As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2004
1933 Act Reg. No. 33-44611
1940 Act Reg. No. 811-6463
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-1A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 X ----- Pre-Effective Amendment No. ----- Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 X ------ ----- |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Copy to:
P. Michelle Grace, Esquire Martha J. Hays, Esquire A I M Advisors, Inc. Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100 1735 Market Street, 51st Floor Houston, Texas 77046-1173 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-7599 Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Amendment. |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
If appropriate, check the following box:
this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a ----- previously filed post-effective amendment.
AIM ASIA PACIFIC GROWTH FUND
PROSPECTUS
FEBRUARY 27, 2004
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital.
This prospectus contains important information about the Class A, B and C shares of the fund. Please read it before investing and keep it for future reference.
As with all other mutual fund securities, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate or accurate. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.
An investment in the fund:
- is not FDIC insured;
- may lose value; and
- is not guaranteed by a bank.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES 1 ------------------------------------------------------ PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND 2 ------------------------------------------------------ PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 3 ------------------------------------------------------ Annual Total Returns 3 Performance Table 3 FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLE 4 ------------------------------------------------------ Fee Table 4 Expense Example 4 FUND MANAGEMENT 5 ------------------------------------------------------ The Advisor 5 Advisor Compensation 5 Portfolio Managers 5 OTHER INFORMATION 5 ------------------------------------------------------ Sales Charges 5 Dividends and Distributions 5 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 6 ------------------------------------------------------ SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION A-1 ------------------------------------------------------ Choosing a Share Class A-1 Tools Used to Combat Excessive Short-Term Trading Activity A-3 Purchasing Shares A-5 Redeeming Shares A-6 Exchanging Shares A-10 Pricing of Shares A-12 Taxes A-13 OBTAINING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Back Cover ------------------------------------------------------ |
The AIM Family of Funds, AIM and Design, AIM, AIM Funds, AIM Funds and Design, AIM Investor, AIM Lifetime America, AIM LINK, AIM Institutional Funds, aimfunds.com, La Familia AIM de Fondos, La Familia AIM de Fondos and Design, Invierta con DISCIPLINA and Invest with DISCIPLINE are registered service marks and AIM Bank Connection, AIM Internet Connect, AIM Private Asset Management, AIM Private Asset Management and Design, AIM stylized and/or Design, AIM Alternative Assets and Design, AIM Investments, AIM Investments and Design, myaim.com, The AIM College Savings Plan, AIM Solo 401(k) and Your goals. Our solutions. are service marks of A I M Management Group Inc. AIM Trimark is a service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. and AIM Funds Management Inc.
No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, and you should not rely on such other information or representations.
The fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The investment objective of the fund may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
The fund seeks to meet its objective by investing, normally, at least 80% of its assets in securities of companies in the Asia Pacific region (except Japanese companies). The fund considers various factors when determining whether a company is in the Asia Pacific region, including whether (1) it is organized under the laws of a country in the Asia Pacific region, (2) it has a principal office in a country in the Asia Pacific region, (3) it derives 50% or more of its total revenues from business in a country in the Asia Pacific region, or (4) its equity securities are traded principally on a stock exchange, or in an over-the-counter market, in a country in the Asia Pacific region.
In complying with the 80% investment requirement, the fund will invest
primarily in marketable equity securities, including convertible securities, but
its investments may include synthetic instruments. Synthetic instruments are
investments that have economic characteristics similar to the fund's direct
investments, and may include warrants, futures, options, exchange-traded funds
and American Depositary Receipts. The fund will normally invest in companies
located in at least three countries in the Asia Pacific region. The fund may
also invest up to 100% of its total assets in companies in developing countries,
i.e., those that are in the initial stages of their industrial cycles.
The fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities exchangeable for or convertible into equity securities of Asia Pacific companies. The fund may also invest up to 20% of its assets in securities of non-Asia Pacific companies. The fund may also invest up to 20% of its assets in high-grade short-term securities and debt securities, including U.S. Government obligations, investment grade corporate bonds or taxable municipal securities, whether denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. The fund's investments may include investments in companies with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion. For cash management purposes, the fund may also hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including shares of affiliated money market funds. Any percentage limitations with respect to assets of the fund are applied at the time of purchase.
The portfolio managers focus on companies that have experienced above-average long-term growth in earnings and have strong prospects for future growth. In selecting countries in which the fund will invest, the portfolio managers also consider such factors as the prospect for relative economic growth among countries or regions, economic or political conditions, currency exchange fluctuations, tax considerations and the liquidity of a particular security. The portfolio managers consider whether to sell a particular security when any of these factors materially changes.
In anticipation of or in response to adverse market or other conditions, or atypical circumstances such as unusually large cash inflows or redemptions, the fund may temporarily hold all or a portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or high-quality debt instruments. As a result, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
There is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the fund. The value of your investment in the fund will go up and down with the prices of the securities in which the fund invests. The prices of equity securities change in response to many factors, including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity. This is especially true with respect to equity securities of small and micro-cap companies, whose prices may go up and down more than the prices of equity securities of larger, more established companies. Also, since equity securities of small and micro-cap companies may not be traded as often as equity securities of larger, more established companies, it may be difficult or impossible for the fund to sell securities at a desired price.
The prices of foreign securities may be further affected by other factors, including:
- Currency exchange rates--The dollar value of the fund's foreign investments will be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the dollar and the currencies in which those investments are traded.
- Political and economic conditions--The value of the fund's foreign investments may be adversely affected by political and social instability in their home countries and by changes in economic or taxation policies in those countries.
- Regulations--Foreign companies generally are subject to less stringent regulations, including financial and accounting controls, than are U.S. companies. As a result, there generally is less publicly available information about foreign companies than about U.S. companies.
- Markets--The securities markets of other countries are smaller than U.S. securities markets. As a result, many foreign securities may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. securities.
These factors may affect the prices of securities issued by foreign companies located in developing countries more than those in countries with mature economies. For example, many developing countries have, in the past, experienced high rates of inflation or sharply devalued their currencies against the U.S. dollar, thereby causing the value of investments in companies located in those countries to decline. Transaction costs are often higher in developing countries and there may be delays in settlement procedures.
The fund may participate in the initial public offering (IPO) market in some market cycles. Because of the fund's small asset base, any investment the fund may make in IPOs may significantly affect the fund's total return. As the fund's assets grow, the impact of IPO investments will decline, which may reduce the effect of IPO investments on the fund's total return.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
The bar chart and table shown below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of its future performance.
The following bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class A shares from year to year. The bar chart does not reflect sales loads. If it did, the annual total returns shown would be lower.
ANNUAL YEAR ENDED TOTAL DECEMBER 31 RETURNS ----------- ------- 1998................................................................... -8.54% 1999................................................................... 67.98% 2000................................................................... -22.44% 2001................................................................... -5.77% 2002................................................................... -10.80% 2003................................................................... 49.82% |
During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 40.98% (quarter ended June 30, 1999) and the lowest quarterly return was -25.67% (quarter ended June 30, 1998).
PERFORMANCE TABLE(1)
The following performance table compares the fund's performance to that of a broad-based securities market index, a style specific index and a peer group index. The fund's performance reflects payment of sales loads, if applicable. The indices do not reflect payment of fees, expenses or taxes. The fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indices shown below, and consequently, the performance of the fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the indices shown below.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (for the periods ended SINCE INCEPTION December 31, 2003) 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A 11/03/97 Return Before Taxes 41.58% 9.16% 3.38% Return After Taxes on Distributions 41.58 9.15 3.33 Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 27.03 7.97 2.88 Class B 11/03/97 Return Before Taxes 43.92 9.38 3.62 Class C 11/03/97 Return Before Taxes 47.80 9.67 3.56 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- MSCI EAFE Index(2) 38.59 (0.05) 2.93(5) 10/31/97(5) MSCI AC Asia Pacific Free Ex-Japan Index(3) 48.66 7.64 4.01(5) 10/31/97(5) Lipper Pacific-Ex Japan Fund Index(4) 50.06 8.96 3.78(5) 10/31/97(5) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Class A only and after-tax returns for Class B and C will vary.
(1) A significant portion of the fund's returns during certain periods prior to 2001 was attributable to its investments in IPOs. These investments had a magnified impact when the fund's asset base was relatively small. As the fund's assets grow, the impact of IPO investments will decline, which may reduce the effect of IPO investments on the fund's total return. For additional information regarding the impact of IPO investments on the fund's performance, please see the "Financial Highlights" section of this prospectus.
(2) The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index measures performance of stock markets in 21 developed countries. The fund has elected to use the MSCI EAFE Index as its broad based index rather than the MSCI AC Asia Pacific Free Ex-Japan Index because the MSCI EAFE Index is a more widely recognized gauge of global developed stock market performance. The fund has also included the MSCI AC Asia Pacific Free Ex-Japan Index, which the fund believes more closely reflects the performance of the securities in which the fund invests. In addition, the Lipper Pacific-Ex Japan Fund Index (which may or may not include the fund) is included for comparison to a peer group.
(3) The Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country Asia Pacific Free Ex-Japan Index measures the performance of securities listed on stock exchanges of 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan. The index includes developed and emerging countries.
(4)The Lipper Pacific-Ex Japan Index is an equally weighted representation of the 10 largest funds in the Lipper Pacific-Ex Japan category. These funds seek to concentrate their investments in equity securities with primary trading markets or operations concentrated in the Pacific region (including Asian countries) and that specifically do not invest in Japan.
(5) The average annual total return given is since the month end closest to the inception date of the class with the longest performance history.
FEE TABLE
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
SHAREHOLDER FEES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (fees paid directly from your investment) CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.50% None None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is less) None(1,2) 5.00% 1.00% Redemption/Exchange Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed/exchanged) 2.00%(3) None None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(4) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (expenses that are deducted from fund assets) CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management Fees 0.95% 0.95% 0.95% Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.35 1.00 1.00 Other Expenses 1.11 1.11 1.11 Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(5) 2.41 3.06 3.06 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(1) If you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares and redeem these shares within 18 months from the date of purchase, you may pay a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) at the time of redemption.
(2) If you are a retirement plan participant and you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares, you may pay a 1.00% CDSC if a total redemption of the retirement plan assets occurs within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's initial purchase.
(3) You may be charged a 2.00% fee on redemptions or exchanges of Class A shares held 30 days or less. See "Shareholder Information -- Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee" for more information.
(4) There is no guarantee that actual expenses will be the same as those shown in the table.
(5) The investment advisor has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding interest, taxes, dividends on short sales, fund merger and reorganization expenses, including other items designated as such by the Board of Trustees and increases in expenses due to expense offset arrangements, if any) for Class A, Class B and Class C shares to the extent necessary to limit the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of Class A shares to 2.25% (e.g., if AIM waives 0.15% of Class A expenses, AIM will also waive 0.15% of Class B and Class C expenses). Total Operating Expenses net of this agreement are 2.26%, 2.91% and 2.91% for Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively. This agreement may be modified or discontinued at any time.
You may be charged a transaction or other fee by the financial institution managing your account.
As a result of 12b-1 fees, long-term shareholders in the fund may pay more than the maximum permitted initial sales charge.
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
This example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in different classes of the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. To the extent fees are waived and/or expenses are reimbursed, your expenses will be lower. Although your actual returns and costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $781 $1,260 $1,765 $3,145 Class B 809 1,245 1,806 3,223 Class C 409 945 1,606 3,374 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $781 $1,260 $1,765 $3,145 Class B 309 945 1,606 3,223 Class C 309 945 1,606 3,374 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
THE ADVISOR
A I M Advisors, Inc. (the advisor) serves as the fund's investment advisor and is responsible for its day-to-day management. The advisor is located at 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1173. The advisor supervises all aspects of the fund's operations and provides investment advisory services to the fund, including obtaining and evaluating economic, statistical and financial information to formulate and implement investment programs for the fund.
The advisor has acted as an investment advisor since its organization in 1976. Today, the advisor, together with its subsidiaries, advises or manages over 200 investment portfolios, including the fund, encompassing a broad range of investment objectives.
ADVISOR COMPENSATION
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the advisor received compensation of 0.80% of average daily net assets.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The advisor uses a team approach to investment management. The individual members of the team who are primarily responsible for the management of the fund's portfolio are
- Barrett K. Sides (lead manager), Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since its inception in 1997 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1990.
- Shuxin Cao, Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 1999 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1997.
They are assisted by the Asia/Latin America Team. More information on the fund's management team may be found on our website (http://www.aiminvestments.com/teams). The website is not a part of this prospectus.
SALES CHARGES
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund are subject to the maximum 5.50% initial sales charge as listed under the heading "CATEGORY I Initial Sales Charges" in the "Shareholder Information--Choosing a Share Class" section of this prospectus. Certain purchases of Class A shares at net asset value may be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge listed in that section. Purchases of Class B and Class C shares are subject to the contingent deferred sales charges listed in that section.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund expects that its distributions, if any, will consist primarily of capital gains.
DIVIDENDS
The fund generally declares and pays dividends, if any, annually.
CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund generally distributes long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, annually.
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share.
The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information for the fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the fund's annual report, which is available upon request. Information prior to fiscal year 2001 was audited by other public accountants.
A significant portion of the fund's returns was attributable to its investments in IPOs during certain fiscal years prior to 2001, including the fiscal year ended 2000, which had a magnified impact on the fund due to its relatively small asset base during this period. As the fund's assets grow, the impact of IPO investments will decline, which may reduce the effect of IPO investments on the fund's total return.
CLASS A -------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 8.53 $ 8.59 $10.70 $ 10.76 $ 7.69 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.01)(a) (0.04)(a) (0.01)(a) (0.07)(a) (0.03)(a) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.55 (0.02) (2.06) 0.01 3.14 ============================================================================================================================ Total from investment operations 3.54 (0.06) (2.07) (0.06) 3.11 ============================================================================================================================ Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income -- -- -- -- (0.04) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) -- -- ============================================================================================================================ Net asset value, end of period $ 12.07 $ 8.53 $ 8.59 $ 10.70 $ 10.76 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Total return(b) 41.50% (0.70)% (19.46)% (0.56)% 40.66% ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $97,192 $62,806 $61,729 $93,755 $25,420 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers 2.26%(c) 2.25% 2.02% 1.92% 1.92% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers 2.41%(c) 2.49% 2.37% 2.06% 2.72% ============================================================================================================================ Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.11)%(c) (0.41)% (0.06)% (0.57)% (0.50)% ============================================================================================================================ Portfolio turnover rate 100% 114% 73% 64% 142% ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratio are based on average daily net assets of $79,136,415.
CLASS B -------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 8.27 $ 8.38 $10.50 $ 10.65 $ 7.63 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.07)(a) (0.10)(a) (0.07)(a) (0.17)(a) (0.13)(a) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.44 (0.01) (2.01) 0.02 3.16 ============================================================================================================================ Total from investment operations 3.37 (0.11) (2.08) (0.15) 3.03 ============================================================================================================================ Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income -- -- -- -- (0.01) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) -- -- ============================================================================================================================ Net asset value, end of period $ 11.64 $ 8.27 $ 8.38 $ 10.50 $ 10.65 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Total return(b) 40.75% (1.31)% (19.92)% (1.41)% 39.76% ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $24,599 $19,916 $25,479 $39,852 $12,070 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers 2.91%(c) 2.90% 2.67% 2.67% 2.79% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers 3.06%(c) 3.14% 3.02% 2.76% 3.59% ============================================================================================================================ Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.76)%(c) (1.06)% (0.72)% (1.32)% (1.37)% ============================================================================================================================ Portfolio turnover rate 100% 114% 73% 64% 142% ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratio are based on average daily net assets of $19,915,168.
CLASS C ------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------ ------ ------- ------ ------ Net asset value, beginning of period $ 8.25 $ 8.37 $ 10.49 $10.63 $ 7.61 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.07)(a) (0.10)(a) (0.07)(a) (0.17)(a) (0.13)(a) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.42 (0.02) (2.01) 0.03 3.16 =========================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 3.35 (0.12) (2.08) (0.14) 3.03 =========================================================================================================================== Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income -- -- -- -- (0.01) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) -- -- =========================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $11.60 $ 8.25 $ 8.37 $10.49 $10.63 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 40.61% (1.43)% (19.94)% (1.32)% 39.86% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $8,763 $6,019 $ 4,692 $6,797 $5,008 =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers 2.91%(c) 2.90% 2.67% 2.67% 2.79% --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers 3.06%(c) 3.14% 3.02% 2.76% 3.59% =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.76)%(c) (1.06)% (0.72)% (1.32)% (1.37)% =========================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 100% 114% 73% 64% 142% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratio are based on average daily net assets of $6,179,255.
In addition to the fund, A I M Advisors, Inc. serves as investment advisor to many other mutual funds (the AIM funds). The following information is about all the AIM funds.
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS
Many of the AIM funds have multiple classes of shares, each class representing an interest in the same portfolio of investments. When choosing a share class, you should consult your financial advisor as to which class is most suitable for you. In addition, you should consider the factors below.
CLASS A(1) CLASS A3 CLASS B(4) CLASS C CLASS R INVESTOR CLASS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales charge charge charge charge charge charge - Reduced or waived - No contingent - Contingent - Contingent - Generally, no - No contingent initial sales deferred sales deferred sales deferred sales contingent deferred sales charge for charge charge on charge on deferred sales charge certain redemptions redemptions charge(2) purchases(2,3) within six years within one year(6) - Generally, lower - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of distribution and 0.35% 1.00% 1.00% 0.50% 0.25%(7) service (12b-1) fee than Class B, Class C or Class R shares (See "Fee Table and Expense Example") - Does not convert - Converts to Class - Does not convert - Does not convert - Does not convert to Class A shares A shares at the to Class A shares to Class A shares to Class A shares end of the month which is eight years after the date on which shares were purchased along with a pro rata portion of its reinvested dividends and distributions(5) - Generally more - Generally more - Purchase orders - Generally more - Generally, only - Closed to new appropriate for appropriate for limited to appropriate for available to the investors, except long-term short- term amounts less than short- term following types as described in investors investors $100,000 investors of retirement the "Purchasing plans: (i) all Shares -- Grandfathered section 401 and Investors" 457 plans, (ii) section of your section 403 plans prospectus sponsored by section 501(c)(3) organizations, and (iii) IRA rollovers from such plans if an AIM fund was offered ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Certain AIM funds also offer Institutional Class shares to certain eligible institutional investors; consult the fund's Statement of Additional Information for details.
(1) As of the close of business on October 30, 2002, Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund were closed to new investors.
(2) A contingent deferred sales charge may apply in some cases.
(3) AIM Opportunities I Fund will not accept any single purchase order in excess of $250,000.
(4) Effective September 30, 2003, Class B shares will not be made available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. These plans include 401(k) plans (including AIM Solo 401(k) plans), money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that have existing accounts invested in Class B shares will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
(5) AIM Money Market Fund: Class B shares convert to AIM Cash Reserve Shares. AIM Global Trends Fund: If you held Class B shares on May 29, 1998 and continue to hold them, those shares will convert to Class A shares of that fund at the end of the month which is seven years after the date on which shares were purchased. If you exchange those shares for Class B shares of another AIM fund, the shares into which you exchanged will not convert to Class A shares until the end of the month which is eight years after the date on which you purchased your original shares.
(6) A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) does not apply to redemption of Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you exchange Class C shares of another AIM fund that are subject to a CDSC into AIM Short Term Bond Fund.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES
Each AIM fund (except AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund with respect to its Class A shares) has adopted 12b-1 plans that allow the AIM fund to pay distribution fees to A I M Distributors, Inc. (the distributor) for the sale and distribution of its shares and fees for services provided to shareholders, all or a substantial portion of which are paid to the dealer of record. Because the AIM fund pays these fees out of its assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
MCF--02/04
SALES CHARGES
Sales charges on the AIM funds and classes of those Funds are detailed below. As used below, the term "offering price" with respect to all categories of Class A shares includes the initial sales charge.
INITIAL SALES CHARGES
The AIM funds are grouped into three categories with respect to initial sales
charges. The "Other Information" section of your prospectus will tell you in
what category your particular AIM fund is classified.
CATEGORY I INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION(1) OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 25,000 5.50% 5.82% $ 25,000 but less than $ 50,000 5.25 5.54 $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.75 4.99 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 3.00 3.09 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
(1) AIM Opportunities I Fund will not accept any single purchase order in excess of $250,000.
CATEGORY II INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 50,000 4.75% 4.99% $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.00 4.17 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 2.50 2.56 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
CATEGORY III INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 100,000 1.00% 1.01% $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 0.75 0.76 $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 0.50 0.50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
SHARES SOLD WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE
You will not pay an initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of AIM
Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund.
You will not pay an initial sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund.
You will not pay an initial sales charge or a CDSC on Investor Class shares of any AIM fund.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES
OF AIM MONEY MARKET FUND
You can purchase $1,000,000 or more (a Large Purchase) of Class A shares of
Category I and II AIM funds at net asset value. However, if you redeem these
shares prior to 18 months after the date of purchase, they will be subject to a
CDSC of 1%.
If you made a Large Purchase of Class A shares of Category III AIM funds at net asset value during the period November 15, 2001 through October 30, 2002, such shares will be subject to a 0.25% CDSC if you redeem them prior to 12 months after the date of purchase.
If you currently own Class A shares of a Category I, II or III AIM fund and make additional purchases (through October 30, 2002 for Category III AIM funds only) at net asset value that result in account balances of $1,000,000 or more, the additional shares purchased will be subject to a CDSC (an 18-month, 1% CDSC for Category I and II AIM fund shares, and a 12-month, 0.25% CDSC for Category III AIM fund shares). The CDSC for Category III AIM fund shares will not apply to additional purchases made prior to November 15, 2001 or after October 30, 2002.
Some retirement plans can purchase Class A shares at their net asset value per share. Effective November 1, 2002, if the distributor paid a concession to the dealer of record in connection with a Large Purchase of Class A shares by a retirement plan, the Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement plan assets are redeemed within one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase.
You may be charged a CDSC when you redeem AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund if you acquired those shares through an exchange, and the shares originally purchased were subject to a CDSC.
The distributor may pay a dealer concession and/or a service fee for Large Purchases and purchases by certain retirement plans.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
You can purchase Class B and Class C shares at their net asset value per share.
However, when you redeem them, they are subject to a CDSC in the following
percentages:
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE MADE CLASS B CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First 5% 1% Second 4 None Third 3 None Fourth 3 None Fifth 2 None Sixth 1 None Seventh and following None None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
You can purchase Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund at their net asset value and not subject to a CDSC. However, you may be charged a CDSC when you redeem Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund if you acquired those shares through an exchange, and the shares originally purchased were subject to a CDSC.
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CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS R SHARES
You can purchase Class R shares at their net asset value per share. If the
distributor pays a concession to the dealer of record, however, the Class R
shares are subject to a 0.75% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement
plan assets are redeemed within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's
initial purchase.
COMPUTING A CDSC
The CDSC on redemptions of shares is computed based on the lower of their
original purchase price or current market value, net of reinvested dividends and
capital gains distributions. In determining whether to charge a CDSC, we will
assume that you have redeemed shares on which there is no CDSC first and, then,
shares in the order of purchase.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES AND SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS
You may qualify for reduced sales charges or sales charge exceptions. To qualify for these reductions or exceptions, you or your financial consultant must provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to verify that your purchase qualifies for such treatment.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
You may be eligible to buy Class A shares at reduced initial sales charge rates
under Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent under certain circumstances.
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund and Class B and Class C shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund and Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund will not be taken into account in determining whether a purchase qualifies for a reduction in initial sales charges pursuant to Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent.
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION
You may combine your new purchases of Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund
with AIM and/or INVESCO fund shares currently owned (Class A, B, C, K or R) for
the purpose of qualifying for the lower initial sales charge rates that apply to
larger purchases. The applicable initial sales charge for the new purchase is
based on the total of your current purchase and the public offering price of all
other shares you own.
LETTERS OF INTENT
Under a Letter of Intent (LOI), you commit to purchase a specified dollar amount
of Class A shares of AIM and/or INVESCO funds during a 13-month period. The
amount you agree to purchase determines the initial sales charge you pay. If the
full face amount of the LOI is not invested by the end of the 13-month period,
your account will be adjusted to the higher initial sales charge level for the
amount actually invested.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS
You will not pay initial sales charges
- on shares purchased by reinvesting dividends and distributions;
- when exchanging shares among certain AIM and INVESCO funds;
- when using the reinstatement privileges; and
- when a merger, consolidation, or acquisition of assets of an AIM or INVESCO fund occurs.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC) EXCEPTIONS
You will not pay a CDSC
- if you redeem Class B shares you held for more than six years;
- if you redeem Class C shares you held for more than one year;
- if you redeem Class C shares of an AIM fund other than AIM Short Term Bond Fund and you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund;
- if you redeem Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of another AIM fund and the original purchase was subject to a CDSC;
- if you are a participant in a retirement plan and your plan redeems, at any time, less than all of the Class R shares held through such plan that would otherwise be subject to a CDSC;
- if you are a participant in a retirement plan and your plan redeems, after having held them for more than one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase, all of the Class R shares held through such plan that would otherwise be subject to a CDSC;
- if you redeem shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions; and
- on increases in the net asset value of your shares.
There may be other situations when you may be able to purchase or redeem shares at reduced or without sales charges. Consult the fund's Statement of Additional Information for details.
TOOLS USED TO COMBAT EXCESSIVE SHORT-TERM TRADING ACTIVITY
While the funds provide their shareholders with daily liquidity, their investment programs are designed to serve long-term investors. Excessive short-term trading activity in the funds' shares (i.e., a purchase of fund shares followed shortly thereafter by a redemption of such shares, or vice versa) may hurt the long-term performance of certain funds by requiring them to maintain an excessive amount of cash or to liquidate portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time. A I M Advisors, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, the "AIM Affiliates") currently use the following tools designed to discourage excessive short-term trading in the retail funds within The AIM Family of Funds(R) and the INVESCO family of funds (together, the "funds"):
(1) trade activity monitoring;
(2) trading guidelines;
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(3) redemption fee on trades in certain funds; and
(4) selective use of fair value pricing.
Each of these tools is described in more detail below. Although these tools are designed to discourage excessive short-term trading, you should understand that none of these tools alone nor all of them taken together eliminate the possibility that excessive short-term trading activity in the funds will occur. Moreover, each of these tools involves judgments that are inherently subjective. The AIM Affiliates seek to make these judgments to the best of their abilities in a manner that they believe is consistent with shareholder interests.
TRADE ACTIVITY MONITORING
The AIM Affiliates monitor selected trades on a daily basis in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading activities. If, as a result of this monitoring, the AIM Affiliates believe that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading, they may, in their discretion, ask the shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases or exchanges in the shareholder's accounts other than exchanges into a money market fund. In making such judgments, the AIM Affiliates seek to act in a manner that they believe is consistent with the best interests of shareholders.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor trades that are placed by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
TRADING GUIDELINES
Currently, if you exceed 10 exchanges per calendar year, or a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not you exceed such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each fund and the distributor reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders.
You are limited to a maximum of 10 exchanges per calendar year per shareholder account for all funds held by you under that account. Because excessive short-term trading or market-timing activity can hurt fund performance, if you exceed that limit, or if a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading is excessive or that you are engaging in market-timing activity, it may reject any additional exchange orders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one fund and into (purchase) another fund. Effective on or about March 1, 2004, if you exceed four exchanges out of a fund (other than AIM Money Market Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and INVESCO U.S. Government Money Fund) per calendar year, or a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not you exceed such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each fund and the distributor reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one fund and into (purchase) another fund.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor exchanges made by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
REDEMPTION FEE
You may be charged a 2% redemption fee if you redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of certain funds within 30 days of purchase. The AIM Affiliates expect to charge the redemption fee on other classes of shares when the funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. See "Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee" for more information.
The ability of a fund to assess a redemption fee on the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder account and may be further limited by systems limitations applicable to these types of accounts. Additionally, the AIM Affiliates maintain certain retirement plan accounts on a record keeping system that is currently incapable of processing the redemption fee. The provider of this system is working to enhance the system to facilities the processing of this fee. These are two reasons why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
FAIR VALUE PRICING
The trading hours for most foreign securities end prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange, the time the fund's net asset value is calculated. The occurrence of certain events after the close of foreign markets, but prior to the close of the U.S. market (such as a significant surge or decline in the U.S. market) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, the fund may value foreign securities at fair value, taking into account such events, when it calculates its net asset value. Fair value determinations are made in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors or Trustees of the fund. See "Pricing of Shares -- Determination of Net Asset Value" for more information.
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Fair value pricing results in an estimated price and may reduce the possibility that short-term traders could take advantage of potentially "stale" prices of portfolio holdings. However, if cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
PURCHASING SHARES
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS PER AIM FUND ACCOUNT
There are no minimum investments with respect to Class R shares for AIM fund accounts. The minimum investments with respect to Class A, A3, B and C shares and Investor Class shares for AIM fund accounts are as follows:
INITIAL ADDITIONAL TYPE OF ACCOUNT INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans (includes section 401, $ 0 ($25 per AIM fund investment for $50 403 and salary deferrals from Employer- 457 plans, and SEP, SARSEP and SIMPLE IRA plans) Sponsored Retirement Plans) Systematic Purchase Plan 50 50 IRA, Roth IRA or Coverdell ESA 250 50 All other accounts 1,000 50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
The maximum amount for a single purchase order of AIM Opportunities I Fund is $250,000.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
You may purchase shares using one of the options below. Purchase orders will not be processed unless the account application and purchase payment are received in good order. In accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act, if you fail to provide all the required information requested in the current account application, your purchase order will not be processed. Additionally, Federal law requires that the AIM fund verify and record your identifying information.
OPENING AN ACCOUNT ADDING TO AN ACCOUNT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. Same By Mail Mail completed account application and Mail your check and the remittance slip check to the transfer agent, AIM from your confirmation statement to the Investment Services, Inc., P.O. Box transfer agent. 4739, Houston, TX 77210-4739. By Wire Mail completed account application to Call the transfer agent to receive a the transfer agent. Call the transfer reference number. Then, use the wire agent at (800) 959-4246 to receive a instructions at left. reference number. Then, use the following wire instructions: Beneficiary Bank ABA/Routing #: 113000609 Beneficiary Account Number: 00100366807 Beneficiary Account Name: AIM Investment Services, Inc. RFB: Fund Name, Reference # OBI: Your Name, Account # By Telephone Open your account using one of the Select the AIM Bank methods described above. Connection--Servicemark-- option on your completed account application or complete an AIM Bank Connection form. Mail the application or form to the transfer agent. Once the transfer agent has received the form, call the transfer agent to place your purchase order. Call the AIM 24-hour Automated Investor Line at 1-800-246-5463. You may place your order after you have provided the bank instructions that will be requested. By Internet Open your account using one of the Access your account at methods described above. www.aiminvestments.com. The proper bank instructions must have been provided on your account. You may not purchase shares in AIM prototype retirement accounts on the internet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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GRANDFATHERED INVESTORS
Investor Class shares of a fund may be purchased only by: (1) persons or
entities who had established an account, prior to April 1, 2002, in Investor
Class shares of any of the funds currently distributed by A I M Distributors,
Inc. (the "Grandfathered Funds") and have continuously maintained such account
in Investor Class shares since April 1, 2002; (2) any person or entity listed in
the account registration for any Grandfathered Funds, which account was
established prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained since April 1,
2002, such as joint owners, trustees, custodians and designated beneficiaries;
(3) customers of certain financial institutions, wrap accounts or other
fee-based advisory programs, or insurance company separate accounts, which have
had relationships with A I M Distributors, Inc. and/or any of the Grandfathered
Funds prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained such relationships
since April 1, 2002; (4) defined benefit, defined contribution and deferred
compensation plans; and (5) AIM and INVESCO fund trustees and directors,
employees of AMVESCAP PLC and its subsidiaries, AMVESCAP directors, and their
immediate families.
SPECIAL PLANS
SYSTEMATIC PURCHASE PLAN
You can arrange for periodic investments in any of the AIM funds by authorizing
the AIM fund to withdraw the amount of your investment from your bank account on
a day or dates you specify and in an amount of at least $50. You may stop the
Systematic Purchase Plan at any time by giving the transfer agent notice ten
days prior to your next scheduled withdrawal.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
Dollar Cost Averaging allows you to make automatic monthly or quarterly
exchanges, if permitted, from one AIM or INVESCO fund account to one or more
other AIM or INVESCO fund accounts with the identical registration. The account
from which exchanges are to be made must have a minimum balance of $5,000 before
you can use this option. Exchanges will occur on (or about) the 10th or 25th day
of the month, whichever you specify, in the amount you specify. The minimum
amount you can exchange to another AIM or INVESCO fund is $50.
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND INVESTMENT
All of your dividends and distributions may be paid in cash or invested in any
AIM or INVESCO fund at net asset value. Unless you specify otherwise, your
dividends and distributions will automatically be reinvested in the same AIM or
INVESCO fund. You may invest your dividends and distributions (1) into another
AIM or INVESCO fund in the same class of shares; or (2) from Class A shares into
AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, or vice versa.
You must comply with the following requirements to be eligible to invest your dividends and distributions in shares of another AIM fund:
(1) Your account balance (a) in the AIM or INVESCO fund paying the dividend must be at least $5,000; and (b) in the AIM or INVESCO fund receiving the dividend must be at least $500;
(2) Both accounts must have identical registration information; and
(3) You must have completed an authorization form to reinvest dividends into another AIM or INVESCO fund.
PORTFOLIO REBALANCING PROGRAM
If you have at least $5,000 in your account, you may participate in the
Portfolio Rebalancing Program. Under this Program, you can designate how the
total value of your AIM and INVESCO fund holdings should be rebalanced, on a
percentage basis, between two and ten of your AIM and INVESCO funds on a
quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. Your portfolio will be rebalanced through
the exchange of shares in one or more of your AIM or INVESCO funds for shares of
the same class of one or more other AIM or INVESCO funds in your portfolio. If
you wish to participate in the Program, make changes or cancel the Program, the
transfer agent must receive your request to participate, changes, or
cancellation in good order at least five business days prior to the next
rebalancing date, which is normally the 28th day of the last month of the period
you choose. You may realize taxable gains from these exchanges. We may modify,
suspend or terminate the Program at any time on 60 days prior written notice.
RETIREMENT PLANS
Shares of most of the AIM funds can be purchased through tax-sheltered
retirement plans made available to corporations, individuals and employees of
non-profit organizations and public schools. A plan document must be adopted to
establish a retirement plan. You may use AIM sponsored retirement plans, which
include IRAs, Roth IRAs, SIMPLE IRA plans, SEP/SARSEP plans, 403(b) plans,
401(k) plans and Money Purchase/Profit Sharing plans, or another sponsor's
retirement plan. The plan custodian of the AIM sponsored retirement plan
assesses an annual maintenance fee of $10. Contact your financial consultant for
details.
REDEEMING SHARES
REDEMPTION FEE
You may be charged a 2% redemption fee (on total redemption proceeds) if you redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of the following funds (either by selling or
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exchanging to another AIM fund or INVESCO fund) within 30 days of their purchase:
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund AIM Global Value Fund AIM Developing Markets Fund AIM International Emerging Growth Fund AIM European Growth Fund AIM International Growth Fund AIM European Small Company AIM High Yield Fund Fund AIM Trimark Fund AIM Global Aggressive Growth INVESCO International Core Equity Fund Fund INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund AIM Global Growth Fund AIM Global Trends Fund |
The redemption fee will be retained by the fund from which you are redeeming shares (including redemptions by exchange), and is intended to offset the trading costs, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money movements in and out of the fund. The redemption fee is imposed to the extent that the number of fund shares you redeem exceeds the number of fund shares that you have held for more than 30 days. In determining whether the minimum 30 day holding period has been met, only the period during which you have held shares of the fund from which you are redeeming is counted. For this purpose, shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last.
The 2% redemption fee will not be charged on transactions involving the following:
(1) total or partial redemptions of shares by omnibus accounts maintained by brokers that do not have the systematic capability to process the redemption fee;
(2) total or partial redemptions of shares by approved fee-based programs that do not have the systematic capability to process the redemption fee;
(3) total or partial redemptions of shares held through retirement plans maintained pursuant to Sections 401, 403, 408, 408A and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") where the systematic capability to process the redemption fee does not exist;
(4) total or partial redemptions effectuated pursuant to an automatic non-discretionary rebalancing program or a systematic withdrawal plan set up in the funds;
(5) total or partial redemptions requested within 30 days following the death or
post-purchase disability of (i) any registered shareholder on an account or
(ii) the settlor of a living trust which is the registered shareholder of an
account, of shares held in the account at the time of death or initial
determination of post-purchase disability;
(6) total or partial redemption of shares acquired through investment of dividends and other distributors; or
(7) redemptions initiated by a fund.
The AIM Affiliates' goals are to apply the redemption fee on all classes of shares regardless of the type of account in which such shares are held. This goal is not immediately achievable because of systems limitations and marketplace resistance. Currently, the redemption fee may be applied on Class A and Investor Class shares (and Institutional Shares for INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund). AIM expects to charge the redemption fee on all other classes of shares when the funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. In addition, AIM intends to develop a plan to encourage brokers that maintain omnibus accounts, sponsors of fee-based program accounts and retirement plan administrators for accounts that are exempt from the redemption fee pursuant to the terms above to modify computer programs to impose the redemption fee or to develop alternate processes to monitor and restrict short-term trading activity in the funds. Lastly, the provider of AIM's retirement plan record keeping system is working to enhance the system to facilitate the processing of the redemption fee. Until such computer programs are modified or alternate processes are developed, the fund's ability to assess a redemption fee on these types of share classes and accounts is severely limited. These are reasons why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
The funds have the discretion to waive the 2% redemption fee if a fund is in jeopardy of failing the 90% income test or losing its registered investment company qualification for tax purposes.
Your broker or financial consultant may charge service fees for handling redemption transactions. Your shares also may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2001.
If you purchased $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund at net asset value prior to November 15, 2001, or entered into a Letter of Intent prior to November 15, 2001 to purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Category I, II or III AIM fund at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption, as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category I - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed or II Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(1) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category III - No CDSC Fund(1) Fund(1) - Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund |
(1) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
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REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE ON AND AFTER NOVEMBER 15, 2001
If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund on and after November 15, 2001 (and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Class A shares of Category III AIM funds), or if you make additional purchases of Class A shares on and after November 15, 2001 (and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Class A shares of Category III AIM funds) at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption, as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category I - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed or II Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(1) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial purchase of Category III Fund shares - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category III - 0.25% if shares are redeemed Fund Fund(1) within 12 months of initial - Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt purchase of Category III Fund Cash Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund |
(1) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE AFTER OCTOBER 30, 2002
If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund on or after October 31, 2002, or if you make additional purchases of Class A shares on and after October 31, 2002 at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category I - 1% if shares are redeemed I or II Fund or II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(2) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category I - 1% if shares are redeemed III Fund(1) or II Fund within 18 months of initial purchase of Category III Fund shares - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category III - No CDSC III Fund(1) Fund(2) - Class A shares of AIM Tax- Exempt Cash Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market |
(1) As of the close of business on October 30, 2002, only existing shareholders
of Class A shares of a Category III Fund may purchase such shares.
(2) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III
Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of Category III Fund.
REDEMPTION OF CLASS B SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FROM AIM FLOATING RATE FUND
If you redeem Class B shares you acquired by exchange via a tender offer by AIM Floating Rate Fund, the early withdrawal charge applicable to shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund will be applied instead of the CDSC normally applicable to Class B shares.
MCF--02/04
Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. By Mail Send a written request to the transfer agent. Requests must include (1) original signatures of all registered owners; (2) the name of the AIM fund and your account number; (3) if the transfer agent does not hold your shares, endorsed share certificates or share certificates accompanied by an executed stock power; and (4) signature guarantees, if necessary (see below). The transfer agent may require that you provide additional information, such as corporate resolutions or powers of attorney, if applicable. If you are redeeming from an IRA account, you must include a statement of whether or not you are at least 59 1/2 years old and whether you wish to have federal income tax withheld from your proceeds. The transfer agent may require certain other information before you can redeem from an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Contact your employer for details. By Telephone Call the transfer agent or our AIM 24-hour Automated Investor Line at 1-800-246-5463. You will be allowed to redeem by telephone if (1) the proceeds are to be mailed to the address on record (if there has been no change communicated to us within the last 30 days) or transferred electronically to a pre-authorized checking account; (2) you do not hold physical share certificates; (3) you can provide proper identification information; (4) the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $250,000; and (5) you have not previously declined the telephone redemption privilege. Certain accounts, including retirement accounts and 403(b) plans, may not be redeemed by telephone. The transfer agent must receive your call during the hours of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. You may, with limited exceptions, redeem from an IRA account by telephone. Redemptions from other types of retirement accounts must be requested in writing. By Internet Place your redemption request at www.aiminvestments.com. You will be allowed to redeem by internet if (1) you do not hold physical share certificates; (2) you can provide proper identification information; (3) the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $250,000; and (4) you have already provided proper bank information. AIM prototype retirement accounts may not be redeemed on the internet. The transfer agent must confirm your transaction during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. |
TIMING AND METHOD OF PAYMENT
We normally will send out checks within one business day, and in any event no more than seven days, after we accept your request to redeem. If you redeem shares recently purchased by check, you will be required to wait up to ten business days before we will send your redemption proceeds. This delay is necessary to ensure that the purchase check has cleared.
REDEMPTION BY MAIL
If you mail us a request in good order to redeem your shares, we will mail you a
check in the amount of the redemption proceeds to the address on record with us.
If your request is not in good order, you may have to provide us with additional
documentation in order to redeem your shares.
REDEMPTION BY TELEPHONE
If you redeem by telephone, we will mail you a check in the amount of the
redemption proceeds to your address of record (if there has been no change
communicated to the transfer agent within the previous 30 days) or transmit them
electronically to your pre-authorized bank account. We use reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine and are not
liable for telephone instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine.
REDEMPTION BY INTERNET
If you redeem by internet, we will transmit your redemption proceeds
electronically to your pre-authorized bank account. We use reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions communicated by internet are genuine and are not
liable for internet instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine.
PAYMENT FOR SYSTEMATIC REDEMPTIONS
You may arrange for regular monthly or quarterly withdrawals from your account
of at least $100. You also may make annual withdrawals if you own Class A
shares. We will redeem enough shares from your account to cover the amount
withdrawn. You must have an account balance of at least $5,000 to establish a
Systematic Redemption Plan. You can stop this plan at any time by giving ten
days prior notice to the transfer agent.
EXPEDITED REDEMPTIONS
(AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES OF AIM MONEY MARKET FUND ONLY)
If we receive your redemption order before 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, we will try
to transmit payment of redemption proceeds on that same day. If we receive your
redemption order after 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time and before the close of the
customary trading session of the NYSE, we generally will transmit payment on the
next business day.
MCF--02/04
REDEMPTIONS BY CHECK
(CLASS A SHARES OF AIM TAX-EXEMPT CASH FUND AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES OF AIM
MONEY MARKET FUND ONLY)
You may redeem shares of these AIM funds by writing checks in amounts of $250 or
more if you have completed an authorization form. Redemption by check is not
available for retirement accounts.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
We require a signature guarantee when you redeem by mail and
(1) the amount is greater than $250,000;
(2) you request that payment be made to someone other than the name registered on the account;
(3) you request that payment be sent somewhere other than the bank of record on the account; or
(4) you request that payment be sent to a new address or an address that changed in the last 30 days.
The transfer agent will accept a guarantee of your signature by a number of financial institutions. Call the transfer agent for additional information. Some institutions have transaction amount maximums for these guarantees. Please check with the guarantor institution.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGES
You may, within 120 days after you sell shares (except Class R shares, Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, Class A shares and Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund and Investor Class shares), reinvest all or part of your redemption proceeds in Class A shares of any Category I or II AIM fund at net asset value in an identically registered account.
You may, within 120 days after you sell some but not all of your Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund, reinvest all or part of your redemption proceeds in Class A shares of that same Category III AIM fund at net asset value in an identically registered account.
The reinvestment amount must meet the subsequent investment minimum as indicated in the section "Purchasing Shares".
If you paid an initial sales charge on any reinstated amount, you will receive credit on purchases of Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund.
If you paid a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any reinstated amount, you will not be subject to a CDSC if you later redeem that amount.
You must notify the transfer agent in writing at the time you reinstate that you are exercising your reinstatement privilege.
REDEMPTIONS BY THE AIM FUNDS
If your account (Class A, Class A3, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares only) has been open at least one year, you have not made an additional purchase in the account during the past six calendar months, and the value of your account falls below $500 ($250 for Investor Class shares) for three consecutive months due to redemptions or exchanges (excluding retirement accounts), the AIM funds have the right to redeem the account after giving you 60 days' prior written notice. You may avoid having your account redeemed during the notice period by bringing the account value up to $500 ($250 for Investor Class shares) or by utilizing the Automatic Investment Plan.
If an AIM fund determines that you have not provided a correct Social Security or other tax ID number on your account application, or the AIM fund is not able to verify your identity as required by law, the AIM fund may, at its discretion, redeem the account and distribute the proceeds to you.
EXCHANGING SHARES
You may, under certain circumstances, exchange shares in one AIM fund for those of another AIM or INVESCO fund. Before requesting an exchange, review the prospectus of the AIM or INVESCO fund you wish to acquire. Exchange privileges also apply to holders of the Connecticut General Guaranteed Account, established for tax-qualified group annuities, for contracts purchased on or before June 30, 1992.
You may be charged a redemption fee on certain redemptions, including exchanges. See "Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee."
PERMITTED EXCHANGES
Except as otherwise stated under "Exchanges Not Permitted," you generally may exchange your shares for shares of the same class of another AIM or INVESCO fund.
You may also exchange:
(1) Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund;
(2) Class A shares of an AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund for Class A3 shares of an AIM fund;
(3) Class A3 shares of an AIM fund for AIM Cash Reserve shares of AIM Money Market Fund;
(4) Class A3 shares of an AIM fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund;
(5) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class A3 shares of an AIM fund;
(6) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, effective February 17, 2003, and AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund) or INVESCO fund;
(7) Investor Class shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund or Class A3 shares of an AIM fund; or
(8) Class A or A3 shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund as long as you are eligible to purchase Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund at the time of exchange.
MCF--02/04
You may be required to pay an initial sales charge when exchanging from a Fund with a lower initial sales charge than the one into which you are exchanging. If you exchange into shares that are subject to a CDSC, we will begin the holding period for purposes of calculating the CDSC on the date you made your initial purchase.
EXCHANGES NOT SUBJECT TO A SALES CHARGE
You will not pay an initial sales charge when exchanging:
(1) Class A shares with an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) for
(a) Class A shares of another AIM or INVESCO fund;
(b) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(c) Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund or AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund.
(2) Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund with an initial sales charge for
(a) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund; or
(b) Class A shares of another AIM or INVESCO Fund, but only if
(i) you acquired the original shares before May 1, 1994; or
(ii) you acquired the original shares on or after May 1, 1994 by way of an exchange from shares with higher initial sales charges; or
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for
(a) Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund subject to an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund), but only if you acquired the original shares
(i) prior to May 1, 1994 by exchange from Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge;
(ii) on or after May 1, 1994 by exchange from Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund); or
(4) Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund or AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund for
(a) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(b) Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund.
You will not pay a CDSC or other sales charge when exchanging:
(1) Class A shares for other Class A shares;
(2) Class B shares for other Class B shares;
(3) Class C shares for other Class C shares;
(4) Class R shares for other Class R shares.
EXCHANGES NOT PERMITTED
Certain classes of shares are not covered by the exchange privilege. You may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund or Class A shares of an INVESCO fund for Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund after February 16, 2003; or
(2) Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund for Class A shares of another Category III AIM fund after February 16, 2003.
For shares purchased prior to November 15, 2001, you may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of Category I or II AIM funds (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund;
(2) Class A shares of Category III AIM funds purchased at net asset value for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund or Class A shares of an INVESCO fund;
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class B or Class C shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund;
(4) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM or INVESCO fund that are subject to a CDSC; or
(5) on or after January 15, 2002, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of Category III AIM Funds that are subject to a CDSC.
For shares purchased on or after November 15, 2001, you may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of Category I or II AIM or INVESCO funds (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a CDSC for Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund;
(2) Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of any other AIM or INVESCO fund (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a CDSC or for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class B or Class C shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund or for Class A shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund that are subject to a CDSC, however, if you originally purchased Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund, and exchanged those shares for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, you may further exchange the AIM Cash Reserve Shares for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund.
EXCHANGE CONDITIONS
The following conditions apply to all exchanges:
- You must meet the minimum purchase requirements for the AIM or INVESCO fund into which you are exchanging; MCF--02/04
- Shares of the AIM or INVESCO fund you wish to acquire must be available for
sale in your state of residence;
- Exchanges must be made between accounts with identical registration
information;
- The account you wish to exchange from must have a certified tax identification number (or the Fund has received an appropriate Form W-8 or W-9);
- Shares must have been held for at least one day prior to the exchange;
- If you have physical share certificates, you must return them to the transfer agent prior to the exchange; and
TERMS OF EXCHANGE
Under unusual market conditions, an AIM or INVESCO fund may delay the purchase of shares being acquired in an exchange for up to five business days if it determines that it would be materially disadvantaged by the immediate transfer of exchange proceeds. The exchange privilege is not an option or right to purchase shares. Any of the participating AIM or INVESCO funds or the distributor may modify or terminate this privilege at any time. The AIM or INVESCO fund or the distributor will provide you with notice of such modification or termination whenever it is required to do so by applicable law, but may impose changes at any time for emergency purposes.
BY MAIL
If you wish to make an exchange by mail, you must include original signatures of each registered owner exactly as the shares are registered, the account registration and account number, the dollar amount or number of shares to be exchanged and the names of the AIM or INVESCO funds from which and into which the exchange is to be made.
BY TELEPHONE
Conditions that apply to exchanges by telephone are the same as redemptions by telephone, including that the transfer agent must receive exchange requests during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE; however, you still will be allowed to exchange by telephone even if you have changed your address of record within the preceding 30 days.
BY INTERNET
You will be allowed to exchange by internet if you do not hold physical share certificates and you provide the proper identification information.
EXCHANGING CLASS B, CLASS C AND CLASS R SHARES
PRICING OF SHARES
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The price of each AIM fund's shares is the fund's net asset value per share. The AIM funds value portfolio securities for which market quotations are readily available at market value. The AIM funds' short-term investments are valued at amortized cost when the security has 60 days or less to maturity. AIM Money Market Fund and AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund value all of their securities at amortized cost. AIM High Income Municipal Fund, AIM Municipal Bond Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund value variable rate securities that have an unconditional demand or put feature exercisable within seven days or less at par, which reflects the market value of such securities.
The AIM funds value all other securities and assets at their fair value. Securities and other assets quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on the prevailing exchange rates on that day. In addition, if, between the time trading ends on a particular security and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE, events occur that may materially affect the value of the security, the AIM funds may value the security at its fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors or Trustees of the AIM fund. The effect of using fair value pricing is that an AIM fund's net asset value will be subject to the judgment of the Board of Directors or Trustees or its designee instead of being determined by the market. Because some of the AIM funds may invest in securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on days when the AIM funds do not price their shares, the value of those funds' assets may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem fund shares.
Each AIM fund determines the net asset value of its shares on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session, or any earlier NYSE closing time that day. AIM Money Market Fund also determines its net asset value as of 12:00 noon Eastern Time on each day the NYSE is open for business.
TIMING OF ORDERS
You can purchase, exchange or redeem shares during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE. The AIM funds price
MCF--02/04
purchase, exchange and redemption orders at the net asset value calculated after the transfer agent receives an order in good order. An AIM fund may postpone the right of redemption only under unusual circumstances, as allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as when the NYSE restricts or suspends trading.
TAXES
In general, dividends and distributions you receive are taxable as ordinary income or long-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes, whether you reinvest them in additional shares or take them in cash. Distributions are generally taxable to you at different rates depending on the length of time the fund holds its assets and the type of income that the fund earns. Different tax rates apply to ordinary income, qualified dividend income, and long-term capital gain distributions, regardless of how long you have held your shares. Every year, you will be sent information showing the amount of dividends and distributions you received from each AIM fund during the prior year.
Any long-term or short-term capital gains realized from redemptions of AIM fund shares will be subject to federal income tax. Exchanges of shares for shares of another AIM or INVESCO fund are treated as a sale, and any gain realized on the transaction will generally be subject to federal income tax.
INVESTORS IN TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS SHOULD READ THE INFORMATION UNDER THE HEADING "OTHER INFORMATION -- SPECIAL TAX INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND" IN THEIR PROSPECTUS.
The foreign, state and local tax consequences of investing in AIM fund shares may differ materially from the federal income tax consequences described above. In addition, the preceding discussion concerning the taxability of fund dividends and distributions and of redemptions and exchanges of AIM fund shares is inapplicable to investors that are generally exempt from federal income tax, such as retirement plans that are qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs. You should consult your tax advisor before investing.
MCF--02/04
More information may be obtained free of charge upon request. The Statement of Additional Information (SAI), a current version of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), contains more details about the fund and is incorporated by reference into the prospectus (is legally a part of the prospectus). Annual and semiannual reports to shareholders contain additional information about the fund's investments. The fund's annual report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
If you have questions about this fund, another fund in The AIM Family of Funds--Registered Trademark-- or your account, or wish to obtain free copies of the fund's current SAI or annual or semiannual reports, please contact us
BY MAIL: AIM Investment Services, Inc. P.O. Box 4739 Houston, TX 77210-4739 BY TELEPHONE: (800) 347-4246 ON THE INTERNET: You can send us a request by e-mail or download prospectuses, annual or semiannual reports via our website: http://www.aiminvestments.com |
You can also review and obtain copies of the fund's SAI, reports and other information at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; on the EDGAR database on the SEC's Internet website (http://www.sec.gov); or, after paying a duplication fee, by sending a letter to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102 or by sending an electronic mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov. Please call the SEC at 1-202-942-8090 for information about the Public Reference Room.
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
SEC 1940 Act file number: 811-6463
AIMinvestments.com APG-PRO-1 YOUR GOALS. OUR SOLUTIONS. [AIM INVESTMENTS LOGO APPEARS HERE] --Servicemark-- --Servicemark-- |
AIM EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS FEBRUARY 27, 2004 |
AIM European Growth Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital.
This prospectus contains important information about the Class A, B, C, R and Investor Class shares of the fund. Please read it before investing and keep it for future reference.
Investor Class shares offered by this prospectus are offered only to grandfathered investors. Please see the section of the prospectus entitled "Purchasing Shares -- Grandfathered Investors."
As with all other mutual fund securities, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate or accurate. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.
An investment in the fund:
- is not FDIC insured;
- may lose value; and
- is not guaranteed by a bank.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES 1 ------------------------------------------------------ PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND 2 ------------------------------------------------------ PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 3 ------------------------------------------------------ Annual Total Returns 3 Performance Table 4 FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLE 5 ------------------------------------------------------ Fee Table 5 Expense Example 5 FUND MANAGEMENT 6 ------------------------------------------------------ The Advisor 6 Advisor Compensation 6 Portfolio Managers 6 OTHER INFORMATION 6 ------------------------------------------------------ Sales Charges 6 Dividends and Distributions 6 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 7 ------------------------------------------------------ SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION A-1 ------------------------------------------------------ Choosing a Share Class A-1 Tools Used to Combat Excessive Short-Term Trading Activity A-3 Purchasing Shares A-5 Redeeming Shares A-6 Exchanging Shares A-10 Pricing of Shares A-12 Taxes A-13 OBTAINING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Back Cover ------------------------------------------------------ |
The AIM Family of Funds, AIM and Design, AIM, AIM Funds, AIM Funds and Design, AIM Investor, AIM Lifetime America, AIM LINK, AIM Institutional Funds, aimfunds.com, La Familia AIM de Fondos, La Familia AIM de Fondos and Design, Invierta con DISCIPLINA and Invest with DISCIPLINE are registered service marks and AIM Bank Connection, AIM Internet Connect, AIM Private Asset Management, AIM Private Asset Management and Design, AIM Stylized and/or Design, AIM Alternative Assets and Design, AIM Investments, AIM Investments and Design, myaim.com, The AIM College Savings Plan, AIM Solo 401(k) and Your goals. Our solutions. are service marks of A I M Management Group Inc. AIM Trimark is a service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. and AIM Funds Management Inc.
No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, and you should not rely on such other information or representations.
The fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The investment objective of the fund may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
The fund seeks to meet its objective by investing, normally, at least 80% of its assets in securities of European companies. The fund considers various factors when determining whether a company is in Europe, including whether (1) it is organized under the laws of a country in Europe; (2) it has a principal office in a country in Europe; (3) it derives 50% or more of its total revenues from business in a country in Europe; or (4) its equity securities are traded principally on a stock exchange, or in an over-the-counter market, in a country in Europe.
In complying with the 80% investment requirement, the fund will invest primarily in marketable equity securities, including convertible securities, but its investments may include other securities, such as synthetic instruments. Synthetic instruments are investments that have economic characteristics similar to the fund's direct investments, and may include warrants, futures, options, exchange-traded funds and American Depositary Receipts. The fund will normally invest in the securities of companies located in at least three European countries. The fund may invest up to 65% of its total assets in European companies located in developing countries, i.e., those that are in the initial stages of their industrial cycles.
The fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities exchangeable for or convertible into equity securities of European companies. The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in securities of non-European companies. The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in high-grade short-term securities and in debt securities, including U.S. Government obligations, investment-grade corporate bonds or taxable municipal securities, whether denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. The fund's investments may include investments in companies with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion. For cash management purposes, the fund may also hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including shares of affiliated money market funds. Any percentage limitations with respect to assets of the fund are applied at the time of purchase.
The portfolio managers focus on companies that have experienced above-average long-term growth in earnings and have strong prospects for future growth. In selecting countries in which the fund will invest, the portfolio managers also consider such factors as the prospect for relative economic growth among countries or regions, economic or political conditions, currency exchange fluctuations, tax considerations and the liquidity of a particular security. The portfolio managers consider whether to sell a particular security when any of these factors materially changes.
In anticipation of or in response to adverse market or other conditions, or atypical circumstances such as unusually large cash inflows or redemptions, the fund may temporarily hold all or a portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or high-quality debt instruments. As a result, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
There is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the fund. The value of your investment in the fund will go up and down with the prices of the securities in which the fund invests. The prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity. This is especially true with respect to equity securities of small and micro-cap companies, whose prices may go up and down more than the prices of equity securities of larger, more established companies. Also, since equity securities of small and micro-cap companies may not be traded as often as equity securities of larger, more established companies, it may be difficult or impossible for the fund to sell securities at a desired price.
The prices of foreign securities may be further affected by other factors, including:
- Currency exchange rates--The dollar value of the fund's foreign investments will be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the dollar and the currencies in which those investments are traded.
- Political and economic conditions--The value of the fund's foreign investments may be adversely affected by political and social instability in their home countries and by changes in economic or taxation policies in those countries.
- Regulations--Foreign companies generally are subject to less stringent regulations, including financial and accounting controls, than are U.S. companies. As a result, there generally is less publicly available information about foreign companies than about U.S. companies.
- Markets--The securities markets of other countries are smaller than U.S. securities markets. As a result, many foreign securities may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. securities.
These factors may affect the prices of securities issued by foreign companies located in developing countries more than those in countries with mature economies. For example, many developing countries have, in the past, experienced high rates of inflation or sharply devalued their currencies against the U.S. dollar, thereby causing the value of investments in companies located in those countries to decline. Transaction costs are often higher in developing countries and there may be delays in settlement procedures.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
The bar chart and table shown below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of its future performance.
The following bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class A shares from year to year. The bar chart does not reflect sales loads. If it did, the annual total returns shown would be lower.
ANNUAL YEAR ENDED TOTAL DECEMBER 31 RETURNS ----------- ------- 1998................................................................... 40.62% 1999................................................................... 66.62% 2000................................................................... -3.28% 2001................................................................... -24.72% 2002................................................................... -9.71% 2003................................................................... 43.20% |
During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 54.69% (quarter ended December 31, 1999) and the lowest quarterly return was -21.50% (quarter ended March 31, 2001).
PERFORMANCE TABLE
The following performance table compares the fund's performance to that of a broad-based securities market index, a style specific index and a peer group index. The fund's performance reflects payment of sales loads, if applicable. The indices do not reflect payment of fees, expenses or taxes. The fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indices shown below, and consequently, the performance of the fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the indices shown below.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (for the periods ended SINCE INCEPTION December 31, 2003) 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A 11/03/97 Return Before Taxes 35.32% 8.19% 12.94% Return After Taxes on Distributions 35.30 8.19 12.93 Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 22.95 7.11 11.43 Class B 11/03/97 Return Before Taxes 37.31 8.38 13.20 Class C 11/03/97 Return Before Taxes 41.28 8.67 13.21 Class R(1) 11/03/97(1) Return Before Taxes 43.08 9.26 13.81 Investor Class(2) 11/03/97(2) Return Before Taxes 43.08 9.40 13.97 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MSCI EAFE Index(3) 38.59 (0.05) 2.93(7) 10/31/97(7) MSCI Europe Index(4) 38.54 (0.78) 4.36(7) 10/31/97(7) MSCI Europe Growth Index(5) 31.37 (4.88) 1.34(7) 10/31/97(7) Lipper European Fund Index(6) 38.15 1.84 5.58(7) 10/31/97(7) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Class A only and after-tax returns for Class B, C, R and Investor Class will vary.
(1) The returns shown for the one year period are the historical returns of the fund's Class R Shares. The returns shown for the five year period and since inception are the blended returns of the historical performance of the fund's Class R shares since their inception and the restated historical performance of the fund's Class A shares (for periods prior to inception of the Class R shares) at net asset value, adjusted to reflect the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class R shares. The inception date shown in the table is that of the fund's Class A shares. The inception date of the fund's Class R shares is June 3, 2002.
(2) The returns shown for these periods are the blended returns of the historical performance of the fund's Investor Class Shares since their inception and the restated historical performance of the fund's Class A shares (for the periods prior to inception of the Investor Class Shares) at net asset value, adjusted to reflect the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class A shares. The inception date shown in the table is that of the fund's Class A shares. The inception date of the fund's Investor Class shares is September 30, 2003.
(3) The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index measures performance of global stock markets in 21 developed countries. The fund has elected to use the MSCI EAFE Index as its broad based index rather than the MSCI Europe Index because the MSCI EAFE Index is a more widely recognized gauge of International stock market performance. The fund has also included the MSCI Europe Growth Index, which the fund believes more closely reflects the performance of the securities in which the fund invests. In addition, the Lipper European Fund Index (which may or may not include the fund) is included for comparison to a peer group.
(4) The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe Index measures the performance of securities from 15 European countries.
(5) The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe Growth Index includes securities from 15 European countries. The index contains approximately 200 "growth" securities (high price to book value securities).
(6) The Lipper European Fund Index is an equally weighted representation of the 30 largest funds in the Lipper European Region category. These funds concentrate their investments in equity securities whose primary trading markets or operations are concentrated in the European region or a single country within this region.
(7) The average annual total return given is since the month end closest to the inception date of the class with the longest performance history.
FEE TABLE
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
SHAREHOLDER FEES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (paid directly from INVESTOR your investment) CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R CLASS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.50% None None None None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is less) None(1,2) 5.00% 1.00% None(3) None Redemption/Exchange Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed/exchanged) 2.00%(4) None None None None ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (expenses that are deducted INVESTOR from fund assets) CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R CLASS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Management Fees 0.95% 0.95% 0.95% 0.95% 0.95% Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.35 1.00 1.00 0.50 0.25 Other Expenses(6) 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.71 Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2.01 2.66 2.66 2.16 1.91 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
(1) If you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares and redeem these shares within 18 months from the date of purchase, you may pay a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) at the time of redemption.
(2) If you are a retirement plan participant and you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares, you may pay a 1.00% CDSC if a total redemption of the retirement plan assets occurs within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's initial purchase.
(3) If you are a retirement plan participant, you may pay a 0.75% CDSC if the distributor paid a concession to the dealer of record and a total redemption of the retirement plan assets occurs within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's initial purchase.
(4) You may be charged a 2.00% fee on redemptions or exchanges of Class A shares held 30 days or less. See "Shareholder Information -- Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee" for more information.
(5) There is no guarantee that actual expenses will be the same as those shown in the table.
(6) Other Expenses for Investor Class shares are based on estimated average net assets for the current fiscal year.
You may also be charged a transaction or other fee by the financial institution managing your account.
As a result of 12b-1 fees, long-term shareholders in the fund may pay more than the maximum permitted initial sales charge.
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
This example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in different classes of the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. To the extent fees are waived and/or expenses are reimbursed, your expenses will be lower. Although your actual returns and costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $743 $1,146 $1,573 $2,759 Class B 769 1,126 1,610 2,836 Class C 369 826 1,410 2,993 Class R 219 676 1,159 2,493 Investor Class 194 600 1,032 2,233 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $743 $1,146 $1,573 $2,759 Class B 269 826 1,410 2,836 Class C 269 826 1,410 2,993 Class R 219 676 1,159 2,493 Investor Class 194 600 1,032 2,233 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
THE ADVISOR
A I M Advisors, Inc. (the advisor) serves as the fund's investment advisor and is responsible for its day-to-day management including the fund's investment decisions and the execution of securities transactions. The advisor is located at 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1173. The advisor supervises all aspects of the fund's operations and provides investment advisory services to the fund, including obtaining and evaluating economic, statistical and financial information to formulate and implement investment programs for the fund.
The advisor has acted as an investment advisor since its organization in 1976. Today, the advisor, together with its subsidiaries, advises or manages over 200 investment portfolios, including the fund, encompassing a broad range of investment objectives.
ADVISOR COMPENSATION
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the advisor received compensation of 0.95% of average daily net assets.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The advisor uses a team approach to investment management. The individual members of the team (co-managers) who are primarily responsible for the management of the fund's portfolio are
- Jason T. Holzer, Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 1999 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1996.
- Clas G. Olsson, Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since its inception in 1997 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1994.
They are assisted by the Europe/Canada Team. More information on the fund's management team may be found on our website (http://www.aiminvestments.com/teams). The website is not a part of this prospectus.
SALES CHARGES
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM European Growth Fund are subject to the maximum 5.50% initial sales charge as listed under the heading "CATEGORY I Initial Sales Charges" in the "Shareholder Information--Choosing a Share Class" section of this prospectus. Certain purchases of Class A shares at net asset value may be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge listed in that section. Purchases of Class B and Class C shares are subject to the contingent deferred sales charges listed in that section. Certain purchases of Class R shares may be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge listed in that section.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund expects that its distributions, if any, will consist primarily of capital gains.
DIVIDENDS
The fund generally declares and pays dividends, if any, annually.
CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund generally distributes any long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, annually.
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share.
The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information for the fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the fund's annual report, which is available upon request. Information prior to fiscal year 2001 was audited by other public accountants.
CLASS A ------------------------------------------------------------------ YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------ 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 15.60 $ 16.52 $ 23.59 $ 16.42 $ 12.96 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.01)(a) (0.07)(a) (0.06)(a) (0.21)(a) (0.11) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 4.43 (0.85) (7.01) 7.38 3.58 =========================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 4.42 (0.92) (7.07) 7.17 3.47 =========================================================================================================================== Less dividends from net investment income -- -- -- -- (0.01) =========================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 20.02 $ 15.60 $ 16.52 $ 23.59 $ 16.42 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 28.33% (5.57)% (29.97)% 43.67% 26.81% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $301,659 $283,812 $157,651 $273,605 $99,148 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.01%(c)(d) 1.93% 1.83% 1.69% 1.88% =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.04)%(c) (0.42)% (0.32)% (0.82)% (0.69)% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 81% 94% 99% 112% 122% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $294,384,443.
(d) After fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.02%.
CLASS B ----------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 -------- ------- -------- -------- ------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 15.08 $ 16.07 $ 23.11 $ 16.20 $ 12.87 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.11)(a) (0.18)(a) (0.19)(a) (0.38)(a) (0.22) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 4.26 (0.81) (6.85) 7.29 3.55 =========================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 4.15 (0.99) (7.04) 6.91 3.33 =========================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 19.23 $ 15.08 $ 16.07 $ 23.11 $ 16.20 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 27.52% (6.16)% (30.46)% 42.65% 25.87% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $107,959 $97,436 $105,324 $169,614 $67,074 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.66%(c)(d) 2.58% 2.50% 2.39% 2.63% =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.69)%(c) (1.07)% (0.98)% (1.52)% (1.44)% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 81% 94% 99% 112% 122% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $96,511,040.
(d) After fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.67%.
CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 15.09 $ 16.09 $ 23.13 $ 16.21 $ 12.88 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.11)(a) (0.18)(a) (0.19)(a) (0.38)(a) (0.23) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 4.26 (0.82) (6.85) 7.30 3.56 =========================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 4.15 (1.00) (7.04) 6.92 3.33 =========================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 19.24 $ 15.09 $ 16.09 $ 23.13 $ 16.21 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 27.50% (6.22)% (30.44)% 42.69% 25.85% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $31,509 $27,323 $32,604 $54,164 $11,938 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.66%(c)(d) 2.58% 2.50% 2.39% 2.63% =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.69)%(c) (1.07)% (0.98)% (1.52)% (1.44)% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 81% 94% 99% 112% 122% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $27,964,290.
(d) After fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.67%.
CLASS R ------------------------------- JUNE 3, 2002 (DATE SALES YEAR ENDED COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, 2003 2002 ----------- ------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $15.59 $ 18.35 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.03)(a) (0.04)(a) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 4.42 (2.72) ============================================================================================= Total from investment operations 4.39 (2.76) ============================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $19.98 $ 15.59 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================= Total return(b) 28.16% (15.04)% _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 660 $ 15 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.16%(c)(d) 2.08%(e) ============================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.19)%(c) (0.57)%(e) _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate(f) 81% 94% _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $485,853.
(d) After fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.17%.
(e) Annualized.
(f) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
INVESTOR CLASS ------------------ SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 (DATE SALES COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, 2003 ------------------ Net asset value, beginning of period $18.84 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.00(a) ================================================================================== Net gains on securities (both realized and unrealized) 1.17 ================================================================================== Total from investment operations 1.17 ================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $20.01 __________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================== Total return(b) 6.21% __________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 163 __________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.79%(c)(d) ================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 0.18%(c) __________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate(e) 81% __________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $42,611.
(d) After fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 1.79%.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
In addition to the fund, A I M Advisors, Inc. serves as investment advisor to many other mutual funds (the AIM funds). The following information is about all the AIM funds.
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS
Many of the AIM funds have multiple classes of shares, each class representing an interest in the same portfolio of investments. When choosing a share class, you should consult your financial advisor as to which class is most suitable for you. In addition, you should consider the factors below.
CLASS A(1) CLASS A3 CLASS B(4) CLASS C CLASS R INVESTOR CLASS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales charge charge charge charge charge charge - Reduced or waived - No contingent - Contingent - Contingent - Generally, no - No contingent initial sales deferred sales deferred sales deferred sales contingent deferred sales charge for charge charge on charge on deferred sales charge certain redemptions redemptions charge(2) purchases(2,3) within six years within one year(6) - Generally, lower - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of distribution and 0.35% 1.00% 1.00% 0.50% 0.25%(7) service (12b-1) fee than Class B, Class C or Class R shares (See "Fee Table and Expense Example") - Does not convert - Converts to Class - Does not convert - Does not convert - Does not convert to Class A shares A shares at the to Class A shares to Class A shares to Class A shares end of the month which is eight years after the date on which shares were purchased along with a pro rata portion of its reinvested dividends and distributions(5) - Generally more - Generally more - Purchase orders - Generally more - Generally, only - Closed to new appropriate for appropriate for limited to appropriate for available to the investors, except long-term short- term amounts less than short- term following types as described in investors investors $100,000 investors of retirement the "Purchasing plans: (i) all Shares -- Grandfathered section 401 and Investors" 457 plans, (ii) section of your section 403 plans prospectus sponsored by section 501(c)(3) organizations, and (iii) IRA rollovers from such plans if an AIM fund was offered ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Certain AIM funds also offer Institutional Class shares to certain eligible institutional investors; consult the fund's Statement of Additional Information for details.
(1) As of the close of business on October 30, 2002, Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund were closed to new investors.
(2) A contingent deferred sales charge may apply in some cases.
(3) AIM Opportunities I Fund will not accept any single purchase order in excess of $250,000.
(4) Effective September 30, 2003, Class B shares will not be made available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. These plans include 401(k) plans (including AIM Solo 401(k) plans), money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that have existing accounts invested in Class B shares will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
(5) AIM Money Market Fund: Class B shares convert to AIM Cash Reserve Shares. AIM Global Trends Fund: If you held Class B shares on May 29, 1998 and continue to hold them, those shares will convert to Class A shares of that fund at the end of the month which is seven years after the date on which shares were purchased. If you exchange those shares for Class B shares of another AIM fund, the shares into which you exchanged will not convert to Class A shares until the end of the month which is eight years after the date on which you purchased your original shares.
(6) A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) does not apply to redemption of Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you exchange Class C shares of another AIM fund that are subject to a CDSC into AIM Short Term Bond Fund.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES
Each AIM fund (except AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund with respect to its Class A shares) has adopted 12b-1 plans that allow the AIM fund to pay distribution fees to A I M Distributors, Inc. (the distributor) for the sale and distribution of its shares and fees for services provided to shareholders, all or a substantial portion of which are paid to the dealer of record. Because the AIM fund pays these fees out of its assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
MCF--02/04
SALES CHARGES
Sales charges on the AIM funds and classes of those Funds are detailed below. As used below, the term "offering price" with respect to all categories of Class A shares includes the initial sales charge.
INITIAL SALES CHARGES
The AIM funds are grouped into three categories with respect to initial sales
charges. The "Other Information" section of your prospectus will tell you in
what category your particular AIM fund is classified.
CATEGORY I INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION(1) OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 25,000 5.50% 5.82% $ 25,000 but less than $ 50,000 5.25 5.54 $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.75 4.99 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 3.00 3.09 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
(1) AIM Opportunities I Fund will not accept any single purchase order in excess of $250,000.
CATEGORY II INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 50,000 4.75% 4.99% $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.00 4.17 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 2.50 2.56 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
CATEGORY III INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 100,000 1.00% 1.01% $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 0.75 0.76 $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 0.50 0.50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
SHARES SOLD WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE
You will not pay an initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of AIM
Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund.
You will not pay an initial sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund.
You will not pay an initial sales charge or a CDSC on Investor Class shares of any AIM fund.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES
OF AIM MONEY MARKET FUND
You can purchase $1,000,000 or more (a Large Purchase) of Class A shares of
Category I and II AIM funds at net asset value. However, if you redeem these
shares prior to 18 months after the date of purchase, they will be subject to a
CDSC of 1%.
If you made a Large Purchase of Class A shares of Category III AIM funds at net asset value during the period November 15, 2001 through October 30, 2002, such shares will be subject to a 0.25% CDSC if you redeem them prior to 12 months after the date of purchase.
If you currently own Class A shares of a Category I, II or III AIM fund and make additional purchases (through October 30, 2002 for Category III AIM funds only) at net asset value that result in account balances of $1,000,000 or more, the additional shares purchased will be subject to a CDSC (an 18-month, 1% CDSC for Category I and II AIM fund shares, and a 12-month, 0.25% CDSC for Category III AIM fund shares). The CDSC for Category III AIM fund shares will not apply to additional purchases made prior to November 15, 2001 or after October 30, 2002.
Some retirement plans can purchase Class A shares at their net asset value per share. Effective November 1, 2002, if the distributor paid a concession to the dealer of record in connection with a Large Purchase of Class A shares by a retirement plan, the Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement plan assets are redeemed within one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase.
You may be charged a CDSC when you redeem AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund if you acquired those shares through an exchange, and the shares originally purchased were subject to a CDSC.
The distributor may pay a dealer concession and/or a service fee for Large Purchases and purchases by certain retirement plans.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
You can purchase Class B and Class C shares at their net asset value per share.
However, when you redeem them, they are subject to a CDSC in the following
percentages:
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE MADE CLASS B CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First 5% 1% Second 4 None Third 3 None Fourth 3 None Fifth 2 None Sixth 1 None Seventh and following None None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
You can purchase Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund at their net asset value and not subject to a CDSC. However, you may be charged a CDSC when you redeem Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund if you acquired those shares through an exchange, and the shares originally purchased were subject to a CDSC.
MCF--02/04
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS R SHARES
You can purchase Class R shares at their net asset value per share. If the
distributor pays a concession to the dealer of record, however, the Class R
shares are subject to a 0.75% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement
plan assets are redeemed within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's
initial purchase.
COMPUTING A CDSC
The CDSC on redemptions of shares is computed based on the lower of their
original purchase price or current market value, net of reinvested dividends and
capital gains distributions. In determining whether to charge a CDSC, we will
assume that you have redeemed shares on which there is no CDSC first and, then,
shares in the order of purchase.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES AND SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS
You may qualify for reduced sales charges or sales charge exceptions. To qualify for these reductions or exceptions, you or your financial consultant must provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to verify that your purchase qualifies for such treatment.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
You may be eligible to buy Class A shares at reduced initial sales charge rates
under Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent under certain circumstances.
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund and Class B and Class C shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund and Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund will not be taken into account in determining whether a purchase qualifies for a reduction in initial sales charges pursuant to Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent.
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION
You may combine your new purchases of Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund
with AIM and/or INVESCO fund shares currently owned (Class A, B, C, K or R) for
the purpose of qualifying for the lower initial sales charge rates that apply to
larger purchases. The applicable initial sales charge for the new purchase is
based on the total of your current purchase and the public offering price of all
other shares you own.
LETTERS OF INTENT
Under a Letter of Intent (LOI), you commit to purchase a specified dollar amount
of Class A shares of AIM and/or INVESCO funds during a 13-month period. The
amount you agree to purchase determines the initial sales charge you pay. If the
full face amount of the LOI is not invested by the end of the 13-month period,
your account will be adjusted to the higher initial sales charge level for the
amount actually invested.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS
You will not pay initial sales charges
- on shares purchased by reinvesting dividends and distributions;
- when exchanging shares among certain AIM and INVESCO funds;
- when using the reinstatement privileges; and
- when a merger, consolidation, or acquisition of assets of an AIM or INVESCO fund occurs.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC) EXCEPTIONS
You will not pay a CDSC
- if you redeem Class B shares you held for more than six years;
- if you redeem Class C shares you held for more than one year;
- if you redeem Class C shares of an AIM fund other than AIM Short Term Bond Fund and you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund;
- if you redeem Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of another AIM fund and the original purchase was subject to a CDSC;
- if you are a participant in a retirement plan and your plan redeems, at any time, less than all of the Class R shares held through such plan that would otherwise be subject to a CDSC;
- if you are a participant in a retirement plan and your plan redeems, after having held them for more than one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase, all of the Class R shares held through such plan that would otherwise be subject to a CDSC;
- if you redeem shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions; and
- on increases in the net asset value of your shares.
There may be other situations when you may be able to purchase or redeem shares at reduced or without sales charges. Consult the fund's Statement of Additional Information for details.
TOOLS USED TO COMBAT EXCESSIVE SHORT-TERM TRADING ACTIVITY
While the funds provide their shareholders with daily liquidity, their investment programs are designed to serve long-term investors. Excessive short-term trading activity in the funds' shares (i.e., a purchase of fund shares followed shortly thereafter by a redemption of such shares, or vice versa) may hurt the long-term performance of certain funds by requiring them to maintain an excessive amount of cash or to liquidate portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time. A I M Advisors, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, the "AIM Affiliates") currently use the following tools designed to discourage excessive short-term trading in the retail funds within The AIM Family of Funds(R) and the INVESCO family of funds (together, the "funds"):
(1) trade activity monitoring;
(2) trading guidelines;
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(3) redemption fee on trades in certain funds; and
(4) selective use of fair value pricing.
Each of these tools is described in more detail below. Although these tools are designed to discourage excessive short-term trading, you should understand that none of these tools alone nor all of them taken together eliminate the possibility that excessive short-term trading activity in the funds will occur. Moreover, each of these tools involves judgments that are inherently subjective. The AIM Affiliates seek to make these judgments to the best of their abilities in a manner that they believe is consistent with shareholder interests.
TRADE ACTIVITY MONITORING
The AIM Affiliates monitor selected trades on a daily basis in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading activities. If, as a result of this monitoring, the AIM Affiliates believe that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading, they may, in their discretion, ask the shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases or exchanges in the shareholder's accounts other than exchanges into a money market fund. In making such judgments, the AIM Affiliates seek to act in a manner that they believe is consistent with the best interests of shareholders.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor trades that are placed by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
TRADING GUIDELINES
Currently, if you exceed 10 exchanges per calendar year, or a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not you exceed such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each fund and the distributor reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders.
You are limited to a maximum of 10 exchanges per calendar year per shareholder account for all funds held by you under that account. Because excessive short-term trading or market-timing activity can hurt fund performance, if you exceed that limit, or if a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading is excessive or that you are engaging in market-timing activity, it may reject any additional exchange orders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one fund and into (purchase) another fund. Effective on or about March 1, 2004, if you exceed four exchanges out of a fund (other than AIM Money Market Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and INVESCO U.S. Government Money Fund) per calendar year, or a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not you exceed such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each fund and the distributor reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one fund and into (purchase) another fund.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor exchanges made by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
REDEMPTION FEE
You may be charged a 2% redemption fee if you redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of certain funds within 30 days of purchase. The AIM Affiliates expect to charge the redemption fee on other classes of shares when the funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. See "Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee" for more information.
The ability of a fund to assess a redemption fee on the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder account and may be further limited by systems limitations applicable to these types of accounts. Additionally, the AIM Affiliates maintain certain retirement plan accounts on a record keeping system that is currently incapable of processing the redemption fee. The provider of this system is working to enhance the system to facilities the processing of this fee. These are two reasons why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
FAIR VALUE PRICING
The trading hours for most foreign securities end prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange, the time the fund's net asset value is calculated. The occurrence of certain events after the close of foreign markets, but prior to the close of the U.S. market (such as a significant surge or decline in the U.S. market) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, the fund may value foreign securities at fair value, taking into account such events, when it calculates its net asset value. Fair value determinations are made in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors or Trustees of the fund. See "Pricing of Shares -- Determination of Net Asset Value" for more information.
