.625% over $50 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vista Investor and C 1.000%
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional 0.800%
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor 0.750%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veedot Investor 1.50% of first $500 million
1.30% of next $500 million
1.10% over $1 billion
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional 1.30% of first $500 million
1.10% of next $500 million
0.90% over $1 billion
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor 1.25% of first $500 million
1.05% of next $500 million
0.85% over $1 billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On each calendar day, each class of each fund accrues a management fee that is
equal to the class's management fee rate (as calculated pursuant to the above
schedules) times the net assets of the class divided by 365 (366 in leap years).
On the first business day of each month, the funds pay a management fee to the
advisor for the previous month. The management fee is the sum of the daily fee
calculations for each day of the previous month.
The management agreement between the corporation and the advisor shall continue
in effect until the earlier of the expiration of two years from the date of its
execution or until the first meeting of fund shareholders following such
execution and for as long thereafter as its continuance is specifically approved
at least annually by
(1) the funds' Board of Directors, or a majority of outstanding
shareholder votes (as defined in the Investment Company Act) and
(2) the vote of a majority of the directors of the funds who are not
parties to the agreement or interested persons of the advisor, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The management agreement states that the funds' Board of Directors or a majority
of outstanding shareholder votes may terminate the management agreement at any
time without payment of any penalty on 60 days' written notice to the advisor.
The management agreement shall be automatically terminated if it is assigned.
The management agreement states the advisor shall not be liable to the funds or
their shareholders for anything other than willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties.
The management agreement also provides that the advisor and its officers,
directors and employees may engage in other business, render services to others,
and devote time and attention to any other business whether of a similar or
dissimilar nature.
Certain investments may be appropriate for the funds and also for other clients
advised by the advisor. Investment decisions for the funds and other clients are
made with a view to
------
49
achieving their respective investment objectives after consideration of such
factors as their current holdings, availability of cash for investment and the
size of their investment generally. A particular security may be bought or sold
for only one client or fund, or in different amounts and at different times for
more than one but less than all clients or funds. In addition, purchases or
sales of the same security may be made for two or more clients or funds on the
same date. Such transactions will be allocated among clients in a manner
believed by the advisor to be equitable to each. In some cases this procedure
could have an adverse effect on the price or amount of the securities purchased
or sold by a fund.
The advisor may aggregate purchase and sale orders of the funds with purchase
and sale orders of its other clients when the advisor believes that such
aggregation provides the best execution for the funds. The Board of Directors
has approved the policy of the advisor with respect to the aggregation of
portfolio transactions. Where portfolio transactions have been aggregated, the
funds participate at the average share price for all transactions in that
security on a given day and allocate transaction costs on a pro rata basis. The
advisor will not aggregate portfolio transactions of the funds unless it
believes such aggregation is consistent with its duty to seek best execution on
behalf of the funds and the terms of the management agreement. The advisor
receives no additional compensation or remuneration as a result of such
aggregation.
Unified management fees incurred by each fund by class for the fiscal periods
ended October 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, are indicated in the following tables.
Because Fundamental Equity was not in operation as of the fiscal year end, it is
not included in the table below.
UNIFIED MANAGEMENT FEES
FUND/CLASS 2004(1) 2003 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth
Investor Class $42,629,274 $40,233,896 $53,431,278
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class $510,260 $322,092 $245,976
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class $5,284,047 $4,188,607 $1,444,918
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class $6,830 $5,324 $2,123(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
R Class $35 $4(3) N/A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra
Investor Class $211,788,565 $191,091,336 $231,562,879
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class $5,283,974 $3,630,671 $3,304,275
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class $7,721,096 $5,376,298 $5,253,092
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class $43,173 $10,567 $2,726
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
R Class $19,637 $4(3) N/A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select
Investor Class $38,147,413 $35,720,710 $43,411,463
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class $202,537 $180,024 $174,038
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class $1,937,778 $1,623,535 $1,657,448
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Class $236,164 $20,822 N/A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Class $18,681 $3,061 N/A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class $29,945 $2,947 N/A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vista
Investor Class $13,739,409 $10,046,513 $11,472,288
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class $340,458 $96,780 $101,047
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class $324,585 $293,432 $357,642
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class $10,295 $1,515 $399
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) THE INFORMATION FOR 2004 IS UNAUDITED.
(2) FEES ACCRUED FROM NOVEMBER 28, 2001 (C CLASS INCEPTION) THROUGH
OCTOBER 31, 2002.
(3) FEES ACCRUED FROM AUGUST 29, 2003 (R CLASS INCEPTION) THROUGH OCTOBER
31, 2003.
------
50
UNIFIED MANAGEMENT FEES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND/CLASS 2004(1) 2003 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage
Investor Class $12,168,009 $10,654,047 $12,137,959
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class $114,578 $60,335 $23,346
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class $528,668 $996,702 $928,931
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class $9,264 $3,641 $557
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced
Investor Class $5,299,050 $4,932,718 $5,583,056
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class $108,622 $96,544 $103,396
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class $1,312 $77,428 $128,656
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth
A Class $2,690 N/A N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Class $2,508 N/A N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class $2,256 N/A N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Value
Investor Class $1,747,309 $771,404 $568,432
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class $148,715 $49,740 $18,575(2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class $31,535 $305 N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giftrust
Investor Class $8,873,785 $7,857,938 $8,744,135
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities
Investor Class $4,491,558 $4,300,248 $5,552,49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities II
Investor Class $543,334 $404,596 $385,262
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Class $104,664 $4,348(3) N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Class $8,253 $1,211(3) N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Class $8,587 $55(3) N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veedot
Investor Class $3,453,855 $2,881,700 $3,397,163
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class $166,778 $127,721 $128,328
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) THE INFORMATION FOR 2004 IS UNAUDITED.
(2) FEES ACCRUED FROM MARCH 1, 2002 (INSTITUTIONAL CLASS INCEPTION)
THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2002.
(3) FEES ACCRUED FROM JANUARY 31, 2003 (A CLASS, B CLASS AND C CLASS
INCEPTION) THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2003.
TRANSFER AGENT AND ADMINISTRATOR
American Century Services Corporation, 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri
64111, serves as transfer agent and dividend-paying agent for the funds. It
provides physical facilities, computer hardware and software and personnel for
the day-to-day administration of the funds and the advisor. The advisor pays
ACSC's costs for serving as transfer agent and dividend-paying agent for the
funds out of the advisor's unified management fee. For a description of this fee
and the terms of its payment, see the above discussion under the caption
INVESTMENT ADVISOR on page 47.
From time to time, special services may be offered to shareholders who maintain
higher share balances in our family of funds. These services may include the
waiver of minimum investment requirements, expedited confirmation of shareholder
transactions, newsletters and a team of personal representatives. Any expenses
associated with these special services will be paid by the advisor.
------
51
DISTRIBUTOR
The funds' shares are distributed by American Century Investment Services, Inc.,
a registered broker-dealer. The distributor is a wholly owned subsidiary of ACC
and its principal business address is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri
64111.
The distributor is the principal underwriter of the funds' shares. The
distributor makes a continuous, best-efforts underwriting of the funds' shares.
This means the distributor has no liability for unsold shares. The advisor pays
ACIS's costs for serving as principal underwriter of the funds' shares out of
the advisor's unified management fee. For a description of this fee and the
terms of its payment, see the above discussion under the caption INVESTMENT
ADVISOR on page 47. ACIS does not earn commissions for distributing the funds'
shares.
Certain financial intermediaries unaffiliated with the distributor or the funds
may perform various administrative and shareholder services for their clients
who are invested in the funds. These services may include assisting with fund
purchases, redemptions and exchanges, distributing information about the funds
and their performance, preparing and distributing client account statements, and
other administrative and shareholder services, and would otherwise be provided
by the distributor or its affiliates. The distributor may pay fees out of its
own resources to such financial intermediaries for providing these services.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
CUSTODIAN BANKS
JP Morgan Chase Bank, 4 Metro Tech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11245, and
Commerce Bank, N.A., 1000 Walnut, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, each serves as
custodian of the funds' assets. The custodians take no part in determining the
investment policies of the funds or in deciding which securities are purchased
or sold by the funds. The funds, however, may invest in certain obligations of
the custodians and may purchase or sell certain securities from or to the
custodians.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte & Touche LLP is the independent registered public accounting firm
of the funds. The address of Deloitte & Touche LLP is 1010 Grand Boulevard,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. As the independent registered public accounting
firm of the funds, Deloitte & Touche LLP provides services including
(1) auditing the annual financial statements for each fund,
(2) assisting and consulting in connection with SEC filings and
(3) reviewing the annual federal income tax return filed for each fund.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION
FUNDAMENTAL EQUITY, GROWTH, ULTRA, SELECT, VISTA, HERITAGE, CAPITAL VALUE,
FUNDAMENTAL EQUITY, GIFTRUST, NEW OPPORTUNITIES, NEW OPPORTUNITIES II, VEEDOT,
CAPITAL GROWTH AND THE EQUITY PORTION OF BALANCED
Under the management agreement between the funds and the advisor, the advisor
has the responsibility of selecting brokers and dealers to execute portfolio
transactions. The funds' policy is to secure the most favorable prices and
execution of orders on its portfolio transactions. So long as that policy is
met, the advisor may take into consideration the factors discussed below when
selecting brokers.
------
52
The advisor receives statistical and other information and services, including
research, without cost from brokers and dealers. The advisor evaluates such
information and services, together with all other information that it may have,
in supervising and managing the investments of the funds. Because such
information and services may vary in amount, quality and reliability, their
influence in selecting brokers varies from none to very substantial. The advisor
intends to continue to place some of the funds' brokerage business with one or
more brokers who provide information and services. Such information and services
will be in addition to and not in lieu of services required to be performed by
the advisor. The advisor does not utilize brokers that provide such information
and services for the purpose of reducing the expense of providing required
services to the funds. In the years ended October 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the
brokerage commissions of each fund are listed in the following table. Because
Fundamental Equity was not in operation as of the fiscal year end, it is not
included.
FUND 2004 2003 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth $8,405,085 $11,633,672 $10,370,502
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra $9,440,731(1) $25,150,177 $41,568,399
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select $3,551,910(1) $6,445,767 $11,315,541
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vista $6,049,997 $5,927,293 $5,892,458
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage $5,217,528(2) $2,689,688 $2,503,500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced $1,223,255 $1,606,559 $522,702
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth $1,342 N/A N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Value $76,585(3) $41,498 $39,193
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giftrust $3,433,171(2) $1,826,653 $1,674,254
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities $1,521,059 $1,463,909 $1,192,917
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities II $231,389 $167,785 $116,276
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veedot $1,597,322 $1,873,205 $1,741,747
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) THE DECREASE IN BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID BY THE FUND IN 2004 WAS A
RESULT OF LOWER PORTFOLIO TURNOVER DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
(2) THE INCREASE IN BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID BY THE FUND IN 2004 WAS A
RESULT OF HIGHER PORTFOLIO TURNOVER DURING THAT SAME PERIOD.
(3) THE INCREASE IN BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID BY THE FUND IN 2004 WAS A
RESULT OF AN INCREASE IN THE FUND'S ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT.
The brokerage commissions paid by the funds may exceed those that another broker
might have charged for effecting the same transactions, because of the value of
the brokerage and research services provided by the broker. Research services
furnished by brokers through whom the funds effect securities transactions may
be used by the advisor in servicing all of its accounts, and not all such
services may be used by the advisor in managing the portfolios of the funds.
The staff of the SEC has expressed the view that the best price and execution of
over-the-counter transactions in portfolio securities may be secured by dealing
directly with principal market makers, thereby avoiding the payment of
compensation to another broker. In certain situations, the officers of the funds
and the advisor believe that the facilities, expert personnel and technological
systems of a broker often enable the funds to secure as good a net price by
dealing with a broker instead of a principal market maker, even after payment of
the compensation to the broker. The funds regularly place their over-the-counter
transactions with principal market makers, but also may deal on a brokerage
basis when utilizing electronic trading networks or as circumstances warrant.
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53
THE FIXED-INCOME PORTION OF BALANCED
Under the management agreement between the funds and the advisor, the advisor
has the responsibility of selecting brokers and dealers to execute portfolio
transactions. In many transactions, the selection of the broker or dealer is
determined by the availability of the desired security and its offering price.
In other transactions, the selection of the broker or dealer is a function of
market selection and price negotiation, as well as the broker's general
execution and operational and financial capabilities in the type of transaction
involved. The advisor will seek to obtain prompt execution of orders at the most
favorable prices or yields. The advisor may choose to purchase and sell
portfolio securities from and to dealers who provide services or research,
statistical and other information to the funds and to the advisor. Such
information or services will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services
required to be performed by the advisor, and the expenses of the advisor will
not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental
information.
The funds generally purchase and sell debt securities through principal
transactions, meaning the funds normally purchase securities on a net basis
directly from the issuer or a primary market-maker acting as principal for the
securities. The funds do not pay brokerage commissions on these transactions,
although the purchase price for debt securities usually includes an undisclosed
compensation. Purchases of securities from underwriters typically include a
commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases
from dealers serving as market-makers typically include a dealer's mark-up
(i.e., a spread between the bid and asked prices).
REGULAR BROKER-DEALERS
As of its most recently completed fiscal year, each of the funds listed below
owned securities of its regular brokers or dealers (as defined by Rule 10b-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940) or of their parent companies. As a new
fund, Fundamental Equity is not included in the table below.
VALUE OF SECURITIES
OWNED AS OF
FUND BROKER, DEALER OR PARENT OCTOBER 31, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced Citigroup Inc. $8,027,046
---------------------------------------------------------
Wachovia Corp. $8,030,004
---------------------------------------------------------
American Express Co. $4,234,814
---------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley $4,111,984
---------------------------------------------------------
Bear Stearns Companies, Inc. $2,846,093
---------------------------------------------------------
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $1,569,290
---------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc. $93,940
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth American Express Co. $25,739
---------------------------------------------------------
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $18,200
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Value Citigroup Inc $12,973,788
---------------------------------------------------------
Wachovia Corp $4,074,588
-----------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. $4,050,894
---------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley $3,877,731
---------------------------------------------------------
Fiserv, Inc. $1,823,202
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giftrust None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth American Express Co. $85,771,734
---------------------------------------------------------
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $60,749,650
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities II None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Citigroup Inc. $82,038,621
---------------------------------------------------------
American Express Co. $17,162,838
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
54
VALUE OF SECURITIES
OWNED AS OF
FUND BROKER, DEALER OR PARENT OCTOBER 31, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra Citigroup Inc. $315,293,220
---------------------------------------------------------------------
American Express Co. $177,041,520
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $158,588,560
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. $131,775,420
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vista None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veedot A.G. Edwards, Inc. $471,480
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFORMATION ABOUT FUND SHARES
Each of the funds named on the front of this statement of additional information
is a series of shares issued by the corporation, and shares of each fund have
equal voting rights. In addition, each series (or fund) may be divided into
separate classes. See MULTIPLE CLASS STRUCTURE, which follows. Additional funds
and classes may be added without a shareholder vote.