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Fair value pricing results in an estimated price and may reduce the possibility that short-term traders could take advantage of potentially "stale" prices of portfolio holdings. However, if cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
PURCHASING SHARES
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS PER AIM FUND ACCOUNT
There are no minimum investments with respect to Class R shares for AIM fund accounts. The minimum investments with respect to Class A, A3, B and C shares and Investor Class shares for AIM fund accounts are as follows:
INITIAL ADDITIONAL TYPE OF ACCOUNT INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans (includes section 401, $ 0 ($25 per AIM fund investment for $50 403 and salary deferrals from Employer- 457 plans, and SEP, SARSEP and SIMPLE IRA plans) Sponsored Retirement Plans) Systematic Purchase Plan 50 50 IRA, Roth IRA or Coverdell ESA 250 50 All other accounts 1,000 50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
The maximum amount for a single purchase order of AIM Opportunities I Fund is $250,000.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
You may purchase shares using one of the options below. Purchase orders will not be processed unless the account application and purchase payment are received in good order. In accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act, if you fail to provide all the required information requested in the current account application, your purchase order will not be processed. Additionally, Federal law requires that the AIM fund verify and record your identifying information.
OPENING AN ACCOUNT ADDING TO AN ACCOUNT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. Same By Mail Mail completed account application and Mail your check and the remittance slip check to the transfer agent, AIM from your confirmation statement to the Investment Services, Inc., P.O. Box transfer agent. 4739, Houston, TX 77210-4739. By Wire Mail completed account application to Call the transfer agent to receive a the transfer agent. Call the transfer reference number. Then, use the wire agent at (800) 959-4246 to receive a instructions at left. reference number. Then, use the following wire instructions: Beneficiary Bank ABA/Routing #: 113000609 Beneficiary Account Number: 00100366807 Beneficiary Account Name: AIM Investment Services, Inc. RFB: Fund Name, Reference # OBI: Your Name, Account # By Telephone Open your account using one of the Select the AIM Bank methods described above. Connection--Servicemark-- option on your completed account application or complete an AIM Bank Connection form. Mail the application or form to the transfer agent. Once the transfer agent has received the form, call the transfer agent to place your purchase order. Call the AIM 24-hour Automated Investor Line at 1-800-246-5463. You may place your order after you have provided the bank instructions that will be requested. By Internet Open your account using one of the Access your account at methods described above. www.aiminvestments.com. The proper bank instructions must have been provided on your account. You may not purchase shares in AIM prototype retirement accounts on the internet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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GRANDFATHERED INVESTORS
Investor Class shares of a fund may be purchased only by: (1) persons or
entities who had established an account, prior to April 1, 2002, in Investor
Class shares of any of the funds currently distributed by A I M Distributors,
Inc. (the "Grandfathered Funds") and have continuously maintained such account
in Investor Class shares since April 1, 2002; (2) any person or entity listed in
the account registration for any Grandfathered Funds, which account was
established prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained since April 1,
2002, such as joint owners, trustees, custodians and designated beneficiaries;
(3) customers of certain financial institutions, wrap accounts or other
fee-based advisory programs, or insurance company separate accounts, which have
had relationships with A I M Distributors, Inc. and/or any of the Grandfathered
Funds prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained such relationships
since April 1, 2002; (4) defined benefit, defined contribution and deferred
compensation plans; and (5) AIM and INVESCO fund trustees and directors,
employees of AMVESCAP PLC and its subsidiaries, AMVESCAP directors, and their
immediate families.
SPECIAL PLANS
SYSTEMATIC PURCHASE PLAN
You can arrange for periodic investments in any of the AIM funds by authorizing
the AIM fund to withdraw the amount of your investment from your bank account on
a day or dates you specify and in an amount of at least $50. You may stop the
Systematic Purchase Plan at any time by giving the transfer agent notice ten
days prior to your next scheduled withdrawal.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
Dollar Cost Averaging allows you to make automatic monthly or quarterly
exchanges, if permitted, from one AIM or INVESCO fund account to one or more
other AIM or INVESCO fund accounts with the identical registration. The account
from which exchanges are to be made must have a minimum balance of $5,000 before
you can use this option. Exchanges will occur on (or about) the 10th or 25th day
of the month, whichever you specify, in the amount you specify. The minimum
amount you can exchange to another AIM or INVESCO fund is $50.
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND INVESTMENT
All of your dividends and distributions may be paid in cash or invested in any
AIM or INVESCO fund at net asset value. Unless you specify otherwise, your
dividends and distributions will automatically be reinvested in the same AIM or
INVESCO fund. You may invest your dividends and distributions (1) into another
AIM or INVESCO fund in the same class of shares; or (2) from Class A shares into
AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, or vice versa.
You must comply with the following requirements to be eligible to invest your dividends and distributions in shares of another AIM fund:
(1) Your account balance (a) in the AIM or INVESCO fund paying the dividend must be at least $5,000; and (b) in the AIM or INVESCO fund receiving the dividend must be at least $500;
(2) Both accounts must have identical registration information; and
(3) You must have completed an authorization form to reinvest dividends into another AIM or INVESCO fund.
PORTFOLIO REBALANCING PROGRAM
If you have at least $5,000 in your account, you may participate in the
Portfolio Rebalancing Program. Under this Program, you can designate how the
total value of your AIM and INVESCO fund holdings should be rebalanced, on a
percentage basis, between two and ten of your AIM and INVESCO funds on a
quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. Your portfolio will be rebalanced through
the exchange of shares in one or more of your AIM or INVESCO funds for shares of
the same class of one or more other AIM or INVESCO funds in your portfolio. If
you wish to participate in the Program, make changes or cancel the Program, the
transfer agent must receive your request to participate, changes, or
cancellation in good order at least five business days prior to the next
rebalancing date, which is normally the 28th day of the last month of the period
you choose. You may realize taxable gains from these exchanges. We may modify,
suspend or terminate the Program at any time on 60 days prior written notice.
RETIREMENT PLANS
Shares of most of the AIM funds can be purchased through tax-sheltered
retirement plans made available to corporations, individuals and employees of
non-profit organizations and public schools. A plan document must be adopted to
establish a retirement plan. You may use AIM sponsored retirement plans, which
include IRAs, Roth IRAs, SIMPLE IRA plans, SEP/SARSEP plans, 403(b) plans,
401(k) plans and Money Purchase/Profit Sharing plans, or another sponsor's
retirement plan. The plan custodian of the AIM sponsored retirement plan
assesses an annual maintenance fee of $10. Contact your financial consultant for
details.
REDEEMING SHARES
REDEMPTION FEE
You may be charged a 2% redemption fee (on total redemption proceeds) if you redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of the following funds (either by selling or
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exchanging to another AIM fund or INVESCO fund) within 30 days of their purchase:
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund AIM Global Value Fund AIM Developing Markets Fund AIM International Emerging Growth Fund AIM European Growth Fund AIM International Growth Fund AIM European Small Company AIM High Yield Fund Fund AIM Trimark Fund AIM Global Aggressive Growth INVESCO International Core Equity Fund Fund INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund AIM Global Growth Fund AIM Global Trends Fund |
The redemption fee will be retained by the fund from which you are redeeming shares (including redemptions by exchange), and is intended to offset the trading costs, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money movements in and out of the fund. The redemption fee is imposed to the extent that the number of fund shares you redeem exceeds the number of fund shares that you have held for more than 30 days. In determining whether the minimum 30 day holding period has been met, only the period during which you have held shares of the fund from which you are redeeming is counted. For this purpose, shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last.
The 2% redemption fee will not be charged on transactions involving the following:
(1) total or partial redemptions of shares by omnibus accounts maintained by brokers that do not have the systematic capability to process the redemption fee;
(2) total or partial redemptions of shares by approved fee-based programs that do not have the systematic capability to process the redemption fee;
(3) total or partial redemptions of shares held through retirement plans maintained pursuant to Sections 401, 403, 408, 408A and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") where the systematic capability to process the redemption fee does not exist;
(4) total or partial redemptions effectuated pursuant to an automatic non-discretionary rebalancing program or a systematic withdrawal plan set up in the funds;
(5) total or partial redemptions requested within 30 days following the death or
post-purchase disability of (i) any registered shareholder on an account or
(ii) the settlor of a living trust which is the registered shareholder of an
account, of shares held in the account at the time of death or initial
determination of post-purchase disability;
(6) total or partial redemption of shares acquired through investment of dividends and other distributors; or
(7) redemptions initiated by a fund.
The AIM Affiliates' goals are to apply the redemption fee on all classes of shares regardless of the type of account in which such shares are held. This goal is not immediately achievable because of systems limitations and marketplace resistance. Currently, the redemption fee may be applied on Class A and Investor Class shares (and Institutional Shares for INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund). AIM expects to charge the redemption fee on all other classes of shares when the funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. In addition, AIM intends to develop a plan to encourage brokers that maintain omnibus accounts, sponsors of fee-based program accounts and retirement plan administrators for accounts that are exempt from the redemption fee pursuant to the terms above to modify computer programs to impose the redemption fee or to develop alternate processes to monitor and restrict short-term trading activity in the funds. Lastly, the provider of AIM's retirement plan record keeping system is working to enhance the system to facilitate the processing of the redemption fee. Until such computer programs are modified or alternate processes are developed, the fund's ability to assess a redemption fee on these types of share classes and accounts is severely limited. These are reasons why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
The funds have the discretion to waive the 2% redemption fee if a fund is in jeopardy of failing the 90% income test or losing its registered investment company qualification for tax purposes.
Your broker or financial consultant may charge service fees for handling redemption transactions. Your shares also may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2001.
If you purchased $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund at net asset value prior to November 15, 2001, or entered into a Letter of Intent prior to November 15, 2001 to purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Category I, II or III AIM fund at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption, as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category I - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed or II Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(1) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category III - No CDSC Fund(1) Fund(1) - Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund |
(1) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
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REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE ON AND AFTER NOVEMBER 15, 2001
If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund on and after November 15, 2001 (and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Class A shares of Category III AIM funds), or if you make additional purchases of Class A shares on and after November 15, 2001 (and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Class A shares of Category III AIM funds) at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption, as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category I - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed or II Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(1) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial purchase of Category III Fund shares - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category III - 0.25% if shares are redeemed Fund Fund(1) within 12 months of initial - Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt purchase of Category III Fund Cash Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund |
(1) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE AFTER OCTOBER 30, 2002
If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund on or after October 31, 2002, or if you make additional purchases of Class A shares on and after October 31, 2002 at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category I - 1% if shares are redeemed I or II Fund or II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(2) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category I - 1% if shares are redeemed III Fund(1) or II Fund within 18 months of initial purchase of Category III Fund shares - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category III - No CDSC III Fund(1) Fund(2) - Class A shares of AIM Tax- Exempt Cash Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market |
(1) As of the close of business on October 30, 2002, only existing shareholders
of Class A shares of a Category III Fund may purchase such shares.
(2) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III
Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of Category III Fund.
REDEMPTION OF CLASS B SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FROM AIM FLOATING RATE FUND
If you redeem Class B shares you acquired by exchange via a tender offer by AIM Floating Rate Fund, the early withdrawal charge applicable to shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund will be applied instead of the CDSC normally applicable to Class B shares.
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Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. By Mail Send a written request to the transfer agent. Requests must include (1) original signatures of all registered owners; (2) the name of the AIM fund and your account number; (3) if the transfer agent does not hold your shares, endorsed share certificates or share certificates accompanied by an executed stock power; and (4) signature guarantees, if necessary (see below). The transfer agent may require that you provide additional information, such as corporate resolutions or powers of attorney, if applicable. If you are redeeming from an IRA account, you must include a statement of whether or not you are at least 59 1/2 years old and whether you wish to have federal income tax withheld from your proceeds. The transfer agent may require certain other information before you can redeem from an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Contact your employer for details. By Telephone Call the transfer agent or our AIM 24-hour Automated Investor Line at 1-800-246-5463. You will be allowed to redeem by telephone if (1) the proceeds are to be mailed to the address on record (if there has been no change communicated to us within the last 30 days) or transferred electronically to a pre-authorized checking account; (2) you do not hold physical share certificates; (3) you can provide proper identification information; (4) the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $250,000; and (5) you have not previously declined the telephone redemption privilege. Certain accounts, including retirement accounts and 403(b) plans, may not be redeemed by telephone. The transfer agent must receive your call during the hours of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. You may, with limited exceptions, redeem from an IRA account by telephone. Redemptions from other types of retirement accounts must be requested in writing. By Internet Place your redemption request at www.aiminvestments.com. You will be allowed to redeem by internet if (1) you do not hold physical share certificates; (2) you can provide proper identification information; (3) the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $250,000; and (4) you have already provided proper bank information. AIM prototype retirement accounts may not be redeemed on the internet. The transfer agent must confirm your transaction during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. |
TIMING AND METHOD OF PAYMENT
We normally will send out checks within one business day, and in any event no more than seven days, after we accept your request to redeem. If you redeem shares recently purchased by check, you will be required to wait up to ten business days before we will send your redemption proceeds. This delay is necessary to ensure that the purchase check has cleared.
REDEMPTION BY MAIL
If you mail us a request in good order to redeem your shares, we will mail you a
check in the amount of the redemption proceeds to the address on record with us.
If your request is not in good order, you may have to provide us with additional
documentation in order to redeem your shares.
REDEMPTION BY TELEPHONE
If you redeem by telephone, we will mail you a check in the amount of the
redemption proceeds to your address of record (if there has been no change
communicated to the transfer agent within the previous 30 days) or transmit them
electronically to your pre-authorized bank account. We use reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine and are not
liable for telephone instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine.
REDEMPTION BY INTERNET
If you redeem by internet, we will transmit your redemption proceeds
electronically to your pre-authorized bank account. We use reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions communicated by internet are genuine and are not
liable for internet instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine.
PAYMENT FOR SYSTEMATIC REDEMPTIONS
You may arrange for regular monthly or quarterly withdrawals from your account
of at least $100. You also may make annual withdrawals if you own Class A
shares. We will redeem enough shares from your account to cover the amount
withdrawn. You must have an account balance of at least $5,000 to establish a
Systematic Redemption Plan. You can stop this plan at any time by giving ten
days prior notice to the transfer agent.
EXPEDITED REDEMPTIONS
(AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES OF AIM MONEY MARKET FUND ONLY)
If we receive your redemption order before 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, we will try
to transmit payment of redemption proceeds on that same day. If we receive your
redemption order after 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time and before the close of the
customary trading session of the NYSE, we generally will transmit payment on the
next business day.
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REDEMPTIONS BY CHECK
(CLASS A SHARES OF AIM TAX-EXEMPT CASH FUND AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES OF AIM
MONEY MARKET FUND ONLY)
You may redeem shares of these AIM funds by writing checks in amounts of $250 or
more if you have completed an authorization form. Redemption by check is not
available for retirement accounts.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
We require a signature guarantee when you redeem by mail and
(1) the amount is greater than $250,000;
(2) you request that payment be made to someone other than the name registered on the account;
(3) you request that payment be sent somewhere other than the bank of record on the account; or
(4) you request that payment be sent to a new address or an address that changed in the last 30 days.
The transfer agent will accept a guarantee of your signature by a number of financial institutions. Call the transfer agent for additional information. Some institutions have transaction amount maximums for these guarantees. Please check with the guarantor institution.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGES
You may, within 120 days after you sell shares (except Class R shares, Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, Class A shares and Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund and Investor Class shares), reinvest all or part of your redemption proceeds in Class A shares of any Category I or II AIM fund at net asset value in an identically registered account.
You may, within 120 days after you sell some but not all of your Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund, reinvest all or part of your redemption proceeds in Class A shares of that same Category III AIM fund at net asset value in an identically registered account.
The reinvestment amount must meet the subsequent investment minimum as indicated in the section "Purchasing Shares".
If you paid an initial sales charge on any reinstated amount, you will receive credit on purchases of Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund.
If you paid a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any reinstated amount, you will not be subject to a CDSC if you later redeem that amount.
You must notify the transfer agent in writing at the time you reinstate that you are exercising your reinstatement privilege.
REDEMPTIONS BY THE AIM FUNDS
If your account (Class A, Class A3, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares only) has been open at least one year, you have not made an additional purchase in the account during the past six calendar months, and the value of your account falls below $500 ($250 for Investor Class shares) for three consecutive months due to redemptions or exchanges (excluding retirement accounts), the AIM funds have the right to redeem the account after giving you 60 days' prior written notice. You may avoid having your account redeemed during the notice period by bringing the account value up to $500 ($250 for Investor Class shares) or by utilizing the Automatic Investment Plan.
If an AIM fund determines that you have not provided a correct Social Security or other tax ID number on your account application, or the AIM fund is not able to verify your identity as required by law, the AIM fund may, at its discretion, redeem the account and distribute the proceeds to you.
EXCHANGING SHARES
You may, under certain circumstances, exchange shares in one AIM fund for those of another AIM or INVESCO fund. Before requesting an exchange, review the prospectus of the AIM or INVESCO fund you wish to acquire. Exchange privileges also apply to holders of the Connecticut General Guaranteed Account, established for tax-qualified group annuities, for contracts purchased on or before June 30, 1992.
You may be charged a redemption fee on certain redemptions, including exchanges. See "Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee."
PERMITTED EXCHANGES
Except as otherwise stated under "Exchanges Not Permitted," you generally may exchange your shares for shares of the same class of another AIM or INVESCO fund.
You may also exchange:
(1) Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund;
(2) Class A shares of an AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund for Class A3 shares of an AIM fund;
(3) Class A3 shares of an AIM fund for AIM Cash Reserve shares of AIM Money Market Fund;
(4) Class A3 shares of an AIM fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund;
(5) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class A3 shares of an AIM fund;
(6) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, effective February 17, 2003, and AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund) or INVESCO fund;
(7) Investor Class shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund or Class A3 shares of an AIM fund; or
(8) Class A or A3 shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund as long as you are eligible to purchase Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund at the time of exchange.
MCF--02/04
You may be required to pay an initial sales charge when exchanging from a Fund with a lower initial sales charge than the one into which you are exchanging. If you exchange into shares that are subject to a CDSC, we will begin the holding period for purposes of calculating the CDSC on the date you made your initial purchase.
EXCHANGES NOT SUBJECT TO A SALES CHARGE
You will not pay an initial sales charge when exchanging:
(1) Class A shares with an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) for
(a) Class A shares of another AIM or INVESCO fund;
(b) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(c) Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund or AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund.
(2) Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund with an initial sales charge for
(a) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund; or
(b) Class A shares of another AIM or INVESCO Fund, but only if
(i) you acquired the original shares before May 1, 1994; or
(ii) you acquired the original shares on or after May 1, 1994 by way of an exchange from shares with higher initial sales charges; or
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for
(a) Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund subject to an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund), but only if you acquired the original shares
(i) prior to May 1, 1994 by exchange from Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge;
(ii) on or after May 1, 1994 by exchange from Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund); or
(4) Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund or AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund for
(a) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(b) Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund.
You will not pay a CDSC or other sales charge when exchanging:
(1) Class A shares for other Class A shares;
(2) Class B shares for other Class B shares;
(3) Class C shares for other Class C shares;
(4) Class R shares for other Class R shares.
EXCHANGES NOT PERMITTED
Certain classes of shares are not covered by the exchange privilege. You may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund or Class A shares of an INVESCO fund for Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund after February 16, 2003; or
(2) Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund for Class A shares of another Category III AIM fund after February 16, 2003.
For shares purchased prior to November 15, 2001, you may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of Category I or II AIM funds (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund;
(2) Class A shares of Category III AIM funds purchased at net asset value for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund or Class A shares of an INVESCO fund;
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class B or Class C shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund;
(4) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM or INVESCO fund that are subject to a CDSC; or
(5) on or after January 15, 2002, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of Category III AIM Funds that are subject to a CDSC.
For shares purchased on or after November 15, 2001, you may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of Category I or II AIM or INVESCO funds (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a CDSC for Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund;
(2) Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of any other AIM or INVESCO fund (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a CDSC or for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class B or Class C shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund or for Class A shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund that are subject to a CDSC, however, if you originally purchased Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund, and exchanged those shares for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, you may further exchange the AIM Cash Reserve Shares for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund.
EXCHANGE CONDITIONS
The following conditions apply to all exchanges:
- You must meet the minimum purchase requirements for the AIM or INVESCO fund into which you are exchanging; MCF--02/04
- Shares of the AIM or INVESCO fund you wish to acquire must be available for
sale in your state of residence;
- Exchanges must be made between accounts with identical registration
information;
- The account you wish to exchange from must have a certified tax identification number (or the Fund has received an appropriate Form W-8 or W-9);
- Shares must have been held for at least one day prior to the exchange;
- If you have physical share certificates, you must return them to the transfer agent prior to the exchange; and
TERMS OF EXCHANGE
Under unusual market conditions, an AIM or INVESCO fund may delay the purchase of shares being acquired in an exchange for up to five business days if it determines that it would be materially disadvantaged by the immediate transfer of exchange proceeds. The exchange privilege is not an option or right to purchase shares. Any of the participating AIM or INVESCO funds or the distributor may modify or terminate this privilege at any time. The AIM or INVESCO fund or the distributor will provide you with notice of such modification or termination whenever it is required to do so by applicable law, but may impose changes at any time for emergency purposes.
BY MAIL
If you wish to make an exchange by mail, you must include original signatures of each registered owner exactly as the shares are registered, the account registration and account number, the dollar amount or number of shares to be exchanged and the names of the AIM or INVESCO funds from which and into which the exchange is to be made.
BY TELEPHONE
Conditions that apply to exchanges by telephone are the same as redemptions by telephone, including that the transfer agent must receive exchange requests during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE; however, you still will be allowed to exchange by telephone even if you have changed your address of record within the preceding 30 days.
BY INTERNET
You will be allowed to exchange by internet if you do not hold physical share certificates and you provide the proper identification information.
EXCHANGING CLASS B, CLASS C AND CLASS R SHARES
PRICING OF SHARES
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The price of each AIM fund's shares is the fund's net asset value per share. The AIM funds value portfolio securities for which market quotations are readily available at market value. The AIM funds' short-term investments are valued at amortized cost when the security has 60 days or less to maturity. AIM Money Market Fund and AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund value all of their securities at amortized cost. AIM High Income Municipal Fund, AIM Municipal Bond Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund value variable rate securities that have an unconditional demand or put feature exercisable within seven days or less at par, which reflects the market value of such securities.
The AIM funds value all other securities and assets at their fair value. Securities and other assets quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on the prevailing exchange rates on that day. In addition, if, between the time trading ends on a particular security and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE, events occur that may materially affect the value of the security, the AIM funds may value the security at its fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors or Trustees of the AIM fund. The effect of using fair value pricing is that an AIM fund's net asset value will be subject to the judgment of the Board of Directors or Trustees or its designee instead of being determined by the market. Because some of the AIM funds may invest in securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on days when the AIM funds do not price their shares, the value of those funds' assets may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem fund shares.
Each AIM fund determines the net asset value of its shares on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session, or any earlier NYSE closing time that day. AIM Money Market Fund also determines its net asset value as of 12:00 noon Eastern Time on each day the NYSE is open for business.
TIMING OF ORDERS
You can purchase, exchange or redeem shares during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE. The AIM funds price
MCF--02/04
purchase, exchange and redemption orders at the net asset value calculated after the transfer agent receives an order in good order. An AIM fund may postpone the right of redemption only under unusual circumstances, as allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as when the NYSE restricts or suspends trading.
TAXES
In general, dividends and distributions you receive are taxable as ordinary income or long-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes, whether you reinvest them in additional shares or take them in cash. Distributions are generally taxable to you at different rates depending on the length of time the fund holds its assets and the type of income that the fund earns. Different tax rates apply to ordinary income, qualified dividend income, and long-term capital gain distributions, regardless of how long you have held your shares. Every year, you will be sent information showing the amount of dividends and distributions you received from each AIM fund during the prior year.
Any long-term or short-term capital gains realized from redemptions of AIM fund shares will be subject to federal income tax. Exchanges of shares for shares of another AIM or INVESCO fund are treated as a sale, and any gain realized on the transaction will generally be subject to federal income tax.
INVESTORS IN TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS SHOULD READ THE INFORMATION UNDER THE HEADING "OTHER INFORMATION -- SPECIAL TAX INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND" IN THEIR PROSPECTUS.
The foreign, state and local tax consequences of investing in AIM fund shares may differ materially from the federal income tax consequences described above. In addition, the preceding discussion concerning the taxability of fund dividends and distributions and of redemptions and exchanges of AIM fund shares is inapplicable to investors that are generally exempt from federal income tax, such as retirement plans that are qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs. You should consult your tax advisor before investing.
MCF--02/04
More information may be obtained free of charge upon request. The Statement of Additional Information (SAI), a current version of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), contains more details about the fund and is incorporated by reference into the prospectus (is legally a part of the prospectus). Annual and semiannual reports to shareholders contain additional information about the fund's investments. The fund's annual report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
If you have questions about this fund, another fund in The AIM Family of Funds--Registered Trademark-- or your account, or wish to obtain free copies of the fund's current SAI or annual or semiannual reports, please contact us
BY MAIL: AIM Investment Services, Inc. P.O. Box 4739 Houston, TX 77210-4739 BY TELEPHONE: (800) 347-4246 ON THE INTERNET: You can send us a request by e-mail or download prospectuses, annual or semiannual reports via our website: http://www.aiminvestments.com |
You can also review and obtain copies of the fund's SAI, reports and other information at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; on the EDGAR database on the SEC's Internet website (http://www.sec.gov); or, after paying a duplication fee, by sending a letter to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102 or by sending an electronic mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov. Please call the SEC at 1-202-942-8090 for information about the Public Reference Room.
AIM European Growth Fund
SEC 1940 Act file number: 811-6463
AIMinvestments.com EGR-PRO-1 YOUR GOALS. OUR SOLUTIONS. [AIM INVESTMENTS LOGO APPEARS HERE] --Servicemark-- --Servicemark-- |
AIM GLOBAL AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS FEBRUARY 27, 2004 |
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund seeks to provide above-average long-term growth of capital.
This prospectus contains important information about the Class A, B and C shares of the fund. Please read it before investing and keep it for future reference.
As with all other mutual fund securities, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate or accurate. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.
An investment in the fund:
- is not FDIC insured;
- may lose value; and
- is not guaranteed by a bank.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES 1 ------------------------------------------------------ PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND 1 ------------------------------------------------------ PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 2 ------------------------------------------------------ Annual Total Returns 2 Performance Table 3 FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLE 4 ------------------------------------------------------ Fee Table 4 Expense Example 4 FUND MANAGEMENT 5 ------------------------------------------------------ The Advisor 5 Advisor Compensation 5 Portfolio Managers 5 OTHER INFORMATION 5 ------------------------------------------------------ Sales Charges 5 Dividends and Distributions 5 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 6 ------------------------------------------------------ SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION A-1 ------------------------------------------------------ Choosing a Share Class A-1 Tools Used to Combat Excessive Short-Term Trading Activity A-3 Purchasing Shares A-5 Redeeming Shares A-6 Exchanging Shares A-10 Pricing of Shares A-12 Taxes A-13 OBTAINING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Back Cover ------------------------------------------------------ |
The AIM Family of Funds, AIM and Design, AIM, AIM Funds, AIM Funds and Design, AIM Investor, AIM Lifetime America, AIM LINK, AIM Institutional Funds, aimfunds.com, La Familia AIM de Fondos, La Familia AIM de Fondos and Design, Invierta con DISCIPLINA and Invest with DISCIPLINE are registered service marks and AIM Bank Connection, AIM Internet Connect, AIM Private Asset Management, AIM Private Asset Management and Design, AIM stylized and/or Design, AIM Alternative Assets and Design, AIM Investments, AIM Investments and Design, myaim.com, The AIM College Savings Plan, AIM Solo 401(k) and Your goals. Our solutions. are service marks of A I M Management Group Inc. AIM Trimark is a service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. and AIM Funds Management Inc.
No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, and you should not rely on such other information or representations.
The fund's investment objective is above-average long-term growth of capital. The investment objective of the fund may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
The fund seeks to meet its objective by investing, normally, at least 65% of its total assets in marketable equity securities of domestic and foreign issuers. The fund will normally invest in the securities of small- and medium-sized growth companies located in at least four countries, including the United States, and will usually maintain at least 20% of its total assets in U.S. dollar denominated securities. The fund emphasizes investment in companies in developed countries such as the United States, the countries of Western Europe and certain countries in the Pacific Basin. The fund may also invest up to 100% of its total assets in companies located in developing countries, i.e., those that are in the initial stages of their industrial cycles. The fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities exchangeable for or convertible into marketable equity securities of foreign and domestic issuers.
The fund may also invest up to 35% of its total assets in high-grade short-term securities and in debt securities, including U.S. Government obligations, investment grade corporate bonds or taxable municipal securities, whether denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. For cash management purposes, the fund may also hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including shares of affiliated money market funds. Any percentage limitations with respect to assets of the fund are applied at the time of purchase.
The portfolio managers focus on companies that have experienced above-average long-term growth in earnings and have excellent prospects for future growth. In selecting countries in which the fund will invest, the portfolio managers also consider such factors as the prospect for relative economic growth among countries or regions, economic or political conditions, currency exchange fluctuations, tax considerations and the liquidity of a particular security. The portfolio managers consider whether to sell a particular security when any of these factors materially changes.
In anticipation of or in response to adverse market or other conditions, or atypical circumstances such as unusually large cash inflows or redemptions, the fund may temporarily hold all or a portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or high-quality debt instruments. As a result, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
There is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the fund. The value of your investment in the fund will go up and down with the prices of the securities in which the fund invests. The prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity. This is especially true with respect to equity securities of small- and medium-sized companies, whose prices may go up and down more than the prices of equity securities of larger, more established companies. Also, since equity securities of small- and medium-sized companies may not be traded as often as equity securities of larger, more established companies, it may be difficult or impossible for the fund to sell securities at a desired price.
The prices of foreign securities may be further affected by other factors, including:
- Currency exchange rates--The dollar value of the fund's foreign investments will be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the dollar and the currencies in which those investments are traded.
- Political and economic conditions--The value of the fund's foreign investments may be adversely affected by political and social instability in their home countries and by changes in economic or taxation policies in those countries.
- Regulations--Foreign companies generally are subject to less stringent regulations, including financial and accounting controls, than are U.S. companies. As a result, there generally is less publicly available information about foreign companies than about U.S. companies.
- Markets--The securities markets of other countries are smaller than U.S. securities markets. As a result, many foreign securities may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. securities.
These factors may affect the prices of securities issued by foreign companies located in developing countries more than those in countries with mature economies. For example, many developing countries have, in the past, experienced high rates of inflation or sharply devalued their currencies against the U.S. dollar, thereby causing the value of investments in companies located in those countries to decline. Transaction costs are often higher in developing countries and there may be delays in settlement procedures.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
The bar chart and table shown below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of its future performance.
The following bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class A shares from year to year. The bar chart does not reflect sales loads. If it did, the annual total returns shown would be lower.
ANNUAL YEAR ENDED TOTAL DECEMBER 31 RETURNS ----------- ------- 1995.................................................................. 32.15% 1996.................................................................. 23.53% 1997.................................................................. 4.03% 1998.................................................................. 3.93% 1999.................................................................. 70.58% 2000.................................................................. -21.98% 2001.................................................................. -25.59% 2002.................................................................. -16.55% 2003.................................................................. 39.22% |
During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 49.33% (quarter ended December 31, 1999) and the lowest quarterly return was -21.50% (quarter ended September 30, 2001).
PERFORMANCE TABLE
The following performance table compares the fund's performance to that of a broad-based securities market index, a style specific index and a peer group index. The fund's performance reflects payment of sales loads, if applicable. The indices do not reflect payment of fees, expenses or taxes. The fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indices shown below, and consequently, the performance of the fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the indices shown below.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (for the periods ended SINCE INCEPTION December 31, 2003) 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A 09/15/94 Return Before Taxes 32.61% 1.85% 7.44% Return After Taxes on Distributions 32.61 0.79 6.82 Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 21.20 1.46 6.47 Class B 09/15/94 Return Before Taxes 33.60 2.00 7.50 Class C 08/04/97 Return Before Taxes 37.47 2.31 0.83 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MSCI World Index(1) 33.11 (0.77) 6.71(2) 08/31/94(2) MSCI AC World Free Index(3) 34.63 0.02 6.66(2) 08/31/94(2) MSCI World Growth Index(4) 26.41 (4.93) N/A(5) N/A(5) Lipper Global Funds Index(4) 31.96 2.04 6.56(2) 08/31/94(2) |
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Class A only and after-tax returns for Class B and C will vary.
(1) The Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index measures the performance of securities listed on stock exchanges of 23 developed countries. The fund has elected to use the MSCI World Index as its broad based index rather than the MSCI AC World Free Index because the MSCI World Index is a more widely recognized gauge of global developed stock market performance. The fund has also included the MSCI World Growth Index, which the fund believes more closely reflects the performance of the securities in which the fund invests. In addition, the Lipper Global Fund Index (which may or may not include the fund) is included for comparison to a peer group.
(2) The average annual total return given is since the month end closest to the inception date of the class with the longest performance history.
(3) The Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World Free Index measures the performance of securities available to foreign investors listed on the major world stock exchanges of 49 countries, including both developed and emerging countries.
(4) The Morgan Stanley Capital International World Growth Index includes securities from 23 developed countries and is designed to measure global developed market "growth" equity performance (high price to book value securities).
(5) Index performance is not provided because the inception date of the MSCI World Growth Index was September 29, 1995.
(6) The Lipper Global Funds Index is an equally weighted representation of the 30 largest funds in the Lipper Global Funds category. These funds invest at least 25% of their portfolios in securities traded outside of the U.S.
FEE TABLE
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
SHAREHOLDER FEES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (fees paid directly from your investment) CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 4.75% None None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is less) None(1,2) 5.00% 1.00% Redemption/Exchange Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed/exchanged) 2.00%(3) None None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(4) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (expenses that are deducted from fund assets) CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management Fees 0.90% 0.90% 0.90% Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.50 1.00 1.00 Other Expenses 0.71 0.71 0.71 Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2.11 2.61 2.61 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(1) If you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares and redeem these shares within 18 months from the date of purchase, you may pay a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) at the time of redemption.
(2) If you are a retirement plan participant and you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares, you may pay a 1.00% CDSC if a total redemption of the retirement plan assets occurs within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's initial purchase.
(3) You may be charged a 2.00% fee on redemptions or exchanges of Class A shares held 30 days or less. See "Shareholder Information -- Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee" for more information.
(4) There is no guarantee that actual expenses will be the same as those shown in the table.
You may also be charged a transaction or other fee by the financial institution managing your account.
As a result of 12b-1 fees, long-term shareholders in the fund may pay more than the maximum permitted initial sales charge.
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
This example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in different classes of the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. To the extent fees are waived and/or expenses are reimbursed, your expenses will be lower. Although your actual returns and costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $679 $1,104 $1,555 $2,800 Class B 764 1,111 1,585 2,823 Class C 364 811 1,385 2,944 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $679 $1,104 $1,555 $2,800 Class B 264 811 1,385 2,823 Class C 264 811 1,385 2,944 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
THE ADVISOR
A I M Advisors, Inc. (the advisor) serves as the fund's investment advisor and is responsible for its day-to-day management. The advisor is located at 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1173. The advisor supervises all aspects of the fund's operations and provides investment advisory services to the fund, including obtaining and evaluating economic, statistical and financial information to formulate and implement investment programs for the fund.
The advisor has acted as an investment advisor since its organization in 1976. Today, the advisor, together with its subsidiaries, advises or manages over 200 investment portfolios, including the fund, encompassing a broad range of investment objectives.
ADVISOR COMPENSATION
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the advisor received compensation of 0.89% of average daily net assets.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The advisor uses a team approach to investment management. The individual members of the team (co-managers) who are primarily responsible for the management of the fund's portfolio are
- James G. Birdsall, Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 2004 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1997.
- Jason T. Holzer, Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 1999 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1996.
- Barrett K. Sides, Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 1995 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1990.
They are assisted by the Large Cap Growth, Asia/Latin America and Europe/Canada Teams. More information on the fund's management team may be found on our website (http://aiminvestments.com/teams). The website is not a part of this prospectus.
SALES CHARGES
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund are subject to the maximum 4.75% initial sales charge as listed under the heading "CATEGORY II Initial Sales Charges" in the "Shareholder Information--Choosing a Share Class" section of this prospectus. Certain purchases of Class A shares at net asset value may be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge listed in that section. Purchases of Class B and Class C shares are subject to the contingent deferred sales charges listed in that section.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund expects that its distributions, if any, will consist primarily of capital gains.
DIVIDENDS
The fund generally declares and pays dividends, if any, annually.
CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund generally distributes long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, annually.
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share.
The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information for the fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the fund's annual report, which is available upon request. Information prior to fiscal year 2001 was audited by other public accountants.
CLASS A --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 -------- --------- -------- ---------- -------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 11.00 $ 12.58 $ 25.87 $ 21.95 $ 15.87 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.13) (0.15)(a) (0.13) (0.28)(a) (0.17)(a) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.41 (1.43) (8.42) 5.56 6.25 =========================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 3.28 (1.58) (8.55) 5.28 6.08 =========================================================================================================================== Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (4.74) (1.36) -- =========================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 14.28 $ 11.00 $ 12.58 $ 25.87 $ 21.95 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 29.82% (12.56)% (38.87)% 24.27% 38.31% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $465,855 $405,360 $563,828 $1,103,740 $852,198 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.10%(c)(d) 2.00% 1.87% 1.65% 1.80% =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.97)%(c) (1.19)% (0.75)% (0.96)% (0.95)% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 64% 73% 87% 62% 60% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $418,645,092.
(d) After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and expense reimbursements was 2.11%.
CLASS B ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.42 $ 11.97 $ 24.98 $ 21.35 $ 15.52 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.19) (0.20)(a) (0.21) (0.42)(a) (0.27)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.22 (1.35) (8.06) 5.41 6.10 ======================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 3.03 (1.55) (8.27) 4.99 5.83 ======================================================================================================================== Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (4.74) (1.36) -- ======================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 13.45 $ 10.42 $ 11.97 $ 24.98 $ 21.35 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 29.08% (12.95)% (39.19)% 23.56% 37.56% ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $374,027 $388,101 $583,933 $1,158,979 $926,972 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.60%(c)(d) 2.51% 2.39% 2.19% 2.37% ======================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (1.47)%(c) (1.70)% (1.27)% (1.50)% (1.52)% ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 64% 73% 87% 62% 60% ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $360,723,958.
(d) After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and expense reimbursements was 2.61%.
CLASS C ----------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.42 $ 11.98 $ 24.99 $ 21.35 $ 15.52 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.19) (0.20)(a) (0.21) (0.42)(a) (0.27)(a) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.23 (1.36) (8.06) 5.42 6.10 ================================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 3.04 (1.56) (8.27) 5.00 5.83 ================================================================================================================= Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (4.74) (1.36) -- ================================================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $ 13.46 $ 10.42 $ 11.98 $ 24.99 $ 21.35 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================= Total return(b) 29.17% (13.02)% (39.17)% 23.61% 37.56% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $20,153 $19,099 $28,260 $50,908 $16,325 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.60%(c)(d) 2.51% 2.39% 2.19% 2.37% ================================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (1.47)%(c) (1.70)% (1.28)% (1.50)% (1.52)% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate 64% 73% 87% 62% 60% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $18,848,844.
(d) After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and expense reimbursements was 2.61%.
In addition to the fund, A I M Advisors, Inc. serves as investment advisor to many other mutual funds (the AIM funds). The following information is about all the AIM funds.
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS
Many of the AIM funds have multiple classes of shares, each class representing an interest in the same portfolio of investments. When choosing a share class, you should consult your financial advisor as to which class is most suitable for you. In addition, you should consider the factors below.
CLASS A(1) CLASS A3 CLASS B(4) CLASS C CLASS R INVESTOR CLASS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales charge charge charge charge charge charge - Reduced or waived - No contingent - Contingent - Contingent - Generally, no - No contingent initial sales deferred sales deferred sales deferred sales contingent deferred sales charge for charge charge on charge on deferred sales charge certain redemptions redemptions charge(2) purchases(2,3) within six years within one year(6) - Generally, lower - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of distribution and 0.35% 1.00% 1.00% 0.50% 0.25%(7) service (12b-1) fee than Class B, Class C or Class R shares (See "Fee Table and Expense Example") - Does not convert - Converts to Class - Does not convert - Does not convert - Does not convert to Class A shares A shares at the to Class A shares to Class A shares to Class A shares end of the month which is eight years after the date on which shares were purchased along with a pro rata portion of its reinvested dividends and distributions(5) - Generally more - Generally more - Purchase orders - Generally more - Generally, only - Closed to new appropriate for appropriate for limited to appropriate for available to the investors, except long-term short- term amounts less than short- term following types as described in investors investors $100,000 investors of retirement the "Purchasing plans: (i) all Shares -- Grandfathered section 401 and Investors" 457 plans, (ii) section of your section 403 plans prospectus sponsored by section 501(c)(3) organizations, and (iii) IRA rollovers from such plans if an AIM fund was offered ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Certain AIM funds also offer Institutional Class shares to certain eligible institutional investors; consult the fund's Statement of Additional Information for details.
(1) As of the close of business on October 30, 2002, Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund were closed to new investors.
(2) A contingent deferred sales charge may apply in some cases.
(3) AIM Opportunities I Fund will not accept any single purchase order in excess of $250,000.
(4) Effective September 30, 2003, Class B shares will not be made available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. These plans include 401(k) plans (including AIM Solo 401(k) plans), money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that have existing accounts invested in Class B shares will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
(5) AIM Money Market Fund: Class B shares convert to AIM Cash Reserve Shares. AIM Global Trends Fund: If you held Class B shares on May 29, 1998 and continue to hold them, those shares will convert to Class A shares of that fund at the end of the month which is seven years after the date on which shares were purchased. If you exchange those shares for Class B shares of another AIM fund, the shares into which you exchanged will not convert to Class A shares until the end of the month which is eight years after the date on which you purchased your original shares.
(6) A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) does not apply to redemption of Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you exchange Class C shares of another AIM fund that are subject to a CDSC into AIM Short Term Bond Fund.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES
Each AIM fund (except AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund with respect to its Class A shares) has adopted 12b-1 plans that allow the AIM fund to pay distribution fees to A I M Distributors, Inc. (the distributor) for the sale and distribution of its shares and fees for services provided to shareholders, all or a substantial portion of which are paid to the dealer of record. Because the AIM fund pays these fees out of its assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
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SALES CHARGES
Sales charges on the AIM funds and classes of those Funds are detailed below. As used below, the term "offering price" with respect to all categories of Class A shares includes the initial sales charge.
INITIAL SALES CHARGES
The AIM funds are grouped into three categories with respect to initial sales
charges. The "Other Information" section of your prospectus will tell you in
what category your particular AIM fund is classified.
CATEGORY I INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION(1) OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 25,000 5.50% 5.82% $ 25,000 but less than $ 50,000 5.25 5.54 $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.75 4.99 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 3.00 3.09 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
(1) AIM Opportunities I Fund will not accept any single purchase order in excess of $250,000.
CATEGORY II INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 50,000 4.75% 4.99% $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.00 4.17 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 2.50 2.56 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
CATEGORY III INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 100,000 1.00% 1.01% $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 0.75 0.76 $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 0.50 0.50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
SHARES SOLD WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE
You will not pay an initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of AIM
Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund.
You will not pay an initial sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund.
You will not pay an initial sales charge or a CDSC on Investor Class shares of any AIM fund.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES
OF AIM MONEY MARKET FUND
You can purchase $1,000,000 or more (a Large Purchase) of Class A shares of
Category I and II AIM funds at net asset value. However, if you redeem these
shares prior to 18 months after the date of purchase, they will be subject to a
CDSC of 1%.
If you made a Large Purchase of Class A shares of Category III AIM funds at net asset value during the period November 15, 2001 through October 30, 2002, such shares will be subject to a 0.25% CDSC if you redeem them prior to 12 months after the date of purchase.
If you currently own Class A shares of a Category I, II or III AIM fund and make additional purchases (through October 30, 2002 for Category III AIM funds only) at net asset value that result in account balances of $1,000,000 or more, the additional shares purchased will be subject to a CDSC (an 18-month, 1% CDSC for Category I and II AIM fund shares, and a 12-month, 0.25% CDSC for Category III AIM fund shares). The CDSC for Category III AIM fund shares will not apply to additional purchases made prior to November 15, 2001 or after October 30, 2002.
Some retirement plans can purchase Class A shares at their net asset value per share. Effective November 1, 2002, if the distributor paid a concession to the dealer of record in connection with a Large Purchase of Class A shares by a retirement plan, the Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement plan assets are redeemed within one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase.
You may be charged a CDSC when you redeem AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund if you acquired those shares through an exchange, and the shares originally purchased were subject to a CDSC.
The distributor may pay a dealer concession and/or a service fee for Large Purchases and purchases by certain retirement plans.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
You can purchase Class B and Class C shares at their net asset value per share.
However, when you redeem them, they are subject to a CDSC in the following
percentages:
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE MADE CLASS B CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First 5% 1% Second 4 None Third 3 None Fourth 3 None Fifth 2 None Sixth 1 None Seventh and following None None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
You can purchase Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund at their net asset value and not subject to a CDSC. However, you may be charged a CDSC when you redeem Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund if you acquired those shares through an exchange, and the shares originally purchased were subject to a CDSC.
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CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS R SHARES
You can purchase Class R shares at their net asset value per share. If the
distributor pays a concession to the dealer of record, however, the Class R
shares are subject to a 0.75% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement
plan assets are redeemed within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's
initial purchase.
COMPUTING A CDSC
The CDSC on redemptions of shares is computed based on the lower of their
original purchase price or current market value, net of reinvested dividends and
capital gains distributions. In determining whether to charge a CDSC, we will
assume that you have redeemed shares on which there is no CDSC first and, then,
shares in the order of purchase.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES AND SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS
You may qualify for reduced sales charges or sales charge exceptions. To qualify for these reductions or exceptions, you or your financial consultant must provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to verify that your purchase qualifies for such treatment.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
You may be eligible to buy Class A shares at reduced initial sales charge rates
under Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent under certain circumstances.
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund and Class B and Class C shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund and Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund will not be taken into account in determining whether a purchase qualifies for a reduction in initial sales charges pursuant to Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent.
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION
You may combine your new purchases of Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund
with AIM and/or INVESCO fund shares currently owned (Class A, B, C, K or R) for
the purpose of qualifying for the lower initial sales charge rates that apply to
larger purchases. The applicable initial sales charge for the new purchase is
based on the total of your current purchase and the public offering price of all
other shares you own.
LETTERS OF INTENT
Under a Letter of Intent (LOI), you commit to purchase a specified dollar amount
of Class A shares of AIM and/or INVESCO funds during a 13-month period. The
amount you agree to purchase determines the initial sales charge you pay. If the
full face amount of the LOI is not invested by the end of the 13-month period,
your account will be adjusted to the higher initial sales charge level for the
amount actually invested.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS
You will not pay initial sales charges
- on shares purchased by reinvesting dividends and distributions;
- when exchanging shares among certain AIM and INVESCO funds;
- when using the reinstatement privileges; and
- when a merger, consolidation, or acquisition of assets of an AIM or INVESCO fund occurs.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC) EXCEPTIONS
You will not pay a CDSC
- if you redeem Class B shares you held for more than six years;
- if you redeem Class C shares you held for more than one year;
- if you redeem Class C shares of an AIM fund other than AIM Short Term Bond Fund and you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund;
- if you redeem Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of another AIM fund and the original purchase was subject to a CDSC;
- if you are a participant in a retirement plan and your plan redeems, at any time, less than all of the Class R shares held through such plan that would otherwise be subject to a CDSC;
- if you are a participant in a retirement plan and your plan redeems, after having held them for more than one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase, all of the Class R shares held through such plan that would otherwise be subject to a CDSC;
- if you redeem shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions; and
- on increases in the net asset value of your shares.
There may be other situations when you may be able to purchase or redeem shares at reduced or without sales charges. Consult the fund's Statement of Additional Information for details.
TOOLS USED TO COMBAT EXCESSIVE SHORT-TERM TRADING ACTIVITY
While the funds provide their shareholders with daily liquidity, their investment programs are designed to serve long-term investors. Excessive short-term trading activity in the funds' shares (i.e., a purchase of fund shares followed shortly thereafter by a redemption of such shares, or vice versa) may hurt the long-term performance of certain funds by requiring them to maintain an excessive amount of cash or to liquidate portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time. A I M Advisors, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, the "AIM Affiliates") currently use the following tools designed to discourage excessive short-term trading in the retail funds within The AIM Family of Funds(R) and the INVESCO family of funds (together, the "funds"):
(1) trade activity monitoring;
(2) trading guidelines;
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(3) redemption fee on trades in certain funds; and
(4) selective use of fair value pricing.
Each of these tools is described in more detail below. Although these tools are designed to discourage excessive short-term trading, you should understand that none of these tools alone nor all of them taken together eliminate the possibility that excessive short-term trading activity in the funds will occur. Moreover, each of these tools involves judgments that are inherently subjective. The AIM Affiliates seek to make these judgments to the best of their abilities in a manner that they believe is consistent with shareholder interests.
TRADE ACTIVITY MONITORING
The AIM Affiliates monitor selected trades on a daily basis in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading activities. If, as a result of this monitoring, the AIM Affiliates believe that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading, they may, in their discretion, ask the shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases or exchanges in the shareholder's accounts other than exchanges into a money market fund. In making such judgments, the AIM Affiliates seek to act in a manner that they believe is consistent with the best interests of shareholders.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor trades that are placed by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
TRADING GUIDELINES
Currently, if you exceed 10 exchanges per calendar year, or a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not you exceed such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each fund and the distributor reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders.
You are limited to a maximum of 10 exchanges per calendar year per shareholder account for all funds held by you under that account. Because excessive short-term trading or market-timing activity can hurt fund performance, if you exceed that limit, or if a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading is excessive or that you are engaging in market-timing activity, it may reject any additional exchange orders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one fund and into (purchase) another fund. Effective on or about March 1, 2004, if you exceed four exchanges out of a fund (other than AIM Money Market Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and INVESCO U.S. Government Money Fund) per calendar year, or a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not you exceed such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each fund and the distributor reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one fund and into (purchase) another fund.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor exchanges made by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
REDEMPTION FEE
You may be charged a 2% redemption fee if you redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of certain funds within 30 days of purchase. The AIM Affiliates expect to charge the redemption fee on other classes of shares when the funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. See "Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee" for more information.
The ability of a fund to assess a redemption fee on the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder account and may be further limited by systems limitations applicable to these types of accounts. Additionally, the AIM Affiliates maintain certain retirement plan accounts on a record keeping system that is currently incapable of processing the redemption fee. The provider of this system is working to enhance the system to facilities the processing of this fee. These are two reasons why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
FAIR VALUE PRICING
The trading hours for most foreign securities end prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange, the time the fund's net asset value is calculated. The occurrence of certain events after the close of foreign markets, but prior to the close of the U.S. market (such as a significant surge or decline in the U.S. market) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, the fund may value foreign securities at fair value, taking into account such events, when it calculates its net asset value. Fair value determinations are made in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors or Trustees of the fund. See "Pricing of Shares -- Determination of Net Asset Value" for more information.
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Fair value pricing results in an estimated price and may reduce the possibility that short-term traders could take advantage of potentially "stale" prices of portfolio holdings. However, if cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
PURCHASING SHARES
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS PER AIM FUND ACCOUNT
There are no minimum investments with respect to Class R shares for AIM fund accounts. The minimum investments with respect to Class A, A3, B and C shares and Investor Class shares for AIM fund accounts are as follows:
INITIAL ADDITIONAL TYPE OF ACCOUNT INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans (includes section 401, $ 0 ($25 per AIM fund investment for $50 403 and salary deferrals from Employer- 457 plans, and SEP, SARSEP and SIMPLE IRA plans) Sponsored Retirement Plans) Systematic Purchase Plan 50 50 IRA, Roth IRA or Coverdell ESA 250 50 All other accounts 1,000 50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
The maximum amount for a single purchase order of AIM Opportunities I Fund is $250,000.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
You may purchase shares using one of the options below. Purchase orders will not be processed unless the account application and purchase payment are received in good order. In accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act, if you fail to provide all the required information requested in the current account application, your purchase order will not be processed. Additionally, Federal law requires that the AIM fund verify and record your identifying information.
OPENING AN ACCOUNT ADDING TO AN ACCOUNT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. Same By Mail Mail completed account application and Mail your check and the remittance slip check to the transfer agent, AIM from your confirmation statement to the Investment Services, Inc., P.O. Box transfer agent. 4739, Houston, TX 77210-4739. By Wire Mail completed account application to Call the transfer agent to receive a the transfer agent. Call the transfer reference number. Then, use the wire agent at (800) 959-4246 to receive a instructions at left. reference number. Then, use the following wire instructions: Beneficiary Bank ABA/Routing #: 113000609 Beneficiary Account Number: 00100366807 Beneficiary Account Name: AIM Investment Services, Inc. RFB: Fund Name, Reference # OBI: Your Name, Account # By Telephone Open your account using one of the Select the AIM Bank methods described above. Connection--Servicemark-- option on your completed account application or complete an AIM Bank Connection form. Mail the application or form to the transfer agent. Once the transfer agent has received the form, call the transfer agent to place your purchase order. Call the AIM 24-hour Automated Investor Line at 1-800-246-5463. You may place your order after you have provided the bank instructions that will be requested. By Internet Open your account using one of the Access your account at methods described above. www.aiminvestments.com. The proper bank instructions must have been provided on your account. You may not purchase shares in AIM prototype retirement accounts on the internet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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GRANDFATHERED INVESTORS
Investor Class shares of a fund may be purchased only by: (1) persons or
entities who had established an account, prior to April 1, 2002, in Investor
Class shares of any of the funds currently distributed by A I M Distributors,
Inc. (the "Grandfathered Funds") and have continuously maintained such account
in Investor Class shares since April 1, 2002; (2) any person or entity listed in
the account registration for any Grandfathered Funds, which account was
established prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained since April 1,
2002, such as joint owners, trustees, custodians and designated beneficiaries;
(3) customers of certain financial institutions, wrap accounts or other
fee-based advisory programs, or insurance company separate accounts, which have
had relationships with A I M Distributors, Inc. and/or any of the Grandfathered
Funds prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained such relationships
since April 1, 2002; (4) defined benefit, defined contribution and deferred
compensation plans; and (5) AIM and INVESCO fund trustees and directors,
employees of AMVESCAP PLC and its subsidiaries, AMVESCAP directors, and their
immediate families.
SPECIAL PLANS
SYSTEMATIC PURCHASE PLAN
You can arrange for periodic investments in any of the AIM funds by authorizing
the AIM fund to withdraw the amount of your investment from your bank account on
a day or dates you specify and in an amount of at least $50. You may stop the
Systematic Purchase Plan at any time by giving the transfer agent notice ten
days prior to your next scheduled withdrawal.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
Dollar Cost Averaging allows you to make automatic monthly or quarterly
exchanges, if permitted, from one AIM or INVESCO fund account to one or more
other AIM or INVESCO fund accounts with the identical registration. The account
from which exchanges are to be made must have a minimum balance of $5,000 before
you can use this option. Exchanges will occur on (or about) the 10th or 25th day
of the month, whichever you specify, in the amount you specify. The minimum
amount you can exchange to another AIM or INVESCO fund is $50.
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND INVESTMENT
All of your dividends and distributions may be paid in cash or invested in any
AIM or INVESCO fund at net asset value. Unless you specify otherwise, your
dividends and distributions will automatically be reinvested in the same AIM or
INVESCO fund. You may invest your dividends and distributions (1) into another
AIM or INVESCO fund in the same class of shares; or (2) from Class A shares into
AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, or vice versa.
You must comply with the following requirements to be eligible to invest your dividends and distributions in shares of another AIM fund:
(1) Your account balance (a) in the AIM or INVESCO fund paying the dividend must be at least $5,000; and (b) in the AIM or INVESCO fund receiving the dividend must be at least $500;
(2) Both accounts must have identical registration information; and
(3) You must have completed an authorization form to reinvest dividends into another AIM or INVESCO fund.
PORTFOLIO REBALANCING PROGRAM
If you have at least $5,000 in your account, you may participate in the
Portfolio Rebalancing Program. Under this Program, you can designate how the
total value of your AIM and INVESCO fund holdings should be rebalanced, on a
percentage basis, between two and ten of your AIM and INVESCO funds on a
quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. Your portfolio will be rebalanced through
the exchange of shares in one or more of your AIM or INVESCO funds for shares of
the same class of one or more other AIM or INVESCO funds in your portfolio. If
you wish to participate in the Program, make changes or cancel the Program, the
transfer agent must receive your request to participate, changes, or
cancellation in good order at least five business days prior to the next
rebalancing date, which is normally the 28th day of the last month of the period
you choose. You may realize taxable gains from these exchanges. We may modify,
suspend or terminate the Program at any time on 60 days prior written notice.
RETIREMENT PLANS
Shares of most of the AIM funds can be purchased through tax-sheltered
retirement plans made available to corporations, individuals and employees of
non-profit organizations and public schools. A plan document must be adopted to
establish a retirement plan. You may use AIM sponsored retirement plans, which
include IRAs, Roth IRAs, SIMPLE IRA plans, SEP/SARSEP plans, 403(b) plans,
401(k) plans and Money Purchase/Profit Sharing plans, or another sponsor's
retirement plan. The plan custodian of the AIM sponsored retirement plan
assesses an annual maintenance fee of $10. Contact your financial consultant for
details.
REDEEMING SHARES
REDEMPTION FEE
You may be charged a 2% redemption fee (on total redemption proceeds) if you redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of the following funds (either by selling or
MCF--02/04
exchanging to another AIM fund or INVESCO fund) within 30 days of their purchase:
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund AIM Global Value Fund AIM Developing Markets Fund AIM International Emerging Growth Fund AIM European Growth Fund AIM International Growth Fund AIM European Small Company AIM High Yield Fund Fund AIM Trimark Fund AIM Global Aggressive Growth INVESCO International Core Equity Fund Fund INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund AIM Global Growth Fund AIM Global Trends Fund |
The redemption fee will be retained by the fund from which you are redeeming shares (including redemptions by exchange), and is intended to offset the trading costs, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money movements in and out of the fund. The redemption fee is imposed to the extent that the number of fund shares you redeem exceeds the number of fund shares that you have held for more than 30 days. In determining whether the minimum 30 day holding period has been met, only the period during which you have held shares of the fund from which you are redeeming is counted. For this purpose, shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last.
The 2% redemption fee will not be charged on transactions involving the following:
(1) total or partial redemptions of shares by omnibus accounts maintained by brokers that do not have the systematic capability to process the redemption fee;
(2) total or partial redemptions of shares by approved fee-based programs that do not have the systematic capability to process the redemption fee;
(3) total or partial redemptions of shares held through retirement plans maintained pursuant to Sections 401, 403, 408, 408A and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") where the systematic capability to process the redemption fee does not exist;
(4) total or partial redemptions effectuated pursuant to an automatic non-discretionary rebalancing program or a systematic withdrawal plan set up in the funds;
(5) total or partial redemptions requested within 30 days following the death or
post-purchase disability of (i) any registered shareholder on an account or
(ii) the settlor of a living trust which is the registered shareholder of an
account, of shares held in the account at the time of death or initial
determination of post-purchase disability;
(6) total or partial redemption of shares acquired through investment of dividends and other distributors; or
(7) redemptions initiated by a fund.
The AIM Affiliates' goals are to apply the redemption fee on all classes of shares regardless of the type of account in which such shares are held. This goal is not immediately achievable because of systems limitations and marketplace resistance. Currently, the redemption fee may be applied on Class A and Investor Class shares (and Institutional Shares for INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund). AIM expects to charge the redemption fee on all other classes of shares when the funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. In addition, AIM intends to develop a plan to encourage brokers that maintain omnibus accounts, sponsors of fee-based program accounts and retirement plan administrators for accounts that are exempt from the redemption fee pursuant to the terms above to modify computer programs to impose the redemption fee or to develop alternate processes to monitor and restrict short-term trading activity in the funds. Lastly, the provider of AIM's retirement plan record keeping system is working to enhance the system to facilitate the processing of the redemption fee. Until such computer programs are modified or alternate processes are developed, the fund's ability to assess a redemption fee on these types of share classes and accounts is severely limited. These are reasons why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
The funds have the discretion to waive the 2% redemption fee if a fund is in jeopardy of failing the 90% income test or losing its registered investment company qualification for tax purposes.
Your broker or financial consultant may charge service fees for handling redemption transactions. Your shares also may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2001.
If you purchased $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund at net asset value prior to November 15, 2001, or entered into a Letter of Intent prior to November 15, 2001 to purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Category I, II or III AIM fund at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption, as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category I - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed or II Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(1) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category III - No CDSC Fund(1) Fund(1) - Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund |
(1) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
MCF--02/04
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE ON AND AFTER NOVEMBER 15, 2001
If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund on and after November 15, 2001 (and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Class A shares of Category III AIM funds), or if you make additional purchases of Class A shares on and after November 15, 2001 (and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Class A shares of Category III AIM funds) at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption, as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category I - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed or II Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(1) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial purchase of Category III Fund shares - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category III - 0.25% if shares are redeemed Fund Fund(1) within 12 months of initial - Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt purchase of Category III Fund Cash Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund |
(1) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE AFTER OCTOBER 30, 2002
If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund on or after October 31, 2002, or if you make additional purchases of Class A shares on and after October 31, 2002 at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category I - 1% if shares are redeemed I or II Fund or II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(2) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category I - 1% if shares are redeemed III Fund(1) or II Fund within 18 months of initial purchase of Category III Fund shares - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category III - No CDSC III Fund(1) Fund(2) - Class A shares of AIM Tax- Exempt Cash Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market |
(1) As of the close of business on October 30, 2002, only existing shareholders
of Class A shares of a Category III Fund may purchase such shares.
(2) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III
Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of Category III Fund.
REDEMPTION OF CLASS B SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FROM AIM FLOATING RATE FUND
If you redeem Class B shares you acquired by exchange via a tender offer by AIM Floating Rate Fund, the early withdrawal charge applicable to shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund will be applied instead of the CDSC normally applicable to Class B shares.
MCF--02/04
Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. By Mail Send a written request to the transfer agent. Requests must include (1) original signatures of all registered owners; (2) the name of the AIM fund and your account number; (3) if the transfer agent does not hold your shares, endorsed share certificates or share certificates accompanied by an executed stock power; and (4) signature guarantees, if necessary (see below). The transfer agent may require that you provide additional information, such as corporate resolutions or powers of attorney, if applicable. If you are redeeming from an IRA account, you must include a statement of whether or not you are at least 59 1/2 years old and whether you wish to have federal income tax withheld from your proceeds. The transfer agent may require certain other information before you can redeem from an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Contact your employer for details. By Telephone Call the transfer agent or our AIM 24-hour Automated Investor Line at 1-800-246-5463. You will be allowed to redeem by telephone if (1) the proceeds are to be mailed to the address on record (if there has been no change communicated to us within the last 30 days) or transferred electronically to a pre-authorized checking account; (2) you do not hold physical share certificates; (3) you can provide proper identification information; (4) the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $250,000; and (5) you have not previously declined the telephone redemption privilege. Certain accounts, including retirement accounts and 403(b) plans, may not be redeemed by telephone. The transfer agent must receive your call during the hours of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. You may, with limited exceptions, redeem from an IRA account by telephone. Redemptions from other types of retirement accounts must be requested in writing. By Internet Place your redemption request at www.aiminvestments.com. You will be allowed to redeem by internet if (1) you do not hold physical share certificates; (2) you can provide proper identification information; (3) the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $250,000; and (4) you have already provided proper bank information. AIM prototype retirement accounts may not be redeemed on the internet. The transfer agent must confirm your transaction during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. |
TIMING AND METHOD OF PAYMENT
We normally will send out checks within one business day, and in any event no more than seven days, after we accept your request to redeem. If you redeem shares recently purchased by check, you will be required to wait up to ten business days before we will send your redemption proceeds. This delay is necessary to ensure that the purchase check has cleared.
REDEMPTION BY MAIL
If you mail us a request in good order to redeem your shares, we will mail you a
check in the amount of the redemption proceeds to the address on record with us.
If your request is not in good order, you may have to provide us with additional
documentation in order to redeem your shares.
REDEMPTION BY TELEPHONE
If you redeem by telephone, we will mail you a check in the amount of the
redemption proceeds to your address of record (if there has been no change
communicated to the transfer agent within the previous 30 days) or transmit them
electronically to your pre-authorized bank account. We use reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine and are not
liable for telephone instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine.
REDEMPTION BY INTERNET
If you redeem by internet, we will transmit your redemption proceeds
electronically to your pre-authorized bank account. We use reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions communicated by internet are genuine and are not
liable for internet instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine.
PAYMENT FOR SYSTEMATIC REDEMPTIONS
You may arrange for regular monthly or quarterly withdrawals from your account
of at least $100. You also may make annual withdrawals if you own Class A
shares. We will redeem enough shares from your account to cover the amount
withdrawn. You must have an account balance of at least $5,000 to establish a
Systematic Redemption Plan. You can stop this plan at any time by giving ten
days prior notice to the transfer agent.
EXPEDITED REDEMPTIONS
(AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES OF AIM MONEY MARKET FUND ONLY)
If we receive your redemption order before 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, we will try
to transmit payment of redemption proceeds on that same day. If we receive your
redemption order after 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time and before the close of the
customary trading session of the NYSE, we generally will transmit payment on the
next business day.
MCF--02/04
REDEMPTIONS BY CHECK
(CLASS A SHARES OF AIM TAX-EXEMPT CASH FUND AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES OF AIM
MONEY MARKET FUND ONLY)
You may redeem shares of these AIM funds by writing checks in amounts of $250 or
more if you have completed an authorization form. Redemption by check is not
available for retirement accounts.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
We require a signature guarantee when you redeem by mail and
(1) the amount is greater than $250,000;
(2) you request that payment be made to someone other than the name registered on the account;
(3) you request that payment be sent somewhere other than the bank of record on the account; or
(4) you request that payment be sent to a new address or an address that changed in the last 30 days.
The transfer agent will accept a guarantee of your signature by a number of financial institutions. Call the transfer agent for additional information. Some institutions have transaction amount maximums for these guarantees. Please check with the guarantor institution.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGES
You may, within 120 days after you sell shares (except Class R shares, Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, Class A shares and Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund and Investor Class shares), reinvest all or part of your redemption proceeds in Class A shares of any Category I or II AIM fund at net asset value in an identically registered account.
You may, within 120 days after you sell some but not all of your Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund, reinvest all or part of your redemption proceeds in Class A shares of that same Category III AIM fund at net asset value in an identically registered account.
The reinvestment amount must meet the subsequent investment minimum as indicated in the section "Purchasing Shares".
If you paid an initial sales charge on any reinstated amount, you will receive credit on purchases of Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund.
If you paid a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any reinstated amount, you will not be subject to a CDSC if you later redeem that amount.
You must notify the transfer agent in writing at the time you reinstate that you are exercising your reinstatement privilege.
REDEMPTIONS BY THE AIM FUNDS
If your account (Class A, Class A3, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares only) has been open at least one year, you have not made an additional purchase in the account during the past six calendar months, and the value of your account falls below $500 ($250 for Investor Class shares) for three consecutive months due to redemptions or exchanges (excluding retirement accounts), the AIM funds have the right to redeem the account after giving you 60 days' prior written notice. You may avoid having your account redeemed during the notice period by bringing the account value up to $500 ($250 for Investor Class shares) or by utilizing the Automatic Investment Plan.
If an AIM fund determines that you have not provided a correct Social Security or other tax ID number on your account application, or the AIM fund is not able to verify your identity as required by law, the AIM fund may, at its discretion, redeem the account and distribute the proceeds to you.
EXCHANGING SHARES
You may, under certain circumstances, exchange shares in one AIM fund for those of another AIM or INVESCO fund. Before requesting an exchange, review the prospectus of the AIM or INVESCO fund you wish to acquire. Exchange privileges also apply to holders of the Connecticut General Guaranteed Account, established for tax-qualified group annuities, for contracts purchased on or before June 30, 1992.
You may be charged a redemption fee on certain redemptions, including exchanges. See "Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee."
PERMITTED EXCHANGES
Except as otherwise stated under "Exchanges Not Permitted," you generally may exchange your shares for shares of the same class of another AIM or INVESCO fund.
You may also exchange:
(1) Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund;
(2) Class A shares of an AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund for Class A3 shares of an AIM fund;
(3) Class A3 shares of an AIM fund for AIM Cash Reserve shares of AIM Money Market Fund;
(4) Class A3 shares of an AIM fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund;
(5) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class A3 shares of an AIM fund;
(6) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, effective February 17, 2003, and AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund) or INVESCO fund;
(7) Investor Class shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund or Class A3 shares of an AIM fund; or
(8) Class A or A3 shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund as long as you are eligible to purchase Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund at the time of exchange.
MCF--02/04
You may be required to pay an initial sales charge when exchanging from a Fund with a lower initial sales charge than the one into which you are exchanging. If you exchange into shares that are subject to a CDSC, we will begin the holding period for purposes of calculating the CDSC on the date you made your initial purchase.
EXCHANGES NOT SUBJECT TO A SALES CHARGE
You will not pay an initial sales charge when exchanging:
(1) Class A shares with an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) for
(a) Class A shares of another AIM or INVESCO fund;
(b) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(c) Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund or AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund.
(2) Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund with an initial sales charge for
(a) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund; or
(b) Class A shares of another AIM or INVESCO Fund, but only if
(i) you acquired the original shares before May 1, 1994; or
(ii) you acquired the original shares on or after May 1, 1994 by way of an exchange from shares with higher initial sales charges; or
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for
(a) Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund subject to an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund), but only if you acquired the original shares
(i) prior to May 1, 1994 by exchange from Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge;
(ii) on or after May 1, 1994 by exchange from Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund); or
(4) Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund or AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund for
(a) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(b) Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund.
You will not pay a CDSC or other sales charge when exchanging:
(1) Class A shares for other Class A shares;
(2) Class B shares for other Class B shares;
(3) Class C shares for other Class C shares;
(4) Class R shares for other Class R shares.
EXCHANGES NOT PERMITTED
Certain classes of shares are not covered by the exchange privilege. You may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund or Class A shares of an INVESCO fund for Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund after February 16, 2003; or
(2) Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund for Class A shares of another Category III AIM fund after February 16, 2003.
For shares purchased prior to November 15, 2001, you may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of Category I or II AIM funds (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund;
(2) Class A shares of Category III AIM funds purchased at net asset value for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund or Class A shares of an INVESCO fund;
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class B or Class C shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund;
(4) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM or INVESCO fund that are subject to a CDSC; or
(5) on or after January 15, 2002, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of Category III AIM Funds that are subject to a CDSC.
For shares purchased on or after November 15, 2001, you may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of Category I or II AIM or INVESCO funds (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a CDSC for Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund;
(2) Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of any other AIM or INVESCO fund (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a CDSC or for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class B or Class C shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund or for Class A shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund that are subject to a CDSC, however, if you originally purchased Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund, and exchanged those shares for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, you may further exchange the AIM Cash Reserve Shares for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund.
EXCHANGE CONDITIONS
The following conditions apply to all exchanges:
- You must meet the minimum purchase requirements for the AIM or INVESCO fund into which you are exchanging; MCF--02/04
- Shares of the AIM or INVESCO fund you wish to acquire must be available for
sale in your state of residence;
- Exchanges must be made between accounts with identical registration
information;
- The account you wish to exchange from must have a certified tax identification number (or the Fund has received an appropriate Form W-8 or W-9);
- Shares must have been held for at least one day prior to the exchange;
- If you have physical share certificates, you must return them to the transfer agent prior to the exchange; and
TERMS OF EXCHANGE
Under unusual market conditions, an AIM or INVESCO fund may delay the purchase of shares being acquired in an exchange for up to five business days if it determines that it would be materially disadvantaged by the immediate transfer of exchange proceeds. The exchange privilege is not an option or right to purchase shares. Any of the participating AIM or INVESCO funds or the distributor may modify or terminate this privilege at any time. The AIM or INVESCO fund or the distributor will provide you with notice of such modification or termination whenever it is required to do so by applicable law, but may impose changes at any time for emergency purposes.
BY MAIL
If you wish to make an exchange by mail, you must include original signatures of each registered owner exactly as the shares are registered, the account registration and account number, the dollar amount or number of shares to be exchanged and the names of the AIM or INVESCO funds from which and into which the exchange is to be made.
BY TELEPHONE
Conditions that apply to exchanges by telephone are the same as redemptions by telephone, including that the transfer agent must receive exchange requests during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE; however, you still will be allowed to exchange by telephone even if you have changed your address of record within the preceding 30 days.
BY INTERNET
You will be allowed to exchange by internet if you do not hold physical share certificates and you provide the proper identification information.
EXCHANGING CLASS B, CLASS C AND CLASS R SHARES
PRICING OF SHARES
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The price of each AIM fund's shares is the fund's net asset value per share. The AIM funds value portfolio securities for which market quotations are readily available at market value. The AIM funds' short-term investments are valued at amortized cost when the security has 60 days or less to maturity. AIM Money Market Fund and AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund value all of their securities at amortized cost. AIM High Income Municipal Fund, AIM Municipal Bond Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund value variable rate securities that have an unconditional demand or put feature exercisable within seven days or less at par, which reflects the market value of such securities.
The AIM funds value all other securities and assets at their fair value. Securities and other assets quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on the prevailing exchange rates on that day. In addition, if, between the time trading ends on a particular security and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE, events occur that may materially affect the value of the security, the AIM funds may value the security at its fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors or Trustees of the AIM fund. The effect of using fair value pricing is that an AIM fund's net asset value will be subject to the judgment of the Board of Directors or Trustees or its designee instead of being determined by the market. Because some of the AIM funds may invest in securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on days when the AIM funds do not price their shares, the value of those funds' assets may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem fund shares.
Each AIM fund determines the net asset value of its shares on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session, or any earlier NYSE closing time that day. AIM Money Market Fund also determines its net asset value as of 12:00 noon Eastern Time on each day the NYSE is open for business.
TIMING OF ORDERS
You can purchase, exchange or redeem shares during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE. The AIM funds price
MCF--02/04
purchase, exchange and redemption orders at the net asset value calculated after the transfer agent receives an order in good order. An AIM fund may postpone the right of redemption only under unusual circumstances, as allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as when the NYSE restricts or suspends trading.
TAXES
In general, dividends and distributions you receive are taxable as ordinary income or long-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes, whether you reinvest them in additional shares or take them in cash. Distributions are generally taxable to you at different rates depending on the length of time the fund holds its assets and the type of income that the fund earns. Different tax rates apply to ordinary income, qualified dividend income, and long-term capital gain distributions, regardless of how long you have held your shares. Every year, you will be sent information showing the amount of dividends and distributions you received from each AIM fund during the prior year.
Any long-term or short-term capital gains realized from redemptions of AIM fund shares will be subject to federal income tax. Exchanges of shares for shares of another AIM or INVESCO fund are treated as a sale, and any gain realized on the transaction will generally be subject to federal income tax.
INVESTORS IN TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS SHOULD READ THE INFORMATION UNDER THE HEADING "OTHER INFORMATION -- SPECIAL TAX INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND" IN THEIR PROSPECTUS.
The foreign, state and local tax consequences of investing in AIM fund shares may differ materially from the federal income tax consequences described above. In addition, the preceding discussion concerning the taxability of fund dividends and distributions and of redemptions and exchanges of AIM fund shares is inapplicable to investors that are generally exempt from federal income tax, such as retirement plans that are qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs. You should consult your tax advisor before investing.
MCF--02/04
More information may be obtained free of charge upon request. The Statement of Additional Information (SAI), a current version of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), contains more details about the fund and is incorporated by reference into the prospectus (is legally a part of the prospectus). Annual and semiannual reports to shareholders contain additional information about the fund's investments. The fund's annual report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
If you have questions about this fund, another fund in The AIM Family of Funds--Registered Trademark-- or your account, or wish to obtain free copies of the fund's current SAI or annual or semiannual reports, please contact us
BY MAIL: AIM Investment Services, Inc. P.O. Box 4739 Houston, TX 77210-4739 BY TELEPHONE: (800) 347-4246 ON THE INTERNET: You can send us a request by e-mail or download prospectuses, annual or semiannual reports via our website: HTTP://WWW.AIMINVESTMENTS.COM |
You can also review and obtain copies of the fund's SAI, reports and other information at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; on the EDGAR database on the SEC's Internet website (http://www.sec.gov); or, after paying a duplication fee, by sending a letter to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102 or by sending an electronic mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov. Please call the SEC at 1-202-942-8090 for information about the Public Reference Room.
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
SEC 1940 Act file number: 811-6463
AIMinvestments.com GLA-PRO-1
YOUR GOALS. OUR SOLUTIONS. [AIM INVESTMENTS LOGO APPEARS HERE] --Servicemark-- --Servicemark-- |
AIM GLOBAL GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS FEBRUARY 27, 2004 |
AIM Global Growth Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital.
This prospectus contains important information about the Class A, B and C shares of the fund. Please read it before investing and keep it for future reference.
As with all other mutual fund securities, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate or accurate. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.
An investment in the fund:
- is not FDIC insured;
- may lose value; and
- is not guaranteed by a bank.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES 1 ------------------------------------------------------ PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND 1 ------------------------------------------------------ PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 2 ------------------------------------------------------ Annual Total Returns 2 Performance Table 2 FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLE 3 ------------------------------------------------------ Fee Table 3 Expense Example 3 FUND MANAGEMENT 4 ------------------------------------------------------ The Advisor 4 Advisor Compensation 4 Portfolio Managers 4 OTHER INFORMATION 4 ------------------------------------------------------ Sales Charges 4 Dividends and Distributions 4 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 5 ------------------------------------------------------ SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION A-1 ------------------------------------------------------ Choosing a Share Class A-1 Tools Used to Combat Excessive Short-Term Trading Activity A-3 Purchasing Shares A-5 Redeeming Shares A-6 Exchanging Shares A-10 Pricing of Shares A-12 Taxes A-13 OBTAINING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Back Cover ------------------------------------------------------ |
The AIM Family of Funds, AIM and Design, AIM, AIM Funds, AIM Funds and Design, AIM Investor, AIM Lifetime America, AIM LINK, AIM Institutional Funds, aimfunds.com, La Familia AIM de Fondos, La Familia AIM de Fondos and Design, Invierta con DISCIPLINA and Invest with DISCIPLINE are registered service marks and AIM Bank Connection, AIM Internet Connect, AIM Private Asset Management, AIM Private Asset Management and Design, AIM stylized and/or Design, AIM Alternative Assets and Design, AIM Investments, AIM Investments and Design, myaim.com, The AIM College Savings Plan, AIM Solo 401(k) and Your goals. Our solutions. are service marks of A I M Management Group Inc. AIM Trimark is a service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. and AIM Funds Management Inc.
No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, and you should not rely on such other information or representations.
The fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The investment objective of the fund may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
The fund seeks to meet its objective by investing, normally, at least 65% of its total assets in marketable equity securities of domestic and foreign issuers. The fund will normally invest in the securities of medium- and large-sized growth companies located in at least four countries, including the United States, and will usually maintain at least 20% of its total assets in U.S. dollar denominated securities. The fund emphasizes investment in companies in developed countries such as the United States, the countries of Western Europe and certain countries in the Pacific Basin. The fund may also invest up to 20% of its total assets in companies located in developing countries, i.e., those that are in the initial stages of their industrial cycles. The fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities exchangeable for or convertible into marketable equity securities of foreign and domestic issuers.
The fund may also invest up to 35% of its total assets in high-grade short-term securities and in debt securities, including U.S. Government obligations, investment-grade corporate bonds or taxable municipal securities, whether denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. For cash management purposes, the fund may also hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including shares of affiliated money market funds. Any percentage limitations with respect to assets of the fund are applied at the time of purchase.
The portfolio managers focus on companies that have experienced above-average long-term growth in earnings and have excellent prospects for future growth. In selecting countries in which the fund will invest, the fund's portfolio managers also consider such factors as the prospect for relative economic growth among countries or regions, economic or political conditions, currency exchange fluctuations, tax considerations and the liquidity of a particular security. The fund's portfolio managers consider whether to sell a particular security when any of these factors materially changes.
In anticipation of or in response to adverse market or other conditions, or atypical circumstances such as unusually large cash inflows or redemptions, the fund may temporarily hold all or a portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or high-quality debt instruments. As a result, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
There is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the fund. The value of your investment in the fund will go up and down with the prices of the securities in which the fund invests. The prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
The prices of foreign securities may be further affected by other factors, including:
- Currency exchange rates--The dollar value of the fund's foreign investments will be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the dollar and the currencies in which those investments are traded.
- Political and economic conditions--The value of the fund's foreign investments may be adversely affected by political and social instability in their home countries and by changes in economic or taxation policies in those countries.
- Regulations--Foreign companies generally are subject to less stringent regulations, including financial and accounting controls, than are U.S. companies. As a result, there generally is less publicly available information about foreign companies than about U.S. companies.
- Markets--The securities markets of other countries are smaller than U.S. securities markets. As a result, many foreign securities may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. securities.
These factors may affect the prices of securities issued by foreign companies located in developing countries more than those in countries with mature economies. For example, many developing countries have, in the past, experienced high rates of inflation or sharply devalued their currencies against the U.S. dollar, thereby causing the value of investments in companies located in those countries to decline. Transaction costs are often higher in developing countries and there may be delays in settlement procedures.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
The bar chart and table shown below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of its future performance.
The following bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class A shares from year to year. The bar chart does not reflect sales loads. If it did, the annual total returns shown would be lower.
ANNUAL YEAR ENDED TOTAL DECEMBER 31 RETURNS ----------- ------- 1995................................................................... 30.09% 1996................................................................... 19.87% 1997................................................................... 13.85% 1998................................................................... 22.08% 1999................................................................... 52.20% 2000................................................................... -22.15% 2001................................................................... -30.05% 2002................................................................... -19.87% 2003................................................................... 26.89% |
During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 38.05% (quarter ended December 31, 1999) and the lowest quarterly return was -25.90% (quarter ended March 31, 2001).
PERFORMANCE TABLE
The following performance table compares the fund's performance to that of a broad-based securities market index, a style specific index and a peer group index. The fund's performance reflects payment of sales loads, if applicable. The indices do not reflect payment of fees, expenses or taxes. The fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indices shown below, and consequently, the performance of the fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the indices shown below.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (for the periods ended SINCE INCEPTION December 31, 2003) 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A 09/15/94 Return Before Taxes 20.86% (4.30)% 5.87% Return After Taxes on Distributions 20.86 (4.51) 5.52 Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 13.56 (3.59) 5.04 Class B 09/15/94 Return Before Taxes 21.22 (4.24) 5.93 Class C 08/04/97 Return Before Taxes 25.20 (3.87) (0.63) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MSCI World Index(1) 33.11 (0.77) 6.71(2) 08/31/94(2) MSCI World Growth Index(3) 26.41 (4.93) N/A(4) N/A(4) Lipper Global Fund Index(5) 31.96 2.04 6.56(2) 08/31/94(2) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Class A only and after-tax returns for Class B and C will vary.
(1) The Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index measures the performance of securities listed on stock exchanges of 23 developed countries. The fund has also included the MSCI World Growth Index, which the fund believe more closely reflects the performance of the securities in which the fund invests. In addition, the Lipper Global Fund Index (which may or may not include the fund) is included for a comparison to a peer group.
(2) The average annual total return given is since the month end closest to the inception date of the class with the longest performance history.
(3) The Morgan Stanley Capital International World Growth Index includes securities from 23 developed countries and is designed to measure global developed market "growth" equity performance (high price to book value securities).
(4) Index performance is not provided because the inception date of the MSCI World Growth Index was September 29, 1995.
(5) The Lipper Global Funds Index is an equally weighted representation of the 30 largest funds in the Lipper Global Funds category. These funds invest at least 25% of their portfolios in securities traded outside of the U.S.
FEE TABLE
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
SHAREHOLDER FEES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (fees paid directly from your investment) CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 4.75% None None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is less) None(1,2) 5.00% 1.00% Redemption/Exchange Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed/exchanged) 2.00%(3) None None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(4) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (expenses that are deducted from fund assets) CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management Fees 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.50 1.00 1.00 Other Expenses 0.69 0.69 0.69 Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2.04 2.54 2.54 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(1) If you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares and redeem these shares within 18 months from the date of purchase, you may pay a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) at the time of redemption.
(2) If you are a retirement plan participant and you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares, you may pay a 1.00% CDSC if a total redemption of the retirement plan assets occurs within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's initial purchase.
(3) You may be charged a 2.00% fee on redemptions or exchanges of Class A shares held 30 days or less. See "Shareholder Information -- Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee" for more information.
(4) There is no guarantee that actual expenses will be the same as those shown in the table.
You may be charged a transaction or other fee by the financial institution managing your account.
As a result of 12b-1 fees, long-term shareholders in the fund may pay more than the maximum permitted initial sales charge.
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
This example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in different classes of the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. To the extent fees are waived and/or expenses are reimbursed, your expenses will be lower. Although your actual returns and costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $672 $1,084 $1,521 $2,731 Class B 757 1,091 1,550 2,753 Class C 357 791 1,350 2,875 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $672 $1,084 $1,521 $2,731 Class B 257 791 1,350 2,753 Class C 257 791 1,350 2,875 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
THE ADVISOR
A I M Advisors, Inc. (the advisor) serves as the fund's investment advisor and is responsible for its day-to-day management. The advisor is located at 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1173. The advisor supervises all aspects of the fund's operations and provides investment advisory services to the fund, including obtaining and evaluating economic, statistical and financial information to formulate and implement investment programs for the fund.
The advisor has acted as an investment advisor since its organization in 1976. Today, the advisor, together with its subsidiaries, advises or manages over 200 investment portfolios, including the fund, encompassing a broad range of investment objectives.
ADVISOR COMPENSATION
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the advisor received compensation of 0.85% of average daily net assets.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The advisor uses a team approach to investment management. The individual members of the team (co-managers) who are primarily responsible for the management of the fund's portfolio are
- Kirk L. Anderson, Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 2003 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1994.
- Matthew W. Dennis, Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 2003 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 2000. From 1996 to 2000, he was an equity strategist with ABN AMRO.
- Barrett K. Sides, Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 1999 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1990.
They are assisted by the Large Cap Growth, Asia/Latin America and Europe/Canada Teams. More information on the fund's management team may be found on our website (http://www.aiminvestments.com/teams). The website is not a part of this prospectus.
SALES CHARGES
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM Global Growth Fund are subject to the maximum 4.75% initial sales charge as listed under the heading "CATEGORY II Initial Sales Charges" in the "Shareholder Information--Choosing a Share Class" section of this prospectus. Certain purchases of Class A shares at net asset value may be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge listed in that section. Purchases of Class B and Class C shares are subject to the contingent deferred sales charges listed in that section.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund expects that its distributions, if any, will consist primarily of capital gains.
DIVIDENDS
The fund generally declares and pays dividends, if any, annually.
CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund generally distributes long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, annually.
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share.
The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information for the fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the fund's annual report, which is available upon request. Information prior to fiscal year 2001 was audited by other public accountants.
CLASS A ------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 -------- -------- --------- --------- --------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.66 $ 14.58 $ 24.83 $ 23.43 $ 17.91 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.08) (0.11)(a) (0.13) (0.03)(a) (0.10) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.33 (1.81) (10.08) 2.77 6.12 ================================================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 2.25 (1.92) (10.21) 2.74 6.02 ================================================================================================================================= Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) (1.34) (0.50) ================================================================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $ 14.91 $ 12.66 $ 14.58 $ 24.83 $ 23.43 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Total return(b) 17.77% (13.17)% (41.17)% 11.52% 34.43% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $329,739 $335,954 $439,612 $796,992 $388,549 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.04%(c) 1.95% 1.68%(d) 1.62%(d) 1.67% ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.58)%(c) (0.75)% (0.66)% (0.10)% (0.57)% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate 75% 98% 134% 110% 93% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $327,956,190.
(d) After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers were 1.79% and 1.63% for year ended 2001 and 2000, respectively.
CLASS B ------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 -------- -------- --------- --------- --------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.09 $ 14.00 $ 23.98 $ 22.78 $ 17.52 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.15) (0.17)(a) (0.24) (0.17)(a) (0.23)(a) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.24 (1.74) (9.70) 2.71 5.99 ================================================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 2.09 (1.91) (9.94) 2.54 5.76 ================================================================================================================================= Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) (1.34) (0.50) ================================================================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $ 14.18 $ 12.09 $ 14.00 $ 23.98 $ 22.78 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Total return(b) 17.29% (13.64)% (41.50)% 10.95% 33.69% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $181,891 $206,189 $369,171 $806,409 $425,345 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.54%(c) 2.45% 2.19%(d) 2.16%(d) 2.23% ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (1.08)%(c) (1.25)% (1.16)% (0.64)% (1.13)% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate 75% 98% 134% 110% 93% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustment in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $183,253,282.
(d) After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers were 2.30% and 2.17% for the year ended 2001 and 2000, respectively.
CLASS C --------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, --------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.10 $ 14.01 $ 23.98 $ 22.79 $ 17.52 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.15) (0.17)(a) (0.22) (0.17)(a) (0.23)(a) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.23 (1.74) (9.71) 2.70 6.00 ============================================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 2.08 (1.91) (9.93) 2.53 5.77 ============================================================================================================================= Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) (1.34) (0.50) ============================================================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $ 14.18 $ 12.10 $ 14.01 $ 23.98 $ 22.79 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================= Total return(b) 17.19% (13.63)% (41.46)% 10.90% 33.69% _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $32,844 $34,778 $51,624 $88,810 $31,356 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.54%(c) 2.45% 2.19%(d) 2.16%(d) 2.23% ============================================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (1.08)%(c) (1.25)% (1.16)% (0.64)% (1.13)% _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate 75% 98% 134% 110% 93% _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================= |
(a)Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b)Includes adjustment in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c)Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $31,880,974.
(d)After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers were 2.30% and 2.17% for the year ended 2001 and 2000, respectively.
In addition to the fund, A I M Advisors, Inc. serves as investment advisor to many other mutual funds (the AIM funds). The following information is about all the AIM funds.
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS
Many of the AIM funds have multiple classes of shares, each class representing an interest in the same portfolio of investments. When choosing a share class, you should consult your financial advisor as to which class is most suitable for you. In addition, you should consider the factors below.
CLASS A(1) CLASS A3 CLASS B(4) CLASS C CLASS R INVESTOR CLASS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales charge charge charge charge charge charge - Reduced or waived - No contingent - Contingent - Contingent - Generally, no - No contingent initial sales deferred sales deferred sales deferred sales contingent deferred sales charge for charge charge on charge on deferred sales charge certain redemptions redemptions charge(2) purchases(2,3) within six years within one year(6) - Generally, lower - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of distribution and 0.35% 1.00% 1.00% 0.50% 0.25%(7) service (12b-1) fee than Class B, Class C or Class R shares (See "Fee Table and Expense Example") - Does not convert - Converts to Class - Does not convert - Does not convert - Does not convert to Class A shares A shares at the to Class A shares to Class A shares to Class A shares end of the month which is eight years after the date on which shares were purchased along with a pro rata portion of its reinvested dividends and distributions(5) - Generally more - Generally more - Purchase orders - Generally more - Generally, only - Closed to new appropriate for appropriate for limited to appropriate for available to the investors, except long-term short- term amounts less than short- term following types as described in investors investors $100,000 investors of retirement the "Purchasing plans: (i) all Shares -- Grandfathered section 401 and Investors" 457 plans, (ii) section of your section 403 plans prospectus sponsored by section 501(c)(3) organizations, and (iii) IRA rollovers from such plans if an AIM fund was offered ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Certain AIM funds also offer Institutional Class shares to certain eligible institutional investors; consult the fund's Statement of Additional Information for details.
(1) As of the close of business on October 30, 2002, Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund were closed to new investors.
(2) A contingent deferred sales charge may apply in some cases.
(3) AIM Opportunities I Fund will not accept any single purchase order in excess of $250,000.
(4) Effective September 30, 2003, Class B shares will not be made available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. These plans include 401(k) plans (including AIM Solo 401(k) plans), money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that have existing accounts invested in Class B shares will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
(5) AIM Money Market Fund: Class B shares convert to AIM Cash Reserve Shares. AIM Global Trends Fund: If you held Class B shares on May 29, 1998 and continue to hold them, those shares will convert to Class A shares of that fund at the end of the month which is seven years after the date on which shares were purchased. If you exchange those shares for Class B shares of another AIM fund, the shares into which you exchanged will not convert to Class A shares until the end of the month which is eight years after the date on which you purchased your original shares.
(6) A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) does not apply to redemption of Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you exchange Class C shares of another AIM fund that are subject to a CDSC into AIM Short Term Bond Fund.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES
Each AIM fund (except AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund with respect to its Class A shares) has adopted 12b-1 plans that allow the AIM fund to pay distribution fees to A I M Distributors, Inc. (the distributor) for the sale and distribution of its shares and fees for services provided to shareholders, all or a substantial portion of which are paid to the dealer of record. Because the AIM fund pays these fees out of its assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
MCF--02/04
SALES CHARGES
Sales charges on the AIM funds and classes of those Funds are detailed below. As used below, the term "offering price" with respect to all categories of Class A shares includes the initial sales charge.
INITIAL SALES CHARGES
The AIM funds are grouped into three categories with respect to initial sales
charges. The "Other Information" section of your prospectus will tell you in
what category your particular AIM fund is classified.
CATEGORY I INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION(1) OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 25,000 5.50% 5.82% $ 25,000 but less than $ 50,000 5.25 5.54 $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.75 4.99 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 3.00 3.09 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
(1) AIM Opportunities I Fund will not accept any single purchase order in excess of $250,000.
CATEGORY II INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 50,000 4.75% 4.99% $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.00 4.17 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 2.50 2.56 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
CATEGORY III INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 100,000 1.00% 1.01% $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 0.75 0.76 $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 0.50 0.50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
SHARES SOLD WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE
You will not pay an initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of AIM
Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund.
You will not pay an initial sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund.
You will not pay an initial sales charge or a CDSC on Investor Class shares of any AIM fund.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES
OF AIM MONEY MARKET FUND
You can purchase $1,000,000 or more (a Large Purchase) of Class A shares of
Category I and II AIM funds at net asset value. However, if you redeem these
shares prior to 18 months after the date of purchase, they will be subject to a
CDSC of 1%.
If you made a Large Purchase of Class A shares of Category III AIM funds at net asset value during the period November 15, 2001 through October 30, 2002, such shares will be subject to a 0.25% CDSC if you redeem them prior to 12 months after the date of purchase.
If you currently own Class A shares of a Category I, II or III AIM fund and make additional purchases (through October 30, 2002 for Category III AIM funds only) at net asset value that result in account balances of $1,000,000 or more, the additional shares purchased will be subject to a CDSC (an 18-month, 1% CDSC for Category I and II AIM fund shares, and a 12-month, 0.25% CDSC for Category III AIM fund shares). The CDSC for Category III AIM fund shares will not apply to additional purchases made prior to November 15, 2001 or after October 30, 2002.
Some retirement plans can purchase Class A shares at their net asset value per share. Effective November 1, 2002, if the distributor paid a concession to the dealer of record in connection with a Large Purchase of Class A shares by a retirement plan, the Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement plan assets are redeemed within one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase.
You may be charged a CDSC when you redeem AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund if you acquired those shares through an exchange, and the shares originally purchased were subject to a CDSC.
The distributor may pay a dealer concession and/or a service fee for Large Purchases and purchases by certain retirement plans.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
You can purchase Class B and Class C shares at their net asset value per share.
However, when you redeem them, they are subject to a CDSC in the following
percentages:
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE MADE CLASS B CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First 5% 1% Second 4 None Third 3 None Fourth 3 None Fifth 2 None Sixth 1 None Seventh and following None None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
You can purchase Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund at their net asset value and not subject to a CDSC. However, you may be charged a CDSC when you redeem Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund if you acquired those shares through an exchange, and the shares originally purchased were subject to a CDSC.
MCF--02/04
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS R SHARES
You can purchase Class R shares at their net asset value per share. If the
distributor pays a concession to the dealer of record, however, the Class R
shares are subject to a 0.75% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement
plan assets are redeemed within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's
initial purchase.
COMPUTING A CDSC
The CDSC on redemptions of shares is computed based on the lower of their
original purchase price or current market value, net of reinvested dividends and
capital gains distributions. In determining whether to charge a CDSC, we will
assume that you have redeemed shares on which there is no CDSC first and, then,
shares in the order of purchase.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES AND SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS
You may qualify for reduced sales charges or sales charge exceptions. To qualify for these reductions or exceptions, you or your financial consultant must provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to verify that your purchase qualifies for such treatment.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
You may be eligible to buy Class A shares at reduced initial sales charge rates
under Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent under certain circumstances.
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund and Class B and Class C shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund and Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund will not be taken into account in determining whether a purchase qualifies for a reduction in initial sales charges pursuant to Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent.
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION
You may combine your new purchases of Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund
with AIM and/or INVESCO fund shares currently owned (Class A, B, C, K or R) for
the purpose of qualifying for the lower initial sales charge rates that apply to
larger purchases. The applicable initial sales charge for the new purchase is
based on the total of your current purchase and the public offering price of all
other shares you own.
LETTERS OF INTENT
Under a Letter of Intent (LOI), you commit to purchase a specified dollar amount
of Class A shares of AIM and/or INVESCO funds during a 13-month period. The
amount you agree to purchase determines the initial sales charge you pay. If the
full face amount of the LOI is not invested by the end of the 13-month period,
your account will be adjusted to the higher initial sales charge level for the
amount actually invested.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS
You will not pay initial sales charges
- on shares purchased by reinvesting dividends and distributions;
- when exchanging shares among certain AIM and INVESCO funds;
- when using the reinstatement privileges; and
- when a merger, consolidation, or acquisition of assets of an AIM or INVESCO fund occurs.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC) EXCEPTIONS
You will not pay a CDSC
- if you redeem Class B shares you held for more than six years;
- if you redeem Class C shares you held for more than one year;
- if you redeem Class C shares of an AIM fund other than AIM Short Term Bond Fund and you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund;
- if you redeem Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of another AIM fund and the original purchase was subject to a CDSC;
- if you are a participant in a retirement plan and your plan redeems, at any time, less than all of the Class R shares held through such plan that would otherwise be subject to a CDSC;
- if you are a participant in a retirement plan and your plan redeems, after having held them for more than one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase, all of the Class R shares held through such plan that would otherwise be subject to a CDSC;
- if you redeem shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions; and
- on increases in the net asset value of your shares.
There may be other situations when you may be able to purchase or redeem shares at reduced or without sales charges. Consult the fund's Statement of Additional Information for details.
TOOLS USED TO COMBAT EXCESSIVE SHORT-TERM TRADING ACTIVITY
While the funds provide their shareholders with daily liquidity, their investment programs are designed to serve long-term investors. Excessive short-term trading activity in the funds' shares (i.e., a purchase of fund shares followed shortly thereafter by a redemption of such shares, or vice versa) may hurt the long-term performance of certain funds by requiring them to maintain an excessive amount of cash or to liquidate portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time. A I M Advisors, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, the "AIM Affiliates") currently use the following tools designed to discourage excessive short-term trading in the retail funds within The AIM Family of Funds(R) and the INVESCO family of funds (together, the "funds"):
(1) trade activity monitoring;
(2) trading guidelines;
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(3) redemption fee on trades in certain funds; and
(4) selective use of fair value pricing.
Each of these tools is described in more detail below. Although these tools are designed to discourage excessive short-term trading, you should understand that none of these tools alone nor all of them taken together eliminate the possibility that excessive short-term trading activity in the funds will occur. Moreover, each of these tools involves judgments that are inherently subjective. The AIM Affiliates seek to make these judgments to the best of their abilities in a manner that they believe is consistent with shareholder interests.
TRADE ACTIVITY MONITORING
The AIM Affiliates monitor selected trades on a daily basis in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading activities. If, as a result of this monitoring, the AIM Affiliates believe that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading, they may, in their discretion, ask the shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases or exchanges in the shareholder's accounts other than exchanges into a money market fund. In making such judgments, the AIM Affiliates seek to act in a manner that they believe is consistent with the best interests of shareholders.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor trades that are placed by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
TRADING GUIDELINES
Currently, if you exceed 10 exchanges per calendar year, or a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not you exceed such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each fund and the distributor reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders.
You are limited to a maximum of 10 exchanges per calendar year per shareholder account for all funds held by you under that account. Because excessive short-term trading or market-timing activity can hurt fund performance, if you exceed that limit, or if a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading is excessive or that you are engaging in market-timing activity, it may reject any additional exchange orders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one fund and into (purchase) another fund. Effective on or about March 1, 2004, if you exceed four exchanges out of a fund (other than AIM Money Market Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and INVESCO U.S. Government Money Fund) per calendar year, or a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not you exceed such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each fund and the distributor reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one fund and into (purchase) another fund.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor exchanges made by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
REDEMPTION FEE
You may be charged a 2% redemption fee if you redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of certain funds within 30 days of purchase. The AIM Affiliates expect to charge the redemption fee on other classes of shares when the funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. See "Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee" for more information.
The ability of a fund to assess a redemption fee on the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder account and may be further limited by systems limitations applicable to these types of accounts. Additionally, the AIM Affiliates maintain certain retirement plan accounts on a record keeping system that is currently incapable of processing the redemption fee. The provider of this system is working to enhance the system to facilities the processing of this fee. These are two reasons why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
FAIR VALUE PRICING
The trading hours for most foreign securities end prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange, the time the fund's net asset value is calculated. The occurrence of certain events after the close of foreign markets, but prior to the close of the U.S. market (such as a significant surge or decline in the U.S. market) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, the fund may value foreign securities at fair value, taking into account such events, when it calculates its net asset value. Fair value determinations are made in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors or Trustees of the fund. See "Pricing of Shares -- Determination of Net Asset Value" for more information.
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Fair value pricing results in an estimated price and may reduce the possibility that short-term traders could take advantage of potentially "stale" prices of portfolio holdings. However, if cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
PURCHASING SHARES
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS PER AIM FUND ACCOUNT
There are no minimum investments with respect to Class R shares for AIM fund accounts. The minimum investments with respect to Class A, A3, B and C shares and Investor Class shares for AIM fund accounts are as follows:
INITIAL ADDITIONAL TYPE OF ACCOUNT INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans (includes section 401, $ 0 ($25 per AIM fund investment for $50 403 and salary deferrals from Employer- 457 plans, and SEP, SARSEP and SIMPLE IRA plans) Sponsored Retirement Plans) Systematic Purchase Plan 50 50 IRA, Roth IRA or Coverdell ESA 250 50 All other accounts 1,000 50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
The maximum amount for a single purchase order of AIM Opportunities I Fund is $250,000.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
You may purchase shares using one of the options below. Purchase orders will not be processed unless the account application and purchase payment are received in good order. In accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act, if you fail to provide all the required information requested in the current account application, your purchase order will not be processed. Additionally, Federal law requires that the AIM fund verify and record your identifying information.
OPENING AN ACCOUNT ADDING TO AN ACCOUNT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. Same By Mail Mail completed account application and Mail your check and the remittance slip check to the transfer agent, AIM from your confirmation statement to the Investment Services, Inc., P.O. Box transfer agent. 4739, Houston, TX 77210-4739. By Wire Mail completed account application to Call the transfer agent to receive a the transfer agent. Call the transfer reference number. Then, use the wire agent at (800) 959-4246 to receive a instructions at left. reference number. Then, use the following wire instructions: Beneficiary Bank ABA/Routing #: 113000609 Beneficiary Account Number: 00100366807 Beneficiary Account Name: AIM Investment Services, Inc. RFB: Fund Name, Reference # OBI: Your Name, Account # By Telephone Open your account using one of the Select the AIM Bank methods described above. Connection--Servicemark-- option on your completed account application or complete an AIM Bank Connection form. Mail the application or form to the transfer agent. Once the transfer agent has received the form, call the transfer agent to place your purchase order. Call the AIM 24-hour Automated Investor Line at 1-800-246-5463. You may place your order after you have provided the bank instructions that will be requested. By Internet Open your account using one of the Access your account at methods described above. www.aiminvestments.com. The proper bank instructions must have been provided on your account. You may not purchase shares in AIM prototype retirement accounts on the internet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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GRANDFATHERED INVESTORS
Investor Class shares of a fund may be purchased only by: (1) persons or
entities who had established an account, prior to April 1, 2002, in Investor
Class shares of any of the funds currently distributed by A I M Distributors,
Inc. (the "Grandfathered Funds") and have continuously maintained such account
in Investor Class shares since April 1, 2002; (2) any person or entity listed in
the account registration for any Grandfathered Funds, which account was
established prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained since April 1,
2002, such as joint owners, trustees, custodians and designated beneficiaries;
(3) customers of certain financial institutions, wrap accounts or other
fee-based advisory programs, or insurance company separate accounts, which have
had relationships with A I M Distributors, Inc. and/or any of the Grandfathered
Funds prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained such relationships
since April 1, 2002; (4) defined benefit, defined contribution and deferred
compensation plans; and (5) AIM and INVESCO fund trustees and directors,
employees of AMVESCAP PLC and its subsidiaries, AMVESCAP directors, and their
immediate families.
SPECIAL PLANS
SYSTEMATIC PURCHASE PLAN
You can arrange for periodic investments in any of the AIM funds by authorizing
the AIM fund to withdraw the amount of your investment from your bank account on
a day or dates you specify and in an amount of at least $50. You may stop the
Systematic Purchase Plan at any time by giving the transfer agent notice ten
days prior to your next scheduled withdrawal.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
Dollar Cost Averaging allows you to make automatic monthly or quarterly
exchanges, if permitted, from one AIM or INVESCO fund account to one or more
other AIM or INVESCO fund accounts with the identical registration. The account
from which exchanges are to be made must have a minimum balance of $5,000 before
you can use this option. Exchanges will occur on (or about) the 10th or 25th day
of the month, whichever you specify, in the amount you specify. The minimum
amount you can exchange to another AIM or INVESCO fund is $50.
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND INVESTMENT
All of your dividends and distributions may be paid in cash or invested in any
AIM or INVESCO fund at net asset value. Unless you specify otherwise, your
dividends and distributions will automatically be reinvested in the same AIM or
INVESCO fund. You may invest your dividends and distributions (1) into another
AIM or INVESCO fund in the same class of shares; or (2) from Class A shares into
AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, or vice versa.
You must comply with the following requirements to be eligible to invest your dividends and distributions in shares of another AIM fund:
(1) Your account balance (a) in the AIM or INVESCO fund paying the dividend must be at least $5,000; and (b) in the AIM or INVESCO fund receiving the dividend must be at least $500;
(2) Both accounts must have identical registration information; and
(3) You must have completed an authorization form to reinvest dividends into another AIM or INVESCO fund.
PORTFOLIO REBALANCING PROGRAM
If you have at least $5,000 in your account, you may participate in the
Portfolio Rebalancing Program. Under this Program, you can designate how the
total value of your AIM and INVESCO fund holdings should be rebalanced, on a
percentage basis, between two and ten of your AIM and INVESCO funds on a
quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. Your portfolio will be rebalanced through
the exchange of shares in one or more of your AIM or INVESCO funds for shares of
the same class of one or more other AIM or INVESCO funds in your portfolio. If
you wish to participate in the Program, make changes or cancel the Program, the
transfer agent must receive your request to participate, changes, or
cancellation in good order at least five business days prior to the next
rebalancing date, which is normally the 28th day of the last month of the period
you choose. You may realize taxable gains from these exchanges. We may modify,
suspend or terminate the Program at any time on 60 days prior written notice.
RETIREMENT PLANS
Shares of most of the AIM funds can be purchased through tax-sheltered
retirement plans made available to corporations, individuals and employees of
non-profit organizations and public schools. A plan document must be adopted to
establish a retirement plan. You may use AIM sponsored retirement plans, which
include IRAs, Roth IRAs, SIMPLE IRA plans, SEP/SARSEP plans, 403(b) plans,
401(k) plans and Money Purchase/Profit Sharing plans, or another sponsor's
retirement plan. The plan custodian of the AIM sponsored retirement plan
assesses an annual maintenance fee of $10. Contact your financial consultant for
details.
REDEEMING SHARES
REDEMPTION FEE
You may be charged a 2% redemption fee (on total redemption proceeds) if you redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of the following funds (either by selling or
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exchanging to another AIM fund or INVESCO fund) within 30 days of their purchase:
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund AIM Global Value Fund AIM Developing Markets Fund AIM International Emerging Growth Fund AIM European Growth Fund AIM International Growth Fund AIM European Small Company AIM High Yield Fund Fund AIM Trimark Fund AIM Global Aggressive Growth INVESCO International Core Equity Fund Fund INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund AIM Global Growth Fund AIM Global Trends Fund |
The redemption fee will be retained by the fund from which you are redeeming shares (including redemptions by exchange), and is intended to offset the trading costs, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money movements in and out of the fund. The redemption fee is imposed to the extent that the number of fund shares you redeem exceeds the number of fund shares that you have held for more than 30 days. In determining whether the minimum 30 day holding period has been met, only the period during which you have held shares of the fund from which you are redeeming is counted. For this purpose, shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last.
The 2% redemption fee will not be charged on transactions involving the following:
(1) total or partial redemptions of shares by omnibus accounts maintained by brokers that do not have the systematic capability to process the redemption fee;
(2) total or partial redemptions of shares by approved fee-based programs that do not have the systematic capability to process the redemption fee;
(3) total or partial redemptions of shares held through retirement plans maintained pursuant to Sections 401, 403, 408, 408A and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") where the systematic capability to process the redemption fee does not exist;
(4) total or partial redemptions effectuated pursuant to an automatic non-discretionary rebalancing program or a systematic withdrawal plan set up in the funds;
(5) total or partial redemptions requested within 30 days following the death or
post-purchase disability of (i) any registered shareholder on an account or
(ii) the settlor of a living trust which is the registered shareholder of an
account, of shares held in the account at the time of death or initial
determination of post-purchase disability;
(6) total or partial redemption of shares acquired through investment of dividends and other distributors; or
(7) redemptions initiated by a fund.
The AIM Affiliates' goals are to apply the redemption fee on all classes of shares regardless of the type of account in which such shares are held. This goal is not immediately achievable because of systems limitations and marketplace resistance. Currently, the redemption fee may be applied on Class A and Investor Class shares (and Institutional Shares for INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund). AIM expects to charge the redemption fee on all other classes of shares when the funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. In addition, AIM intends to develop a plan to encourage brokers that maintain omnibus accounts, sponsors of fee-based program accounts and retirement plan administrators for accounts that are exempt from the redemption fee pursuant to the terms above to modify computer programs to impose the redemption fee or to develop alternate processes to monitor and restrict short-term trading activity in the funds. Lastly, the provider of AIM's retirement plan record keeping system is working to enhance the system to facilitate the processing of the redemption fee. Until such computer programs are modified or alternate processes are developed, the fund's ability to assess a redemption fee on these types of share classes and accounts is severely limited. These are reasons why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
The funds have the discretion to waive the 2% redemption fee if a fund is in jeopardy of failing the 90% income test or losing its registered investment company qualification for tax purposes.
Your broker or financial consultant may charge service fees for handling redemption transactions. Your shares also may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2001.
If you purchased $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund at net asset value prior to November 15, 2001, or entered into a Letter of Intent prior to November 15, 2001 to purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Category I, II or III AIM fund at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption, as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category I - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed or II Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(1) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category III - No CDSC Fund(1) Fund(1) - Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund |
(1) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
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REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE ON AND AFTER NOVEMBER 15, 2001
If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund on and after November 15, 2001 (and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Class A shares of Category III AIM funds), or if you make additional purchases of Class A shares on and after November 15, 2001 (and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Class A shares of Category III AIM funds) at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption, as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category I - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed or II Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(1) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial purchase of Category III Fund shares - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category III - 0.25% if shares are redeemed Fund Fund(1) within 12 months of initial - Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt purchase of Category III Fund Cash Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund |
(1) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE AFTER OCTOBER 30, 2002
If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund on or after October 31, 2002, or if you make additional purchases of Class A shares on and after October 31, 2002 at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category I - 1% if shares are redeemed I or II Fund or II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(2) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category I - 1% if shares are redeemed III Fund(1) or II Fund within 18 months of initial purchase of Category III Fund shares - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category III - No CDSC III Fund(1) Fund(2) - Class A shares of AIM Tax- Exempt Cash Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market |
(1) As of the close of business on October 30, 2002, only existing shareholders
of Class A shares of a Category III Fund may purchase such shares.
(2) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III
Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of Category III Fund.
REDEMPTION OF CLASS B SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FROM AIM FLOATING RATE FUND
If you redeem Class B shares you acquired by exchange via a tender offer by AIM Floating Rate Fund, the early withdrawal charge applicable to shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund will be applied instead of the CDSC normally applicable to Class B shares.
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Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. By Mail Send a written request to the transfer agent. Requests must include (1) original signatures of all registered owners; (2) the name of the AIM fund and your account number; (3) if the transfer agent does not hold your shares, endorsed share certificates or share certificates accompanied by an executed stock power; and (4) signature guarantees, if necessary (see below). The transfer agent may require that you provide additional information, such as corporate resolutions or powers of attorney, if applicable. If you are redeeming from an IRA account, you must include a statement of whether or not you are at least 59 1/2 years old and whether you wish to have federal income tax withheld from your proceeds. The transfer agent may require certain other information before you can redeem from an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Contact your employer for details. By Telephone Call the transfer agent or our AIM 24-hour Automated Investor Line at 1-800-246-5463. You will be allowed to redeem by telephone if (1) the proceeds are to be mailed to the address on record (if there has been no change communicated to us within the last 30 days) or transferred electronically to a pre-authorized checking account; (2) you do not hold physical share certificates; (3) you can provide proper identification information; (4) the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $250,000; and (5) you have not previously declined the telephone redemption privilege. Certain accounts, including retirement accounts and 403(b) plans, may not be redeemed by telephone. The transfer agent must receive your call during the hours of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. You may, with limited exceptions, redeem from an IRA account by telephone. Redemptions from other types of retirement accounts must be requested in writing. By Internet Place your redemption request at www.aiminvestments.com. You will be allowed to redeem by internet if (1) you do not hold physical share certificates; (2) you can provide proper identification information; (3) the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $250,000; and (4) you have already provided proper bank information. AIM prototype retirement accounts may not be redeemed on the internet. The transfer agent must confirm your transaction during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. |
TIMING AND METHOD OF PAYMENT
We normally will send out checks within one business day, and in any event no more than seven days, after we accept your request to redeem. If you redeem shares recently purchased by check, you will be required to wait up to ten business days before we will send your redemption proceeds. This delay is necessary to ensure that the purchase check has cleared.
REDEMPTION BY MAIL
If you mail us a request in good order to redeem your shares, we will mail you a
check in the amount of the redemption proceeds to the address on record with us.
If your request is not in good order, you may have to provide us with additional
documentation in order to redeem your shares.
REDEMPTION BY TELEPHONE
If you redeem by telephone, we will mail you a check in the amount of the
redemption proceeds to your address of record (if there has been no change
communicated to the transfer agent within the previous 30 days) or transmit them
electronically to your pre-authorized bank account. We use reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine and are not
liable for telephone instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine.
REDEMPTION BY INTERNET
If you redeem by internet, we will transmit your redemption proceeds
electronically to your pre-authorized bank account. We use reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions communicated by internet are genuine and are not
liable for internet instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine.
PAYMENT FOR SYSTEMATIC REDEMPTIONS
You may arrange for regular monthly or quarterly withdrawals from your account
of at least $100. You also may make annual withdrawals if you own Class A
shares. We will redeem enough shares from your account to cover the amount
withdrawn. You must have an account balance of at least $5,000 to establish a
Systematic Redemption Plan. You can stop this plan at any time by giving ten
days prior notice to the transfer agent.
EXPEDITED REDEMPTIONS
(AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES OF AIM MONEY MARKET FUND ONLY)
If we receive your redemption order before 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, we will try
to transmit payment of redemption proceeds on that same day. If we receive your
redemption order after 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time and before the close of the
customary trading session of the NYSE, we generally will transmit payment on the
next business day.
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REDEMPTIONS BY CHECK
(CLASS A SHARES OF AIM TAX-EXEMPT CASH FUND AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES OF AIM
MONEY MARKET FUND ONLY)
You may redeem shares of these AIM funds by writing checks in amounts of $250 or
more if you have completed an authorization form. Redemption by check is not
available for retirement accounts.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
We require a signature guarantee when you redeem by mail and
(1) the amount is greater than $250,000;
(2) you request that payment be made to someone other than the name registered on the account;
(3) you request that payment be sent somewhere other than the bank of record on the account; or
(4) you request that payment be sent to a new address or an address that changed in the last 30 days.
The transfer agent will accept a guarantee of your signature by a number of financial institutions. Call the transfer agent for additional information. Some institutions have transaction amount maximums for these guarantees. Please check with the guarantor institution.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGES
You may, within 120 days after you sell shares (except Class R shares, Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, Class A shares and Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund and Investor Class shares), reinvest all or part of your redemption proceeds in Class A shares of any Category I or II AIM fund at net asset value in an identically registered account.
You may, within 120 days after you sell some but not all of your Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund, reinvest all or part of your redemption proceeds in Class A shares of that same Category III AIM fund at net asset value in an identically registered account.
The reinvestment amount must meet the subsequent investment minimum as indicated in the section "Purchasing Shares".
If you paid an initial sales charge on any reinstated amount, you will receive credit on purchases of Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund.
If you paid a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any reinstated amount, you will not be subject to a CDSC if you later redeem that amount.
You must notify the transfer agent in writing at the time you reinstate that you are exercising your reinstatement privilege.
REDEMPTIONS BY THE AIM FUNDS
If your account (Class A, Class A3, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares only) has been open at least one year, you have not made an additional purchase in the account during the past six calendar months, and the value of your account falls below $500 ($250 for Investor Class shares) for three consecutive months due to redemptions or exchanges (excluding retirement accounts), the AIM funds have the right to redeem the account after giving you 60 days' prior written notice. You may avoid having your account redeemed during the notice period by bringing the account value up to $500 ($250 for Investor Class shares) or by utilizing the Automatic Investment Plan.
If an AIM fund determines that you have not provided a correct Social Security or other tax ID number on your account application, or the AIM fund is not able to verify your identity as required by law, the AIM fund may, at its discretion, redeem the account and distribute the proceeds to you.
EXCHANGING SHARES
You may, under certain circumstances, exchange shares in one AIM fund for those of another AIM or INVESCO fund. Before requesting an exchange, review the prospectus of the AIM or INVESCO fund you wish to acquire. Exchange privileges also apply to holders of the Connecticut General Guaranteed Account, established for tax-qualified group annuities, for contracts purchased on or before June 30, 1992.
You may be charged a redemption fee on certain redemptions, including exchanges. See "Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee."
PERMITTED EXCHANGES
Except as otherwise stated under "Exchanges Not Permitted," you generally may exchange your shares for shares of the same class of another AIM or INVESCO fund.
You may also exchange:
(1) Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund;
(2) Class A shares of an AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund for Class A3 shares of an AIM fund;
(3) Class A3 shares of an AIM fund for AIM Cash Reserve shares of AIM Money Market Fund;
(4) Class A3 shares of an AIM fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund;
(5) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class A3 shares of an AIM fund;
(6) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, effective February 17, 2003, and AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund) or INVESCO fund;
(7) Investor Class shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund or Class A3 shares of an AIM fund; or
(8) Class A or A3 shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund as long as you are eligible to purchase Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund at the time of exchange.
MCF--02/04
You may be required to pay an initial sales charge when exchanging from a Fund with a lower initial sales charge than the one into which you are exchanging. If you exchange into shares that are subject to a CDSC, we will begin the holding period for purposes of calculating the CDSC on the date you made your initial purchase.
EXCHANGES NOT SUBJECT TO A SALES CHARGE
You will not pay an initial sales charge when exchanging:
(1) Class A shares with an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) for
(a) Class A shares of another AIM or INVESCO fund;
(b) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(c) Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund or AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund.
(2) Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund with an initial sales charge for
(a) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund; or
(b) Class A shares of another AIM or INVESCO Fund, but only if
(i) you acquired the original shares before May 1, 1994; or
(ii) you acquired the original shares on or after May 1, 1994 by way of an exchange from shares with higher initial sales charges; or
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for
(a) Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund subject to an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund), but only if you acquired the original shares
(i) prior to May 1, 1994 by exchange from Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge;
(ii) on or after May 1, 1994 by exchange from Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund); or
(4) Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund or AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund for
(a) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(b) Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund.
You will not pay a CDSC or other sales charge when exchanging:
(1) Class A shares for other Class A shares;
(2) Class B shares for other Class B shares;
(3) Class C shares for other Class C shares;
(4) Class R shares for other Class R shares.
EXCHANGES NOT PERMITTED
Certain classes of shares are not covered by the exchange privilege. You may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund or Class A shares of an INVESCO fund for Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund after February 16, 2003; or
(2) Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund for Class A shares of another Category III AIM fund after February 16, 2003.
For shares purchased prior to November 15, 2001, you may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of Category I or II AIM funds (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund;
(2) Class A shares of Category III AIM funds purchased at net asset value for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund or Class A shares of an INVESCO fund;
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class B or Class C shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund;
(4) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM or INVESCO fund that are subject to a CDSC; or
(5) on or after January 15, 2002, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of Category III AIM Funds that are subject to a CDSC.
For shares purchased on or after November 15, 2001, you may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of Category I or II AIM or INVESCO funds (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a CDSC for Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund;
(2) Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of any other AIM or INVESCO fund (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a CDSC or for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class B or Class C shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund or for Class A shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund that are subject to a CDSC, however, if you originally purchased Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund, and exchanged those shares for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, you may further exchange the AIM Cash Reserve Shares for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund.
EXCHANGE CONDITIONS
The following conditions apply to all exchanges:
- You must meet the minimum purchase requirements for the AIM or INVESCO fund into which you are exchanging; MCF--02/04
- Shares of the AIM or INVESCO fund you wish to acquire must be available for
sale in your state of residence;
- Exchanges must be made between accounts with identical registration
information;
- The account you wish to exchange from must have a certified tax identification number (or the Fund has received an appropriate Form W-8 or W-9);
- Shares must have been held for at least one day prior to the exchange;
- If you have physical share certificates, you must return them to the transfer agent prior to the exchange; and
TERMS OF EXCHANGE
Under unusual market conditions, an AIM or INVESCO fund may delay the purchase of shares being acquired in an exchange for up to five business days if it determines that it would be materially disadvantaged by the immediate transfer of exchange proceeds. The exchange privilege is not an option or right to purchase shares. Any of the participating AIM or INVESCO funds or the distributor may modify or terminate this privilege at any time. The AIM or INVESCO fund or the distributor will provide you with notice of such modification or termination whenever it is required to do so by applicable law, but may impose changes at any time for emergency purposes.
BY MAIL
If you wish to make an exchange by mail, you must include original signatures of each registered owner exactly as the shares are registered, the account registration and account number, the dollar amount or number of shares to be exchanged and the names of the AIM or INVESCO funds from which and into which the exchange is to be made.
BY TELEPHONE
Conditions that apply to exchanges by telephone are the same as redemptions by telephone, including that the transfer agent must receive exchange requests during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE; however, you still will be allowed to exchange by telephone even if you have changed your address of record within the preceding 30 days.
BY INTERNET
You will be allowed to exchange by internet if you do not hold physical share certificates and you provide the proper identification information.
EXCHANGING CLASS B, CLASS C AND CLASS R SHARES
PRICING OF SHARES
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The price of each AIM fund's shares is the fund's net asset value per share. The AIM funds value portfolio securities for which market quotations are readily available at market value. The AIM funds' short-term investments are valued at amortized cost when the security has 60 days or less to maturity. AIM Money Market Fund and AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund value all of their securities at amortized cost. AIM High Income Municipal Fund, AIM Municipal Bond Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund value variable rate securities that have an unconditional demand or put feature exercisable within seven days or less at par, which reflects the market value of such securities.
The AIM funds value all other securities and assets at their fair value. Securities and other assets quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on the prevailing exchange rates on that day. In addition, if, between the time trading ends on a particular security and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE, events occur that may materially affect the value of the security, the AIM funds may value the security at its fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors or Trustees of the AIM fund. The effect of using fair value pricing is that an AIM fund's net asset value will be subject to the judgment of the Board of Directors or Trustees or its designee instead of being determined by the market. Because some of the AIM funds may invest in securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on days when the AIM funds do not price their shares, the value of those funds' assets may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem fund shares.
Each AIM fund determines the net asset value of its shares on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session, or any earlier NYSE closing time that day. AIM Money Market Fund also determines its net asset value as of 12:00 noon Eastern Time on each day the NYSE is open for business.
TIMING OF ORDERS
You can purchase, exchange or redeem shares during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE. The AIM funds price
MCF--02/04
purchase, exchange and redemption orders at the net asset value calculated after the transfer agent receives an order in good order. An AIM fund may postpone the right of redemption only under unusual circumstances, as allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as when the NYSE restricts or suspends trading.
TAXES
In general, dividends and distributions you receive are taxable as ordinary income or long-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes, whether you reinvest them in additional shares or take them in cash. Distributions are generally taxable to you at different rates depending on the length of time the fund holds its assets and the type of income that the fund earns. Different tax rates apply to ordinary income, qualified dividend income, and long-term capital gain distributions, regardless of how long you have held your shares. Every year, you will be sent information showing the amount of dividends and distributions you received from each AIM fund during the prior year.
Any long-term or short-term capital gains realized from redemptions of AIM fund shares will be subject to federal income tax. Exchanges of shares for shares of another AIM or INVESCO fund are treated as a sale, and any gain realized on the transaction will generally be subject to federal income tax.
INVESTORS IN TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS SHOULD READ THE INFORMATION UNDER THE HEADING "OTHER INFORMATION -- SPECIAL TAX INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND" IN THEIR PROSPECTUS.
The foreign, state and local tax consequences of investing in AIM fund shares may differ materially from the federal income tax consequences described above. In addition, the preceding discussion concerning the taxability of fund dividends and distributions and of redemptions and exchanges of AIM fund shares is inapplicable to investors that are generally exempt from federal income tax, such as retirement plans that are qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs. You should consult your tax advisor before investing.
MCF--02/04
More information may be obtained free of charge upon request. The Statement of Additional Information (SAI), a current version of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), contains more details about the fund and is incorporated by reference into the prospectus (is legally a part of the prospectus). Annual and semiannual reports to shareholders contain additional information about the fund's investments. The fund's annual report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
If you have questions about this fund, another fund in The AIM Family of Funds--Registered Trademark-- or your account, or wish to obtain free copies of the fund's current SAI or annual or semiannual reports, please contact us
BY MAIL: AIM Investment Services, Inc. P.O. Box 4739 Houston, TX 77210-4739 BY TELEPHONE: (800) 347-4246 ON THE INTERNET: You can send us a request by e-mail or download prospectuses, annual or semiannual reports via our website: http://www.aiminvestments.com |
You can also review and obtain copies of the fund's SAI, reports and other information at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; on the EDGAR database on the SEC's Internet website (http://www.sec.gov); or, after paying a duplication fee, by sending a letter to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102 or by sending an electronic mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov. Please call the SEC at 1-202-942-8090 for information about the Public Reference Room.
AIM Global Growth Fund
SEC 1940 Act file number: 811-6463
AIMinvestments.com GLG-PRO-1 YOUR GOALS. OUR SOLUTIONS. [AIM INVESTMENTS LOGO APPEARS HERE] --Servicemark-- --Servicemark-- |
AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS FEBRUARY 27, 2004 |
AIM International Growth Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital.
This prospectus contains important information about the Class A, B, C and R shares of the fund. Please read it before investing and keep it for future reference.
As with all other mutual fund securities, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate or accurate. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.
An investment in the fund:
- is not FDIC insured;
- may lose value; and
- is not guaranteed by a bank.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES 1 ------------------------------------------------------ PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND 1 ------------------------------------------------------ PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 2 ------------------------------------------------------ Annual Total Returns 2 Performance Table 3 FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLE 4 ------------------------------------------------------ Fee Table 4 Expense Example 4 FUND MANAGEMENT 5 ------------------------------------------------------ The Advisor 5 Advisor Compensation 5 Portfolio Managers 5 OTHER INFORMATION 5 ------------------------------------------------------ Sales Charges 5 Dividends and Distributions 5 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 6 ------------------------------------------------------ SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION A-1 ------------------------------------------------------ Choosing a Share Class A-1 Tools Used to Combat Excessive Short-Term Trading Activity A-3 Purchasing Shares A-5 Redeeming Shares A-6 Exchanging Shares A-10 Pricing of Shares A-12 Taxes A-13 OBTAINING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Back Cover ------------------------------------------------------ |
The AIM Family of Funds, AIM and Design, AIM, AIM Funds, AIM Funds and Design, AIM Investor, AIM Lifetime America, AIM LINK, AIM Institutional Funds, aimfunds.com, La Familia AIM de Fondos, La Familia AIM de Fondos and Design, Invierta con DISCIPLINA and Invest with DISCIPLINE are registered service marks and AIM Bank Connection, AIM Internet Connect, AIM Private Asset Management, AIM Private Asset Management and Design, AIM stylized and/or Design, AIM Alternative Assets and Design, AIM Investments, AIM Investments and Design, myaim.com, The AIM College Savings Plan, AIM Solo 401(k) and Your goals. Our solutions. are service marks of AIM Management Group Inc. AIM Trimark is a service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. and AIM Funds Management Inc.
No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, and you should not rely on such other information or representations.
The fund's investment objective is to provide long-term growth of capital. The investment objective of the fund may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
The fund seeks to meet its objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of international equity securities whose issuers are considered by the fund's portfolio managers to have strong earnings momentum. The fund focuses its investments in marketable equity securities of foreign companies that are listed on a recognized foreign or U.S. securities exchange or traded in a foreign or U.S. over-the-counter market. The fund will normally invest in the securities of companies located in at least four countries outside of the United States, emphasizing investment in companies in the developed countries of Western Europe and the Pacific Basin.
At the present time, the fund's portfolio managers intend to invest no more than 20% of the fund's total assets in foreign companies located in developing countries, i.e., those that are in the initial stages of their industrial cycles. The fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities exchangeable for or convertible into marketable equity securities of foreign issuers. The fund may also invest up to 20% of its total assets in high-grade short-term securities and debt securities, including U.S. Government obligations, investment grade corporate bonds or taxable municipal securities, whether denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. For cash management purposes, the fund may also hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including shares of affiliated money market funds. Any percentage limitations with respect to assets of the fund are applied at the time of purchase.
The portfolio managers focus on companies that have experienced above-average, long-term growth in earnings and have strong prospects for future growth. In selecting countries in which the fund will invest, the fund's portfolio managers also consider such factors as the prospect for relative economic growth among countries or regions, economic or political conditions, currency exchange fluctuations, tax considerations and the liquidity of a particular security. The fund's portfolio managers consider whether to sell a particular security when any of these factors materially changes.
In anticipation of or in response to adverse market or other conditions, or atypical circumstances such as unusually large cash inflows or redemptions, the fund may temporarily hold all or a portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or high-quality debt instruments. As a result, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
There is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the fund. The value of your investment in the fund will go up and down with the prices of the securities in which the fund invests. The prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
The prices of foreign securities may be further affected by other factors, including:
- Currency exchange rates--The dollar value of the fund's foreign investments will be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the dollar and the currencies in which those investments are traded.
- Political and economic conditions--The value of the fund's foreign investments may be adversely affected by political and social instability in their home countries and by changes in economic or taxation policies in those countries.
- Regulations--Foreign companies generally are subject to less stringent regulations, including financial and accounting controls, than are U.S. companies. As a result, there generally is less publicly available information about foreign companies than about U.S. companies.
- Markets--The securities markets of other countries are smaller than U.S. securities markets. As a result, many foreign securities may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. securities.
These factors may affect the prices of securities issued by foreign companies located in developing countries more than those in countries with mature economies. For example, many developing countries have, in the past, experienced high rates of inflation or sharply devalued their currencies against the U.S. dollar, thereby causing the value of investments in companies located in those countries to decline. Transaction costs are often higher in developing countries and there may be delays in settlement procedures.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
The bar chart and table shown below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of its future performance.
The following bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class A shares from year to year. The bar chart does not reflect sales loads. If it did, the annual total returns shown would be lower.
ANNUAL YEAR ENDED TOTAL DECEMBER 31 RETURNS ----------- ------- 1994................................................................... -3.34% 1995................................................................... 16.41% 1996................................................................... 18.98% 1997................................................................... 5.70% 1998................................................................... 13.42% 1999................................................................... 55.08% 2000................................................................... -25.69% 2001................................................................... -22.36% 2002................................................................... -14.23% 2003................................................................... 27.80% |
During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 43.09% (quarter ended December 31, 1999) and the lowest quarterly return was -19.18% (quarter ended September 30, 2002).
PERFORMANCE TABLE
The following performance table compares the fund's performance to that of a broad-based securities market index, a style specific index and a peer group index. The fund's performance reflects payment of sales loads, if applicable. The indices do not reflect payment of fees, expenses or taxes. The fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indices shown below, and consequently, the performance of the fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the indices shown below.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (for the periods ended SINCE INCEPTION December 31, 2003) 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS INCEPTION(1) DATE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A 04/07/92 Return Before Taxes 20.80% (1.51)% 4.05% -- Return After Taxes on Distributions 20.74 (1.94) 3.47 -- Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 13.52 (1.32) 3.29 -- Class B 09/15/94 Return Before Taxes 21.88 (1.47) -- 4.01% Class C 08/04/97 Return Before Taxes 25.94 (1.11) -- (0.18) Class R(2) 04/07/92 Return Before Taxes 27.17 (0.64) 4.41 -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MSCI EAFE Index(3) 38.59 (0.05) 4.47 -- MSCI EAFE Growth Index(4) 31.99 (3.96) 2.07 -- Lipper International Fund Index(5) 36.00 2.13 5.31 -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Class A only and after-tax returns for Class B, C and R will vary.
(1) Since Inception performance is only provided for a class with less than ten calendar years of performance.
(2) The returns shown for the one year period are the historical returns of the Fund's Class R shares. The returns shown for the five and ten year periods are the blended returns of the historical performance of the fund's Class R shares since their inception and the restated historical performance of the fund's Class A shares (for periods prior to inception of the Class R shares) at net asset value, adjusted to reflect the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class R shares. The inception date shown in the table is that of the fund's Class A shares. The inception date of the fund's Class R shares is June 3, 2002.
(3) The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index measures performance of global stock markets in 21 developed countries. The fund has also included the MSCI Europe, Australasia and Far East Growth Index, which the fund believes more closely reflects the performance of the types of securities in which the fund invests. In addition, the Lipper International Fund Index (which may or may not include the fund) is included for comparison to a peer group.
(4) The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Growth Index is recognized as the pre-eminent benchmark in the U.S. to measure international "growth" equity performance (high price to book value securities). It includes securities from 21 countries, representing the developed markets outside North America: Europe, Australasia, and the Far East.
(5) The Lipper International Fund Index is an equally weighted representation of the 30 largest funds in the Lipper International category. These funds invest in securities with primary trading outside of the U.S. and may own U.S. securities as well.
FEE TABLE
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
SHAREHOLDER FEES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (fees paid directly from your investment) CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.50% None None None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is less) None(1,2) 5.00% 1.00% None(3) Redemption/Exchange Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed/exchanged) 2.00%(4) None None None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(5) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (expenses that are deducted from fund assets) CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management Fees 0.93% 0.93% 0.93% 0.93% Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.30 1.00 1.00 0.50 Other Expenses 0.59 0.59 0.59 0.59 Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.82 2.52 2.52 2.02 Fee Waiver(6) 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 Net Expenses(6) 1.78 2.48 2.48 1.98 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(1) If you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares and redeem these shares within 18 months from the date of purchase, you may pay a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) at the time of redemption.
(2) If you are a retirement plan participant and you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares, you may pay a 1.00% CDSC if a total redemption of the retirement plan assets occurs within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's initial purchase.
(3) If you are a retirement plan participant, you may pay a 0.75% CDSC if the distributor paid a concession to the dealer of record and a total redemption of the retirement plan assets occurs within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's initial purchase.
(4) You may be charged a 2.00% fee on redemptions or exchanges of Class A shares held 30 days or less. See "Shareholder Information -- Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee" for more information.
(5) There is no guarantee that actual expenses will be the same as those shown in the table.
(6) The investment advisor has contractually agreed to waive 0.05% on average net assets in excess of $500 million. The expense limitation agreement is in effect through October 31, 2004.
You may also be charged a transaction or other fee by the financial institution managing your account.
As a result of 12b-1 fees, long-term shareholders in the fund may pay more than the maximum permitted initial sales charge.
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
This example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in different classes of the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. To the extent fees are waived and/or expenses are reimbursed, your expenses will be lower. Although your actual returns and costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $721 $1,087 $1,477 $2,567 Class B 751 1,081 1,537 2,681 Class C 351 781 1,337 2,853 Class R 201 630 1,084 2,345 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $721 $1,087 $1,477 $2,567 Class B 251 781 1,337 2,681 Class C 251 781 1,337 2,853 Class R 201 630 1,084 2,345 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
THE ADVISOR
A I M Advisors, Inc. (the advisor) serves as the fund's investment advisor and is responsible for its day-to-day management. The advisor is located at 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1173. The advisor supervises all aspects of the fund's operations and provides investment advisory services to the fund, including obtaining and evaluating economic, statistical and financial information to formulate and implement investment programs for the fund.
The advisor has acted as an investment advisor since its organization in 1976. Today, the advisor, together with its subsidiaries, advises or manages over 200 investment portfolios, including the fund, encompassing a broad range of investment objectives.
ADVISOR COMPENSATION
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the advisor received compensation of 0.89% of average daily net assets.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The advisor uses a team approach to investment management. The individual members of the team who are primarily responsible for the management of the fund's portfolio are
- Clas G. Olsson (lead manager), Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 1997 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1994.
- Barrett K. Sides (lead manager), Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 1995 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1990.
- Shuxin Cao, Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 2003 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1997.
- Jason T. Holzer, Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 1999 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1996.
They are assisted by the Asia/Latin America and Europe/Canada Teams. More information on the fund's management team may be found on our website (http://www.aiminvestments.com/teams). The website is not a part of this prospectus.
SALES CHARGES
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM International Growth Fund are subject to the maximum 5.50% initial sales charge as listed under the heading "CATEGORY I Initial Sales Charges" in the "Shareholder Information--Choosing a Share Class" section of this prospectus. Certain purchases of Class A shares at net asset value may be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge listed in that section. Purchases of Class B and Class C shares are subject to the contingent deferred sales charges listed in that section. Certain purchases of Class R shares may be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge listed in that section.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund expects that its distributions, if any, will consist primarily of capital gains.
DIVIDENDS
The fund generally declares and pays dividends, if any, annually.
CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund generally distributes long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, annually.
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share.
The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information for the fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the fund's annual report, which is available upon request. Information prior to fiscal year 2001 was audited by other public accountants.
CLASS A ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.69 $ 14.45 $ 21.60 $ 21.73 $ 17.59 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.01(a) (0.03)(a) (0.01) 0.08(a) (0.03) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.53 (1.73) (5.66) 0.72 4.49 ================================================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 2.54 (1.76) (5.67) 0.80 4.46 ================================================================================================================================= Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income -- -- -- -- (0.11) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.21) ================================================================================================================================= Total distributions -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.32) ================================================================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $ 15.23 $ 12.69 $ 14.45 $ 21.60 $ 21.73 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Total return(b) 20.02% (12.18)% (27.96)% 3.16% 25.73% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $1,117,420 $1,093,344 $1,404,269 $2,325,636 $2,058,419 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.74%(c) 1.70% 1.57% 1.44% 1.48% --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.82%(c) 1.74% 1.61% 1.48% 1.52% ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 0.09%(c) (0.21)% (0.04)% 0.30% (0.14)% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate 77% 77% 85% 87% 86% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $1,110,221,314.
CLASS B ----------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.02 $ 13.78 $ 20.81 $ 21.11 $ 17.13 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.08)(a) (0.12)(a) (0.13) (0.11)(a) (0.17)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.38 (1.64) (5.42) 0.74 4.36 =============================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 2.30 (1.76) (5.55) 0.63 4.19 =============================================================================================================================== Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.21) =============================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 14.32 $ 12.02 $ 13.78 $ 20.81 $ 21.11 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 19.14% (12.77)% (28.48)% 2.42% 24.72% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $360,671 $401,288 $612,125 $997,843 $887,106 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.44%(c) 2.40% 2.27% 2.18% 2.27% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.52%(c) 2.44% 2.31% 2.22% 2.31% =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.61)(c) (0.91)% (0.75)% (0.44)% (0.93)% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 77% 77% 85% 87% 86% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== |
(a)Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b)Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c)Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $360,231,865.
CLASS C ----------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.03 $ 13.79 $ 20.82 $ 21.13 $ 17.14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.08)(a) (0.12)(a) (0.13) (0.11)(a) (0.17)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.38 (1.64) (5.42) 0.73 4.37 =============================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 2.30 (1.76) (5.55) 0.62 4.20 =============================================================================================================================== Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.21) =============================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 14.33 $ 12.03 $ 13.79 $ 20.82 $ 21.13 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 19.12% (12.76)% (28.47)% 2.37% 24.76% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $113,965 $114,070 $165,857 $253,998 $118,208 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.44%(c) 2.40% 2.27% 2.18% 2.27% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.52%(c) 2.44% 2.31% 2.22% 2.31% =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.61)(c) (0.91)% (0.75)% (0.44)% (0.93)% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 77% 77% 85% 87% 86% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== |
(a)Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b)Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales charges.
(c)Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $109,258,326.
CLASS R ---------------------------------- JUNE 3, 2002 (DATE SALES YEAR ENDED COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, 2003 2002 ----------- ------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $12.69 $ 15.27 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.01(a) (0.02)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.44 (2.56) ================================================================================================ Total from investment operations 2.45 (2.58) ================================================================================================ Net asset value, end of period $15.14 $ 12.69 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Total return(b) 19.31% (16.90)% ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 867 $ 49 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.94%(c) 1.89%(d) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.02%(c) 1.93%(d) ================================================================================================ Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.11)(c) (0.40)(d) ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Portfolio turnover rate(e) 77% 77% ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ |
(a)Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b)Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c)Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $589,989.
(d)Annualized.
(e)Not annualized for periods less than one year.
In addition to the fund, A I M Advisors, Inc. serves as investment advisor to many other mutual funds (the AIM funds). The following information is about all the AIM funds.
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS
Many of the AIM funds have multiple classes of shares, each class representing an interest in the same portfolio of investments. When choosing a share class, you should consult your financial advisor as to which class is most suitable for you. In addition, you should consider the factors below.
CLASS A(1) CLASS A3 CLASS B(4) CLASS C CLASS R INVESTOR CLASS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales - No initial sales charge charge charge charge charge charge - Reduced or waived - No contingent - Contingent - Contingent - Generally, no - No contingent initial sales deferred sales deferred sales deferred sales contingent deferred sales charge for charge charge on charge on deferred sales charge certain redemptions redemptions charge(2) purchases(2,3) within six years within one year(6) - Generally, lower - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of - 12b-1 fee of distribution and 0.35% 1.00% 1.00% 0.50% 0.25%(7) service (12b-1) fee than Class B, Class C or Class R shares (See "Fee Table and Expense Example") - Does not convert - Converts to Class - Does not convert - Does not convert - Does not convert to Class A shares A shares at the to Class A shares to Class A shares to Class A shares end of the month which is eight years after the date on which shares were purchased along with a pro rata portion of its reinvested dividends and distributions(5) - Generally more - Generally more - Purchase orders - Generally more - Generally, only - Closed to new appropriate for appropriate for limited to appropriate for available to the investors, except long-term short- term amounts less than short- term following types as described in investors investors $100,000 investors of retirement the "Purchasing plans: (i) all Shares -- Grandfathered section 401 and Investors" 457 plans, (ii) section of your section 403 plans prospectus sponsored by section 501(c)(3) organizations, and (iii) IRA rollovers from such plans if an AIM fund was offered ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Certain AIM funds also offer Institutional Class shares to certain eligible institutional investors; consult the fund's Statement of Additional Information for details.
(1) As of the close of business on October 30, 2002, Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund were closed to new investors.
(2) A contingent deferred sales charge may apply in some cases.
(3) AIM Opportunities I Fund will not accept any single purchase order in excess of $250,000.
(4) Effective September 30, 2003, Class B shares will not be made available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. These plans include 401(k) plans (including AIM Solo 401(k) plans), money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that have existing accounts invested in Class B shares will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
(5) AIM Money Market Fund: Class B shares convert to AIM Cash Reserve Shares. AIM Global Trends Fund: If you held Class B shares on May 29, 1998 and continue to hold them, those shares will convert to Class A shares of that fund at the end of the month which is seven years after the date on which shares were purchased. If you exchange those shares for Class B shares of another AIM fund, the shares into which you exchanged will not convert to Class A shares until the end of the month which is eight years after the date on which you purchased your original shares.
(6) A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) does not apply to redemption of Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you exchange Class C shares of another AIM fund that are subject to a CDSC into AIM Short Term Bond Fund.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES
Each AIM fund (except AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund with respect to its Class A shares) has adopted 12b-1 plans that allow the AIM fund to pay distribution fees to A I M Distributors, Inc. (the distributor) for the sale and distribution of its shares and fees for services provided to shareholders, all or a substantial portion of which are paid to the dealer of record. Because the AIM fund pays these fees out of its assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
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SALES CHARGES
Sales charges on the AIM funds and classes of those Funds are detailed below. As used below, the term "offering price" with respect to all categories of Class A shares includes the initial sales charge.
INITIAL SALES CHARGES
The AIM funds are grouped into three categories with respect to initial sales
charges. The "Other Information" section of your prospectus will tell you in
what category your particular AIM fund is classified.
CATEGORY I INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION(1) OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 25,000 5.50% 5.82% $ 25,000 but less than $ 50,000 5.25 5.54 $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.75 4.99 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 3.00 3.09 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
(1) AIM Opportunities I Fund will not accept any single purchase order in excess of $250,000.
CATEGORY II INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 50,000 4.75% 4.99% $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.00 4.17 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 2.50 2.56 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
CATEGORY III INITIAL SALES CHARGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE --------------------------- AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $ 100,000 1.00% 1.01% $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 0.75 0.76 $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 0.50 0.50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
SHARES SOLD WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE
You will not pay an initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of AIM
Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund.
You will not pay an initial sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund.
You will not pay an initial sales charge or a CDSC on Investor Class shares of any AIM fund.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES
OF AIM MONEY MARKET FUND
You can purchase $1,000,000 or more (a Large Purchase) of Class A shares of
Category I and II AIM funds at net asset value. However, if you redeem these
shares prior to 18 months after the date of purchase, they will be subject to a
CDSC of 1%.
If you made a Large Purchase of Class A shares of Category III AIM funds at net asset value during the period November 15, 2001 through October 30, 2002, such shares will be subject to a 0.25% CDSC if you redeem them prior to 12 months after the date of purchase.
If you currently own Class A shares of a Category I, II or III AIM fund and make additional purchases (through October 30, 2002 for Category III AIM funds only) at net asset value that result in account balances of $1,000,000 or more, the additional shares purchased will be subject to a CDSC (an 18-month, 1% CDSC for Category I and II AIM fund shares, and a 12-month, 0.25% CDSC for Category III AIM fund shares). The CDSC for Category III AIM fund shares will not apply to additional purchases made prior to November 15, 2001 or after October 30, 2002.
Some retirement plans can purchase Class A shares at their net asset value per share. Effective November 1, 2002, if the distributor paid a concession to the dealer of record in connection with a Large Purchase of Class A shares by a retirement plan, the Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement plan assets are redeemed within one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase.
You may be charged a CDSC when you redeem AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund if you acquired those shares through an exchange, and the shares originally purchased were subject to a CDSC.
The distributor may pay a dealer concession and/or a service fee for Large Purchases and purchases by certain retirement plans.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
You can purchase Class B and Class C shares at their net asset value per share.
However, when you redeem them, they are subject to a CDSC in the following
percentages:
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE MADE CLASS B CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First 5% 1% Second 4 None Third 3 None Fourth 3 None Fifth 2 None Sixth 1 None Seventh and following None None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
You can purchase Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund at their net asset value and not subject to a CDSC. However, you may be charged a CDSC when you redeem Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund if you acquired those shares through an exchange, and the shares originally purchased were subject to a CDSC.
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CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS R SHARES
You can purchase Class R shares at their net asset value per share. If the
distributor pays a concession to the dealer of record, however, the Class R
shares are subject to a 0.75% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement
plan assets are redeemed within 12 months from the date of the retirement plan's
initial purchase.
COMPUTING A CDSC
The CDSC on redemptions of shares is computed based on the lower of their
original purchase price or current market value, net of reinvested dividends and
capital gains distributions. In determining whether to charge a CDSC, we will
assume that you have redeemed shares on which there is no CDSC first and, then,
shares in the order of purchase.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES AND SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS
You may qualify for reduced sales charges or sales charge exceptions. To qualify for these reductions or exceptions, you or your financial consultant must provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to verify that your purchase qualifies for such treatment.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
You may be eligible to buy Class A shares at reduced initial sales charge rates
under Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent under certain circumstances.
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund and Class B and Class C shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund and Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund will not be taken into account in determining whether a purchase qualifies for a reduction in initial sales charges pursuant to Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent.
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION
You may combine your new purchases of Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund
with AIM and/or INVESCO fund shares currently owned (Class A, B, C, K or R) for
the purpose of qualifying for the lower initial sales charge rates that apply to
larger purchases. The applicable initial sales charge for the new purchase is
based on the total of your current purchase and the public offering price of all
other shares you own.
LETTERS OF INTENT
Under a Letter of Intent (LOI), you commit to purchase a specified dollar amount
of Class A shares of AIM and/or INVESCO funds during a 13-month period. The
amount you agree to purchase determines the initial sales charge you pay. If the
full face amount of the LOI is not invested by the end of the 13-month period,
your account will be adjusted to the higher initial sales charge level for the
amount actually invested.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS
You will not pay initial sales charges
- on shares purchased by reinvesting dividends and distributions;
- when exchanging shares among certain AIM and INVESCO funds;
- when using the reinstatement privileges; and
- when a merger, consolidation, or acquisition of assets of an AIM or INVESCO fund occurs.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC) EXCEPTIONS
You will not pay a CDSC
- if you redeem Class B shares you held for more than six years;
- if you redeem Class C shares you held for more than one year;
- if you redeem Class C shares of an AIM fund other than AIM Short Term Bond Fund and you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund;
- if you redeem Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of another AIM fund and the original purchase was subject to a CDSC;
- if you are a participant in a retirement plan and your plan redeems, at any time, less than all of the Class R shares held through such plan that would otherwise be subject to a CDSC;
- if you are a participant in a retirement plan and your plan redeems, after having held them for more than one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase, all of the Class R shares held through such plan that would otherwise be subject to a CDSC;
- if you redeem shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions; and
- on increases in the net asset value of your shares.
There may be other situations when you may be able to purchase or redeem shares at reduced or without sales charges. Consult the fund's Statement of Additional Information for details.
TOOLS USED TO COMBAT EXCESSIVE SHORT-TERM TRADING ACTIVITY
While the funds provide their shareholders with daily liquidity, their investment programs are designed to serve long-term investors. Excessive short-term trading activity in the funds' shares (i.e., a purchase of fund shares followed shortly thereafter by a redemption of such shares, or vice versa) may hurt the long-term performance of certain funds by requiring them to maintain an excessive amount of cash or to liquidate portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time. A I M Advisors, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, the "AIM Affiliates") currently use the following tools designed to discourage excessive short-term trading in the retail funds within The AIM Family of Funds(R) and the INVESCO family of funds (together, the "funds"):
(1) trade activity monitoring;
(2) trading guidelines;
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(3) redemption fee on trades in certain funds; and
(4) selective use of fair value pricing.
Each of these tools is described in more detail below. Although these tools are designed to discourage excessive short-term trading, you should understand that none of these tools alone nor all of them taken together eliminate the possibility that excessive short-term trading activity in the funds will occur. Moreover, each of these tools involves judgments that are inherently subjective. The AIM Affiliates seek to make these judgments to the best of their abilities in a manner that they believe is consistent with shareholder interests.
TRADE ACTIVITY MONITORING
The AIM Affiliates monitor selected trades on a daily basis in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading activities. If, as a result of this monitoring, the AIM Affiliates believe that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading, they may, in their discretion, ask the shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases or exchanges in the shareholder's accounts other than exchanges into a money market fund. In making such judgments, the AIM Affiliates seek to act in a manner that they believe is consistent with the best interests of shareholders.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor trades that are placed by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
TRADING GUIDELINES
Currently, if you exceed 10 exchanges per calendar year, or a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not you exceed such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each fund and the distributor reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders.
You are limited to a maximum of 10 exchanges per calendar year per shareholder account for all funds held by you under that account. Because excessive short-term trading or market-timing activity can hurt fund performance, if you exceed that limit, or if a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading is excessive or that you are engaging in market-timing activity, it may reject any additional exchange orders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one fund and into (purchase) another fund. Effective on or about March 1, 2004, if you exceed four exchanges out of a fund (other than AIM Money Market Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and INVESCO U.S. Government Money Fund) per calendar year, or a fund or the distributor determines, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not you exceed such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each fund and the distributor reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one fund and into (purchase) another fund.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor exchanges made by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
REDEMPTION FEE
You may be charged a 2% redemption fee if you redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of certain funds within 30 days of purchase. The AIM Affiliates expect to charge the redemption fee on other classes of shares when the funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. See "Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee" for more information.
The ability of a fund to assess a redemption fee on the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder account and may be further limited by systems limitations applicable to these types of accounts. Additionally, the AIM Affiliates maintain certain retirement plan accounts on a record keeping system that is currently incapable of processing the redemption fee. The provider of this system is working to enhance the system to facilities the processing of this fee. These are two reasons why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
FAIR VALUE PRICING
The trading hours for most foreign securities end prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange, the time the fund's net asset value is calculated. The occurrence of certain events after the close of foreign markets, but prior to the close of the U.S. market (such as a significant surge or decline in the U.S. market) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, the fund may value foreign securities at fair value, taking into account such events, when it calculates its net asset value. Fair value determinations are made in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors or Trustees of the fund. See "Pricing of Shares -- Determination of Net Asset Value" for more information.
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Fair value pricing results in an estimated price and may reduce the possibility that short-term traders could take advantage of potentially "stale" prices of portfolio holdings. However, if cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
PURCHASING SHARES
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS PER AIM FUND ACCOUNT
There are no minimum investments with respect to Class R shares for AIM fund accounts. The minimum investments with respect to Class A, A3, B and C shares and Investor Class shares for AIM fund accounts are as follows:
INITIAL ADDITIONAL TYPE OF ACCOUNT INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans (includes section 401, $ 0 ($25 per AIM fund investment for $50 403 and salary deferrals from Employer- 457 plans, and SEP, SARSEP and SIMPLE IRA plans) Sponsored Retirement Plans) Systematic Purchase Plan 50 50 IRA, Roth IRA or Coverdell ESA 250 50 All other accounts 1,000 50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
The maximum amount for a single purchase order of AIM Opportunities I Fund is $250,000.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
You may purchase shares using one of the options below. Purchase orders will not be processed unless the account application and purchase payment are received in good order. In accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act, if you fail to provide all the required information requested in the current account application, your purchase order will not be processed. Additionally, Federal law requires that the AIM fund verify and record your identifying information.
OPENING AN ACCOUNT ADDING TO AN ACCOUNT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. Same By Mail Mail completed account application and Mail your check and the remittance slip check to the transfer agent, AIM from your confirmation statement to the Investment Services, Inc., P.O. Box transfer agent. 4739, Houston, TX 77210-4739. By Wire Mail completed account application to Call the transfer agent to receive a the transfer agent. Call the transfer reference number. Then, use the wire agent at (800) 959-4246 to receive a instructions at left. reference number. Then, use the following wire instructions: Beneficiary Bank ABA/Routing #: 113000609 Beneficiary Account Number: 00100366807 Beneficiary Account Name: AIM Investment Services, Inc. RFB: Fund Name, Reference # OBI: Your Name, Account # By Telephone Open your account using one of the Select the AIM Bank methods described above. Connection--Servicemark-- option on your completed account application or complete an AIM Bank Connection form. Mail the application or form to the transfer agent. Once the transfer agent has received the form, call the transfer agent to place your purchase order. Call the AIM 24-hour Automated Investor Line at 1-800-246-5463. You may place your order after you have provided the bank instructions that will be requested. By Internet Open your account using one of the Access your account at methods described above. www.aiminvestments.com. The proper bank instructions must have been provided on your account. You may not purchase shares in AIM prototype retirement accounts on the internet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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GRANDFATHERED INVESTORS
Investor Class shares of a fund may be purchased only by: (1) persons or
entities who had established an account, prior to April 1, 2002, in Investor
Class shares of any of the funds currently distributed by A I M Distributors,
Inc. (the "Grandfathered Funds") and have continuously maintained such account
in Investor Class shares since April 1, 2002; (2) any person or entity listed in
the account registration for any Grandfathered Funds, which account was
established prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained since April 1,
2002, such as joint owners, trustees, custodians and designated beneficiaries;
(3) customers of certain financial institutions, wrap accounts or other
fee-based advisory programs, or insurance company separate accounts, which have
had relationships with A I M Distributors, Inc. and/or any of the Grandfathered
Funds prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained such relationships
since April 1, 2002; (4) defined benefit, defined contribution and deferred
compensation plans; and (5) AIM and INVESCO fund trustees and directors,
employees of AMVESCAP PLC and its subsidiaries, AMVESCAP directors, and their
immediate families.
SPECIAL PLANS
SYSTEMATIC PURCHASE PLAN
You can arrange for periodic investments in any of the AIM funds by authorizing
the AIM fund to withdraw the amount of your investment from your bank account on
a day or dates you specify and in an amount of at least $50. You may stop the
Systematic Purchase Plan at any time by giving the transfer agent notice ten
days prior to your next scheduled withdrawal.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
Dollar Cost Averaging allows you to make automatic monthly or quarterly
exchanges, if permitted, from one AIM or INVESCO fund account to one or more
other AIM or INVESCO fund accounts with the identical registration. The account
from which exchanges are to be made must have a minimum balance of $5,000 before
you can use this option. Exchanges will occur on (or about) the 10th or 25th day
of the month, whichever you specify, in the amount you specify. The minimum
amount you can exchange to another AIM or INVESCO fund is $50.
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND INVESTMENT
All of your dividends and distributions may be paid in cash or invested in any
AIM or INVESCO fund at net asset value. Unless you specify otherwise, your
dividends and distributions will automatically be reinvested in the same AIM or
INVESCO fund. You may invest your dividends and distributions (1) into another
AIM or INVESCO fund in the same class of shares; or (2) from Class A shares into
AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, or vice versa.
You must comply with the following requirements to be eligible to invest your dividends and distributions in shares of another AIM fund:
(1) Your account balance (a) in the AIM or INVESCO fund paying the dividend must be at least $5,000; and (b) in the AIM or INVESCO fund receiving the dividend must be at least $500;
(2) Both accounts must have identical registration information; and
(3) You must have completed an authorization form to reinvest dividends into another AIM or INVESCO fund.
PORTFOLIO REBALANCING PROGRAM
If you have at least $5,000 in your account, you may participate in the
Portfolio Rebalancing Program. Under this Program, you can designate how the
total value of your AIM and INVESCO fund holdings should be rebalanced, on a
percentage basis, between two and ten of your AIM and INVESCO funds on a
quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. Your portfolio will be rebalanced through
the exchange of shares in one or more of your AIM or INVESCO funds for shares of
the same class of one or more other AIM or INVESCO funds in your portfolio. If
you wish to participate in the Program, make changes or cancel the Program, the
transfer agent must receive your request to participate, changes, or
cancellation in good order at least five business days prior to the next
rebalancing date, which is normally the 28th day of the last month of the period
you choose. You may realize taxable gains from these exchanges. We may modify,
suspend or terminate the Program at any time on 60 days prior written notice.
RETIREMENT PLANS
Shares of most of the AIM funds can be purchased through tax-sheltered
retirement plans made available to corporations, individuals and employees of
non-profit organizations and public schools. A plan document must be adopted to
establish a retirement plan. You may use AIM sponsored retirement plans, which
include IRAs, Roth IRAs, SIMPLE IRA plans, SEP/SARSEP plans, 403(b) plans,
401(k) plans and Money Purchase/Profit Sharing plans, or another sponsor's
retirement plan. The plan custodian of the AIM sponsored retirement plan
assesses an annual maintenance fee of $10. Contact your financial consultant for
details.
REDEEMING SHARES
REDEMPTION FEE
You may be charged a 2% redemption fee (on total redemption proceeds) if you redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of the following funds (either by selling or
MCF--02/04
exchanging to another AIM fund or INVESCO fund) within 30 days of their purchase:
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund AIM Global Value Fund AIM Developing Markets Fund AIM International Emerging Growth Fund AIM European Growth Fund AIM International Growth Fund AIM European Small Company AIM High Yield Fund Fund AIM Trimark Fund AIM Global Aggressive Growth INVESCO International Core Equity Fund Fund INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund AIM Global Growth Fund AIM Global Trends Fund |
The redemption fee will be retained by the fund from which you are redeeming shares (including redemptions by exchange), and is intended to offset the trading costs, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money movements in and out of the fund. The redemption fee is imposed to the extent that the number of fund shares you redeem exceeds the number of fund shares that you have held for more than 30 days. In determining whether the minimum 30 day holding period has been met, only the period during which you have held shares of the fund from which you are redeeming is counted. For this purpose, shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last.
The 2% redemption fee will not be charged on transactions involving the following:
(1) total or partial redemptions of shares by omnibus accounts maintained by brokers that do not have the systematic capability to process the redemption fee;
(2) total or partial redemptions of shares by approved fee-based programs that do not have the systematic capability to process the redemption fee;
(3) total or partial redemptions of shares held through retirement plans maintained pursuant to Sections 401, 403, 408, 408A and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") where the systematic capability to process the redemption fee does not exist;
(4) total or partial redemptions effectuated pursuant to an automatic non-discretionary rebalancing program or a systematic withdrawal plan set up in the funds;
(5) total or partial redemptions requested within 30 days following the death or
post-purchase disability of (i) any registered shareholder on an account or
(ii) the settlor of a living trust which is the registered shareholder of an
account, of shares held in the account at the time of death or initial
determination of post-purchase disability;
(6) total or partial redemption of shares acquired through investment of dividends and other distributors; or
(7) redemptions initiated by a fund.
The AIM Affiliates' goals are to apply the redemption fee on all classes of shares regardless of the type of account in which such shares are held. This goal is not immediately achievable because of systems limitations and marketplace resistance. Currently, the redemption fee may be applied on Class A and Investor Class shares (and Institutional Shares for INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund). AIM expects to charge the redemption fee on all other classes of shares when the funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. In addition, AIM intends to develop a plan to encourage brokers that maintain omnibus accounts, sponsors of fee-based program accounts and retirement plan administrators for accounts that are exempt from the redemption fee pursuant to the terms above to modify computer programs to impose the redemption fee or to develop alternate processes to monitor and restrict short-term trading activity in the funds. Lastly, the provider of AIM's retirement plan record keeping system is working to enhance the system to facilitate the processing of the redemption fee. Until such computer programs are modified or alternate processes are developed, the fund's ability to assess a redemption fee on these types of share classes and accounts is severely limited. These are reasons why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
The funds have the discretion to waive the 2% redemption fee if a fund is in jeopardy of failing the 90% income test or losing its registered investment company qualification for tax purposes.
Your broker or financial consultant may charge service fees for handling redemption transactions. Your shares also may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2001.