Each fund votes separately on matters affecting that fund exclusively. Voting
rights are not cumulative, so investors holding more than 50% of the
corporation's (all funds') outstanding shares may be able to elect a Board of
Directors. The corporation undertakes dollar-based voting, meaning that the
number of votes a shareholder is entitled to is based upon the dollar amount of
the shareholder's investment. The election of directors is determined by the
votes received from all the corporation's shareholders without regard to whether
a majority of shares of any one fund voted in favor of a particular nominee or
all nominees as a group.
The assets belonging to each series are held separately by the custodian and the
shares of each series represent a beneficial interest in the principal, earnings
and profit (or losses) of investments and other assets held for each series.
Your rights as a shareholder are the same for all series of securities unless
otherwise stated. Within their respective series, all shares have equal
redemption rights. Each share, when issued, is fully paid and non-assessable.
Each shareholder has rights to dividends and distributions declared by the fund
he or she owns and to the net assets of such fund upon its liquidation or
dissolution proportionate to his or her share ownership interest in the fund.
MULTIPLE CLASS STRUCTURE
The corporation's Board of Directors has adopted a multiple class plan (the
Multiclass Plan) pursuant to Rule 18f-3 adopted by the SEC. The plan is
described in the prospectus of any fund that offers more than one class.
Pursuant to such plan, the funds may issue up to seven classes of shares:
Investor Class, Institutional Class, A Class, B Class, C Class, R Class and
Advisor Class. Not all funds offer all seven classes.
The Investor Class of most funds is made available to investors directly without
any load or commission, for a single unified management fee. It is also
available through some financial intermediaries. The Investor Class of those
funds which have A and B Classes is not available directly at no load. The
Institutional and Advisor Classes are made available to institutional
shareholders or through financial intermediaries that do not require the same
level of shareholder and administrative services from the advisor as Investor
Class shareholders. As a result, the advisor is able to charge these classes a
lower total management fee. In addition to the management fee, however, the
Advisor Class shares are subject to a Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (the Advisor Class Plan). The A, B and C Classes also are made
available through financial intermediaries, for purchase by individual investors
who receive advisory and personal services from the
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55
intermediary. The R Class is made available through financial intermediaries and
is generally used in 401(k) and other retirement plans. The unified management
fee for the A, B, C and R classes is the same as for Investor Class, but the A,
B, C and R Class shares each are subject to a separate Master Distribution and
Individual Shareholder Services Plan (the A Class Plan, B Class Plan, C Class
Plan and R Class Plan, respectively and collectively with the Advisor Class
Plan, the Plans) described below. The Plans have been adopted by the funds'
Board of Directors in accordance with Rule 12b-1 adopted by the SEC under the
Investment Company Act.
Rule 12b-1
Rule 12b-1 permits an investment company to pay expenses associated with the
distribution of its shares in accordance with a plan adopted by its Board of
Directors and approved by its shareholders. Pursuant to such rule, the Board of
Directors and initial shareholder of the funds' A, B, C, R and Advisor Classes
have approved and entered into the A Class Plan, B Class Plan, C Class Plan, R
Class Plan and Advisor Class Plan, respectively. The Plans are described below.
In adopting the Plans, the Board of Directors (including a majority of directors
who are not interested persons of the funds [as defined in the Investment
Company Act], hereafter referred to as the independent directors) determined
that there was a reasonable likelihood that the Plans would benefit the funds
and the shareholders of the affected class. Some of the anticipated benefits
include improved name recognition for the funds generally; and growing assets in
existing funds, which helps retain and attract investment management talent,
provides a better environment for improving fund performance, and can lower the
total expense ratio for funds with stepped-fee schedules. Pursuant to Rule
12b-1, information with respect to revenues and expenses under the Plans is
presented to the Board of Directors quarterly for its consideration in
connection with its deliberations as to the continuance of the Plans.
Continuance of the Plans must be approved by the Board of Directors (including a
majority of the independent directors) annually. The Plans may be amended by a
vote of the Board of Directors (including a majority of the independent
directors), except that the Plans may not be amended to materially increase the
amount to be spent for distribution without majority approval of the
shareholders of the affected class. The Plans terminate automatically in the
event of an assignment and may be terminated upon a vote of a majority of the
independent directors or by vote of a majority of outstanding shareholder votes
of the affected class.
All fees paid under the Plans will be made in accordance with Section 26 of the
Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD).
A Class Plan
As described in the prospectuses, the A Class shares of the funds are made
available to participants in employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and
to persons purchasing through broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies and
other financial intermediaries that provide various administrative, shareholder
and distribution services. The funds' distributor enters into contracts with
various banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and other financial
intermediaries, with respect to the sale of the funds' shares and/or the use of
the funds' shares in various investment products or in connection with various
financial services.
Certain recordkeeping and administrative services that are provided by the
funds' transfer agent for the Investor Class shareholders may be performed by a
plan sponsor (or its agents) or by a financial intermediary for A Class
investors. In addition to such services, the financial intermediaries provide
various individual shareholder and distribution services.
To enable the funds' shares to be made available through such plans and
financial intermediaries, and to compensate them for such services, the funds'
Board of Directors has adopted the A Class Plan. Pursuant to the A Class Plan,
the A Class pays the funds'
------
56
distributor a fee equal to 0.25% annually of the average daily net asset value
of the A Class shares. The distributor may use these fees to pay for certain
ongoing shareholder and administrative services (as described below) and for
distribution services, including past distribution services (as described
below). This payment is fixed at 0.25% and is not based on expenses incurred by
the distributor. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, the aggregate
amount of fees paid under the A Class plan was:
Capital Growth $673(1)
New Opportunities II $17,444(1)
Select $59,041(1)
(1) THE INFORMATION FOR 2004 IS UNAUDITED.
Because the A Class of Fundamental Equity was not in operation as of the fiscal
year end, no fees were paid under the A Class Plan.
The distributor then makes these payments to the financial intermediaries who
offer the A Class shares for the services described below. No portion of these
payments is used by the distributor to pay for advertising, printing costs or
interest expenses.
Payments may be made for a variety of individual shareholder services,
including, but not limited to:
(a) providing individualized and customized investment advisory services,
including the consideration of shareholder profiles and specific goals;
(b) creating investment models and asset allocation models for use by
shareholders in selecting appropriate funds;
(c) conducting proprietary research about investment choices and the
market in general;
(d) periodic rebalancing of shareholder accounts to ensure compliance with
the selected asset allocation;
(e) consolidating shareholder accounts in one place; and
(f) other individual services.
Individual shareholder services do not include those activities and expenses
that are primarily intended to result in the sale of additional shares of the
funds.
Distribution services include any activity undertaken or expense incurred that
is primarily intended to result in the sale of A Class shares, which services
may include but are not limited to:
(a) the payment of sales commissions, on-going commissions and other
payments to brokers, dealers, financial institutions or others who sell A
Class shares pursuant to selling agreements;
(b) compensation to registered representatives or other employees of the
distributor who engage in or support distribution of the funds' A Class
shares;
(c) compensation to, and expenses (including overhead and telephone
expenses) of, the distributor;
(d) printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and
reports for other-than-existing shareholders;
(e) preparing, printing and distributing sales literature and advertising
materials provided to the funds' shareholders and prospective shareholders;
(f) receiving and answering correspondence from prospective shareholders,
including distributing prospectuses, statements of additional information,
and shareholder reports;
(g) providing facilities to answer questions from prospective shareholders
about fund shares;
(h) complying with federal and state securities laws pertaining to the
sale of fund shares;
------
57
(i) assisting shareholders in completing application forms and selecting
dividend and other account options;
(j) providing other reasonable assistance in connection with the
distribution of fund shares;
(k) organizing and conducting sales seminars and payments in the form of
transactional and compensation or promotional incentives;
(l) profit on the foregoing;
(m) paying service fees for providing personal, continuing services to
investors, as contemplated by the Conduct Rules of the NASD; and
(n) such other distribution and services activities as the advisor
determines may be paid for by the funds pursuant to the terms of the
agreement between the corporation and the funds' distributor and in
accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act.
B Class Plan
As described in the prospectuses, the B Class shares of the funds are made
available to participants in employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and
to persons purchasing through broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies and
other financial intermediaries that provide various administrative, shareholder
and distribution services. The funds' distributor enters into contracts with
various banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and other financial
intermediaries, with respect to the sale of the funds' shares and/or the use of
the funds' shares in various investment products or in connection with various
financial services.
Certain recordkeeping and administrative services that are provided by the
funds' transfer agent for the Investor Class shareholders may be performed by a
plan sponsor (or its agents) or by a financial intermediary for B Class
investors. In addition to such services, the financial intermediaries provide
various individual shareholder and distribution services.
To enable the funds' shares to be made available through such plans and
financial intermediaries, and to compensate them for such services, the funds'
Board of Directors has adopted the B Class Plan. Pursuant to the B Class Plan,
the B Class pays the funds' distributor 1.00% annually of the average daily net
asset value of the B Class shares, 0.25% of which is paid for certain ongoing
individual shareholder and administrative services (as described below) and
0.75% of which is paid for distribution services, including past distribution
services (as described below). The payment is fixed at 1.00% and is not based on
expenses incurred by the distributor. During the fiscal year ended October 31,
2004, the aggregate amount of fees paid under the B Class plan was:
Capital Growth $18,680(1)
New Opportunities II $2,508(1)
Select $5,501(1)
(1) THE INFORMATION FOR 2004 IS UNAUDITED.
Because the B Class of Fundamental Equity was not in operation as of the fiscal
year end, no fees were paid under the B Class Plan.
The distributor then makes these payments to the financial intermediaries who
offer the B Class shares for the services described below. No portion of these
payments is used by the distributor to pay for advertising, printing costs or
interest expenses.
Payments may be made for a variety of individual shareholder services,
including, but not limited to:
(a) providing individualized and customized investment advisory services,
including the consideration of shareholder profiles and specific goals;
(b) creating investment models and asset allocation models for use by
shareholders in selecting appropriate funds;
------
58
(c) conducting proprietary research about investment choices and the
market in general;
(d) periodic rebalancing of shareholder accounts to ensure compliance with
the selected asset allocation;
(e) consolidating shareholder accounts in one place; and
(f) other individual services.
Individual shareholder services do not include those activities and expenses
that are primarily intended to result in the sale of additional shares of the
funds.
Distribution services include any activity undertaken or expense incurred that
is primarily intended to result in the sale of B Class shares, which services
may include but are not limited to:
(a) the payment of sales commissions, on-going commissions and other
payments to brokers, dealers, financial institutions or others who sell B
Class shares pursuant to selling agreements;
(b) compensation to registered representatives or other employees of the
distributor who engage in or support distribution of the funds' B Class
shares;
(c) compensation to, and expenses (including overhead and telephone
expenses) of, the distributor;
(d) printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and
reports for other-than-existing shareholders;
(e) preparing, printing and distributing sales literature and advertising
materials provided to the funds' shareholders and prospective shareholders;
(f) receiving and answering correspondence from prospective shareholders,
including distributing prospectuses, statements of additional information,
and shareholder reports;
(g) providing facilities to answer questions from prospective shareholders
about fund shares;
(h) complying with federal and state securities laws pertaining to the
sale of fund shares;
(i) assisting shareholders in completing application forms and selecting
dividend and other account options;
(j) providing other reasonable assistance in connection with the
distribution of fund shares;
(k) organizing and conducting sales seminars and payments in the form of
transactional and compensation or promotional incentives;
(l) profit on the foregoing;
(m) paying service fees for providing personal, continuing services to
investors, as contemplated by the Conduct Rules of the NASD; and
(n) such other distribution and services activities as the advisor
determines may be paid for by the funds pursuant to the terms of the
agreement between the corporation and the funds' distributor and in
accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act.
C Class Plan
As described in the prospectuses, the C Class shares of the funds are made
available to participants in employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and
to persons purchasing through broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies and
other financial intermediaries that provide various administrative, shareholder
and distribution services. The funds' distributor enters into contracts with
various banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and other financial
intermediaries, with respect to the sale of the funds' shares and/or the use of
the funds' shares in various investment products or in connection with various
financial services.
------
59
Certain recordkeeping and administrative services that are provided by the
funds' transfer agent for the Investor Class shareholders may be performed by a
plan sponsor (or its agents) or by a financial intermediary for C Class
investors. In addition to such services, the financial intermediaries provide
various individual shareholder and distribution services.
To enable the funds' shares to be made available through such plans and
financial intermediaries, and to compensate them for such services, the funds'
Board of Directors has adopted the C Class Plan. Pursuant to the C Class Plan,
the C Class pays the funds' distributor 1.00% annually of the average daily net
asset value of the funds' C Class shares, 0.25% of which is paid for certain
ongoing individual shareholder and administrative services (as described below)
and 0.75% of which is paid for distribution services, including past
distribution services (as described below). This payment is fixed at 1.00% and
is not based on expenses incurred by the distributor. During the fiscal year
ended October 31, 2004, the aggregate amount of fees paid under the C Class Plan
was:
Capital Growth $2,256(1)
Ultra $43,463(1)
Vista $10,296(1)
Heritage $9,264(1)
Growth $6,830(1)
Select $29,944(1)
New Opportunities II $5,725(1)
(1) THE INFORMATION FOR 2004 IS UNAUDITED.
Because the C Class of Fundamental Equity was not in operation as of the fiscal
year end, no fees were paid under the C Class Plan.
The distributor then makes these payments to the financial intermediaries who
offer the C Class shares for the services described below. No portion of these
payments is used by the distributor to pay for advertising, printing costs or
interest expenses.
Payments may be made for a variety of individual shareholder services,
including, but not limited to:
(a) providing individualized and customized investment advisory services,
including the consideration of shareholder profiles and specific goals;
(b) creating investment models and asset allocation models for use by
shareholders in selecting appropriate funds;
(c) conducting proprietary research about investment choices and the
market in general;
(d) periodic rebalancing of shareholder accounts to ensure compliance with
the selected asset allocation;
(e) consolidating shareholder accounts in one place; and
(f) other individual services.
Individual shareholder services do not include those activities and expenses
that are primarily intended to result in the sale of additional shares of the
funds.
Distribution services include any activity undertaken or expense incurred that
is primarily intended to result in the sale of C Class shares, which services
may include but are not limited to:
(a) the payment of sales commissions, on-going commissions and other
payments to brokers, dealers, financial institutions or others who sell C
Class shares pursuant to selling agreements;
(b) compensation to registered representatives or other employees of the
distributor who engage in or support distribution of the funds' C Class
shares;
(c) compensation to, and expenses (including overhead and telephone
expenses) of, the distributor;
(d) printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and
reports for other-than-existing shareholders;
------
60
(e) preparing, printing and distributing sales literature and advertising
materials provided to the funds' shareholders and prospective shareholders;
(f) receiving and answering correspondence from prospective shareholders,
including distributing prospectuses, statements of additional information,
and shareholder reports;
(g) providing facilities to answer questions from prospective shareholders
about fund shares;
(h) complying with federal and state securities laws pertaining to the
sale of fund shares;
(i) assisting shareholders in completing application forms and selecting
dividend and other account options;
(j) providing other reasonable assistance in connection with the
distribution of fund shares;
(k) organizing and conducting of sales seminars and payments in the form
of transactional and compensation or promotional incentives;
(l) profit on the foregoing;
(m) paying service fees for providing personal, continuing services to
investors, as contemplated by the Conduct Rules of the NASD; and
(n) such other distribution and services activities as the advisor
determines may be paid for by the funds pursuant to the terms of the
agreement between the corporation and the funds' distributor and in
accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act.
R Class Plan
As described in the prospectuses, the R Class shares of the funds are made
available to participants in employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and
to persons purchasing through broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies and
other financial intermediaries that provide various administrative, shareholder
and distribution services. The funds' distributor enters into contracts with
various banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and other financial
intermediaries, with respect to the sale of the funds' shares and/or the use of
the funds' shares in various investment products or in connection with various
financial services.
Certain recordkeeping and administrative services that are provided by the
funds' transfer agent for the Investor Class shareholders may be performed by a
plan sponsor (or its agents) or by a financial intermediary for R Class
investors. In addition to such services, the financial intermediaries provide
various individual shareholder and distribution services.
To enable the funds' shares to be made available through such plans and
financial intermediaries, and to compensate them for such services, the funds'
Board of Directors has adopted the R Class Plan. Pursuant to the R Class Plan,
the R Class pays the funds' distributor 0.50% annually of the average daily net
asset value of the R Class shares. The distributor may use these fees to pay for
certain ongoing shareholder and administrative services (as described below) and
for distribution services, including past distribution services (as described
below). This payment is fixed at 0.50% and is not based on expenses incurred by
the distributor. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, the aggregate
amount of fees paid under the R Class Plan were:
Growth $18(1)
Ultra $9,879(1)
(1) THE INFORMATION FOR 2004 IS UNAUDITED.
The distributor then makes these payments to the financial intermediaries who
offer the R Class shares for the services, as described below. No portion of
these payments is used by the distributor to pay for advertising, printing costs
or interest expenses.
------
61
Payments may be made for a variety of individual shareholder services,
including, but not limited to:
(a) providing individualized and customized investment advisory services,
including the consideration of shareholder profiles and specific goals;
(b) creating investment models and asset allocation models for use by
shareholders in selecting appropriate funds;
(c) conducting proprietary research about investment choices and the
market in general;
(d) periodic rebalancing of shareholder accounts to ensure compliance with
the selected asset allocation;
(e) consolidating shareholder accounts in one place; and
(f) other individual services.
Individual shareholder services do not include those activities and expenses
that are primarily intended to result in the sale of additional shares of the
funds.
Distribution services include any activity undertaken or expense incurred that
is primarily intended to result in the sale of R Class shares, which services
may include but are not limited to:
(a) the payment of sales commissions, on-going commissions and other
payments to brokers, dealers, financial institutions or others who sell R
Class shares pursuant to selling agreements;
(b) compensation to registered representatives or other employees of the
distributor who engage in or support distribution of the funds' R Class
shares;
(c) compensation to, and expenses (including overhead and telephone
expenses) of, the distributor;
(d) printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and
reports for other-than-existing shareholders;
(e) preparing, printing and distributing sales literature and advertising
materials provided to the funds' shareholders and prospective shareholders;
(f) receiving and answering correspondence from prospective shareholders,
including distributing prospectuses, statements of additional information,
and shareholder reports;
(g) providing facilities to answer questions from prospective shareholders
about fund shares;
(h) complying with federal and state securities laws pertaining to the
sale of fund shares;
(i) assisting shareholders in completing application forms and selecting
dividend and other account options;
(j) providing other reasonable assistance in connection with the
distribution of fund shares;
(k) organizing and conducting of sales seminars and payments in the form
of transactional and compensation or promotional incentives;
(l) profit on the foregoing;
(m) paying service fees for providing personal, continuing services to
investors, as contemplated by the Conduct Rules of the NASD; and
(n) such other distribution and services activities as the advisor
determines may be paid for by the funds pursuant to the terms of the
agreement between the corporation and the funds' distributor and in
accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act.
Advisor Class Plan
As described in the prospectuses, the funds' Advisor Class shares are made
available to participants in employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and
to persons purchasing through broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies, and
other financial intermediaries that provide various administrative, shareholder
and distribution services. The funds'
------
62
distributor enters into contracts with various banks, broker-dealers, insurance
companies and other financial intermediaries, with respect to the sale of the
funds' shares and/or the use of the funds' shares in various investment products
or in connection with various financial services.
Certain recordkeeping and administrative services that are provided by the
funds' transfer agent for the Investor Class shareholders may be performed by a
plan sponsor (or its agents) or by a financial intermediary for Advisor Class
investors. In addition to such services, the financial intermediaries provide
various distribution services.
To enable the funds' shares to be made available through such plans and
financial intermediaries, and to compensate them for such services, the funds'
advisor has reduced its management fee by 0.25% per annum with respect to the
Advisor Class shares, and the funds' Board of Directors has adopted the Advisor
Class Plan. Pursuant to the Advisor Class Plan, the Advisor Class pays the
funds' distributor 0.50% annually of the aggregate average daily assets of the
funds' Advisor Class shares, 0.25% of which is paid for certain ongoing
shareholder and administrative services (as described below) and 0.25% of which
is paid for distribution services, including past distribution services (as
described below). This payment is fixed at 0.50% and is not based on expenses
incurred by the distributor. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, the
aggregate amount of fees paid under the Advisor Class Plan was:
Balanced $83,574(1)
Capital Value $18,550(1))
Growth $340,174(1}
Heritage $76,386(1)
Select $135,024(1)
Ultra $3,554,094(1)
Vista $226,972(1)
(1) THE INFORMATION FOR 2004 IS UNAUDITED.
The distributor then makes these payments to the financial intermediaries who
offer the Advisor Class shares for the services, as described below. No portion
of these payments is used by the distributor to pay for advertising, printing
costs or interest expenses.
Payments may be made for a variety of shareholder services, including, but not
limited to:
(a) receiving, aggregating and processing purchase, exchange and
redemption requests from beneficial owners (including contract owners of
insurance products that utilize the funds as underlying investment media)
of shares and placing purchase, exchange and redemption orders with the
funds' distributor;
(b) providing shareholders with a service that invests the assets of their
accounts in shares pursuant to specific or pre-authorized instructions;
(c) processing dividend payments from a fund on behalf of shareholders and
assisting shareholders in changing dividend options, account designations
and addresses;
(d) providing and maintaining elective services such as check writing and
wire transfer services;
(e) acting as shareholder of record and nominee for beneficial owners;
(f) maintaining account records for shareholders and/or other beneficial
owners;
(g) issuing confirmations of transactions;
(h) providing subaccounting with respect to shares beneficially owned by
customers of third parties or providing the information to a fund as
necessary for such subaccounting;
(i) preparing and forwarding investor communications from the funds (such
as proxies, shareholder reports, annual and semi-annual financial
statements and dividend, distribution and tax notices) to shareholders
and/or other beneficial owners; and
(j) providing other similar administrative and sub-transfer agency
services.
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63
Shareholder services do not include those activities and expenses that are
primarily intended to result in the sale of additional shares of the funds.
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, the amount of fees paid under the
Advisor Class Plan for shareholder services was:
Balanced $41,787(1)
Capital Value $9,275(1)
Growth $170,087(1)
Heritage $38,193(1)
Select $67,512(1)
Ultra $1,777,047(1)
Vista $113,486(1)
(1) THE INFORMATION FOR 2004 IS UNAUDITED.
Distribution services include any activity undertaken or expense incurred that
is primarily intended to result in the sale of Advisor Class shares, which
services may include but are not limited to:
(a) the payment of sales commissions, on-going commissions and other
payments to brokers, dealers, financial institutions or others who sell
Advisor Class shares pursuant to selling agreements;
(b) compensation to registered representatives or other employees of the
distributor who engage in or support distribution of the funds' Advisor
Class shares;
(c) compensation to, and expenses (including overhead and telephone
expenses) of, the distributor;
(d) printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and
reports for other-than-existing shareholders;
(e) preparing, printing and distributing of sales literature and
advertising materials provided to the funds' shareholders and prospective
shareholders;
(f) receiving and answering correspondence from prospective shareholders,
including distributing prospectuses, statements of additional information,
and shareholder reports;
(g) providing facilities to answer questions from prospective shareholders
about fund shares;
(h) complying with federal and state securities laws pertaining to the
sale of fund shares;
(i) assisting shareholders in completing application forms and selecting
dividend and other account options;
(j) providing other reasonable assistance in connection with the
distribution of fund shares;
(k) organizing and conducting of sales seminars and payments in the form
of transactional and compensation or promotional incentives;
(l) profit on the foregoing;
(m) paying service fees for the provision of personal, continuing services
to investors, as contemplated by the Conduct Rules of the NASD; and
(n) such other distribution and services activities as the advisor
determines may be paid for by the funds pursuant to the terms of the
agreement between the corporation and the funds' distributor and in
accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act.
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, the amount of fees paid under the
Advisor Class Plan for distribution services was:
Balanced $41,787(1)
Capital Value $9,275(1)
Growth $170,087(1)
Heritage $38,193(1)
Select $67,512(1)
Ultra $1,777,047(1)
Vista $113,486(1)
(1) THE INFORMATION FOR 2004 IS UNAUDITED.
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64
Sales Charges
The sales charges applicable to the A, B and C Classes of the funds are
described in the prospectuses for those classes in the section titled "Choosing
a Share Class." Shares of the A Class are subject to an initial sales charge,
which declines as the amount of the purchase increases pursuant to the schedule
set forth in the prospectus. This charge may be waived in the following
situations due to sales efficiencies and competitive considerations:
* Qualified retirement plan purchases
* Certain individual retirement account rollovers
* Purchases by registered representatives and other employees of certain
financial intermediaries (and their immediate family members) having sales
agreements with the advisor or the distributor
* Wrap accounts maintained for clients of certain financial intermediaries
who have entered into agreements with American Century
* Purchases by current and retired employees of American Century and their
immediate family members (spouses and children under age 21) and trusts or
qualified retirement plans established by those persons
* Purchases by certain other investors that American Century deems
appropriate, including but not limited to current or retired directors,
trustees and officers of funds managed by the advisor and trusts and
qualified retirement plans established by those persons
There are several ways to reduce the sales charges applicable to a purchase of A
Class shares. These methods are described in the relevant prospectuses. You or
your financial advisor must indicate at the time of purchase that you intend to
take advantage of one of these reductions.
Shares of the A, B and C Classes are subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge upon redemption of the shares in certain circumstances. The specific
charges and when they apply are described in the relevant prospectuses. The
contingent deferred sales charge may be waived for certain redemptions by some
shareholders, as described in the prospectuses.
The aggregate contingent deferred sales charges paid to the distributor for the
B Class shares in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, were Select, $717 and
New Opportunities II, $5,574.
The aggregate contingent deferred sales charges paid to the Distributor for the
C Class shares in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004 were Growth, $63;
Select, $1,291; Vista, $968; Capital Growth, $8; New Opportunities II, $630;
Ultra; $955; and Heritage, $674. Because Fundamental Equity had not commenced
operations as of the fiscal year end, it is not included.
Dealer Concessions
The funds' distributor expects to pay sales commissions to the financial
intermediaries who sell A, B and/or C Class shares of the fund at the time of
such sales. Payments for A Class shares will be as follows:
PURCHASE AMOUNT DEALER CONCESSION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than $50,000 5.00%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$50,000 - $99,999 4.00%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$100,000 - $249,999 3.25%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$250,000 - $499,999 2.00%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$500,000 - $999,999 1.75%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,000,000 - $3,999,999 1.00%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$4,000,000 - $9,999,999 0.50%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greater than $10,000,000 0.25%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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65
No concession will be paid on purchases by qualified retirement plans. Payments
will equal 4.00% of the purchase price of B Class shares and 1.00% of the
purchase price of the C Class shares sold by the intermediary. The distributor
will retain the 12b-1 fee paid by the C Class of funds for the first 12 months
after the shares are purchased. This fee is intended in part to permit the
distributor to recoup a portion of on-going sales commissions to dealers plus
financing costs, if any. Beginning with the first day of the 13th month, the
distributor will make the C Class distribution and individual shareholder
services fee payments described above to the financial intermediaries involved
on a quarterly basis. In addition, B and C Class purchases and A Class purchases
greater than $1,000,000 are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge as
described in the prospectuses.
From time to time, the distributor may provide additional concessions to
dealers, including but not limited to payment assistance for conferences and
seminars, provision of sales or training programs for dealer employees and/or
the public (including, in some cases, payment for travel expenses for registered
representatives and other dealer employees who participate), advertising and
sales campaigns about a fund or funds, and assistance in financing
dealer-sponsored events. Other concessions may be offered as well, and all such
concessions will be consistent with applicable law, including the then-current
rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Such concessions
will not change the price paid by investors for shares of the funds.