If you purchased $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund at net asset value prior to November 15, 2001, or entered into a Letter of Intent prior to November 15, 2001 to purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Category I, II or III AIM fund at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption, as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category I - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed or II Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(1) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category III - No CDSC Fund(1) Fund(1) - Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund |
(1) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
MCF--02/04
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE ON AND AFTER NOVEMBER 15, 2001
If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund on and after November 15, 2001 (and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Class A shares of Category III AIM funds), or if you make additional purchases of Class A shares on and after November 15, 2001 (and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Class A shares of Category III AIM funds) at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption, as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category I - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed or II Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(1) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category I or - 1% if shares are redeemed Fund II Fund within 18 months of initial purchase of Category III Fund shares - Class A shares of Category III - Class A shares of Category III - 0.25% if shares are redeemed Fund Fund(1) within 12 months of initial - Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt purchase of Category III Fund Cash Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund |
(1) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FOR PURCHASES MADE AFTER OCTOBER 30, 2002
If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of any AIM fund on or after October 31, 2002, or if you make additional purchases of Class A shares on and after October 31, 2002 at net asset value, your shares may be subject to a CDSC upon redemption as described below.
SHARES INITIALLY SHARES HELD CDSC APPLICABLE UPON PURCHASED AFTER AN EXCHANGE REDEMPTION OF SHARES --------- ----------------- -------------------- - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category I - 1% if shares are redeemed I or II Fund or II Fund within 18 months of initial - Class A shares of Category III purchase of Category I or II Fund(2) Fund shares - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category I - 1% if shares are redeemed III Fund(1) or II Fund within 18 months of initial purchase of Category III Fund shares - Class A shares of Category - Class A shares of Category III - No CDSC III Fund(1) Fund(2) - Class A shares of AIM Tax- Exempt Cash Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market |
(1) As of the close of business on October 30, 2002, only existing shareholders
of Class A shares of a Category III Fund may purchase such shares.
(2) Beginning on February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I, II or III
Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of Category III Fund.
REDEMPTION OF CLASS B SHARES ACQUIRED BY EXCHANGE FROM AIM FLOATING RATE FUND
If you redeem Class B shares you acquired by exchange via a tender offer by AIM Floating Rate Fund, the early withdrawal charge applicable to shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund will be applied instead of the CDSC normally applicable to Class B shares.
MCF--02/04
Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. By Mail Send a written request to the transfer agent. Requests must include (1) original signatures of all registered owners; (2) the name of the AIM fund and your account number; (3) if the transfer agent does not hold your shares, endorsed share certificates or share certificates accompanied by an executed stock power; and (4) signature guarantees, if necessary (see below). The transfer agent may require that you provide additional information, such as corporate resolutions or powers of attorney, if applicable. If you are redeeming from an IRA account, you must include a statement of whether or not you are at least 59 1/2 years old and whether you wish to have federal income tax withheld from your proceeds. The transfer agent may require certain other information before you can redeem from an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Contact your employer for details. By Telephone Call the transfer agent or our AIM 24-hour Automated Investor Line at 1-800-246-5463. You will be allowed to redeem by telephone if (1) the proceeds are to be mailed to the address on record (if there has been no change communicated to us within the last 30 days) or transferred electronically to a pre-authorized checking account; (2) you do not hold physical share certificates; (3) you can provide proper identification information; (4) the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $250,000; and (5) you have not previously declined the telephone redemption privilege. Certain accounts, including retirement accounts and 403(b) plans, may not be redeemed by telephone. The transfer agent must receive your call during the hours of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. You may, with limited exceptions, redeem from an IRA account by telephone. Redemptions from other types of retirement accounts must be requested in writing. By Internet Place your redemption request at www.aiminvestments.com. You will be allowed to redeem by internet if (1) you do not hold physical share certificates; (2) you can provide proper identification information; (3) the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $250,000; and (4) you have already provided proper bank information. AIM prototype retirement accounts may not be redeemed on the internet. The transfer agent must confirm your transaction during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. |
TIMING AND METHOD OF PAYMENT
We normally will send out checks within one business day, and in any event no more than seven days, after we accept your request to redeem. If you redeem shares recently purchased by check, you will be required to wait up to ten business days before we will send your redemption proceeds. This delay is necessary to ensure that the purchase check has cleared.
REDEMPTION BY MAIL
If you mail us a request in good order to redeem your shares, we will mail you a
check in the amount of the redemption proceeds to the address on record with us.
If your request is not in good order, you may have to provide us with additional
documentation in order to redeem your shares.
REDEMPTION BY TELEPHONE
If you redeem by telephone, we will mail you a check in the amount of the
redemption proceeds to your address of record (if there has been no change
communicated to the transfer agent within the previous 30 days) or transmit them
electronically to your pre-authorized bank account. We use reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine and are not
liable for telephone instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine.
REDEMPTION BY INTERNET
If you redeem by internet, we will transmit your redemption proceeds
electronically to your pre-authorized bank account. We use reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions communicated by internet are genuine and are not
liable for internet instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine.
PAYMENT FOR SYSTEMATIC REDEMPTIONS
You may arrange for regular monthly or quarterly withdrawals from your account
of at least $100. You also may make annual withdrawals if you own Class A
shares. We will redeem enough shares from your account to cover the amount
withdrawn. You must have an account balance of at least $5,000 to establish a
Systematic Redemption Plan. You can stop this plan at any time by giving ten
days prior notice to the transfer agent.
EXPEDITED REDEMPTIONS
(AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES OF AIM MONEY MARKET FUND ONLY)
If we receive your redemption order before 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, we will try
to transmit payment of redemption proceeds on that same day. If we receive your
redemption order after 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time and before the close of the
customary trading session of the NYSE, we generally will transmit payment on the
next business day.
MCF--02/04
REDEMPTIONS BY CHECK
(CLASS A SHARES OF AIM TAX-EXEMPT CASH FUND AND AIM CASH RESERVE SHARES OF AIM
MONEY MARKET FUND ONLY)
You may redeem shares of these AIM funds by writing checks in amounts of $250 or
more if you have completed an authorization form. Redemption by check is not
available for retirement accounts.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
We require a signature guarantee when you redeem by mail and
(1) the amount is greater than $250,000;
(2) you request that payment be made to someone other than the name registered on the account;
(3) you request that payment be sent somewhere other than the bank of record on the account; or
(4) you request that payment be sent to a new address or an address that changed in the last 30 days.
The transfer agent will accept a guarantee of your signature by a number of financial institutions. Call the transfer agent for additional information. Some institutions have transaction amount maximums for these guarantees. Please check with the guarantor institution.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGES
You may, within 120 days after you sell shares (except Class R shares, Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, Class A shares and Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund and Investor Class shares), reinvest all or part of your redemption proceeds in Class A shares of any Category I or II AIM fund at net asset value in an identically registered account.
You may, within 120 days after you sell some but not all of your Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund, reinvest all or part of your redemption proceeds in Class A shares of that same Category III AIM fund at net asset value in an identically registered account.
The reinvestment amount must meet the subsequent investment minimum as indicated in the section "Purchasing Shares".
If you paid an initial sales charge on any reinstated amount, you will receive credit on purchases of Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund.
If you paid a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any reinstated amount, you will not be subject to a CDSC if you later redeem that amount.
You must notify the transfer agent in writing at the time you reinstate that you are exercising your reinstatement privilege.
REDEMPTIONS BY THE AIM FUNDS
If your account (Class A, Class A3, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares only) has been open at least one year, you have not made an additional purchase in the account during the past six calendar months, and the value of your account falls below $500 ($250 for Investor Class shares) for three consecutive months due to redemptions or exchanges (excluding retirement accounts), the AIM funds have the right to redeem the account after giving you 60 days' prior written notice. You may avoid having your account redeemed during the notice period by bringing the account value up to $500 ($250 for Investor Class shares) or by utilizing the Automatic Investment Plan.
If an AIM fund determines that you have not provided a correct Social Security or other tax ID number on your account application, or the AIM fund is not able to verify your identity as required by law, the AIM fund may, at its discretion, redeem the account and distribute the proceeds to you.
EXCHANGING SHARES
You may, under certain circumstances, exchange shares in one AIM fund for those of another AIM or INVESCO fund. Before requesting an exchange, review the prospectus of the AIM or INVESCO fund you wish to acquire. Exchange privileges also apply to holders of the Connecticut General Guaranteed Account, established for tax-qualified group annuities, for contracts purchased on or before June 30, 1992.
You may be charged a redemption fee on certain redemptions, including exchanges. See "Redeeming Shares -- Redemption Fee."
PERMITTED EXCHANGES
Except as otherwise stated under "Exchanges Not Permitted," you generally may exchange your shares for shares of the same class of another AIM or INVESCO fund.
You may also exchange:
(1) Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund;
(2) Class A shares of an AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund for Class A3 shares of an AIM fund;
(3) Class A3 shares of an AIM fund for AIM Cash Reserve shares of AIM Money Market Fund;
(4) Class A3 shares of an AIM fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund;
(5) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class A3 shares of an AIM fund;
(6) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, effective February 17, 2003, and AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund) or INVESCO fund;
(7) Investor Class shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for Class A shares of any AIM fund (excluding AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) or INVESCO fund or Class A3 shares of an AIM fund; or
(8) Class A or A3 shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund for Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund as long as you are eligible to purchase Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund at the time of exchange.
MCF--02/04
You may be required to pay an initial sales charge when exchanging from a Fund with a lower initial sales charge than the one into which you are exchanging. If you exchange into shares that are subject to a CDSC, we will begin the holding period for purposes of calculating the CDSC on the date you made your initial purchase.
EXCHANGES NOT SUBJECT TO A SALES CHARGE
You will not pay an initial sales charge when exchanging:
(1) Class A shares with an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund) for
(a) Class A shares of another AIM or INVESCO fund;
(b) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(c) Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund or AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund.
(2) Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund with an initial sales charge for
(a) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund; or
(b) Class A shares of another AIM or INVESCO Fund, but only if
(i) you acquired the original shares before May 1, 1994; or
(ii) you acquired the original shares on or after May 1, 1994 by way of an exchange from shares with higher initial sales charges; or
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for
(a) Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO fund subject to an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund), but only if you acquired the original shares
(i) prior to May 1, 1994 by exchange from Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge;
(ii) on or after May 1, 1994 by exchange from Class A shares subject to an initial sales charge (excluding Class A shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund); or
(4) Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund or AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund for
(a) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(b) Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund.
You will not pay a CDSC or other sales charge when exchanging:
(1) Class A shares for other Class A shares;
(2) Class B shares for other Class B shares;
(3) Class C shares for other Class C shares;
(4) Class R shares for other Class R shares.
EXCHANGES NOT PERMITTED
Certain classes of shares are not covered by the exchange privilege. You may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund or Class A shares of an INVESCO fund for Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund after February 16, 2003; or
(2) Class A shares of a Category III AIM fund for Class A shares of another Category III AIM fund after February 16, 2003.
For shares purchased prior to November 15, 2001, you may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of Category I or II AIM funds (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund;
(2) Class A shares of Category III AIM funds purchased at net asset value for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund or Class A shares of an INVESCO fund;
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class B or Class C shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund;
(4) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM or INVESCO fund that are subject to a CDSC; or
(5) on or after January 15, 2002, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund or Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of Category III AIM Funds that are subject to a CDSC.
For shares purchased on or after November 15, 2001, you may not exchange:
(1) Class A shares of Category I or II AIM or INVESCO funds (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a CDSC for Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund;
(2) Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund for Class A shares of any other AIM or INVESCO fund (i) subject to an initial sales charge or (ii) purchased at net asset value and subject to a CDSC or for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund; or
(3) AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund for Class B or Class C shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund or for Class A shares of any AIM or INVESCO fund that are subject to a CDSC, however, if you originally purchased Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund, and exchanged those shares for AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, you may further exchange the AIM Cash Reserve Shares for Class A shares of a Category I or II AIM fund.
EXCHANGE CONDITIONS
The following conditions apply to all exchanges:
- You must meet the minimum purchase requirements for the AIM or INVESCO fund into which you are exchanging; MCF--02/04
- Shares of the AIM or INVESCO fund you wish to acquire must be available for
sale in your state of residence;
- Exchanges must be made between accounts with identical registration
information;
- The account you wish to exchange from must have a certified tax identification number (or the Fund has received an appropriate Form W-8 or W-9);
- Shares must have been held for at least one day prior to the exchange;
- If you have physical share certificates, you must return them to the transfer agent prior to the exchange; and
TERMS OF EXCHANGE
Under unusual market conditions, an AIM or INVESCO fund may delay the purchase of shares being acquired in an exchange for up to five business days if it determines that it would be materially disadvantaged by the immediate transfer of exchange proceeds. The exchange privilege is not an option or right to purchase shares. Any of the participating AIM or INVESCO funds or the distributor may modify or terminate this privilege at any time. The AIM or INVESCO fund or the distributor will provide you with notice of such modification or termination whenever it is required to do so by applicable law, but may impose changes at any time for emergency purposes.
BY MAIL
If you wish to make an exchange by mail, you must include original signatures of each registered owner exactly as the shares are registered, the account registration and account number, the dollar amount or number of shares to be exchanged and the names of the AIM or INVESCO funds from which and into which the exchange is to be made.
BY TELEPHONE
Conditions that apply to exchanges by telephone are the same as redemptions by telephone, including that the transfer agent must receive exchange requests during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE; however, you still will be allowed to exchange by telephone even if you have changed your address of record within the preceding 30 days.
BY INTERNET
You will be allowed to exchange by internet if you do not hold physical share certificates and you provide the proper identification information.
EXCHANGING CLASS B, CLASS C AND CLASS R SHARES
PRICING OF SHARES
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The price of each AIM fund's shares is the fund's net asset value per share. The AIM funds value portfolio securities for which market quotations are readily available at market value. The AIM funds' short-term investments are valued at amortized cost when the security has 60 days or less to maturity. AIM Money Market Fund and AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund value all of their securities at amortized cost. AIM High Income Municipal Fund, AIM Municipal Bond Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund value variable rate securities that have an unconditional demand or put feature exercisable within seven days or less at par, which reflects the market value of such securities.
The AIM funds value all other securities and assets at their fair value. Securities and other assets quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on the prevailing exchange rates on that day. In addition, if, between the time trading ends on a particular security and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE, events occur that may materially affect the value of the security, the AIM funds may value the security at its fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors or Trustees of the AIM fund. The effect of using fair value pricing is that an AIM fund's net asset value will be subject to the judgment of the Board of Directors or Trustees or its designee instead of being determined by the market. Because some of the AIM funds may invest in securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on days when the AIM funds do not price their shares, the value of those funds' assets may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem fund shares.
Each AIM fund determines the net asset value of its shares on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session, or any earlier NYSE closing time that day. AIM Money Market Fund also determines its net asset value as of 12:00 noon Eastern Time on each day the NYSE is open for business.
TIMING OF ORDERS
You can purchase, exchange or redeem shares during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE. The AIM funds price
MCF--02/04
purchase, exchange and redemption orders at the net asset value calculated after the transfer agent receives an order in good order. An AIM fund may postpone the right of redemption only under unusual circumstances, as allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as when the NYSE restricts or suspends trading.
TAXES
In general, dividends and distributions you receive are taxable as ordinary income or long-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes, whether you reinvest them in additional shares or take them in cash. Distributions are generally taxable to you at different rates depending on the length of time the fund holds its assets and the type of income that the fund earns. Different tax rates apply to ordinary income, qualified dividend income, and long-term capital gain distributions, regardless of how long you have held your shares. Every year, you will be sent information showing the amount of dividends and distributions you received from each AIM fund during the prior year.
Any long-term or short-term capital gains realized from redemptions of AIM fund shares will be subject to federal income tax. Exchanges of shares for shares of another AIM or INVESCO fund are treated as a sale, and any gain realized on the transaction will generally be subject to federal income tax.
INVESTORS IN TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS SHOULD READ THE INFORMATION UNDER THE HEADING "OTHER INFORMATION -- SPECIAL TAX INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND" IN THEIR PROSPECTUS.
The foreign, state and local tax consequences of investing in AIM fund shares may differ materially from the federal income tax consequences described above. In addition, the preceding discussion concerning the taxability of fund dividends and distributions and of redemptions and exchanges of AIM fund shares is inapplicable to investors that are generally exempt from federal income tax, such as retirement plans that are qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs. You should consult your tax advisor before investing.
MCF--02/04
More information may be obtained free of charge upon request. The Statement of Additional Information (SAI), a current version of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), contains more details about the fund and is incorporated by reference into the prospectus (is legally a part of the prospectus). Annual and semiannual reports to shareholders contain additional information about the fund's investments. The fund's annual report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
If you have questions about this fund, another fund in The AIM Family of Funds--Registered Trademark-- or your account, or wish to obtain free copies of the fund's current SAI or annual or semiannual reports, please contact us
BY MAIL: AIM Investment Services, Inc. P.O. Box 4739 Houston, TX 77210-4739 BY TELEPHONE: (800) 347-4246 ON THE INTERNET: You can send us a request by e-mail or download prospectuses, annual or semiannual reports via our website: http://www.aiminvestments.com |
You can also review and obtain copies of the fund's SAI, reports and other information at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; on the EDGAR database on the SEC's Internet website (http://www.sec.gov); or, after paying a duplication fee, by sending a letter to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102 or by sending an electronic mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov. Please call the SEC at 1-202-942-8090 for information about the Public Reference Room.
AIM International Growth Fund
SEC 1940 Act file number: 811-6463
AIMinvestments.com IGR-PRO-1
YOUR GOALS. OUR SOLUTIONS. [AIM INVESTMENTS LOGO APPEARS HERE]
--Servicemark-- --Servicemark--
STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
11 GREENWAY PLAZA
SUITE 100
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77046-1173
(713) 626-1919
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATES TO THE CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS R AND INVESTOR CLASS SHARES, AS APPLICABLE, OF EACH PORTFOLIO (EACH A "FUND", COLLECTIVELY THE "FUNDS") OF AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS LISTED BELOW. THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS, AND IT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUSES FOR THE CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS R AND INVESTOR CLASS SHARES OF THE FUNDS LISTED BELOW. YOU MAY OBTAIN A COPY OF ANY PROSPECTUS FOR ANY FUND LISTED BELOW FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR BY WRITING TO:
AIM INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
P.O. BOX 4739
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77210-4739
OR BY CALLING (800) 347-4246
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED FEBRUARY 27, 2004, RELATES TO THE CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS R AND INVESTOR CLASS SHARES, AS APPLICABLE, OF THE FOLLOWING PROSPECTUSES:
FUND DATED ---- ----- AIM ASIA PACIFIC GROWTH FUND FEBRUARY 27, 2004 AIM EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND FEBRUARY 27, 2004 AIM GLOBAL AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND FEBRUARY 27, 2004 AIM GLOBAL GROWTH FUND FEBRUARY 27, 2004 AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND FEBRUARY 27, 2004 |
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST...............................................................................1 Fund History.............................................................................................1 Shares of Beneficial Interest............................................................................1 DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS AND THEIR INVESTMENTS AND RISKS..........................................................3 Classification...........................................................................................3 Investment Strategies and Risks..........................................................................3 Equity Investments..............................................................................6 Foreign Investments.............................................................................7 Debt Investments................................................................................9 Other Investments..............................................................................10 Investment Techniques..........................................................................10 Derivatives....................................................................................14 Additional Securities or Investment Techniques.................................................20 Fund Policies...........................................................................................21 Temporary Defensive Positions...........................................................................23 MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST..........................................................................................23 Board of Trustees.......................................................................................23 Management Information..................................................................................23 Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares...............................................................25 Factors Considered in Approving the Master Investment Advisory Agreement.......................25 Compensation............................................................................................26 Retirement Plan For Trustees...................................................................26 Deferred Compensation Agreements...............................................................27 Purchases of Class A Shares of the Funds at Net Asset Value....................................27 Codes of Ethics.........................................................................................27 Proxy Voting Policies...................................................................................27 CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES..............................................................28 INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES...........................................................................28 Investment Advisor......................................................................................28 Service Agreements......................................................................................30 Other Service Providers.................................................................................30 BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES.........................................................................31 Brokerage Transactions..................................................................................31 Commissions.............................................................................................32 Brokerage Selection.....................................................................................32 Directed Brokerage (Research Services)..................................................................33 Regular Brokers or Dealers..............................................................................33 Allocation of Portfolio Transactions....................................................................33 Allocation of Initial Public Offering ("IPO") Transactions..............................................34 PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES.......................................................................34 Purchase and Redemption of Shares.......................................................................34 Offering Price..........................................................................................51 Redemption In Kind......................................................................................52 Backup Withholding......................................................................................52 DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS.........................................................................53 Dividends and Distributions.............................................................................53 |
Tax Matters.............................................................................................54 DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES.......................................................................................61 Distribution Plans......................................................................................61 Distributor.............................................................................................63 CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA..................................................................................64 Pending Litigation......................................................................................70 APPENDICES: RATINGS OF DEBT SECURITIES......................................................................................A-1 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS...........................................................................................B-1 TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE......................................................................................C-1 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ..........................................................................................D-1 CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.............................................................E-1 MANAGEMENT FEES.................................................................................................F-1 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEES....................................................................................G-1 BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS...........................................................................................H-1 DIRECTED BROKERAGE (RESEARCH SERVICES) AND PURCHASES OF SECURITIES OF REGULAR BROKERS OR DEALERS................I-1 AMOUNTS PAID TO A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC. PURSUANT TO DISTRIBUTION PLANS.........................................J-1 ALLOCATION OF ACTUAL FEES PAID PURSUANT TO DISTRIBUTION PLANS...................................................K-1 TOTAL SALES CHARGES.............................................................................................L-1 PERFORMANCE DATA................................................................................................M-1 PENDING LITIGATION..............................................................................................N-1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................................................................FS |
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST
FUND HISTORY
AIM International Mutual Funds (the "Trust") is a Delaware statutory trust which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company. The Trust currently consists of six separate portfolios: AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund, AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund, AIM Global Growth Fund,AIM International Growth Fund and INVESCO International Core Equity Fund(each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"). Under the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated June 11, 2003 (the "Trust Agreement"), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") is authorized to create new series of shares without the necessity of a vote of shareholders of the Trust.
The Trust was originally incorporated on October 30, 1991 as AIM
International Funds, Inc., a Maryland corporation. Pursuant to an Agreement and
Plan of Reorganization, the Trust was reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust
on November 25, 2003. The following funds were included in the reorganization:
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund, AIM Global Aggressive
Growth Fund, AIM Global Growth Fund and AIM International Growth Fund. All
historical financial and other information contained in this Statement of
Additional Information for periods prior to November 25, 2003 relating to these
Funds (or a class thereof) is that of the predecessor funds (or the
corresponding class thereof). Prior to November 25, 2003, INVESCO International
Core Equity Fund (formerly known as INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund)
was a portfolio of AIM International Funds, Inc. II ("IIF"), a Maryland
corporation. Pursuant to another Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, the fund
was redomesticated as a portfolio of the Trust. Prior to July 1, 2002, AIM Asia
Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund and AIM International Growth Fund
were known as AIM Asian Growth Fund, AIM European Development Fund and AIM
International Equity Fund, respectively.
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are redeemable at their net asset value (subject, in certain circumstances, to a contingent deferred sales charge or redemption fee) at the option of the shareholder or at the option of the Trust in certain circumstances.
The Trust allocates moneys and other property it receives from the issue or sale of shares of each of its series of shares, and all income, earnings and profits from such issuance and sales, subject only to the rights of creditors, to the appropriate Fund. These assets constitute the underlying assets of each Fund, are segregated on the Trust's books of account, and are charged with the expenses of such Fund and its respective classes. The Trust allocates any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular Fund by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees, primarily on the basis of relative net assets, or other relevant factors.
Each share of each Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that Fund with each other share and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income belonging to such Fund as are declared by the Board. Each Fund offers separate classes of shares as follows:
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R CLASS CLASS ------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ----------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund X X X AIM European Growth Fund X X X X X AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund X X X AIM Global Growth Fund X X X AIM International Growth Fund X X X X X INVESCO International Core Equity X X X X X Fund |
This Statement of Additional Information relates solely to the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Investor Class shares, if applicable, of the Funds. The Institutional Class shares which are discussed in a separate Statement of Additional Information are intended for use by certain eligible institutional investors and are available to the following:
o banks and trust companies acting in a fiduciary or similar capacity;
o bank and trust company common and collective trust funds;
o banks and trust companies investing for their own account;
o entities acting for the account of a public entity (e.g. Taft-Hartley funds, states, cities or government agencies);
o retirement plans; and
o platform sponsors with which A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors") has entered into an agreement.
Each class of shares represents interests in the same portfolio of investments. Differing sales charges and expenses will result in differing net asset values and dividends and distributions. Upon any liquidation of the Trust, shareholders of each class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets belonging to the applicable Fund allocable to such class available for distribution after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities of the Fund allocable to such class.
Each share of a Fund generally has the same voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights; however, each class of shares of a Fund is subject to different sales loads, conversion features, exchange privileges and class-specific expenses. Only shareholders of a specific class may vote on matters relating to that class' distribution plan.
Because Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares at month-end eight years after the date of purchase, the Funds' distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act requires that Class B shareholders must also approve any material increase in distribution fees submitted to Class A shareholders of that Fund. A pro rata portion of shares from reinvested dividends and distributions convert along with the Class B shares.
Except as specifically noted above, shareholders of each Fund are entitled to one vote per share (with proportionate voting for fractional shares), irrespective of the relative net asset value of the shares of a Fund. However, on matters affecting an individual Fund or class of shares, a separate vote of shareholders of that Fund or class is required. Shareholders of a Fund or class are not entitled to vote on any matter which does not affect that Fund or class but that requires a separate vote of another Fund or class. An example of a matter that would be voted on separately by shareholders of each Fund is the approval of the advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"), and an example of a matter that
would be voted on separately by shareholders of each class of shares is approval of the distribution plans. When issued, shares of each Fund are fully paid and nonassessable, have no preemptive or subscription rights, and are freely transferable. Other than the automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares, there are no conversion rights. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that in situations in which shareholders elect trustees, holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of trustees can elect all of the trustees of the Trust, and the holders of less than 50% of the shares voting for the election of trustees will not be able to elect any trustees.
Under Delaware law, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust shall be entitled to the same limitations of liability extended to shareholders of private for-profit corporations. There is a remote possibility, however, that shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held liable for the obligations of the Trust to the extent the courts of another state which does not recognize such limited liability were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Trust Agreement disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the trustees to all parties, and each party thereto must expressly waive all rights of action directly against shareholders of the Trust. The Trust Agreement provides for indemnification out of the property of a Fund for all losses and expenses of any shareholder of such Fund held liable on account of being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a Fund is unable to meet its obligations and the complaining party is not held to be bound by the disclaimer.
The trustees and officers of the Trust will not be liable for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust or any trustee or officer; however, a trustee or officer is not protected against any liability to the Trust or to the shareholders to which a trustee or officer would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office with the Trust ("Disabling Conduct"). The Trust Agreement provides for indemnification by the Trust of the trustees, the officers and employees or agents of the Trust, provided that such persons have not engaged in Disabling Conduct. The Trust Agreement also authorizes the purchase of liability insurance on behalf of trustees and officers.
SHARE CERTIFICATES. Shareholders of the Funds do not have the right to demand or require the Trust to issue share certificates.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS AND THEIR INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
CLASSIFICATION
The Trust is an open-end management investment company. Each of the Funds is "diversified" for purposes of the 1940 Act.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The table on the following pages identifies various securities and investment techniques used by AIM in managing The AIM Family of Funds--Registered Trademark--. The table has been marked to indicate those securities and investment techniques that AIM may use to manage a Fund. A Fund may not use all of these techniques at any one time. A Fund's transactions in a particular security or use of a particular technique is subject to limitations imposed by a Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions described in that Fund's Prospectus and/or this Statement of Additional Information, as well as federal securities laws. The Funds' investment objectives, policies, strategies and practices are non-fundamental unless otherwise indicated. A more detailed description of the securities and investment techniques, as well as the risks associated with those securities and investment techniques that the Funds utilize, follows the table. The descriptions of the securities and investment techniques in this section supplement the discussion of principal investment strategies contained in each Fund's Prospectus; where a particular type of security or investment technique is not discussed in a Fund's Prospectus, that security or investment technique is not a principal investment strategy.
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
SUMMARY OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
FUND AIM ASIA AIM PACIFIC AIM GLOBAL GLOBAL AIM SECURITY/ INVESTMENT GROWTH AIM EUROPEAN AGGRESSIVE GROWTH INTERNATIONAL TECHNIQUE FUND GROWTH FUND GROWTH FUND FUND GROWTH FUND ---------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------- -------- --------------- EQUITY INVESTMENTS Common Stock X X X X X Preferred Stock X X X X X Convertible X X X X X Securities Alternative Entity X X X X X Securities FOREIGN INVESTMENTS Foreign Securities X X X X X Foreign Government Obligations Foreign Exchange X X X X X Transactions DEBT INVESTMENTS U.S. Government X X X X X Obligations Rule 2a-7 Requirements Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Collateralized Mortgage Obligations Bank Instruments Commercial Instruments Participation Interests Municipal Securities Municipal Lease Obligations Investment Grade X X X X X Corporate Debt Obligations Junk Bonds Liquid Assets X X X X X OTHER INVESTMENTS REITs X X X X X Other Investment X X X X X Companies Defaulted Securities Municipal Forward Contracts Variable or Floating Rate Instruments |
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
SUMMARY OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
FUND AIM ASIA AIM PACIFIC AIM GLOBAL GLOBAL AIM SECURITY/ INVESTMENT GROWTH AIM EUROPEAN AGGRESSIVE GROWTH INTERNATIONAL TECHNIQUE FUND GROWTH FUND GROWTH FUND FUND GROWTH FUND ---------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------- -------- --------------- Indexed Securities Zero-Coupon and Pay-in-Kind Securities Synthetic Municipal Instruments INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES Delayed Delivery X X X X X Transactions When-Issued X X X X X Securities Short Sales X X X X X Margin Transactions Swap Agreements X X X X X Interfund Loans X X X X X Borrowing X X X X X Lending Portfolio X X X X X Securities Repurchase Agreements X X X X X Reverse Repurchase X X X X X Agreements Dollar Rolls Illiquid Securities X X X X X Rule 144A Securities X X X X X Unseasoned Issuers X X X X X Portfolio Transactions Sale of Money Market Securities Standby Commitments DERIVATIVES Equity-Linked X X X X X Derivatives Put Options X X X X X Call Options X X X X X Straddles X X X X X Warrants X X X X X Futures Contracts X X X X X and Options on Futures Contracts |
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
SUMMARY OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
FUND AIM ASIA AIM PACIFIC AIM GLOBAL GLOBAL AIM SECURITY/ INVESTMENT GROWTH AIM EUROPEAN AGGRESSIVE GROWTH INTERNATIONAL TECHNIQUE FUND GROWTH FUND GROWTH FUND FUND GROWTH FUND ---------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------- -------- --------------- Forward Currency X X X X X Contracts Cover X X X X X ADDITIONAL SECURITIES OR INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES Privatized X Enterprises Supranational Organization Securities |
Equity Investments
COMMON STOCK. Common stock is issued by companies principally to raise cash for business purposes and represents a residual interest in the issuing company. A Fund participates in the success or failure of any company in which it holds stock. The prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
PREFERRED STOCK. Preferred stock, unlike common stock, often offers a stated dividend rate payable from a corporation's earnings. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as call/redemption provisions prior to maturity, a negative feature when interest rates decline. Dividends on some preferred stock may be "cumulative," requiring all or a portion of prior unpaid dividends to be paid before dividends are paid on the issuer's common stock. Preferred stock also generally has a preference over common stock on the distribution of a corporation's assets in the event of liquidation of the corporation, and may be "participating," which means that it may be entitled to a dividend exceeding the stated dividend in certain cases. In some cases an issuer may offer auction rate preferred stock, which means that the interest to be paid is set by auction and will often be reset at stated intervals. The rights of preferred stocks on the distribution of a corporation's assets in the event of a liquidation are generally subordinate to the rights associated with a corporation's debt securities.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities include bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks and other securities that may be converted into a prescribed amount of common stock or other equity securities at a specified price and time. The holder of convertible securities is entitled to receive interest paid or accrued on debt, or dividends paid or accrued on preferred stock, until the security matures or is converted.
The value of a convertible security depends on 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. Convertible securities may be illiquid, and may be required to convert at a time and at a price that is unfavorable to the Fund.
ALTERNATIVE ENTITY SECURITIES. Companies that are formed as limited partnerships, limited liability companies, business trusts or other non-corporate entities may issue equity securities that are similar to common or preferred stock of corporations.
Foreign Investments
FOREIGN SECURITIES. Foreign securities are equity or debt securities issued by issuers outside the United States, and include securities in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), or other securities representing underlying securities of foreign issuers. Depositary receipts are typically issued by a bank or trust company and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign corporations.
Each of AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund and AIM International Growth Fund may invest all of its total assets in foreign securities. Each of AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund and AIM Global Growth Fund may invest a significant amount of its total assets in foreign securities.
Geographic Asset Distribution for AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund and AIM European Growth Fund. There are no prescribed limits on asset distribution within the Asia Pacific region for AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund or within Europe for AIM European Growth Fund. AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund intends to invest in securities of issuers in the Asia Pacific region, and may invest in "developing" countries or "emerging markets" without limit. AIM European Growth Fund intends to invest in securities of issuers in Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Many of the countries in Eastern Europe are "developing" countries or "emerging markets." AIM European Growth Fund may invest up to 65% of its total assets in securities of European issuers located in "developing" countries or "emerging markets."
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund considers issuers of securities located in the following countries to be Asian issuers:
Bangladesh(1) Malaysia(1) Taiwan(1) China(1) Phillipines(1) Thailand(1) Hong Kong Singapore India(1) South Korea(1) Indonesia(1) Sri Lanka(1) |
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund considers issuers of securities located in the following countries to be Pacific issuers:
Australia New Zealand
AIM European Growth Fund considers issuers of securities located in the following countries to be European issuers:
Austria Germany Netherlands Slovenia(1) Belgium Greece Norway Spain Croatia(1) Hungary(1) Poland(1) Sweden Czech Republic(1) Ireland Portugal Switzerland Denmark Italy Romania(1) Turkey(1) Finland Liechtenstein(1) Russia(1) Ukraine(1) France Luxembourg Slovakia(1) United Kingdom |
(1) This country is considered to be a developing country.
Investments by a Fund in foreign securities, whether denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies, may entail all of the risks set forth below. Investments by a Fund in ADRs, EDRs or similar securities also may entail some or all of the risks described below.
Currency Risk. The value of the Funds' foreign investments will be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. The U.S. dollar value of a foreign security decreases when the value of the
U.S. dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated, and increases when the value of the U.S. dollar falls against such currency.
Political and Economic Risk. The economies of many of the countries in which the Funds may invest may not be as developed as the United States' economy and may be subject to significantly different forces. Political or social instability, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, and limitations on the removal of funds or other assets could also adversely affect the value of the Funds' investments.
Regulatory Risk. Foreign companies are not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on United States issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Foreign companies are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, corporate governance 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 tax would reduce dividend income payable to the Funds' shareholders.
Market Risk. The securities markets in many of the countries in which the Funds invest will have substantially less trading volume than the major United States markets. As a result, the securities of some foreign companies may be less liquid and experience more price volatility than comparable domestic securities. Increased custodian costs as well as administrative costs (such as the need to use foreign custodians) may be associated with the maintenance of assets in foreign jurisdictions. There is generally less government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and issuers which may make it difficult to enforce contractual obligations. In addition, transaction costs in foreign securities markets are likely to be higher, since brokerage commission rates in foreign countries are likely to be higher than in the United States.
Risks of Developing Countries. AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund and AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund may each invest without limit in securities of companies located in developing countries. AIM European Growth Fund may invest up to 65%, and AIM Global Growth Fund may invest up to 20%, of their respective total assets in securities of companies located in developing countries. AIM International Growth Fund may invest without limit, but does not intend to invest more than 20% of its total assets in securities of companies located in developing countries. Developing countries are those countries which are not included in the MSCI World Index. The Funds consider various factors when determining whether a company is in a developing country, including whether (1) it is organized under the laws of a developing country; (2) it has a principal office in a developing country; (3) it derives 50% or more of its total revenues from business in a developing country; or (4) its securities are traded principally on a stock exchange, or in an over-the-counter market, in a developing country. Investments in developing countries present risks greater than, and in addition to, those presented by investments in foreign issuers in general. A number of developing countries restrict, to varying degrees, foreign investment in stocks. Repatriation of investment income, capital, and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some developing countries. A number of the currencies of developing countries have experienced significant declines against the U.S. dollar in recent years, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by the Funds. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. Many of the developing securities markets are relatively small or less diverse, have low trading volumes, suffer periods of relative illiquidity, and are characterized by significant price volatility. There is a risk in developing countries that a future economic or political crisis could lead to price controls, forced mergers of companies, expropriation
or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies, any of which may have a detrimental effect on the Funds' investments.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS. Foreign exchange transactions include direct purchases of futures contracts with respect to foreign currency, and contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified currency at a specified future date (up to one year) at a price set at the time of the contract. Such contractual commitments may be forward contracts entered into directly with another party or exchange traded futures contracts.
Each Fund has authority to deal in foreign exchange between currencies of the different countries in which it will invest as a hedge against possible variations in the foreign exchange rates between those currencies. A Fund may commit the same percentage of its assets to foreign exchange hedges as it can invest in foreign securities.
The Funds may utilize either specific transactions ("transaction hedging") or portfolio positions ("position hedging") to hedge foreign currency exposure through foreign exchange transactions. Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of foreign currency with respect to specific receivables or payables of a Fund accruing in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities, the sale and redemption of shares of the Fund, or the payment of dividends and distributions by the Fund. Position hedging is the purchase or sale of foreign currency with respect to portfolio security positions (or underlying portfolio security positions, such as in an ADR) denominated or quoted in a foreign currency. Additionally, foreign exchange transactions may involve some of the risks of investments in foreign securities.
Debt Investments
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. Obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities include bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as "stripped" or "zero coupon" U.S. Treasury obligations representing future interest or principal payments on U.S. Treasury notes or bonds. Stripped securities are sold at a discount to their "face value," and may exhibit greater price volatility than interest-bearing securities since investors receive no payment until maturity. Obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association ("SLMA"), are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's obligations; still others, though issued by an instrumentality chartered by the U.S. Government, like the Federal Farm Credit Bureau ("FFCB"), are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. The U.S. Government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so.
INVESTMENT GRADE CORPORATE DEBT OBLIGATIONS. Each Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated debt obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations or U.S. commercial banks, U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign issuers and debt obligations of foreign issuers denominated in foreign currencies. Such debt obligations include, among others, bonds, notes, debentures and variable rate demand notes. In choosing corporate debt securities on behalf of a Fund, its investment adviser may consider (i) general economic and financial conditions; (ii) the specific issuer's (a) business and management, (b) cash flow, (c) earnings coverage of interest and dividends, (d) ability to operate under adverse economic conditions, (e) fair market value of assets, and (f) in the case of foreign issuers, unique political, economic or social conditions applicable to such issuer's country; and, (iii) other considerations deemed appropriate. The Funds will purchase only investment grade corporate debt securities.
Descriptions of debt securities ratings are found in Appendix A.
LIQUID ASSETS. Cash equivalents include money market instruments (such as certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers' acceptances from U.S. or foreign banks, and repurchase agreements),
shares of affiliated money market funds or high-quality debt obligations (such as U.S. Government obligations, commercial paper, master notes and other short-term corporate instrumentsand municipal obligations).
Other Investments
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS ("REITS"). REITs are trusts that sell equity or debt securities to investors and use the proceeds to invest in real estate or interests therein. A REIT may focus on particular projects, such as apartment complexes, or geographic regions, such as the southeastern United States, or both.
To the extent consistent with their respective investment objectives and policies, each Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in equity and/or debt securities issued by REITs.
To the extent that a Fund has the ability to invest in REITs, the Fund could conceivably own real estate directly as a result of a default on the securities it owns. A Fund, therefore, may be subject to certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate including difficulties in valuing and trading real estate, declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, adverse changes in the climate for real estate, environmental liability risks, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, limitations on rents, changes in neighborhood values, the appeal of properties to tenants, and increases in interest rates.
In addition to the risks described above, equity REITs may be affected by any changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skill, are not diversified, and are therefore subject to the risk of financing single or a limited number of projects. Such trusts are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to maintain an exemption from the 1940 Act. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of debt securities held by a Fund. By investing in REITs indirectly through a Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his/her proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs.
OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES. With respect to a Fund's purchase of shares of another investment company, including Affiliated Money Market Funds (defined below), the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of the advisory fees and other operating expenses of such investment company. The Funds have obtained an exemptive order from the SEC allowing them to invest in money market funds that have AIM or an affiliate of AIM as an investment advisor (the "Affiliated Money Market Funds"), provided that investments in Affiliated Money Market Funds do not exceed 25% of the total assets of the investing Fund.
The following restrictions apply to investments in other investment companies other than Affiliated Money Market Funds: (i) a Fund may not purchase more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of another investment company; (ii) a Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities issued by another investment company; and (iii) a Fund may not invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities issued by other investment companies.
Investment Techniques
DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS. Delayed delivery transactions, also referred to as forward commitments, involve commitments by a Fund to dealers or issuers to acquire or sell securities at a specified future date beyond the customary settlement for such securities. These commitments may fix the payment price and interest rate to be received or paid on the investment. A Fund may purchase securities on a delayed delivery basis to the extent it can anticipate having available cash on settlement date. Delayed delivery agreements will not be used as a speculative or leverage technique.
Investment in securities on a delayed delivery basis may increase a Fund's exposure to market fluctuation and may increase the possibility that the Fund will incur short-term gains subject to federal taxation or short-term losses if the Fund must engage in portfolio transactions in order to honor a delayed delivery commitment. Until the settlement date, a Fund will segregate liquid assets of a dollar value sufficient at all times to make payment for the delayed delivery transactions. Such segregated liquid assets will be marked-to-market daily, and the amount segregated will be increased if necessary to maintain adequate coverage of the delayed delivery commitments. No additional delayed delivery agreements or when-issued commitments (as described below) will be made by a Fund if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund's total assets would become so committed.
The delayed delivery securities, which will not begin to accrue interest or dividends until the settlement date, will be recorded as an asset of a Fund and will be subject to the risk of market fluctuation. The purchase price of the delayed delivery securities is a liability of a Fund until settlement. Absent extraordinary circumstances, a Fund will not sell or otherwise transfer the delayed delivery basis securities prior to settlement.
The Funds may enter into buy/sell back transactions (a form of delayed delivery agreement). In a buy/sell back transaction, a Fund enters a trade to sell securities at one price and simultaneously enters a trade to buy the same securities at another price for settlement at a future date.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES. Purchasing securities on a "when-issued" basis means that the date for delivery of and payment for the securities is not fixed at the date of purchase, but is set after the securities are issued. The payment obligation and, if applicable, the interest rate that will be received on the securities are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. A Fund will only make commitments to purchase such securities with the intention of actually acquiring such securities, but the Fund may sell these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable.
Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and the securities held in a Fund's portfolio are subject to changes in market value based upon the public's perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and, if applicable, changes in the level of interest rates. Therefore, if a Fund is to remain substantially fully invested at the same time that it has purchased securities on a when-issued basis, there will be a possibility that the market value of the Fund's assets will fluctuate to a greater degree. Furthermore, when the time comes for the Fund to meet its obligations under when-issued commitments, the Fund will do so by using then available cash flow, by sale of the segregated liquid assets, by sale of other securities or, although it would not normally expect to do so, by directing the sale of the when-issued securities themselves (which may have a market value greater or less than the Fund's payment obligation).
Investment in securities on a when-issued basis may increase a Fund's exposure to market fluctuation and may increase the possibility that the Fund will incur short-term gains subject to federal taxation or short-term losses if the Fund must sell another security in order to honor a when-issued commitment. If a Fund purchases a when-issued security, the Fund will segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to the when-issued commitment. If the market value of such segregated assets declines, additional liquid assets will be segregated on a daily basis so that the market value of the segregated assets will equal the amount of the Fund's when-issued commitments. No additional delayed delivery agreements (as described above) or when-issued commitments will be made by a Fund if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund's total assets would become so committed.
SHORT SALES. In a short sale, a Fund does not immediately deliver the securities sold and does not receive the proceeds from the sale. A Fund is said to have a short position in the securities sold until it delivers the securities sold, at which time it receives the proceeds of the sale. A Fund will make a short sale, as a hedge, when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by the Fund or a security convertible into or exchangeable for such security, or when the Fund does not want to sell the security it owns, because it wishes to defer recognition of gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. In such case, any future losses in a Fund's long position should be reduced by a gain in the short position. Conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced by a
loss in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses are reduced will depend upon the amount of the security sold short relative to the amount a Fund owns, either directly or indirectly, and, in the case where the Fund owns convertible securities, changes in the conversion premium. In determining the number of shares to be sold short against a Fund's position in a convertible security, the anticipated fluctuation in the conversion premium is considered. A Fund may also make short sales to generate additional income from the investment of the cash proceeds of short sales.
A Fund will only make short sales "against the box," meaning that at all times when a short position is open, the Fund owns an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable, without payment of any further consideration, for securities of the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short. To secure its obligation to deliver the securities sold short, a Fund will segregate with its custodian an equal amount to the securities sold short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such securities. A Fund may pledge no more than 10% of its total assets as collateral for short sales against the box.
MARGIN TRANSACTIONS. None of the Funds will purchase any security on margin, except that each Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities. The payment by a Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with futures or related options transactions will not be considered the purchase of a security on margin.
SWAP AGREEMENTS. Each Fund may enter into interest rate, index and currency exchange rate swap agreements for purposes of attempting to obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost to the Fund than if it had invested directly in an instrument that yielded that desired return. 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 realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are 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. Commonly used swap agreements include: (i) interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or "cap"; (ii) interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or "floor"; and (iii) interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.
The "notional amount" of the swap agreement is only a fictitious basis on which to calculate the obligations that the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to exchange. Most swap agreements entered into by a Fund would calculate the obligations on a "net basis." Consequently, a Fund's obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the "net amount"). Obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by segregating liquid assets to avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund. A Fund will not enter into a swap agreement with any single party if the net amount owed to or to be received under existing contracts with that party would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets. For a discussion of the tax considerations relating to swap agreements, see "Dividends, Distributions and Tax Matters - Swap Agreements."
INTERFUND LOANS. Each Fund may lend uninvested cash up to 15% of its net assets to other Funds advised by AIM (the "AIM Funds") and each Fund may borrow from other AIM Funds to the extent permitted under such Fund's investment restrictions. During temporary or emergency periods, the percentage of a Fund's net assets that may be loaned to other AIM Funds may be increased as permitted by the SEC. If any interfund borrowings are outstanding, a Fund cannot make any additional investments. If a Fund has borrowed from other AIM Funds and has aggregate borrowings from all sources that exceed 10% of such Fund's total assets, such Fund will secure all of its loans from other AIM
Funds. The ability of a Fund to lend its securities to other AIM Funds is subject to certain other terms and conditions.
BORROWING. Each Fund may borrow money to a limited extent for temporary or emergency purposes. If there are unusually heavy redemptions because of changes in interest rates or for any other reason, a Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. Selling fund securities under these circumstances may result in a lower net asset value per share or decreased dividend income, or both. The Trust believes that, in the event of abnormally heavy redemption requests, a Fund's borrowing ability would help to mitigate any such effects and could make the forced sale of their portfolio securities less likely.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Funds may each lend their portfolio securities (principally to broker-dealers) where such loans are callable at any time and are continuously secured by segregated collateral equal to no less than the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. Such collateral will be cash, letters of credit, or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to the extent of one-third of its total assets.
The Fund would continue to receive the income on loaned securities and would, at the same time, earn interest on the loan collateral or on the investment of any cash collateral. A Fund will not have the right to vote securities while they are being lent, but it can call a loan in anticipation of an important vote. Any cash collateral pursuant to these loans would be invested in short-term money market instruments or Affiliated Money Market Funds. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned increases and the collateral is not increased accordingly or in the event of default by the borrower. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Repurchase agreements are agreements under which a Fund acquires ownership of a security from a broker-dealer or bank that agrees to repurchase the security at a mutually agreed upon time and price (which is higher than the purchase price), thereby determining the yield during a Fund's holding period. A Fund may, however, enter into a "continuing contract" or "open" repurchase agreement under which the seller is under a continuing obligation to repurchase the underlying obligation from the Fund on demand and the effective interest rate is negotiated on a daily basis. Each of the Funds may engage in repurchase agreement transactions involving the types of securities in which it is permitted to invest.
If the seller of a repurchase agreement fails to repurchase the security in accordance with the terms of the agreement, a Fund might incur expenses in enforcing its rights, and could experience losses, including a decline in the value of the underlying security and loss of income. The securities underlying a repurchase agreement will be marked-to-market every business day so that the value of such securities is at least equal to the investment value of the repurchase agreement, including any accrued interest thereon.
The Funds may invest their cash balances in joint accounts with other AIM Funds for the purpose of investing in repurchase agreements with maturities not to exceed 60 days, and in certain other money market instruments with remaining maturities not to exceed 90 days. Repurchase agreements are considered loans by a Fund under the 1940 Act.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Reverse repurchase agreements are
agreements that involve the sale of securities held by a Fund to financial
institutions such as banks and broker-dealers, with an agreement that the Fund
will repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price and date. A Fund may
employ reverse repurchase agreements (i) for temporary emergency purposes, such
as to meet unanticipated net redemptions so as to avoid liquidating other
portfolio securities during unfavorable market conditions; (ii) to cover
short-term cash requirements resulting from the timing of trade settlements; or
(iii) to take advantage of market situations where the interest income to be
earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction is greater than
the interest expense of the transaction. At the time it enters into a reverse
repurchase agreement, a Fund will segregate liquid assets having a
dollar value equal to the repurchase price, and will subsequently continually monitor the account to ensure that such equivalent value is maintained at all times. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of securities to be purchased by the Fund may decline below the price at which it is obligated to repurchase the securities, or that the other party may default on its obligation, so that the Fund is delayed or prevented from completing the transaction. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered borrowings by a Fund under the 1940 Act.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the normal course of business at the price at which they are valued. Illiquid securities may include securities that are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"). Restricted securities may, in certain circumstances, be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, and thus may or may not constitute illiquid securities.
Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities that are illiquid. Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, which may prevent a Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. A Fund may have to bear the expense of registering such securities for resale, and the risk of substantial delays in effecting such registrations.
RULE 144A SECURITIES. Rule 144A securities are securities which, while
privately placed, are eligible for purchase and resale pursuant to Rule 144A
under the 1933 Act. This Rule permits certain qualified institutional buyers,
such as the Funds, to trade in privately placed securities even though such
securities are not registered under the 1933 Act. AIM, under the supervision of
the Board of Trustees, will consider whether securities purchased under Rule
144A are illiquid and thus subject to the Funds' restriction on investment in
illiquid securities. Determination of whether a Rule 144A security is liquid or
not is a question of fact. In making this determination AIM will consider the
trading markets for the specific security taking into account the unregistered
nature of a Rule 144A security. In addition, AIM could consider the (i)
frequency of trades and quotes; (ii) number of dealers and potential purchasers;
(iii) dealer undertakings to make a market; and (iv) nature of the security and
of market place trades (for example, the time needed to dispose of the security,
the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer). AIM will also
monitor the liquidity of Rule 144A securities and, if as a result of changed
conditions, AIM determines that a Rule 144A security is no longer liquid, AIM
will review a Fund's holdings of illiquid securities to determine what, if any,
action is required to assure that such Fund complies with its restriction on
investment in illiquid securities. Investing in Rule 144A securities could
increase the amount of each Fund's investments in illiquid securities if
qualified institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.
UNSEASONED ISSUERS. Investments in the equity securities of companies having less than three years' continuous operations (including operations of any predecessor) involve more risk than investments in the securities of more established companies because unseasoned issuers have only a brief operating history and may have more limited markets and financial resources. As a result, securities of unseasoned issuers tend to be more volatile than securities of more established companies.
Derivatives
The Funds may each invest in forward currency contracts, futures contracts, options on securities, options on indices, options on currencies, and options on futures contracts to attempt to hedge against the overall level of investment and currency risk normally associated with each Fund's investments. The Funds may also invest in equity-linked derivative products designed to replicate the composition and performance of particular indices. These instruments are often referred to as "derivatives," which may be defined as financial instruments whose performance is derived, at least in part, from the performance of another asset (such as a security, currency or an index of securities).
EQUITY-LINKED DERIVATIVES. Equity-Linked Derivatives are interests in a securities portfolio designed to replicate the composition and performance of a particular index. Equity-Linked Derivatives are exchange traded. The performance results of Equity-Linked Derivatives will not replicate exactly the performance of the pertinent index due to transaction and other expenses, including fees to
service providers, borne by the Equity-Linked Derivatives. Examples of such products include S&P Depositary Receipts ("SPDRs"), World Equity Benchmark Series ("WEBs"), NASDAQ 100 tracking shares ("QQQs"), Dow Jones Industrial Average Instruments ("DIAMONDS") and Optimised Portfolios As Listed Securities ("OPALS"). Investments in Equity-Linked Derivatives involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the types of securities included in the indices such products are designed to track. There can be no assurance that the trading price of the Equity-Linked Derivatives will equal the underlying value of the basket of securities purchased to replicate a particular index or that such basket will replicate the index. Investments in Equity-Linked Derivatives may constitute investments in other investment companies and, therefore, a Fund may be subject to the same investment restrictions with Equity-Linked Derivatives as with other investment companies. See "Other Investment Companies."
PUT AND CALL OPTIONS. A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy the underlying security, contract or foreign currency at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option (or on a specified date if the option is a European style option), regardless of the market price or exchange rate of the security, contract or foreign currency, as the case may be at the time of exercise. If the purchaser exercises the call option, the writer of a call option is obligated to sell the underlying security, contract or foreign currency. A put option gives the purchaser the right to sell the underlying security, contract or foreign currency at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option (or on a specified date if the option is a European style option), regardless of the market price or exchange rate of the security, contract or foreign currency, as the case may be at the time of exercise. If the purchaser exercises the put option, the writer of a put option is obligated to buy the underlying security, contract or foreign currency. The premium paid to the writer is consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract. Until an option expires or is offset, the option is said to be "open." When an option expires or is offset, the option is said to be "closed."
A Fund will not write (sell) options if, immediately after such sale, the aggregate value of securities or obligations underlying the outstanding options exceeds 20% of the Fund's total assets. A Fund will not purchase options if, at any time of the investment, the aggregate premiums paid for the options will exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets.
Pursuant to federal securities rules and regulations, if a Fund writes options it may be required to set aside assets to reduce the risks associated with writing those options. This process is described in more detail below in the section "Cover."
Writing Options. A Fund may write put and call options in an attempt to realize, through the receipt of premiums, a greater current return than would be realized on the underlying security, contract, or foreign currency alone. A Fund may only write a call option on a security if it owns an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible into, or exchangeable, without payment of any further consideration, for securities of the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities subject to the call option. In return for the premium received for writing a call option, the Fund foregoes the opportunity for profit from a price increase in the underlying security, contract, or foreign currency above the exercise price so long as the option remains open, but retains the risk of loss should the price of the security, contract, or foreign currency decline.
A Fund may write a put option without owning the underlying security if it covers the option as described below in the section "Cover." A Fund may only write a put option on a security as part of an investment strategy, and not for speculative purposes. In return for the premium received for writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk that the price of the underlying security, contract, or foreign currency will decline below the exercise price, in which case the put would be exercised and the Fund would suffer a loss.
If an option that a Fund has written expires, it will realize a gain in the amount of the premium; however, such gain may be offset by a decline in the market value of the underlying security, contract or currency during the option period. If the call option is exercised, a Fund will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security, contract or currency, which will be increased or offset by the premium received. A Fund would write a put option at an exercise price that, reduced by the premium received on
the option, reflects the price it is willing to pay for the underlying security, contract or currency. The obligation imposed upon the writer of an option is terminated upon the expiration of the option, or such earlier time at which a Fund effects a closing purchase transaction by purchasing an option (put or call as the case may be) identical to that previously sold.
Writing call options can serve as a limited hedge because declines in the value of the hedged investment would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. Closing transactions may be effected in order to realize a profit on an outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying security, contract or currency from being called or to permit the sale of the underlying security, contract or currency. Furthermore, effecting a closing transaction will permit a Fund to write another call option on the underlying security, contract or currency with either a different exercise price or expiration date, or both.
Purchasing Options. A Fund may purchase a call option for the purpose of acquiring the underlying security, contract or currency for its portfolio. The Fund is not required to own the underlying security in order to purchase a call option, and may only cover this transaction with cash, liquid assets and/or short-term debt securities. Utilized in this fashion, the purchase of call options would enable a Fund to acquire the security, contract or currency at the exercise price of the call option plus the premium paid. So long as it holds such a call option, rather than the underlying security or currency itself, the Fund is partially protected from any unexpected increase in the market price of the underlying security, contract or currency. If the market price does not exceed the exercise price, the Fund could purchase the security on the open market and could allow the call option to expire, incurring a loss only to the extent of the premium paid for the option. Each of the Funds may also purchase call options on underlying securities, contracts or currencies against which it has written other call options. For example, where a Fund has written a call option on an underlying security, rather than entering a closing transaction of the written option, it may purchase a call option with a different exercise strike and/or expiration date that would eliminate some or all of the risk associated with the written call. Used in combinations, these strategies are commonly referred to as "call spreads."
A Fund may only purchase a put option on an underlying security, contract or currency ("protective put") owned by the Fund in order to protect against an anticipated decline in the value of the security, contract or currency. Such hedge protection is provided only during the life of the put option. The premium paid for the put option and any transaction costs would reduce any profit realized when the security, contract or currency is delivered upon the exercise of the put option. Conversely, if the underlying security, contract or currency does not decline in value, the option may expire worthless and the premium paid for the protective put would be lost. A Fund may also purchase put options on underlying securities, contracts or currencies against which it has written other put options. For example, where a Fund has written a put option on an underlying security, rather than entering a closing transaction of the written option, it may purchase a put option with a different exercise price and/or expiration date that would eliminate some or all of the risk associated with the written put. Used in combinations, these strategies are commonly referred to as "put spreads." Likewise, a Fund may write call options on underlying securities, contracts or currencies against which it has purchased protective put options. This strategy is commonly referred to as a "collar."
Over-The-Counter Options. Options may be either listed on an exchange or traded in over-the-counter ("OTC") markets. Listed options are third-party contracts (i.e., performance of the obligations of the purchaser and seller is guaranteed by the exchange or clearing corporation) and have standardized strike prices and expiration dates. OTC options are two-party contracts with negotiated strike prices and expiration dates. A Fund will not purchase an OTC option unless it believes that daily valuations for such options are readily obtainable. OTC options differ from exchange-traded options in that OTC options are transacted with dealers directly and not through a clearing corporation (which guarantees performance). Consequently, there is a risk of non-performance by the dealer. Since no exchange is involved, OTC options are valued on the basis of an average of the last bid prices obtained from dealers, unless a quotation from only one dealer is available, in which case only that dealer's price will be used. In the case of OTC options, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option at any specific time. Because purchased OTC options in certain cases may
be difficult to dispose of in a timely manner, the Fund may be required to treat some or all of these options (i.e., the market value) as illiquid securities. Although a Fund will enter into OTC options only with dealers that are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with it, there is no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration. In the event of insolvency of the dealer, a Fund might be unable to close out an OTC option position at any time prior to its expiration.
Index Options. Index options (or options on securities indices) are similar in many respects to options on securities, except that an index option gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise, cash instead of securities, if the closing level of the securities index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the call or put times a specified multiple (the "multiplier"), which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference.
The risks of investment in index options may be greater than options on securities. Because index options are settled in cash, when a Fund writes a call on an index it cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities. A Fund can offset some of the risk of writing a call index option position by holding a diversified portfolio of securities similar to those on which the underlying index is based. However, the Fund cannot, as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the same securities as underlie the index and, as a result, bears a risk that the value of the securities held will not be perfectly correlated with the value of the index.
Pursuant to federal securities rules and regulations, if a Fund writes index options it may be required to set aside assets to reduce the risks associated with writing those options. This process is described in more detail below in the section "Cover".
STRADDLES. The Funds, for hedging purposes, may write straddles (combinations of put and call options on the same underlying security) to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the Funds'overall position. A possible combined position would involve writing a covered call option at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the written covered call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
WARRANTS. Warrants are, in effect, longer-term call options. They give the holder the right to purchase a given number of shares of a particular company at specified prices within certain periods of time. The purchaser of a warrant expects that the market price of the security will exceed the purchase price of the warrant plus the exercise price of the warrant, thus giving him a profit. Since the market price may never exceed the exercise price before the expiration date of the warrant, the purchaser of the warrant risks the loss of the entire purchase price of the warrant. Warrants generally trade in the open market and may be sold rather than exercised. Warrants are sometimes sold in unit form with other securities of an issuer. Units of warrants and common stock may be employed in financing young, unseasoned companies. The purchase price of a warrant varies with the exercise price of the warrant, the current market value of the underlying security, the life of the warrant and various other investment factors.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. A Futures Contract is a two party agreement to buy or sell a specified amount of a specified security or currency (or delivery of a cash settlement price, in the case of an index future) for a specified price at a designated date, time and place (collectively, "Futures Contracts"). A stock index Futures Contract provides for the delivery, at a designated date, time and place, of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the stock index value at the close of trading on the contract and the price agreed upon in the Futures Contract; no physical delivery of stocks comprising the index is made. Brokerage fees are incurred when a Futures Contract is bought or sold, and margin deposits must be maintained at all times when a Futures Contract is outstanding.
A Fund will enter into Futures Contracts for hedging purposes only; that is, Futures Contracts will be sold to protect against a decline in the price of securities or currencies that the Fund owns, or Futures Contracts will be purchased to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of securities or currencies it has committed to purchase or expects to purchase. A Fund's hedging may include sales of Futures Contracts as an offset against the effect of expected increases in interest rates, and decreases in currency exchange rates and stock prices, and purchases of Futures Contracts as an offset against the effect of expected declines in interest rates, and increases in currency exchange rates or stock prices.
The Funds currently may not invest in any security (including futures contracts or options thereon) that is secured by physical commodities.
The Funds will only enter into Futures Contracts that are traded (either domestically or internationally) on futures exchanges and are standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument. Futures exchanges and trading thereon in the United States are regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act and by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"). Foreign futures exchanges and trading thereon are not regulated by the CFTC and are not subject to the same regulatory controls. For a further discussion of the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, see "Foreign Investments" in this Statement of Additional Information.
Closing out an open Futures Contract is effected by entering into an offsetting Futures Contract for the same aggregate amount of the identical financial instrument or currency and the same delivery date. There can be no assurance, however, that a Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular Futures Contract at a particular time. If a Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, it will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the Futures Contract.
"Margin" with respect to Futures Contracts is the amount of funds that must be deposited by a Fund in order to initiate Futures Contracts trading and maintain its open positions in Futures Contracts. A margin deposit made when the Futures Contract is entered ("initial margin") is intended to ensure the Fund's performance under the Futures Contract. The margin required for a particular Futures Contract is set by the exchange on which the Futures Contract is traded and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the Futures Contract.
Subsequent payments, called "variation margin," to and from the futures commission merchant through which a Fund entered into the Futures Contract will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying security, currency or index fluctuates making the Futures Contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking-to-market.
If a Fund were unable to liquidate a Futures Contract or an option on a Futures Contract position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market or the imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses. The Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In addition, except in the case of purchased options, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain the position being hedged by the Futures Contract or option or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated account.
Options on Futures Contracts. Options on Futures Contracts are similar to options on securities or currencies except that options on Futures Contracts give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a Futures Contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the Futures Contract position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's Futures Contract margin account. The Funds currently may not invest in any security (including futures contracts or options thereon) that is secured by physical commodities.
Limitations on Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts and on Certain Options on Currencies. To the extent that a Fund enters into Futures Contracts, options on Futures Contracts and
options on foreign currencies traded on a CFTC-regulated exchange, in each case other than for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish those positions (excluding the amount by which options are "in-the-money") will not exceed 5% of the total assets of the Fund, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any contracts it has entered into. This guideline may be modified by the Board, without a shareholder vote. This limitation does not limit the percentage of the Fund's assets at risk to 5%.
Pursuant to federal securities rules and regulations, a Fund's use of Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts may require that Fund to set aside assets to reduce the risks associated with using Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts. This process is described in more detail below in the section "Cover."
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS. A forward currency contract is an obligation, usually arranged with a commercial bank or other currency dealer, to purchase or sell a currency against another currency at a future date and price as agreed upon by the parties. A Fund either may accept or make delivery of the currency at the maturity of the forward currency contract. A Fund may also, if its contra party agrees prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Forward currency contracts are traded over-the-counter, and not on organized commodities or securities exchanges. As a result, it may be more difficult to value such contracts, and it may be difficult to enter into closing transactions.
Each of the Funds may engage in forward currency transactions in anticipation of, or to protect itself against, fluctuations in exchange rates. A Fund may enter into forward currency contracts with respect to a specific purchase or sale of a security, or with respect to its portfolio positions generally. When a Fund purchases a security denominated in a foreign currency for settlement in the near future, it may immediately purchase in the forward market the currency needed to pay for and settle the purchase. By entering into a forward currency contract with respect to the specific purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund can secure an exchange rate between the trade and settlement dates for that purchase or sale transaction. This practice is sometimes referred to as "transaction hedging." Position hedging is the purchase or sale of foreign currency with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in a foreign currency.
The cost to a Fund of engaging in forward currency contracts varies with factors such as the currencies involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because forward currency contracts are usually entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved. The use of forward currency contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of the underlying securities a Fund owns or intends to acquire, but it does establish a rate of exchange in advance. In addition, while forward currency contract sales limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currencies, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currencies increase.
Pursuant to federal securities rules and regulations, a Fund's use of forward currency contracts may require that Fund to set aside assets to reduce the risks associated with using forward currency contracts. This process is described in more detail below in the section "Cover."
COVER. Transactions using forward currency contracts, futures contracts and options (other than options purchased by a Fund) expose a Fund to an obligation to another party. A Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless, in addition to complying with all the restrictions noted in the disclosure above, it owns either (1) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities, currencies, or other options, forward currency contracts or futures contracts or (2) cash, liquid assets and/or short-term debt securities with a value sufficient at all times to cover its potential obligations not covered as provided in (1) above. Each Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid securities. To the extent that a futures contract, forward currency contract or option is deemed to be illiquid, the assets used to "cover" the Fund's obligation will also be treated as illiquid for purposes of determining the Fund's maximum allowable investment in illiquid securities.
Even though options purchased by the Funds do not expose the Funds to an obligation to another party, but rather provide the Funds with a right to exercise, the Funds intend to "cover" the cost of any such exercise. To the extent that a purchased option is deemed illiquid, a Fund will treat the market value of the option (i.e., the amount at risk to the Fund) as illiquid, but will not treat the assets used as cover on such transactions as illiquid.
Assets used as cover cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding forward currency contract, futures contract or option is open, unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. If a large portion of a Fund's assets is used for cover or otherwise set aside, it could affect portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
GENERAL RISKS OF OPTIONS, FUTURES AND CURRENCY STRATEGIES. The use by the Funds of options, futures contracts and forward currency contracts involves special considerations and risks, as described below. Risks pertaining to particular strategies are described in the sections that follow.
(1) Successful use of hedging transactions depends upon AIM's ability to correctly predict the direction of changes in the value of the applicable markets and securities, contracts and/or currencies. While AIM is experienced in the use of these instruments, there can be no assurance that any particular hedging strategy will succeed.
(2) There might be imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between the price movements of an instrument (such as an option contract) and the price movements of the investments being hedged. For example, if a "protective put" is used to hedge a potential decline in a security and the security does decline in price, the put option's increased value may not completely offset the loss in the underlying security. Such a lack of correlation might occur due to factors unrelated to the value of the investments being hedged, such as changing interest rates, market liquidity, and speculative or other pressures on the markets in which the hedging instrument is traded.
(3) Hedging strategies, if successful, can reduce risk of loss by wholly or partially offsetting the negative effect of unfavorable price movements in the investments being hedged. However, hedging strategies can also reduce opportunity for gain by offsetting the positive effect of favorable price movements in the hedged investments.
(4) There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option, futures contract or option thereon or forward currency contract at any particular time.
(5) As described above, a Fund might be required to maintain assets as "cover," maintain segregated accounts or make margin payments when it takes positions in instruments involving obligations to third parties. If a Fund were unable to close out its positions in such instruments, it might be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments until the position expired or matured. The requirements might impair the Fund's ability to sell a portfolio security or make an investment at a time when it would otherwise be favorable to do so, or require that the Fund sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time.
(6) There is no assurance that a Fund will use hedging transactions. For example, if a Fund determines that the cost of hedging will exceed the potential benefit to the Fund, the Fund will not enter into such transaction.
Additional Securities or Investment Techniques
PRIVATIZED ENTERPRISES. The governments of certain foreign countries
have, to varying degrees, embarked on privatization programs contemplating the
sale of all or part of their interests in state enterprises. AIM European Growth
Fund's investments in the securities of privatized enterprises include: (i)
privately negotiated investments in a government- or state-owned or controlled
company or enterprise that has not yet conducted an initial equity offering;
(ii) investments in the initial offering of equity securities of a state
enterprise or former state enterprise; and (iii) investments in the securities
of a state
enterprise following its initial equity offering. The ability of foreign entities, such as AIM European Growth Fund, to participate in privatizations may be limited by local law and there can be no assurance that privatization programs will be successful or that governments will not re-nationalize enterprises that have been privatized.
FUND POLICIES
FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. Each Fund is subject to the following investment restrictions, which may be changed only by a vote of such Fund's outstanding shares. Fundamental restrictions may be changed only by a vote of the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Fund's shares present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares. Any investment restriction that involves a maximum or minimum percentage of securities or assets (other than with respect to borrowing) shall not be considered to be violated unless an excess over or a deficiency under the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or disposition of securities or utilization of assets by the Fund.
(1) The Fund is a "diversified company" as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund will not purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result, the Fund would fail to be a diversified company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as such statute, rules and regulations are amended from time to time or are interpreted from time to time by the SEC staff (collectively, the "1940 Act Laws and Interpretations") or except to the extent that the Fund may be permitted to do so by exemptive order or similar relief (collectively, with the 1940 Act Laws and Interpretations, the "1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions"). In complying with this restriction, however, the Fund may purchase securities of other investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions.
(2) The Fund may not borrow money or issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions.
(3) The Fund may not underwrite the securities of other issuers. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition, disposition or resale of its portfolio securities, regardless of whether the Fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act.
(4) The Fund will not make investments that will result in the concentration (as that term may be defined or interpreted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions) of its investments in the securities of issuers primarily engaged in the same industry. This restriction does not limit the Fund's investments in (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or (ii) tax-exempt obligations issued by governments or political subdivisions of governments. In complying with this restriction, the Fund will not consider a bank-issued guaranty or financial guaranty insurance as a separate security.
(5) The Fund may not purchase real estate or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from investing in issuers that invest, deal, or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, or investing in securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein.
(6) The Fund may not purchase physical commodities or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving futures contracts and options thereon or investing in securities that are secured by physical commodities.
(7) The Fund may not make personal loans or loans of its assets to persons who control or are under common control with the Fund, except to the extent permitted by 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from, among other things, purchasing debt
obligations, entering into repurchase agreements, loaning its assets to broker-dealers or institutional investors, or investing in loans, including assignments and participation interests.
(8) The Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and restrictions as the Fund.
The investment restrictions set forth above provide each of the Funds with the ability to operate under new interpretations of the 1940 Act or pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC without receiving prior shareholder approval of the change. Even though each of the Funds has this flexibility, the Board of Trustees has adopted non-fundamental restrictions for each of the Funds relating to certain of these restrictions which AIM must follow in managing the Funds. Any changes to these non-fundamental restrictions, which are set forth below, require the approval of the Board of Trustees.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. The following non-fundamental investment restrictions apply to each of the Funds. They may be changed for any Fund without approval of that Fund's voting securities.
(1) In complying with the fundamental restriction regarding issuer diversification, the Fund will not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities), if, as a result, (i) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer. The Fund may (i) purchase securities of other investment companies as permitted by Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act and (ii) invest its assets in securities of other money market funds and lend money to other investment companies or their series portfolios that have AIM or an affiliate of AIM as an investment advisor (an "AIM Advised Fund"), subject to the terms and conditions of any exemptive orders issued by the SEC.
(2) In complying with the fundamental restriction regarding borrowing money and issuing senior securities, the Fund may borrow money in an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). The Fund may borrow from banks, broker-dealers or an AIM Advised Fund. The Fund may not borrow for leveraging, but may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, in anticipation of or in response to adverse market conditions, or for cash management purposes. The Fund may not purchase additional securities when any borrowings from banks exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets or when any borrowings from an AIM Advised Fund are outstanding.
(3) In complying with the fundamental restriction regarding industry concentration, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same industry.
(4) In complying with the fundamental restriction with regard to making loans, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its total assets and may lend money to an AIM Advised Fund, on such terms and conditions as the SEC may require in an exemptive order.
(5) Notwithstanding the fundamental restriction with regard to investing all assets in an open-end fund, the Fund may not invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company with the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and restrictions as the Fund.
(6) Notwithstanding the fundamental restriction with regard to engaging in transactions involving futures contracts and options thereon or investing in securities that are secured by physical commodities, the Fund currently may not invest in any security (including futures contracts or options thereon) that is secured by physical commodities.
(7) The Funds may not acquire any securities of registered open-end investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Sections 12(d)(l)(F) or 12(d)(l)(G) of the 1940 Act.
ADDITIONAL NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES. As non-fundamental policies:
(1) AIM European Growth Fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in securities of European companies. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, "assets" means net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. The Fund will provide written notice to its shareholders prior to any change to this policy, as required by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions.
(2) AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in securities of companies in the Asia Pacific region (except Japanese companies). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, "assets" means net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. The Fund will provide written notice to its shareholders prior to any change to this policy, as required by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
In anticipation of or in response to adverse market conditions, or atypical circumstances such as unusually large cash inflows or redemptions, each of the Funds may temporarily hold all or a portion of their assets in cash, cash equivalents or high-quality debt instruments. Each of the Funds may also invest up to 25% of its total assets in Affiliated Money Market Funds for these purposes.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The overall management of the business and affairs of the Funds and the Trust is vested in the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees approves all significant agreements between the Trust, on behalf of one or more of the Funds, and persons or companies furnishing services to the Funds. The day-to-day operations of each Fund are delegated to the officers of the Trust and to AIM, subject always to the objective(s), restrictions and policies of the applicable Fund and to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are affiliated with AIM and A I M Management Group Inc. ("AIM Management"), the parent corporation of AIM. All of the Trust's executive officers hold similar offices with some or all of the other AIM Funds.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
The trustees and officers of the Trust, their principal occupations during the last five years and certain other information concerning them are set forth in Appendix B.
The standing committees of the Board of Trustees are the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Investments Committee and the Valuation Committee under the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues.
The members of the Audit Committee are Bob R. Baker, James T. Bunch, Edward K. Dunn, Jr. (Chair), Lewis F. Pennock, Dr. Larry Soll, Dr. Prema Mathai-Davis and Ruth H. Quigley (Vice Chair). The Audit Committee is responsible for: (i)
the appointment, compensation and oversight of any independent auditors employed by each fund (including monitoring the independence, qualifications and performance of such auditors and resolution of disagreements between Fund management and the auditors regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services; (ii) overseeing the financial reporting process of each Fund; (iii) monitoring the process and the resulting financial statements prepared by management to promote accuracy and integrity of the financial statements and asset valuation; (iv) to assist the Board's oversight of each Fund's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Fund's accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (v) to the extend required by Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to pre-approve, in accordance with Item 2.01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X, certain non-audit services provided by each Fund's independent auditors to the Fund's investment advisor and certain other affiliated entities; and (vii) to the extent required by Regulation 14A, to prepare an audit committee report for inclusion in each Fund's annual proxy statement. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Audit Committee held seven meetings.
The members of the Governance Committee are Frank S. Bayley, Bruce L.
Crockett (Chair), Albert R. Dowden, Jack M. Fields (Vice Chair), Gerald J. Lewis
and Lewis S. Sklar. The Governance Committee is responsible for: (i) nominating
persons who are not interested persons of the Trust for election or appointment:
(a) as additions to the Board, (b) to fill vacancies which, from time to time,
may occur in the Board and (c) for election by shareholders of the Trust at
meetings called for the election of trustees; (ii) nominating persons for
appointment as members of each committee of the Board, including, without
limitation, the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Investments
Committee and the Valuation Committee, and to nominate persons for appointment
as chair and vice chair of each such committee; (iii) reviewing from time to
time the compensation payable to the trustees and making recommendations to the
Board regarding compensation; (iv) reviewing and evaluating from time to time
the functioning of the Board and the various committees of the Board; (v)
selecting independent legal counsel to the independent trustees and approving
the compensation paid to independent legal counsel; and (vi) approving the
compensation paid to independent counsel and other advisers, if any, to the
Audit Committee of the Trust.
The Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by a
shareholder to serve as trustees, provided: (i) that such person is a
shareholder of record at the time he or she submits such names and is entitled
to vote at the meeting of shareholders at which trustees will be elected; and
(ii) that the Governance Committee or the Board, as applicable, shall make the
final determination of persons to be nominated. During the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2003, the Governance Committee held five meetings.
Notice procedures set forth in the Trust's bylaws require that any shareholder of a Fund desiring to nominate a trustee for election at a shareholder meeting must submit to the Trust's Secretary the nomination in writing not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such shareholder meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is made of the shareholder meeting and not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the shareholder meeting.
The members of the Investments Committee are Messrs. Baker, Bayley, Bunch, Crockett, Dowden (Chair), Dunn, Fields, Lewis, Pennock, Sklar and Soll, and Carl Frischling, and Dr. Mathai-Davis (Vice Chair) and Miss Quigley. The Investments Committee is responsible for: (i) overseeing AIM's investment-related compliance systems and procedures to ensure their continued adequacy; and (ii) considering and acting, on an interim basis between meetings of the full Board, on investment-related matters requiring Board consideration. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Investments Committee held four meetings.
The members of the Valuation Committee are Messrs. Dunn and Pennock
(Chair), and Miss Quigley (Vice Chair). The Valuation Committee meets on an ad
hoc basis to review matters related to valuation. During the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2003, the Valuation Committee held one meeting.
The members of the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues are Messrs. Crockett, Dowden, Dunn and Lewis (Chair). The purpose of the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues is to remain informed on matters relating to alleged excessive short term trading in shares of the Fund ("marketing timing") and to provide guidance to special counsel for the independent trustees on market timing issues and related matters between meetings of the independent trustee. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues did not meet.
Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares
The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee (i) in the Funds and (ii) on an aggregate basis, in all registered investment companies overseen by the trustee within the AIM Funds complex is set forth in Appendix B.
Factors Considered in Approving the Master Investment Advisory Agreement
The advisory agreement with AIM was approved by the Funds' Board at a meeting held on July 30, 2003. In evaluating fairness and reasonableness of the advisory agreement, the Board considered a variety of factors for each Fund, including: the requirements of each Fund for investment supervisory and administrative services; the quality of AIM's services, including a review of each Fund's investment performance and AIM's investment personnel; the size of the fees in relationship to the extent and quality of the investment advisory services rendered; fees charged to AIM's other clients; fees charged by competitive investment advisors; the size of the fees in light of services provided other than investment advisory services; the expenses borne by each Fund as a percentage of its assets and in relationship to contractual limitations; any fee waivers (or payments of Fund expenses) by AIM; AIM's profitability; the benefits received by AIM from its relationship to each Fund, including soft dollar arrangements, and the
extent to which each Fund shares in those benefits; the organizational capabilities and financial condition of AIM and conditions and trends prevailing in the economy, the securities markets and the mutual fund industry; and the historical relationship between each Fund and AIM.
In considering the above factors, the Board also took into account the fact that univested cash and cash collateral from securities lending arrangements (collectively, "cash balances") of each Fund may be invested in money market funds advised by AIM pursuant to the terms of an exemptive order. The Board found that each Fund may realize certain benefits upon investing cash balances in AIM advised money market funds, including a higher net return, increased liquidity, increased diversification or decreased transaction costs. The Board also found that each Fund will not receive reduced services if they invest their cash balances in such money market funds. The Board further determined that the proposed securities lending program and related procedures with respect to each of the lending Funds is in the best interests of each lending Fund and its respective shareholders. The Board therefore concluded that the investment of cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program in the money market funds according to the procedures is in the best interests of each lending Fund and its respective shareholders.
After consideration of these factors, the Board found that: (i) the services provided to each Fund and its shareholders were adequate; (ii) the agreements were fair and reasonable under the circumstances; and (iii) the fees payable under the agreements would have been obtained through arm's length negotiations. The Board therefore concluded that each Fund's advisory agreement was in the best interests of such Fund and its shareholders and approved the agreement.
COMPENSATION
Each trustee who is not affiliated with AIM is compensated for his or her services according to a fee schedule which recognizes the fact that such trustee also serves as a trustee of other AIM Funds. Each such trustee receives a fee, allocated among the AIM Funds for which he or she serves as a trustee, which consists of an annual retainer component and a meeting fee component.
Information regarding compensation paid or accrued for each trustee of the Trust who was not affiliated with AIM during the year ended December 31, 2003 is found in Appendix C.
Retirement Plan For Trustees
The trustees have adopted a retirement plan for the trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with AIM. The retirement plan includes a retirement policy as well as retirement benefits for the non-AIM-affiliated trustees.
The retirement policy permits each non-AIM-affiliated trustee to serve until December 31 of the year in which the trustee turns 72. A majority of the trustees may extend from time to time the retirement date of atrustee.
Annual retirement benefits are available to each non-AIM-affiliated
trustee of the Trust and/or the other AIM Funds (each, a "Covered Fund") who has
at least five years of credited service as a trustee (including service to a
predecessor fund) for a Covered Fund. The retirement benefits will equal 75% of
the trustee's annual retainer paid or accrued by any Covered Fund to such
trustee during the twelve-month period prior to retirement, including the amount
of any retainer deferred under a separate deferred compensation agreement
between the Covered Fund and the trustee. The annual retirement benefits are
payable in quarterly installments for a number of years equal to the lesser of
(i) ten or (ii) the number of such trustee's credited years of service. A death
benefit is also available under the plan that provides a surviving spouse with a
quarterly installment of 50% of a deceased trustee's retirement benefits for the
same length of time that the trustee would have received based on his or her
service. A trustee must have attained the age of 65 (55 in the event of death or
disability) to receive any retirement benefit.
Deferred Compensation Agreements
Messrs. Dunn, Fields, Frischling and Sklar and Dr. Mathai-Davis (for purposes of this paragraph only, the "Deferring Trustees") have each executed a Deferred Compensation Agreement (collectively, the "Compensation Agreements"). Pursuant to the Compensation Agreements, the Deferring Trustees have the option to elect to defer receipt of up to 100% of their compensation payable by theTrust, and such amounts are placed into a deferral account. Currently, the Deferring Trustees have the option to select various AIM Fundsin which all or part of their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested. Distributions from the Deferring Trustees' deferral accounts will be paid in cash, generally in equal quarterly installments over a period of up to ten (10) years (depending on the Compensation Agreement) beginning on the date selected under the Compensation Agreement. The Trust's Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, may accelerate or extend the distribution of such deferral accounts after the Deferring Trustee's retirement benefits commence under the Plan. The Board, in its sole discretion, also may accelerate or extend the distribution of such deferral accounts after the Deferring Trustee's termination of service as a director of the Trust. If a Deferring Trustee dies prior to the distribution of amounts in his or her deferral account, the balance of the deferral account will be distributed to his or her designated beneficiary. The Compensation Agreements are not funded and, with respect to the payments of amounts held in the deferral accounts, the Deferring Trustees have the status of unsecured creditors of the Trust and of each other AIM Fund from which they are deferring compensation.
Purchases of Class A Shares of the Funds at Net Asset Value
The trustees and other affiliated persons of the Trust may purchase Class A shares of the AIM Funds without paying an initial sales charge. A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors") permits such purchases because there is a reduced sales effort involved in sales to such purchasers, thereby resulting in relatively low expenses of distribution. For a complete description of the persons who will not pay an initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of the AIM Funds, see "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares - Purchase and Redemption of Shares - Purchases of Class A Shares, Class A3 Shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund and AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund - Purchases of Class A Shares at the Net Asset Value."
CODES OF ETHICS
AIM, the Trust and AIM Distributors have each adopted a Code of Ethics governing, as applicable, personal trading activities of all directors/trustees, officers of the Trust, persons who, in connection with their regular functions, play a role in the recommendation of any purchase or sale of a security by any of the Funds or obtain information pertaining to such purchase or sale, and certain other employees. The Codes of Ethics are intended to prohibit conflicts of interest with the Trust that may arise from personal trading. Personal trading, including personal trading involving securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund, is permitted by persons covered under the relevant Codes subject to certain restrictions; however, those persons are generally required to pre-clear all security transactions with the Compliance Officer or his designee and to report all transactions on a regular basis.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by each Fund to the Fund's investment advisor. The investment advisor will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which have been reviewed by the Board of Trustees, and which are found in Appendix D.
Any material changes to the proxy policies and procedures will be submitted to the Board of Trustees of the Trust for approval. The Board of Trustees will be supplied with a summary quarterly report of each Fund's proxy voting record.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Information about the ownership of each class of each Fund's shares by beneficial or record owners of such Fund and by trustees and officers as a group is found in Appendix E. A shareholder who owns beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund is presumed to "control" that Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
AIM, the Funds' investment advisor, was organized in 1976, and along with its subsidiaries, manages or advises over 200 investment portfolios encompassing a broad range of investment objectives. AIM is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of AIM Management, a holding company that has been engaged in the financial services business since 1976. AIM Management is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC. AMVESCAP PLC and its subsidiaries are an independent global investment management group. Certain of the directors and officers of AIM are also executive officers of the Trust and their affiliations are shown under "Management Information" herein.
As investment advisor, AIM supervises all aspects of the Funds' operations and provides investment advisory services to the Funds. AIM obtains and evaluates economic, statistical and financial information to formulate and implement investment programs for the Funds.
AIM is also responsible for furnishing to the Funds, at AIM's expense, the services of persons believes to be competent to perform all supervisory and administrative services required by the Funds, in the judgment of the trustees, to conduct their respective businesses effectively, as well as the offices, equipment and other facilities necessary for their operations. Such functions include the maintenance of each Fund's accounts and records, and the preparation of all requisite corporate documents such as tax returns and reports to the SEC and shareholders.
The Master Investment Advisory Agreement provides that each Fund will pay or cause to be paid all expenses of such Fund not assumed by AIM, including, without limitation: brokerage commissions, taxes, legal, auditing or governmental fees, custodian, transfer and shareholder service agent costs, expenses of issue, sale, redemption, and repurchase of shares, expenses of registering and qualifying shares for sale, expenses relating to trustees and shareholder meetings, the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the fees and other expenses incurred by the Trust on behalf of each Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations, and the cost of printing copies of prospectuses and statements of additional information distributed to the Funds' shareholders.
AIM, at its own expense, furnishes to the Trust office space and facilities. AIM furnishes to the Trust all personnel for managing the affairs of the Trust and each of its series of shares.
Pursuant to its investment advisory agreement with the Trust, AIM receives a monthly fee from each Fund calculated at the following annual rates, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund during the year:
FUND NAME NET ASSETS ANNUAL RATE ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ -------------------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund First $500 million 0.95% AIM European Growth Fund Amount over $500 million 0.90% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund First $1 billion 0.90% Amount over $1 billion 0.85% AIM Global Growth Fund First $1 billion 0.85% Amount over $1 billion 0.80% AIM International Growth Fund First $1 billion 0.95% Amount over $1 billion 0.90% |
AIM may from time to time waive or reduce its fee. Voluntary fee waivers or reductions may be rescinded at any time without further notice to investors. During periods of voluntary fee waivers or reductions, AIM will retain its ability to be reimbursed for such fee prior to the end of each fiscal year. Contractual fee waivers or reductions set forth in the Fee Table in a Prospectus may not be terminated or amended to the Funds' detriment during the period stated in the agreement between AIM and the Fund.
AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of advisory fees payable by each Fund. The amount of the waiver will equal 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the Affiliated Money Market Funds as a result of each Fund's investment of uninvested cash in an Affiliated Money Market Fund. Termination of this agreement requires approval by the Board of Trustees. See "Description of the Funds and Their Investments and Risks - Investment Strategies and Risks - Other Investments - Other Investment Companies."
AIM has contractually agreed, effective July 1, 2003 through October 31, 2004, to waive advisory fees for AIM International Growth Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares by 0.05% of advisory fees on average daily net assets in excess of $500 million.
The management fees payable by each Fund, the amounts waived by AIM and the net fees paid by each Fund for the last three fiscal years ended October 31 are found in Appendix F.
SECURITIES LENDING ARRANGEMENTS. If a Fund engages in securities
lending, AIM will provide the Fund investment advisory services and related
administrative services. The advisory agreement describes the administrative
services to be rendered by AIM if a Fund engages in securities lending
activities, as well as the compensation AIM may receive for such administrative
services. Services to be provided include: (a) overseeing participation in the
securities lending program to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory
and investment guidelines; (b) assisting the securities lending agent or
principal (the "agent") in determining which specific securities are available
for loan; (c) monitoring the agent to ensure that securities loans are effected
in accordance with AIM's instructions and with procedures adopted by the Board;
(d) preparing appropriate periodic reports for, and seeking appropriate
approvals from, the Board with respect to securities lending activities; (e)
responding to agent inquiries; and (f) performing such other duties as may be
necessary.
AIM's compensation for advisory services rendered in connection with securities lending is included in the advisory fee schedule. As compensation for the related administrative services AIM will provide, a lending Fund will pay AIM a fee equal to 25% of the net monthly interest or fee income retained or paid to the Fund from such activities. AIM currently intends to waive such fee, and has agreed to seek Board approval prior to its receipt of all or a portion of such fee.
SERVICE AGREEMENTS
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT. AIM and the Trust have entered into a Master Administrative Services Agreement ("Administrative Services Agreement") pursuant to which AIM may perform or arrange for the provision of certain accounting and other administrative services to each Fund which are not required to be performed by AIM under the advisory agreement. The Administrative Services Agreement provides that it will remain in effect and continue from year to year only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Trust's Board of Trustees, including the independent trustees, by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, AIM is entitled to receive from the Funds reimbursement of its costs or such reasonable compensation as may be approved by the Board of Trustees. Currently, AIM is reimbursed for the services of the Trust 's principal financial officer and her staff, and any expenses related to fund accounting services.
Administrative services fees paid to AIM by each Fund for the last three fiscal years ended October 31 are found in Appendix G.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
TRANSFER AGENT. AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AIS"), 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046, a registered transfer agent and wholly owned subsidiary of AIM, acts as transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds.
The Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and AIS provides that AIS will perform certain shareholder services for the Funds. The Transfer Agency and Service Agreement provides that AIS will receive a per account fee plus out-of-pocket expenses to process orders for purchases, redemptions and exchanges of shares; prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Funds; maintain shareholder accounts and provide shareholders with information regarding the Funds and their accounts. AIS may impose certain copying charges for requests for copies of shareholder account statements and other historical account information older than the current year and the immediately preceding year.
In addition, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S"), 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 has entered into an agreement with the Trust (and certain other AIM Funds), PFPC Inc. (formerly known as First Data Investor Service Group) and Financial Data Services, Inc., pursuant to which MLPF&S is paid a per account fee to perform certain shareholder sub-accounting services for its customers who beneficially own shares of the Fund(s).
Primerica Shareholder Services, Inc. ("PSS"), 3120 Breckinridge Boulevard, Duluth, Georgia 30099-0001 has also entered into an agreement with the Trust (and certain other AIM Funds) and AIS pursuant to which PSS is paid a per account fee to perform certain shareholder sub-accounting services for its customers who beneficially own shares of the Fund(s).
CUSTODIAN. State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian"), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is custodian of all securities and cash of the Funds. Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., 712 Main, Houston, Texas 77002, serves as sub-custodian for purchases of shares of the Funds. The Bank of New York, 100 Church Street, New York, New York 10286, also serves as sub-custodian to facilitate cash management.
The Custodian is authorized to establish separate accounts in foreign countries and to cause foreign securities owned by the Funds to be held outside the United States in branches of U.S. banks and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, in certain foreign banks and securities depositories. AIM is responsible for selecting eligible foreign securities depositories and for assessing the risks associated with investing in foreign countries, including the risk of using eligible foreign securities depositories in a country; the Custodian is responsible for monitoring eligible foreign securities depositories.
Under its contract with the Trust, the Custodian maintains the portfolio securities of the Funds, administers the purchases and sales of portfolio securities, collects interest and dividends and other distributions made on the securities held in the portfolios of the Funds and performs other ministerial duties. These services do not include any supervisory function over management or provide any protection against any possible depreciation of assets.
AUDITORS. The Funds' independent public accountants are responsible for auditing the financial statements of the Funds. The Board of Trustees has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 1201 Louisiana Street, Suite 2900, Houston, Texas 77002, as the independent public accountants to audit the financial statements of the Funds.
COUNSEL TO THE TRUST. Legal matters for the Trust have been passed upon by Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, 1735 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-7599.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
AIM makes decisions to buy and sell securities for each Fund, selects broker-dealers, effects the Funds' investment portfolio transactions, allocates brokerage fees in such transactions and, where applicable, negotiates commissions and spreads on transactions. AIM's primary consideration in effecting a security transaction is to obtain the most favorable execution of the order, which includes the best price on the security and a low commission rate. While AIM seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, the Funds may not pay the lowest commission or spread available. See "Brokerage Selection" below.
Some of the securities in which the Funds invest are traded in over-the-counter markets. Portfolio transactions placed in such markets may be effected at either net prices without commissions, but which include compensation to the broker-dealer in the form of a mark up or mark down, or on an
agency basis, which involves the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions to the broker-dealer, including electronic communication networks.
Traditionally, commission rates have not been negotiated on stock markets outside the United States. Although in recent years many overseas stock markets have adopted a system of negotiated rates, a number of markets maintain an established schedule of minimum commission rates.
Brokerage commissions paid by each of the Funds during the last three fiscal years ended October 31 are found in Appendix H.
COMMISSIONS
During the last three fiscal years ended October 31, none of the Funds paid brokerage commissions to brokers affiliated with the Funds, AIM, AIM Distributors, or any affiliates of such entities.
The Funds may engage in certain principal and agency transactions with banks and their affiliates that own 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of an AIM Fund, provided the conditions of an exemptive order received by the AIM Funds from the SEC are met. In addition, a Fund may purchase or sell a security from or to certain other AIM Funds or accounts (and may invest in Affiliated Money Market Funds) provided the Funds follow procedures adopted by the Boards of Trustees of the various AIM Funds, including theTrust. These inter-fund transactions do not generate brokerage commissions but may result in custodial fees or taxes or other related expenses.
BROKERAGE SELECTION
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 provides that AIM, under certain circumstances, lawfully may cause an account to pay a higher commission than the lowest available. Under Section 28(e)(1), AIM must make a good faith determination that the commissions paid are "reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided ... viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or [AIM's] overall responsibilities with respect to the accounts as to which [it] exercises investment discretion." The services provided by the broker also must lawfully and appropriately assist AIM in the performance of its investment decision-making responsibilities. Accordingly, in recognition of research services provided to it, a Fund may pay a broker higher commissions than those available from another broker.
Research services received from broker-dealers supplement AIM's own research (and the research of its affiliates), and may include the following types of information: statistical and background information on the U.S. and foreign economies, industry groups and individual companies; forecasts and interpretations with respect to the U.S. and foreign economies, securities, markets, specific industry groups and individual companies; information on federal, state, local and foreign political developments; portfolio management strategies; performance information on securities, indexes and investment accounts; information concerning prices of securities; and information supplied by specialized services to AIM and to the Trust's trustees with respect to the performance, investment activities, and fees and expenses of other mutual funds. Broker-dealers may communicate such information electronically, orally, in written form or on computer software. Research services may also include providing electronic communications of trade information, providing custody services, as well as providing equipment used to communicate research information and providing specialized consultations with AIM personnel with respect to computerized systems and data furnished to AIM as a component of other research services, arranging meetings with management of companies, and providing access to consultants who supply research information.
The outside research assistance is useful to AIM since the broker-dealers used by AIM tend to follow a broader universe of securities and other matters than AIM's staff follows. In addition, the research provides AIM with a diverse perspective on financial markets. Research services provided to AIM by broker-dealers are available for the benefit of all accounts managed or advised by AIM or by its
affiliates. Some broker-dealers may indicate that the provision of research services is dependent upon the generation of certain specified levels of commissions and underwriting concessions by AIM's clients, including the Funds. However, the Funds are not under any obligation to deal with any broker-dealer in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities.
In some cases, the research services are available only from the broker-dealer providing them. In other cases, the research services may be obtainable from alternative sources in return for cash payments. AIM believes that the research services are beneficial in supplementing AIM's research and analysis and that they improve the quality of AIM's investment advice. The advisory fee paid by the Funds is not reduced because AIM receives such services. However, to the extent that AIM would have purchased research services had they not been provided by broker-dealers, the expenses to AIM could be considered to have been reduced accordingly.
AIM may determine target levels of brokerage business with various brokers on behalf of its clients (including the Funds) over a certain time period. The target levels will be based upon the following factors, among others: (1) the execution services provided by the broker; and (2) the research services provided by the broker. AIM will not enter into a binding commitment with brokers to place trades with such brokers involving brokerage commissions in precise amounts.
DIRECTED BROKERAGE (RESEARCH SERVICES)
Directed brokerage (research services) paid by each of the Funds during the last fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 are found in Appendix I.
REGULAR BROKERS OR DEALERS
Information concerning the Funds' acquisition of securities of their regular brokers or dealers during the last fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 is found in Appendix I.
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
AIM and its affiliates manage numerous other investment accounts. Some of these accounts may have investment objectives similar to the Funds. Occasionally, identical securities will be appropriate for investment by one of the Funds and by another Fund or one or more of these investment accounts. However, the position of each account in the same securities and the length of time that each account may hold its investment in the same securities may vary. The timing and amount of purchase by each account will also be determined by its cash position. If the purchase or sale of securities is consistent with the investment policies of the Fund(s) and one or more of these accounts, and is considered at or about the same time, AIM will fairly allocate transactions in such securities among the Fund(s) and these accounts. AIM may combine such transactions, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, to obtain the most favorable execution. Simultaneous transactions could, however, adversely affect a Fund's ability to obtain or dispose of the full amount of a security which it seeks to purchase or sell.
Sometimes the procedure for allocating portfolio transactions among the various investment accounts advised by AIM results in transactions which could have an adverse effect on the price or amount of securities available to a Fund. In making such allocations, AIM considers the investment objectives and policies of its advisory clients, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment, the size of investment commitments generally held, and the judgments of the persons responsible for recommending the investment. This procedure would apply to transactions in both equity and fixed income securities.
ALLOCATION OF INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING ("IPO") TRANSACTIONS
Certain of the AIM Funds or other accounts managed by AIM may become interested in participating in IPOs. Purchases of IPOs by one AIM Fund or account may also be considered for purchase by one or more other AIM Funds or accounts. It shall be AIM's practice to specifically combine or otherwise bunch indications of interest for IPOs for all AIM Funds and accounts participating in purchase transactions for that IPO, and to allocate such transactions in accordance with the following procedures:
AIM will determine the eligibility of each AIM Fund and account that seeks to participate in a particular IPO by reviewing a number of factors, including suitability of the investment with the AIM Fund's or account's investment objective, policies and strategies, the liquidity of the AIM Fund or account if such investment is purchased, and whether the portfolio manager intends to hold the security as a long-term investment. The allocation of securities issued in IPOs will be made to eligible AIM Funds and accounts in a manner designed to be fair and equitable for the eligible AIM Funds and accounts, and so that there is equal allocation of IPOs over the longer term. Where multiple funds or accounts are eligible, rotational participation may occur, based on the extent to which an AIM Fund or account has participated in previous IPOs as well as the size of the AIM Fund or account. Each eligible AIM Fund and account will be placed in one of four tiers, depending upon each AIM Fund's or account's asset level. The AIM Funds and accounts in the tier containing funds and accounts with the smallest asset levels will participate first, each receiving a 40 basis point allocation (rounded to the nearest share round lot that approximates 40 basis points) (the "Allocation"), based on that AIM Fund's or account's net assets. This process continues until all of the AIM Funds and accounts in the four tiers receive their Allocations, or until the shares are all allocated. Should securities remain after this process, eligible AIM Funds and accounts will receive their Allocations on a straight pro rata basis. In addition, Incubator Funds, as described in AIM's Incubator and New Fund Investment Policy, and any other AIM Fund which has more than 5% of its outstanding shares owned by AIM or one of its affiliates, officers, directors or employees, will each be limited to a 40 basis point allocation only. Such allocations will be allocated to the nearest share round lot that approximates 40 basis points.
When any AIM Funds and/or accounts with substantially identical investment objectives and policies participate in IPOs, they will do so in amounts that are substantially proportionate to each other. In these cases, the net assets of the largest participating AIM Fund will be used to determine in which tier, as described in the paragraph above, such group of AIM Funds or accounts will be placed. If no AIM Fund is participating, then the net assets of the largest account will be used to determine tier placement. The price per share of securities purchased in such IPO transactions will be the same for each AIM Fund and account.
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Purchases of Class A Shares, Class A3 Shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund and AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund
INITIAL SALES CHARGES. Each AIM Fund (other than AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Money Market Fund) is grouped into one of three categories to determine the applicable initial sales charge for its Class A Shares. The sales charge is used to compensate AIM Distributors and participating dealers for their expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of the Funds' shares. You may also be charged a transaction or other fee by the financial institution managing your account.
Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, Class A3 Shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund and AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund are sold without an initial sales charge.
CATEGORY I FUNDS
AIM Aggressive Growth Fund AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund AIM Large Cap Growth Fund AIM Basic Value Fund AIM Libra Fund AIM Blue Chip Fund AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund AIM Capital Development Fund AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund AIM Charter Fund AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund AIM Constellation Fund AIM Opportunities I Fund AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund AIM Opportunities II Fund AIM Diversified Dividend Fund AIM Opportunities III Fund AIM Emerging Growth Fund AIM Premier Equity Fund AIM European Growth Fund AIM Select Equity Fund AIM European Small Company Fund AIM Small Cap Equity Fund AIM Global Value Fund AIM Small Cap Growth Fund AIM International Emerging Growth Fund AIM Weingarten Fund |
Dealer Investor's Sales Charge Concession ----------------------- ---------- As a As a As a Percentage Percentage Percentage of the Public of the Net of the Public Amount of Investment in Offering Amount Offering Single Transaction(1) Price Invested Price ------------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- Less than $ 25,000 5.50% 5.82% 4.75% $ 25,000 but less than $ 50,000 5.25 5.54 4.50 $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.75 4.99 4.00 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 3.00 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 3.00 3.09 2.50 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 1.60 |
(1) AIM Opportunities I Fund will not accept any single purchase in excess of $250,000.
CATEGORY II FUNDS
AIM Balanced Fund AIM High Yield Fund AIM Basic Balanced Fund AIM Income Fund AIM Developing Markets Fund AIM Intermediate Government Fund AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund AIM Municipal Bond Fund AIM Global Growth Fund AIM Real Estate Fund AIM Global Health Care Fund AIM Total Return Bond Fund AIM Global Trends Fund AIM High Income Municipal Fund |
Dealer Investor's Sales Charge Concession ----------------------- ---------- As a As a As a Percentage Percentage Percentage of the Public of the Net of the Public Amount of Investment in Offering Amount Offering Single Transaction Price Invested Price ------------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- Less than $ 50,000 4.75% 4.99% 4.00% $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.00 4.17 3.25 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 3.00 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 2.50 2.56 2.00 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 1.60 |
CATEGORY III FUNDS
AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund
AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund
Dealer Investor's Sales Charge Concession ----------------------- ---------- As a As a As a Percentage Percentage Percentage of the Public of the Net of the Public Amount of Investment in Offering Amount Offering Single Transaction(1) Price Invested Price ------------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- Less than $ 100,000 1.00% 1.01% 0.75% $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 0.75 0.76 0.50 $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 0.50 0.50 0.40 |
Beginning on October 31, 2002 Class A Shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund were closed to new investors. Current investors must maintain a share balance in order to continue make incremental purchases.
LARGE PURCHASES OF CLASS A SHARES. Investors who purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A Shares of a Category I, II or III Fund do not pay an initial sales charge. In addition, investors who currently own Class A shares of Category I, II, or III Funds and make additional purchases that result in account balances of $1,000,000 or more do not pay an initial sales charge on the additional purchases. The additional purchases, as well as initial purchases of $1,000,000 or more, are referred to as Large Purchases. If an investor makes a Large Purchase of Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund, however, each share issued will generally be subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") if the investor redeems those shares within 18 months after purchase. Large Purchases of Class A shares of Category III Funds made on or after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002 will be subject to a 0.25% CDSC if the investor redeems those shares within 12 months after purchase.
AIM Distributors may pay a dealer concession and/or advance a service fee on Large Purchases, as set forth below. Exchanges between the AIM Funds may affect total compensation paid.
AIM Distributors may make the following payments to dealers of record for Large Purchases of Class A shares of Category I or II Funds, by investors other than: (i) retirement plans that are maintained pursuant to Sections 401 and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and
(ii) retirement plans that are maintained pursuant to Section 403 of the Code if
the employer or plan sponsor is a tax-exempt organization operated pursuant to
Section 501(c)(3) of the Code.
PERCENT OF PURCHASE
1% of the first $2 million plus 0.80% of the next $1 million plus 0.50% of the next $17 million plus 0.25% of amounts in excess of $20 million |
If (i) the amount of any single purchase order plus (ii) the net asset value of all other shares owned by the same customer submitting the purchase order on the day on which the purchase order is received equals or exceeds $1,000,000, the purchase will be considered a "jumbo accumulation purchase." With regard to any individual jumbo accumulation purchase, AIM Distributors may make payment to the dealer of record based on the cumulative total of jumbo accumulation purchases made by the same customer over the life of his or her account(s).
If an investor made a Large Purchase of Class A shares of a Category III Fund on and after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002 and exchanges those shares for Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund, AIM Distributors will pay an additional dealer concession of 0.75% upon exchange.
If an investor makes a Large Purchase of Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund on and after November 15, 2001 and exchanges those shares for Class A shares of a Category III Fund, AIM Distributors will not pay any additional dealer compensation upon the exchange. Beginning February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
If an investor makes a Large Purchase of Class A3 shares of a Category III Fund on and after October 31, 2002 and exchanges those shares for Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund, AIM Distributors will pay 1.00% of such purchase as dealer compensation upon the exchange. The Class A shares of the Category I or II Fund received in exchange generally will be subject to a 1.00% CDSC if the investor redeems such shares within 18 months from the date of exchange.
If an investor makes a Large Purchase of Class A shares of a Category III Fund and exchanges those shares for Class A shares of another Category III Fund, AIM Distributors will not pay any additional dealer concession upon the exchange. Beginning February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of another Category III Fund.
PURCHASES OF CLASS A SHARES BY CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS AT NAV. Effective November 1, 2002, for purchases of Class A shares of Category I and II Funds, AIM Distributors may make the following payments to investment dealers or other financial service firms for sales of such shares at net asset value ("NAV") to certain retirement plans provided that the applicable dealer of record is able to establish that the retirement plan's purchase of Class A shares is a new investment (as defined below):
PERCENT OF PURCHASE
0.50% of the first $20 million plus 0.25% of amounts in excess of $20 million |
This payment schedule will be applicable to purchases of Class A shares at NAV by the following types of retirement plans: (i) all plans maintained pursuant to Sections 401 and 457 of the Code, and
(ii) plans maintained pursuant to Section 403 of the Code if the employer or plan sponsor is a tax-exempt organization operated pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Code.
A "new investment" means a purchase paid for with money that does not represent (i) the proceeds of one or more redemptions of AIM Fund shares, (ii) an exchange of AIM Fund shares, or (iii) the repayment of one or more retirement plan loans that were funded through the redemption of AIM Fund shares. If AIM Distributors pays a dealer concession in connection with a plan's purchase of Class A shares at NAV, such shares may be subject to a CDSC of 1.00% of net assets for 12 months, commencing on the date the plan first invests in Class A shares of an AIM Fund. If the applicable dealer of record is unable to establish that a plan's purchase of Class A shares at NAV is a new investment, AIM Distributors will not pay a dealer concession in connection with such purchase and such shares will not be subject to a CDSC.
With regard to any individual jumbo accumulation purchase, AIM Distributors may make payment to the dealer of record based on the cumulative total of jumbo accumulation purchases made by the same plan over the life of the plan's account(s).
PURCHASERS QUALIFYING FOR REDUCTIONS IN INITIAL SALES CHARGES. As shown in the tables above, purchases of certain amounts of AIM Fund shares may reduce the initial sales charges. These reductions are available to purchasers that meet the qualifications listed below. We will refer to purchasers that meet these qualifications as "Qualified Purchasers."
INDIVIDUALS
o an individual (including his or her spouse or domestic partner, and children);
o any trust established exclusively for the benefit of an individual;
o a retirement plan established exclusively for the benefit of an individual, specifically including, but not limited to, a Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Solo 401(k), Keogh plan, or a tax-sheltered 403(b)(7) custodial account; and
o a qualified tuition plan account, maintained pursuant to Section 529 of the Code, or a Coverdell Education Savings Account, maintained pursuant to Section 530 of the Code (in either case, the account must be established by an individual or have an individual named as the beneficiary thereof).
EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS
o a retirement plan maintained pursuant to Sections 401, 403 (only if the employer or plan sponsor is a tax-exempt organization operated pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Code), 408 (includes SEP, SARSEP and SIMPLE IRA plans) or 457 of the Code, if:
a. the employer or plan sponsor submits all contributions for all participating employees in a single contribution transmittal (the AIM Funds will not accept separate contributions submitted with respect to individual participants);
b. each transmittal is accompanied by a single check or wire transfer; and
c. if the AIM Funds are expected to carry separate accounts in the names of each of the plan participants, (i) the employer or plan sponsor notifies AIM Distributors in writing that the separate accounts of all plan participants should be linked, and (ii) all new participant accounts are established by submitting an appropriate Account Application on behalf of each new participant with the contribution transmittal.
TRUSTEES AND FIDUCIARIES
o a trustee or fiduciary purchasing for a single trust, estate or fiduciary account.
OTHER GROUPS
o any organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not, purchasing AIM Fund shares through a single account, provided that:
a. the organization has been in existence for at least six months; and
b. the organization has some purpose other than the purchase at a discount of redeemable securities of a registered investment company.
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR REDUCTIONS IN INITIAL SALES CHARGES. The following sections discuss different ways that a Qualified Purchaser can qualify for a reduction in the initial sales charges for purchases of Class A shares of the AIM Funds.
LETTERS OF INTENT
A Qualified Purchaser may pay reduced initial sales charges by: (i) indicating on the Account Application that he, she or it intends to provide a Letter of Intent ("LOI"), and (ii) subsequently fulfilling the conditions of that LOI.
The LOI confirms the total investment in shares of the AIM Funds that the Qualified Purchaser intends to make within the next 13 months. By marking the LOI section on the account application and by signing the account application, the Qualified Purchaser indicates that he, she or it understands and agrees to the terms of the LOI and is bound by the provisions described below:
Calculating the Initial Sales Charge
o Each purchase of fund shares normally subject to an initial sales charge made during the 13-month period will be made at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the total dollar amount indicated by the LOI (to determine what the applicable public offering price is, look at the sales charge table in the section on "Initial Sales Charges" above).
o It is the purchaser's responsibility at the time of purchase to specify the account numbers that should be considered in determining the appropriate sales charge.
o The offering price may be further reduced as described below under "Rights of Accumulation" if the Transfer Agent is advised of all other accounts at the time of the investment.
o Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will not be applied to the LOI.
Calculating the Number of Shares to be Purchased
o Purchases made within 90 days before signing an LOI will be applied toward completion of the LOI. The LOI effective date will be the date of the first purchase within the 90-day period.
o Purchases made more than 90 days before signing an LOI will be applied toward the completion of the LOI based on the value of the shares purchased that is calculated at the public offering price on the effective date of the LOI.
o If a purchaser meets the original obligation at any time during the 13-month period, he or she may revise the intended investment amount upward by submitting a written and signed request. This revision will not change the original expiration date.
o The Transfer Agent will process necessary adjustments upon the expiration or completion date of the LOI.
Fulfilling the Intended Investment
o By signing an LOI, a purchaser is not making a binding commitment to purchase additional shares, but if purchases made within the 13-month period do not total the amount specified, the purchaser will have to pay the increased amount of sales charge.
o To assure compliance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Transfer Agent will escrow in the form of shares an appropriate dollar amount (computed to the nearest full share) out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary). All dividends and any capital gain distributions on the escrowed shares will be credited to the purchaser. All shares purchased, including those escrowed, will be registered in the purchaser's name. If the total investment specified under this LOI is completed within the 13-month period, the escrowed shares will be promptly released.
o If the intended investment is not completed, the purchaser will pay the Transfer Agent the difference between the sales charge on the specified amount and the sales charge on the amount actually purchased. If the purchaser does not pay such difference within 20 days of the expiration date, he or she irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Transfer Agent as his attorney to surrender for redemption any or all shares, to make up such difference within 60 days of the expiration date.
Canceling the LOI
o If at any time before completing the LOI Program, the purchaser wishes to cancel the agreement, he or she must give written notice to AIM Distributors.
o If at any time before completing the LOI Program the purchaser requests the Transfer Agent to liquidate or transfer beneficial ownership of his total shares, the LOI will be automatically canceled. If the total amount purchased is less than the amount specified in the LOI, the Transfer Agent will redeem an appropriate number of escrowed shares equal to the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge that would have been paid if the total purchases had been made at a single time.
Other Persons Eligible for the LOI Privilege
The LOI privilege is also available to holders of the Connecticut General Guaranteed Account, established for tax qualified group annuities, for contracts purchased on or before June 30, 1992.
LOIs and Contingent Deferred Sales Charges
If an investor entered into an LOI to purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Category III Fund on and after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002, such shares will be subject to a 12-month, 0.25% CDSC. Purchases of Class A shares of a Category III Fund made pursuant to an LOI to purchase $1,000,000 or more of shares entered into prior to November 15, 2001 or after October 30, 2002 will not be subject to this CDSC. All LOIs to purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of Category I and II Funds are subject to an 18-month, 1.00% CDSC.
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION
A Qualified Purchaser may also qualify for reduced initial sales charges based upon his, her or its existing investment in shares of any of the AIM Funds at the time of the proposed purchase. To determine whether or not a reduced initial sales charge applies to a proposed purchase, AIM Distributors takes into account not only the money which is invested upon such proposed purchase, but also the value of all shares of the AIM Funds owned by such purchaser, calculated at their then current public offering price.
If a purchaser qualifies for a reduced sales charge, the reduced sales charge applies to the total amount of money being invested, even if only a portion of that amount exceeds the breakpoint for the reduced sales charge. For example, if a purchaser already owns qualifying shares of any Fundwith a value of $20,000 and wishes to invest an additional $20,000 in a fund with a maximum initial sales charge of 5.50%, the reduced initial sales charge of 5.25% will apply to the full $20,000 purchase and not just to the $15,000 in excess of the $25,000 breakpoint.
To qualify for obtaining the discount applicable to a particular purchase, the purchaser or his dealer must furnish the Transfer Agent with a list of the account numbers and the names in which such accounts of the purchaser are registered at the time the purchase is made.
Rights of Accumulation are also available to holders of the Connecticut General Guaranteed Account, established for tax-qualified group annuities, for contracts purchased on or before June 30, 1992.
If an investor's new purchase of Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund is at net asset value, the newly purchased shares will be subject to a CDSC if the investor redeems them prior to the end of the 18 month holding period. For new purchases of Class A shares of Category III Funds at net asset value made on and after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002, the newly purchased shares will be subject to a CDSC if the investor redeems them prior to the end of the 12 month holding period.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR REDUCTIONS IN INITIAL SALES CHARGES. As discussed above, investors or dealers seeking to qualify orders for a reduced initial sales charge must identify such orders and, if necessary, support their qualification for the reduced charge. AIM Distributors reserves the right to determine whether any purchaser is entitled to the reduced sales charge based on the definition of a Qualified Purchaser listed above. No person or entity may distribute shares of the AIM Funds without payment of the applicable sales charge other than to Qualified Purchasers.
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, Class A3 Shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, and Class B and Class C shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund and Investor Class shares will not be taken into account in determining whether a purchase qualifies for a reduction in initial sales charges.
PURCHASES OF CLASS A SHARES AT NET ASSET VALUE. AIM Distributors permits certain categories of persons to purchase Class A shares of AIM Funds without paying an initial sales charge. These are typically categories of persons whose transactions involve little expense, such as:
o Persons who have a relationship with the funds or with AIM and its affiliates, and are therefore familiar with the funds, and who place unsolicited orders directly with AIM Distributors; or
o Programs for purchase that involve little expense because of the size of the transaction and shareholder records required.
AIM Distributors believes that it is appropriate and in the Funds' best interests that such persons, and certain other persons whose purchases result in relatively low expenses of distribution, be permitted to purchase shares through AIM Distributors without payment of a sales charge.
Accordingly, the following purchasers will not pay initial sales charges on purchases of Class A shares because there is a reduced sales effort involved in sales to these purchasers:
o AIM Management and its affiliates, or their clients;
o Any current or retired officer, director or employee (and members of their immediate family) of AIM Management, its affiliates or The AIM Family of Funds--Registered Trademark--, and any foundation, trust or employee benefit plan established exclusively for the benefit of, or by, such persons;
o Any current or retired officer, director, or employee (and members of their immediate family) of DST Systems, Inc. or Personix, a division of FISERV Solutions, Inc.;
o Sales representatives and employees (and members of their immediate family) of selling group members of financial institutions that have arrangements with such selling group members;
o Purchases through approved fee-based programs;
o Employer-sponsored retirement plans that are Qualified Purchasers, as defined above, provided that:
a. a plan's initial investment is at least $1 million;
b. the employer or plan sponsor signs a $1 million LOI;
c. there are at least 100 employees eligible to participate in the plan;
d. all plan transactions are executed through a single omnibus account per AIM Fund and the financial institution or service organization has entered into the appropriate agreement with the distributor; further provided that
e. retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code are not eligible to purchase shares at NAV based on the aggregate investment made by the plan or the number of eligible employees unless the employer or plan sponsor is a tax-exempt organization operated pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Code; and
f. purchases of AIM Opportunities I Fund by all retirement plans are subject to initial sales charges;
o Shareholders of record of Advisor Class shares of AIM International Growth Fund or AIM Worldwide Growth Fund on February 12, 1999 who have continuously owned shares of the AIM Funds;
o Shareholders of record or discretionary advised clients of any investment advisor holding shares of AIM Weingarten Fund or AIM Constellation Fund on September 8, 1986, or of AIM Charter Fund on November 17, 1986, who have continuously owned shares having a market value of at least $500 and who purchase additional shares of the same Fund;
o Unitholders of G/SET series unit investment trusts investing proceeds from such trusts in shares of AIM Weingarten Fund or AIM Constellation Fund; provided, however, prior to the termination date of the trusts, a unitholder may invest proceeds from the redemption or repurchase of his
units only when the investment in shares of AIM Weingarten Fund and AIM Constellation Fund is effected within 30 days of the redemption or repurchase;
o A shareholder of a fund that merges or consolidates with an AIM Fund or that sells its assets to an AIM Fund in exchange for shares of an AIM Fund;
o Shareholders of the GT Global funds as of April 30, 1987 who since that date continually have owned shares of one or more of these funds;
o Certain former AMA Investment Advisers' shareholders who became shareholders of AIM Global Health Care Fund in October 1989, and who have continuously held shares in the GT Global funds since that time;
o Shareholders of record of Advisor Class shares of an AIM Fund on February 11, 2000 who have continuously owned shares of that AIM Fund, and who purchase additional shares of that AIM Fund;
o Shareholders of Investor Class shares of an AIM Fund;
o Qualified Tuition Programs created and maintained in accordance with
Section 529 of the Code; and
o Initial purchases made by Qualified Purchasers, as defined above, within one (1) year after the registered representative who services their account(s) has become affiliated with a selling group member with which AIM Distributors has entered into a written agreement; and
o Participants in select brokerage programs for retirement plans and rollover IRAs who purchase shares through an electronic brokerage platform offered by entities with which AIM Distributors has entered into a written agreement.
As used above, immediate family includes an individual and his or her spouse or domestic partner, children, parents and parents of spouse or domestic partner.
In addition, an investor may acquire shares of any of the AIM Funds at net asset value in connection with:
o the reinvestment of dividends and distributions from a Fund;
o exchanges of shares of certain Funds;
o use of the reinstatement privilege; or
o a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets of a Fund.
PAYMENTS TO DEALERS. AIM Distributors may elect to re-allow the entire initial sales charge to dealers for all sales with respect to which orders are placed with AIM Distributors during a particular period. Dealers to whom substantially the entire sales charge is re-allowed may be deemed to be "underwriters" as that term is defined under the 1933 Act.
In addition to, or instead of, amounts paid to dealers as a sales commission, AIM Distributors may, from time to time, at its expense or as an expense for which it may be compensated under a distribution plan, if applicable, pay a bonus or other consideration or incentive to dealers. The total amount of such additional bonus payments or other consideration shall not exceed 0.25% of the public offering price of the shares sold or of average daily net assets of the AIM Fund attributable to that
particular dealer. At the option of the dealer, such incentives may take the form of payment for travel expenses, including lodging, incurred in connection with trips taken by qualifying registered representatives and their families to places within or outside the United States. Any such bonus or incentive programs will not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of the applicable AIM Fund's shares or the amount that any particular AIM Fund will receive as proceeds from such sales. Dealers may not use sales of the AIM Funds' shares to qualify for any incentives to the extent that such incentives may be prohibited by the laws of any state.
Purchases of Class B Shares
Class B shares are sold at net asset value, and are not subject to an initial sales charge. Instead, investors may pay a CDSC if they redeem their shares within six years after purchase. See the Prospectus for additional information regarding contingent deferred sales charges. AIM Distributors may pay sales commissions to dealers and institutions who sell Class B shares of the AIM Funds at the time of such sales. Payments will equal 4.00% of the purchase price and will consist of a sales commission equal to 3.75% plus an advance of the first year service fee of 0.25%.
Purchases of Class C Shares
Class C shares are sold at net asset value, and are not subject to an initial sales charge. Instead, investors may pay a CDSC if they redeem their shares within the first year after purchase (no CDSC applies to Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you exchange shares of another AIMFund that are subject to a CDSC into AIM Short Term Bond Fund). See the Prospectus for additional information regarding this CDSC. AIM Distributors may pay sales commissions to dealers and institutions who sell Class C shares of the AIM Funds (except for Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund) at the time of such sales. Payments will equal 1.00% of the purchase price and will consist of a sales commission of 0.75% plus an advance of the first year service fee of 0.25%. These commissions are not paid on sales to investors exempt from the CDSC, including shareholders of record of AIM Advisor Funds, Inc. on April 30, 1995, who purchase additional shares in any of the Funds on or after May 1, 1995, and in circumstances where AIM Distributors grants an exemption on particular transactions.
AIM Distributors may pay dealers and institutions who sell Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund, an annual fee of 0.50% of average daily net assets. These payments will consist of an asset-based fee of 0.25% and a service fee of 0.25% and will commence immediately.
Purchases of Class R Shares
Class R shares are sold at net asset value, and are not subject to an initial sales charge. If AIM Distributors pays a concession to the dealer of record, however, the Class R shares are subject to a 0.75% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement plan assets are redeemed within one year from the date of the retirement plan's initial purchase. For purchases of Class R shares of Category I or II Funds, AIM Distributors may make the following payments to dealers of record provided that the applicable dealer of record is able to establish that the purchase of Class R shares is a new investment or a rollover from a retirement plan in which an AIM Fund was offered as an investment option:
Percent of Cumulative Purchases
0.75% of the first $5 million plus 0.50% of amounts in excess of $5 million |
With regard to any individual purchase of Class R shares, AIM Distributors may make payment to the dealer of record based on the cumulative total of purchases made by the same plan over the life of the plan's account(s).
Purchases of Investor Class Shares
Investor Class shares are sold at net asset value, and are not subject to an initial sales charge or to a CDSC. AIM Distributors may pay dealers and institutions an annual fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets and such payments will commence immediately.
Exchanges
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EXCHANGES. Normally, shares of an AIM Fund to be acquired by exchange are purchased at their net asset value or applicable offering price, as the case may be, determined on the date that such request is received, but under unusual market conditions such purchases may be delayed for up to five business days if it is determined that a fund would be materially disadvantaged by an immediate transfer of the proceeds of the exchange. If a shareholder is exchanging into a fund paying daily dividends, and the release of the exchange proceeds is delayed for the foregoing five-day period, such shareholder will not begin to accrue dividends until the sixth business day after the exchange.
EXCHANGES BY TELEPHONE. AIM Distributors has made arrangements with certain dealers and investment advisory firms to accept telephone instructions to exchange shares between any of the AIM Funds. AIM Distributors reserves the right to impose conditions on dealers or investment advisors who make telephone exchanges of shares of the funds, including the condition that any such dealer or investment advisor enter into an agreement (which contains additional conditions with respect to exchanges of shares) with AIM Distributors. To exchange shares by telephone, a shareholder, dealer or investment advisor who has satisfied the foregoing conditions must call AIS at (800) 959-4246. If a shareholder is unable to reach AIS by telephone, he may also request exchanges by fax, telegraph or use overnight courier services to expedite exchanges by mail, which will be effective on the business day received by AIS as long as such request is received prior to the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). AIS and AIM Distributors may in certain cases be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions if they do not follow reasonable procedures for verification of telephone transactions. Such reasonable procedures may include recordings of telephone transactions (maintained for six months), requests for confirmation of the shareholder's Social Security Number and current address, and mailings of confirmations promptly after the transaction.
Redemptions
GENERAL. Shares of the AIM Funds may be redeemed directly through AIM Distributors or through any dealer who has entered into an agreement with AIM Distributors. In addition to the Funds' obligation to redeem shares, AIM Distributors may also repurchase shares as an accommodation to shareholders. To effect a repurchase, those dealers who have executed Selected Dealer Agreements with AIM Distributors must phone orders to the order desk of the Funds at (800) 959-4246 and guarantee delivery of all required documents in good order. A repurchase is effected at the net asset value per share of the applicable Fund next determined after the repurchase order is received. Such an arrangement is subject to timely receipt by AIS, the Funds' transfer agent, of all required documents in good order. If such documents are not received within a reasonable time after the order is placed, the order is subject to cancellation. While there is no charge imposed by a Fund or by AIM Distributors (other than any applicable contingent deferred sales charge) when shares are redeemed or repurchased, dealers may charge a fair service fee for handling the transaction.
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed when (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, (b) the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings, (c) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension, or (d) an emergency as determined by the SEC exists making disposition of portfolio securities or the valuation of the net assets of a Fund not reasonably practicable.
REDEMPTIONS BY TELEPHONE. By signing an account application form, an investor appoints AIS as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any and all unissued shares held by AIS in the designated account(s), present or future, with full power of substitution in the premises. AIS and AIM Distributors are thereby authorized and directed to accept and act upon any telephone redemptions of shares held in any of the account(s) listed, from any person who requests the redemption. An investor acknowledges by signing the form that he understands and agrees that AIS and AIM Distributors may not be liable for any loss, expense or cost arising out of any telephone redemption requests effected in accordance with the authorization set forth in these instructions if they reasonably believe such request to be genuine, but may in certain cases be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. Procedures for verification of telephone transactions may include recordings of telephone transactions (maintained for six months), requests for confirmation of the shareholder's Social Security Number and current address, and mailings of confirmations promptly after the transactions. AIS reserves the right to cease to act as attorney-in-fact subject to this appointment, and AIM Distributors reserves the right to modify or terminate the telephone redemption privilege at any time without notice. An investor may elect not to have this privilege by marking the appropriate box on the application. Then any redemptions must be effected in writing by the investor.
SYSTEMATIC REDEMPTION PLAN. A Systematic Redemption Plan permits a shareholder of an AIM Fund to withdraw on a regular basis at least $50 per withdrawal. Under a Systematic Redemption Plan, all shares are to be held by AIS and all dividends and distributions are reinvested in shares of the applicable AIM Fund by AIS. To provide funds for payments made under the Systematic Redemption Plan, AIS redeems sufficient full and fractional shares at their net asset value in effect at the time of each such redemption.
Payments under a Systematic Redemption Plan constitute taxable events. Since such payments are funded by the redemption of shares, they may result in a return of capital and in capital gains or losses, rather than in ordinary income. Because sales charges are imposed on additional purchases of Class A shares: it is disadvantageous to effect such purchases while a Systematic Redemption Plan is in effect.
Each AIM Fund bears its share of the cost of operating the Systematic Redemption Plan.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges Imposed upon Redemption of Shares
A CDSC may be imposed upon the redemption of Large Purchases of Class A shares of Category I and II Funds, upon the redemption of Class B shares or Class C shares (no CDSC applies to Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you exchange shares of another AIM Fund that are subject to a CDSC into AIM Short Term Bond Fund) and, in certain circumstances, upon the redemption of Class K or Class R shares. On and after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002, a CDSC also may be imposed upon the redemption of Large Purchases of Class A shares of Category III Funds. See the Prospectus for additional information regarding CDSCs.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS FOR LARGE PURCHASES OF CLASS A SHARES. An investor who has made a Large Purchase of Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund will not be subject to a CDSC upon the redemption of those shares in the following situations:
o Redemptions of shares of Category I or II Funds held more than 18 months;
o Redemptions of shares of Category III Funds purchased prior to November 15, 2001 or after October 30, 2002;
o Redemptions of shares of Category III Funds purchased on or after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002 and held for more than 12 months;
o Redemptions of shares held by retirement plans in cases where
(i) the plan has remained invested in Class A shares of an AIM
Fund for at least 12 months, or (ii) the redemption is not a
complete redemption of shares held by the plan;
o Redemptions from private foundations or endowment funds;
o Redemptions of shares by the investor where the investor's dealer waives the amounts otherwise payable to it by the distributor and notifies the distributor prior to the time of investment;
o Redemptions of shares of Category I, II or III Funds or AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund acquired by exchange from Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund, unless the shares acquired by exchange (on or after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Category III Funds) are redeemed within 18 months of the original purchase or the exchange of Category I or II Fund shares;
o Redemptions of shares of Category III Funds, shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund or AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund acquired by exchange from Class A shares of a Category III Fund purchased prior to November 15, 2001;
o Redemptions of shares of Category I or II Funds acquired by exchange from Class A shares of a Category III Fund purchased on and after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002, unless the shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 18 months of the original purchase of the exchanged Category III Fund shares;
o Redemption of shares of Category III Funds, shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund or AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund acquired by exchange from Class A shares of a Category III Fund purchased on and after November 15, 2001, and through October 30, 2002 unless the shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 12 months of the original purchase of the exchanged Category III Fund shares;
o Redemptions of shares of Category I or II Funds acquired by exchange on and after November 15, 2001 from AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund if the AIM Cash Reserve Shares were acquired by exchange from a Category I or II Fund, unless the Category I or II Fund shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 18 months of the original purchase of the exchanged Category I or II Funds shares;
o Redemptions of Category I or II Funds by retirement plan participants resulting from a total redemption of the plan assets that occurs more than one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase; and
o Redemptions of shares of Category I or II Funds held by an Investor Class shareholder.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS FOR CLASS B AND C SHARES. Investors who purchased former GT Global funds Class B shares before June 1, 1998 are subject to the following waivers from the CDSC otherwise due upon redemption:
o Total or partial redemptions resulting from a distribution following retirement in the case of a tax-qualified employer-sponsored retirement;
o Minimum required distributions made in connection with an IRA, Keogh Plan or custodial account under Section 403(b) of the Code or other retirement plan following attainment of age 70 1/2;
o Redemptions pursuant to distributions from a tax-qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan, which is invested in the former GT Global funds, which are permitted to be made without penalty pursuant to the Code, other than tax-free rollovers or transfers of assets, and the proceeds of which are reinvested in the former GT Global funds;
o Redemptions made in connection with participant-directed exchanges between options in an employer-sponsored benefit plan;
o Redemptions made for the purpose of providing cash to fund a loan to a participant in a tax-qualified retirement plan;
o Redemptions made in connection with a distribution from any retirement plan or account that is permitted in accordance with the provisions of Section 72(t)(2) of the Code, and the regulations promulgated thereunder;
o Redemptions made in connection with a distribution from a
qualified profit-sharing or stock bonus plan described in
Section 401(k) of the Code to a participant or beneficiary
under Section 401(k)(2)(B)(IV) of the Code upon hardship of
the covered employee (determined pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Section 1.401(k)-1(d)(2)); and
o Redemptions made by or for the benefit of certain states, counties or cities, or any instrumentalities, departments or authorities thereof where such entities are prohibited or limited by applicable law from paying a sales charge or commission.
CDSCs will not apply to the following redemptions of Class B or Class C shares, as applicable:
o Additional purchases of Class C shares of AIM International Core Equity Fund (formerly known as AIM International Value Fund) and AIM Real Estate Fund by shareholders of record on April 30, 1995, of these Funds, except that shareholders whose broker-dealers maintain a single omnibus account with AIS on behalf of those shareholders, perform sub-accounting functions with respect to those shareholders, and are unable to segregate shareholders of record prior to April 30, 1995, from shareholders whose accounts were opened after that date will be subject to a CDSC on all purchases made after March 1, 1996;
o Redemptions following the death or post-purchase disability of
(1) any registered shareholders on an account or (2) a settlor
of a living trust, of shares held in the account at the time
of death or initial determination of post-purchase disability;
o Certain distributions from individual retirement accounts,
Section 403(b) retirement plans, Section 457 deferred
compensation plans and Section 401 qualified plans, where
redemptions result from (i) required minimum distributions to
plan participants or beneficiaries who are age 70 1/2 or
older, and only with respect to that portion of such
distributions that does not exceed 12% annually of the
participant's or beneficiary's account value in a particular
AIM Fund; (ii) in kind transfers of assets where the
participant or beneficiary notifies the distributor of the
transfer no later than the time the transfer occurs; (iii)
tax-free rollovers or transfers of assets to another plan of
the type described above invested in Class B or Class C shares
of one or more of the AIM Funds; (iv) tax-free returns of
excess contributions or returns of excess deferral amounts;
and (v) distributions on the death or disability (as defined
in the Code) of the participant or beneficiary;
o Amounts from a Systematic Redemption Plan of up to an annual amount of 12% of the account value on a per fund basis, at the time the withdrawal plan is established, provided the investor reinvests his dividends;
o Liquidation by the AIM Fund when the account value falls below the minimum required account size of $500; and
o Investment account(s) of AIM and its affiliates.
CDSCs will not apply to the following redemptions of Class C shares:
o A total or partial redemption of shares where the investor's dealer of record notified the distributor prior to the time of investment that the dealer would waive the upfront payment otherwise payable to him;
o A total or partial redemption which is necessary to fund a distribution requested by a participant in a retirement plan maintained pursuant to Section 401, 403, or 457 of the Code;
o Redemptions of Class C shares of an AIM Fund other than AIM Short Term Bond Fund if you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund; and
o Redemptions of Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of another AIM Fund and the original purchase was subject to a CDSC.
CDSCs will not apply to the following redemptions of Class R shares:
o Class R shares where the retirement plan's dealer of record notifies the distributor prior to the time of investment that the dealer waives the upfront payment otherwise payable to him; and
o Redemptions of shares held by retirement plans in cases where
(i) the plan has remained invested in Class R shares of an AIM
Fund for at least 12 months, or (ii) the redemption is not a
complete redemption of all Class R shares held by the plan.
General Information Regarding Purchases, Exchanges and Redemptions
GOOD ORDER. Purchase, exchange and redemption orders must be received in good order. To be in good order, an investor must supply AIS with all required information and documentation, including signature guarantees when required. In addition, if a purchase of shares is made by check, the check must be received in good order. This means that the check must be properly completed and signed, and legible to AIS in its sole discretion.
TIMING OF PURCHASE ORDERS. It is the responsibility of the dealer or other financial intermediary to ensure that all orders are transmitted on a timely basis to AIS. Any loss resulting from the failure of the dealer or financial intermediary to submit an order within the prescribed time frame will be borne by that dealer or financial intermediary. If a check used to purchase shares does not clear, or if any investment order must be canceled due to nonpayment, the investor will be responsible for any resulting loss to an AIM Fund or to AIM Distributors.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES. In addition to those circumstances listed in the "Shareholder Information" section of each Fund's prospectus, signature guarantees are required in the following situations: (1) requests to transfer the registration of shares to another owner; (2) telephone exchange and telephone redemption authorization forms; (3) changes in previously designated wiring or electronic funds transfer instructions; and (4) written redemptions or exchanges of shares previously reported as
lost, whether or not the redemption amount is under $250,000 or the proceeds are to be sent to the address of record. AIM Funds may waive or modify any signature guarantee requirements at any time.
Acceptable guarantors include banks, broker-dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, savings associations and any other organization, provided that such institution or organization qualifies as an "eligible guarantor institution" as that term is defined in rules adopted by the SEC, and further provided that such guarantor institution is listed in one of the reference guides contained in AIS' current Signature Guarantee Standards and Procedures, such as certain domestic banks, credit unions, securities dealers, or securities exchanges. AIS will also accept signatures with either: (1) a signature guaranteed with a medallion stamp of the STAMP Program, or (2) a signature guaranteed with a medallion stamp of the NYSE Medallion Signature Program, provided that in either event, the amount of the transaction involved does not exceed the surety coverage amount indicated on the medallion. For information regarding whether a particular institution or organization qualifies as an "eligible guarantor institution," an investor should contact the Client Services Department of AIS.
TRANSACTIONS BY TELEPHONE. By signing an account application form, an investor appoints AIS as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any and all unissued shares held by AIS in the designated account(s), or in any other account with any of the AIM Funds, present or future, which has the identical registration as the designated account(s), with full power of substitution in the premises. AIS and AIM Distributors are thereby authorized and directed to accept and act upon any telephone redemptions of shares held in any of the account(s) listed, from any person who requests the redemption proceeds to be applied to purchase shares in any one or more of the AIM Funds, provided that such fund is available for sale and provided that the registration and mailing address of the shares to be purchased are identical to the registration of the shares being redeemed. An investor acknowledges by signing the form that he understands and agrees that AIS and AIM Distributors may not be liable for any loss, expense or cost arising out of any telephone exchange requests effected in accordance with the authorization set forth in these instructions if they reasonably believe such request to be genuine, but may in certain cases be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. Procedures for verification of telephone transactions may include recordings of telephone transactions (maintained for six months), requests for confirmation of the shareholder's Social Security Number and current address, and mailings of confirmations promptly after the transactions. AIS reserves the right to modify or terminate the telephone exchange privilege at any time without notice. An investor may elect not to have this privilege by marking the appropriate box on the application. Then any exchanges must be effected in writing by the investor.
INTERNET TRANSACTIONS. An investor may effect transactions in his account through the internet by establishing a Personal Identification Number (PIN). By establishing a PIN, the investor acknowledges and agrees that neither AIS nor AIM Distributors will be liable for any loss, expense or cost arising out of any internet transaction effected by them in accordance with any instructions submitted by a user who transmits the PIN as authentication of his or her identity. Procedures for verification of internet transactions include requests for confirmation of the shareholder's personal identification number and mailing of confirmations promptly after the transactions. The investor also acknowledges that the ability to effect internet transactions may be terminated at any time by the AIM Funds.
ABANDONED PROPERTY. It is the responsibility of the investor to ensure that AIS maintains a correct address for his account(s). An incorrect address may cause an investor's account statements and other mailings to be returned to AIS. Upon receiving returned mail, AIS will attempt to locate the investor or rightful owner of the account. If unsuccessful, AIS will retain a shareholder locator service with a national information database to conduct periodic searches for the investor. If the search firm is unable to locate the investor, the search firm will determine whether the investor's account has legally been abandoned. AIS is legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) abandoned property to the appropriate state's unclaimed property administrator in accordance with statutory requirements. The investor's last known address of record determines which state has jurisdiction.
OFFERING PRICE
The following formula may be used to determine the public offering price per Class A share of an investor's investment:
Net Asset Value/(1 - Sales Charge as % of Offering Price ) = Offering Price.
For example, at the close of business on October 31, 2003, AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund - Class A shares had a net asset value per share of $12.07. The offering price, assuming an initial sales charge of 5.50%, therefore was $12.77.
Calculation of Net Asset Value
Each Fund determines its net asset value per share once daily as of the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each business day of the Fund. In the event the NYSE closes early (i.e., before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on a particular day, each Fund determines its net asset value per share as of the close of the NYSE on such day. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, the Fund will generally use futures and options contract closing prices which are available fifteen (15) minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE. The Funds determine net asset value per share by dividing the value of a Fund's securities, cash and other assets (including interest accrued but not collected) attributable to a particular class, less all its liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends payable) attributable to that class, by the total number of shares outstanding of that class. Determination of a Fund's net asset value per share is made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Each security (excluding convertible bonds) held by a Fund is valued at its last sales price on the exchange where the security is principally traded or, lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market (but not including securities reported on the NASDAQ National Market System) is valued on the basis of prices furnished by independent pricing services or market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price on that day; option contracts are valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices on the exchange where the contracts are principally traded; futures contracts are valued at final settlement price quotations from the primary exchange on which they are traded. Debt securities (including convertible bonds) are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service. Prices provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, individual trading characteristics and other market data.
Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and ask prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are questionable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust's officers in a manner specifically authorized by the Board of Trustees. Short-term investments are valued at amortized cost when the security has 60 days or less to maturity.
Foreign securities are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If a development/event is so significant such that there is a
reasonably high degree of certainty as to both the effect and the degree of effect that the development/event has actually caused that closing price to no longer reflect actual value, the closing prices, as determined at the close of the applicable foreign market, may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the affected foreign securities as of the close of the NYSE as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Trustees. Adjustments to closing prices to reflect fair value on affected foreign securities may be provided by an independent pricing service. Multiple factors may be considered by the independent pricing service in determining adjustments to reflect fair value and may include information relating to sector indices, ADRs domestic and foreign index futures, and exchange-traded funds.
Fund securities primarily traded in foreign markets may be traded in such markets on days which are not business days of the Fund. Because the net asset value per share of each Fund is determined only on business days of the Fund, the net asset value per share of a Fund may be significantly affected on days when an investor cannot exchange or redeem shares of the Fund.
REDEMPTION IN KIND
AIM intends to redeem all shares of the Funds in cash. It is possible that future conditions may make it undesirable for a Fund to pay for redeemed shares in cash. In such cases, the Fund may make payment in securities or other property. If a Fund has made an election under Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund is obligated to redeem for cash all shares presented to such Fund for redemption by any one shareholder in an amount up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of that Fund's net assets in any 90-day period. Securities delivered in payment of redemptions are valued at the same value assigned to them in computing the applicable Fund's net asset value per share. Shareholders receiving such securities are likely to incur brokerage costs on their subsequent sales of such securities.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Accounts submitted without a correct, certified taxpayer identification number or, alternatively, a completed Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") Form W-8 (for non-resident aliens) or Form W-9 (certifying exempt status) accompanying the registration information will generally be subject to backup withholding.
Each AIM Fund, and other payers, generally must withhold 28% of redemption payments and reportable dividends (whether paid or accrued) in the case of any shareholder who fails to provide the Fund with a taxpayer identification number ("TIN") and a certification that he is not subject to backup withholding.
An investor is subject to backup withholding if:
1. the investor fails to furnish a correct TIN to the Fund;
2. the IRS notifies the Fund that the investor furnished an incorrect TIN;
3. the investor or the Fund is notified by the IRS that the investor is subject to backup withholding because the investor failed to report all of the interest and dividends on such investor's tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only);
4. the investor fails to certify to the Fund that the investor is not subject to backup withholding under (3) above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only); or
5. the investor does not certify his TIN. This applies only to non-exempt mutual fund accounts opened after 1983.
Interest and dividend payments are subject to backup withholding in all five situations discussed above. Redemption proceeds and long-term gain distributions are subject to backup withholding only if (1), (2) or (5) above applies.
Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting. AIM or AIS will not provide Form 1099 to those payees.
Investors should contact the IRS if they have any questions concerning withholding.
IRS PENALTIES - Investors who do not supply the AIM Funds with a correct TIN will be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the IRS unless such failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. If an investor falsifies information on this form or makes any other false statement resulting in no backup withholding on an account which should be subject to backup withholding, such investor may be subject to a $500 penalty imposed by the IRS and to certain criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.
NONRESIDENT ALIENS - Nonresident alien individuals and foreign entities are not subject to the backup withholding previously discussed, but must certify their foreign status by attaching IRS Form W-8 to their application. Form W-8 generally remains in effect for a period starting on the date the Form is signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year. Such shareholders may, however, be subject to federal income tax withholding at a 30% rate on ordinary income dividends and other distributions. Under applicable treaty law, residents of treaty countries may qualify for a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
It is the present policy of each Fund to declare and pay annually net investment income dividends and capital gain distributions. It is each Fund's intention to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and realized net capital gains. In determining the amount of capital gains, if any, available for distribution, capital gains will be offset against available net capital loss, if any, carried forward from previous fiscal periods. All dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the same class of each Fund unless the shareholder has requested in writing to receive such dividends and distributions in cash or that they be invested in shares of another AIM Fund, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Special Plans - Automatic Dividend Investment". Such dividends and distributions will be reinvested at the net asset value per share determined on the ex-dividend date. If a shareholder's account does not have any shares in it on a dividend or capital gain distribution payment date, the dividend or distribution will be paid in cash whether or not the shareholder has elected to have such dividends or distributions reinvested.
Distributions paid by a Fund, other than daily dividends, have the effect of reducing the net asset value per share on the ex-dividend date by the amount of the dividend or distribution. Therefore, a dividend or distribution declared shortly after a purchase of shares by an investor would represent, in
substance, a return of capital to the shareholder with respect to such shares even though it would be subject to income tax.
Dividends on Class B and Class C shares are expected to be lower than those for Class A shares because of higher distribution fees paid by Class B and Class C shares. Dividends on Class R shares may be lower than those for Class A shares, depending on whether the Class R shares pay higher distribution fees than the Class A shares. Other class-specific expenses may also affect dividends on shares of those classes. Expenses attributable to a particular class ("Class Expenses") include distribution plan expenses, which must be allocated to the class for which they are incurred. Other expenses may be allocated as Class Expenses, consistent with applicable legal principles under the 1940 Act and the Code.
TAX MATTERS
The following is only a summary of certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that are not described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of each Fund or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY. Each Fund has elected to be taxed under Subchapter M of the Code as a regulated investment company and intends to maintain its qualifications as such in each of its taxable years. As a regulated investment company, each Fund is not subject to federal income tax on the portion of its net investment income (i.e., taxable interest, dividends and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses) and capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of capital gains over capital losses) that it distributes to shareholders, provided that it distributes an amount equal to (i) at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (i.e., net investment income, net foreign currency ordinary gain or loss and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and (ii) at least 90% of the excess of its tax-exempt interest income under Code Section 103(a) over its deductions disallowed under Code Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) for the taxable year (the "Distribution Requirement"), and satisfies certain other requirements of the Code that are described below. Distributions by a Fund made during the taxable year or, under specified circumstances, within twelve months after the close of the taxable year, will be considered distributions of income and gain of the taxable year and can therefore satisfy the Distribution Requirement.
Each Fund may use "equalization accounting" in determining the portion of its net investment income and capital gain net income that has been distributed. A Fund that elects to use equalization accounting will allocate a portion of its realized investment income and capital gain to redemptions of Fund shares and will reduce the amount of such income and gain that it distributes in cash. However, each Fund intends to make cash distributions for each taxable year in an aggregate amount that is sufficient to satisfy the Distribution Requirement without taking into account its use of equalization accounting. The Internal Revenue Service has not published any guidance concerning the methods to be used in allocating investment income and capital gain to redemptions of shares. In the event that the Internal Revenue Service determines that a Fund is using an improper method of allocation and has underdistributed its net investment income and capital gain net income for any taxable year, such Fund may be liable for additional federal income tax.
In addition to satisfying the Distribution Requirement, a regulated
investment company must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends,
interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gain from the sale
or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies (to the extent
such currency gain is directly related to the regulated investment company's
principal business of investing in stock or securities) and other income
(including, but not limited to, gain from options, futures or forward contracts)
derived from its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies
(the "Income Requirement"). Under certain circumstances, a Fund may be required
to sell portfolio holdings to meet this requirement.
In addition to satisfying the requirements described above, each Fund must satisfy an asset diversification test in order to qualify as a regulated investment company (the "Asset Diversification Test"). Under this test, at the close of each quarter of each Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund's assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers, as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets in securities of such issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses.
For purposes of the Asset Diversification Test, the IRS has ruled that the issuer of a purchased listed call option on stock is the issuer of the stock underlying the option. The IRS has also informally ruled that, in general, the issuers of purchased or written call and put options on securities, of long and short positions on futures contracts on securities and of options on such future contracts are the issuers of the securities underlying such financial instruments where the instruments are traded on an exchange.
Where the writer of a listed call option owns the underlying securities, the IRS has ruled that the Asset Diversification Test will be applied solely to such securities and not to the value of the option itself. With respect to options on securities indexes, futures contracts on securities indexes and options on such futures contracts, the IRS has informally ruled that the issuers of such options and futures contracts are the separate entities whose securities are listed on the index, in proportion to the weighing of securities in the computation of the index. It is unclear under present law who should be treated as the issuer of forward foreign currency exchange contracts, of options on foreign currencies, or of foreign currency futures and related options. It has been suggested that the issuer in each case may be the foreign central bank or the foreign government backing the particular currency. Due to this uncertainty and because the Funds may not rely on informal rulings of the IRS, the Funds may find it necessary to seek a ruling from the IRS as to the application of the Asset Diversification Test to certain of the foregoing types of financial instruments or to limit its holdings of some or all such instruments in order to stay within the limits of such test.
If for any taxable year a Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions will be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of such Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions generally will be eligible for the dividends received deduction (to the extent discussed below) in the case of corporate shareholders and will be included in the qualified dividend income of noncorporate shareholders. See "Fund Distributions" below.
DETERMINATION OF TAXABLE INCOME OF A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY. In general, gain or loss recognized by a Fund on the disposition of an asset will be a capital gain or loss. However, gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by a Fund at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount which accrued during the period of time the Fund held the debt obligation unless the Fund made an election to accrue market discount into income. If a Fund purchases a debt obligation that was originally issued at a discount, the Fund is generally required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount which accrues during such year. In addition, under the rules of Code Section 988, gain or loss recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation denominated in a foreign currency or an option with respect thereto (but only to the extent attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates), and gain or loss recognized on the disposition of a foreign currency forward contract or of foreign currency itself, will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss (except in certain cases for which an election is made to treat gain/loss as capital.
Certain hedging transactions that may be engaged in by certain of the Funds (such as short sales "against the box") may be subject to special tax treatment as "constructive sales" under Section 1259 of the Code if a Fund holds certain "appreciated financial positions" (defined generally as any interest
(including a futures or forward contract, short sale or option) with respect to stock, certain debt instruments, or partnership interests if there would be a gain were such interest sold, assigned, or otherwise terminated at its fair market value). Upon entering into a constructive sales transaction with respect to an appreciated financial position, a Fund will generally be deemed to have constructively sold such appreciated financial position and will recognize gain as if such position were sold, assigned, or otherwise terminated at its fair market value on the date of such constructive sale (and will take into account any gain for the taxable year which includes such date).
Some of the forward foreign currency exchange contracts, options and
futures contracts that certain of the Funds may enter into will be subject to
special tax treatment as "Section 1256 contracts." Section 1256 contracts that a
Fund holds are treated as if they are sold for their fair market value on the
last business day of the taxable year, regardless of whether a taxpayer's
obligations (or rights) under such contracts have terminated (by delivery,
exercise, entering into a closing transaction or otherwise) as of such date. Any
gain or loss recognized as a consequence of the year-end deemed disposition of
Section 1256 contracts is combined with any other gain or loss that was
previously recognized upon the termination of Section 1256 contracts during that
taxable year. The net amount of such gain or loss for the entire taxable year
(including gain or loss arising as a consequence of the year-end deemed sale of
such contracts) is deemed to be 60% long-term and 40% short-term gain or loss.
However, in the case of Section 1256 contracts that are forward foreign currency
exchange contracts, the net gain or loss is separately determined and (as
discussed above) generally treated as ordinary income or loss. If such a future
or option is held as an offsetting position and can be considered a straddle
under Section 1092 of the Code, such a straddle will constitute a mixed
straddle. A mixed straddle will be subject to both Section 1256 and Section 1092
unless certain elections are made by the Fund.
Other hedging transactions in which the Funds may engage may result in "straddles" or "conversion transactions" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The straddle and conversion transaction rules may affect the character of gains (or in the case of the straddle rules, losses) realized by the Funds. In addition, losses realized by the Funds on positions that are part of a straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into account in calculating the taxable income for the taxable year in which the losses are realized. Because only a few regulations implementing the straddle rules and the conversion transaction rules have been promulgated, the tax consequences to the Funds of hedging transactions are not entirely clear. The hedging transactions may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by the Funds (and, if they are conversion transactions, the amount of ordinary income) which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders.
Because application of any of the foregoing rules governing Section 1256 contracts, constructive sales, straddle and conversion transactions may affect the character of gains or losses, defer losses and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected investment or straddle positions, the taxable income of a Fund may exceed its book income. Accordingly, the amount which must be distributed to shareholders and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or long-term capital gain may also differ from the book income of a Fund and may be increased or decreased as compared to a fund that did not engage in such transactions.
EXCISE TAX ON REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES. A 4% non-deductible excise tax is imposed on a regulated investment company that fails to distribute in each calendar year an amount equal to 98% of ordinary taxable income for the calendar year and 98% of capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses) for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year (or, at the election of a regulated investment company having a taxable year ending November 30 or December 31, for its taxable year (a "taxable year election")). The balance of such income must be distributed during the next calendar year. For the foregoing purposes, a regulated investment company is treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to income tax for any taxable year ending in such calendar year.
For purposes of the excise tax, a regulated investment company shall
(1) reduce its capital gain net income (but not below its net capital gain) by
the amount of any net ordinary loss for the calendar year and (2) exclude
Section 988 foreign currency gains and losses incurred after October 31 (or
after the end
of its taxable year if it has made a taxable year election) in determining the amount of ordinary taxable income for the current calendar year (and, instead, include such gains and losses in determining ordinary taxable income for the succeeding calendar year).
Each Fund generally intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of its ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for the excise tax. However, in the event that the Internal Revenue Service determines that a Fund is using an improper method of allocation for purposes of equalization accounting (as discussed above), such Fund may be liable for excise tax. Moreover, investors should note that a Fund may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate portfolio investments to make sufficient distributions to avoid excise tax liability. In addition, under certain circumstances, a Fund may elect to pay a minimal amount of excise tax.
PFIC INVESTMENTS. The Funds are permitted to invest in foreign equity securities and thus may invest in stocks of foreign companies that are classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs"). In general, a foreign company is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income.
The application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the character of gain, the amount of gain or loss and the timing of the recognition and character of income with respect to PFIC stock, as well as subject the Funds themselves to tax on certain income from PFIC stock. For these reasons the amount that must be distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC stock.
SWAP AGREEMENTS. Each Fund may enter into swap agreements. The rules governing the tax aspects of swap agreements are in a developing stage and are not entirely clear in certain respects. Accordingly, while a Fund intends to account for such transactions in a manner deemed to be appropriate, the IRS might not accept such treatment. If it did not, the status of a Fund as a regulated investment company might be affected. Each Fund intends to monitor developments in this area. Certain requirements that must be met under the Code in order for a Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit the extent to which the Fund will be able to engage in swap agreements.
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS. Each Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income for each taxable year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income and treated as dividends for federal income tax purposes, but they will qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction for corporations and as qualified dividend income for individuals and other noncorporate taxpayers to the extent discussed below.
A Fund may either retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain (net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) for each taxable year. Each Fund currently intends to distribute any such amounts. If net capital gain is distributed and designated as a capital gain dividend, it will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain (currently taxable at a maximum rate of 15% for noncorporate shareholders) regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held his shares or whether such gain was recognized by the Fund prior to the date on which the shareholder acquired his shares. However, certain capital gain dividends distributed to noncorporate shareholders for the Fund's fiscal year ending October 31, 2003 may be taxable at a maximum rate of 20%. Conversely, if a Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carry forwards) at the 35% corporate tax rate. If a Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
Ordinary income dividends paid by a Fund with respect to a taxable year will qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction generally available to corporations (other than corporations, such as "S" corporations, which are not eligible for the deduction because of their special characteristics and other than for purposes of special taxes such as the accumulated earnings tax and the personal holding company tax) to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. However, the alternative minimum tax applicable to corporations may reduce the value of the dividends received deduction.
Ordinary income dividends paid by a Fund to individuals and other noncorporate taxpayers will be treated as qualified dividend income that is subject to tax at a maximum rate of 15% to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations and from foreign corporations that are either incorporated in a possession of the United States, or are eligible for benefits under certain income tax treaties with the United States that include an exchange of information program. In addition, qualifying dividends include dividends paid with respect to stock of a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. However, dividends received by the Fund from foreign personal holding companies, foreign investment companies or PFICs are not qualifying dividends. If the qualifying dividend income received by a Fund is equal to 95% (or a greater percentage) of the Fund's gross income (exclusive of net capital gain) in any taxable year, all of the ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund will be qualifying dividend income.
Alternative minimum tax ("AMT") is imposed in addition to, but only to the extent it exceeds, the regular tax and is computed at a maximum rate of 28% for non-corporate taxpayers and 20% for corporate taxpayers on the excess of the taxpayer's alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI") over an exemption amount. However, the AMT on capital gain dividends and qualified dividend income paid by a Fund to a noncorporate shareholder may not exceed a maximum rate of 15%. The corporate dividends received deduction is not itself an item of tax preference that must be added back to taxable income or is otherwise disallowed in determining a corporation's AMTI. However, corporate shareholders will generally be required to take the full amount of any dividend received from the Fund into account (without a dividends received deduction) in determining their adjusted current earnings, which are used in computing an additional corporate preference item (i.e., 75% of the excess of a corporate taxpayer's adjusted current earnings over its AMTI (determined without regard to this item and the AMTI net operating loss deduction)) that is includable in AMTI. However, certain small corporations are wholly exempt from the AMT.
Distributions by a Fund that do not constitute earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder's tax basis in his shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his shares.
Distributions by a Fund will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund (or of another Fund). Shareholders receiving a distribution in the form of additional shares will be treated as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received, determined as of the reinvestment date.
Ordinarily, shareholders are required to take distributions by a Fund into account in the year in which the distributions are made. However, dividends declared in October, November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month will be deemed to have been received by the shareholders (and made by the Fund) on December 31 of such calendar year if such dividends are actually paid in January of the following year. Shareholders will be advised annually as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of distributions made (or deemed made) during the year in accordance with the guidance that has been provided by the IRS.
If the net asset value of shares is reduced below a shareholder's cost as a result of a distribution by a Fund, such distribution generally will be taxable even though it represents a return of invested
capital. Investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of buying shares of a Fund just prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at this time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing just prior to a distribution will receive a distribution which generally will be taxable to them.
SALE OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES. A shareholder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or redemption of shares of a Fund in an amount equal to the difference between the proceeds of the sale or redemption and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares. All or a portion of any loss so recognized may be deferred under the wash sale rules if the shareholder purchases other shares of the Fund within 30 days before or after the sale or redemption. In general, any gain or loss arising from (or treated as arising from) the sale or redemption of shares of a Fund will be considered capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for longer than one year. Currently, any long-term capital gain recognized by a non-corporate shareholder will be subject to tax at a maximum rate of 15%. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or redemption of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received on such shares. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a non-corporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.
If a shareholder (a) incurs a sales load in acquiring shares of a Fund,
(b) disposes of such shares less than 91 days after they are acquired, and (c)
subsequently acquires shares of the Fund or another fund at a reduced sales load
pursuant to a right to reinvest at such reduced sales load acquired in
connection with the acquisition of the shares disposed of, then the sales load
on the shares disposed of (to the extent of the reduction in the sales load on
the shares subsequently acquired) shall not be taken into account in determining
gain or loss on the shares disposed of, but shall be treated as incurred on the
acquisition of the shares subsequently acquired. The wash sale rules may also
limit the amount of loss that may be taken into account on disposition after
such adjustment.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. The Funds may be required to withhold 28% of taxable distributions and/or redemption payments. For more information refer to "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares - Backup Withholding."
FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS. Taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, foreign trust or estate, foreign corporation, or foreign partnership ("foreign shareholder"), depends on whether the income from a Fund is "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such shareholder. If the income from a Fund is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, distributions (other than distributions of long-term capital gain) will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) upon the gross amount of the distribution. Such a foreign shareholder would generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on gain realized on the redemption of shares of a Fund, capital gain dividends and amounts retained by a Fund that are designated as undistributed net capital gain.
If the income from a Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and any gains realized upon the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations.
In the case of foreign non-corporate shareholders, a Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 28% on distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate) unless such shareholders furnish the Fund with proper notification of their foreign status.
Foreign shareholders may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% on the income resulting from a Fund's election to treat any foreign income tax paid by it as paid by its shareholders, but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction with respect to the withholding tax for the foreign tax treated as having been paid by them.
Foreign persons who file a United States tax return to obtain a U.S. tax refund and who are not eligible to obtain a social security number must apply to the IRS for an individual taxpayer identification number, using IRS Form W-7. For a copy of the IRS Form W-7 and accompanying instructions, please contact your tax adviser or the IRS.
Transfers by gift of shares of a Fund by a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to U.S. federal gift tax. An individual who, at the time of death, is a foreign shareholder will nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal estate tax with respect to shares at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens and residents, unless a treaty exception applies. In the absence of a treaty, there is a $13,000 statutory estate tax credit.
The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described herein. Foreign shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund, including the applicability of foreign tax.
FOREIGN INCOME TAX. Investment income received by each Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income tax withheld at the source. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which entitle the Funds to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, tax on such income. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of a Fund's assets to be invested in various countries is not known.
If more than 50% of the value of a Fund's total assets at the close of each taxable year consists of the stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the amount of foreign income tax paid by the Fund (the "Foreign Tax Election"). Pursuant to the Foreign Tax Election, shareholders will be required (i) to include in gross income, even though not actually received, their respective pro-rata shares of the foreign income tax paid by the Fund that are attributable to any distributions they receive; and (ii) either to deduct their pro-rata share of foreign tax in computing their taxable income, or to use it (subject to various Code limitations) as a foreign tax credit against Federal income tax (but not both). No deduction for foreign tax may be claimed by a non-corporate shareholder who does not itemize deductions or who is subject to alternative minimum tax.
Unless certain requirements are met, a credit for foreign tax is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder's U.S. tax (determined without regard to the availability of the credit) attributable to the shareholder's foreign source taxable income. In determining the source and character of distributions received from a Fund for this purpose, shareholders will be required to allocate Fund distributions according to the source of the income realized by the Fund. Each Fund's gain from the sale of stock and securities and certain currency fluctuation gain and loss will generally be treated as derived from U.S. sources. In addition, the limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source "passive" income, such as dividend income, and the portion of foreign source income consisting of qualified dividend income is reduced by approximately 57% to account for the tax rate differential. Individuals who have no more than $300 ($600 for married persons filing jointly) of creditable foreign tax included on Form 1099 and whose foreign source income is all "qualified passive income" may elect each year to be exempt from the foreign tax credit limitation and will be able to claim a foreign tax credit without filing Form 1116 with its corresponding requirement to report income and tax by country. Moreover, no foreign tax credit will be allowable to any shareholder who has not held his shares of the Fund for at least 16 days during the 30-day period beginning 15 days before the day such shares become ex-dividend with respect to any Fund distribution to which foreign income taxes are attributed (taking into account certain holding period reduction requirements of the Code). Because of these limitations, shareholders may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate shares of the foreign income tax paid by a Fund.
EFFECT OF FUTURE LEGISLATION; LOCAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS. The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on February 27, 2004. Future legislative or administrative changes or court
decisions may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.
Rules of state and local taxation of ordinary income, qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends may differ from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder's particular situation. Non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to U.S. tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in the Funds.
DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The Trust has adopted distribution plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to each Fund's Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, Class R shares and Investor Class shares, if applicable (collectively the "Plans"). Each Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays AIM Distributors compensation at the annual rate, shown immediately below, of the Fund's average daily net assets of the applicable class.
INVESTOR FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R CLASS ---- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.35% 1.00% 1.00% N/A N/A AIM European Growth Fund 0.35 1.00 1.00 0.50% 0.25% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.50 1.00 1.00 N/A N/A AIM Global Growth Fund 0.50 1.00 1.00 N/A N/A AIM International Growth Fund 0.30 1.00 1.00 0.50 N/A |
All of the Plans compensate AIM Distributors for the purpose of financing any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Funds. Such activities include, but are not limited to, the following: printing of prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports for other than existing shareholders; overhead; preparation and distribution of advertising material and sales literature; expenses of organizing and conducting sales seminars; supplemental payments to dealers and other institutions such as asset-based sales charges or as payments of service fees under shareholder service arrangements; and costs of administering each Plan.
Amounts payable by a Fund under the Plans need not be directly related to the expenses actually incurred by AIM Distributors on behalf of each Fund. The Plans do not obligate the Funds to reimburse AIM Distributors for the actual expenses AIM Distributors may incur in fulfilling its obligations under the Plans. Thus, even if AIM Distributors' actual expenses exceed the fee payable to AIM Distributors at any given time, the Funds will not be obligated to pay more than that fee. If AIM Distributors' expenses are less than the fee it receives, AIM Distributors will retain the full amount of the fee.
AIM Distributors may from time to time waive or reduce any portion of its 12b-1 fee for Class A, Class C, Class R or Investor Class shares. Voluntary fee waivers or reductions may be rescinded at any time without further notice to investors. During periods of voluntary fee waivers or reductions, AIM Distributors will retain its ability to be reimbursed for such fee prior to the end of each fiscal year. Contractual fee waivers or reductions set forth in the Fee Table in a Prospectus may not be terminated or amended to the Funds' detriment during the period stated in the agreement between AIM Distributors and the Fund.
The Funds may pay a service fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Investor Class shares attributable to the customers of selected dealers and financial institutions to such dealers and financial institutions, including AIM Distributors, acting as principal, who furnish continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own
the applicable class of shares of the Fund. Under the terms of a shareholder service agreement, such personal shareholder services include responding to customer inquiries and providing customers with information about their investments. Any amounts not paid as a service fee under each Plan would constitute an asset-based sales charge.
AIM Distributors may pay dealers and institutions who sell Class R shares an annual fee of 0.50% of average daily net assets. These payments will consist of an asset-based fee of 0.25% and a service fee of 0.25% and will commence either on the thirteenth month after the first purchase, on accounts on which a dealer concession was paid, or immediately, on accounts on which a dealer concession was not paid. If AIM Distributors pays a dealer concession, it will retain all payments received by it relating to Class R shares for the first year after they are purchased. AIM Distributors will make quarterly payments to dealers and institutions based on the average net asset value of Class R shares which are attributable to shareholders for whom the dealers and institutions are designated as dealers of record.
Under a Shareholder Service Agreement, a Fund agrees to pay periodically fees to selected dealers and other institutions who render the foregoing services to their customers. The fees payable under a Shareholder Service Agreement will be calculated at the end of each payment period for each business day of the Funds during such period at the annual rate specified in each agreement based on the average daily net asset value of the Funds' shares purchased or acquired through exchange. Fees shall be paid only to those selected dealers or other institutions who are dealers or institutions of record at the close of business on the last business day of the applicable payment period for the account in which such Fund's shares are held.
Selected dealers and other institutions entitled to receive compensation for selling Fund shares may receive different compensation for selling shares of one particular class over another. Under the Plans, certain financial institutions which have entered into service agreements and which sell shares of the Funds on an agency basis, may receive payments from the Funds pursuant to the respective Plans. AIM Distributors does not act as principal, but rather as agent for the Funds, in making dealer incentive and shareholder servicing payments to dealers and other financial institutions under the Plans. These payments are an obligation of the Funds and not of AIM Distributors.
Payments pursuant to the Plans are subject to any applicable limitations imposed by rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").
See Appendix J for a list of the amounts paid by each class of shares of each Fund to AIM Distributors pursuant to the Plans for the year ended October 31, 2002 and Appendix K for an estimate by category of the allocation of actual fees paid by each class of shares of each Fund pursuant to its respective distribution plan for the year ended October 31, 2003.
As required by Rule 12b-1, the Plans and related forms of Shareholder Service Agreements were approved by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or in any agreements related to the Plans (the "Rule 12b-1 Trustees"). In approving the Plans in accordance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1, the trustees considered various factors and determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans would benefit each class of the Funds and its respective shareholders.
The anticipated benefits that may result from the Plans with respect to each Fund and/or the classes of each Fund and its shareholders include but are not limited to the following: (1) rapid account access; (2) relatively predictable flow of cash; and (3) a well-developed, dependable network of shareholder service agents to help to curb sharp fluctuations in rates of redemptions and sales, thereby reducing the chance that an unanticipated increase in net redemptions could adversely affect the performance of each Fund.
Unless terminated earlier in accordance with their terms, the Plans continue from year to year as long as such continuance is specifically approved, in person, at least annually by the Board of Trustees,
including a majority of the Rule 12b-1Trustees. A Plan may be terminated as to any Fund or class by the vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or, with respect to a particular class, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that class.
Any change in the Plans that would increase materially the distribution expenses paid by the applicable class requires shareholder approval; otherwise, the Plans may be amended by the trustees, including a majority of the Rule 12b-1Trustees, by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting upon such amendment. As long as the Plans are in effect, the selection or nomination of the Independent Trustees is committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees.
The Class B Plan obligates Class B shares to continue to make payments to AIM Distributors following termination of the Class B shares Distribution Agreement with respect to Class B shares sold by or attributable to the distribution efforts of AIM Distributors or its predecessors, unless there has been a complete termination of the Class B Plan (as defined in such Plan) and the Class B Plan expressly authorizes AIM Distributors to assign, transfer or pledge its rights to payments pursuant to the Class B Plan.
DISTRIBUTOR
The Trust has entered into master distribution agreements, as amended, relating to the Funds (the "Distribution Agreements") with AIM Distributors, a registered broker-dealer and a wholly owned subsidiary of AIM, pursuant to which AIM Distributors acts as the distributor of shares of the Funds. The address of AIM Distributors is P.O. Box 4739, Houston, Texas 77210-4739. Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are affiliated with AIM Distributors. See "Management of theTrust."
The Distribution Agreements provide AIM Distributors with the exclusive right to distribute shares of the Funds on a continuous basis directly and through other broker dealers with whom AIM Distributors has entered into selected dealer agreements. AIM Distributors has not undertaken to sell any specified number of shares of any classes of the Funds.
AIM Distributors expects to pay sales commissions from its own resources to dealers and institutions who sell Class B, Class C shares of the Funds at the time of such sales.
Payments with respect to Class B shares will equal 4.00% of the purchase price of the Class B shares sold by the dealer or institution, and will consist of a sales commission equal to 3.75% of the purchase price of the Class B shares sold plus an advance of the first year service fee of 0.25% with respect to such shares. The portion of the payments to AIM Distributors under the Class B Plan which constitutes an asset-based sales charge (0.75%) is intended in part to permit AIM Distributors to recoup a portion of such sales commissions plus financing costs. In the future, if multiple distributors serve a Fund, each such distributor (or its assignee or transferee) would receive a share of the payments under the Class B Plan based on the portion of the Fund's Class B shares sold by or attributable to the distribution efforts of that distributor.
AIM Distributors may pay sales commissions to dealers and institutions who sell Class C shares of the AIM Funds at the time of such sales. Payments with respect to Class C shares will equal 1.00% of the purchase price of the Class C shares sold by the dealer or institution, and will consist of a sales commission of 0.75% of the purchase price of the Class C shares sold plus an advance of the first year service fee of 0.25% with respect to such shares. AIM Distributors will retain all payments received by it relating to Class C shares for the first year after they are purchased. The portion of the payments to AIM Distributors under the Class A, Class C and Class R Plan attributable to Class C shares which constitutes an asset-based sales charge (0.75%) is intended in part to permit AIM Distributors to recoup a portion of the sales commissions to dealers plus financing costs, if any. After the first full year, AIM Distributors will make quarterly payments to dealers and institutions based on the average net asset value of Class C shares which are attributable to shareholders for whom the dealers and institutions are designated as dealers of record. These payments will consist of an asset-based sales charge of 0.75% and a service fee of 0.25%.
The Trust (on behalf of any class of any Fund) or AIM Distributors may terminate the Distribution Agreements on 60 days' written notice without penalty. The Distribution Agreements will terminate automatically in the event of their assignment. In the event the Class B shares Distribution Agreement is terminated, AIM Distributors would continue to receive payments of asset-based distribution fees in respect of the outstanding Class B shares attributable to the distribution efforts of AIM Distributors or its predecessors; provided, however that a complete termination of the Class B Plan (as defined in such Plan) would terminate all payments to AIM Distributors. Termination of the Class B Plan or the Distribution Agreement for Class B shares would not affect the obligation of Class B shareholders to pay contingent deferred sales charges.
Total sales charges (front end and contingent deferred sales charges) paid in connection with the sale of shares of each class of each Fund, if applicable, for the last three fiscal years ending October 31 are found in Appendix L.
CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA
Although performance data may be useful to prospective investors when comparing a Fund's performance with other funds and other potential investments, investors should note that the methods of computing performance of other potential investments are not necessarily comparable to the methods employed by a Fund.
Average Annual Total Return Quotation
The standard formula for calculating average annual total return is as follows:
n P(1+T) =ERV
Where P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; T = average annual total return (assuming the applicable maximum sales load is deducted at the beginning of the one, five, or ten year periods); n = number of years; and ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment at the end of the one, five, or ten year periods (or fractional portion of such period). |
The average annual total returns for each Fund, with respect to its Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Investor Class shares, if applicable, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are found in Appendix M.
Total returns quoted in advertising reflect all aspects of a Fund's return, including the effect of reinvesting dividends and capital gain distributions, and any change in the Fund's net asset value per share over the period. Cumulative total return reflects the performance of a Fund over a stated period of time. Average annual total returns are calculated by determining the growth or decline in value of a hypothetical investment in a Fund over a stated period of time, and then calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period.
Each Fund's total return is calculated in accordance with a standardized formula for computation of annualized total return. Standardized total return for: (1) Class A shares reflects the deduction of a Fund's maximum front-end sales charge at the time of purchase; (2) Class B and Class C shares reflects the deduction of the maximum applicable CDSC on a redemption of shares held for the period; (3) Class R shares does not reflect a deduction of any sales charge since that class is generally sold and redeemed at net asset value; and (4) Investor Class shares does not reflect a deduction of any sales charge since that class is sold and redeemed at net asset value.
A Fund's total return shows its overall change in value, including changes in share price and assuming all the Fund's dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested. A cumulative total return reflects the Fund's performance over a stated period of time. An average annual total return reflects the hypothetical compounded annual rate of return that would have produced the same cumulative total return if the Fund's performance had been constant over the entire period. Because average annual returns tend to even out variations in the Fund's return, investors should recognize that such returns are not the same as actual year-by-year results. To illustrate the components of overall performance, a Fund may separate its cumulative and average annual returns into income results and capital gains or losses.
Alternative Total Return Quotations
Standard total return quotes may be accompanied by total return figures calculated by alternative methods. For example, average annual total return may be calculated without assuming payment of the full sales load according to the following formula:
n P(1+U) =ERV
Where P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; U = average annual total return assuming payment of only a stated portion of, or none of, the applicable maximum sales load at the beginning of the stated period; n = number of years; and ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment at the end of the stated period. |
Cumulative total return across a stated period may be calculated as follows:
P(1+V)=ERV
Where P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; V = cumulative total return assuming payment of all of, a stated portion of, or none of, the applicable maximum sales load at the beginning of the stated period; and ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment at the end of the stated period. |
The cumulative total returns for each Fund, with respect to its Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Investor Class shares, if applicable, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are found in Appendix M.
Calculation of Certain Performance Data
Funds offering Class R shares may use a restated or a blended performance calculation to derive certain performance data shown in this Statement of Additional Information and in the Fund's advertisements and other sales material. If the Funds' Class R shares were not offered to the public during the performance period covered, the performance data shown will be the restated historical performance of the Funds' Class A shares at net asset value, adjusted to reflect the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class R shares. If the Funds' Class R shares were offered to the public only during a portion of the performance period covered, the performance data shown will be the blended returns of the historical performance of the Funds' Class R shares since their inception and the restated historical performance of the Funds' Class A shares (for periods prior to inception of the Class R shares) at net asset value, adjusted to reflect the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class R shares. If the Funds' Class R shares were offered to the public during the entire performance period covered, the performance data shown will be the historical performance of the Funds' Class R shares.
AIM European Growth Fund may also use a restated or a blended performance calculation to derive certain performance data shown for its Investor Class shares in this Statement of Additional Information and in the Fund's advertisements and other sales material. If the Fund's Investor Class shares were not offered to the public during the performance period covered, the performance data shown will be the restated historical performance of the Fund's Class A shares at net asset value and reflecting the Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class A shares. If the Fund's Investor Class shares were offered to the public only during a portion of the performance period covered, the performance data shown will be the blended returns of the historical performance of the Fund's Investor Class shares since their inception and the restated historical performance of the Fund's Class A shares (for periods prior to inception of the Investor Class shares) at net asset value and reflecting the Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class A shares. If the Fund's Investor Class shares were offered to the public during the entire performance period covered, the performance data shown will be the historical performance of the Fund's Investor Class shares.
A restated or blended performance calculation may be used to derive (i)
each Fund's standardized average annual total returns over a stated period and
(ii) each Fund's non-standardized cumulative total returns over a stated period.
Average Annual Total Return (After Taxes on Distributions) Quotations
A Fund's average annual total return (after taxes on distributions) shows its overall change in value, including changes in share price and assuming all the Fund's dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested. It reflects the deduction of federal income taxes on distributions, but not on redemption proceeds. Average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions) are calculated by determining the after-tax growth or decline in value of a hypothetical investment in a Fund over a stated period of time, and then calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period. Because average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions) tend to even out variations in the Fund's return, investors should recognize that such returns are not the same as actual year-by-year results. To illustrate the components of overall performance, a Fund may separate its average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions) into income results and capital gains or losses.
The standard formula for calculating average annual total return (after taxes on distributions) is:
n P(1+T) = ATV
D
where P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; T = average annual total return (after taxes on distributions); N = number of years; and ATV = ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at D the beginning of the one, five, or ten year periods (or since inception if applicable) at the end of the one, five, or ten year periods (or since inception if applicable), after taxes on fund distributions but not after taxes on redemption. |
Standardized average annual total return (after taxes on distributions) for: (1) Class A shares reflects the deduction of a Fund's maximum front-end sales charge at the time of purchase; (2) Class B and Class C shares reflects the deduction of the maximum applicable CDSC on a redemption of shares held for the period; and (3) Investor Class shares does not reflect a deduction of any sales charge since that class is sold and redeemed at net asset value.
The after-tax returns assume all distributions by a Fund, less the taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at the price calculated as stated in the prospectus on the reinvestment dates during the period. Taxes on a Fund's distributions are calculated by applying to each component of the distribution (e.g., ordinary income and long-term capital gain) the highest corresponding individual marginal federal income tax rates in effect on the reinvestment date. The taxable amount and tax
character of each distribution is as specified by the Fund on the dividend declaration date, but reflects any subsequent recharacterizations of distributions. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, are also taken into account. The calculations only reflect federal taxes, and thus do not reflect state and local taxes or the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax.
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions) for each Fund, with respect to its Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares, for the one, five, and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are found in Appendix M.
Average Annual Total Return (After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares) Quotations
A Fund's average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares) shows its overall change in value, including changes in share price and assuming all the Fund's dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested. It reflects the deduction of federal income taxes on both distributions and proceeds. Average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption) are calculated by determining the after-tax growth or decline in value of a hypothetical investment in a Fund over a stated period of time, and then calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period. Because average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption) tend to even out variations in the Fund's return, investors should recognize that such returns are not the same as actual year-by-year results. To illustrate the components of overall performance, a Fund may separate its average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption) into income results and capital gains or losses.
The standard formula for calculating average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and redemption) is:
n P(1+T) =ATV
DR
where P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; T = average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and redemption); n = number of years; and ATV = ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at DR the beginning of the one, five, or ten year periods (or since inception if applicable) at the end of the one, five, or ten year periods (or since inception if applicable), after taxes on fund distributions and redemption. |
Standardized average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and redemption) for: (1) Class A shares reflects the deduction of a Fund's maximum front-end sales charge at the time of purchase; (2) Class B and Class C shares reflects the deduction of the maximum applicable CDSC on a redemption of shares held for the period; and (3) Investor Class shares do not reflect a deduction of any sales charge since that class is generally sold and redeemed at net asset value.
The after-tax returns assume all distributions by a Fund, less the taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at the price calculated as stated in the prospectus on the reinvestment dates during the period. Taxes due on the Fund's distributions are calculated by applying to each component of the distribution (e.g., ordinary income and long-term capital gain) the highest corresponding individual marginal federal income tax rates in effect on the reinvestment date. The taxable amount and tax character of each distribution is as specified by the Fund on the dividend declaration date, but reflects any subsequent recharacterizations of distributions. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, are also taken into account. The calculations only reflect federal taxes, and thus do not reflect state and local taxes or the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax.
The ending values for each period assume a complete liquidation of all shares. The ending values for each period are determined by subtracting capital gains taxes resulting from the sale of Fund shares and adding the tax benefit from capital losses resulting form the sale of Fund shares. The capital
gain or loss upon sale of Fund shares is calculated by subtracting the tax basis from the proceeds. Capital gains taxes (or the benefit resulting from tax losses) are calculated using the highest federal individual capital gains tax rate for gains of the appropriate character (e.g., ordinary income or long-term) in effect on the date of the sale of Fund shares and in accordance with federal tax law applicable on that date. The calculations assume that a shareholder may deduct all capital losses in full.
The basis of shares acquired through the $1,000 initial investment are tracked separately from subsequent purchases through reinvested distributions. The basis for a reinvested distribution is the distribution net of taxes paid on the distribution. Tax basis is adjusted for any distributions representing returns of capital and for any other tax basis adjustments that would apply to an individual taxpayer.
The amount and character (i.e., short-term or long-term) of capital gain or loss upon sale of Fund shares is determined separately for shares acquired through the $1,000 initial investment and each subsequent purchase through reinvested distributions. The tax character is determined by the length of the measurement period in the case of the initial $1,000 investment and the length of the period between reinvestment and the end of the measurement period in the case of reinvested distributions.
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption) for each Fund, with respect to its Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares, for the one, five, and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are found in Appendix M.
Performance Information
All advertisements of the Funds will disclose the maximum sales charge (including deferred sales charges) imposed on purchases of a Fund's shares. If any advertised performance data does not reflect the maximum sales charge (if any), such advertisement will disclose that the sales charge has not been deducted in computing the performance data, and that, if reflected, the maximum sales charge would reduce the performance quoted. Further information regarding each Fund's performance is contained in that Fund's annual report to shareholders, which is available upon request and without charge.
From time to time, AIM or its affiliates may waive all or a portion of their fees and/or assume certain expenses of any Fund. Fee waivers or reductions or commitments to reduce expenses will have the effect of increasing that Fund's yield and total return.
Certain Funds may participate in the initial public offering (IPO) market in some market cycles. Because of these Funds' small asset bases, any investment the Funds may make in IPOs may significantly affect these Funds' total returns. As the Funds' assets grow, the impact of IPO investments will decline, which may reduce the effect of IPO investments on the Funds' total returns.
The performance of each Fund will vary from time to time and past results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
Total return and yield figures for the Funds are neither fixed nor guaranteed. The Funds may provide performance information in reports, sales literature and advertisements. The Funds may also, from time to time, quote information about the Funds published or aired by publications or other media entities which contain articles or segments relating to investment results or other data about one or more of the Funds. The following is a list of such publications or media entities:
Advertising Age Forbes Nation's Business Barron's Fortune New York Times Best's Review Hartford Courant Pension World Broker World Inc. Pensions & Investments Business Week Institutional Investor Personal Investor Changing Times Insurance Forum Philadelphia Inquirer Christian Science Monitor Insurance Week USA Today Consumer Reports Investor's Business Daily U.S. News & World Report |
Economist Journal of the American Wall Street Journal FACS of the Week Society of CLU & ChFC Washington Post Financial Planning Kiplinger Letter CNN Financial Product News Money CNBC Financial Services Week Mutual Fund Forecaster PBS Financial World |
Each Fund may also compare its performance to performance data of similar mutual funds as published by the following services:
Bank Rate Monitor Stanger Donoghue's Weisenberger Mutual Fund Values (Morningstar) Lipper, Inc. |
Each Fund's performance may also be compared in advertising to the performance of comparative benchmarks such as the following:
Consumer Price Index EAFE Growth Index Dow Jones Industrial Average Europe Index Lipper European Funds Index Europe Growth Index Lipper Global Fund Index World Index Lipper Global Small Cap Category World Growth Index Lipper International Fund Index NASDAQ Lipper Pacific Ex-Japan Index Russell 2000 Stock Index Morgan Stanley Capital International Indices Standard & Poor's Composite Index including: of 500 Stocks AC Asia-Pacific Free Ex-Japan AC World Free Index EAFE Index |
Each Fund may also compare its performance to rates on Certificates of Deposit and other fixed rate investments such as the following:
10 year Treasury Notes
90 day Treasury Bills
Advertising for the Funds may from time to time include discussions of general economic conditions and interest rates. Advertising for the Funds may also include references to the use of the Funds as part of an individual's overall retirement investment program. From time to time, sales literature and/or advertisements for any of the Funds may disclose: (i) the largest holdings in the Funds' portfolios; (ii) certain selling group members; (iii) certain institutional shareholders; (iv) measurements of risk, including standard deviation, Beta and Sharpe ratios; and/or (v) capitalization and sector analyses of holdings in the Funds' portfolios.
From time to time, the Funds' sales literature and/or advertisements may discuss generic topics pertaining to the mutual fund industry. This includes, but is not limited to, literature addressing general information about mutual funds, discussions regarding investment styles, such as the growth, value or GARP (growth at a reasonable price) styles of investing, variable annuities, dollar-cost averaging, stocks, bonds, money markets, certificates of deposit, retirement, retirement plans, asset allocation, tax-free investing, college planning and inflation.
PENDING LITIGATION
A number of civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed that involve one or more AIM or INVESCO Funds, their former and/or current investment adviser and/or certain other related parties and that are related to the claims filed by the SEC and/or the New York Attorney General against these parties. A list of such lawsuits that have been served as of February 23, 2004 is set forth in Appendix N.
APPENDIX A
RATINGS OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a description of the factors underlying the debt ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch:
MOODY'S LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
Moody's corporate ratings areas follows:
Aaa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt-edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. These are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risk in Aa rated bonds appear somewhat larger than those securities rated Aaa.
A: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating
category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
MOODY'S SHORT-TERM PRIME RATING SYSTEM
Moody's short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor senior financial obligations and contracts. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted.
Moody's employs the following designations, all judged to be investment grade , to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers.
PRIME-1: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior
ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. Prime-1 repayment
ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:
leading market positions in well-established industries; high rates of return on
funds employed; conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on
debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed
financial charges and high internal cash generation; and well-established access
to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
PRIME-2: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
PRIME-3: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
NOT PRIME: Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Note: In addition, in certain countries the prime rating may be modified by the issuer's or guarantor's senior unsecured long-term debt rating.
Moody's municipal ratings are as follows:
MOODY'S U.S. LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL BOND RATING DEFINITIONS
Municipal Ratings are opinions of the investment quality of issuers and issues in the US municipal and tax-exempt markets. As such, these ratings incorporate Moody's assessment of the default probability and loss severity of these issuers and issues.
Municipal Ratings are based upon the analysis of four primary factors relating to municipal finance: economy, debt, finances, and administration/management strategies. Each of the factors is evaluated individually and for its effect on the other factors in the context of the municipality's ability to repay its debt.
Aaa: Issuers or issues rated Aaa demonstrate the strongest creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Aa: Issuers or issues rated Aa demonstrate very strong creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
A: Issuers or issues rated A present above-average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Baa: Issuers or issues rated Baa represent average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ba: Issuers or issues rated Ba demonstrate below-average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
B: Issuers or issues rated B demonstrate weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Caa: Issuers or issues rated Caa demonstrate very weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ca: Issuers or issues rated Ca demonstrate extremely weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
C: Issuers or issues rated C demonstrate the weakest creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Note: Also, Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa to Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the issue ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic category.
MOODY'S MIG/VMIG US SHORT-TERM RATINGS
In municipal debt issuance, there are three rating categories for short-term obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Moody's Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels - MIG 1 through MIG 3.
In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade.
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned. The first element represents Moody's evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody's evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the demand feature, using the MIG rating scale.
The short-term rating assigned to the demand feature of VRDOs is designated as VMIG. When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.
MIG ratings expire at note maturity. By contrast, VMIG rating expirations will be a function of each issue's specific structural or credit features.
Gradations of investment quality are indicated by rating symbols, with each symbol representing a group in which the quality characteristics are broadly the same.
MIG 1/VMIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2/VMIG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3/VMIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.
SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
STANDARD & POOR'S LONG-TERM CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL RATINGS
Issue credit ratings are based in varying degrees, on the following considerations: likelihood of payment - capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; nature of and provisions of the obligation; and protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
The issue ratings definitions are expressed in terms of default risk. As such, they pertain to senior obligations of an entity. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above.
S&P describes its ratings for corporate and municipal bonds as follows:
AAA: Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA: Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in a small degree.
A: Debt rated A has a strong capacity to meet its financial commitments although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB: Debt rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB-B-CCC-CC-C: Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
NR: Not Rated.
S&P DUAL RATINGS
S&P assigns "dual" ratings to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure.
The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term debt rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the commercial paper rating symbols for the put option (for example,
AAA/A-1+). With short-term demand debt, the note rating symbols are used with the commercial paper rating symbols (for example, SP-1+/A-1+).
S&P COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.
These categories are as follows:
A-1: This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2: Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.
A-3: Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
B: Issues rated 'B' are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment.
C: This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment.
D: Debt rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes such payments will be made during such grace period.
S&P SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL RATINGS
An S&P note rating reflect the liquidity factors and market-access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment: amortization schedule (the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note); and source of payment (the more dependant the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note).
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1: Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2: Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3: Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
FITCH LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
Fitch Ratings provides an opinion on the ability of an entity or of a securities issue to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, or repayment of principal, on a timely basis. These credit ratings apply to a variety of entities and issues, including but not limited to sovereigns,
governments, structured financings, and corporations; debt, preferred/preference stock, bank loans, and counterparties; as well as the financial strength of insurance companies and financial guarantors.
Credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood
of getting their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested.
Thus, the use of credit ratings defines their function: "investment grade"
ratings (international Long-term 'AAA' - 'BBB' categories; Short-term 'F1' -
'F3') indicate a relatively low probability of default, while those in the
"speculative" or "non-investment grade" categories (international Long-term 'BB'
- 'D'; Short-term 'B' - 'D') either signal a higher probability of default or
that a default has already occurred. Ratings imply no specific prediction of
default probability. However, for example, it is relevant to note that over the
long term, defaults on 'AAA' rated U.S. corporate bonds have averaged less than
0.10% per annum, while the equivalent rate for 'BBB' rated bonds was 0.35%, and
for 'B' rated bonds, 3.0%.
Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by insurance policies or financial guaranties unless otherwise indicated.
Entities or issues carrying the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small differences in the degrees of credit risk.
Fitch credit and research are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold any security. Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature of taxability of payments of any security.
The ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other obligors, underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch Ratings believes to be reliable. Fitch Ratings does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such information. Ratings may be changed or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, information or for other reasons.
Our program ratings relate only to standard issues made under the
program concerned; it should not be assumed that these ratings apply to every
issue made under the program. In particular, in the case of non-standard issues,
i.e., those that are linked to the credit of a third party or linked to the
performance of an index, ratings of these issues may deviate from the applicable
program rating.
Credit ratings do not directly address any risk other than credit risk. In particular, these ratings do not deal with the risk of loss due to changes in market interest rates and other market considerations.
AAA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, which is unlikely to be affected by foreseeable events.
AA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The obligor has a very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments which is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of good credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances are more likely to impair this capacity.
PLUS (+) MINUS (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in the "AAA" category.
NR: Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
WITHDRAWN: A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called or refinanced and at Fitch's discretion, when Fitch Ratings deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for ratings purposes.
RATINGWATCH: Ratings are placed on RatingWatch to notify investors that there is a reasonable possibility of a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as "Positive," indicating a potential upgrade, "Negative," for potential downgrade, or "Evolving," if ratings may be raised, lowered or maintained. RatingWatch is typically resolved over a relatively short period.
FITCH SPECULATIVE GRADE BOND RATINGS
BB: Bonds are considered speculative. There is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic changes over time. However, business and financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
B: Bonds are considered highly speculative. Significant credit risk is present but a limited margin of safety remains. While bonds in this class are currently meeting financial commitments, the capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
CCC: Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments.
CC: Default of some kind appears probable.
C: Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, AND D: Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such bonds are extremely speculative and are valued on the basis of their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. "DDD" represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and "D" represents the lowest potential for recovery.
PLUS (+) MINUS (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in categories below CCC.
FITCH SHORT-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
The following ratings scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings. A Short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
F-1+: Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
F-1: Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated "F-1+."
F-2: Good Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
F-3: Fair Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is adequate, however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.
B: Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
D: Default. Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent payment default.
APPENDIX B
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
As of January 1, 2004
TRUSTEE AND/OR NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER OTHER TRUSTEESHIP(S) POSITION(S) HELD WITH THE TRUST SINCE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE -------------------------------- ---------- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------- INTERESTED PERSONS Robert H. Graham(1) -- 1946 1991 Director and Chairman, A I M Management Group None Trustee, Chairman and President Inc. (financial services holding company); Director and Vice Chairman, AMVESCAP PLC and Chairman of AMVESCAP PLC - AIM Division (parent of AIM and a global investment management firm) Formerly: President and Chief Executive Officer, A I M Management Group Inc.; Director, Chairman and President, A I M Advisors, Inc. (registered investment advisor); Director and Chairman, A I M Capital Management, Inc. (registered investment advisor), A I M Distributors, Inc. (registered broker dealer), AIM Investment Services, Inc., (registered transfer agent), and Fund Management Company (registered broker dealer); and Chief Executive Officer, AMVESCAP PLC - Managed Products Mark H. Williamson(2) -- 1951 2003 Director, President and Chief Executive None Trustee and Executive Vice Officer, A I M Management Group Inc. (financial President services holding company); Director, Chairman and President, A I M Advisors, Inc. (registered investment advisor); Director, A I M Capital Management, Inc. (registered investment advisor) and A I M Distributors, Inc. (registered broker dealer), Director and Chairman, AIM Investment Services, Inc. (registered transfer agent), and Fund Management Company (registered broker dealer); and Chief Executive Officer, AMVESCAP PLC - AIM Division (parent of AIM and a global investment management firm) Formerly: Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc.; and INVESCO Distributors, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, AMVESCAP PLC - Managed Products; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NationsBanc Advisors, Inc.; and Chairman of NationsBanc Investments, Inc. |
(2) Mr. Williamson is considered an interested person of the Trust because he is an officer and a director of the advisor to, and a director of the principal underwriter of, the Trust.
TRUSTEE AND/OR NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER OTHER TRUSTEESHIP(S) POSITION(S) HELD WITH THE TRUST SINCE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE -------------------------------- ---------- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------- INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES Bob R. Baker - 1936 2003 Retired None Trustee Formerly: President and Chief Executive Officer, AMC Cancer Research Center; and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, First Columbia Financial Corporation Frank S. Bayley -- 1939 2001 Of Counsel, law firm of Baker & McKenzie Badgley Funds, Inc. Trustee (registered investment Formerly: Partner, law firm of Baker & McKenzie company) James T. Bunch - 1942 2003 Co-President and Founder, Green, Manning & None Trustee Bunch, Ltd. (investment banking firm); and Director, Policy Studies, Inc. and Van Gilder Insurance Corporation Bruce L. Crockett -- 1944 1992 Chairman, Crockett Technology Associates ACE Limited (insurance Trustee (technology consulting company) company); and Captaris, Inc. (unified messaging provider) Albert R. Dowden -- 1941 2000 Director of a number of public and private Cortland Trust, Inc. Trustee business corporations, including the Boss (Chairman) (registered Group, Ltd. (private investment and management) investment company); and Magellan Insurance Company Annuity and Life Re Formerly: Director, President and Chief (Holdings), Ltd. Executive Officer, Volvo Group North America, (insurance company) Inc.; Senior Vice President, AB Volvo; and director of various affiliated Volvo companies Edward K. Dunn, Jr. -- 1935 1998 Retired None Trustee Formerly: Chairman, Mercantile Mortgage Corp.; President and Chief Operating Officer, Mercantile-Safe Deposit & Trust Co.; and President, Mercantile Bankshares Corp. Jack M. Fields -- 1952 1997 Chief Executive Officer, Twenty First Century Administaff , Discovery Trustee Group, Inc. (government affairs company) and Global Education Fund Texana Timber LP (sustainable forestry company) (non-profit) |
TRUSTEE AND/OR NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER OTHER TRUSTEESHIP(S) POSITION(S) HELD WITH THE TRUST SINCE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE -------------------------------- ---------- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------- Carl Frischling -- 1937 1991 Partner, law firm of Kramer Levin Naftalis and Cortland Trust, Inc. Trustee Frankel LLP (registered investment company) Gerald J. Lewis - 1933 2003 Chairman, Lawsuit Resolution Services (San General Chemical Group, Trustee Diego, California) Inc. Formerly: Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeals Prema Mathai-Davis -- 1950 1998 Formerly: Chief Executive Officer, YWCA of the None Trustee USA Lewis F. Pennock -- 1942 1991 Partner, law firm of Pennock & Cooper None Trustee Ruth H. Quigley -- 1935 2001 Retired None Trustee Louis S. Sklar -- 1939 1991 Executive Vice President, Development and None Trustee Operations, Hines Interests Limited Partnership (real estate development company) Larry Soll, Ph.D. - 1942 2003 Retired None Trustee OTHER OFFICERS 2003 Director, Senior Vice President, Secretary and N/A Kevin M. Carome - 1956 Senior General Counsel, A I M Management Group Inc. Vice President and Chief Legal (financial services holding company) and A I M Officer Advisors, Inc.; and Vice President, A I M Capital Management, Inc., A I M Distributors, Inc. and AIM Investment Services, Inc.; Director, Vice President and |
TRUSTEE AND/OR NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER OTHER TRUSTEESHIP(S) POSITION(S) HELD WITH THE TRUST SINCE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE -------------------------------- ---------- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------- General Counsel, Fund Management Company Formerly: Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.; and Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Liberty Funds Group, LLC Robert G. Alley -- 1948 1994 Managing Director and Chief Fixed Income N/A Vice President Officer, Senior Investment Officer, A I M Capital Management, Inc. and Vice President, A I M Advisors, Inc. |
TRUSTEE AND/OR NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER OTHER TRUSTEESHIP(S) POSITION(S) HELD WITH THE TRUST SINCE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE -------------------------------- ---------- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------- Stuart W. Coco -- 1955 2002 Managing Director and Director of Money N/A Vice President Market Research and Special Projects, A I M Capital Management, Inc.; and Vice President, A I M Advisors, Inc. Melville B. Cox -- 1943 1992 Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, N/A Vice President A I M Advisors, Inc. and A I M Capital Management, Inc.; and Vice President, AIM Investment Services, Inc. Edgar M. Larsen(4) -- 1940 1999 Vice President, A I M Advisors, Inc.; and N/A Vice President President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, A I M Capital Management, Inc. Sidney M. Dilgren -- 1961 2004 Vice President and Fund Treasurer, A I M N/A Vice President and Treasurer Advisors, Inc.; Vice President, A I M Distributors, Inc.; and Senior Vice President, AIM Investment Services, Inc. |
OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen Dollar Range of Equity Securities by Trustee in the Name of Trustee Per Fund AIM Funds and the INVESCO Funds ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Robert H. Graham Asia Pacific Growth $50,001 - $100,000 European Growth Over $100,000 Global Aggressive Growth Over $100,000 Over $100,000 Global Growth $10,001 - $50,000 International Growth Over $100,000 International Core Equity Over $100,000 Mark H. Williamson Global Aggressive Growth $50,001 - $100,000 Over $100,000 European Growth $10,001 - $50,000 Bob R. Baker INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 European Growth $1 - $10,000 Frank S. Bayley European Growth $1 - $10,000 $50,001 - $100,000 Global Growth $10,001 - $50,000 James T. Bunch European Growth $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 Bruce L. Crockett INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 $10,001 - $50,000 Albert R. Dowden -0- Over $100,000 Edward K. Dunn, Jr. Global Aggressive Growth $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000(3) Global Growth $10,001 - $50,000 International Growth $10,001 - $50,000 |
(3) Includes the total amount of compensation deferred by the trustee at his or her election pursuant to a deferred compensation plan. Such deferred compensation is placed in a deferral account and deemed to be invested in one or more of the AIM Funds or INVESCO Funds.
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen Dollar Range of Equity Securities by Trustee in the Name of Trustee Per Fund AIM Funds and the INVESCO Funds ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Jack M. Fields -0- Over $100,000(3) Carl Frischling Global Growth $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000(3) Gerald J. Lewis European Growth $1 - $10,000 INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 $50,001 - $100,000 Prema Mathai-Davis -0- $1 - $10,000(3) Lewis F. Pennock -0- $50,001 - $100,000 Ruth H. Quigley -0- $1 - $10,000 Louis S. Sklar International Growth Over $100,000 Over $100,000(3) Larry Soll Global Aggressive $10,001 - $50,000 European Growth $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 |
APPENDIX C
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE
Set forth below is information regarding compensation paid or accrued for each trustee of the Trust who was not affiliated with AIM and/or INVESCO during the year ended December 31, 2003:
RETIREMENT BENEFITS ESTIMATED TOTAL ACCRUED ANNUAL BENEFITS COMPENSATION AGGREGATE BY ALL UPON RETIREMENT FROM ALL AIM COMPENSATION FROM AIM FUNDS AND FOR AIM FUNDS FUNDS AND INVESCO THE INVESCO AND INVESCO FUNDS PAID TO TRUSTEE TRUST(1) FUNDS(2) FUNDS(3) TRUSTEES(4) ======================================= ================= =============== ================ =================== Bob R. Baker(5) 0 $32,635 $114,131 $154,554 Frank S. Bayley $ 7,241 131,228 90,000 159,000 James T. Bunch(5) 0 20,436 90,000 138,679 Bruce L. Crockett 7,289 46,000 90,000 160,000 Albert R. Dowden 7,241 57,716 90,000 159,000 Edward K. Dunn, Jr. 7,289 94,860 90,000 160,000 Jack M. Fields 7,245 28,036 90,000 159,000 Carl Frischling(5) 7,289 40,447 90,000 160,000 Gerald J. Lewis(5) 0 20,436 90,000 142,054 Prema Mathai-Davis 7,289 33,142 90,000 160,000 Lewis F. Pennock 7,289 49,610 90,000 160,000 Ruth H. Quigley 7,289 126,050 90,000 160,000 Louis S. Sklar 7,289 72,786 90,000 160,000 Larry Soll(5) 0 48,830 108,090 140,429 |
(1) Amounts shown are based on the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003. The total amount of compensation deferred by all trustees of the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, including earnings, was $25,285.
(2) During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the total amount of expenses allocated to the Trust in respect of such retirement benefits was $40,694.
(3) These amounts represent the estimated annual benefits payable by the AIM Funds and INVESCO Funds upon the trustee's retirement. These estimated benefits assume retirement at age 65 for the AIM Funds and at age 72 for the INVESCO Funds. Amounts shown assume each trustee serves until his or her normal retirement date and has ten years of service.
(4) All trustees currently serve as trustees of 19 registered investment companies advised by AIM.
(5) Messrs. Baker, Bunch, Lewis and Dr. Soll were elected as trustees of the Trust on October 21, 2003 and therefore received no compensation from the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003.
(6) During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 the Trust paid $16,561 in legal fees to Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP for services rendered by such firm as counsel to the independent trustees of the Trust. Mr. Frischling is a partner of such firm.
APPENDIX D
PROXY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
REVIEWED BY THE AIM FUNDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES JUNE 10, 2003
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EACH OF A I M ADVISORS, INC., A I M CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC., AIM PRIVATE ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. AND AIM ALTERNATIVE ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC. JUNE 26, 2003
(Revised as of January 8, 2004)
A. PROXY POLICIES
Each of A I M Advisors, Inc., A I M Capital Management, Inc., AIM Private Asset Management, Inc. and AIM Alternative Asset Management Company, Inc. (each an "AIM Advisor" and collectively "AIM") has the fiduciary obligation to, at all times, make the economic best interest of advisory clients the sole consideration when voting proxies of companies held in client accounts. As a general rule, each AIM Advisor shall vote against any actions that would reduce the rights or options of shareholders, reduce shareholder influence over the board of directors and management, reduce the alignment of interests between management and shareholders, or reduce the value of shareholders' investments. At the same time, AIM believes in supporting the management of companies in which it invests, and will accord proper weight to the positions of a company's board of directors, and the AIM portfolio managers who chose to invest in the companies. Therefore, on most issues, our votes have been cast in accordance with the recommendations of the company's board of directors, and we do not currently expect that trend to change. Although AIM's proxy voting policies are stated below, AIM's proxy committee considers all relevant facts and circumstances, and retains the right to vote proxies as deemed appropriate.
I. BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
A board that has at least a majority of independent directors is integral to good corporate governance. Key board committees, including audit, compensation and nominating committees, should be completely independent.
There are some actions by directors that should result in votes being withheld. These instances include directors who:
o Are not independent directors and (a) sit on the board's audit, compensation or nominating committee, or (b) sit on a board where the majority of the board is not independent;
o Attend less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a valid excuse;
o Implement or renew a dead-hand or modified dead-hand poison pill;
o Sit on the boards of an excessive number of companies;
o Enacted egregious corporate governance or other policies or failed to replace management as appropriate;
o Have failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders have tendered their shares; or
o Ignore a shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of the shares outstanding.
Votes in a contested election of directors must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the following factors:
o Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry;
o Management's track record;
o Portfolio manager's assessment;
o Qualifications of director nominees (both slates);
o Evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders as well as the likelihood that the proposed objectives and goals can be met; and
o Background to the proxy contest.
II. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
A company should limit its relationship with its auditors to the audit engagement, and certain closely related activities that do not, in the aggregate, raise an appearance of impaired independence. We will support the reappointment of the company's auditors unless:
o It is not clear that the auditors will be able to fulfill their function;
o There is reason to believe the independent auditors have rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company's financial position; or
o The auditors have a significant professional or personal relationship with the issuer that compromises the auditors' independence.
III. COMPENSATION PROGRAMS
Appropriately designed equity-based compensation plans, approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align the interests of long-term shareholders and the interests of management, employees and directors. Plans should not substantially dilute shareholders' ownership interests in the company, provide participants with excessive awards or have objectionable structural features. We will consider all incentives, awards and compensation, and compare them to a company-specific adjusted allowable dilution cap and a weighted average estimate of shareholder wealth transfer and voting power dilution.
o We will generally vote against equity-based plans where the total dilution (including all equity-based plans) is excessive.
o We will support the use of employee stock purchase plans to increase company stock ownership by employees, provided that shares purchased under the plan are acquired for no less than 85% of their market value.
o We will vote against plans that have any of the following structural features: ability to re-price underwater options without shareholder approval, ability to issue options with an exercise price below the stock's current market price, ability to issue reload options, or automatic share replenishment ("evergreen") feature.
o We will vote for proposals to reprice options if there is a value-for-value (rather than a share-for-share) exchange.
o We will generally support the board's discretion to determine and grant appropriate cash compensation and severance packages.
IV. CORPORATE MATTERS
We will review management proposals relating to changes to capital structure, reincorporation, restructuring and mergers and acquisitions on a case by case basis, considering the impact of the changes on corporate governance and shareholder rights, anticipated financial and operating benefits, portfolio manager views, level of dilution, and a company's industry and performance in terms of shareholder returns.
o We will vote for merger and acquisition proposals that the proxy committee and relevant portfolio managers believe, based on their review of the materials, will result in financial and operating benefits, have a fair offer price, have favorable prospects
for the combined companies, and will not have a negative impact on corporate governance or shareholder rights.
o We will vote against proposals to increase the number of authorized shares of any class of stock that has superior voting rights to another class of stock.
o We will vote for proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the increase in authorized shares would not result in excessive dilution given a company's industry and performance in terms of shareholder returns.
o We will vote for proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders participate on an equal basis.
V. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholder proposals can be extremely complex, and the impact on share value can rarely be anticipated with any high degree of confidence. The proxy committee reviews shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis, giving careful consideration to such factors as: the proposal's impact on the company's short-term and long-term share value, its effect on the company's reputation, the economic effect of the proposal, industry and regional norms applicable to the company, the company's overall corporate governance provisions, and the reasonableness of the request.
o We will generally abstain from shareholder social and environmental proposals.
o We will generally support the board's discretion regarding shareholder proposals that involve ordinary business practices.
o We will generally vote for shareholder proposals that are designed to protect shareholder rights if the company's corporate governance standards indicate that such additional protections are warranted.
o We will generally vote for proposals to lower barriers to shareholder action.
o We will generally vote for proposals to subject shareholder rights plans to a shareholder vote. In evaluating these plans, we give favorable consideration to the presence of "TIDE" provisions (short-term sunset provisions, qualified bid/permitted offer provisions, and/or mandatory review by a committee of independent directors at least every three years).
VI. OTHER
o We will vote against any proposal where the proxy materials lack sufficient information upon which to base an informed decision.
o We will vote against any proposals to authorize the proxy to conduct any other business that is not described in the proxy statement.
o We will vote any matters not specifically covered by these proxy policies and procedures in the economic best interest of advisory clients.
AIM's proxy policies, and the procedures noted below, may be amended from time to time.
B. PROXY COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
The proxy committee currently consists of representatives from the Legal and Compliance Department, the Investments Department and the Finance Department.
The committee members review detailed reports analyzing the proxy issues and have access to proxy statements and annual reports. The committee then discusses the issues and determines the vote. The committee shall give appropriate and significant weight to portfolio managers' views regarding a proposal's impact on shareholders. A proxy committee meeting requires a quorum of three committee members, voting in person or by proxy.
AIM's proxy committee shall consider its fiduciary responsibility to all clients when addressing proxy issues and vote accordingly. The proxy committee may enlist the services of reputable outside professionals and/or proxy evaluation services, such as Institutional Shareholder Services or any of its subsidiaries ("ISS"), to assist with the analysis of voting issues and/or to carry out the actual voting process. To the extent the services of ISS or another provider are used, the proxy committee shall periodically review the policies of that provider.
In addition to the foregoing, the following shall be strictly adhered to unless contrary action receives the prior approval of the Funds' Board of Directors/Trustees:
1. Other than by voting proxies and participating in Creditors' committees, AIM shall not engage in conduct that involves an attempt to change or influence the control of a company.
2. AIM will not publicly announce its voting intentions and the reasons therefore.
3. AIM shall not participate in a proxy solicitation or otherwise seek proxy-voting authority from any other public company shareholder.
4. All communications regarding proxy issues between the proxy committee and companies or their agents, or with fellow shareholders shall be for the sole purpose of expressing and discussing AIM's concerns for its advisory clients' interests and not for an attempt to influence or control management.
C. BUSINESS/DISASTER RECOVERY
If the proxy committee is unable to meet due to a temporary business interruption, such as a power outage, a sub-committee of the proxy committee may vote proxies in accordance with the policies stated herein. If the sub-committee of the proxy committee is not able to vote proxies, the sub-committee shall authorize ISS shallto vote proxies by default in accordance with ISS' proxy policies and procedures, which may vary slightly from AIM's.
D. RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING VOTING
If a country's laws allow a company in that country to block the sale of the company's shares by a shareholder in advance of a shareholder meeting, AIM will not vote in shareholder meetings held in that country, unless the company represents that it will not block the sale of its shares in connection with the meeting. Administrative or other procedures, such as securities lending, may also cause AIM to refrain from voting. Although AIM considers proxy voting to be an important shareholder right, the proxy committee will not impede a portfolio manager's ability to trade in a stock in order to vote at a shareholder meeting.
E. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The proxy committee reviews each proxy to assess the extent to which there may be a material conflict between AIM's interests and those of advisory clients. A potential conflict of interest situation
may include where AIM or an affiliate manages assets for, administers an employee benefit plan for, provides other financial products or services to, or otherwise has a material business relationship with, a company whose management is soliciting proxies, and failure to vote proxies in favor of management of the company may harm AIM's relationship with the company. In order to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, the proxy committee will not take AIM's relationship with the company into account, and will vote the company's proxies in the best interest of the advisory clients, in accordance with these proxy policies and procedures.
To the extent that a committee member has any conflict of interest with respect to a company or an issue presented, that committee member should inform the proxy committee of such conflict and abstain from voting on that company or issue.
APPENDIX E
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
To the best knowledge of the Trust, the names and addresses of the record and beneficial holders of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of the Trust's equity securities and the percentage of the outstanding shares held by such holders are set forth below. Unless otherwise indicated below, the Trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record are also owned beneficially.
A shareholder who owns beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding securities of a Fund is presumed to "control" that Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. Such control may affect the voting rights of other shareholders.
All information listed below is as of February 3, 2004.
AIM ASIA PACIFIC GROWTH FUND
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------ ---------------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account 6.21% 6.76% 5.67% Attn: Cindy Tempesta, 7th Floor 333 West 34th Street New York, NY 10001-2402 Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO The Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration -0- -0- 15.05% 4800 Deer Lake Dr East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL, 32246 |
AIM EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES INVESTOR CLASS SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------- AMVESCAP Natl TR CO FBO -0- -0- -0- 31.93% -0- Equator Technologies, Inc. 401 (K) Retirement Plan P. O. Box 105779 Atlanta GA 30348-5779 |
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES INVESTOR CLASS SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------- Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody FBO Customers (SIM) Attn: Mutual Funds -0- -0- -0- -0- 35.18% 101 Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 Citigroup Global Markets House Account Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor 9.70% 8.74% 8.06% -0- 333 West 34th Street New York NY 10001-2402 Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO the Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 7.58% 5.89% 18.47% -0- 4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Floor Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 Nat'l Financial Services Corp The Exclusive Benefit of Cust. One World Financial Center -0- -0- -0- -0- 7.09% 200 Liberty St. 5th Floor Attn: Kate - Recon New York, NY 10281-5503 NFSC FEBO Western Management Inc. PSP J Turk & M. Morse TTEES V/A 12-23-81 -0- -0- -0- 8.09% -0- 1301 E.9th St. Ste. 3330 Cleveland, OH 44114-1817 |
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES INVESTOR CLASS SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------- Reliance Trust Company Custodian FBO Morley Incentives 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan -0- -0- -0- 32.42% -0- & Trust P.O. Box 48529 Atlanta, GA 30362-1529 |
AIM GLOBAL AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------------------------------ ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account 6.26% 8.23% 7.81% Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor 333 West 34th Street New York NY 10001-2402 Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO The Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 8.96% 11.70% 18.50% 4800 Deer Lake Dr East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246 |
AIM GLOBAL GROWTH FUND
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account 7.69% 6.58% 5.13% Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor 333 West 34th Street New York NY 10001-2402 Deloitte & Touche 401K Plan Chase Manhattan Bank TTEE Attn: Angela Ma 7.96% -0- -0- 3 Metrotech Center, 6th Floor Brooklyn NY 11245-0001 |
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO The Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 5.52% 9.26% 19.94% 4800 Deer Lake Dr East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246 |
AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES ------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF PERCENTAGE OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD -------------------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------- AMVESCAP National Trust Co. FBO -0- -0- -0- 20.89% -0- West Boylston Insurance Agency, Inc. 401(k) Plan P. O. Box 105779 Atlanta GA 30348-5779 Citigroup Global Markets House Account Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor -0- 8.07% -0- -0- -0- 333 West 34th Street New York NY 10001-2402 First Command Bank Trust Attn: Trust Department P. O. Box 901075 -0- -0- -0- -0- 99.32% Fort Worth TX 76101-2075 MCB Trust Services Cust. FBO Westor, Inc. 700 17th Street, Suite 300 -0- -0- -0- 15.80% -0- Denver, CO 80202-3531 Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO the Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 30.82% 22.15% 44.13% 10.03% -0- 4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246-6484 |
INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R* SHARES SHARES ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------ NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERCENTAGE OWNED PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE OWNED PRINCIPAL HOLDER OF RECORD OWNED OF RECORD OWNED OF RECORD OWNED OF RECORD OF RECORD -------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------ Airbrush Images Inc. 401(k) -0- -0- -0- 7.59% -0- Plan Daniel E. Henrichs Trustee 850 N FM 3083 Conroe, TX 77303-1850 AMVESCAP National Trust Company FBO Equator Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan -0- -0- -0- 6.71% -0- PO Box 105779 Atlanta, GA 30348-5779 A Taghi Partners Safe Harbor 401(k) Ali Taghizadeh or Houshang Taghizadeh Trustees -0- -0- -0- 7.01% -0- Omnibus Account 5116 Westheimer Houston, TX 77056-5506 Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Acct for the Exclusive Benefit of Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 5.94% -0- -0- -0- 14.49% 101 Montgomery St. San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO the Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 11.58% 9.25% 47.13% -0- -0- 4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246-6484 Muir & Co Attn: Mutual Fund Area T-8 P.O. Box 2479 -0- -0- -0- -0- 19.40% San Antonio, TX 78298-2479 |
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R* SHARES SHARES ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------ NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERCENTAGE OWNED PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE OWNED PRINCIPAL HOLDER OF RECORD OWNED OF RECORD OWNED OF RECORD OWNED OF RECORD OF RECORD -------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------ Reliance Trust Company Custodial FBO William J. Kamm and Sons Inc. 401(k) Plan -0- -0- -0- 9.22% -0- PO Box 48529 Atlanta, GA 30362-1529 RR-USA Inc. 401(k) Carlo Pecorari Trustee Ominbus Account -0- -0- -0- 6.17% -0- 8 Creek Parkway Boothwyn, PA 19061-3132 Sheikh Rahman Trustee FBO SAR Engineering Inc. 401(k) Plan -0- -0- -0- 7.14% -0- 10 Granite Street Quincy, MA 02169-5021 |
* Class R shares commenced operations on November 24, 2003.
MANAGEMENT OWNERSHIP
As of February 3, 2004, the trustees and officers as a group owned less than 1% of the shares outstanding of each class of each Fund.
APPENDIX F
MANAGEMENT FEES
For the last three fiscal years ended October 31, the management fees payable by each Fund, the amounts waived by AIM and the net fees paid by each Fund were as follows:
FUND NAME 2003 2002 2001 --------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- NET NET NET MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT FEE PAYABLE FEE WAIVERS FEE PAID FEE PAYABLE FEE WAIVERS FEE PAID FEE PAYABLE FEE WAIVERS FEE PAID ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- AIM Asia Pacific $ 999,693 $ 157,515 $ 842,178 $ 999,193 $ 250,466 $ 748,727 $ 1,142,549 $ 418,664 $ 723,885 Growth Fund AIM European 3,983,818 4,811 3,979,007 2,875,358 2,446 2,872,912 3,723,648 741 3,722,907 Growth Fund AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 7,183,961 5,105 7,178,856 9,453,521 11,539 9,441,982 14,440,026 4,957 14,435,069 AIM Global Growth Fund 4,616,269 5,828 4,610,441 6,492,122 6,729 6,485,393 10,072,947 1,367,253 8,705,694 AIM International 14,723,373 555,986 14,167,387 18,179,584 749,026 17,430,558 26,188,064 1,184,439 25,003,625 Growth Fund |
APPENDIX G
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEES
The Funds paid AIM the following amounts for administrative services for the last three fiscal years ended October 31:
FUND NAME 2003 2002 2001 -------- -------- -------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 AIM European Growth Fund 125,283 84,643 98,393 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 199,512 187,715 173,416 AIM Global Growth Fund 142,045 150,314 151,718 AIM International Growth Fund 387,366 310,657 239,396 |
APPENDIX H
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
Brokerage commissions(1) paid by each of the Funds during the last three fiscal years ended October 31 were as follows:
FUND 2003 2002 2001 ---- ---------- ---------- ---------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund(2) $ 745,739 $ 842,699 $ 639,860 AIM European Growth Fund(3) 1,429,570 1,164,934 1,659,105 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund(2) 2,322,734 3,513,410 4,823,156 AIM Global Growth Fund(3) 1,630,410 2,694,896 3,878,451 AIM International Growth Fund(4) 5,242,010 6,578,185 9,379,067 |
(2) The variation in the brokerage commissions paid by AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, as compared to the twoprior fiscal years, was due to fluctuations in asset levelsand record market volatility.
(3) The variation in the brokerage commissions paid by AIM Global Growth fund, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, as compared to the two prior final years was due to a decrease in portfolio turnover.
(4) The variation in the brokerage commissions paid AIM International Growth Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, as compared to the two prior fiscal years, was due to a decrease in the fund's asset levels and a record market volitity.
APPENDIX I
DIRECTED BROKERAGE (RESEARCH SERVICES) AND PURCHASES OF
SECURITIES OF REGULAR BROKERS OR DEALERS
During the last fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, each Fund allocated the following amount of transactions to broker-dealers that provided AIM with certain research, statistics and other information:
Related Fund Transactions Brokerage Commissions ---- ------------ --------------------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund $ 450 $ 162,113 AIM European Growth Fund 42,716 22,224,855 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 80,270 53,258,282 AIM Global Growth Fund 120,060 69,679,872 AIM International Growth Fund 138,032 80,904,692 |
During the last fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Funds did not purchase securities of their "regular" brokers or dealers.
APPENDIX J
AMOUNTS PAID TO A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC. PURSUANT TO DISTRIBUTION PLANS
A list of amounts paid by each class of shares to AIM Distributors pursuant to the Plans for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 follows:
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R INVESTOR FUND SHARES SHARES SHARES SHARES CLASS SHARES(1) ---- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund $ 276,977 $ 199,152 $ 61,793 $ 0 N/A AIM European Growth Fund1 1,030,346 965,110 279,643 2,429 $ 9 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 2,093,225 3,607,240 188,488 0 N/A AIM Global Growth Fund 1,639,781 1,832,533 318,810 0 N/A AIM International Growth Fund1 3,330,664 3,602,319 1,092,583 2,950 N/A |
(1) Information on Investor Class shares in the table is for the period September 30, 2003 (the date Investor Class shares commenced operations) to October 31, 2003.
APPENDIX K
ALLOCATION OF ACTUAL FEES PAID PURSUANT TO DISTRIBUTION PLANS
An estimate by category of the allocation of actual fees paid by Class A Shares of the Funds during the year ended October 31, 2003 follows:
PRINTING & UNDERWRITERS DEALERS ADVERTISING MAILING SEMINARS COMPENSATION COMPENSATION ----------- ---------- -------- ------------ ------------ AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund $ 26,594 $ 3,960 $ 13,444 $ 0 $ 232,979 AIM European Growth Fund 109,278 16,109 54,061 0 850,898 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 17,506 2,571 8,148 0 2,065,000 AIM Global Growth Fund 9,844 1,427 4,522 0 1,623,988 AIM International Growth Fund 158,196 23,071 77,282 0 3,072,115 |
An estimate by category of the allocation of actual fees paid by Class B Shares of the Funds during the year ended October 31, 2003 follows:
PRINTING & UNDERWRITERS DEALERS ADVERTISING MAILING SEMINARS COMPENSATION COMPENSATION ----------- ---------- -------- ------------ ------------ AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 149,364 $ 49,788 AIM European Growth Fund 6,430 815 2,264 723,833 231,768 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 12,844 1,828 6,207 2,705,430 880,931 AIM Global Growth Fund 8,264 1,171 3,904 1,374,400 444,794 AIM International Growth Fund 11,862 1,720 5,534 2,701,739 881,464 |
An estimate by category of the allocation of actual fees paid by Class C shares of the Funds during the year ended October 31, 2003 follows:
PRINTING & UNDERWRITERS DEALERS ADVERTISING MAILING SEMINARS COMPENSATION COMPENSATION ----------- ---------- -------- ------------ ------------ AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund $ 1,391 $ 0 $ 0 $ 16,692 $ 43,710 AIM European Growth Fund 1,736 237 1,973 23,676 252,021 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0 0 0 18,234 170,254 AIM Global Growth Fund 0 0 0 26,933 291,877 AIM International Growth Fund 7,742 1,123 3,283 64,024 1,016,411 |
An estimate by category of the allocation of actual fees paid by Class R shares of the Funds during the year ended October 31, 2003 follows:
PRINTING & UNDERWRITERS DEALERS ADVERTISING MAILING SEMINARS COMPENSATION COMPENSATION ----------- ---------- -------- ------------ ------------ AIM European Growth Fund $ 36 $ 5 $ 4 $ 0 $ 2,384 AIM International Growth Fund 41 6 1 0 2,902 |
An estimate by category of the allocation of actual fees paid by Investor Class shares of the Funds during the year ended October 31, 2003 follows(1):
PRINTING & UNDERWRITERS DEALERS ADVERTISING MAILING SEMINARS COMPENSATION COMPENSATION ----------- ---------- -------- ------------ ------------ AIM European Growth Fund $ $ $ $ $ 9.05 |
APPENDIX L
TOTAL SALES CHARGES
The following chart reflects the total sales charges paid in connection with the sale of Class A shares of each Fund and the amount retained by AIM Distributors for the last three fiscal years ended October 31:
2003 2002 2001 ---- ---- ---- SALES AMOUNT SALES AMOUNT SALES AMOUNT CHARGES RETAINED CHARGES RETAINED CHARGES RETAINED --------- -------- --------- -------- ---------- -------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund $ 143,465 $ 9,282 $ 158,029 $ 34,742 $ 169,938 $ 28,223 AIM European Growth Fund 288,551 46,667 307,380 49,549 770,414 123,615 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 355,845 65,241 590,910 105,421 1,290,767 235,749 AIM Global Growth Fund 225,137 44,111 405,248 68,451 1,282,262 219,358 AIM International Growth Fund 493,502 85,350 985,099 117,107 1,798,293 291,152 |
The following chart reflects the contingent deferred sales charges paid by Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Investor Class shareholders and retained by AIM Distributors for the last three fiscal years ended October 31:
2003 2002 2001 ---------- ---------- ---------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund $ 135,494 $ 50,971 $ 61,331 AIM European Growth Fund 338,873 28,697 142,050 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 261,426 38,689 114,760 AIM Global Growth Fund 116,920 40,310 74,887 AIM International Growth Fund 1,141,434 692,541 315,479 |
Information on Investor Class shares in the table is for the period September 30, 2003 (the date Investor Class shares commenced operations) to October 31, 2003.
APPENDIX M
PERFORMANCE DATA
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
The average annual total returns (including sales load) for each Fund, with respect to its Class A shares, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003, are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS A SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------ ------- -------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 33.78% 8.40% N/A 2.38% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 21.32% 7.90% N/A 11.26% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 23.64% 2.59% N/A 6.71% 09/15/94 AIM Global Growth Fund 12.19% -3.00% N/A 5.33% 09/15/94 AIM International Growth Fund 13.40% -1.42% 4.05% N/A 04/07/92 |
The average annual total returns (including maximum applicable contingent deferred sales charge) for each Fund, with respect to its Class B shares, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003, are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS B SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------- -------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 35.75% 8.63% 2.50% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 22.52% 8.07% 11.43% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 24.08% 2.73% 6.77% 09/15/94 AIM Global Growth Fund 12.19% -2.92% 5.40% 09/15/94 AIM International Growth Fund 14.14% -1.39% 3.29% 09/15/94 |
The average annual total returns (including maximum applicable contingent deferred sales charge) for each Fund, with respect to its Class C shares, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003, are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS C SHARES: 1 YEARS 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------- -------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 39.61% 8.90% 2.59% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 26.57% 8.37% 11.55% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 28.17% 3.05% -0.31% 08/04/97 AIM Global Growth Fund 16.19% -2.56% -1.52% 08/04/97 AIM International Growth Fund 18.12% -1.03% -1.28% 08/04/97 |
The average annual total returns (not including the 0.75% contingent deferred sales charge that may be imposed on a total redemption of retirement plan assets within the first year) for each Fund, with respect to its Class R shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003* SINCE INCEPTION CLASS R SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------ ------- -------- --------- --------- AIM European Growth Fund 28.16% 8.95% N/A 12.13% 11/03/97 AIM International Growth Fund 19.31% -0.57% 4.40% N/A 04/07/92 |
* The returns shown for the one year period are the historical returns of the Funds' Class R shares. The returns shown for the five and ten year periods and since inception are the blended returns of the historical performance of the Funds' Class R shares since June 3, 2002 and the restated historical performance of the Funds' Class A shares (for periods prior to June 3, 2002) at net asset value, adjusted to reflect the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class R shares.
** The inception date shown in the table is that of the Funds' Class A shares. The inception date of the Funds' Class R shares is June 3, 2002.
The average annual total returns for the Fund, with respect to its Investor Class shares, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003* SINCE INCEPTION INVESTOR CLASS SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE** ---------------------- ------ ------- --------- --------- AIM European Growth Fund 28.33% 9.11% 12.30% 11/03/97 |
* The returns shown for these periods are the blended returns of the historical performance of the Fund's Investor Class shares since September 30, 2003 and the restated historical performance of the Fund's Class A shares (for the period prior to September 30, 2003) at the net asset value, and reflect the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class A shares.
**The inception date shown in the table is that of the Fund's Class A shares. The inception date of the Fund's Investor Class shares is September 30, 2003.
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
The cumulative total returns (including sales load) for each Fund, with respect to its Class A shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS A SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------ ------- -------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 33.78% 49.67% N/A 15.16% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 21.32% 46.23% N/A 89.49% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 23.64% 13.62% N/A 80.93% 09/15/94 AIM Global Growth Fund 12.19% -14.10% N/A 60.69% 09/15/94 AIM International Growth Fund 13.40% -6.92% 48.74% N/A 04/07/92 |
The cumulative returns (including maximum applicable contingent deferred sales charge) for each Fund, with respect to its Class B shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS B SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------ ------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 35.75% 51.26% 15.94% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 22.52% 47.42% 91.30% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 24.08% 14.41% 81.87% 09/15/94 AIM Global Growth Fund 12.19% -13.77% 61.63% 09/15/94 AIM International Growth Fund 14.14% -6.74% 34.32% 09/15/94 |
The cumulative total returns (including maximum applicable contingent deferred sales charge) for each Fund, with respect to its Class C shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS C SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------ ------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 39.61% 53.14% 16.54% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 26.57% 49.46% 92.50% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 28.17% 16.21% -1.92% 08/04/97 AIM Global Growth Fund 16.19% -12.15% -9.10% 08/04/97 AIM International Growth Fund 18.12% -5.06% -7.75% 08/04/97 |
The cumulative total returns (not including the 0.75% contingent deferred sales charge that may be imposed on a total redemption of retirement plan assets within the first year) for each Fund, with respect to its Class R shares, for the one, five or ten years periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003* SINCE INCEPTION CLASS R SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS INCEPTION DATE** -------------- ------ ------- -------- --------- --------- AIM European Growth Fund 28.16% 53.48% N/A 98.62% 11/03/97 AIM International Growth Fund 19.31% -2.80% 53.81% N/A 04/07/92 |
* The returns shown for the one year period are the historical returns of the Funds' Class R shares. The returns shown for thefive and ten year periods and since inception are the blended returns of the historical performance of the Funds' Class R shares since June 3, 2002 and the restated historical performance of the Funds' Class A shares (for periods prior to June 3, 2002) at net asset value, adjusted to reflect the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class R shares.
** The inception date shown in the table is that of the Funds' Class A shares. The inception date of the Funds' Class R shares is June 3, 2002.
The cumulative total returns for the Fund, with respect to its Investor Class shares, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003* SINCE INCEPTION INVESTOR CLASS SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE** ---------------------- ------ ------- --------- --------- AIM European Growth Fund 28.33% 54.62% 100.38% 11/03/97 |
* The returns shown for these periods are the blended returns of the historical performance of the Fund's Investor Class shares since September 30, 2003 and the restated historical performance of the Fund's Class A shares (for the period prior to September 30, 2003) at the net asset value, and reflect the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class A shares.
**The inception date shown in the table is that of the Fund's Class A shares. The inception date of the Fund's Investor Class shares is September 30, 2003.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (AFTER TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS)
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and including sales loads) for each Fund, with respect to its Class A shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS A SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------ ------- -------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 33.78% 8.34% N/A 2.34% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 21.32% 7.89% N/A 11.25% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 23.64% 1.52% N/A 6.09% 09/15/94 AIM Global Growth Fund 12.19% -3.31% N/A 4.98% 09/15/94 AIM International Growth Fund 13.40% -1.94% 3.47% N/A- 04/07/92 |
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and including maximum applicable contingent deferred sales charge) for each Fund, with respect to its Class B shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS B SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------ ------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 35.75% 8.60% 2.48% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 22.52% 8.07% 11.43% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 24.08% 1.61% 6.13% 09/15/94 AIM Global Growth Fund 12.19% -3.25% 5.04% 09/15/94 AIM International Growth Fund 14.14% -1.88% 2.71% 09/15/94 |
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and including maximum applicable contingent deferred sales charge) for each Fund, with respect to its Class C shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS C SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------ ------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 39.61% 8.87% 2.57% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 26.57% 8.37% 11.55% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 28.17% 1.94% -1.17% 08/04/97 AIM Global Growth Fund 16.19% -2.88% -1.90% 08/04/97 AIM International Growth Fund 18.12% -1.52% -1.68% 08/04/97 |
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions) for the Fund, with respect to its Investor Class shares, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003* SINCE INCEPTION INVESTOR CLASS SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE** ---------------------- ------ ------- --------- --------- AIM European Growth Fund 28.33% 9.10% 12.29% 11/03/97 |
* The returns shown for these periods are the blended returns of the historical performance of the Fund's Investor Class shares since September 30, 2003 and the restated historical performance of the Fund's Class A shares (for the period prior to September 30, 2003) at the net asset value, and reflect the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class A shares.
**The inception date shown in the table is that of the Fund's Class A shares. The inception date of the Fund's Investor Class shares is September 30, 2003.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (AFTER TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTION)
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption and including sales load) for each Fund, with respect to its Class A shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS A SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------ ------- -------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 21.95% 7.26% N/A 2.01% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 13.86% 6.85% N/A 9.90% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 15.36% 2.15% N/A 5.85% 09/15/94 AIM Global Growth Fund 7.92% -2.51% N/A 4.57% 09/15/94 AIM International Growth Fund 8.71% -1.26% 3.31% N/A 04/07/92 |
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption and including maximum applicable contingent deferred sales charge) for each Fund, with respect to its Class B shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS B SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------ ------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 23.24% 7.49% 2.13% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 14.64% 7.01% 10.06% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 15.65% 2.28% 5.91% 09/15/94 AIM Global Growth Fund 7.92% -2.44% 4.63% 09/15/94 AIM International Growth Fund 9.19% -1.19% 2.66% 09/15/94 |
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption and including maximum applicable contingent deferred sales charge) for each Fund, with respect to its Class C shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 SINCE INCEPTION CLASS C SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE -------------- ------ ------- --------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 25.74% 7.73% 2.21% 11/03/97 AIM European Growth Fund 17.27% 7.27% 10.17% 11/03/97 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 18.31% 2.56% -0.31% 08/04/97 AIM Global Growth Fund 10.52% -2.14% -1.33% 08/04/97 AIM International Growth Fund 11.78% -0.90% -1.10% 08/04/97 |
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption) for the Fund, with respect to its Investor Class shares, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003* SINCE INCEPTION INVESTOR CLASS SHARES: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION DATE** ---------------------- ------ ------- --------- --------- AIM European Growth Fund 18.42% 7.92% 10.84% 11/03/97 |
* The returns shown for these periods are the blended returns of the historical performance of the Fund's Investor Class shares since September 30, 2003 and the restated historical performance of the Fund's Class A shares (for the period prior to September 30, 2003) at the net asset value, and reflect the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class A shares.
**The inception date shown in the table is that of the Fund's Class A shares. The inception date of the Fund's Investor Class shares is September 30, 2003.
APPENDIX N
PENDING LITIGATION
The following civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, involving one or more AIM or INVESCO Funds, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"), A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") or INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO") and certain related parties have been served as of February 23, 2004.
RAJ SANYAL, DERIVATELY ON BEHALF OF NATIONS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND, V. WILLIAM P. CARMICHAEL, WILLIAM H. GRIGG, THOMAS F. KELLER, CARL E. MUNDY, JR., CORNELIUS J. PINGS, A. MAX WALKER, CHARLES B. WALKER, EDMUND L. BENSON, III, ROBERT H. GORDON, JAMES B. SOMMERS, THOMAS S. WORD, JR., EDWARD D. BEDARD, GERALD MURPHY, ROBERT B. CARROLL, INVESCO
GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, BANK OF AMERICA
CORPORATION, MARSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, BANC OF AMERICA ADVISORS,
LLC, BANC OF AMERICA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, AND NATIONS FUNDS TRUST,
in the Superior Court Division, State of North Carolina (Civil Action
No. 03-CVS-19622), filed November 14, 2003. This claim alleges common
law breach of fiduciary duty; abuse of control; gross mismanagement;
waste of fund assets; and unjust enrichment. The plaintiff in this case
is seeking: injunctive relief; including imposition of a constructive
trust; damages; restitution and disgorgement; and costs and expenses,
including counsel fees and expert fees.
JOEL GOODMAN, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY
SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC. AND RAYMOND R. CUNNINGHAM, in
the District Court, City and County of Denver, Colorado (Case Number
03CV9268), filed on December 5, 2003. This claim alleges breach of
fiduciary duty and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. The
plaintiffs in this case are seeking: injunctive relief; accounting for
all damages and for all profits and any special benefits obtained;
disgorgement; restitution and damages; costs and disbursements,
including attorneys' and experts' fees; and equitable relief.
L. SCOTT KARLIN, DERIVATIVELY ON BEHALF OF INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC. V.
AMVESCAP, PLC, INVESCO, INC., CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, CANARY
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC., AND CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD., in the
United States District Court, District of Colorado (Civil Action No.
03-MK-2406), filed on November 28, 2003. This claim alleges violations
of Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
("Investment Company Act"), and common law breach of fiduciary duty.
The plaintiffs in this case are seeking damages and costs and expenses,
including attorneys' and experts' fees.
EDWARD LOWINGER AND SHARON LOWINGER, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, V. INVESCO ADVANTAGE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO CORE EQUITY FUND, INVESCO DYNAMICS FUND, INVESCO ENERGY FUND, INVESCO FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, INVESCO GOLD & PRECIOUS METALS FUND, INVESCO HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND (FORMERLY KNOWN AS INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP VALUE FUND), INVESCO LEISURE FUND, INVESCO MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INVESCO MULTI-SECTOR FUND, AIM INVESCO S&P 500 INDEX FUND, INVESCO SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND, INVESCO TECHNOLOGY FUND, INVESCO TOTAL RETURN FUND, INVESCO UTILITIES FUND, AIM MONEY MARKET FUND, AIM INVESCO TAX-FREE MONEY FUND, AIM INVESCO TREASURER'S MONEY MARKET RESERVE FUND, AIM INVESCO TREASURER'S TAX-EXEMPT RESERVE FUND, AIM INVESCO U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY FUND, INVESCO ADVANTAGE FUND, INVESCO BALANCED FUND, INVESCO EUROPEAN FUND, INVESCO GROWTH FUND, INVESCO HIGH-YIELD FUND, INVESCO GROWTH & INCOME FUND, INVESCO REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY FUND, INVESCO SELECT INCOME FUND, INVESCO TAX-FREE BOND FUND, INVESCO TELECOMMUNICATIONS
FUND, INVESCO U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND, INVESCO VALUE FUND,
INVESCO; INVESCO LATIN AMERICAN GROWTH FUND (COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS THE
"INVESCO FUNDS"); AIM STOCK FUNDS, AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST, AIM
SECTOR FUNDS INC., AIM BOND FUNDS INC., AIM COMBINATION STOCK AND BOND
FUNDS INC., AIM MONEY MARKET FUNDS INC., AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS INC.
(COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS THE "INVESCO FUNDS REGISTRANTS"); AMVESCAP PLC,
INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC.; TIMOTHY MILLER; RAYMOND CUNNINGHAM; THOMAS
KOLBE; EDWARD J. STERN; AMERICAN SKANDIA INC.; BREAN MURRAY & CO.,
INC.; CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC; CANARY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC;
CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD.; AND JOHN DOES 1-100, in the United
States District Court, Southern District of New York (Civil Action No.
03-CV-9634), filed on December 4, 2003. This claim alleges violations
of: Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"); Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"); Rule 10b-5 under the
Exchange Act; and Section 206 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940,
as amended (the "Advisers Act"). The plaintiffs in this case are
seeking: compensatory damages; rescission; return of fees paid;
accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation;
restitution and disgorgement; and other costs and expenses, including
counsel fees and expert fees.
RICHARD RAVER, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY
SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC., INVESCO STOCK FUNDS, INC., AIM
MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC., AIM STOCK FUNDS, AIM STOCK FUNDS, INC.,
AMVESCAP PLC, INVESCO ADVANTAGE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO CORE
EQUITY FUND, INVESCO DYNAMICS FUND, INVESCO ENERGY FUND, INVESCO
FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, INVESCO GOLD & PRECIOUS METALS FUND, INVESCO
HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND, INVESCO
LEISURE FUND, INVESCO MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INVESCO MULTI-SECTOR FUND,
INVESCO S&P 500 INDEX FUND, INVESCO SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND, INVESCO
TECHNOLOGY FUND, INVESCO TOTAL RETURN FUND, INVESCO UTILITIES FUND,
INVESCO ADVANTAGE FUND, INVESCO BALANCED FUND, INVESCO EUROPEAN FUND,
INVESCO GROWTH FUND, INVESCO HIGH YIELD FUND, INVESCO GROWTH & INCOME
FUND, INVESCO INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP VALUE FUND, INVESCO REAL ESTATE
OPPORTUNITY FUND, INVESCO SELECT FUND, INVESCO TAX-FREE BOND FUND,
INVESCO TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND, INVESCO U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
FUND, INVESCO VALUE FUND, EDWARD J. STERN, CANARY INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT, LLC, CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD., CANARY CAPITAL
PARTNERS, LLC, AND DOES 1-100, in the United States District Court,
District of Colorado (Civil Action No. 03-F-2441), filed on December 2,
2003. This claim alleges violations of: Sections 11 and 15 of the
Securities Act; Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act; Rule
10b-5 under the Exchange Act; and Sections 34(b), 36(a) and 36(b) of
the Investment Company Act. The claim also alleges common law breach of
fiduciary duty. The plaintiffs in this case are seeking: damages;
pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; attorneys' and experts' fees;
and other relief.
STEVEN B. EHRLICH, CUSTODIAN FOR ALEXA P. EHRLICH, UGTMA/FLORIDA, AND DENNY P. JACOBSON, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, V. INVESCO ADVANTAGE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO CORE EQUITY FUND, INVESCO DYNAMICS FUND, INVESCO ENERGY FUND, INVESCO FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, INVESCO GOLD & PRECIOUS METALS FUND, INVESCO HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND (FORMERLY KNOWN AS INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP VALUE FUND), INVESCO LEISURE FUND, INVESCO MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INVESCO MULTI-SECTOR FUND, AIM INVESCO S&P 500 INDEX FUND, INVESCO SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND, INVESCO TECHNOLOGY FUND, INVESCO TOTAL RETURN FUND, INVESCO UTILITIES FUND, AIM MONEY MARKET FUND, AIM INVESCO TAX-FREE MONEY FUND, AIM INVESCO TREASURERS MONEY MARKET RESERVE FUND, AIM INVESCO TREASURERS TAX-EXEMPT RESERVE FUND, AIM INVESCO US
GOVERNMENT MONEY FUND, INVESCO ADVANTAGE FUND, INVESCO BALANCED FUND,
INVESCO EUROPEAN FUND, INVESCO GROWTH FUND, INVESCO HIGH-YIELD FUND,
INVESCO GROWTH & INCOME FUND, INVESCO REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY FUND,
INVESCO SELECT INCOME FUND, INVESCO TAX-FREE BOND FUND, INVESCO
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND, INVESCO U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND,
INVESCO VALUE FUND, INVESCO LATIN AMERICAN GROWTH FUND (COLLECTIVELY
KNOW AS THE "INVESCO FUNDS"); AIM STOCK FUNDS, AIM COUNSELOR SERIES
TRUST, AIM SECTOR FUNDS INC., AIM BOND FUNDS INC., AIM COMBINATION
STOCK AND BOND FUNDS INC., AIM MONEY MARKET FUNDS INC., AIM
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS INC. (COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS THE "INVESCO FUNDS
REGISTRANTS"); AMVESCAP PLC, INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC.; TIMOTHY MILLER;
RAYMOND CUNNINGHAM; THOMAS KOLBE; EDWARD J. STERN; AMERICAN SKANDIA
INC.; BREAN MURRAY & CO., INC.; CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC; CANARY
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC; CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD.; AND JOHN
DOES 1-100, in the United States District Court, District of Colorado
(Civil Action No. 03-N-2559), filed on December 17, 2003. This claim
alleges violations of: Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act;
Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act; Rule 10b-5 under the
Exchange Act; and Section 206 of the Advisers Act. The plaintiffs in
this case are seeking: compensatory damages; rescission; return of fees
paid; accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation;
restitution and disgorgement; and other costs and expenses, including
counsel fees and expert fees.
PAT B. GORSUCH AND GEORGE L. GORSUCH V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC.; AND
AIM ADVISER, INC., in the United States District Court, District of
Colorado (Civil Action No. 03-MK-2612), filed on December 24, 2003.