BUYING AND SELLING FUND SHARES
Information about buying, selling, exchanging and, if applicable, converting
fund shares is contained in the funds' prospectuses and in Your Guide to
American Century Services. The prospectuses and guide are available to investors
without charge and may be obtained by calling us.
VALUATION OF A FUND'S SECURITIES
All classes of the funds except the A Class are offered at their net asset
value, as described below. The A Class of the funds are offered at their public
offering price, which is the net asset value plus the appropriate sales charge.
This calculation may be expressed as a formula:
Offering Price = Net Asset Value/(1 - Sales Charge as a % of Offering Price)
For example, if the net asset value of a fund's A Class shares is $5.00, the
public offering price would be $5/(1-5.75%) = $5.31.
Each fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is calculated as of the close of
business of the New York Stock Exchange (the Exchange) each day the Exchange is
open for business. The Exchange usually closes at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The
Exchange typically observes the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Although the funds expect
the same holidays to be observed in the future, the Exchange may modify its
holiday schedule at any time.
Each fund's NAV is calculated by adding the value of all portfolio securities
and other assets, deducting liabilities and dividing the result by the number of
shares outstanding. Expenses and interest earned on portfolio securities are
accrued daily.
The portfolio securities of each fund that are listed or traded on a domestic
securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on that exchange, except
as otherwise noted. Portfolio securities primarily traded on foreign securities
exchanges generally are valued at the preceding closing values of such
securities on the exchange where primarily traded. If no sale is reported, or if
local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid
------
66
and asked prices is used. Depending on local convention or regulation,
securities traded over-the-counter are priced at the mean of the latest bid and
asked prices, the last sale price, or the official closing price. When market
quotations are not readily available, securities and other assets are valued at
fair value as determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of
Directors.
Debt securities not traded on a principal securities exchange are valued through
valuations obtained from a commercial pricing service or at the most recent mean
of the bid and asked prices provided by investment dealers in accordance with
procedures established by the Board of Directors.
Because there are hundreds of thousands of municipal issues outstanding, and the
majority of them do not trade daily, the prices provided by pricing services for
these types of securities are generally determined without regard to bid or last
sale prices. In valuing securities, the pricing services generally take into
account institutional trading activity, trading in similar groups of securities,
and any developments related to specific securities. The methods used by the
pricing service and the valuations so established are reviewed by the advisor
under the general supervision of the Board of Directors. There are a number of
pricing services available, and the advisor, on the basis of ongoing evaluation
of these services, may use other pricing services or discontinue the use of any
pricing service in whole or in part.
Securities maturing within 60 days of the valuation date may be valued at cost,
plus or minus any amortized discount or premium, unless the directors determine
that this would not result in fair valuation of a given security. Other assets
and securities for which quotations are not readily available are valued in good
faith at their fair value using methods approved by the Board of Directors.
The value of an exchange-traded foreign security is determined in its national
currency as of the close of trading on the foreign exchange on which it is
traded or as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange, if that is
earlier. That value is then translated to dollars at the prevailing foreign
exchange rate.
Trading in securities on European and Far Eastern securities exchanges and
over-the-counter markets is normally completed at various times before the close
of business on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. If an event
were to occur after the value of a security was established, but before the net
asset value per share was determined, that was likely to materially change the
net asset value, then that security would be valued at fair value as determined
in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.
Trading of these securities in foreign markets may not take place on every day
that the Exchange is open. In addition, trading may take place in various
foreign markets and on some electronic trading networks on Saturdays or on other
days when the Exchange is not open and on which the funds' net asset values are
not calculated. Therefore, such calculations do not take place contemporaneously
with the determination of the prices of many of the portfolio securities used in
such calculation, and the value of the funds' portfolios may be affected on days
when shares of the funds may not be purchased or redeemed.
TAXES
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
Each fund intends to qualify annually as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). By so
qualifying, a fund will be exempt from federal income taxes to the extent that
it distributes substantially all of its net investment income and net realized
capital gains (if any) to investors. If a fund fails to qualify as a regulated
investment company, it will be liable for
------
67
taxes, significantly reducing its distributions to investors and eliminating
investors' ability to treat distributions received from the funds in the same
manner in which they were realized by the funds.
If fund shares are purchased through taxable accounts, distributions of net
investment income and net short-term capital gains are taxable to you as
ordinary income, unless they are designated as qualified dividend income and you
meet a minimum required holding period with respect to your shares of a fund, in
which case such distributions are taxed as long-term capital gains. Qualified
dividend income is a dividend received by a fund from the stock of a domestic or
qualifying foreign corporation, provided that the fund has held the stock for a
required holding period. The required holding period for qualified dividend
income is met if the underlying shares are held more than 60 days in the 120-day
period beginning 60 days prior to the ex-dividend date. Dividends received by
the funds on shares of stock of domestic corporations may qualify for the 70%
dividends-received deduction to the extent that the fund held those shares for
more than 45 days.
Distributions from gains on assets held by the funds longer than 12 months are
taxable as long-term gains regardless of the length of time you have held your
shares in the fund. If you purchase shares in the fund and sell them at a loss
within six months, your loss on the sale of those shares will be treated as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gains dividend you
received on those shares.
Dividends and interest received by a fund on foreign securities may give rise to
withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. However, tax
conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or
eliminate such taxes. Foreign countries generally do not impose taxes on capital
gains with respect to investments by non-resident investors. Any foreign taxes
paid by a fund will reduce its dividend distributions to investors.
If more than 50% of the value of a fund's total assets at the end of its fiscal
year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the fund may qualify for
and make an election with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to such
fiscal year so that fund shareholders may be able to claim a foreign tax credit
in lieu of a deduction for foreign income taxes paid by the fund. If such an
election is made, the foreign taxes paid by the fund will be treated as income
received by you. In order for you to utilize the foreign tax credit, you must
have held your shares for 16 days or more during the 30-day period, beginning 15
days prior to the ex-dividend date for the mutual fund shares. The mutual fund
must meet a similar holding period requirement with respect to foreign
securities to which a dividend is attributable. Any portion of the foreign tax
credit that is ineligible as a result of the fund not meeting the holding period
requirement will be deducted in computing net investment income.
If a fund purchases the securities of certain foreign investment funds or trusts
called passive foreign investment companies (PFIC), capital gains on the sale of
such holdings will be deemed ordinary income regardless of how long the fund
holds the investment. The fund also may be subject to corporate income tax and
an interest charge on certain dividends and capital gains earned from these
investments, regardless of whether such income and gains are distributed to
shareholders. In the alternative, the fund may elect to recognize cumulative
gains on such investments as of the last day of its fiscal year and distribute
them to shareholders. Any distribution attributable to a PFIC is characterized
as ordinary income.
As of October 31, 2003, the funds in the table below had the following capital
loss carryovers. When a fund has a capital loss carryover, it does not make
capital gains distributions until the loss has been offset or expired. Because
Fundamental Equity and Capital Growth were not in operation as of the fiscal
year end, they are not included in the table below. Information for the October
31, 2004 fiscal year end was not available as of the date of this statement of
additional information.
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68
FUND CAPITAL LOSS CARRYOVER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced $61,050,842 (expiring 2009 through 2011)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Value $2,708,083 (expiring 2007 through 2010)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giftrust $603,762,806 (expiring 2009 through 2011)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth $2,084,109,981 (expiring 2009 through 2010)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage $320,497,703 (expiring 2009 through 2011)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities $213,239,150 (expiring 2009 through 2010)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Opportunities II $2,094,069 (expiring 2010)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select $900,522,756 (expiring 2009 through 2010)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra $3,612,168,459 (expiring 2009 through 2011)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veedot $134,123,553 (expiring 2008 through 2010)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vista $398,249,815 (expiring 2009 through 2010)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have not complied with certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
and Regulations, either American Century or your financial intermediary is
required by federal law to withhold and remit to the IRS the applicable federal
withholding rate of reportable payments (which may include dividends, capital
gains distributions and redemption proceeds). Those regulations require you to
certify that the Social Security number or tax identification number you provide
is correct and that you are not subject to withholding for previous
under-reporting to the IRS. You will be asked to make the appropriate
certification on your account application. Payments reported by us to the IRS
that omit your Social Security number or tax identification number will subject
us to a non-refundable penalty of $50, which will be charged against your
account if you fail to provide the certification by the time the report is
filed.
A redemption of shares of a fund (including a redemption made in an exchange
transaction) will be a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes and
you generally will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference
between the basis of the shares and the amount received. If a loss is realized
on the redemption of fund shares, the reinvestment in additional fund shares
within 30 days before or after the redemption may be subject to the "wash sale"
rules of the Code, resulting in a postponement of the recognition of such loss
for federal income tax purposes.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
Distributions by the funds also may be subject to state and local taxes, even if
all or a substantial part of such distributions are derived from interest on
U.S. government obligations which, if you received such interest directly, would
be exempt from state income tax. However, most but not all states allow this tax
exemption to pass through to fund shareholders when a fund pays distributions to
its shareholders. You should consult your tax advisor about the tax status of
such distributions in your state.
The information above is only a summary of some of the tax considerations
affecting the funds and their shareholders. No attempt has been made to discuss
individual tax consequences. A prospective investor should consult with his or
her tax advisors or state or local tax authorities to determine whether the
funds are suitable investments.
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69
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements for the funds have been audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP, independent auditors. Their Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm and the financial statements included in the funds' Annual
Reports for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, and the unaudited financial
statements included in the funds' Semiannual Reports for the six-month period
ended April 30, 2004, are incorporated herein by reference.
EXPLANATION OF FIXED-INCOME
SECURITIES RATINGS
As described in the prospectuses, some of the funds will invest in fixed-income
securities. Those investments, however, are subject to certain credit quality
restrictions, as noted in the prospectuses. The following is a summary of the
rating categories referenced in the prospectus.
RATINGS OF CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard & Poor's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA This is the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt obligation.
It indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AA Debt rated in this category is considered to have a very strong
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. It differs from the
highest-rated obligations 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 in this category is regarded as having an adequate
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. While 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. Debt rated
below BBB is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BB Debt rated in this category 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 that could lead to inadequate capacity
to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB rating
also is used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB rating.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Debt rated in this category is more vulnerable to nonpayment
than obligations rated BB, but currently has the capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Adverse business, financial, or
economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or
willingness to pay interest and repay principal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CCC Debt rated in this category is currently vulnerable to nonpayment
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 Debt rated in this category is currently highly vulnerable to
nonpayment. This rating category is also applied to debt
subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual
or implied CCC rating.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C The rating C typically is applied to debt subordinated to
senior debt, and is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment
of interest and principal. This rating may be used to cover a
situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar
action taken, but debt service payments are being continued.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D Debt rated in this category is in default. This rating is used
when interest payments or principal repayments are not made
on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not
expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be
made during such grace period. It also will be used upon
the filing of a bankruptcy petition for the taking of a similar
action if debt service payments are jeopardized.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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70
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aaa This is the highest rating assigned by Moody's to a debt obligation.
It indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aa Debt rated in this category is considered to have a very strong
capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from
Aaa issues only in a small degree. Together with Aaa debt,
it comprises what are generally known as high-grade bonds.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Debt rated in this category possesses many favorable
investment attributes and is to be considered as
upper-medium-grade debt. Although capacity to pay
interest and repay principal are considered adequate, it is
somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
debt in higher-rated categories.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baa Debt rated in this category is considered as medium-grade
debt having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay
principal. While 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. Debt rated below Baa is
regarded as having significant speculative characteristics.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ba Debt rated Ba 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 that could lead to inadequate capacity
to meet timely interest and principal payments. Often the
protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default, but
currently has the capacity to meet financial commitments.
Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance
of other terms of the contract over any long period of time
may be small. The B rating category is also used for debt
subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or
implied Ba or Ba3 rating.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caa Debt rated Caa is of poor standing, 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.
Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements
of danger with respect to principal or interest. The Caa rating
is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implies B or B3 rating.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ca Debt rated in this category represent obligations that are
speculative in a high degree. Such debt is often in default
or has other marked shortcomings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C This is the lowest rating assigned by Moody's, and debt rated
C can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects
of attaining investment standing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FITCH, INC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Debt rated in this category has the lowest expectation of credit
risk. Capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is
exceptionally strong and highly unlikely to be adversely
affected by foreseeable events.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AA Debt rated in this category has a very low expectation of credit
risk. Capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is very
strong and not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable
events.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Debt rated in this category has a low expectation of credit risk.
Capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is strong,
but may be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances
or in economic conditions than debt rated in higher categories.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBB Debt rated in this category currently has a low expectation of
credit risk and an adequate capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments. However, adverse changes in circumstances and in economic
conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest
investment grade category.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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71
FITCH, INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BB Debt rated in this category has a possibility of developing credit
risk, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over
time. However, business or financial alternatives may be available
to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this
category are not investment grade.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Debt rated in this category has significant credit risk, but a
limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments
currently are being met, but capacity for continued
debt service payments is contingent upon a sustained,
favorable business and economic environment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CCC, CC, C Debt rated in these categories has a real possibility for
default. Capacity for meeting financial commitments depends
solely upon sustained, favorable business or economic
developments. A CC rating indicates that default of
some kind appears probable; a C rating signals imminent default.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DDD, DD, D The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their
prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a
reorganization or liquidation of the obligor. While expected
recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated
with any precision, the following serve as general guidelines.
DDD obligations have the highest potential for recovery, around
90%- 100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. DD
indicates potential recoveries in the range of 50%-90%
and D the lowest recovery potential, i.e., below 50%.
Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of
their obligations. Entities rated DDD have the highest prospect
for resumption of performance or continued operation with or
without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated DD and
D are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation
process; those rated DD are likely to satisfy a higher portion of
their outstanding obligations, while entities rated D
have a poor prospect of repaying all obligations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the Standard & Poor's
ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign
to show relative standing within these major rating categories. Similarly,
Moody's adds numerical modifiers (1,2,3) to designate relative standing within
its major bond rating categories.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P MOODY'S DESCRIPTION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-1 Prime-1 This indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment
(P-1) is strong. Standard & Poor's rates those issues determined to
possess extremely strong safety characteristics as A-1+.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-2 Prime-2 Capacity for timely payment on commercial paper is satisfactory,
(P-2) but the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues
designated A-1. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while
sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization
characteristics, while still appropriated, may be more affected by
external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-3 Prime-3 Satisfactory capacity for timely repayment. Issues that carry this
(P-3) rating are somewhat more vulnerable to the adverse changes in
circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
72
NOTE RATINGS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P MOODY'S DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SP-1 MIG-1; VMIG-1 Notes are of the highest quality enjoying strong
protection from established cash flows of funds
for their servicing or from established and
broad-based access to the market for refinancing,
or both.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SP-2 MIG-2; VMIG-2 Notes are of high quality, with margins of
protection ample, although not so large as in
the preceding group.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SP-3 MIG-3; VMIG-3 Notes are of favorable quality, with all security
elements accounted for, but lacking the
undeniable strength of the preceding grades.
Market access for refinancing, in particular, is
likely to be less well established.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SP-4 MIG-4; VMIG-4 Notes are of adequate quality, carrying specific
risk but having protection and not distinctly or
predominantly speculative.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
73
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS IS CONTAINED IN THESE DOCUMENTS
Annual and Semiannual Reports
Annual and semiannual reports contain more information about the funds'
investments and the market conditions and investment strategies that
significantly affected the funds' performance during the most recent fiscal
period.
You can receive a free copy of the annual and semiannual reports, and ask
questions about the funds and your accounts, by contacting American Century at
the address or telephone numbers listed below.
If you own or are considering purchasing fund shares through
* an employer-sponsored retirement plan
* a bank
* a broker-dealer
* an insurance company
* another financial intermediary
you can receive the annual and semiannual reports directly from them.
You also can get information about the funds from the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). The SEC charges a duplicating fee to provide copies of this
information.
IN PERSON SEC Public Reference Room
Washington, D.C.
Call 202-942-8090 for location and hours.
ON THE INTERNET * EDGAR database at sec.gov
* By email request at publicinfo@sec.gov
BY MAIL SEC Public Reference Section
Washington, D.C. 20549-0102
Investment Company Act File No. 811-0816
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS
P.O. Box 419200
Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6200
INVESTOR RELATIONS
1-800-345-2021 or 816-531-5575
AUTOMATED INFORMATION LINE
1-800-345-8765
americancentury.com
FAX
816-340-7962
TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE FOR THE DEAF
1-800-634-4113 or 816-444-3485
BUSINESS; NOT-FOR-PROFIT AND
EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS
1-800-345-3533
SH-SAI-40486 0411
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION.
Item 22. Exhibits
(a) (1) Articles of Incorporation of Twentieth Century Investors, Inc.,
dated June 26, 1990 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1a to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 73 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 29,
1996, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(2) Articles of Amendment of Twentieth Century Investors, Inc., dated
November 19, 1990 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1b to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 73 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 29,
1996, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(3) Articles of Merger of Twentieth Century Investors, Inc., a
Maryland corporation and Twentieth Century Investors, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, dated February 22, 1991 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1c to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant
on February 29, 1996, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(4) Articles of Amendment of Twentieth Century Investors, Inc., dated
August 10, 1993 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1d to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 73 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 29, 1996,
File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(5) Articles Supplementary of Twentieth Century Investors, Inc., dated
September 2, 1993 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1e to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 73 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 29,
1996, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(6) Articles Supplementary of Twentieth Century Investors, Inc., dated
April 24, 1995 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1f to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 73 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 29, 1996,
File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(7) Articles Supplementary of Twentieth Century Investors, Inc., dated
October 11, 1995 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1g to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 73 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 29,
1996, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(8) Articles Supplementary of Twentieth Century Investors, Inc., dated
January 22, 1996 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1h to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 73 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 29,
1996, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(9) Articles Supplementary of Twentieth Century Investors, Inc., dated
March 11, 1996 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1i to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 75 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on June 14, 1996, File
No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(10) Articles Supplementary of Twentieth Century Investors, Inc.,
dated September 9, 1996 (filed electronically as Exhibit a10 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 85 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on September 1,
1999, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(11) Articles of Amendment of Twentieth Century Investors, Inc., dated
December 2, 1996 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1j to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 76 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 28,
1997, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(12) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated December 2, 1996 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1k to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 76 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 28,
1997, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(13) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated July 28, 1997 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1l to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 78 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 26,
1998, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(14) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated November 28, 1997 (filed electronically as Exhibit a13 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 83 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 26,
1999, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(15) Certificate of Correction to Articles Supplementary of American
Century Mutual Funds, Inc., dated December 18, 1997 (filed electronically as
Exhibit a14 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registration Statement of
the Registrant on February 26, 1999, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein
by reference).
(16) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated December 18, 1997 (filed electronically as Exhibit b1m to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 78 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 26,
1998, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(17) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated January 25, 1999 (filed electronically as Exhibit a16 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 83 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 26,
1999, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(18) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated February 16, 1999 (filed electronically as Exhibit a17 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 83 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 26,
1999, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(19) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated August 2, 1999 (filed electronically as Exhibit a19 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 89 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on December 1,
2000, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(20) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated November 19, 1999 (filed electronically as Exhibit a19 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 87 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on November 29,
1999, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(21) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated March 5, 2001 (filed electronically as Exhibit a21 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 93 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on April 20,
2001, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(22) Certificate of Correction to Articles Supplementary, dated April
3, 2001 (filed electronically as Exhibit a22 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 93
to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on April 20, 2001, File No.
2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(23) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated June 14, 2002 (filed electronically as Exhibit a23 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 98 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on October 10,
2002, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(24) Certificate of Correction to Articles Supplementary of American
Century Mutual Funds, Inc., dated June 25, 2002 (filed electronically as Exhibit
a24 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registration Statement of the
Registrant on October 10, 2002, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by
reference).
(25) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated February 12, 2003 (filed electronically as Exhibit a25 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 100 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February
28, 2003, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(26) Certificate of Correction to Articles Supplementary of American
Century Mutual Funds, Inc., dated February 28, 2003 (filed electronically as
Exhibit a26 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registration Statement of
the Registrant on August 28, 2003, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by
reference).
(27) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated August 14, 2003 (filed electronically as Exhibit a27 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 102 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on August 28,
2003, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(28) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated January 14, 2004 (filed electronically as Exhibit a28 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 104 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February
26, 2004, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(29) Articles Supplementary of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.,
dated November 17, 2004, are included herein.
(b) Amended and Restated By-laws, dated September 21, 2004, are included
herein.
(c) Registrant hereby incorporates by reference, as though set forth fully
herein, Article Fifth, Article Seventh, and Article Eighth, of Registrant's
Articles of Incorporation, appearing as Exhibit (a)(1) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 73 on Form N-1A of the Registrant, and Article Fifth of
Registrant's Articles of Amendment, appearing as Exhibit (a)(4) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 on Form N-1A of the Registrant, to the
Registration Statement on February 29, 1996; and Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 22, 24, 25, 30, 31, 33, 39, 45 and 46 of Registrant's Amended and
Restated By-Laws, incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit b hereto.
(d) Amended and Restated Management Agreement with American Century
Investment Management, Inc., dated November 17, 2004, is included herein.
(e) Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement with American Century
Investment Services, Inc., dated November 17, 2004, is included herein.
(f) Not Applicable.
(g) (1) Master Agreement with Commerce Bank, N.A., dated January 22, 1997
(filed electronically as Exhibit b8e to Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the
Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 28, 1997, File No. 2-14213,
and incorporated herein by reference).
(2) Global Custody Agreement with The Chase Manhattan Bank, dated
August 9, 1996 (filed electronically as Exhibit b8 to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 31 to the Registration Statement of American Century Government Income Trust
on February 7, 1997, File No. 2-99222, and incorporated herein by reference).
(3) Amendment to the Global Custody Agreement with The Chase Manhattan
Bank, dated December 9, 2000 (filed electronically as Exhibit g2 to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement of American Century
Variable Portfolios II, Inc. on January 9, 2001, File No. 333-46922, and
incorporated herein by reference).
(4) Amendment No. 2 to the Global Custody Agreement between American
Century Investments and the JPMorgan Chase Bank, dated as of May 1, 2004 (filed
electronically as Exhibit g4 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to the
Registration Statement of American Century Quantitative Equity Funds, Inc. on
April 29, 2004, File No. 33-19589, and incorporated herein by reference).
(5) Chase Manhattan Bank Custody Fee Schedule, dated October 19, 2000
(filed electronically as Exhibit g5 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to the
Registration Statement of American Century Quantitative Equity Funds, Inc. on
April 29, 2004, File No. 33-19589, and incorporated herein by reference).
(h) (1) Transfer Agency Agreement with Twentieth Century Services, Inc.,
dated March 1, 1991 (filed electronically as Exhibit 9 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 76 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 28,
1997, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(2) Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Administrative
Agent, dated December 17, 2003 (filed electronically as Exhibit h9 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the Registration Statement of American
Century Target Maturities Trust on January 30, 2004, File No. 2-94608, and
incorporated herein by reference).
(3) Customer Identification Program Reliance Agreement, dated August
26, 2004 (filed electronically as Exhibit h2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1
to the Registration Statement of American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios,
Inc. on September 1, 2004, File No. 333-116351, and incorporated herein by
reference).
(i) Opinion and Consent of Counsel is included herein.
(j) (1) Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, is included herein.
(2) Power of Attorney, dated November 16, 2004, is included herein.
(3) Secretary's Certificate, dated November 16, 2004, is included
herein.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) (1) Master Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan (Advisor Class),
dated September 3, 1996 (filed electronically as Exhibit b15a to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 9 to the Registration Statement of American Century Capital
Portfolios, Inc. on February 17, 1998, File No. 33-64872, and incorporated
herein by reference).
(2) Amendment No. 1 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated June 13, 1997 (filed electronically as
Exhibit b15b to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registration Statement of
the Registrant on July 17, 1997, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by
reference).
(3) Amendment No. 2 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated September 30, 1997 (filed electronically as
Exhibit b15c to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registration Statement of
the Registrant on February 26, 1998, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein
by reference).
(4) Amendment No. 3 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated June 30, 1998 (filed electronically as
Exhibit b15e to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registration Statement of
American Century Capital Portfolios, Inc. on June 26, 1998, File No. 33-64872,
and incorporated herein by reference).
(5) Amendment No. 4 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated November 13, 1998 (filed electronically as
Exhibit b15e to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement of
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. on November 13, 1998, File No.
33-39242, and incorporated herein by reference).
(6) Amendment No. 5 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated February 16, 1999 (filed electronically as
Exhibit m6 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registration Statement of
the Registrant on February 26, 1999, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein
by reference).
(7) Amendment No. 6 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated July 30, 1999 (filed electronically as
Exhibit m7 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to the Registration Statement of
American Century Capital Portfolios, Inc. on July 29, 1999, File No. 33-64872,
and incorporated herein by reference).
(8) Amendment No. 7 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated November 19, 1999 (filed electronically as
Exhibit m8 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to the Registration Statement of
the Registrant on November 29, 1999, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein
by reference).
(9) Amendment No. 8 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated June 1, 2000 (filed electronically as
Exhibit m9 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to the Registration Statement of
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. on May 24, 2000, File No. 33-39242,
and incorporated herein by reference).
(10) Amendment No. 9 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated April 30, 2001 (filed electronically as
Exhibit m10 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registration Statement of
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. on April 19, 2001, File No. 33-39242,
and incorporated herein by reference).
(11) Amendment No. 10 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated December 3, 2001 (filed electronically as
Exhibit m11 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to the Registration Statement of
the Registrant on December 13, 2001, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein
by reference).
(12) Amendment No. 11 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated September 3, 2002 (filed electronically as
Exhibit m12 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registration Statement of
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. on October 1, 2002, File No. 33-39242,
and incorporated herein by reference).
(13) Amendment No. 12 to the Master Distribution and Shareholder
Services Plan (Advisor Class), dated August 1, 2004 (filed electronically as
Exhibit m13 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to the Registration Statement of
American Century Capital Portfolios, Inc., on July 29, 2004, File No. 33-64872,
and incorporated herein by reference).
(14) Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan (C
Class), dated March 1, 2001 (filed electronically as Exhibit m11 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registration Statement of American
Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. on April 19, 2001, File No. 33-39242, and
incorporated herein by reference).
(15) Amendment No. 1 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (C Class), dated April 30, 2001 (filed electronically
as Exhibit m12 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registration Statement
of American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. on April 19, 2001, File No.
33-39242, and incorporated herein by reference).
(16) Amendment No. 2 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (C Class), dated September 3, 2002 (filed
electronically as Exhibit m15 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the
Registration Statement of American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. on October
1, 2002, File No. 33-39242, and incorporated herein by reference).
(17) Amendment No. 3 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (C Class), dated February 27, 2004 (filed
electronically as Exhibit m16 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the
Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 26, 2004, File No. 2-14213,
and incorporated herein by reference).
(18) Amendment No. 4 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (C Class), dated September 30, 2004 (filed
electronically as Exhibit m18 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the
Registration Statement of American Century Strategic Asset Allocations, Inc., on
September 29, 2004, File No. 33-79482, and incorporated herein by reference).
(19) Amendment No. 5 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (C Class), dated November 17, 2004, is included
herein.
(20) Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan (A
Class), dated September 3, 2002 (filed electronically as Exhibit m6 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registration Statement of American
Century California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds on October 1, 2002, File No.
2-82734, and incorporated herein by reference).
(21) Amendment No. 1 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (A Class), dated February 27, 2004 (filed
electronically as Exhibit m18 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the
Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 26, 2004, File No. 2-14213,
and incorporated herein by reference).
(22) Amendment No. 2 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (A Class), dated September 30, 2004, is included
herein.
(23) Amendment No. 3 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (A Class), dated November 17, 2004, is included
herein.
(24) Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan (B
Class), dated September 3, 2002 (filed electronically as Exhibit m7 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registration Statement of American
Century California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds on October 1, 2002, File No.
2-82734, and incorporated herein by reference).
(25) Amendment No. 1 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (B Class), dated February 27, 2004 (filed
electronically as Exhibit m20 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the
Registration Statement of the Registrant on February 26, 2004, File No. 2-14213,
and incorporated herein by reference).
(26) Amendment No. 2 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (B Class), dated September 30, 2004, is included
herein.
(27) Amendment No. 3 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (B Class), dated November 17, 2004, is included
herein.
(28) Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan (R
Class), dated August 29, 2003 (filed electronically as Exhibit m16 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registration Statement of American
Century Strategic Asset Allocations, Inc. on August 28, 2003, File No. 33-79482,
and incorporated herein by reference).