This claim alleges violations of: Sections 15(a), 20(a) and 36(b) of
the Investment Company Act. The plaintiffs in this case are seeking:
rescission and/or voiding of the investment advisory agreements; return
of fees paid; damages; and other costs and expenses, including counsel
fees and expert fees.
LORI WEINRIB, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY
SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC., AIM STOCK FUNDS, AIM COUNSELOR
SERIES TRUST, AIM SECTOR FUNDS INC., AIM BOND FUNDS INC., AIM
COMBINATION STOCK AND BOND FUNDS INC., AIM MONEY MARKET FUNDS INC., AIM
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS INC.; AMVESCAP PLC, TIMOTHY MILLER, RAYMOND
CUNNINGHAM, THOMAS KOLBE; EDWARD J. STERN; AMERICAN SKANDIA INC., BREAN
MURRAY & CO., INC., CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, CANARY INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT, LLC, CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD; AND JOHN DOES 1-100, in
the United States District Court, Southern District of New York (Civil
Action No. 04-CV-00492), filed on January 21, 2004. This claim alleges
violations of: Sections 11 and 15 of the 1933 Act; Sections 10(b) and
20(a) of the Exchange Act; Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act; and
Section 206 of the Advisers Act. The plaintiffs in this case are
seeking: compensatory damages; rescission; return of fees paid;
accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation;
restitution and disgorgement; and other costs and expenses, including
counsel fees and expert fees.
CARL E. VONDER HAAR AND MARILYN P. MARTIN, ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND
ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC., INVESCO
STOCK FUNDS, INC. AND DOE DEFENDANTS 1-100, in the United States
District Court, District of Colorado (Civil Action No. 04-CV-812),
filed on February 5, 2004. The claim alleges common law breach of
fiduciary duty; breach of contract; and tortuous interference with
contract. The plaintiffs in this case are seeking: injunctive relief;
damages; disgorgement; and costs and expenses, including counsel fees
and expert fees.
Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be served or filed against the funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and related
entities and individuals in the future. This statement of additional information will be supplemented periodically if any such lawsuits do arise.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Directors/Trustees and Shareholders of AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund (one of the funds constituting AIM International Funds, Inc., now known as AIM International Mutual Funds; hereafter referred to as the "Fund") at October 31, 2003, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2003 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. The financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or before October 31, 2000 were audited by other independent accountants whose report dated December 6, 2000, expressed an unqualified opinion on the financial highlights.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
December 16, 2003
Houston, Texas
FS-1
FINANCIALS
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FOREIGN STOCKS & OTHER EQUITY INTERESTS-93.00% AUSTRALIA-11.70% Amcor Ltd. (Paper Packaging) 174,500 $ 1,049,770 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BHP Billiton Ltd. (Diversified Metals & Mining) 305,700 2,535,730 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BHP Steel Ltd. (Steel) 286,940 1,100,703 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Boral Ltd. (Construction Materials) 240,200 935,009 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd. (Soft Drinks) 80,000 333,492 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cochlear Ltd. (Health Care Equipment) 29,300 653,218 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Computershare Ltd. (Data Processing Services) 519,200 1,315,520 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Foodland Associated Ltd. (Food Retail) 40,576 549,943 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Promina Group Ltd. (Property & Casualty Insurance) (Acquired 05/12/03; Cost $125,108)(a) 107,700 253,066 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ramsay Health Care Ltd. (Health Care Facilities) 423,700 1,289,457 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ St. George Bank Ltd. (Diversified Banks) 53,100 785,454 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Toll Holdings Ltd. (Trucking) 350,100 2,071,468 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wesfarmers Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 48,200 989,293 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ WMC Resources Ltd. (Diversified Metals & Mining)(b) 220,000 797,210 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Woolworths Ltd. (Food Retail) 78,500 617,809 ======================================================================== 15,277,142 ======================================================================== BERMUDA-3.51% Esprit Holdings Ltd. (Apparel Retail) 691,000 2,171,165 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Li & Fung Ltd. (Distributors) 1,434,000 2,409,820 ======================================================================== 4,580,985 ======================================================================== CAYMAN ISLANDS-4.19% ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. (Semiconductor Equipment) 634,000 2,371,703 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Global Bio-chem Technology Group Co. Ltd. (Biotechnology) 3,620,000 1,841,326 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Xinao Gas Holdings Ltd. (Gas Utilities)(b) 2,332,000 1,253,747 ======================================================================== 5,466,776 ======================================================================== CHINA-4.78% Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd.-Class H (Construction Materials) 442,000 503,722 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ China Petroleum and Chemical Corp. (Sinopec)- Class H (Integrated Oil & Gas) 4,994,000 1,655,964 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ China Shipping Development Co. Ltd.-Class H (Marine) 874,000 573,993 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lianhua Supermarket Holdings Ltd.-Class H (Food Retail)(b) 1,027,000 1,005,099 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tong Ren Tang Technologies Co. Ltd-Class H (Pharmaceuticals) 274,000 525,729 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHINA-(CONTINUED) Travelsky Technology Ltd.-Class H (Data Processing & Outsourced Services) (Acquired 02/01/01-06/13/03; Cost $464,016)(a) 750,000 $ 705,032 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Weiqiao Textile Co. Ltd.-Class H (Textiles) (Acquired 09/19/03-09/24/03; Cost $1,259,195)(a)(b) 1,087,100 1,273,902 ======================================================================== 6,243,441 ======================================================================== HONG KONG-12.57% Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (Airlines) 924,000 1,766,947 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd. (Real Estate Management & Development) 126,000 1,050,595 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ China Merchants Holdings International Co. Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 1,116,000 1,508,963 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CNOOC Ltd.-ADR (Oil & Gas Exploration & Production) 20,600 775,590 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ COFCO International Ltd. (Packaged Foods & Meats) 1,913,000 1,182,446 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dah Sing Financial Group (Diversified Banks) 415,600 2,903,356 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Denway Motors Ltd. (Automobile Manufacturers) 796,000 656,021 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 168,000 1,303,441 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd. (Metal & Glass Containers) (Acquired 09/22/03-09/26/03; Cost $738,776)(a)(b) 1,359,800 1,006,857 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. (Real Estate Management & Development) 99,000 838,216 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (Household Appliances) (Acquired 07/26/02-08/09/02; Cost $688,550)(a) 894,000 2,463,635 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wing Hang Bank Ltd. (Diversified Banks)(b) 154,000 949,907 ======================================================================== 16,405,974 ======================================================================== INDIA-9.38% Bajaj Auto Ltd. (Motorcycle Manufacturers) 42,000 848,202 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bharat Forge Ltd. (Industrial Machinery) 53,300 696,475 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals) 55,500 1,463,672 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HDFC Bank Ltd. (Diversified Banks) 202,400 1,412,825 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HDFC Bank Ltd.-ADR (Diversified Banks) 17,500 453,075 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hindustan Lever Ltd. (Household Products) 179,636 692,066 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd. (Thrifts & Mortgage Finance) 104,300 1,196,504 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Infosys Technologies Ltd. (IT Consulting & Other Services) 20,682 2,163,784 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals) 100,560 2,181,500 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
FS-2
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ INDIA-(CONTINUED) Tata Motors Ltd. (Construction, Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks)(b) 138,000 $ 1,140,357 ======================================================================== 12,248,460 ======================================================================== INDONESIA-0.95% PT Lippo Bank Tbk (Diversified Banks)(b) 1,181,296 64,650 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 1,671,000 1,180,015 ======================================================================== 1,244,665 ======================================================================== NETHERLANDS-0.72% Hardie (James) Industries N.V. (Construction Materials) 185,000 938,795 ======================================================================== PHILIPPINES-1.57% Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(b) 98,000 1,353,249 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SM Prime Holdings (Real Estate Management & Development) 5,333,900 693,214 ======================================================================== 2,046,463 ======================================================================== SINGAPORE-5.99% Keppel Corp. Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 604,000 2,065,996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. (Marine)(b) 704,000 898,465 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SembCorp Logistics Ltd. (Marine Ports & Services) 1,392,000 1,344,386 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Singapore Airlines Ltd. (Airlines)(b) 116,000 806,899 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ United Overseas Bank Ltd. (Diversified Banks) 178,000 1,391,664 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Venture Corp. Ltd. (Electronic Manufacturing Services) 121,000 1,314,688 ======================================================================== 7,822,098 ======================================================================== SOUTH KOREA-18.14% Cheil Communications Inc. (Advertising) 11,240 1,377,102 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CJ Corp. (Packaged Foods & Meats) 43,090 2,151,769 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (Construction, Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks)(b) 154,000 2,068,948 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hana Bank (Diversified Banks) 204,600 3,561,267 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. (Tires & Rubber) 185,400 1,279,863 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hyundai Department Store Co., Ltd. (Department Stores) 56,000 1,417,153 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd. (Automobile Manufacturers) 20,200 673,333 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kook Soon Dang Brewery Co., Ltd. (Packaged Foods & Meats) 104,872 1,949,458 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kookmin Bank (Diversified Banks) 50,700 1,850,646 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LG Chem Ltd. (Commodity Chemicals) 15,830 635,340 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ POSCO-ADR (Steel) 38,500 1,115,730 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 11,320 4,495,480 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SOUTH KOREA-(CONTINUED) Shinsegae Co., Ltd. (Department Stores) 5,500 $ 1,103,718 ======================================================================== 23,679,807 ======================================================================== TAIWAN-15.86% Ambit Microsystems Corp. (Computer Storage & Peripherals) 567,500 1,555,482 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Asia Optical Co., Inc. (Photographic Products) 316,000 2,086,177 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AU Optronics Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 637,000 859,847 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AU Optronics Corp.-ADR (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 31,500 427,770 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chinatrust Financial Holding Co. Ltd. (Diversified Banks) 548,000 570,127 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Compal Electronics Inc. (Computer Hardware) 794,250 1,205,537 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 348,240 1,560,050 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ichia Technologies, Inc. (Computer Storage & Peripherals)(b) 480,000 877,100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Largan Precision Co., Ltd. (Photographic Products) 58,100 621,583 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MediaTek Inc. (Semiconductors) 166,050 1,712,865 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Merry Electronics Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 302,000 489,537 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Novatek Microelectronics Corp., Ltd. (Semiconductors) 310,500 979,178 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Oriental Union Chemical Corp. (Commodity Chemicals) 892,000 1,156,734 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quanta Computers Inc. (Computer Hardware) 508,255 1,385,605 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Semiconductors)(b) 1,842,307 3,637,918 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wan Hai Lines Ltd. (Marine) 1,030,000 1,007,840 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yang Ming Marine Transport (Marine) 577,000 578,190 ======================================================================== 20,711,540 ======================================================================== THAILAND-3.64% Kasikornbank PCL (Diversified Banks)(b) 1,146,000 1,276,521 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Land & Houses PCL (Homebuilding) 2,072,000 700,175 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Siam Cement PCL (The) (Construction Materials) 143,000 808,961 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Siam Commercial Bank PCL (Diversified Banks)(b) 927,000 957,165 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thai Olefins PCL (Diversified Chemicals)(b)(c) 1,330,000 1,008,736 ======================================================================== 4,751,558 ======================================================================== Total Foreign Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $84,197,745) 121,417,704 ======================================================================== |
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT BONDS & NOTES-0.00% INDIA-0.00% Hindustan Lever Ltd. (Household Products), Sec. Deb., 9.00%, 01/01/05 (Cost $0)(d)(e) INR $ 512,800 727 ======================================================================== |
FS-3
MARKET SHARES VALUE ======================================================================== MONEY MARKET FUNDS-3.10% STIC Liquid Assets Portfolio(f) 2,018,963 $ 2,018,963 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ STIC Prime Portfolio(f) 2,018,963 2,018,963 ======================================================================== Total Money Market Funds (Cost $4,037,926) 4,037,926 ======================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-96.10% (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $88,235,671) 125,456,357 ======================================================================== INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH CASH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LOANED MONEY MARKET FUNDS-5.33% STIC Liquid Assets Portfolio(f)(g) 3,479,857 3,479,857 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ STIC Prime Portfolio(f)(g) 3,479,856 3,479,856 ======================================================================== Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $6,959,713) 6,959,713 ======================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-101.43% (Cost $95,195,384) 132,416,070 ======================================================================== OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES-(1.43%) (1,862,080) ======================================================================== NET ASSETS-100.00% $130,553,990 ________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================== |
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR - American Depositary Receipt Deb. - Debentures INR - Indian Rupee Sec. - Secured |
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) Security not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (e.g.,
the security was purchased in a Rule 144A transaction or a Regulation D
transaction). The security may be resold only pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional
buyers. The Fund has no rights to demand registration of these securities.
The aggregate market value of these securities at 10/31/03 was $5,702,492,
which represented 4.37% of the Fund's net assets . Unless otherwise
indicated, these securities are not considered to be illiquid.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) Security fair valued in accordance with the procedures established by the
Board of Directors.
(d) Foreign denominated security. Par value is denominated in currency
indicated.
(e) Acquired as part of an arrangement for issue of bonus debentures.
(f) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same
investment advisor.
(g) The security has been segregated to satisfy the forward commitment to return
the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the
borrower's return of the securities loaned.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-4
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
October 31, 2003
ASSETS: Investments, at market value (cost $84,197,745)* $121,418,431 ----------------------------------------------------------- Investments in affiliated money market funds (cost $10,997,639) 10,997,639 ----------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies, at value (cost $4,994,962) 4,984,405 ----------------------------------------------------------- Cash 1,200,007 ----------------------------------------------------------- Receivables for: Investments sold 1,087,972 ----------------------------------------------------------- Capital stock sold 1,556,439 ----------------------------------------------------------- Dividends and interest 45,475 ----------------------------------------------------------- Investment for deferred compensation plan 26,850 ----------------------------------------------------------- Other assets 37,282 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Total assets 141,354,500 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== LIABILITIES: Payables for: Investments purchased 2,064,506 ----------------------------------------------------------- Capital stock reacquired 1,425,110 ----------------------------------------------------------- Deferred compensation plan 26,850 ----------------------------------------------------------- Collateral upon return of securities loaned 6,959,713 ----------------------------------------------------------- Accrued distribution fees 55,145 ----------------------------------------------------------- Accrued directors' fees 3,072 ----------------------------------------------------------- Accrued transfer agent fees 69,977 ----------------------------------------------------------- Accrued operating expenses 196,137 =========================================================== Total liabilities 10,800,510 =========================================================== Net assets applicable to shares outstanding $130,553,990 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Capital (par value and additional paid-in) $165,932,574 ----------------------------------------------------------- Undistributed net investment income (loss) (31,403) ----------------------------------------------------------- Undistributed net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts (72,581,591) ----------------------------------------------------------- Unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies 37,234,410 =========================================================== $130,553,990 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== NET ASSETS: Class A $ 97,191,762 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Class B $ 24,599,404 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Class C $ 8,762,824 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== CAPITAL STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE: Class A: Authorized 240,000,000 ----------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding 8,049,332 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Class B: Authorized 240,000,000 ----------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding 2,113,430 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Class C: Authorized 240,000,000 ----------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding 755,464 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Class A: Net asset value per share $ 12.07 ----------------------------------------------------------- Offering price per share: (Net asset value of $12.07 / 94.50%) $ 12.77 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Class B: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 11.64 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Class C: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 11.60 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== |
* At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate market value of $5,698,851 were on loan to brokers.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-5
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended October 31, 2003
INVESTMENT INCOME: Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $218,980) $ 2,180,473 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividends from affiliated money market funds 69,535 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Securities lending 10,836 ========================================================================= Total investment income 2,260,844 ========================================================================= EXPENSES: Advisory fees 999,693 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Administrative services fees 50,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Custodian fees 228,701 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution fees: Class A 276,977 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 199,152 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 61,793 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest 10,506 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer agent fees 658,980 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Directors' fees 10,428 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other 214,070 ========================================================================= Total expenses 2,710,300 ========================================================================= Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expense offset arrangements (164,537) ========================================================================= Net expenses 2,545,763 ========================================================================= Net investment income (loss) (284,919) ========================================================================= REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN FROM INVESTMENT SECURITIES, FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND FUTURES CONTRACTS: Net realized gain from: Investment securities (net of tax on the sale of foreign investments of $111,412-Note 1F) 12,454,577 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies 79,177 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Futures contracts 14,714 ========================================================================= 12,548,468 ========================================================================= Change in net unrealized appreciation of: Investment securities (net of change in estimated tax on foreign investments held of $88,167-Note 1F) 31,321,936 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies 39,026 ========================================================================= 31,360,962 ========================================================================= Net gain from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts 43,909,430 ========================================================================= Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $43,624,511 _________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================= |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-6
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002
2003 2002 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATIONS: Net investment income (loss) $ (284,919) $ (644,688) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts 12,548,468 (1,874,392) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change in net unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies 31,360,962 6,142,476 ========================================================================================= Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 43,624,511 3,623,396 ========================================================================================= Share transactions-net: Class A 549,387 (1,562,080) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (2,436,802) (5,905,946) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 75,797 686,025 ========================================================================================= Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions (1,811,618) (6,782,001) ========================================================================================= Net increase (decrease) in net assets 41,812,893 (3,158,605) ========================================================================================= NET ASSETS: Beginning of year 88,741,097 91,899,702 ========================================================================================= End of year (including undistributed net investment income (loss) of $(31,403) and $(26,192) for 2003 and 2002, respectively) $130,553,990 $88,741,097 _________________________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================================= |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-7
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2003
NOTE 1--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM International Funds, Inc. (the "Company"). The Company is a Maryland corporation registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of five separate portfolios. The Fund currently offers multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund. Effective November 25, 2003, the Fund redomesticated as a series portfolio of a newly formed Delaware statutory trust, AIM International Mutual Funds.
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Companies are listed in the Schedule of Investments based on the country in which they are organized.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. SECURITY VALUATIONS -- Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy. A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ National Market System) is valued on the basis of prices furnished by independent pricing services or market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price. Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service. Prices provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are questionable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Company's officers in a manner specifically authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company. Market trends, movement in exchange traded funds and ADRs, and the bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally will be valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Foreign securities are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If a development/event is so significant that there is a reasonably high degree of certainty as to both the effect and the degree of effect that the development/event has actually caused that closing price to no longer reflect actual value, the closing prices, as determined at the close of the applicable foreign market, may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the affected foreign securities as of the close of the NYSE as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
B. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME -- Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. DISTRIBUTIONS -- Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to use a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES -- The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and, as such, will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) which is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements. Any capital loss carryforwards listed are reduced for limitations, if any, to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code.
FS-8
E. REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS -- The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. Collateral on repurchase agreements, including the Fund's pro-rata interest in joint repurchase agreements, is taken into possession by the Fund upon entering into the repurchase agreement. Eligible securities for collateral are U.S. Government Securities, U.S. Government Agency Securities and/or Investment Grade Debt Securities. Collateral consisting of U.S. Government Securities and U.S. Government Agency Securities is marked to market daily to ensure its market value is at least 102% of the sales price of the repurchase agreement. Collateral consisting of Investment Grade Debt Securities is marked to market daily to ensure its market value is at least 105% of the sales price of the repurchase agreement. The investments in some repurchase agreements are through participation with other mutual funds, private accounts and certain non-registered investment companies managed by the investment advisor or its affiliates ("Joint repurchase agreements"). If the seller of a repurchase agreement fails to repurchase the security in accordance with the terms of the agreement, the Fund might incur expenses in enforcing its rights, and could experience losses, including a decline in the value of the underlying security and loss of income.
F. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATIONS -- Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (net of foreign taxes withheld on disposition) and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market prices on investments (net of estimated foreign tax withholding) are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
G. FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS -- A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. The Fund could be exposed to risk if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably.
H. FUTURES CONTRACTS -- The Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts as a hedge against changes in market conditions. Initial margin deposits required upon entering into futures contracts are satisfied by the segregation of specific securities as collateral for the account of the broker (the Fund's agent in acquiring the futures position). During the period the futures contracts are open, changes in the value of the contracts are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by "marking to market" on a daily basis to reflect the market value of the contracts at the end of each day's trading. Variation margin payments are made or received depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. When the contracts are closed, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from, or cost of, the closing transaction and the Fund's basis in the contract. Risks also include to varying degrees, the risk of loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
I. EXPENSES -- Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund and which are directly attributable to that class are charged to the operations of such class. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
NOTE 2--ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Company has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM at the annual rate of 0.95% of the first $500 million of the Fund's average daily net assets, plus 0.90% of the Fund's average daily net assets in excess of $500 million. AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, interest, taxes, fund merger and reorganization, extraordinary items, including other items designed as such by the Board of Directors and increases in expenses due to expense offset arrangements, if any) for Class A, Class B and Class C shares to the extent necessary to limit the total annual fund operating expenses of Class A shares to 2.25%. Voluntary waivers or reimbursements may be modified or discontinued at any time without further notice to investors. Further, AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds in which the Fund has invested (excluding investments made in affiliated money market funds with cash collateral from securities loaned by the Fund). For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM waived fees of $157,515. Under a prior agreement to limit the aggregate costs of certain shareholder services provided by third party administrators, AIM reimbursed fees of $4,765 for Class A, Class B and Class C shares based on the relative net assets of those classes.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM was paid $50,000 for such services.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AISI"), formerly known as AIM Fund Services, Inc., a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund. During the year ended October 31, 2003, AISI retained $394,369 for such services.
FS-9
The Company has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. The Company has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays AIM Distributors compensation at the annual rate of 0.35% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares. Of these amounts, AIM Distributors may pay a service fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B or Class C shares to selected dealers and financial institutions who furnish continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not paid as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. NASD Rules also impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the year ended October 31, 2003, the Class A, Class B and Class C shares paid $276,977, $199,152, and $61,793, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM Distributors retained $9,282 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $118,133, $0 and $17,361 from Class A, Class B shares and Class C shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed upon redemptions by shareholders.
Certain officers and directors of the Company are officers and directors of AIM, AISI and/or AIM Distributors.
NOTE 3--EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENTS
For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received reductions in transfer agency fees from AISI (an affiliate of AIM) of $2,257 under an expense offset arrangement which resulted in a reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $2,257.
NOTE 4--DIRECTORS' FEES
Directors' fees represent remuneration paid to each Director of the Company who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Directors have the option to defer compensation payable by the Company. The Directors deferring compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested.
Current Directors are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Directors over a period of time based on the number of years of service. Certain former Directors also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund paid legal fees of $2,242 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Directors. A member of that firm is a Director of the Company.
NOTE 5--BORROWINGS
The Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. Under certain circumstances, a loan will be secured by collateral. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
Effective June 26, 2003, the Fund became a participant in an uncommitted
unsecured revolving line of credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000 or
(ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds
advised by AIM which are parties to the line of credit can borrow on a first
come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest
at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the reporting period, the Fund was a participant in a committed line of credit facility with a syndicate administered by Citibank, N.A. The Fund could borrow up to the lesser of (i) $500,000,000 or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which were parties to the line of credit could borrow on a first come, first served basis. The funds which were party to the line of credit were charged a commitment fee of 0.09% on the unused balance of the committed line. The commitment fee was allocated among the funds based on their respective average net assets for the period. The committed line of credit facility expired May 20, 2003.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under either the uncommitted unsecured revolving line of credit facility or the committed line of credit facility.
Additionally the Fund is permitted to carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds in the account so the custodian can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank. In either case, the custodian bank will be compensated an amount equal to the Federal Funds rate plus 100 basis points.
NOTE 6--PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to the extent of one-third of the Fund's total assets. Such loans are secured by collateral equal to no less than the market value of the loaned securities determined daily. Such collateral will be cash or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Cash collateral pursuant to these loans is invested in short-term money market instruments or affiliated money market funds. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned were to increase and the borrower did not increase the collateral accordingly, and the borrower fails to return the securities. It is the Fund's policy to obtain additional collateral from or return excess collateral to the borrower by the end of the next business day, following the valuation
FS-10
date of the securities loaned. Therefore, the value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan.
At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate value of $5,698,851 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $6,959,713 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in affiliated money market funds. For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received fees of $10,836 for securities lending.
NOTE 7--DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
Distributions to Shareholders:
There were no ordinary income or long-term capital gain distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002.
Tax Components of Net Assets:
As of October 31, 2003, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation -- investments 36,214,209 ----------------------------------------------------------- Temporary book/tax differences (31,403) ----------------------------------------------------------- Capital loss carryforward (71,561,390) ----------------------------------------------------------- Capital (par value and additional paid-in) 165,932,574 =========================================================== Total net assets $130,553,990 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== |
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation is due to differences in the timing of recognition of gains and losses on investments for tax and book purposes. The Fund's unrealized appreciation difference is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. The tax-basis unrealized appreciation on investments amount includes appreciation on foreign currencies of $13,724.
The temporary book/tax differences are a result of timing differences between book and tax recognition of income and/or expenses. The Fund's temporary book/tax differences are the result of the deferral of director compensation and director retirement plan expenses.
The Fund has a capital loss carryforward for tax purposes which expires as follows:
CAPITAL LOSS EXPIRATION CARRYFORWARD ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2005 $42,625,901 ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2009 27,317,937 ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2010 1,617,552 ========================================================== Total capital loss carryforward $71,561,390 __________________________________________________________ ========================================================== |
NOTE 8--INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2003 was $96,700,298 and $102,655,872, respectively.
UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES ON A TAX BASIS ----------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities $36,491,625 ----------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities (291,140) =========================================================== Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities $36,200,485 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Cost of investments for tax purposes is $96,215,585. |
NOTE 9--RECLASSIFICATION OF PERMANENT DIFFERENCES
Primarily as a result of reclassification of net operating losses and foreign
currency transactions on October 31, 2003, undistributed net investment income
(loss) was increased by $279,708, undistributed net realized gains increased by
$28,917 and capital stock decreased by $308,625. This reclassification had no
effect on net assets of the Fund.
FS-11
NOTE 10--CAPITAL STOCK INFORMATION
The Fund currently offers three different classes of shares: Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Under some circumstances, Class A shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase.
CHANGES IN SHARES OUTSTANDING ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, --------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 --------------------------- --------------------------- SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sold: Class A 52,026,302 $ 482,251,871 36,470,984 $ 349,896,882 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 1,753,073 15,942,378 2,963,386 28,352,153 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 8,347,302 74,077,447 10,574,444 98,792,151 ======================================================================================================================= Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares: Class A 191,930 1,805,340 369,580 3,681,223 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (198,534) (1,805,340) (381,540) (3,681,223) ======================================================================================================================= Reacquired: Class A (51,529,825) (483,507,824) (36,664,943) (355,140,185) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (1,848,491) (16,573,840) (3,215,765) (30,576,876) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (8,321,179) (74,001,650) (10,405,450) (98,106,126) ======================================================================================================================= 420,578 $ (1,811,618) (289,304) $ (6,782,001) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================= |
NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
CLASS A -------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 8.53 $ 8.59 $10.70 $ 10.76 $ 7.69 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.01)(a) (0.04)(a) (0.01)(a) (0.07)(a) (0.03)(a) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.55 (0.02) (2.06) 0.01 3.14 ============================================================================================================================ Total from investment operations 3.54 (0.06) (2.07) (0.06) 3.11 ============================================================================================================================ Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income -- -- -- -- (0.04) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) -- -- ============================================================================================================================ Net asset value, end of period $ 12.07 $ 8.53 $ 8.59 $ 10.70 $ 10.76 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Total return(b) 41.50% (0.70)% (19.46)% (0.56)% 40.66% ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $97,192 $62,806 $61,729 $93,755 $25,420 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers 2.26%(c) 2.25% 2.02% 1.92% 1.92% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers 2.41%(c) 2.49% 2.37% 2.06% 2.72% ============================================================================================================================ Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.11)%(c) (0.41)% (0.06)% (0.57)% (0.50)% ============================================================================================================================ Portfolio turnover rate 100% 114% 73% 64% 142% ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratio are based on average daily net assets of $79,136,415.
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NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
CLASS B -------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 8.27 $ 8.38 $10.50 $ 10.65 $ 7.63 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.07)(a) (0.10)(a) (0.07)(a) (0.17)(a) (0.13)(a) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.44 (0.01) (2.01) 0.02 3.16 ============================================================================================================================ Total from investment operations 3.37 (0.11) (2.08) (0.15) 3.03 ============================================================================================================================ Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income -- -- -- -- (0.01) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) -- -- ============================================================================================================================ Net asset value, end of period $ 11.64 $ 8.27 $ 8.38 $ 10.50 $ 10.65 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Total return(b) 40.75% (1.31)% (19.92)% (1.41)% 39.76% ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $24,599 $19,916 $25,479 $39,852 $12,070 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers 2.91%(c) 2.90% 2.67% 2.67% 2.79% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers 3.06%(c) 3.14% 3.02% 2.76% 3.59% ============================================================================================================================ Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.76)%(c) (1.06)% (0.72)% (1.32)% (1.37)% ============================================================================================================================ Portfolio turnover rate 100% 114% 73% 64% 142% ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratio are based on average daily net assets of $19,915,168.
FS-13
NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
CLASS C ------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 8.25 $ 8.37 $ 10.49 $10.63 $ 7.61 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.07)(a) (0.10)(a) (0.07)(a) (0.17)(a) (0.13)(a) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.42 (0.02) (2.01) 0.03 3.16 =========================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 3.35 (0.12) (2.08) (0.14) 3.03 =========================================================================================================================== Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income -- -- -- -- (0.01) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) -- -- =========================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $11.60 $ 8.25 $ 8.37 $10.49 $10.63 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 40.61% (1.43)% (19.94)% (1.32)% 39.86% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $8,763 $6,019 $ 4,692 $6,797 $5,008 =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers 2.91%(c) 2.90% 2.67% 2.67% 2.79% --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers 3.06%(c) 3.14% 3.02% 2.76% 3.59% =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.76)%(c) (1.06)% (0.72)% (1.32)% (1.37)% =========================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 100% 114% 73% 64% 142% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratio are based on average daily net assets of $6,179,255.
NOTE 12--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Your Fund's investment advisor, A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"). Another indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO"), was, until recently, the investment advisor to the INVESCO Funds.
On December 2, 2003, each of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York ("NYAG") filed civil proceedings against INVESCO and Raymond R. Cunningham, in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of INVESCO. Mr. Cunningham currently holds the positions of Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of A I M Management Group, Inc., the parent company of AIM, and he also holds the position of Senior Vice President with AIM. In addition, on December 2, 2003, the State of Colorado filed civil proceedings against INVESCO. Neither your Fund nor any of the funds in the AIM Family of Funds(R), which includes the INVESCO Funds (the "Funds") has been named as a defendant in any of these proceedings.
The SEC proceeding alleges that INVESCO failed to disclose in the INVESCO Funds' prospectuses and to the INVESCO Funds' independent directors that INVESCO had entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the INVESCO Funds. The SEC is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from serving as an investment advisor, officer or director of an investment company; an accounting of all market timing as well as certain fees and compensation received; disgorgement; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The NYAG proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The NYAG is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from directly or indirectly selling or distributing shares of mutual funds; disgorgement of all profits obtained, including fees collected, and payment of all restitution and damages caused, directly or indirectly from the alleged illegal activities; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The Colorado proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The State of Colorado is seeking injunctions; restitution, disgorgement and other equitable relief; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
If INVESCO is unsuccessful in its defense of these proceedings, it could be barred from serving as an investment advisor for any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (a "registered investment company"). Similarly, if Mr. Cunningham is unsuccessful in his defense of these proceedings, he could be barred from serving as an officer or director of any registered investment company. Such results could also affect the ability of AIM, or any other investment advisor directly or indirectly owned by AMVESCAP, from serving as an investment advisor to any registered investment company, including your Fund. Your Fund has been informed by AIM that, if either of these results occurs, AIM will seek exemptive relief from the SEC to permit it to continue to serve as your Fund's investment advisor. There can be no assurance that such exemptive relief will be granted.
AIM has received inquiries from the SEC, the NASD, Inc., the NYAG and the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with respect to market timing, late trading, fair value pricing and other similar issues and AIM has been providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries.
FS-14
NOTE 12--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (CONTINUED)
In addition to the complaints described above, multiple lawsuits, including
purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against
certain Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and certain related parties, primarily
based upon the allegations in the complaints described above, but also regarding
the funds' fair valuation pricing methodology. Such lawsuits allege a variety of
theories for recovery including, but not limited to: (i) violation of various
provisions of the Federal securities laws; (ii) breach of fiduciary duty; and
(iii) breach of contract. The lawsuits have been filed in both Federal and state
courts and seek such remedies as compensatory damages; restitution; rescission;
accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation; injunctive
relief; disgorgement; equitable relief; interest and the payment of attorneys'
and experts' fees. Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and
presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed against the
Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and related parties in the future.
As a result of these developments, investors in the Funds might react by redeeming their investments. This might require the Funds to sell investments to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the Funds.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund is unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of these matters described above may have on the Fund or AIM's financial condition.
FS-15
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Directors/Trustees and Shareholders of AIM European Growth Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AIM European Growth Fund (one of the funds constituting AIM International Funds, Inc., now known as AIM International Mutual Funds; hereafter referred to as the "Fund") at October 31, 2003, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2003 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. The financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or before October 31, 2000 were audited by other independent accountants whose report dated December 6, 2000, expressed an unqualified opinion on the financial highlights.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
December 16, 2003
Houston, Texas
FS-16
FINANCIALS
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ STOCKS & OTHER EQUITY INTERESTS-96.08% AUSTRIA-0.57% Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen A.G. (Diversified Banks) 22,865 $ 2,519,270 ======================================================================== BELGIUM-3.70% Colruyt N.V. (Food Retail) 79,100 7,147,405 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mobistar S.A. (Wireless Telecommunication Services)(a) 184,134 9,214,993 ======================================================================== 16,362,398 ======================================================================== BERMUDA-2.06% Golar LNG Ltd. (Oil & Gas Refining, Marketing & Transportation)(a) 185,600 2,153,950 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Willis Group Holdings Ltd. (Insurance Brokers) 209,300 6,969,690 ======================================================================== 9,123,640 ======================================================================== CZECH REPUBLIC-0.73% Komercni Banka A.S. (Diversified Banks) 36,470 3,246,732 ======================================================================== DENMARK-2.28% A P Moller-Maersk A.S. (Marine) 504 3,942,900 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GN Store Nord A.S. (Health Care Equipment) 583,900 3,776,314 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topdanmark A.S. (Multi-Line Insurance)(a) 47,300 2,344,066 ======================================================================== 10,063,280 ======================================================================== FRANCE-4.60% Autoroutes du Sud de la France (Highways & Railtracks) 56,953 1,748,396 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BNP Paribas S.A. (Diversified Banks) 55,127 2,886,557 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ France Telecom S.A. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(a) 86,306 2,081,608 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Imerys S.A. (Construction Materials)(a) 14,544 2,780,002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lagardere S.C.A. (Publishing) 29,088 1,458,069 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Neopost S.A. (Office Electronics)(a) 44,000 2,177,006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pernod-Ricard S.A. (Distillers & Vintners) 19,513 1,876,201 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total S.A. (Integrated Oil & Gas)(a) 34,273 5,308,366 ======================================================================== 20,316,205 ======================================================================== GERMANY-7.55% Altana A.G. (Pharmaceuticals) 22,280 1,399,175 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Continental A.G. (Tires & Rubber) 165,325 5,592,406 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Deutsche Boerse A.G. (Specialized Finance) 91,459 5,066,561 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ KarstadtQuelle A.G. (Department Stores) 83,171 2,059,951 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Puma A.G. Rudolf Dassler Sport (Footwear) (Acquired 01/30/02-10/15/02; Cost $4,420,997)(b) 108,800 15,815,419 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stada Arzneimittel A.G. (Pharmaceuticals) 66,728 3,446,854 ======================================================================== 33,380,366 ======================================================================== |
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GREECE-3.18% Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Co. S.A. (Soft Drinks) 108,546 $ 2,094,914 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cosmote Mobile Communications S.A. (Wireless Telecomunication Services) 132,993 1,522,169 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Germanos S.A. (Computer & Electronics Retail) 105,000 2,262,453 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OPAP S.A. (Casinos & Gaming) (Acquired 07/14/03-08/13/03; Cost $1,926,272)(b) 172,589 2,119,319 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vodafone Panafon S.A. (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 873,124 6,068,823 ======================================================================== 14,067,678 ======================================================================== HUNGARY-3.03% Gedeon Richter Rt. (Pharmaceuticals) 57,300 5,861,241 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OTP Bank Rt. (Diversified Banks) 618,400 7,535,762 ======================================================================== 13,397,003 ======================================================================== IRELAND-10.33% Anglo Irish Bank Corp. PLC (Diversified Banks) 1,848,985 22,126,412 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Depfa Bank PLC (Diversified Banks) 54,797 6,113,084 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Grafton Group PLC (Trading Companies & Distributors)(c) 1,828,280 11,331,145 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ IAWS Group PLC (Agricultural Products) 237,500 2,531,213 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Independent News & Media PLC (Publishing) 1,633,800 3,558,230 ======================================================================== 45,660,084 ======================================================================== ISRAEL-1.03% Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals)(a) 49,300 3,167,525 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.-ADR (Pharmaceuticals) 24,300 1,382,427 ======================================================================== 4,549,952 ======================================================================== ITALY-7.62% Banca Intesa S.p.A. (Diversified Banks) 699,200 2,348,966 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Banco Popolare di Verona e Novara Scrl (Diversified Banks) 356,900 5,498,896 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Distillers & Vintners) 104,400 4,474,861 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eni S.p.A. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 342,114 5,413,758 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mediaset S.p.A. (Broadcasting & Cable TV) 342,000 3,442,890 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Merloni Elettrodomestici S.p.A. (Household Appliances) 561,652 9,434,363 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. (Diversified Banks) 620,000 3,045,333 ======================================================================== 33,659,067 ======================================================================== |
FS-17
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NETHERLANDS-3.64% Aalberts Industries N.V. (Industrial Conglomerates) 120,200 $ 2,917,197 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Koninklijke (Royal) KPN N.V. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(a) 416,665 3,156,764 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Koninklijke (Royal) Philips Electronics N.V. (Consumer Electronics) 51,100 1,372,774 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Koninklijke Numico N.V. (Packaged Foods & Meats)(a) 120,627 2,712,360 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Randstad Holding N.V. (Employment Services)(a) 123,925 2,347,221 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sligro Food Group N.V. (Food Distributors) 57,800 1,540,043 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Versatel Telecom International N.V. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(a) 882,000 2,023,071 ======================================================================== 16,069,430 ======================================================================== NORWAY-2.58% Ekornes A.S.A. (Home Furnishings) 323,151 5,364,030 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Schibsted A.S.A. (Publishing) 30,906 541,272 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Smedvig A.S.A.-Class A (Oil & Gas Drilling) 289,878 1,998,090 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Telenor A.S.A. (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 641,628 3,474,943 ======================================================================== 11,378,335 ======================================================================== RUSSIA-1.92% AO VimpelCom-ADR (Wireless Telecommunication Services)(a) 104,600 6,809,460 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mobile Telesystems-ADR (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 21,600 1,673,784 ======================================================================== 8,483,244 ======================================================================== SPAIN-5.11% Banco Popular Espanol S.A. (Diversified Banks) 66,140 3,427,207 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Corporacion Mapfre S.A. (Multi-Line Insurance) 468,943 5,823,608 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Enagas (Gas Utilities) (Acquired 06/25/02- 04/23/03; Cost $2,094,069)(b) 327,760 3,018,564 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica, S.A. (Heavy Electrical Equipment) 88,401 2,384,061 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Grupo Ferrovial, S.A. (Construction & Engineering) 116,048 3,301,743 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Repsol YPF, S.A. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 267,692 4,651,617 ======================================================================== 22,606,800 ======================================================================== SWEDEN-3.57% Alfa Laval A.B. (Industrial Machinery) 189,751 2,494,589 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Atlas Copco A.B.-Class A (Industrial Machinery) 66,300 2,318,685 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elekta A.B.-Class B (Health Care Equipment)(a) 139,704 2,763,874 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elekta A.B.-Rts. (Health Care Equipment)(d) 139,704 7,133 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Swedish Match A.B. (Tobacco) 439,152 3,559,313 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson A.B. (Communications Equipment)(a) 1,233,874 2,110,344 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Volvo A.B.-Class B (Construction, Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks) 90,000 2,504,244 ======================================================================== 15,758,182 ======================================================================== |
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SWITZERLAND-5.49% Actelion Ltd. (Biotechnology)(a) 24,100 $ 2,283,423 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Credit Suisse Group (Diversified Capital Markets) 115,277 4,046,391 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Micronas Semiconductor Holding A.G. (Semiconductors)(a) 70,000 2,898,389 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Roche Holding A.G. (Pharmaceuticals) 31,850 2,625,653 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Schindler Holding A.G. (Industrial Machinery)(a) 3,591 902,840 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Schindler Holding A.G.-Participation Ctfs. (Industrial Machinery)(a) 2,038 456,132 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Straumann A.G. (Health Care Equipment) 16,200 1,918,644 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Swiss Life Holding (Life & Health Insurance)(a) 16,800 2,838,854 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Syngenta A.G. (Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals) 45,165 2,410,889 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ UBS A.G. (Diversified Capital Markets) 63,440 3,880,991 ======================================================================== 24,262,206 ======================================================================== UNITED KINGDOM-25.37% AstraZeneca PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 96,410 4,522,792 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Barclays PLC (Diversified Banks) 456,420 3,844,497 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cattles PLC (Consumer Finance) 1,059,920 5,730,364 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Centrica PLC (Gas Utilities) 1,336,960 4,180,548 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Enterprise Inns PLC (Restaurants) 465,290 6,667,389 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Galen Holdings PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 525,840 6,741,880 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ICAP PLC (Investment Banking & Brokerage) 302,860 7,076,279 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Imperial Tobacco Group PLC (Tobacco) 432,040 7,153,803 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Inchcape PLC (Distributors) 114,530 2,651,480 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Johnston Press PLC (Publishing) 743,690 5,840,721 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ lastminute.com PLC (Internet Software & Services)(a) 488,300 2,453,747 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Man Group PLC (Asset Management & Custody Banks) 172,590 4,238,405 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Morgan Crucible Co. PLC (Industrial Machinery)(a) 1,120,200 2,468,069 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Morrison (William) Supermarkets PLC (Food Retail) 1,075,420 4,082,673 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Next PLC (Department Stores) 217,020 4,340,105 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Photo-Me International PLC (Photographic Products)(a) 1,160,000 2,349,332 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PHS Group PLC (Diversified Commercial Services) 1,485,000 2,137,122 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Reckitt Benckiser PLC (Household Products) 192,285 4,040,969 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shire Pharmaceuticals Group PLC (Pharmaceuticals)(a) 680,810 5,151,881 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Smith & Nephew PLC (Health Care Supplies) 510,440 4,050,801 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tesco PLC (Food Retail) 1,105,835 4,427,725 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Travis Perkins PLC (Home Improvement Retail) 272,290 5,508,237 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC (Aerospace & Defense) 484,810 4,239,745 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
FS-18
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ UNITED KINGDOM-(CONTINUED) Vodafone Group PLC (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 3,912,340 $ 8,205,409 ======================================================================== 112,103,973 ======================================================================== UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1.72% Autoliv, Inc.-SDR (Auto Parts & Equipment) 104,406 3,424,808 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Synthes-Stratec, Inc. (Health Care Equipment) 4,563 4,173,558 ======================================================================== 7,598,366 ======================================================================== Total Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $302,620,322) 424,606,211 ======================================================================== MONEY MARKET FUNDS-1.36% STIC Liquid Assets Portfolio(e) 3,005,612 3,005,612 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ STIC Prime Portfolio(e) 3,005,612 3,005,612 ======================================================================== Total Money Market Funds (Cost $6,011,224) 6,011,224 ======================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-97.44% (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $308,631,546) 430,617,435 ======================================================================== |
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH CASH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LOANED MONEY MARKET FUNDS-2.74% STIC Liquid Assets Portfolio(e)(f) 12,113,481 $ 12,113,481 ======================================================================== Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $12,113,481) 12,113,481 ======================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-100.18% (Cost $320,745,027) 442,730,916 ======================================================================== OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES-(0.18%) (779,974) ======================================================================== NET ASSETS-100.00% $441,950,942 ________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================== |
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR - American Depositary Receipt Ctfs. - Certificates Rts. - Rights SDR - Swedish Depositary Receipt |
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Security not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (e.g.,
the security was purchased in a Rule 144A transaction or a Regulation D
transaction). The security may be resold only pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional
buyers. The Fund has no rights to demand registration of these securities.
The aggregate market value of these securities at 10/31/03 was $20,953,302,
which represented 4.74% of the Fund's net assets. Unless otherwise
indicated, these securities are not considered to be illiquid.
(c) Consists of more than one class of securities traded together as a unit.
(d) Non-income producing security acquired as part of a unit with or in exchange
for other securities.
(e) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same
investment advisor.
(f) The security has been segregated to satisfy the forward commitment to return
the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the
borrower's return of the securities loaned.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-19
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
October 31, 2003
ASSETS: Investments, at market value (cost $302,620,322)* $ 424,606,211 ------------------------------------------------------------ Investments in affiliated money market funds (cost $18,124,705) 18,124,705 ------------------------------------------------------------ Foreign currencies, at value (cost $8,238,403) 8,183,817 ------------------------------------------------------------ Receivables for: Investments sold 7,902,204 ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital stock sold 468,123 ------------------------------------------------------------ Dividends and interest 499,231 ------------------------------------------------------------ Investment for deferred compensation plan 33,205 ------------------------------------------------------------ Other assets 46,794 ============================================================ Total assets 459,864,290 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ LIABILITIES: Payables for: Investments purchased 3,707,615 ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital stock reacquired 1,502,810 ------------------------------------------------------------ Deferred compensation plan 33,205 ------------------------------------------------------------ Collateral upon return of securities loaned 12,113,481 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued distribution fees 206,211 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued directors' fees 10,726 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued transfer agent fees 202,061 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued operating expenses 137,239 ============================================================ Total liabilities 17,913,348 ============================================================ Net assets applicable to shares outstanding $ 441,950,942 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Capital (par value and additional paid-in) $ 464,817,523 ------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net investment income 267,863 ------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts (145,058,846) ------------------------------------------------------------ Unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies 121,924,402 ============================================================ $ 441,950,942 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ NET ASSETS: Class A $ 301,658,752 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B $ 107,959,389 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C $ 31,509,288 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class R $ 660,269 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Investor Class $ 163,244 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ CAPITAL STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE: Class A: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 15,064,592 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 5,613,582 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 1,637,499 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class R: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 33,046 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Investor Class: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 8,156 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class A: Net asset value per share $ 20.02 ------------------------------------------------------------ Offering price per share: (Net asset value of $20.02 divided by 94.50%) $ 21.19 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 19.23 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 19.24 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class R: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 19.98 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Investor Class: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 20.01 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ |
* At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate market value of $11,629,769 were on loan to brokers.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-20
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended October 31, 2003
INVESTMENT INCOME: Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $956,608) $ 7,673,782 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividends from affiliated money market funds 266,520 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Securities lending 304,526 ========================================================================== Total investment income 8,244,828 ========================================================================== EXPENSES: Advisory fees 3,983,818 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Administrative services fees 125,283 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Custodian fees 523,726 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution fees: Class A 1,030,346 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 965,110 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 279,643 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R 2,429 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investor Class 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer agent fees 1,965,469 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Directors' fees 15,817 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other 376,094 ========================================================================== Total expenses 9,267,744 ========================================================================== Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expense offset arrangements (46,965) ========================================================================== Net expenses 9,220,779 ========================================================================== Net investment income (loss) (975,951) ========================================================================== REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT SECURITIES, FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND FUTURES CONTRACTS: Net realized gain (loss) from: Investment securities 19,531,063 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies 1,249,813 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Futures contracts (283,125) ========================================================================== 20,497,751 ========================================================================== Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: Investment securities 92,348,452 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies (116,126) ========================================================================== 92,232,326 ========================================================================== Net gain from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts 112,730,077 ========================================================================== Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $111,754,126 __________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================== |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-21
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002
2003 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OPERATIONS: Net investment income (loss) $ (975,951) $ (2,138,702) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts 20,497,751 (58,034,155) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Change in net unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies 92,232,326 53,982,841 ========================================================================================== Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 111,754,126 (6,190,016) ========================================================================================== Share transactions-net: Class A (62,533,328) 125,417,383 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Class B (13,312,226) (2,223,760) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Class C (3,175,123) (4,011,667) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Class R 467,649 16,969 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investor Class 162,286 -- ========================================================================================== Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions (78,390,742) 119,198,925 ========================================================================================== Net increase in net assets 33,363,384 113,008,909 ========================================================================================== NET ASSETS: Beginning of year 408,587,558 295,578,649 ========================================================================================== End of year (including undistributed net investment income (loss) of $267,863 and $(36,848) for 2003 and 2002, respectively) $441,950,942 $408,587,558 __________________________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================================== |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-22
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2003
NOTE 1--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
AIM European Growth Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM International Funds, Inc. (the "Company"). The Company is a Maryland corporation registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of five separate portfolios. The Fund currently offers multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund. Effective November 25, 2003, the Fund redomesticated as a series portfolio of a newly formed Delaware statutory trust, AIM International Mutual Funds.
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Companies are listed in the Schedule of Investments based on the country in which they are organized.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. SECURITY VALUATIONS -- Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy. A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ National Market System) is valued on the basis of prices furnished by independent pricing services or market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price. Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service. Prices provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are questionable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Company's officers in a manner specifically authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company. Market trends, movement in exchange traded funds and ADRs, and the bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally will be valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Foreign securities are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If a development/event is so significant that there is a reasonably high degree of certainty as to both the effect and the degree of effect that the development/event has actually caused that closing price to no longer reflect actual value, the closing prices, as determined at the close of the applicable foreign market, may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the affected foreign securities as of the close of the NYSE as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
B. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME -- Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. DISTRIBUTIONS -- Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to use a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES -- The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and, as such, will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) which is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements. Any capital loss carryforwards listed are reduced for limitations, if any, to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code.
FS-23
E. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATIONS -- Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market prices on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
F. FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS -- A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. The Fund could be exposed to risk if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably.
G. FUTURES CONTRACTS -- The Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts as a hedge against changes in market conditions. Initial margin deposits required upon entering into futures contracts are satisfied by the segregation of specific securities as collateral for the account of the broker (the Fund's agent in acquiring the futures position). During the period the futures contracts are open, changes in the value of the contracts are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by "marking to market" on a daily basis to reflect the market value of the contracts at the end of each day's trading. Variation margin payments are made or received depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. When the contracts are closed, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from, or cost of, the closing transaction and the Fund's basis in the contract. Risks also include to varying degrees, the risk of loss in excess of the variation margin.
H. EXPENSES -- Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund and which are directly attributable to that class are charged to the operations of such class. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
NOTE 2--ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Company has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM at the annual rate of 0.95% of the first $500 million of the Fund's average daily net assets, plus 0.90% of the Fund's average daily net assets in excess of $500 million. AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds in which the Fund has invested (excluding investments made in affiliated money market funds with cash collateral from securities loaned by the Fund). For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM waived fees of $4,811 and reimbursed expenses of $34,241.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM was paid $125,283 for such services.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AISI"), formerly known as A I M Fund Services, Inc., a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund. During the year ended October 31, 2003, AISI retained $1,087,026 for such services.
The Trust has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and the Investor Class shares of the Fund. The Trust has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and the Investor Class shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays AIM Distributors compensation at the annual rate of 0.35% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares, 0.50% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class shares. Of these amounts, AIM Distributors may pay a service fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, Class C or Class R shares to selected dealers and financial institutions who furnish continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not paid as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. NASD Rules also impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the year ended October 31, 2003, the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and the Investor Class shares paid $1,030,346, $965,110, $279,643, $2,429 and $9, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM Distributors retained $46,667 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $324,229, $69 and $14,575 from Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed upon redemptions by shareholders.
FS-24
Certain officers and directors of the Company are officers and directors of AIM, AISI and/or AIM Distributors.
NOTE 3--EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENTS
For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received reductions in transfer agency fees from AISI (an affiliate of AIM) of $7,666 and reduction in custodian fees of $247 under expense offset arrangements which resulted in a reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $7,913.
NOTE 4--DIRECTORS' FEES
Directors' fees represent remuneration paid to each Director of the Company who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Directors have the option to defer compensation payable by the Company. The Directors deferring compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested.
Current Directors are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Directors over a period of time based on the number of years of service. Certain former Directors also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund paid legal fees of $2,846 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Directors. A member of that firm is a Director of the Company.
NOTE 5--BORROWINGS
The Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. Under certain circumstances, a loan will be secured by collateral. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
Effective June 26, 2003, the Fund became a participant in an uncommitted
unsecured revolving line of credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000 or
(ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds
advised by AIM which are parties to the line of credit can borrow on a first
come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest
at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the reporting period, the Fund was a participant in a committed line of credit facility with a syndicate administered by Citibank, N.A. The Fund could borrow up to the lesser of (i) $500,000,000 or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which were parties to the line of credit could borrow on a first come, first served basis. The funds which were party to the line of credit were charged a commitment fee of 0.09% on the unused balance of the committed line. The commitment fee was allocated among the funds based on their respective average net assets for the period. The committed line of credit facility expired May 20, 2003.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under either the uncommitted unsecured revolving line of credit facility or the committed line of credit facility.
Additionally the Fund is permitted to carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds in the account so the custodian can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank. In either case, the custodian bank will be compensated an amount equal to the Federal Funds rate plus 100 basis points.
NOTE 6--PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to the extent of one-third of the Fund's total assets. Such loans are secured by collateral equal to no less than the market value of the loaned securities determined daily. Such collateral will be cash or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Cash collateral pursuant to these loans is invested in short-term money market instruments or affiliated money market funds. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned were to increase and the borrower did not increase the collateral accordingly, and the borrower fails to return the securities. It is the Fund's policy to obtain additional collateral from or return excess collateral to the borrower by the end of the next business day, following the valuation date of the securities loaned. Therefore, the value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan.
At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate value of $11,629,769 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $12,113,481 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in an affiliated money market fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received fees of $304,526 for securities lending.
NOTE 7--DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
Distributions to Shareholders:
There were no ordinary income or long-term capital gain distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002.
Tax Components of Net Assets:
As of October 31, 2003, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income $ 314,297 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Unrealized appreciation -- investments 120,966,369 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Temporary book/tax differences (46,435) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Capital loss carryforward (144,100,812) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Capital (par value and additional paid-in) 464,817,523 ========================================================================================== Total net assets $ 441,950,942 __________________________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================================== |
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation is due to differences in the timing of recognition of gains and losses on investments for tax and book purposes. The Fund's unrealized appreciation difference is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. The tax-basis unrealized appreciation on
FS-25
investments amount includes appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currencies of $(61,487).
The temporary book/tax differences are a result of timing differences between book and tax recognition of income and/or expenses. The Fund's temporary book/tax differences are the result of the deferral of director compensation and director retirement plan expenses.
The Fund has a capital loss carryforward for tax purposes which expires as follows:
CAPITAL LOSS EXPIRATION CARRYFORWARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2009 $ 85,467,686 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2010 58,633,126 ================================================================================ Total capital loss carryforward $144,100,812 ________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================ |
NOTE 8--INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2003 was $316,660,103 and $381,381,472, respectively.
UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES ON A TAX BASIS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities $121,776,115 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities (748,259) =============================================================================== Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities $121,027,856 _______________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================== Cost of investments for tax purposes is $321,703,060. |
NOTE 9--RECLASSIFICATION OF PERMANENT DIFFERENCES
Primarily as a result of differing book/tax treatment of nondeductible redomestication expenses and foreign currency transactions, on October 31, 2003, undistributed net investment income (loss) was increased by $1,280,662, undistributed net realized gain (loss) was decreased by $1,256,104 and paid in capital decreased by $24,558. This reclassification had no effect on net assets of the Fund.
FS-26
NOTE 10--CAPITAL STOCK INFORMATION
The Fund currently offers five different classes of shares: Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, Class R shares and Investor Class shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Class R shares and Investor Class shares are sold at net asset value. Under some circumstances, Class A shares and Class R shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase.
CHANGES IN CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 ------------------------------ ---------------------------- SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sold: Class A 82,916,233 $ 1,366,427,023 37,092,178 $ 609,947,178 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 734,581 11,741,120 889,627 14,708,041 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 4,899,091 77,913,071 2,584,399 41,058,289 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R* 439,162 7,228,264 992 17,020 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investor Class** 8,159 162,338 -- -- ============================================================================================================================ Issued in connection with acquisitions:*** Class A -- -- 9,495,949 145,720,423 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B -- -- 867,993 12,890,199 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C -- -- 104,957 1,559,763 ============================================================================================================================ Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares: Class A 236,630 3,953,498 130,942 2,186,186 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (245,600) (3,953,498) (137,878) (2,186,186) ============================================================================================================================ Reacquired: Class A (86,282,624) (1,432,913,849) (38,067,728) (632,436,404) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (1,338,030) (21,099,848) (1,710,546) (27,635,814) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (5,072,535) (81,088,194) (2,905,211) (46,629,719) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R* (407,105) (6,760,615) (3) (51) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investor Class** (3) (52) -- -- ============================================================================================================================ (4,112,041) $ (78,390,742) 8,345,671 $ 119,198,925 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ |
* Class R shares commenced sales on June 3, 2002. ** Investor Class shares commenced sales on September 30, 2003. *** As of the close of business on September 20, 2002, the Fund acquired all the net assets of AIM Euroland Growth Fund pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by AIM Euroland Growth Fund shareholders on September 4, 2002. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 10,468,899 shares of the Fund for 22,408,695 shares of AIM Euroland Growth Fund outstanding as of the close of business on September 20, 2002. AIM Euroland Growth Fund's net assets at that date of $160,170,385 including $(26,495,326) of unrealized appreciation (depreciation), were combined with those of the Fund. The aggregate net assets of the Fund immediately before the acquisition were $244,433,808.
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NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
CLASS A ------------------------------------------------------------------ YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------ 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 15.60 $ 16.52 $ 23.59 $ 16.42 $ 12.96 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.01)(a) (0.07)(a) (0.06)(a) (0.21)(a) (0.11) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 4.43 (0.85) (7.01) 7.38 3.58 ================================================================================================================================ Total from investment operations 4.42 (0.92) (7.07) 7.17 3.47 ================================================================================================================================ Less dividends from net investment income -- -- -- -- (0.01) ================================================================================================================================ Net asset value, end of period $ 20.02 $ 15.60 $ 16.52 $ 23.59 $ 16.42 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================ Total return(b) 28.33% (5.57)% (29.97)% 43.67% 26.81% ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================ Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $301,659 $283,812 $157,651 $273,605 $99,148 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================ Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.01%(c)(d) 1.93% 1.83% 1.69% 1.88% ================================================================================================================================ Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.04)%(c) (0.42)% (0.32)% (0.82)% (0.69)% ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================ Portfolio turnover rate 81% 94% 99% 112% 122% ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================ |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $294,384,443.
(d) After fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average
net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.02%.
CLASS B ----------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 15.08 $ 16.07 $ 23.11 $ 16.20 $ 12.87 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.11)(a) (0.18)(a) (0.19)(a) (0.38)(a) (0.22) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 4.26 (0.81) (6.85) 7.29 3.55 =============================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 4.15 (0.99) (7.04) 6.91 3.33 =============================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 19.23 $ 15.08 $ 16.07 $ 23.11 $ 16.20 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 27.52% (6.16)% (30.46)% 42.65% 25.87% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $107,959 $97,436 $105,324 $169,614 $67,074 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.66%(c)(d) 2.58% 2.50% 2.39% 2.63% =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.69)%(c) (1.07)% (0.98)% (1.52)% (1.44)% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 81% 94% 99% 112% 122% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $96,511,040.
(d) After fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average
net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.67%.
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NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
CLASS C -------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 15.09 $ 16.09 $ 23.13 $ 16.21 $ 12.88 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.11)(a) (0.18)(a) (0.19)(a) (0.38)(a) (0.23) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 4.26 (0.82) (6.85) 7.30 3.56 ============================================================================================================================ Total from investment operations 4.15 (1.00) (7.04) 6.92 3.33 ============================================================================================================================ Net asset value, end of period $ 19.24 $ 15.09 $ 16.09 $ 23.13 $ 16.21 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Total return(b) 27.50% (6.22)% (30.44)% 42.69% 25.85% ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $31,509 $27,323 $32,604 $54,164 $11,938 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.66%(c)(d) 2.58% 2.50% 2.39% 2.63% ============================================================================================================================ Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.69)%(c) (1.07)% (0.98)% (1.52)% (1.44)% ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ Portfolio turnover rate 81% 94% 99% 112% 122% ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================================================ |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $27,964,290.
(d) After fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average
net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.67%.
CLASS R ------------------------------- JUNE 3, 2002 (DATE SALES YEAR ENDED COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, 2003 2002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $15.59 $ 18.35 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.03)(a) (0.04)(a) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 4.42 (2.72) ============================================================================================= Total from investment operations 4.39 (2.76) ============================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $19.98 $ 15.59 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================= Total return(b) 28.16% (15.04)% _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 660 $ 15 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.16%(c)(d) 2.08%(e) ============================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.19)%(c) (0.57)%(e) _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate(f) 81% 94% _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and is not annualized for
periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $485,853.
(d) After fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average
net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.17%.
(e) Annualized.
(f) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
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NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
INVESTOR CLASS ------------------ SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 (DATE SALES COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, 2003 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $18.84 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.00(a) ================================================================================== Net gains on securities (both realized and unrealized) 1.17 ================================================================================== Total from investment operations 1.17 ================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $20.01 __________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================== Total return(b) 6.21% __________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 163 __________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.79%(c)(d) ================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 0.18%(c) __________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate(e) 81% __________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and is not annualized for
periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $42,611.
(d) After fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average
net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 1.79%.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
NOTE 12--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On November 24, 2003, INVESCO European Fund ("Selling Fund") transferred substantially all of its assets to the Fund in exchange for shares of the Selling Fund in a tax-free reorganization.
The results of the reorganization are as follows: The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 8,080,669 shares of the Fund for 18,162,024 shares of INVESCO European Fund outstanding as of the open of business on November 24, 2003. INVESCO European Fund's net assets at that date of $162,973,764 including $27,261,043 of unrealized appreciation, were combined with those of the Fund. The aggregate net assets of the Fund immediately before the acquisition were $444,879,513. Included in net assets of the acquired fund is undistributed net investment income (loss) of $(289,707) and undistributed net realized gain (loss) of $(298,154,211).
Your Fund's investment advisor, A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"). Another indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO"), was, until recently, the investment advisor to the INVESCO Funds.
On December 2, 2003, each of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York ("NYAG") filed civil proceedings against INVESCO and Raymond R. Cunningham, in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of INVESCO. Mr. Cunningham currently holds the positions of Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of A I M Management Group, Inc., the parent company of AIM, and he also holds the position of Senior Vice President with AIM. In addition, on December 2, 2003, the State of Colorado filed civil proceedings against INVESCO. Neither your Fund nor any of the funds in the AIM Family of Funds(R), which includes the INVESCO Funds (the "Funds") has been named as a defendant in any of these proceedings.
The SEC proceeding alleges that INVESCO failed to disclose in the INVESCO Funds' prospectuses and to the INVESCO Funds' independent directors that INVESCO had entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the INVESCO Funds. The SEC is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from serving as an investment advisor, officer or director of an investment company; an accounting of all market timing as well as certain fees and compensation received; disgorgement; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The NYAG proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The NYAG is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from directly or indirectly selling or distributing shares of mutual funds; disgorgement of all profits obtained, including fees collected, and payment of all restitution and damages caused, directly or indirectly from the alleged illegal activities; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The Colorado proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The State of Colorado is seeking injunctions; restitution, disgorgement and other equitable relief; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
If INVESCO is unsuccessful in its defense of these proceedings, it could be barred from serving as an investment advisor for any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (a "registered investment company"). Similarly, if Mr. Cunningham is unsuccessful in his defense of these proceedings, he could be barred from serving as an officer or director of any registered investment company. Such results could also affect the ability of AIM, or any other investment advisor directly or indirectly owned by AMVESCAP, from serving as an investment advisor to any
FS-30
NOTE 12--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (CONTINUED)
registered investment company, including your Fund. Your Fund has been informed by AIM that, if either of these results occurs, AIM will seek exemptive relief from the SEC to permit it to continue to serve as your Fund's investment advisor. There can be no assurance that such exemptive relief will be granted.
AIM has received inquiries from the SEC, the NASD, Inc., the NYAG and the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with respect to market timing, late trading, fair value pricing and other similar issues and AIM has been providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries.
In addition to the complaints described above, multiple lawsuits, including
purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against
certain Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and certain related parties, primarily
based upon the allegations in the complaints described above, but also regarding
the funds' fair valuation pricing methodology. Such lawsuits allege a variety of
theories for recovery including, but not limited to: (i) violation of various
provisions of the Federal securities laws; (ii) breach of fiduciary duty; and
(iii) breach of contract. The lawsuits have been filed in both Federal and state
courts and seek such remedies as compensatory damages; restitution; rescission;
accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation; injunctive
relief; disgorgement; equitable relief; interest and the payment of attorneys'
and experts' fees. Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and
presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed against the
Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and related parties in the future.
As a result of these developments, investors in the Funds might react by redeeming their investments. This might require the Funds to sell investments to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the Funds.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund is unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of these matters described above may have on the Fund or AIM's financial condition.
FS-31
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Directors/Trustees and Shareholders of AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund (one of the funds constituting AIM International Funds, Inc. now known as AIM International Mutual Funds; hereafter referred to as the "Fund") at October 31, 2003, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2003 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. The financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or before October 31, 2000 were audited by other independent accountants whose report dated December 6, 2000, expressed an unqualified opinion on the financial highlights.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
December 16, 2003
Houston, Texas
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FINANCIALS
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOREIGN STOCKS & OTHER EQUITY INTERESTS-61.97% AUSTRALIA-1.33% Boral Ltd. (Construction Materials) 1,045,900 $ 4,071,296 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Computershare Ltd. (Data Processing & Outsourced Services) 1,432,900 3,630,603 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wesfarmers Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 182,400 3,743,714 ========================================================================= 11,445,613 ========================================================================= AUSTRIA-1.05% Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen A.G. (Diversified Banks) 82,000 9,034,775 ========================================================================= BELGIUM-0.39% Delhaize Group (Food Retail)(a) 70,600 3,340,981 ========================================================================= BERMUDA-3.18% Esprit Holdings Ltd. (Apparel Retail) 1,825,500 5,735,835 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Li & Fung Ltd. (Distributors) 3,188,000 5,357,397 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (Semiconductors)(a) 65,000 2,851,550 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Willis Group Holdings Ltd. (Insurance Brokers) 403,300 13,429,890 ========================================================================= 27,374,672 ========================================================================= BRAZIL-0.37% Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.-ADR (Integrated Oil & Gas) 135,600 3,186,600 ========================================================================= CANADA-1.60% Cognos, Inc. (Application Software)(a) 95,700 3,298,779 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Power Financial Corp. (Other Diversified Financial Services) 72,600 2,499,290 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Research In Motion Ltd. (Communications Equipment)(a) 52,100 2,301,330 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. (Drug Retail) (Acquired 05/16/03; Cost $4,266,652)(a)(b)(c)(d) 256,500 5,631,911 ========================================================================= 13,731,310 ========================================================================= CHINA-0.20% Weiqiao Textile Co. Ltd.-Series H (Textiles) (Acquired 09/24/03; Cost $1,774,426)(a)(c) 1,478,000 1,731,972 ========================================================================= FRANCE-1.15% Autoroutes du Sud de la France (Highways & Railtracks) 103,000 3,161,989 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Imerys S.A. (Construction Materials)(a) 24,900 4,759,492 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pernod Ricard S.A. (Distillers & Vintners) 20,500 1,971,103 ========================================================================= 9,892,584 ========================================================================= |
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- GERMANY-3.17% Continental A.G. (Tires & Rubber) 273,340 $ 9,246,201 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deutsche Boerse A.G. (Specialized Finance) 99,510 5,512,563 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- KarstadtQuelle A.G. (Department Stores) 161,600 4,002,454 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Puma A.G. Rudolf Dassler Sport (Footwear) (Acquired 10/29/02-10/30/03; Cost $4,715,039)(c) 58,662 8,527,244 ========================================================================= 27,288,462 ========================================================================= GREECE-1.40% Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Co. S.A. (Soft Drinks) 248,100 4,788,275 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cosmote Mobile Communications S.A. (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 298,925 3,421,342 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greek Organisation of Football Prognostics S.A. (Casinos & Gaming) (Acquired 07/14/03- 08/13/03; Cost $3,507,653)(c) 315,000 3,868,065 ========================================================================= 12,077,682 ========================================================================= HONG KONG-0.84% Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (Airlines) 2,590,000 4,952,805 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- China Merchants Holdings International Co. Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 1,662,000 2,247,218 ========================================================================= 7,200,023 ========================================================================= HUNGARY-1.19% OTP Bank Rt. (Diversified Banks) 843,300 10,276,371 ========================================================================= INDIA-1.74% Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.-ADR (Pharmaceuticals) 242,400 6,462,384 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals) 392,500 8,514,704 ========================================================================= 14,977,088 ========================================================================= INDONESIA-0.42% PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 5,100,000 3,601,483 ========================================================================= IRELAND-5.74% Anglo Irish Bank Corp. PLC (Diversified Banks) 3,566,315 42,677,337 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Depfa Bank PLC (Diversified Banks) 21,300 2,376,201 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Independent News & Media PLC (Publishing) 1,970,400 4,291,307 ========================================================================= 49,344,845 ========================================================================= ISRAEL-1.82% Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals)(a) 243,260 15,629,455 ========================================================================= |
FS-33
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ITALY-1.11% Banco Popolare di Verona e Novara Scrl (Diversified Banks) 618,000 $ 9,521,764 ========================================================================= JAPAN-7.13% Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. (Homebuilding) 240,000 2,590,462 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fanuc Ltd. (Industrial Machinery) 136,700 8,223,398 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hosiden Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 304,000 4,205,315 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ibiden Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 213,000 2,965,872 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JSR Corp. (Specialty Chemicals) 289,000 6,128,231 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nidec Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 81,700 7,918,684 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOK Corp. (Auto Parts & Equipment) 186,000 7,329,632 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. (Auto Parts & Equipment) 344,000 7,325,810 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suzuki Motor Corp. (Automobile Manufacturers) 428,000 6,193,302 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- THK CO., Ltd. (Industrial Machinery) 135,900 2,758,072 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trend Micro Inc. (Application Software)(a) 205,100 5,655,743 ========================================================================= 61,294,521 ========================================================================= MEXICO-2.69% Alfa, S.A.-Class A (Industrial Conglomerates) 1,970,100 5,622,727 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Americal Movil S.A. de C.V.-ADR (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 295,200 7,025,760 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cemex S.A. de C.V.-ADR Wts., expiring 12/21/04 (Construction Materials)(e) 16,212 34,856 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer, S.A. de C.V.- Class B (Diversified Banks)(a) 4,663,800 3,974,144 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wal-Mart de Mexico S.A. de C.V.-Series C (Hypermarkets & Super Centers) 2,478,400 6,477,419 ========================================================================= 23,134,906 ========================================================================= NETHERLANDS-1.16% Euronext N.V. (Specialized Finance) 96,200 2,345,873 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Hardie Industries N.V. (Construction Materials) 485,800 2,465,225 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Koninklijke Numico N.V.-Dutch Ctfs. (Packaged Foods & Meats) 228,900 5,146,934 ========================================================================= 9,958,032 ========================================================================= NORWAY-0.79% Telenor A.S.A. (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 1,248,900 6,763,821 ========================================================================= RUSSIA-2.22% AO VimpelCom-ADR (Wireless Telecommunication Services)(a) 241,890 15,747,039 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mobile Telesystems-ADR (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 43,100 3,339,819 ========================================================================= 19,086,858 ========================================================================= |
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SINGAPORE-0.43% Venture Corp. Ltd. (Electronic Manufacturing Services) 345,000 $ 3,748,491 ========================================================================= SOUTH KOREA-2.60% Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (Construction, Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks)(a) 244,000 3,278,074 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. (Tires & Rubber) 462,000 3,189,303 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kookmin Bank (Diversified Banks) 155,180 5,664,365 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 25,800 10,245,881 ========================================================================= 22,377,623 ========================================================================= SPAIN-0.95% Corporacion Mapfre S.A. (Multi-Line Insurance) 347,000 4,309,249 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grupo Ferrovial, S.A. (Construction & Engineering) 136,600 3,886,479 ========================================================================= 8,195,728 ========================================================================= SWEDEN-1.69% Atlas Copco A.B.-Class A (Industrial Machinery) 128,000 4,476,496 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swedish Match A.B. (Tobacco) 844,300 6,843,025 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tele2 A.B.-Class B (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(a) 64,100 3,211,259 ========================================================================= 14,530,780 ========================================================================= SWITZERLAND-3.02% Geberit A.G. (Building Products) 15,630 6,413,384 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nobel Biocare Holding A.G. (Health Care Supplies) 40,700 3,598,142 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Schindler Holding A.G. (Industrial Machinery)(a) 6,400 1,609,072 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Schindler Holding A.G.-COP (Industrial Machinery)(a) 3,800 850,492 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Straumann A.G. (Health Care Equipment) 31,100 3,683,322 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swiss Life Holding (Life & Health Insurance)(a) 30,600 5,170,770 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Syngenta A.G. (Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals) 87,300 4,660,038 ========================================================================= 25,985,220 ========================================================================= TAIWAN-2.68% Ambit Microsystems Corp. (Computer Storage & Peripherals) 840,700 2,304,306 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Compal Electronics Inc. (Computer Hardware) 3,287,160 4,989,353 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- MediaTek Inc. (Semiconductors) 379,350 3,913,130 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Novatek Microelectronics Corp., Ltd. (Semiconductors) 779,900 2,459,455 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Semiconductors)(a) 4,741,579 9,362,977 ========================================================================= 23,029,221 ========================================================================= |
FS-34
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- THAILAND-0.69% Kasikornbank PLC (Diversified Banks)(a) 2,342,000 $ 2,608,736 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Siam Commercial Bank PCL (Diversified Banks)(a) 3,213,000 3,317,553 ========================================================================= 5,926,289 ========================================================================= UNITED KINGDOM-9.22% Cattles PLC (Consumer Finance) 614,500 3,322,240 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Enterprise Inns PLC (Restaurants) 829,800 11,890,647 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Galen Holdings PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 548,885 7,037,344 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ICAP PLC (Investment Banking & Brokerage) 488,150 11,405,552 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inchcape PLC (Distributors) 162,100 3,752,772 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Man Group PLC (Asset Management & Custody Banks) 331,600 8,143,317 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morrison (William) Supermarkets PLC (Food Retail) 1,865,700 7,082,854 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shire Pharmaceuticals Group PLC (Pharmaceuticals)(a) 1,151,400 8,712,968 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Smith & Nephew PLC (Health Care Supplies) 885,275 7,025,455 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Travis Perkins PLC (Home Improvement Retail) 539,740 10,918,564 ========================================================================= 79,291,713 ========================================================================= Total Foreign Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $365,083,367) 532,978,883 ========================================================================= DOMESTIC COMMON STOCKS & OTHER EQUITY INTERESTS-33.50% AIR FREIGHT & LOGISTICS-0.48% Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. 110,000 4,129,400 ========================================================================= APPAREL RETAIL-0.67% Chico's FAS, Inc.(a) 75,000 2,815,500 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc.(a) 127,500 2,943,975 ========================================================================= 5,759,475 ========================================================================= APPLICATION SOFTWARE-1.09% Fair Isaac Corp. 57,000 3,635,460 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mercury Interactive Corp.(a) 49,400 2,294,136 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- PeopleSoft, Inc.(a) 165,000 3,425,400 ========================================================================= 9,354,996 ========================================================================= ASSET MANAGEMENT & CUSTODY BANKS-1.47% Investors Financial Services Corp. 89,300 3,154,969 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legg Mason, Inc. 88,000 7,326,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- T. Rowe Price Group Inc. 52,000 2,139,800 ========================================================================= 12,620,769 ========================================================================= AUTO PARTS & EQUIPMENT-0.95% Autoliv, Inc.-SDR 131,300 4,307,006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gentex Corp. 100,000 3,905,000 ========================================================================= 8,212,006 ========================================================================= |
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- BIOTECHNOLOGY-0.48% Celgene Corp.(a) 100,000 $ 4,169,000 ========================================================================= BROADCASTING & CABLE TV-0.39% Univision Communications Inc.-Class A(a) 97,920 3,324,384 ========================================================================= COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT-1.48% Comverse Technology, Inc.(a) 230,800 4,163,632 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- QLogic Corp.(a) 40,400 2,264,420 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- UTStarcom, Inc.(a) 200,000 6,300,000 ========================================================================= 12,728,052 ========================================================================= COMPUTER & ELECTRONICS RETAIL-0.41% Best Buy Co., Inc. 60,000 3,498,600 ========================================================================= CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING-0.57% Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.(a) 105,000 4,863,600 ========================================================================= CONSTRUCTION & FARM MACHINERY & HEAVY TRUCKS-0.47% AGCO Corp.(a) 224,700 4,044,600 ========================================================================= DATA PROCESSING & OUTSOURCED SERVICES-3.02% Affiliated Computer Services, Inc.-Class A(a) 150,000 7,339,500 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- CheckFree Corp.(a) 102,600 2,824,578 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiserv, Inc.(a) 141,500 4,997,780 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iron Mountain Inc.(a) 118,000 4,512,320 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paychex, Inc. 90,000 3,502,800 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SunGard Data Systems Inc.(a) 100,000 2,805,000 ========================================================================= 25,981,978 ========================================================================= DEPARTMENT STORES-0.26% Kohl's Corp.(a) 40,000 2,242,800 ========================================================================= DIVERSIFIED COMMERCIAL SERVICES-0.62% Apollo Group, Inc.-Class A(a) 70,000 4,447,100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(a) 20,000 859,200 ========================================================================= 5,306,300 ========================================================================= EMPLOYMENT SERVICES-1.09% Monster Worldwide Inc.(a) 160,000 4,075,200 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Half International Inc.(a) 225,000 5,312,250 ========================================================================= 9,387,450 ========================================================================= ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES-0.27% Stericycle, Inc.(a) 50,000 2,309,000 ========================================================================= GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORES-0.40% Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.(a) 89,800 3,428,564 ========================================================================= |
FS-35
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- HEALTH CARE DISTRIBUTORS-0.49% Omnicare, Inc. 110,600 $ 4,240,404 ========================================================================= HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT-2.47% ResMed Inc.(a) 74,600 3,116,042 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Synthes-Stratec, Inc. 7,590 6,942,211 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Varian Medical Systems, Inc.(a) 109,400 6,995,036 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zimmer Holdings, Inc.(a) 65,600 4,185,936 ========================================================================= 21,239,225 ========================================================================= HEALTH CARE SERVICES-1.18% Express Scripts, Inc.(a) 100,000 5,492,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lincare Holdings Inc.(a) 119,700 4,661,118 ========================================================================= 10,153,118 ========================================================================= HEALTH CARE SUPPLIES-0.81% Fisher Scientific International Inc.(a) 173,000 6,963,250 ========================================================================= INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY-1.15% Danaher Corp. 90,000 7,456,500 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eaton Corp. 24,200 2,425,808 ========================================================================= 9,882,308 ========================================================================= INVESTMENT BANKING & BROKERAGE-1.04% Bear Stearns Cos. Inc. (The) 65,000 4,956,250 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. 55,800 4,017,600 ========================================================================= 8,973,850 ========================================================================= LEISURE PRODUCTS-0.26% Marvel Enterprises, Inc.(a) 75,000 2,208,750 ========================================================================= MANAGED HEALTH CARE-0.25% Aetna Inc. 38,000 2,181,580 ========================================================================= MULTI-LINE INSURANCE-0.28% HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. 83,800 2,441,932 ========================================================================= OIL & GAS DRILLING-0.95% Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.(a) 202,400 5,786,616 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pride International, Inc.(a) 147,700 2,419,326 ========================================================================= 8,205,942 ========================================================================= OIL & GAS EQUIPMENT & SERVICES-0.88% National-Oilwell, Inc.(a) 250,000 4,767,500 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Varco International, Inc.(a) 160,000 2,814,400 ========================================================================= 7,581,900 ========================================================================= OIL & GAS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION-0.36% Newfield Exploration Co.(a) 78,900 3,134,697 ========================================================================= |
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- PHARMACEUTICALS-1.45% Eon Labs, Inc.(a) 70,000 $ 2,947,700 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp.-Class A 150,000 9,502,500 ========================================================================= 12,450,200 ========================================================================= REGIONAL BANKS-0.34% Southwest Bancorp. of Texas, Inc. 81,500 2,926,665 ========================================================================= RESTAURANTS-0.97% Brinker International, Inc.(a) 125,000 3,978,750 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Starbucks Corp.(a) 137,300 4,338,680 ========================================================================= 8,317,430 ========================================================================= SEMICONDUCTORS-1.61% Altera Corp.(a) 110,300 2,231,369 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Linear Technology Corp. 100,000 4,261,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- LSI Logic Corp.(a) 350,000 3,234,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Microchip Technology Inc. 125,000 4,088,750 ========================================================================= 13,815,119 ========================================================================= SPECIALTY CHEMICALS-0.28% Valspar Corp. (The) 50,000 2,385,000 ========================================================================= SPECIALTY STORES-2.39% Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.(a) 103,900 4,388,736 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Staples, Inc.(a) 275,000 7,375,500 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Williams-Sonoma, Inc.(a) 250,000 8,832,500 ========================================================================= 20,596,736 ========================================================================= TECHNOLOGY DISTRIBUTORS-1.05% CDW Corp. 150,000 9,007,500 ========================================================================= THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE-0.39% Radian Group Inc. 63,700 3,369,730 ========================================================================= TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS-0.78% Fastenal Co. 150,000 6,670,500 ========================================================================= Total Domestic Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $233,070,596) 288,106,810 ========================================================================= MONEY MARKET FUNDS-3.07% STIC Liquid Assets Portfolio(f) 13,178,755 13,178,755 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- STIC Prime Portfolio(f) 13,178,755 13,178,755 ========================================================================= Total Money Market Funds (Cost $26,357,510) 26,357,510 ========================================================================= TOTAL INVESTMENTS-98.54% (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $624,511,473) 847,443,203 ========================================================================= |
FS-36
MARKET SHARES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH CASH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LOANED MONEY MARKET FUNDS-15.81% STIC Liquid Assets Portfolio(f)(g) 67,998,953 $ 67,998,953 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- STIC Prime Portfolio(f)(g) 67,998,954 67,998,954 ========================================================================= Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $135,997,907) 135,997,907 ========================================================================= TOTAL INVESTMENTS-114.35% (Cost $760,509,380) 983,441,110 ========================================================================= OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES-(14.35%) (123,406,254) ========================================================================= NET ASSETS-100.00% $ 860,034,856 _________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================= |
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR - American Depositary Receipt COP - Certificates of Participation Ctfs. - Certificates SDR - Swedish Depositary Receipt Wts. - Warrants |
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Security fair valued in accordance with the procedures established by the
Board of Directors.