(29) Amendment No. 1 to the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan (R Class), dated May 1, 2004 (filed electronically as
Exhibit m15 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to the Registration Statement of
American Century Quantitative Equity Funds, Inc., on April 29, 2004, File No.
33-19589, and incorporated herein by reference).
(n) (1) Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan, dated September 3, 2002
(filed electronically as Exhibit n1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to the
Registration Statement of American Century California Tax-Free and Municipal
Funds on December 17, 2002, File No. 2-82734, and incorporated herein by
reference).
(2) Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan,
dated December 31, 2002 (filed electronically as Exhibit n2 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 39 to the Registration Statement of American Century Municipal
Trust on December 23, 2002, File No. 2-91229, and incorporated herein by
reference).
(3) Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan,
dated August 29, 2003 (filed electronically as Exhibit n3 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 17 to the Registration Statement of American Century Strategic
Asset Allocations, Inc. on August 28, 2003, File No. 33-79482, and incorporated
herein by reference).
(4) Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan,
dated February 27, 2004 (filed electronically as Exhibit n4 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 104 to the Registration Statement of the Registrant on February
26, 2004, File No. 2-14213, and incorporated herein by reference).
(5) Amendment No. 4 to the Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan,
dated May 1, 2004 (filed electronically as Exhibit n5 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 35 to the Registration Statement of American Century Quantitative
Equity Funds, Inc., on April 29, 2004, File No. 33-19589, and incorporated
herein by reference).
(6) Amendment No. 5 to the Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan,
dated August 1, 2004 (filed electronically as Exhibit n6 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 24 to the Registration Statement of American Century Investment
Trust, on July 29, 2004, File No. 33-65170, and incorporated herein by
reference).
(7) Amendment No. 6 to the Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan,
dated September 30, 2004 (filed electronically as Exhibit n7 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 20 to the Registration Statement of American Century Strategic
Asset Allocations, Inc., on September 29, 2004, File No. 33-79482, and
incorporated herein by reference).
(8) Amendment No. 7 to the Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan,
dated November 17, 2004, is included herein.
(o) Reserved.
(p) (1) American Century Investments Code of Ethics (filed electronically
as Exhibit p to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of
American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc., on August 30, 2004, File No.
333-116351, and incorporated herein by reference).
(2) Independent Directors' Code of Ethics amended March 4, 2000, is
included herein.
Item 23. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Fund
The persons who serve as the directors of the Registrant also serve, in
substantially identical capacities, the following investment companies:
American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc.
American Century Capital Portfolios, Inc.
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
American Century Strategic Asset Allocations, Inc.
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.
Because the boards of each of the above-named investment companies are
identical, these companies may be deemed to be under common control.
Item 24. Indemnification
The Registrant is a Maryland corporation. Section 2-418 of the General
Corporation Law of Maryland allows a Maryland corporation to indemnify its
directors, officers, employees and agents to the extent provided in such
statute.
Article Eighth of the Registrant's Articles of Incorporation requires the
indemnification of the corporation's directors and officers to the extent
permitted by the General Corporation Law of Maryland, the Investment Company Act
and all other applicable laws.
The Registrant has purchased an insurance policy insuring its officers and
directors against certain liabilities which such officers and directors may
incur while acting in such capacities and providing reimbursement to the
Registrant for sums which it may be permitted or required to pay to its officers
and directors by way of indemnification against such liabilities, subject in
either case to clauses respecting deductibility and participation.
Item 25. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Advisor
None.
Item 26. Principal Underwriters
I. (a) American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) acts as principal
underwriter for the following investment companies:
American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc.
American Century California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds
American Century Capital Portfolios, Inc.
American Century Government Income Trust
American Century International Bond Funds
American Century Investment Trust
American Century Municipal Trust
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
American Century Quantitative Equity Funds, Inc.
American Century Strategic Asset Allocations, Inc.
American Century Target Maturities Trust
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.
American Century Variable Portfolios II, Inc.
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.
ACIS is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a
broker-dealer and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers.
ACIS is located at 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111. ACIS is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of American Century Companies, Inc.
(b) The following is a list of the directors and executive officers of
ACIS:
Name and Principal Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
Business Address* with Underwriter with Registrant
------------------------------------------------------------------------
James E. Stowers, Jr. Chairman and Director Chairman of
the Board and
Director
James E. Stowers III Co-Chairman and Director Chairman of
the Board and
Director
William M. Lyons President, Chief Executive President
Officer and Director
Robert T. Jackson Executive Vice President, Executive Vice
Chief Financial Officer President
and Chief Accounting Officer
Donna Byers Senior Vice President none
Brian Jeter Senior Vice President none
Mark Killen Senior Vice President none
Dave Larrabee Senior Vice President none
Barry Mayhew Senior Vice President none
David C. Tucker Senior Vice President Senior Vice President
and General Counsel and General Counsel
* All addresses are 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111
(c) Not applicable.
Item 27. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder, are in the
possession of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc., American Century Services
Corporation and American Century Investment Management, Inc., all located at
American Century Tower, 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Item 28. Management Services - Not Applicable.
Item 29. Undertakings - Not Applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Investment Company
Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for
effectiveness of this Registration Statement amendment pursuant to Rule 485(b)
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and has duly caused
this amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized,
in the City of Kansas City, State of Missouri on the 29th day of November, 2004.
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
(Registrant)
By: /*/ William M. Lyons
-----------------------------------------
President and Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement amendment has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
*William M. Lyons President and November 29, 2004
---------------------- Principal Executive Officer
William M. Lyons
*Maryanne Roepke Senior Vice President, November 29, 2004
---------------------- Treasurer and Chief
Maryanne Roepke Accounting Officer
*James E. Stowers, Jr. Chairman of the Board November 29, 2004
---------------------- and Director
James E. Stowers, Jr.
*James E. Stowers III Chairman of the Board November 29, 2004
---------------------- and Director
James E. Stowers III
*Thomas A. Brown Director November 29, 2004
----------------------
Thomas A. Brown
*Andrea C. Hall, Ph.D. Director November 29, 2004
----------------------
Andrea C. Hall, Ph.D.
*D. D. (Del) Hock Director November 29, 2004
----------------------
D. D. (Del) Hock
*Donald H. Pratt Vice Chairman of the Board November 29, 2004
---------------------- and Director
Donald H. Pratt
*Gale E. Sayers Director November 29, 2004
----------------------
Gale E. Sayers
*M. Jeannine Strandjord Director November 29, 2004
----------------------
M. Jeannine Strandjord
*Timothy S. Webster Director November 29, 2004
----------------------
Timothy S. Webster
*By /s/ Brian L. Brogan
---------------------------------------------
Brian L. Brogan
Attorney-in-Fact (pursuant to a Power
of Attorney dated November 16, 2004).
EXHIBIT 99.e
AMENDED AND RESTATED DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT is made and entered into this 17th day of
November, 2004, by and between each of the open-end management investment
companies listed on SCHEDULE A, attached hereto, as of the dates noted on such
SCHEDULE A, together with all other open end management investment companies
subsequently established and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with
SECTION 11 (the "Issuers") and AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
("Distributor"), a Delaware corporation.
WHEREAS, the common stock of each of the Issuers is currently divided into
a number of separate series of shares, or funds, each corresponding to a
distinct portfolio of securities, and many of which are also divided into
multiple classes of shares; and
WHEREAS, Distributor is a registered as a broker-dealer with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is
a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, American Century Investment Management, Inc. ("ACIM") is the
registered investment adviser to the Issuers; and
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors and Boards of Trustees of the Funds
(collectively, the "Board") wish to engage the Distributor to act as the
distributor of the Funds;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein,
the parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Each Issuer hereby engages Distributor to act as exclusive distributor of the
shares of each class of its separate series, and any other series and classes as
may be designated from time to time hereafter (the "Funds"). The Funds subject
to this Distribution Agreement are identified on SCHEDULE A, as the same may be
amended from time to time. Sales of a Fund's shares shall be made only to
investors residing in those states in which such Fund is registered. After
effectiveness of each Fund's registration statement, Distributor will hold
itself available to receive, as agent for the Funds, and will receive, by mail,
telex, telephone, and/or such other method as may be agreed upon between
Distributor and Issuers, orders for the purchase of Fund shares, and will accept
or reject such orders on behalf of the Funds in accordance with the provisions
of the applicable Fund's prospectus. Distributor will be available to transmit
such orders as are so accepted to the Fund's transfer agent as promptly as
possible for processing at the shares' net asset value next determined in
accordance with the prospectuses.
a. OFFERING PRICE. All shares sold by Distributor under this Agreement shall
be sold at the net asset value per share ("Net Asset Value") determined in
the manner described in each Fund's prospectus, as it may be amended from
time to time, next computed after the order is accepted by Distributor or
its agents or affiliates. Each Fund shall determine and
promptly furnish to Distributor a statement of the Net Asset Value of
shares of said Fund's series at least once on each day on which the Fund is
open for business, as described in its current prospectus.
b. PROMOTION SUPPORT. Each Fund shall furnish to Distributor for use in
connection with the sale of its shares such written information with
respect to said Fund as Distributor may reasonably request. Each Fund
represents and warrants that such information, when authenticated by the
signature of one of its officers, shall be true and correct. Each Fund
shall also furnish to Distributor copies of its reports to its shareholders
and such additional information regarding said Fund's financial condition
as Distributor may reasonably request. Any and all representations,
statements and solicitations respecting a Fund's shares made in
advertisements, sales literature and in any other manner whatsoever shall
be limited to and conform in all respects to the information provided
hereunder.
c. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. Each Fund shall furnish to Distributor copies of its
current form of prospectus, as filed with the SEC, in such quantity as
Distributor may reasonably request from time to time, and authorizes
Distributor to use the prospectus in connection with the sale of such
Fund's shares. All such sales shall be initiated by offer of, and conducted
in accordance with, such prospectus and all of the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act") and
all the rules and regulations thereunder. Distributor shall furnish
applicable federal and state regulatory authorities with any information or
reports related to its services under this Agreement which such authorities
may lawfully request in order to ascertain whether the Funds' operations
are being conducted in a manner consistent with any applicable law or
regulations.
d. ACCEPTANCE. All orders for the purchase of its shares are subject to
acceptance by each Fund.
SECTION 2. COMPENSATION
a. INVESTOR CLASS, INSTITUTIONAL CLASS, CLASS I AND CLASS III SHARES. Except
for the promises of the Funds contained in this Agreement and their
performance thereof, Distributor shall not be entitled to compensation for
its services hereunder with respect to the Investor Class, Institutional
Class, Class I or Class III Classes of shares.
b. ADVISOR CLASS SHARES. For the services provided and expenses incurred by
Distributor as described in SECTION 2 AND SECTION 3 of the Master
Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan adopted by the Board with
respect to the Advisor Class of such Funds, Distributor shall be
compensated by ACIM, not by the Funds.
c. C CLASS SHARES. For the services provided and expenses incurred by
Distributor as described in SECTION 2 AND SECTION 3 of the Master
Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan adopted by the Board
with respect to the C Class of such Funds, Distributor shall be compensated
by ACIM, not by the Funds.
d. CLASS II SHARES. For the services provided and expenses incurred by
Distributor as
2
described in SECTION 2 of the Master Distribution Plan adopted by the Board
with respect to the Class II Funds, Distributor shall be compensated by
ACIM, not by the funds.
e. A CLASS SHARES. For the services provided and expenses incurred by
Distributor as described in SECTION 2 AND SECTION 3 of the Master
Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan adopted by the Board
with respect to the A Class of such Funds, Distributor shall be compensated
by ACIM, not by the Funds.
f. B CLASS SHARES. For the services provided and expenses incurred by
Distributor as described in SECTION 2 AND SECTION 3 of the Master
Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan adopted by the Board
with respect to the B Class of such Funds, Distributor shall be compensated
by ACIM, not by the Funds.
g. C CLASS II SHARES. For the services provided and expenses incurred by
Distributor as described in SECTION 2 AND SECTION 3 of the Master
Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan adopted by the Board
with respect to the C Class II of such Funds, Distributor shall be
compensated by ACIM, not by the Funds.
3
SECTION 3. EXPENSES
a. Distributor or one of its affiliates or designees shall pay all expenses
incurred by it in connection with the performance of its distribution
duties hereunder and under the Master Distribution and Shareholder Services
Plan, dated as of September 3, 1996, with respect to the Advisor Class of
the Funds' shares, including, but not limited to (A) payment of sales
commission, ongoing commissions and other payments to brokers, dealers,
financial institutions or others who sell Advisor Class shares pursuant to
Selling Agreements; (B) compensation to registered representatives or other
employees of Distributor who engage in or support distribution of the
Funds' Advisor Class shares; (C) compensation to, and expenses (including
overhead and telephone expenses) of, Distributor; (D) the printing of
prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports for other
than existing shareholders; (E) the preparation, printing and distribution
of sales literature and advertising materials provided to the Funds'
shareholders and prospective shareholders; (F) receiving and answering
correspondence from prospective shareholders, including distributing
prospectuses, statements of additional information, and shareholder
reports; (G) the providing of facilities to answer questions from
prospective investors about Fund shares; (H) complying with federal and
state securities laws pertaining to the sale of Fund shares; (I) assisting
investors in completing application forms and selecting dividend and other
account options; (J) the providing of other reasonable assistance in
connection with the distribution of Fund shares; (K) the organizing and
conducting of sales seminars and payments in the form of transactional
compensation or promotional incentives; (L) profit on the foregoing; (M)
the payment of "service fees", as contemplated by the Rules of Fair
Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers , Inc.; and (N)
such other distribution and services activities as the Issuers determine
may be paid for by the Issuers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and
in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act.
b. Distributor or one of its affiliates or designees shall pay all expenses
incurred by it in connection with the performance of its distribution
duties hereunder and under the applicable Master Distribution and
Individual Shareholder Services Plan, dated as of September 16, 2000 for
certain funds and dated as of March 1, 2001 for certain other funds, both
to be effective as of May 1, 2001, with respect to the C Class of the
Funds' shares, including, but not limited to (A) payment of sales
commission, ongoing commissions and other payments to brokers, dealers,
financial institutions or others who sell C Class shares pursuant to
Selling Agreements; (B) compensation to registered representatives or other
employees of Distributor who engage in or support distribution of the
Funds' C Class shares; (C) compensation to, and expenses (including
overhead and telephone expenses) of, Distributor; (D) the printing of
prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports for other
than existing shareholders; (E) the preparation, printing and distribution
of sales literature and advertising materials provided to the Funds'
shareholders and prospective shareholders; (F) receiving and answering
correspondence from prospective shareholders, including distributing
prospectuses, statements of additional information, and shareholder
reports; (G) the providing of
4
facilities to answer questions from prospective investors about Fund
shares; (H) complying with federal and state securities laws pertaining to
the sale of Fund shares; (I) assisting investors in completing application
forms and selecting dividend and other account options; (J) the providing
of other reasonable assistance in connection with the distribution of Fund
shares; (K) the organizing and conducting of sales seminars and payments in
the form of transactional compensation or promotional incentives; (L)
profit on the foregoing; (M) the payment of "service fees", as contemplated
by the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc.; and (N) such other distribution and services activities as
the Issuers determine may be paid for by the Issuers pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement and in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act.
c. Distributor or one of its affiliates or designees shall pay all expenses
incurred by it in connection with the performance of its distribution
duties hereunder and under the Master Distribution Plan, dated as of May
18, 2001, with respect to the Class II Funds, including, but not limited to
(A) payment of sales commission, ongoing commissions and other payments to
brokers, dealers, financial institutions or others who sell Class II Funds
pursuant to Selling Agreements; (B) compensation to registered
representatives or other employees of Distributor who engage in or support
distribution of the Class II Funds' shares; (C) compensation to, and
expenses (including overhead and telephone expenses) of, Distributor; (D)
the printing of prospectuses, statements of additional information and
reports for other than existing shareholders; (E) the preparation, printing
and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials provided to
the Class II Funds' shareholders and prospective shareholders; (F)
receiving and answering correspondence from prospective shareholders,
including distributing prospectuses, statements of additional information,
and shareholder reports; (G) the providing of facilities to answer
questions from prospective investors about Class II Fund shares; (H)
complying with federal and state securities laws pertaining to the sale of
Class II Fund shares; (I) assisting investors in completing application
forms and selecting dividend and other account options; (J) the providing
of other reasonable assistance in connection with the distribution of Class
II Fund shares; (K) the organizing and conducting of sales seminars and
payments in the form of transactional compensation or promotional
incentives; (L) profit on the foregoing; (M) the payment of "service fees",
as contemplated by the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc.; and (N) such other distribution and services
activities as the Issuer determines may be paid for by the Issuer pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement and in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the
1940 Act.
d. Distributor or one of its affiliates or designees shall pay all expenses
incurred by it in connection with the performance of its distribution
duties hereunder and under the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan, dated as of September 3, 2002, with respect to
the A Class shares of the Funds, including, but not limited to (A) payment
of sales commission, ongoing commissions and other payments to brokers,
dealers, financial institutions or others who sell A Class shares pursuant
to Selling Agreements; (B) compensation to registered representatives or
other employees of Distributor who engage in or support distribution of the
Funds' A Class shares; (C) compensation to, and
5
expenses (including overhead and telephone expenses) of, Distributor; (D)
the printing of prospectuses, statements of additional information and
reports for other than existing shareholders; (E) the preparation, printing
and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials provided to
the Funds' shareholders and prospective shareholders; (F) receiving and
answering correspondence from prospective shareholders, including
distributing prospectuses, statements of additional information, and
shareholder reports; (G) the providing of facilities to answer questions
from prospective investors about Fund shares; (H) complying with federal
and state securities laws pertaining to the sale of Fund shares; (I)
assisting investors in completing application forms and selecting dividend
and other account options; (J) the providing of other reasonable assistance
in connection with the distribution of Fund shares; (K) the organizing and
conducting of sales seminars and payments in the form of transactional
compensation or promotional incentives; (L) profit on the foregoing; (M)
the payment of "service fees", as contemplated by the Rules of Fair
Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; and (N)
such other distribution and services activities as the Issuers determine
may be paid for by the Issuers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and
in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act.
e. Distributor or one of its affiliates or designees shall pay all expenses
incurred by it in connection with the performance of its distribution
duties hereunder and under the Master Distribution and Individual
Shareholder Services Plan, dated as of September 3, 2002, with respect to
the B Class shares of the Funds, including, but not limited to (A) payment
of sales commission, ongoing commissions and other payments to brokers,
dealers, financial institutions or others who sell B Class shares pursuant
to Selling Agreements; (B) compensation to registered representatives or
other employees of Distributor who engage in or support distribution of the
Funds' B Class shares; (C) compensation to, and expenses (including
overhead and telephone expenses) of, Distributor; (D) the printing of
prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports for other
than existing shareholders; (E) the preparation, printing and distribution
of sales literature and advertising materials provided to the Funds'
shareholders and prospective shareholders; (F) receiving and answering
correspondence from prospective shareholders, including distributing
prospectuses, statements of additional information, and shareholder
reports; (G) the providing of facilities to answer questions from
prospective investors about Fund shares; (H) complying with federal and
state securities laws pertaining to the sale of Fund shares; (I) assisting
investors in completing application forms and selecting dividend and other
account options; (J) the providing of other reasonable assistance in
connection with the distribution of Fund shares; (K) the organizing and
conducting of sales seminars and payments in the form of transactional
compensation or promotional incentives; (L) profit on the foregoing; (M)
the payment of "service fees", as contemplated by the Rules of Fair
Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; and (N)
such other distribution and services activities as the Issuers determine
may be paid for by the Issuers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and
in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act.
f. Distributor or one of its affiliates or designees shall pay all expenses
incurred by it in connection with the performance of its distribution
duties hereunder and under the Master
6
Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan, dated as of
September 3, 2002, with respect to the C Class II shares of the Funds,
including, but not limited to (A) payment of sales commission, ongoing
commissions and other payments to brokers, dealers, financial institutions
or others who sell C Class II shares pursuant to Selling Agreements; (B)
compensation to registered representatives or other employees of
Distributor who engage in or support distribution of the Funds' C Class II
shares; (C) compensation to, and expenses (including overhead and telephone
expenses) of, Distributor; (D) the printing of prospectuses, statements of
additional information and reports for other than existing shareholders;
(E) the preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and
advertising materials provided to the Funds' shareholders and prospective
shareholders; (F) receiving and answering correspondence from prospective
shareholders, including distributing prospectuses, statements of additional
information, and shareholder reports; (G) the providing of facilities to
answer questions from prospective investors about Fund shares; (H)
complying with federal and state securities laws pertaining to the sale of
Fund shares; (I) assisting investors in completing application forms and
selecting dividend and other account options; (J) the providing of other
reasonable assistance in connection with the distribution of Fund shares;
(K) the organizing and conducting of sales seminars and payments in the
form of transactional compensation or promotional incentives; (L) profit on
the foregoing; (M) the payment of "service fees", as contemplated by the
Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.; and (N) such other distribution and services activities as the
Issuers determine may be paid for by the Issuers pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement and in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act.
g. In addition to paying the above expenses with respect to the Advisor Class,
C Class, Class II, Class A, Class B and Class C II, Distributor or an
affiliate shall pay all expenses incurred with respect to the Funds' other
classes in connection with their registration under the Securities Act of
1933 and the 1940 Act, the qualification of such shares for sale in each
jurisdiction designated by ACIM, the issue and transfer of such shares
(including the expenses of confirming purchase and redemption orders and of
supplying the information, prices and other data to be furnished by the
Funds under this Agreement), the registration of Distributor as a broker,
and the registration and qualification of its officers, directors and
representatives under applicable federal and state laws.
SECTION 4. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
Distributor shall be an independent contractor. Neither Distributor nor any of
its officers, trustees, employees or representatives is or shall be an employee
of a Fund in connection with the performance of Distributor's duties hereunder.
Distributor shall be responsible for its own conduct and the employment,
control, compensation and conduct of its agents and employees, and for any
injury to such agents or employees or to others through its agents and
employees. Any obligations of Distributor hereunder may be performed by one or
more affiliates of Distributor.
7
SECTION 5. AFFILIATION WITH THE FUNDS
Subject to and in accordance with each Fund's formative documents and Section 10
of the 1940 Act, it is understood: that the directors, officers, agents and
shareholders of the Funds are or may be interested in Distributor as directors,
officers, or shareholders of Distributor; that directors, officers, agents or
shareholders of Distributor are or may be interested in the Funds as directors,
officers, shareholders (directly or indirectly) or otherwise; and that the
effect of any such interest shall be governed by the 1940 Act and SECTION 4.
SECTION 6. BOOKS AND RECORDS
It is expressly understood and agreed that all documents, reports, records,
books, files and other materials ("Fund Records") relating to this Agreement and
the services to be performed hereunder shall be the sole property of the Funds
and that such property, to the extent held by Distributor, shall be held by
Distributor as agent during the effective term of this Agreement. All Fund
Records shall be delivered to the applicable Fund upon the termination of this
Agreement, free from any claim or retention of rights by Distributor.
SECTION 7. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE
The services of Distributor to the Funds hereunder are not to be deemed
exclusive, and Distributor shall be free to render similar services to others.
SECTION 8. RENEWAL AND TERMINATION
a. TERM AND ANNUAL RENEWAL. The term of this Agreement shall be from the date
of its approval by the vote of a majority of the Board of each Issuer, and
it shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter only so long as
such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the vote of
a majority of its Board, and the vote of a majority of said directors who
are neither parties to the Agreement nor interested persons of any such
party, cast at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
"Approved at least annually" shall mean approval occurring, with respect to
the first continuance of the Agreement, during the 90 days prior to and
including the date of its termination in the absence of such approval, and
with respect to any subsequent continuance, during the 90 days prior to and
including the first anniversary of the date upon which the most recent
previous annual continuance of the Agreement became effective. The
effective date of the Agreement with respect to each Fund is identified in
the Schedules attached to this Agreement.
b. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment
of any penalty, by a Fund's Board, upon 60 days' written notice to
Distributor, and by Distributor
8
upon 60 days' written notice to the Fund. This Agreement shall terminate
automatically in the event of its assignment. The term "assignment" shall
have the meaning set forth for such term in Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940
Act.
SECTION 9. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or similar authority, the remainder of this Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
SECTION 10. APPLICABLE LAW
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Missouri.
SECTION 11. AMENDMENT
This Agreement and the Schedules forming a part hereof may be amended at any
time by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto. In the event that the
Board of any additional funds indicate by resolution that such funds are to be
made parties to this Agreement, whether such funds were in existence at the time
of the effective date of this Agreement or subsequently formed, SCHEDULE A
hereto shall be amended to reflect the addition of such new funds and such new
funds shall thereafter become parties hereto. In the event that such new funds
issue multiple classes of shares, SCHEDULES B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J AND K, as
appropriate, shall be amended to reflect the addition of such new funds'
classes. In the event that any of the Funds listed on SCHEDULE A terminates its
registration as a management investment company, or otherwise ceases operations,
SCHEDULE A (and, as appropriate, SCHEDULES B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J AND K)
shall be amended to reflect the deletion of such Fund and its various classes.
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ David C. Tucker
--------------------------------
David C. Tucker
Senior Vice President
AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND
MUNICIPAL FUNDS
AMERICAN CENTURY CAPITAL PORTFOLIOS, INC.
AMERICAN CENTURY GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
AMERICAN CENTURY INTERNATIONAL BOND FUNDS
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT TRUST
AMERICAN CENTURY MUNICIPAL TRUST
9
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
AMERICAN CENTURY QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUNDS, INC.
AMERICAN CENTURY STRATEGIC ASSET
ALLOCATIONS, INC.
AMERICAN CENTURY TARGET MATURITIES TRUST
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS II, INC.
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
By: /s/ Charles A. Etherington
-------------------------------------
Charles A. Etherington
Vice President
10
SCHEDULE A
COMPANIES AND FUNDS COVERED BY THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS
California High-Yield Municipal Fund March 13, 2000
California Tax-Free Money Market Fund March 13, 2000
California Limited-Term Tax-Free Fund March 13, 2000
California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Fund March 13, 2000
California Long-Term Tax-Free Fund March 13, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY CAPITAL PORTFOLIOS, INC.
Equity Income Fund March 13, 2000
Real Estate Fund March 13, 2000
Value Fund March 13, 2000
Small Cap Value Fund March 13, 2000
Equity Index Fund March 13, 2000
Large Company Value Fund March 13, 2000
Mid Cap Value Fund February 27, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
Government Bond Fund March 13, 2000
(formerly Long-Term Treasury Fund)
Government Agency Money Market Fund March 13, 2000
Short-Term Government Fund March 13, 2000
Ginnie Mae Fund (formerly GNMA Fund) March 13, 2000
Inflation-Adjusted Bond Fund March 13, 2000
(formerly Inflation-Adjusted Treasury Fund)
Capital Preservation Fund March 13, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY INTERNATIONAL BOND FUNDS
International Bond Fund March 13, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT TRUST
Prime Money Market Fund March 13, 2000
Diversified Bond Fund August 1, 2001
Premium Money Market Fund August 1, 2001
High-Yield Fund July 1, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY MUNICIPAL TRUST
Arizona Municipal Bond Fund (formerly Arizona March 13, 2000
Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund)
Florida Municipal Bond Fund (formerly Florida March 13, 2000
Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund)
Tax-Free Money Market Fund March 13, 2000
Tax-Free Bond (formerly Intermediate-Term March 13, 2000
Tax-Free Fund)
High-Yield Municipal Fund March 13, 2000
page A-1
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Balanced Fund March 13, 2000
Growth Fund March 13, 2000
Heritage Fund March 13, 2000
Select Fund March 13, 2000
Ultra Fund March 13, 2000
Vista Fund March 13, 2000
Giftrust Fund March 13, 2000
New Opportunities Fund March 13, 2000
Capital Value Fund March 13, 2000
Veedot Fund March 13, 2000
Veedot Large-Cap Fund March 13, 2000
New Opportunities II Fund May 1, 2001
Capital Growth Fund February 27, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUNDS, INC.
Equity Growth Fund May 1, 2004
Income & Growth Fund May 1, 2004
Global Gold Fund May 1, 2004
Utilities Fund May 1, 2004
Small Company Fund May 1, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATIONS, INC.
Strategic Allocation: Aggressive Fund March 13, 2000
Strategic Allocation: Conservative Fund March 13, 2000
Strategic Allocation: Moderate Fund March 13, 2000
Newton Fund August 29, 2003
AMERICAN CENTURY TARGET MATURITIES TRUST
Target 2005 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2010 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2015 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2020 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2025 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2030 Fund December 18, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.
VP Balanced Fund March 13, 2000
VP Capital Appreciation Fund March 13, 2000
VP International Fund March 13, 2000
VP Income & Growth Fund March 13, 2000
VP Value Fund March 13, 2000
VP Equity Index Fund December 1, 2000
VP Growth Fund December 1, 2000
VP Ultra Fund December 1, 2000
VP Vista Fund December 1, 2000
VP Global Growth Fund December 1, 2000
VP Large Company Value Fund December 31, 2002
VP Mid Cap Value Fund February 27, 2004
page A-2
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS II, INC.
VP Inflation Protection Fund December 31, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Emerging Markets Fund March 13, 2000
International Growth Fund March 13, 2000
International Discovery Fund March 13, 2000
Global Growth Fund March 13, 2000
Life Sciences Fund June 1, 2000
Technology Fund June 1, 2000
International Opportunities Fund May 1, 2001
European Growth Fund May 1, 2001
page A-3
SCHEDULE B
INVESTOR CLASS FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND
MUNICIPAL FUNDS
California High-Yield Municipal Fund March 13, 2000
California Tax-Free Money Market Fund March 13, 2000
California Limited-Term Tax-Free Fund March 13, 2000
California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Fund March 13, 2000
California Long-Term Tax-Free Fund March 13, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY CAPITAL PORTFOLIOS, INC.
Equity Income Fund March 13, 2000
Real Estate Fund March 13, 2000
Value Fund March 13, 2000
Small Cap Value Fund March 13, 2000
Equity Index Fund March 13, 2000
Large Company Value Fund March 13, 2000
Mid Cap Value Fund February 27, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
Government Bond Fund (formerly Long-Term March 13, 2000
Treasury Fund)
Government Agency Money Market Fund March 13, 2000
Short-Term Government Fund March 13, 2000
Ginnie Mae Fund (formerly GNMA Fund) March 13, 2000
Inflation-Adjusted Bond Fund (formerly March 13, 2000
Inflation-Adjusted Treasury Fund)
Capital Preservation Fund March 13, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY INTERNATIONAL BOND FUNDS
International Bond Fund March 13, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT TRUST
Prime Money Market Fund March 13, 2000
Diversified Bond Fund August 1, 2001
Premium Money Market Fund August 1, 2001
High-Yield Fund July 1, 2002
page B-1
AMERICAN CENTURY MUNICIPAL TRUST
Arizona Municipal Bond Fund (formerly Arizona March 13, 2000
Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund)
Florida Municipal Bond Fund (formerly Florida March 13, 2000
Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund)
Tax-Free Money Market Fund March 13, 2000
Tax-Free Bond (formerly Intermediate-Term March 13, 2000
Tax-Free Fund)
High-Yield Municipal Fund March 13, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Balanced Fund March 13, 2000
Growth Fund March 13, 2000
Heritage Fund March 13, 2000
Select Fund March 13, 2000
Ultra Fund March 13, 2000
Vista Fund March 13, 2000
Giftrust March 13, 2000
New Opportunities Fund March 13, 2000
Capital Value Fund March 13, 2000
Veedot Fund March 13, 2000
Veedot Large-Cap Fund March 13, 2000
New Opportunities II Fund May 1, 2001
Capital Growth Fund February 27, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUNDS, INC.
Equity Growth Fund May 1, 2004
Income & Growth Fund May 1, 2004
Global Gold Fund May 1, 2004
Utilities Fund May 1, 2004
Small Company Fund May 1, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATIONS, INC.
Strategic Allocation: Aggressive Fund March 13, 2000
Strategic Allocation: Conservative Fund March 13, 2000
Strategic Allocation: Moderate Fund March 13, 2000
Newton Fund August 29, 2003
AMERICAN CENTURY TARGET MATURITIES TRUST
Target 2005 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2010 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2015 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2020 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2025 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2030 Fund December 18, 2000
page B-2
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.
VP Balanced Fund March 13, 2000
VP Capital Appreciation Fund March 13, 2000
VP International Fund March 13, 2000
VP Income & Growth Fund March 13, 2000
VP Value Fund March 13, 2000
VP Equity Index Fund December 1, 2000
VP Growth Fund December 1, 2000
VP Ultra Fund December 1, 2000
VP Vista Fund December 1, 2000
VP Global Growth Fund December 1, 2000
VP Large Company Value Fund December 31, 2002
VP Mid Cap Value Fund February 27, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS II, INC.
VP Inflation Protection Fund December 31, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Emerging Markets Fund March 13, 2000
International Growth Fund March 13, 2000
International Discovery Fund March 13, 2000
Global Growth Fund March 13, 2000
Life Sciences June 1, 2000
Technology Fund June 1, 2000
International Opportunities Fund May 1, 2001
European Growth Fund May 1, 2001
page B-3
SCHEDULE C
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY CAPITAL PORTFOLIOS, INC.
Equity Income Fund March 13, 2000
Real Estate Fund March 13, 2000
Value Fund March 13, 2000
Small Cap Value Fund March 13, 2000
Equity Index Fund March 13, 2000
Large Company Value Fund March 13, 2000
Mid Cap Value Fund August 1, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Balanced Fund March 13, 2000
Growth Fund March 13, 2000
Heritage Fund March 13, 2000
Select Fund March 13, 2000
Ultra Fund March 13, 2000
Vista Fund March 13, 2000
Capital Value Fund March 13, 2000
Veedot Fund March 13, 2000
Veedot Large-Cap Fund March 13, 2000
New Opportunities II Fund May 1, 2001
AMERICAN CENTURY QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUNDS, INC.
Equity Growth Fund May 1, 2004
Income & Growth Fund May 1, 2004
Small Company Fund May 1, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATIONS, INC.
Strategic Allocation: Aggressive Fund June 1, 2000
Strategic Allocation: Conservative Fund June 1, 2000
Strategic Allocation: Moderate Fund June 1, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Emerging Markets Fund March 13, 2000
International Growth Fund March 13, 2000
International Discovery Fund March 13, 2000
Global Growth Fund March 13, 2000
Life Sciences Fund June 1, 2000
Technology Fund June 1, 2000
International Opportunities Fund May 1, 2001
European Growth Fund May 1, 2001
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT TRUST
Diversified Bond Fund August 1, 2001
High-Yield Fund August 1, 2004
page C-1
AMERICAN CENTURY GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
Inflation-Adjusted Bond Fund March 1, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY MUNICIPAL TRUST
Tax-Free Bond Fund December 31, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY INTERNATIONAL BOND FUNDS
International Bond Fund August 1, 2004
page C-2
SCHEDULE D
ADVISOR CLASS FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY CAPITAL PORTFOLIOS, INC.
Equity Income Fund March 13, 2000
Value Fund March 13, 2000
Real Estate Fund March 13, 2000
Small Cap Value Fund March 13, 2000
Large Company Value Fund March 13, 2000
Mid Cap Value Fund August 1, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
Government Bond Fund (formerly Long-Term March 13, 2000
Treasury Fund)
Government Agency Money Market Fund March 13, 2000
Short-Term Government Fund March 13, 2000
Ginnie Mae Fund (formerly GNMA Fund) March 13, 2000
Inflation-Adjusted Bond Fund (formerly March 13, 2000
Inflation-Adjusted Treasury Fund)
AMERICAN CENTURY INTERNATIONAL BOND FUNDS
International Bond Fund March 13, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Balanced Fund March 13, 2000
Growth Fund March 13, 2000
Heritage Fund March 13, 2000
Select Fund March 13, 2000
Ultra Fund March 13, 2000
Vista Fund March 13, 2000
Capital Value Fund March 13, 2000
Veedot Fund March 13, 2000
Veedot Large-Cap Fund March 13, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUNDS, INC.
Equity Growth Fund May 1, 2004
Income & Growth Fund May 1, 2004
Global Gold Fund May 1, 2004
Utilities Fund May 1, 2004
Small Company Fund May 1, 2004
page D-1
AMERICAN CENTURY STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATIONS, INC.
Strategic Allocation: Aggressive Fund March 13, 2000
Strategic Allocation: Conservative Fund March 13, 2000
Strategic Allocation: Moderate Fund March 13, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY TARGET MATURITIES TRUST
Target 2005 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2010 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2015 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2020 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2025 Fund March 13, 2000
Target 2030 Fund December 18, 2000
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Emerging Markets Fund March 13, 2000
International Growth Fund March 13, 2000
International Discovery Fund March 13, 2000
Global Growth Fund March 13, 2000
Life Sciences Fund June 1, 2000
Technology Fund June 1, 2000
European Growth Fund May 1, 2001
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT TRUST
Prime Money Market Fund March 13, 2000
Diversified Bond Fund August 1, 2001
High-Yield Fund July 1, 2002
page D-2
SCHEDULE E
C CLASS FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS
California High-Yield Municipal Fund May 1, 2001
AMERICAN CENTURY CAPITAL PORTFOLIOS, INC.
Equity Income Fund May 1, 2001
Value Fund May 1, 2001
Small Cap Value Fund May 1, 2001
Large Company Value Fund May 1, 2001
AMERICAN CENTURY GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
Ginnie Mae Fund (formerly GNMA Fund) May 1, 2001
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT TRUST
Prime Money Market Fund May 1, 2001
High-Yield Fund July 1, 2002
Diversified Bond Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY MUNICIPAL TRUST
High-Yield Municipal Fund May 1, 2001
Arizona Municipal Bond Fund February 27, 2004
Florida Municipal Bond Fund February 27, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Growth Fund May 1, 2001
Ultra Fund May 1, 2001
Vista Fund May 1, 2001
Heritage Fund May 1, 2001
Capital Growth Fund February 27, 2004
New Opportunities II Fund September 3, 2002
Select Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUNDS, INC.
Equity Growth Fund May 1, 2004
Income & Growth Fund May 1, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATIONS, INC.
Strategic Allocation: Aggressive Fund May 1, 2001
Strategic Allocation: Moderate Fund May 1, 2001
Strategic Allocation: Conservative Fund September 30, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY TARGET MATURITIES TRUST
Target 2030 Fund May 1, 2001
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
International Growth Fund May 1, 2001
Global Growth Fund May 1, 2001
Life Sciences May 1, 2001
Technology Fund May 1, 2001
Emerging Markets Fund May 1, 2001
European Growth Fund May 1, 2001
page E-1
SCHEDULE F
CLASS I FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.
VP Balanced Fund March 13, 2000
VP Capital Appreciation Fund March 13, 2000
VP International Fund March 13, 2000
VP Income & Growth Fund March 13, 2000
VP Value Fund March 13, 2000
VP Equity Index Fund December 1, 2000
VP Growth Fund December 1, 2000
VP Ultra Fund December 1, 2000
VP Vista Fund December 1, 2000
VP Global Growth Fund December 1, 2000
VP Mid Cap Value Fund February 27, 2004
page F-1
SCHEDULE G
CLASS II FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.
VP International Fund May 24, 2001
VP Income & Growth Fund May 24, 2001
VP Value Fund May 24, 2001
VP Ultra Fund May 24, 2001
VP Large Company Value Fund December 31, 2002
VP Mid Cap Value Fund February 27, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS II, INC.
VP Inflation Protection Fund December 31, 2002
page G-1
SCHEDULE H
CLASS III FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.
VP International Fund March 6, 2002
VP Income & Growth Fund March 6, 2002
VP Value Fund March 6, 2002
VP Ultra Fund March 6, 2002
page H-1
SCHEDULE I
CLASS A FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Select Fund September 3, 2002
New Opportunities II Fund September 3, 2002
Capital Growth Fund February 27, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY CAPITAL PORTFOLIOS, INC.
Value Fund September 3, 2002
Large Company Value Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
International Growth Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT TRUST
Prime Money Market Fund September 3, 2002
Diversified Bond Fund September 3, 2002
High-Yield Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND
MUNICIPAL FUNDS
California High-Yield Municipal Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY MUNICIPAL TRUST
High-Yield Municipal Fund September 3, 2002
Arizona Municipal Bond Fund February 27, 2004
Florida Municipal Bond Fund February 27, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATIONS, INC.
Strategic Allocation: Aggressive Fund September 30, 2004
Strategic Allocation: Moderate Fund September 30, 2004
Strategic Allocation: Conservative Fund September 30, 2004
page I-1
SCHEDULE J
CLASS B FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Select Fund September 3, 2002
New Opportunities II Fund September 3, 2002
Capital Growth Fund February 24, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY CAPITAL PORTFOLIOS, INC.
Value Fund September 3, 2002
Large Company Value Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
International Growth Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT TRUST
Prime Money Market Fund September 3, 2002
Diversified Bond Fund September 3, 2002
High-Yield Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND
MUNICIPAL FUNDS
California High-Yield Municipal Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY MUNICIPAL TRUST
High-Yield Municipal Fund September 3, 2002
Arizona Municipal Bond Fund February 27, 2004
Florida Municipal Bond Fund February 27, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATIONS, INC.
Strategic Allocation: Aggressive Fund September 30, 2004
Strategic Allocation: Moderate Fund September 30, 2004
Strategic Allocation: Conservative Fund September 30, 2004
page J-1
SCHEDULE K
CLASS C II FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Select Fund September 3, 2002
New Opportunities II Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY CAPITAL PORTFOLIOS, INC.
Value Fund September 3, 2002
Large Company Value Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
International Growth Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT TRUST
Prime Money Market Fund September 3, 2002
Diversified Bond Fund September 3, 2002
High-Yield Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND
MUNICIPAL FUNDS
California High-Yield Municipal Fund September 3, 2002
AMERICAN CENTURY MUNICIPAL TRUST
High-Yield Municipal Fund September 3, 2002
page K-1
SCHEDULE L
R CLASS FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
---- -----------------
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Growth Fund August 29, 2003
Ultra Fund August 29, 2003
AMERICAN CENTURY CAPITAL PORTFOLIOS, INC.
Equity Income Fund August 29, 2003
Large Company Value Fund August 29, 2003
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
International Growth Fund August 29, 2003
AMERICAN CENTURY QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUNDS, INC.
Income & Growth Fund May 1, 2004
Small Company Fund May 1, 2004
AMERICAN CENTURY STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATIONS, INC.
Strategic Allocation: Moderate Fund August 29, 2003
page L-1
SCHEDULE M
CLASS IV FUNDS
FUND DATE OF AGREEMENT
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.
VP International Fund February 27, 2004
page M-1