(c) Security not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (e.g.,
the security was purchased in a Rule 144A transaction or a Regulation D
transaction). The security may be resold only pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional
buyers. The Fund has no rights to demand registration of these securities.
The aggregate market value of these securities at 10/31/03 was $19,759,192,
which represented 2.30% of the Fund's net assets. Unless otherwise
indicated, these securities are not considered to be illiquid.
(d) Security considered to be illiquid. The aggregate market value of this
security considered illiquid at 10/31/03 represented 0.65% of the Fund's net
assets.
(e) Non-income producing security acquired as part of a unit with or in exchange
for other securities.
(f) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same
investment advisor.
(g) The security has been segregated to satisfy the forward commitment to return
the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the
borrower's return of the securities loaned.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-37
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
October 31, 2003
ASSETS: Investments, at market value (cost $598,153,963)* $ 821,085,693 ------------------------------------------------------------ Investments in affiliated money market funds (cost $162,355,417) 162,355,417 ------------------------------------------------------------ Foreign currencies, at value (cost $11,425,538) 11,401,398 ------------------------------------------------------------ Cash 2,999,997 ------------------------------------------------------------ Receivables for: Investments sold 15,486,944 ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital stock sold 227,603 ------------------------------------------------------------ Dividends 328,265 ------------------------------------------------------------ Investment for deferred compensation plan 67,025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Other assets 61,675 ============================================================ Total assets 1,014,014,017 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ LIABILITIES: Payables for: Investments purchased 13,654,608 ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital stock reacquired 2,605,753 ------------------------------------------------------------ Deferred compensation plan 67,025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Collateral upon return of securities loaned 135,997,907 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued distribution fees 512,942 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued directors' fees 71,699 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued transfer agent fees 629,578 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued operating expenses 439,649 ============================================================ Total liabilities 153,979,161 ============================================================ Net assets applicable to shares outstanding $ 860,034,856 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Capital (par value and additional paid-in) $ 908,474,206 ------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net investment income (loss) (140,210) ------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts (271,234,706) ------------------------------------------------------------ Unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies 222,935,566 ============================================================ $ 860,034,856 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ NET ASSETS: Class A $ 465,854,702 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B $ 374,026,747 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C $ 20,153,407 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ CAPITAL STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE: Class A: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 32,628,984 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 27,808,914 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 1,497,810 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class A: Net asset value per share $ 14.28 ------------------------------------------------------------ Offering price per share: (Net asset value of $14.28 divided by 95.25%) $ 14.99 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 13.45 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 13.46 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ |
* At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate market value of $130,595,645 were on loan to brokers.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-38
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended October 31, 2003
INVESTMENT INCOME: Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $915,292) $ 8,280,348 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividends from affiliated money market funds 231,459 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest 45,579 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Securities lending 420,504 ========================================================================== Total investment income 8,977,890 ========================================================================== EXPENSES: Advisory fees 7,183,961 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Administrative services fees 199,512 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Custodian fees 715,743 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution fees: Class A 2,093,225 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 3,607,240 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 188,488 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer agent fees 4,116,449 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Directors' fees 23,207 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other 583,336 ========================================================================== Total expenses 18,711,161 ========================================================================== Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expense offset arrangements (61,104) ========================================================================== Net expenses 18,650,057 ========================================================================== Net investment income (loss) (9,672,167) ========================================================================== REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT SECURITIES, FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND FUTURES CONTRACTS: Net realized gain (loss) from: Investment securities (net of tax on sale of foreign investments of $150,326 -- Note 1E) 27,799,873 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies 220,851 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Futures contracts (182,984) ========================================================================== 27,837,740 ========================================================================== Change in net unrealized appreciation of: Investment securities (net of change in estimated tax on foreign investments held of $25,766 -- Note 1E) 192,846,597 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies 388,741 ========================================================================== 193,235,338 ========================================================================== Net gain from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts 221,073,078 ========================================================================== Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $211,400,911 __________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================== |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-39
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002
2003 2002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATIONS: Net investment income (loss) $ (9,672,167) $ (15,311,459) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts 27,837,740 (155,410,958) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change in net unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies 193,235,338 54,124,434 ============================================================================================= Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 211,400,911 (116,597,983) ============================================================================================= Share transactions-net: Class A (55,232,478) (104,866,509) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (104,788,041) (135,727,235) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (3,906,281) (6,268,941) ============================================================================================= Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions (163,926,800) (246,862,685) ============================================================================================= Net increase (decrease) in net assets 47,474,111 (363,460,668) ============================================================================================= NET ASSETS: Beginning of year 812,560,745 1,176,021,413 ============================================================================================= End of year (including undistributed investment income (loss) of $(140,210) and $(128,848) for 2003 and 2002, respectively) $ 860,034,856 $ 812,560,745 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================= |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-40
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2003
NOTE 1--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM International Funds, Inc. (the "Company"). The Company is a Maryland corporation registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of five separate portfolios. The Fund currently offers multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund. Effective November 25, 2003, the Fund redomesticated as a series portfolio of a newly formed Delaware statutory trust, AIM International Mutual Funds.
The Fund's investment objective is above-average long-term growth of capital. Companies are listed in the Schedule of Investments based on the country in which they are organized.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. SECURITY VALUATIONS -- Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy. A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ National Market System) is valued on the basis of prices furnished by independent pricing services or market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price. Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service. Prices provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are questionable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Company's officers in a manner specifically authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company. Market trends, movement in exchange traded funds and ADRs, and the bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally will be valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Foreign securities are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If a development/event is so significant that there is a reasonably high degree of certainty as to both the effect and the degree of effect that the development/event has actually caused that closing price to no longer reflect actual value, the closing prices, as determined at the close of the applicable foreign market, may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the affected foreign securities as of the close of the NYSE as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
B. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME -- Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. DISTRIBUTIONS -- Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to use a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES -- The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and, as such, will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) which is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements. Any capital loss carryforwards listed are reduced for limitations, if any, to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code.
FS-41
E. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATIONS -- Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (net of foreign taxes withheld on disposition) and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market prices on investments (net of estimated foreign tax withholding) are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
F. FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS -- A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. The Fund could be exposed to risk if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably.
G. FUTURES CONTRACTS -- The Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts as a hedge against changes in market conditions. Initial margin deposits required upon entering into futures contracts are satisfied by the segregation of specific securities as collateral for the account of the broker (the Fund's agent in acquiring the futures position). During the period the futures contracts are open, changes in the value of the contracts are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by "marking to market" on a daily basis to reflect the market value of the contracts at the end of each day's trading. Variation margin payments are made or received depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. When the contracts are closed, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from, or cost of, the closing transaction and the Fund's basis in the contract.
H. EXPENSES -- Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund and which are directly attributable to that class are charged to the operations of such class. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
NOTE 2--ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Company has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM at the annual rate of 0.90% of the first $1 billion of the Fund's average daily net assets, plus 0.85% of the Fund's average daily net assets in excess of $1 billion. AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds in which the Fund has invested (excluding investments made in affiliated money market funds with cash collateral from securities loaned by the Fund). For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM waived fees of $5,105. Under a prior agreement to limit the aggregate costs of certain shareholder services provided by third party administrators, AIM reimbursed fees of $40,620 for Class A, Class B and Class C shares based on the relative net assets of those classes.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM was paid $199,512 for such services.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AISI"), formerly known as A I M Fund Services, Inc., a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund. During the year ended October 31, 2003, AISI retained $2,246,108 for such services.
The Company has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. The Company has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays AIM Distributors compensation at the annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares. Of these amounts, AIM Distributors may pay a service fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B or Class C shares to selected dealers and financial institutions who furnish continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not paid as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. NASD Rules also impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the year ended October 31, 2003, the Class A, Class B and Class C shares paid $2,093,225, $3,607,240 and $188,488, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM Distributors retained $65,241 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $244,404 ,$8 and $17,014 from Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed upon redemptions by shareholders.
Certain officers and directors of the Company are officers and directors of AIM, AISI and/or AIM Distributors.
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NOTE 3--EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENTS
For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received reductions in transfer agency fees from AISI (an affiliate of AIM) of $15,295 and reductions in custodian fees of $84 under an expense offset arrangements which resulted in a reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $15,379.
NOTE 4--DIRECTORS' FEES
Directors' fees represent remuneration paid to each Director of the Company who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Directors have the option to defer compensation payable by the Company. The Directors deferring compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested.
Current Directors are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Directors over a period of time based on the number of years of service. Certain former Directors also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund paid legal fees of $3,535 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Directors. A member of that firm is a Director of the Company.
NOTE 5--BORROWINGS
The Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. Under certain circumstances, a loan will be secured by collateral. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
Effective June 26, 2003, the Fund became a participant in an uncommitted
unsecured revolving line of credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000 or
(ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds
advised by AIM which are parties to the line of credit can borrow on a first
come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest
at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the reporting period, the Fund was a participant in a committed line of credit facility with a syndicate administered by Citibank, N.A. The Fund could borrow up to the lesser of (i) $500,000,000 or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which were parties to the line of credit could borrow on a first come, first served basis. The funds which were party to the line of credit were charged a commitment fee of 0.09% on the unused balance of the committed line. The commitment fee was allocated among the funds based on their respective average net assets for the period. The committed line of credit facility expired May 20, 2003.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under either the uncommitted unsecured revolving line of credit facility or the committed line of credit facility.
Additionally the Fund is permitted to carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds in the account so the custodian can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank. In either case, the custodian bank will be compensated an amount equal to the Federal Funds rate plus 100 basis points.
NOTE 6--PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to the extent of one-third of the Fund's total assets. Such loans are secured by collateral equal to no less than the market value of the loaned securities determined daily. Such collateral will be cash or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Cash collateral pursuant to these loans is invested in short-term money market instruments or affiliated money market funds. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned were to increase and the borrower did not increase the collateral accordingly, and the borrower fails to return the securities. It is the Fund's policy to obtain additional collateral from or return excess collateral to the borrower by the end of the next business day, following the valuation date of the securities loaned. Therefore, the value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan.
At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate value of $130,595,645 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $135,997,907 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in affiliated money market funds. For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received fees of $420,504 for securities lending.
NOTE 7--DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
Distributions to Shareholders:
There were no ordinary income or long-term capital gain distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002.
Tax Components of Net Assets:
As of October 31, 2003, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation -- investments $ 221,150,075 ------------------------------------------------------------ Temporary book/tax differences (140,210) ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital loss carryforward (269,449,215) ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital (par value and additional paid-in) 908,474,206 ============================================================ Total net assets $ 860,034,856 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ |
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation is due to differences in the timing of recognition of gains and losses on investments for tax and book purposes. The Fund's unrealized appreciation difference is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. The tax-basis unrealized appreciation on investments amount includes appreciation on foreign currencies written of $3,837.
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The temporary book/tax differences are a result of timing differences between book and tax recognition of income and/or expenses. The Fund's temporary book/tax differences are the result of director deferral of compensation and director retirement plan expenses.
The Fund has a capital loss carryforward for tax purposes which expires as follows:
CAPITAL LOSS EXPIRATION CARRYFORWARD ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2009 $112,245,103 ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2010 157,204,112 ========================================================== Total capital loss carryforward $269,449,215 __________________________________________________________ ========================================================== |
NOTE 8--INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2003 was $486,452,638 and $629,598,992, respectively.
UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES ON A TAX BASIS ----------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities $229,787,088 ----------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities (8,640,850) =========================================================== Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities $221,146,238 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Cost of investments for tax purposes is $762,294,872. |
NOTE 9--RECLASSIFICATION OF PERMANENT DIFFERENCES
Primarily as a result of differing book/tax treatment of foreign currency transactions and net operating losses, on October 31, 2003, undistributed net investment income (loss) was increased by $9,660,805, undistributed net realized gains (losses) decreased by $71,616 and paid in capital decreased by $9,589,189. This reclassification had no effect on net assets of the Fund.
NOTE 10--CAPITAL STOCK INFORMATION
The Fund currently offers three different classes of shares: Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Under some circumstances, Class A shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase.
CHANGES IN CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------ 2003 2002 ---------------------------- ---------------------------- SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sold: Class A 68,284,222 $ 794,508,847 60,670,511 $ 751,546,029 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 1,029,386 11,457,035 1,348,844 16,159,835 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 2,302,210 25,526,168 1,454,890 17,014,301 ========================================================================================================================== Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares: Class A 2,977,413 35,471,200 265,149 3,136,806 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (3,153,173) (35,471,200) (281,263) (3,136,806) ========================================================================================================================== Reacquired: Class A (75,474,194) (885,212,525) (68,922,876) (859,549,344) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (7,319,506) (80,773,876) (12,604,513) (148,750,264) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (2,636,776) (29,432,449) (1,982,324) (23,283,242) ========================================================================================================================== (13,990,418) $(163,926,800) (20,051,582) $(246,862,685) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================================================================== |
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NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
CLASS A --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 11.00 $ 12.58 $ 25.87 $ 21.95 $ 15.87 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.13) (0.15)(a) (0.13) (0.28)(a) (0.17)(a) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.41 (1.43) (8.42) 5.56 6.25 =========================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 3.28 (1.58) (8.55) 5.28 6.08 =========================================================================================================================== Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (4.74) (1.36) -- =========================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 14.28 $ 11.00 $ 12.58 $ 25.87 $ 21.95 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 29.82% (12.56)% (38.87)% 24.27% 38.31% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $465,855 $405,360 $563,828 $1,103,740 $852,198 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.10%(c)(d) 2.00% 1.87% 1.65% 1.80% =========================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.97)%(c) (1.19)% (0.75)% (0.96)% (0.95)% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 64% 73% 87% 62% 60% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $418,645,092.
(d) After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee
waivers and expense reimbursements was 2.11%.
CLASS B ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.42 $ 11.97 $ 24.98 $ 21.35 $ 15.52 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.19) (0.20)(a) (0.21) (0.42)(a) (0.27)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.22 (1.35) (8.06) 5.41 6.10 ======================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 3.03 (1.55) (8.27) 4.99 5.83 ======================================================================================================================== Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (4.74) (1.36) -- ======================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 13.45 $ 10.42 $ 11.97 $ 24.98 $ 21.35 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 29.08% (12.95)% (39.19)% 23.56% 37.56% ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $374,027 $388,101 $583,933 $1,158,979 $926,972 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.60%(c)(d) 2.51% 2.39% 2.19% 2.37% ======================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (1.47)%(c) (1.70)% (1.27)% (1.50)% (1.52)% ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 64% 73% 87% 62% 60% ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $360,723,958.
(d) After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee
waivers and expense reimbursements was 2.61%.
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NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
CLASS C ----------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.42 $ 11.98 $ 24.99 $ 21.35 $ 15.52 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.19) (0.20)(a) (0.21) (0.42)(a) (0.27)(a) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 3.23 (1.36) (8.06) 5.42 6.10 ================================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 3.04 (1.56) (8.27) 5.00 5.83 ================================================================================================================= Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (4.74) (1.36) -- ================================================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $ 13.46 $ 10.42 $ 11.98 $ 24.99 $ 21.35 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================= Total return(b) 29.17% (13.02)% (39.17)% 23.61% 37.56% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $20,153 $19,099 $28,260 $50,908 $16,325 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.60%(c)(d) 2.51% 2.39% 2.19% 2.37% ================================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (1.47)%(c) (1.70)% (1.28)% (1.50)% (1.52)% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate 64% 73% 87% 62% 60% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $18,848,844.
(d) After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee
waivers and expense reimbursements was 2.61%.
NOTE 12--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Your Fund's investment advisor, A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"). Another indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO"), was, until recently, the investment advisor to the INVESCO Funds.
On December 2, 2003, each of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York ("NYAG") filed civil proceedings against INVESCO and Raymond R. Cunningham, in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of INVESCO. Mr. Cunningham currently holds the positions of Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of A I M Management Group, Inc., the parent company of AIM, and he also holds the position of Senior Vice President with AIM. In addition, on December 2, 2003, the State of Colorado filed civil proceedings against INVESCO. Neither your Fund nor any of the funds in the AIM Family of Funds(R), which includes the INVESCO Funds (the "Funds") has been named as a defendant in any of these proceedings.
The SEC proceeding alleges that INVESCO failed to disclose in the INVESCO Funds' prospectuses and to the INVESCO Funds' independent directors that INVESCO had entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the INVESCO Funds. The SEC is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from serving as an investment advisor, officer or director of an investment company; an accounting of all market timing as well as certain fees and compensation received; disgorgement; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The NYAG proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The NYAG is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from directly or indirectly selling or distributing shares of mutual funds; disgorgement of all profits obtained, including fees collected, and payment of all restitution and damages caused, directly or indirectly from the alleged illegal activities; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The Colorado proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The State of Colorado is seeking injunctions; restitution, disgorgement and other equitable relief; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
If INVESCO is unsuccessful in its defense of these proceedings, it could be barred from serving as an investment advisor for any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (a "registered investment company"). Similarly, if Mr. Cunningham is unsuccessful in his defense of these proceedings, he could be barred from serving as an officer or director of any registered investment company. Such results could also affect the ability of AIM, or any other investment advisor directly or indirectly owned by AMVESCAP, from serving as an investment advisor to any registered investment company, including your Fund. Your Fund has been informed by AIM that, if either of these results occurs, AIM will seek exemptive relief from the SEC to permit it to continue to serve as your Fund's investment advisor. There can be no assurance that such exemptive relief will be granted.
AIM has received inquiries from the SEC, the NASD, Inc., the NYAG and the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with respect to market timing, late trading, fair value pricing and other similar issues and AIM has been providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries.
In addition to the complaints described above, multiple lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against certain Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and certain related parties, primarily based upon the allegations in the complaints described above, but also regarding the funds' fair valuation pricing methodology. Such lawsuits allege a variety of theories for recovery including, but not limited to:
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NOTE 12--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (CONTINUED)
(i) violation of various provisions of the Federal securities laws; (ii) breach of fiduciary duty; and (iii) breach of contract. The lawsuits have been filed in both Federal and state courts and seek such remedies as compensatory damages; restitution; rescission; accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation; injunctive relief; disgorgement; equitable relief; interest and the payment of attorneys' and experts' fees. Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed against the Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and related parties in the future.
As a result of these developments, investors in the Funds might react by redeeming their investments. This might require the Funds to sell investments to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the Funds.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund is unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of these matters described above may have on the Fund or AIM's financial condition.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Directors/Trustees and Shareholders of AIM Global Growth Fund
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AIM Global Growth Fund (one of the funds constituting AIM International Funds, Inc., now known as AIM International Mutual Funds; hereafter referred to as the "Fund") at October 31, 2003, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2003 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. The financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or before October 31, 2000 were audited by other independent accountants whose report dated December 6, 2000, expressed an unqualified opinion on the financial highlights.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
December 16, 2003
Houston, Texas
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FINANCIALS
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOREIGN STOCKS & OTHER EQUITY INTERESTS-55.18% AUSTRALIA-0.82% BHP Billiton Ltd. (Diversified Metals & Mining) 538,700 $ 4,468,425 ========================================================================== BERMUDA-1.18% Ingersoll-Rand Co.-Class A (Industrial Machinery) 50,000 3,020,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nabors Industries, Ltd. (Oil & Gas Drilling)(a) 90,000 3,402,000 ========================================================================== 6,422,000 ========================================================================== BRAZIL-0.81% Companhia de Bebidas das Americas-ADR (Brewers) 111,600 2,365,920 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.-ADR (Integrated Oil & Gas) 86,300 2,028,050 ========================================================================== 4,393,970 ========================================================================== CANADA-3.59% Bombardier Inc.-Class B (Aerospace & Defense) 418,000 1,876,799 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loblaw Cos. Ltd. (Food Retail) (Acquired 11/13/02-11/14/02; Cost $2,455,102)(b) 67,500 3,268,771 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manulife Financial Corp. (Life & Health Insurance) 96,300 2,921,502 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petro-Canada (Integrated Oil & Gas) 73,000 2,941,593 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Royal Bank of Canada (Diversified Banks) 40,150 1,933,047 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suncor Energy, Inc. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 313,600 6,585,957 ========================================================================== 19,527,669 ========================================================================== CAYMAN ISLANDS-0.63% Noble Corp. (Oil & Gas Drilling)(a) 100,000 3,433,000 ========================================================================== FRANCE-4.64% BNP Paribas S.A. (Diversified Banks) 84,910 4,446,052 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carrefour S.A. (Hypermarkets & Supercenters) 58,300 3,050,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- France Telecom S.A. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(a) 67,700 1,632,851 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pernod Ricard S.A. (Distillers & Vintners) 35,170 3,381,643 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Renault S.A. (Automobile Manufacturers) 69,160 4,558,737 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Societe Generale (Diversified Banks) 23,160 1,714,418 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total S.A. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 41,759 6,467,833 ========================================================================== 25,251,534 ========================================================================== |
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- GERMANY-2.02% Altana A.G. (Pharmaceuticals) 52,855 $ 3,319,271 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deutsche Telekom A.G. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(a) 182,500 2,864,702 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Metro A.G. (Hypermarkets & Supercenters)(a) 74,200 3,023,967 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Siemens A.G. (Industrial Conglomerates)(a) 26,400 1,773,819 ========================================================================== 10,981,759 ========================================================================== HONG KONG-1.01% Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd. (Real Estate Management & Development) 457,000 3,810,491 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. (Real Estate Management & Development) 203,000 1,718,766 ========================================================================== 5,529,257 ========================================================================== INDIA-0.83% Infosys Technologies Ltd.-ADR (IT Consulting & Services) 53,500 4,526,635 ========================================================================== ISRAEL-3.20% Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.-ADR (Pharmaceuticals) 306,200 17,419,718 ========================================================================== ITALY-2.23% Banca Intesa S.p.A. (Diversified Banks) 547,400 1,838,993 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eni S.p.A. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 284,800 4,506,797 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mediaset S.p.A. (Broadcasting & Cable TV)(a) 285,000 2,869,075 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. (Diversified Banks) 602,700 2,960,359 ========================================================================== 12,175,224 ========================================================================== JAPAN-10.37% Canon Inc. (Office Electronics) 170,000 8,230,797 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (Photographic Products) 56,000 1,651,256 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 54,200 6,664,015 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hoya Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 100,200 9,073,444 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- KDDI Corp. (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 740 4,020,568 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keyence Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 33,300 7,327,940 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nitto Denko Corp. (Specialty Chemicals) 176,800 9,284,092 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ricoh Co., Ltd. (Office Electronics) 180,000 3,415,544 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Toyota Motor Corp. (Automobile Manufacturers) 98,100 2,794,439 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- JAPAN-(CONTINUED) Trend Micro Inc. (Application Software)(a) 144,600 $ 3,987,423 ========================================================================== 56,449,518 ========================================================================== MEXICO-0.86% Telefonos de Mexico S.A. de C.V.-ADR (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 35,500 1,141,325 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wal-Mart de Mexico S.A. de C.V.-Series C (Hypermarkets & Super Centers) 1,350,600 3,529,859 ========================================================================== 4,671,184 ========================================================================== NETHERLANDS-1.86% ABN AMRO Holding N.V. (Diversified Banks) 135,830 2,840,208 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aegon N.V. (Life & Health Insurance) 132,800 1,735,340 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Koninklijke (Royal) KPN N.V. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(a) 506,600 3,838,135 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Koninklijke (Royal) Philips Electronics N.V. (Consumer Electronics) 63,700 1,711,266 ========================================================================== 10,124,949 ========================================================================== NORWAY-0.52% Telenor A.S.A (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 527,400 2,856,305 ========================================================================== SINGAPORE-0.41% Singapore Airlines Ltd. (Airlines)(a) 324,000 2,253,751 ========================================================================== SOUTH KOREA-1.79% Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 24,500 9,729,615 ========================================================================== SPAIN-1.05% Banco Popular Espanol S.A. (Diversified Banks) 53,310 2,762,389 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Repsol YPF, S.A. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 170,000 2,954,047 ========================================================================== 5,716,436 ========================================================================== SWEDEN-1.58% Atlas Copco A.B.-Class A (Industrial Machinery) 82,000 2,867,755 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson A.B.-Class B (Communications Equipment) 1,551,500 2,653,592 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volvo A.B.-Class B (Construction, Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks) 110,000 3,060,743 ========================================================================== 8,582,090 ========================================================================== SWITZERLAND-3.42% Alcon, Inc. (Health Care Supplies) 79,000 4,353,690 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Credit Suisse Group (Diversified Capital Markets)(a) 137,339 4,820,800 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nestle S.A. (Packaged Foods & Meats) 10,200 2,237,243 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- SWITZERLAND-(CONTINUED) Roche Holding A.G. (Pharmaceuticals) 39,800 $ 3,281,035 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- UBS A.G. (Diversified Capital Markets) 64,330 3,935,437 ========================================================================== 18,628,205 ========================================================================== UNITED KINGDOM-12.36% AstraZeneca PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 155,375 7,288,962 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barclays PLC (Diversified Banks) 445,000 3,748,304 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Centrica PLC (Gas Utilities) 1,100,750 3,441,942 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- GlaxoSmithKline PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 191,200 4,089,457 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- GUS PLC (Catalog Retail)(a) 386,500 4,716,289 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Imperial Tobacco Group PLC (Tobacco) 422,700 6,999,149 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingfisher PLC (Home Improvement Retail) 627,760 3,005,596 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- mm02 PLC (Wireless Telecommunication Services)(a) 1,934,000 2,097,756 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next PLC (Department Stores) 242,500 4,849,670 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reckitt Benckiser PLC (Household Products) 317,950 6,681,885 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Smith & Nephew PLC (Health Care Supplies) 735,025 5,833,086 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tesco PLC (Food Retail) 1,556,019 6,230,246 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vodafone Group PLC (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 3,969,810 8,325,942 ========================================================================== 67,308,284 ========================================================================== Total Foreign Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $234,948,732) 300,449,528 ========================================================================== DOMESTIC COMMON STOCKS-40.38% APPAREL RETAIL-0.60% Gap, Inc. (The) 170,000 3,243,600 ========================================================================== BIOTECHNOLOGY-1.37% Amgen Inc.(a) 121,000 7,472,960 ========================================================================== CASINOS & GAMING-0.87% International Game Technology 144,000 4,716,000 ========================================================================== COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT-1.06% Cisco Systems, Inc.(a) 275,000 5,769,500 ========================================================================== COMPUTER & ELECTRONICS RETAIL-1.07% Best Buy Co., Inc. 100,000 5,831,000 ========================================================================== COMPUTER HARDWARE-1.35% Dell Inc.(a) 120,000 4,334,400 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Business Machines Corp. 34,000 3,042,320 ========================================================================== 7,376,720 ========================================================================== |
FS-50
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPUTER STORAGE & PERIPHERALS-1.21% EMC Corp.(a) 475,000 $ 6,574,000 ========================================================================== CONSUMER FINANCE-0.84% SLM Corp. 117,000 4,581,720 ========================================================================== DATA PROCESSING & OUTSOURCED SERVICES-0.92% First Data Corp. 140,000 4,998,000 ========================================================================== DIVERSIFIED CAPITAL MARKETS-1.05% J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. 160,000 5,744,000 ========================================================================== DIVERSIFIED COMMERCIAL SERVICES-1.11% Apollo Group, Inc.-Class A(a) 95,000 6,035,350 ========================================================================== FOOTWEAR-0.65% NIKE, Inc.-Class B 55,000 3,514,500 ========================================================================== HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT-3.01% Boston Scientific Corp.(a) 85,000 5,756,200 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guidant Corp. 82,500 4,208,325 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Medtronic, Inc. 57,000 2,597,490 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zimmer Holdings, Inc.(a) 60,000 3,828,600 ========================================================================== 16,390,615 ========================================================================== HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAIL-0.88% Home Depot, Inc. (The) 130,000 4,819,100 ========================================================================== HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS-1.35% Procter & Gamble Co. (The) 75,000 7,371,750 ========================================================================== HYPERMARKETS & SUPER CENTERS-1.03% Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 95,000 5,600,250 ========================================================================== INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES-0.51% 3M Co. 35,000 2,760,450 ========================================================================== INTEGRATED OIL & GAS-0.54% Exxon Mobil Corp. 80,000 2,926,400 ========================================================================== INTERNET RETAIL-2.13% Amazon.com, Inc.(a) 100,000 5,442,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- eBay Inc.(a) 110,000 6,153,400 ========================================================================== 11,595,400 ========================================================================== INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES-1.32% Yahoo! Inc.(a) 165,000 7,210,500 ========================================================================== |
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTMENT BANKING & BROKERAGE-1.00% Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) 58,000 $ 5,446,200 ========================================================================== MANAGED HEALTH CARE-1.57% Aetna Inc. 47,000 2,698,270 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- UnitedHealth Group Inc. 115,000 5,851,200 ========================================================================== 8,549,470 ========================================================================== MOVIES & ENTERTAINMENT-0.48% Viacom Inc.-Class B 65,000 2,591,550 ========================================================================== OTHER DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES-1.48% Citigroup Inc. 170,000 8,058,000 ========================================================================== PERSONAL PRODUCTS-0.69% Avon Products, Inc. 55,000 3,737,800 ========================================================================== PHARMACEUTICALS-2.18% Allergan, Inc. 33,000 2,495,460 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pfizer Inc. 165,000 5,214,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wyeth 94,000 4,149,160 ========================================================================== 11,858,620 ========================================================================== SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT-0.87% Novellus Systems, Inc.(a) 115,000 4,748,350 ========================================================================== SEMICONDUCTORS-4.11% Analog Devices, Inc.(a) 110,000 4,876,300 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intel Corp. 240,000 7,932,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Linear Technology Corp. 110,000 4,687,100 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Microchip Technology Inc. 150,000 4,906,500 ========================================================================== 22,401,900 ========================================================================== SOFT DRINKS-0.53% PepsiCo, Inc. 60,000 2,869,200 ========================================================================== SPECIALTY STORES-0.66% Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.(a) 85,000 3,590,400 ========================================================================== SYSTEMS SOFTWARE-3.94% Microsoft Corp. 350,000 9,152,500 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oracle Corp.(a) 350,000 4,186,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- VERITAS Software Corp.(a) 225,000 8,133,750 ========================================================================== 21,472,250 ========================================================================== Total Domestic Common Stocks (Cost $171,643,319) 219,855,555 ========================================================================== |
FS-51
PRINCIPAL MARKET AMOUNT VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. TREASURY BILLS-0.37% 0.85%, 12/18/03 (Cost $1,997,781)(c) $2,000,000(d) $ 1,997,781 ========================================================================== |
SHARES MONEY MARKET FUNDS-3.47% STIC Liquid Assets Portfolio(e) 9,455,693 9,455,693 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- STIC Prime Portfolio(e) 9,455,693 9,455,693 ========================================================================== Total Money Market Funds (Cost $18,911,386) 18,911,386 ========================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-99.40% (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $427,501,218) 541,214,250 ========================================================================== |
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH CASH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LOANED MONEY MARKET FUNDS-5.96% STIC Liquid Assets Portfolio(e)(f) 32,430,653 $ 32,430,653 ========================================================================== Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $32,430,653) 32,430,653 ========================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-105.36% (Cost $459,931,871) 573,644,903 ========================================================================== OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES-(5.36%) (29,171,009) ========================================================================== NET ASSETS-100.00% $544,473,894 __________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================== |
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR - American Depositary Receipt |
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Security not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (e.g.,
the security was purchased in a Rule 144A transaction or a Regulation D
transaction). The security may be resold only pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional
buyers. The Fund has no rights to demand registration of these securities.
The market value of this security at 10/31/03 represented 0.60% of the
Fund's net assets. Unless otherwise indicated, this security is not
considered to be illiquid.
(c) Security traded on a discount basis. The interest rate shown represents the
discount rate at the time of purchase by the Fund.
(d) A portion of the principal balance was pledged as collateral to cover margin
requirements for open futures contracts. See Note 1 section H and Note 8.
(e) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same
investment advisor.
(f) The security has been segregated to satisfy the forward commitment to return
the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the
borrower's return of the securities loaned.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-52
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
October 31, 2003
ASSETS: Investments, at market value (cost $408,589,832)* $ 522,302,864 ------------------------------------------------------------ Investments in affiliated money market funds (cost $51,342,039) 51,342,039 ------------------------------------------------------------ Foreign currencies, at value (cost $1,823,326) 1,805,635 ------------------------------------------------------------ Receivables for: Investments sold 7,090,052 ------------------------------------------------------------ Variation margin 5,139 ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital stock sold 201,009 ------------------------------------------------------------ Dividends and interest 593,849 ------------------------------------------------------------ Investment for deferred compensation plan 49,371 ------------------------------------------------------------ Other assets 36,512 ============================================================ Total assets 583,426,470 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ LIABILITIES: Payables for: Investments purchased 2,994,078 ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital stock reacquired 2,449,725 ------------------------------------------------------------ Deferred compensation plan 49,371 ------------------------------------------------------------ Collateral upon return of securities loaned 32,430,653 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued distribution fees 315,504 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued directors' fees 28,659 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued transfer agent fees 383,358 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued operating expenses 301,228 ============================================================ Total liabilities 38,952,576 ============================================================ Net assets applicable to shares outstanding $ 544,473,894 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Capital (par value and additional paid-in) $ 883,610,818 ------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net investment income (loss) (79,013) ------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies, futures contracts and option contracts (453,018,495) ------------------------------------------------------------ Unrealized appreciation of investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts 113,960,584 ============================================================ $ 544,473,894 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ NET ASSETS: Class A $ 329,738,979 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B $ 181,890,932 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C $ 32,843,983 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ CAPITAL STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE: Class A: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 22,116,661 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 12,830,760 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 2,315,729 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class A: Net asset value per share $ 14.91 ------------------------------------------------------------ Offering price per share: (Net asset value of $14.91 divided by 95.25%) $ 15.65 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 14.18 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 14.18 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ |
* At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate market value of $30,924,556 were on loan to brokers.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-53
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended October 31, 2003
INVESTMENT INCOME: Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $694,061) $ 7,364,117 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividends from affiliated money market funds 288,908 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest 15,263 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Securities lending 283,347 ========================================================================= Total investment income 7,951,635 ========================================================================= EXPENSES: Advisory fees 4,616,269 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Administrative services fees 142,045 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Custodian fees 318,974 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution fees: Class A 1,639,781 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 1,832,533 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 318,810 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer agent fees 2,792,448 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Directors' fees 18,746 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other 490,651 ========================================================================= Total expenses 12,170,257 ========================================================================= Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expense offset arrangements (40,680) ========================================================================= Net expenses 12,129,577 ========================================================================= Net investment income (loss) (4,177,942) ========================================================================= REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT SECURITIES, FOREIGN CURRENCIES, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTION CONTRACTS: Net realized gain (loss) from: Investment securities (9,250,227) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies 873,544 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Futures contracts 997,479 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Option contracts written 313,095 ========================================================================= (7,066,109) ========================================================================= Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: Investment securities 99,287,098 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies (35,074) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Futures contracts 255,322 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Option contracts written (7,821) ========================================================================= 99,499,525 ========================================================================= Net gain from investment securities, foreign currencies, futures contracts and option contracts 92,433,416 ========================================================================= Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $88,255,474 _________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================= |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-54
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002
2003 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATIONS: Net investment income (loss) $ (4,177,942) $ (7,462,645) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies, futures contracts and option contracts (7,066,109) (100,653,432) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change in net unrealized appreciation of investment securities, foreign currencies, futures contracts and option contracts 99,499,525 18,740,463 ============================================================================================ Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 88,255,474 (89,375,614) ============================================================================================ Share transactions-net: Class A (61,964,974) (52,935,575) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (51,840,921) (129,582,901) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (6,896,642) (11,592,089) ============================================================================================ Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions (120,702,537) (194,110,565) ============================================================================================ Net increase (decrease) in net assets (32,447,063) (283,486,179) ============================================================================================ NET ASSETS: Beginning of year 576,920,957 860,407,136 ============================================================================================ End of year (including undistributed investment income (loss) of $(79,013) and $(68,156) for 2003 and 2002, respectively) $ 544,473,894 $ 576,920,957 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================ |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-55
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2003
NOTE 1--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
AIM Global Growth Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM International Funds, Inc. (the "Company"). The Company is a Maryland corporation registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of five separate portfolios. The Fund currently offers multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund. Effective November 25, 2003, the Fund redomesticated as a series portfolio of a newly formed Delaware statutory trust, AIM International Mutual Funds.
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Each company listed in the Schedule of Investments is organized in the United States unless otherwise noted.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. SECURITY VALUATIONS -- Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy. A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ National Market System) is valued on the basis of prices furnished by independent pricing services or market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price. Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service. Prices provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are questionable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Company's officers in a manner specifically authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company. Market trends, movement in exchange traded funds and ADRs, and the bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally will be valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Foreign securities are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If a development/event is so significant that there is a reasonably high degree of certainty as to both the effect and the degree of effect that the development/event has actually caused that closing price to no longer reflect actual value, the closing prices, as determined at the close of the applicable foreign market, may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the affected foreign securities as of the close of the NYSE as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
B. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME -- Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. DISTRIBUTIONS -- Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to use a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES -- The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and, as such, will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) which is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements. Any capital loss carryforwards listed are reduced for limitations, if any, to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code.
FS-56
E. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATIONS -- Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market prices on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
F. FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS -- A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. The Fund could be exposed to risk if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably.
G. COVERED CALL OPTIONS -- The Fund may write call options, on a covered basis; that is, the Fund will own the underlying security. When the Fund writes a covered call option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently "marked-to-market" to reflect the current market value of the option written. The current market value of a written option is the mean between the last bid and asked prices on that day. If a written call option expires on the stipulated expiration date, or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, the Fund realizes a gain (or a loss if the closing purchase transaction exceeds the premium received when the option was written) without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security, and the liability related to such option is extinguished. If a written option is exercised, the Fund realizes a gain or a loss from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds of the sale are increased by the premium originally received. A risk in writing a call option is that the Fund gives up the opportunity for profit if the market price of the security increases and the option is exercised.
H. FUTURES CONTRACTS -- The Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts as a hedge against changes in market conditions. Initial margin deposits required upon entering into futures contracts are satisfied by the segregation of specific securities as collateral for the account of the broker (the Fund's agent in acquiring the futures position). During the period the futures contracts are open, changes in the value of the contracts are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by "marking to market" on a daily basis to reflect the market value of the contracts at the end of each day's trading. Variation margin payments are made or received depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. When the contracts are closed, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from, or cost of, the closing transaction and the Fund's basis in the contract. Risks also include to varying degrees, the risk of loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
I. EXPENSES -- Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund and which are directly attributable to that class are charged to the operations of such class. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
NOTE 2--ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Company has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM at the annual rate of 0.85% of the first $1 billion of the Fund's average daily net assets, plus 0.80% of the Fund's average daily net assets in excess of $1 billion. AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds in which the Fund has invested (excluding investments made in affiliated money market funds with cash collateral from securities loaned by the Fund). For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM waived fees of $5,828. Under a prior agreement to limit the aggregate costs of certain shareholder services provided by third party administrators, AIM reimbursed fees of $24,370 for Class A, Class B and Class C shares based on the relative net assets of those classes.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM was paid $142,045 for such services.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AISI"), formerly known as A I M Fund Services, Inc., a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund. During the year ended October 31, 2003, AISI retained $1,536,624 for such services.
The Company has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. The Company has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays AIM Distributors compensation at the annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares. Of these amounts, AIM Distributors may pay a service fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B or Class C shares to selected dealers and financial institutions who furnish continuing personal shareholder services to their customers
FS-57
who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not paid as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. NASD Rules also impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the year ended October 31, 2003, the Class A, Class B and Class C shares paid $1,639,781, $1,832,533 and $318,810, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During year ended October 31, 2003, AIM Distributors retained $44,111 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $43,611, $374 and $72,935 from Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed upon redemptions by shareholders.
Certain officers and directors of the Company are officers and directors of AIM, AISI and/or AIM Distributors.
NOTE 3--EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENTS
For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received reductions in transfer agency fees from AISI (an affiliate of AIM) of $10,482 under an expense offset arrangement which resulted in a reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $10,482.
NOTE 4--DIRECTORS' FEES
Directors' fees represent remuneration paid to each Director of the Company who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Directors have the option to defer compensation payable by the Company. The Directors deferring compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested.
Current Directors are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Directors over a period of time based on the number of years of service. Certain former Directors also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund paid legal fees of $3,154 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Directors. A member of that firm is a Director of the Company.
NOTE 5--BORROWINGS
The Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. Under certain circumstances, a loan will be secured by collateral. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
Effective June 26, 2003, the Fund became a participant in an uncommitted
unsecured revolving line of credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000 or
(ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds
advised by AIM which are parties to the line of credit can borrow on a first
come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest
at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the reporting period, the Fund was a participant in a committed line of credit facility with a syndicate administered by Citibank, N.A. The Fund could borrow up to the lesser of (i) $500,000,000 or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which were parties to the line of credit could borrow on a first come, first served basis. The funds which were party to the line of credit were charged a commitment fee of 0.09% on the unused balance of the committed line. The commitment fee was allocated among the funds based on their respective average net assets for the period. The committed line of credit facility expired May 20, 2003.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under either the uncommitted unsecured revolving line of credit facility or the committed line of credit facility.
Additionally the Fund is permitted to carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds in the account so the custodian can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank. In either case, the custodian bank will be compensated an amount equal to the Federal Funds rate plus 100 basis points.
NOTE 6--PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to the extent of one-third of the Fund's total assets. Such loans are secured by collateral equal to no less than the market value of the loaned securities determined daily. Such collateral will be cash or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Cash collateral pursuant to these loans is invested in short-term money market instruments or affiliated money market funds. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned were to increase and the borrower did not increase the collateral accordingly, and the borrower fails to return the securities. It is the Fund's policy to obtain additional collateral from or return excess collateral to the borrower by the end of the next business day, following the valuation date of the securities loaned. Therefore, the value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan.
At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate value of $30,924,556 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $32,430,653 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in an affiliated money market fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received fees of $283,347 for securities lending.
FS-58
NOTE 7--OPTION CONTRACTS WRITTEN
TRANSACTIONS DURING THE PERIOD ---------------------------------------------------------- CALL OPTION CONTRACTS ---------------------- NUMBER OF PREMIUMS CONTRACTS RECEIVED ---------------------------------------------------------- Beginning of period 260 $ 65,671 ---------------------------------------------------------- Written 4,190 870,709 ---------------------------------------------------------- Closed (2,080) (541,172) ---------------------------------------------------------- Exercised (2,370) (395,208) ========================================================== End of period -- $ -- __________________________________________________________ ========================================================== |
NOTE 8--FUTURES CONTRACTS
On October 31, 2003, $1,250,000 principal amount of U.S. Treasury obligations were pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.
NO. OF MONTH/ MARKET UNREALIZED CONTRACT CONTRACTS COMMITMENT VALUE APPRECIATION --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dow Jones Eurostoxx 50 35 Dec.-03/Long $1,048,108 $ 56,896 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FTSE 100 Index 8 Dec.-03/Long 582,604 14,729 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P 500 Index 21 Dec.-03/Long 5,509,875 175,728 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P 500/ TSE 60 Index 4 Dec.-03/Long 264,786 7,969 =========================================================================== $7,405,373 $255,322 ___________________________________________________________________________ =========================================================================== |
NOTE 9--DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
Distributions to Shareholders:
There were no ordinary income or long-term capital gain distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002.
Tax Components of Net Assets:
As of October 31, 2003, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:
Unrealized appreciation -- investments $ 112,776,515 ------------------------------------------------------------ Temporary book/tax differences (79,013) ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital loss carryforward (451,834,426) ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital (par value and additional paid-in) 883,610,818 ============================================================ Total net assets $ 544,473,894 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ |
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation is due to differences in the timing of recognition of gains and losses on investments for tax and book purposes. The Fund's unrealized appreciation difference is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on certain futures contracts. The tax-basis unrealized appreciation on investments amount includes appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currencies of $(7,770) and $79,594 on futures contracts.
The temporary book/tax differences are a result of timing differences between book and tax recognition of income and/or expenses. The Fund's temporary book/tax differences are the result of the deferral of director compensation and director retirement plan expenses.
The Fund has a capital loss carryforward for tax purposes which expires as follows:
CAPITAL LOSS EXPIRATION CARRYFORWARD ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2009 $339,470,549 ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2010 101,042,257 ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2011 11,321,620 ========================================================== Total capital loss carryforward $451,834,426 __________________________________________________________ ========================================================== |
NOTE 10--INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2003 was $385,167,710 and $505,155,230, respectively.
UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES ON A TAX BASIS ----------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities $116,412,403 ----------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities (3,707,712) =========================================================== Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities $112,704,691 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Cost of investments for tax purposes is $460,940,212. |
NOTE 11--RECLASSIFICATION OF PERMANENT DIFFERENCES
Primarily as a result of differing book/tax treatment of disallowance of redomestication expenses, net operating losses and foreign currencies transactions on October 31, 2003, undistributed net investment income (loss) was increased by $4,167,085, undistributed net realized gains (losses) decreased by $875,168 and paid in capital decreased by $3,291,917. This reclassification had no effect on net assets of the Fund.
FS-59
NOTE 12--CAPITAL STOCK INFORMATION
The Fund currently offers three different classes of shares: Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Under some circumstances, Class A shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase.
CHANGES IN SHARES OUTSTANDING -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------ 2003 2002 ---------------------------- ---------------------------- SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sold: Class A 51,726,502 $ 670,164,581 34,069,111 $ 487,124,735 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 752,382 9,376,506 1,053,636 14,789,675 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 1,419,606 17,656,486 1,832,747 23,276,761 ========================================================================================================================== Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares: Class A 1,238,115 16,013,175 2,493,588 36,815,557 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (1,298,734) (16,013,175) (2,576,415) (36,815,557) ========================================================================================================================== Reacquired: Class A (57,392,873) (748,142,730) (40,176,531) (576,875,867) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (3,671,639) (45,204,252) (7,795,399) (107,557,019) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (1,977,996) (24,553,128) (2,644,180) (34,868,850) ========================================================================================================================== (9,204,637) $(120,702,537) (13,743,443) $(194,110,565) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================================================================== |
NOTE 13--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
CLASS A ------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.66 $ 14.58 $ 24.83 $ 23.43 $ 17.91 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.08) (0.11)(a) (0.13) (0.03)(a) (0.10) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.33 (1.81) (10.08) 2.77 6.12 ================================================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 2.25 (1.92) (10.21) 2.74 6.02 ================================================================================================================================= Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) (1.34) (0.50) ================================================================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $ 14.91 $ 12.66 $ 14.58 $ 24.83 $ 23.43 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Total return(b) 17.77% (13.17)% (41.17)% 11.52% 34.43% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $329,739 $335,954 $439,612 $796,992 $388,549 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.04%(c) 1.95% 1.68%(d) 1.62%(d) 1.67% ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.58)%(c) (0.75)% (0.66)% (0.10)% (0.57)% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate 75% 98% 134% 110% 93% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustment in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $327,956,190.
(d) After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee
waivers were 1.79% and 1.63% for the year ended 2001 and 2000,
respectively.
FS-60
NOTE 13--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
CLASS B ------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.09 $ 14.00 $ 23.98 $ 22.78 $ 17.52 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.15) (0.17)(a) (0.24) (0.17)(a) (0.23)(a) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.24 (1.74) (9.70) 2.71 5.99 ================================================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 2.09 (1.91) (9.94) 2.54 5.76 ================================================================================================================================= Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) (1.34) (0.50) ================================================================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $ 14.18 $ 12.09 $ 14.00 $ 23.98 $ 22.78 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Total return(b) 17.29% (13.64)% (41.50)% 10.95% 33.69% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $181,891 $206,189 $369,171 $806,409 $425,345 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.54%(c) 2.45% 2.19%(d) 2.16%(d) 2.23% ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (1.08)%(c) (1.25)% (1.16)% (0.64)% (1.13)% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate 75% 98% 134% 110% 93% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustment in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $183,253,282.
(d) After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee
waivers were 2.30% and 2.17% for the year ended 2001 and 2000,
respectively.
CLASS C ----------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.10 $ 14.01 $ 23.98 $ 22.79 $ 17.52 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.15) (0.17)(a) (0.22) (0.17)(a) (0.23)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.23 (1.74) (9.71) 2.70 6.00 =============================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 2.08 (1.91) (9.93) 2.53 5.77 =============================================================================================================================== Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.04) (1.34) (0.50) =============================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 14.18 $ 12.10 $ 14.01 $ 23.98 $ 22.79 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 17.19% (13.63)% (41.46)% 10.90% 33.69% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 32,844 $ 34,778 $ 51,624 $ 88,810 $ 31,356 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.54%(c) 2.45% 2.19%(d) 2.16%(d) 2.23% =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (1.08)%(c) (1.25)% (1.16)% (0.64)% (1.13)% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 75% 98% 134% 110% 93% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustment in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $31,880,974.
(d) After fee waivers. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee
waivers were 2.30% and 2.17% for the year ended 2001 and 2000,
respectively.
FS-61
NOTE 14--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Your Fund's investment advisor, A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"). Another indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO"), was, until recently, the investment advisor to the INVESCO Funds.
On December 2, 2003, each of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York ("NYAG") filed civil proceedings against INVESCO and Raymond R. Cunningham, in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of INVESCO. Mr. Cunningham currently holds the positions of Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of A I M Management Group, Inc., the parent company of AIM, and he also holds the position of Senior Vice President with AIM. In addition, on December 2, 2003, the State of Colorado filed civil proceedings against INVESCO. Neither your Fund nor any of the funds in the AIM Family of Funds(R), which includes the INVESCO Funds (the "Funds") has been named as a defendant in any of these proceedings.
The SEC proceeding alleges that INVESCO failed to disclose in the INVESCO Funds' prospectuses and to the INVESCO Funds' independent directors that INVESCO had entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the INVESCO Funds. The SEC is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from serving as an investment advisor, officer or director of an investment company; an accounting of all market timing as well as certain fees and compensation received; disgorgement; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The NYAG proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The NYAG is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from directly or indirectly selling or distributing shares of mutual funds; disgorgement of all profits obtained, including fees collected, and payment of all restitution and damages caused, directly or indirectly from the alleged illegal activities; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The Colorado proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The State of Colorado is seeking injunctions; restitution, disgorgement and other equitable relief; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
If INVESCO is unsuccessful in its defense of these proceedings, it could be barred from serving as an investment advisor for any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (a "registered investment company"). Similarly, if Mr. Cunningham is unsuccessful in his defense of these proceedings, he could be barred from serving as an officer or director of any registered investment company. Such results could also affect the ability of AIM, or any other investment advisor directly or indirectly owned by AMVESCAP, from serving as an investment advisor to any registered investment company, including your Fund. Your Fund has been informed by AIM that, if either of these results occurs, AIM will seek exemptive relief from the SEC to permit it to continue to serve as your Fund's investment advisor. There can be no assurance that such exemptive relief will be granted.
AIM has received inquiries from the SEC, the NASD, Inc., the NYAG and the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with respect to market timing, late trading, fair value pricing and other similar issues and AIM has been providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries.
In addition to the complaints described above, multiple lawsuits, including
purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against
certain Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and certain related parties, primarily
based upon the allegations in the complaints described above, but also regarding
the funds' fair valuation pricing methodology. Such lawsuits allege a variety of
theories for recovery including, but not limited to: (i) violation of various
provisions of the Federal securities laws; (ii) breach of fiduciary duty; and
(iii) breach of contract. The lawsuits have been filed in both Federal and state
courts and seek such remedies as compensatory damages; restitution; rescission;
accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation; injunctive
relief; disgorgement; equitable relief; interest and the payment of attorneys'
and experts' fees. Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and
presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed against the
Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and related parties in the future.
As a result of these developments, investors in the Funds might react by redeeming their investments. This might require the Funds to sell investments to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the Funds.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund is unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of these matters described above may have on the Fund or AIM's financial condition.
FS-62
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Directors/Trustees
and Shareholders of AIM International Growth Fund
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AIM International Growth Fund (one of the funds constituting AIM International Funds, Inc., now known as AIM International Mutual Funds; hereafter referred to as the "Fund") at October 31, 2003, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2003 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. The financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or before October 31, 2000 were audited by other independent accountants whose report dated December 6, 2000, expressed an unqualified opinion on the financial highlights.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
December 16, 2003
Houston, Texas
FS-63
FINANCIALS
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- STOCKS & OTHER EQUITY INTERESTS-96.61% AUSTRALIA-1.54% Amcor Ltd. (Paper Packaging) 1,037,900 $ 6,243,877 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BHP Billiton Ltd. (Diversified Metals & Mining) 1,814,700 15,052,628 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Promina Group Ltd. (Property & Casualty Insurance) (Acquired 05/12/03; Cost $1,630,929)(a) 1,404,000 3,299,021 ========================================================================== 24,595,526 ========================================================================== AUSTRIA-0.58% Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen A.G. (Diversified Banks) 84,231 9,280,587 ========================================================================== BRAZIL-0.51% Companhia de Bebidas das Americas-ADR (Brewers) 386,300 8,189,560 ========================================================================== CANADA-8.70% Bombardier Inc.-Class B (Aerospace & Defense) 1,193,200 5,357,409 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadian National Railway Co. (Railroads) 232,300 13,962,666 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CP Railway Ltd. (Railroads) 616,100 17,265,753 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loblaw Cos. Ltd. (Food Retail) (Acquired 11/10/00-10/10/01; Cost $24,025,835)(a) 751,300 36,382,636 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manulife Financial Corp. (Life & Health Insurance) 458,700 13,915,813 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petro-Canada (Integrated Oil & Gas) 357,500 14,405,745 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Royal Bank of Canada (Diversified Banks) 182,090 8,766,836 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suncor Energy, Inc. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 1,362,800 28,620,350 ========================================================================== 138,677,208 ========================================================================== DENMARK-0.84% A P Moller-Maersk A.S.-Class B (Marine) 1,709 13,369,873 ========================================================================== FRANCE-6.54% BNP Paribas S.A. (Diversified Banks) 277,988 14,555,991 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carrefour S.A. (Hypermarkets & Super Centers) 164,335 8,597,284 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- France Telecom S.A. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(b) 314,138 7,576,672 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lagardere S.C.A. (Publishing) 104,014 5,213,819 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pernod Ricard S.A. (Distillers & Vintners) 147,478 14,180,209 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Renault S.A. (Automobile Manufacturers) 288,067 18,988,168 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Societe Generale (Diversified Banks) 103,072 7,629,900 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total S.A.-Class B (Integrated Oil & Gas) 177,249 27,453,170 ========================================================================== 104,195,213 ========================================================================== GERMANY-4.31% Altana A.G. (Pharmaceuticals) 220,684 13,858,861 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- GERMANY-(CONTINUED) Continental A.G. (Tires & Rubber) 253,900 $ 8,588,609 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deutsche Boerse A.G. (Specialized Finance) 148,168 8,208,074 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deutsche Telekom A.G. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(b) 754,304 11,840,308 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Metro A.G. (Hypermarkets & Super Centers) 213,683 8,708,495 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Puma A.G. Rudolf Dassler Sport (Footwear) (Acquired 10/08/03-10/30/03; Cost $8,769,073)(a) 63,102 9,172,652 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Siemens A.G. (Industrial Conglomerates)(b) 122,689 8,243,486 ========================================================================== 68,620,485 ========================================================================== HONG KONG-2.38% Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (Airlines) 5,189,000 9,922,820 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd. (Real Estate Management & Development) 801,000 6,678,782 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- China Merchants Holdings International Co. Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 1,818,000 2,458,149 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CNOOC Ltd.-ADR (Oil & Gas Exploration & Production) 152,800 5,752,920 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 933,000 7,238,752 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. (Real Estate Management & Development) 688,000 5,825,178 ========================================================================== 37,876,601 ========================================================================== HUNGARY-0.57% OTP Bank Rt. (Diversified Banks)(b) 748,200 9,117,492 ========================================================================== INDIA-1.42% Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd. (Thrifts & Mortgage Finance) 228,736 2,624,004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Infosys Technologies Ltd. (IT Consulting & Other Services) 191,172 20,000,717 ========================================================================== 22,624,721 ========================================================================== IRELAND-0.91% Angloz Irish Bank Corp. PLC (Diversified Banks) 1,208,700 14,464,257 ========================================================================== ISRAEL-3.07% Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.-ADR (Pharmaceuticals) 859,100 48,874,199 ========================================================================== ITALY-4.34% Banca Intesa S.p.A. (Diversified Banks) 2,656,700 8,925,197 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Banco Popolare di Verona e Novara Scrl (Diversified Banks) 1,119,180 17,243,637 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eni S.p.A. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 1,143,649 18,097,590 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mediaset S.p.A. (Broadcasting & Cable TV) 1,188,600 11,965,554 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
FS-64
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ITALY-(CONTINUED) UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. (Diversified Banks) 2,616,100 $ 12,849,833 ========================================================================== 69,081,811 ========================================================================== JAPAN-18.10% Canon Inc. (Office Electronics) 410,000 19,850,746 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. (Homebuilding) 593,000 6,400,601 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fanuc Ltd. (Industrial Machinery) 252,200 15,171,478 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (Photographic Products) 170,000 5,012,741 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 173,700 21,356,816 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hoya Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 276,600 25,047,051 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- JSR Corp. (Specialty Chemicals) 724,000 15,352,384 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- KDDI Corp. (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 2,210 12,007,372 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keyence Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 95,200 20,949,545 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nidec Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 175,900 17,048,917 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Automobile Manufacturers) 1,863,300 20,891,751 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nitto Denko Corp. (Specialty Chemicals) 596,700 31,333,810 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOK Corp. (Auto Parts & Equipment) 269,000 10,600,382 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ricoh Co., Ltd. (Office Electronics) 471,000 8,937,341 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Specialty Chemicals) 237,300 8,832,881 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals) 338,400 11,980,124 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Toyota Motor Corp. (Automobile Manufacturers) 342,000 9,742,082 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trend Micro Inc. (Application Software)(b) 331,900 9,152,321 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yamaha Corp. (Leisure Products) 264,000 5,321,806 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals) 534,000 13,413,178 ========================================================================== 288,403,327 ========================================================================== MEXICO-2.22% America Movil S.A. de C.V.-Series L-ADR (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 649,100 15,448,580 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer, S.A. de C.V.- Class B (Diversified Banks)(b) 10,436,700 8,893,381 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wal-Mart de Mexico S.A. de C.V.-Series C (Hypermarkets & Super Centers) 4,251,000 11,110,196 ========================================================================== 35,452,157 ========================================================================== NETHERLANDS-2.39% ABN AMRO Holding N.V. (Diversified Banks) 397,900 8,320,098 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aegon N.V. (Life & Health Insurance) 637,479 8,330,140 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Hardie Industries N.V. (Construction Materials) 732,500 3,717,121 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- NETHERLANDS-(CONTINUED) Koninklijke (Royal) KPN N.V. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(b) 1,684,959 $ 12,765,692 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Koninklijke (Royal) Philips Electronics N.V. (Consumer Electronics) 184,880 4,966,700 ========================================================================== 38,099,751 ========================================================================== NORWAY-0.79% Telenor A.S.A. (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 2,321,602 12,573,385 ========================================================================== SINGAPORE-1.38% Keppel Corp. Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 2,300,000 7,867,203 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Singapore Airlines Ltd. (Airlines) 947,000 6,587,353 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- United Overseas Bank Ltd. (Diversified Banks) 960,000 7,505,605 ========================================================================== 21,960,161 ========================================================================== SOUTH KOREA-2.64% Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks)(b) 305,000 4,097,592 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kookmin Bank (Diversified Banks) 323,360 11,803,255 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 65,700 26,091,255 ========================================================================== 41,992,102 ========================================================================== SPAIN-2.28% Banco Popular Espanol S.A. (Diversified Banks) 305,845 15,848,114 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Repsol YPF, S.A. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 1,181,716 20,534,383 ========================================================================== 36,382,497 ========================================================================== SWEDEN-2.72% AB SKF-Class B (Industrial Machinery) 135,100 4,759,289 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Atlas Copco A.B.-Class A (Industrial Machinery) 234,200 8,190,588 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ForeningsSparbanken A.B. (Diversified Banks) 484,700 8,042,554 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tele2 A.B.-Class B (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(b) 117,500 5,886,473 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Communications Equipment) 4,463,292 7,633,746 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volvo A.B.-Class B (Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks) 314,900 8,762,071 ========================================================================== 43,274,721 ========================================================================== SWITZERLAND-3.97% Credit Suisse Group (Diversified Capital Markets) 536,212 18,821,825 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nestle S.A. (Packaged Foods & Meats) 27,119 5,948,214 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roche Holding A.G. (Pharmaceuticals) 146,575 12,083,361 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Syngenta A.G. (Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals) 164,689 8,791,031 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- UBS A.G. (Diversified Capital Markets) 286,398 17,520,618 ========================================================================== 63,165,049 ========================================================================== |
FS-65
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAIWAN-3.96% Compal Electronics Inc. (Computer Hardware) 5,778,880 $ 8,771,362 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 2,785,960 12,480,575 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- MediaTek Inc. (Semiconductors) 703,000 7,251,695 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quanta Computer Inc. (Computer Hardware) 3,031,000 8,263,115 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Semiconductors) 13,305,513 26,273,780 ========================================================================== 63,040,527 ========================================================================== UNITED KINGDOM-19.42% AstraZeneca PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 514,875 24,153,849 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barclays PLC (Diversified Banks) 1,676,680 14,122,937 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Centrica PLC (Gas Utilities) 4,458,290 13,940,654 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Enterprise Inns PLC (Restaurants) 311,400 4,462,217 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Galen Holdings PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 426,000 5,461,815 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- GlaxoSmithKline PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 530,470 11,345,892 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- GUS PLC (Catalog Retail) 1,250,290 15,256,739 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ICAP PLC (Investment Banking & Brokerage) 375,300 8,768,829 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Imperial Tobacco Group PLC (Tobacco) 1,607,620 26,619,287 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingfisher PLC (Home Improvement Retail) 1,686,995 8,077,012 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Man Group PLC (Asset Management & Custody Banks) 401,860 9,868,738 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- mm02 PLC (Wireless Telecommunication Services)(b) 11,905,490 12,913,552 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next PLC (Department Stores) 1,019,420 20,387,014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reckitt Benckiser PLC (Household Products) 1,100,240 23,122,116 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shire Pharmaceuticals Group PLC (Pharmaceuticals)(b) 673,350 5,095,429 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Smith & Nephew PLC (Health Care Supplies) 3,075,235 24,404,760 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tesco PLC (Food Retail) 5,919,043 23,699,641 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Travis Perkins PLC (Home Improvement Retail) 218,700 4,424,148 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNITED KINGDOM-(CONTINUED) Vodafone Group PLC (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 18,480,590 $ 38,759,619 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morrison (William) Supermarkets PLC (Food Retail) 3,812,970 14,475,376 ========================================================================== 309,359,624 ========================================================================== UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1.03% Autoliv, Inc.-SDR (Auto Parts & Equipment) 251,000 8,233,500 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Synthes-Stratec, Inc. (Health Care Equipment)(b) 8,900 8,140,406 ========================================================================== 16,373,906 ========================================================================== Total Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $1,206,227,506) 1,539,044,740 ========================================================================== PRINCIPAL AMOUNT BONDS-0.00% INDIA-0.00% Hindustan Lever Ltd. (Household Products), Sec. Deb., 9.00%, 01/01/05 (Cost $0) INR 1,100,000 1,558 ========================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-96.61% (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $1,206,227,506) 1,539,046,298 ========================================================================== SHARES INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH CASH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LOANED MONEY MARKET FUNDS-2.69% STIC Liquid Assets Portfolio(c)(d) 42,838,030 42,838,030 ========================================================================== Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $42,838,030) 42,838,030 ========================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-99.30% (Cost $1,249,065,536) 1,581,884,328 ========================================================================== OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES-0.70% 11,118,235 ========================================================================== NET ASSETS-100.00% $1,593,002,563 __________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================== |
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR - American Depositary Receipt Deb. - Debentures INR - Indian Rupee SDR - Swedish Depository Receipt Sec. - Secured |
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) Security not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (e.g.,
the security was purchased in a Rule 144A transaction or a Regulation D
transaction). The security may be resold only pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional
buyers. The Fund has no rights to demand registration of these securities.
The aggregate market value of these securities at 10/31/03 was $48,854,309,
which represented 3.07% of the Fund's net assets. Unless otherwise
indicated, these securities are not considered to be illiquid.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same
investment advisor.
(d) The security has been segregated to satisfy the forward commitment to return
the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the
borrower's return of the securities loaned.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
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STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
October 31, 2003
ASSETS: Investments, at market value (cost $1,206,227,506)* $1,539,046,298 ------------------------------------------------------------ Investments in affiliated money market funds (cost $42,838,030) 42,838,030 ------------------------------------------------------------ Foreign currencies, at value (cost $39,494,059) 39,394,759 ------------------------------------------------------------ Cash 14,454,167 ------------------------------------------------------------ Receivables for: Investments sold 20,287,918 ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital stock sold 3,280,743 ------------------------------------------------------------ Dividends and interest 3,469,334 ------------------------------------------------------------ Amount due from advisor 15,290 ------------------------------------------------------------ Investment for deferred compensation plan 88,383 ------------------------------------------------------------ Other assets 185,212 ============================================================ Total assets 1,663,060,134 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ LIABILITIES: Payables for: Investments purchased 14,808,329 ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital stock reacquired 9,828,142 ------------------------------------------------------------ Deferred compensation plan 88,383 ------------------------------------------------------------ Collateral upon return of securities loaned 42,838,030 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued distribution fees 676,640 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued directors' fees 98,268 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued transfer agent fees 1,257,312 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued operating expenses 462,467 ============================================================ Total liabilities 70,057,571 ============================================================ Net assets applicable to shares outstanding $1,593,002,563 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Capital (par value and additional paid-in) $1,787,466,539 ------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net investment income 1,385,424 ------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts (528,589,622) ------------------------------------------------------------ Unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies 332,740,222 ============================================================ $1,593,002,563 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ NET ASSETS: Class A $1,117,420,019 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B $ 360,671,403 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C $ 113,964,516 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class R $ 867,405 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Institutional Class $ 79,220 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ CAPITAL STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE: Class A: Authorized 480,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 73,387,899 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 25,188,905 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 7,951,939 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class R: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 57,282 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Institutional Class: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 5,155 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class A: Net asset value per share $ 15.23 ------------------------------------------------------------ Offering price per share: (Net asset value of $15.23 divided by 94.50%) $ 16.12 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 14.32 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 14.33 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class R: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 15.14 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Institutional Class: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 15.37 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ |
* At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate market value of $38,847,584 were on loan to brokers.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
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STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended October 31, 2003
INVESTMENT INCOME: Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $3,554,080) $ 27,094,609 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividends from affiliated money market funds 803,434 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest 79,655 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Securities lending 1,001,326 ========================================================================== Total investment income 28,979,024 ========================================================================== EXPENSES: Advisory fees 14,723,373 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Administrative services fees 387,366 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Custodian fees 1,354,320 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution fees: Class A 3,330,664 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 3,602,319 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 1,092,583 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R 2,950 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer agent fees 6,313,971 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer agent fees -- Institutional Class 65 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Directors' fees 36,990 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other 1,128,604 ========================================================================== Total expenses 31,973,205 ========================================================================== Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expenses paid indirectly (1,251,776) ========================================================================== Net expenses 30,721,429 ========================================================================== Net investment income (loss) (1,742,405) ========================================================================== REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN FROM INVESTMENT SECURITIES, FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND FUTURES CONTRACTS: Net realized gain from: Investment securities 46,644,664 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies 3,194,368 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Futures contracts 593,783 ========================================================================== 50,432,815 ========================================================================== Change in net unrealized appreciation of: Investment securities 262,645,749 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies 7,957 ========================================================================== 262,653,706 ========================================================================== Net gain from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts 313,086,521 ========================================================================== Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $311,344,116 __________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================== |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
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STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002
2003 2002 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATIONS: Net investment income (loss) $ (1,742,405) $ (8,846,063) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts 50,432,815 (221,331,772) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change in net unrealized appreciation of investment securities, and foreign currencies 262,653,706 52,979,939 ============================================================================================== Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 311,344,116 (177,197,896) ============================================================================================== Share transactions-net: Class A (206,630,297) (212,077,269) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (101,031,208) (148,436,124) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (20,132,725) (35,844,117) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R 636,461 49,318 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Institutional Class (8,827) 80,835 ============================================================================================== Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions (327,166,596) (396,227,357) ============================================================================================== Net increase (decrease) in net assets (15,822,480) (573,425,253) ============================================================================================== NET ASSETS: Beginning of year 1,608,825,043 2,182,250,296 ============================================================================================== End of year (including undistributed net investment income (loss) of $1,385,424 and $(168,216) for 2003 and 2002, respectively) $1,593,002,563 $1,608,825,043 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================== |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2003
NOTE 1--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
AIM International Growth Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM International Funds, Inc. (the "Company"). The Company is a Maryland corporation registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of five separate portfolios. The Fund currently offers multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund. Effective November 25, 2003, the Fund redomesticated as a series portfolio of a newly formed Delaware statutory trust, AIM International Mutual Funds.
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Companies are listed in the Schedule of Investments based on the country in which they are organized.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. SECURITY VALUATIONS -- Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy. A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ National Market System) is valued on the basis of prices furnished by independent pricing services or market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price. Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service. Prices provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are questionable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Company's officers in a manner specifically authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company. Market trends, movement in exchange traded funds and ADRs, and the bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally will be valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Foreign securities are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If a development/event is so significant that there is a reasonably high degree of certainty as to both the effect and the degree of effect that the development/event has actually caused that closing price to no longer reflect actual value, the closing prices, as determined at the close of the applicable foreign market, may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the affected foreign securities as of the close of the NYSE as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
B. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME -- Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. DISTRIBUTIONS -- Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to use a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES -- The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and, as such, will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) which is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements. Any capital loss carryforwards listed are reduced for limitations, if any, to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code.
E. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATIONS -- Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market prices on investments are included
FS-70
with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
F. FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS -- A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. The Fund could be exposed to risk if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably.
G. EXPENSES -- Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund are charged to the operations of such class. Transfer agency fees and expenses and other shareholder recordkeeping fees and expenses attributable to the Institutional Class are charged to such class. Transfer agency fees and expenses relating to all other classes are allocated among those classes based on relative net assets. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
NOTE 2--ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Company has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM at the annual rate of 0.95% of the first $1 billion of the Fund's average daily net assets, plus 0.90% of the Fund's average daily net assets in excess of $1 billion. AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees payable by the Fund to AIM at the annual rate of 0.05% on net assets in excess of $500 million. Further, AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds in which the Fund has invested (excluding investments made in affiliated money market funds with cash collateral from securities loaned by the Fund). For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM waived fees of $555,986. Under a prior agreement to limit the aggregate costs of certain shareholder services provided by third party administrators, AIM reimbursed fees of $670,300 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares based on the relative net assets of those classes.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM was paid $387,366 for such services.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AISI"), formerly known as A I M Fund Services, Inc., a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund. For the Institutional Class, the transfer agent has contractually agreed to reimburse class specific transfer agent fees to the extent necessary to limit transfer agent fees to 0.10% of the average net assets. During the year ended October 31, 2003, AISI retained $2,406,157 for such services.
The Company has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and the Institutional Class shares of the Fund. The Company has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays AIM Distributors compensation at the annual rate of 0.30% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares and 0.50% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares. Of these amounts, the AIM Distributors may pay a service fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, Class C or Class R shares to selected dealers and financial institutions who furnish continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not paid as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. NASD Rules also impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the year ended October 31, 2003, the Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares paid $3,330,664, $3,602,319, $1,092,583 and $2,950, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM Distributors retained $85,350 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $1,104,821, $142, $36,471 and $0 from Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed upon redemptions by shareholders.
Certain officers and directors of the Company are officers and directors of AIM, AISI and/or AIM Distributors.
NOTE 3--EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENTS
For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received reductions in transfer agency fees from AISI (an affiliate of AIM) of $24,533 and reductions in custodian fees of $957 under expense offset arrangements which resulted in a reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $25,490.
NOTE 4--DIRECTORS' FEES
Directors' fees represent remuneration paid to each Director of the Company who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Directors have the option to defer compensation payable by the Company. The Directors deferring compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested.
Current Directors are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Directors over a period of time based on the number of years of service. Certain former Trustees also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund paid legal fees of $4,784 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Directors. A member of that firm is a Director of the Company.
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NOTE 5--BORROWINGS
The Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. Under certain circumstances, a loan will be secured by collateral. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
Effective June 26, 2003, the Fund became a participant in an uncommitted
unsecured revolving line of credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000 or
(ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds
advised by AIM which are parties to the line of credit can borrow on a first
come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest
at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the reporting period, the Fund was a participant in a committed line of credit facility with a syndicate administered by Citibank, N.A. The Fund could borrow up to the lesser of (i) $500,000,000 or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which were parties to the line of credit could borrow on a first come, first served basis. The funds which were party to the line of credit were charged a commitment fee of 0.09% on the unused balance of the committed line. The commitment fee was allocated among the funds based on their respective average net assets for the period. The committed line of credit facility expired May 20, 2003.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under either the uncommitted unsecured revolving line of credit facility or the committed line of credit facility.
Additionally the Fund is permitted to carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds in the account so the custodian can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank. In either case, the custodian bank will be compensated an amount equal to the Federal Funds rate plus 100 basis points.
NOTE 6--PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to the extent of one-third of the Fund's total assets. Such loans are secured by collateral equal to no less than the market value of the loaned securities determined daily. Such collateral will be cash or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Cash collateral pursuant to these loans is invested in short-term money market instruments or affiliated money market funds. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned were to increase and the borrower did not increase the collateral accordingly, and the borrower fails to return the securities. It is the Fund's policy to obtain additional collateral from or return excess collateral to the borrower by the end of the next business day, following the valuation date of the securities loaned. Therefore, the value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan.
At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate value of $38,847,584 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $42,838,030 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in an affiliated money market fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received fees of $1,001,326 for securities lending.
NOTE 7--DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
Distributions to Shareholders:
There were no ordinary income or long-term capital gain distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002.
Tax Components of Net Assets:
As of October 31, 2003, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income $ 1,573,558 ------------------------------------------------------------ Unrealized appreciation -- investments 330,833,847 ------------------------------------------------------------ Temporary book/tax differences (188,136) ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital loss carryforward (526,683,245) ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital (par value and additional paid-in) 1,787,466,539 ============================================================ Total net assets $1,593,002,563 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ |
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation is due to differences in the timing of recognition of gains and losses on investments for tax and book purposes. The Fund's unrealized appreciation difference is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. Amount includes appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currencies of $(78,570).
The temporary book/tax differences are a result of timing differences between book and tax recognition of income and/or expenses. The Fund's temporary book/tax differences are the result of the deferral of director compensation and director retirement plan expenses.
The Fund has a capital loss carryforward for tax purposes which expires as follows:
CAPITAL LOSS EXPIRATION CARRYFORWARD ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2008 $ 8,427,649 ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2009 296,794,208 ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2010 221,461,388 ========================================================== Total capital loss carryforward $526,683,245 __________________________________________________________ ========================================================== |
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NOTE 8--INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2003 was $1,136,347,378 and $1,406,098,946 respectively.
UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES ON A TAX BASIS ----------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities $337,542,565 ----------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities (6,630,148) =========================================================== Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities $330,912,417 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Cost of investments for tax purposes is $1,250,971,911. |
NOTE 9--RECLASSIFICATION OF PERMANENT DIFFERENCES
Primarily as a result of differing book/tax treatment of foreign currency transactions and capital loss limitations, on October 31, 2003, undistributed net investment income was increased by $3,296,045, undistributed net realized gains decreased by $3,622,479 and paid in capital increased by $326,434. This reclassification had no effect on net assets of the Fund.
NOTE 10--CAPITAL STOCK INFORMATION
The Fund currently offers five different classes of shares: Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, Class R shares and the Institutional Class shares. Class A shares are sold with front-end sales charge. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Class R shares and the Institutional Class shares are sold at net asset value. Under some circumstances, Class A shares and Class R shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase.
CHANGES IN SHARES OUTSTANDING -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------ 2003 2002 ------------------------------- ------------------------------- SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sold: Class A 360,002,923 $ 4,667,044,231 368,401,191 $ 5,196,926,844 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 1,810,130 22,361,870 3,311,442 44,849,213 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 18,493,883 227,638,038 15,573,890 203,220,053 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R* 1,257,373 16,539,372 3,845 49,318 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Institutional Class** -- -- 5,818 80,835 ================================================================================================================================ Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares: Class A 2,013,886 26,283,106 660,780 9,377,577 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (2,133,943) (26,283,106) (698,495) (9,377,577) ================================================================================================================================ Reacquired: Class A (374,808,645) (4,899,957,634) (380,070,713) (5,418,381,690) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (7,880,064) (97,109,972) (13,644,671) (183,907,760) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (20,026,701) (247,770,763) (18,116,304) (239,064,170) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R* (1,203,936) (15,902,911) -- -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Institutional Class** (663) (8,827) -- -- ================================================================================================================================ (22,475,757) $ (327,166,596) (24,573,217) $ (396,227,357) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================ |
* Class R shares commenced sales on June 3, 2002. ** Institutional Class shares commenced sales on March 15, 2002.
FS-73
NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
CLASS A ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.69 $ 14.45 $ 21.60 $ 21.73 $ 17.59 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.01(a) (0.03)(a) (0.01) 0.08(a) (0.03) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.53 (1.73) (5.66) 0.72 4.49 ================================================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 2.54 (1.76) (5.67) 0.80 4.46 ================================================================================================================================= Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income -- -- -- -- (0.11) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.21) ================================================================================================================================= Total distributions -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.32) ================================================================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $ 15.23 $ 12.69 $ 14.45 $ 21.60 $ 21.73 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Total return(b) 20.02% (12.18)% (27.96)% 3.16% 25.73% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $1,117,420 $1,093,344 $1,404,269 $2,325,636 $2,058,419 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.74%(c) 1.70% 1.57% 1.44% 1.48% --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.82%(c) 1.74% 1.61% 1.48% 1.52% ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 0.09%(c) (0.21)% (0.04)% 0.30% (0.14)% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate 77% 77% 85% 87% 86% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $1,110,221,314.
CLASS B ----------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.02 $ 13.78 $ 20.81 $ 21.11 $ 17.13 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.08)(a) (0.12)(a) (0.13) (0.11)(a) (0.17)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.38 (1.64) (5.42) 0.74 4.36 =============================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 2.30 (1.76) (5.55) 0.63 4.19 =============================================================================================================================== Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.21) =============================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 14.32 $ 12.02 $ 13.78 $ 20.81 $ 21.11 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 19.14% (12.77)% (28.48)% 2.42% 24.72% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $360,671 $401,288 $612,125 $997,843 $887,106 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.44%(c) 2.40% 2.27% 2.18% 2.27% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.52%(c) 2.44% 2.31% 2.22% 2.31% =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.61)(c) (0.91)% (0.75)% (0.44)% (0.93)% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 77% 77% 85% 87% 86% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $360,231,865.
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NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
CLASS C ----------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.03 $ 13.79 $ 20.82 $ 21.13 $ 17.14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.08)(a) (0.12)(a) (0.13) (0.11)(a) (0.17)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.38 (1.64) (5.42) 0.73 4.37 =============================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 2.30 (1.76) (5.55) 0.62 4.20 =============================================================================================================================== Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.21) =============================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 14.33 $ 12.03 $ 13.79 $ 20.82 $ 21.13 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 19.12% (12.76)% (28.47)% 2.37% 24.76% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $113,965 $114,070 $165,857 $253,998 $118,208 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.44%(c) 2.40% 2.27% 2.18% 2.27% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.52%(c) 2.44% 2.31% 2.22% 2.31% =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.61)(c) (0.91)% (0.75)% (0.44)% (0.93)% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 77% 77% 85% 87% 86% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $109,258,326.
CLASS R ---------------------------------- JUNE 3, 2002 (DATE SALES YEAR ENDED COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, 2003 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net asset value, beginning of period $12.69 $ 15.27 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.01(a) (0.02)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.44 (2.56) ================================================================================================ Total from investment operations 2.45 (2.58) ================================================================================================ Net asset value, end of period $15.14 $ 12.69 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Total return(b) 19.31% (16.90)% ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 867 $ 49 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.94%(c) 1.89%(d) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.02%(c) 1.93%(d) ================================================================================================ Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.11)(c) (0.40)(d) ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Portfolio turnover rate(e) 77% 77% ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and is not annualized for
periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $589,989.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
FS-75
NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS --------------------------------- MARCH 15, 2002 (DATE SALES YEAR ENDED COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, 2003 2002 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $12.73 $ 15.09 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.09(a) 0.03(a) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.55 (2.39) =============================================================================================== Total from investment operations 2.64 (2.36) =============================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $15.37 $ 12.73 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================== Total return(b) 20.74% (15.64)% _______________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 79 $ 74 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.17%(c) 1.16%(d) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.21%(c) 1.20%(d) =============================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 0.66%(c) 0.33%(d) _______________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate(e) 77% 77% _______________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and is not annualized for
periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $73,309.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
NOTE 12--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Your Fund's investment advisor, A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"). Another indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO"), was, until recently, the investment advisor to the INVESCO Funds.
On December 2, 2003, each of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York ("NYAG") filed civil proceedings against INVESCO and Raymond R. Cunningham, in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of INVESCO. Mr. Cunningham currently holds the positions of Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of A I M Management Group, Inc., the parent company of AIM, and he also holds the position of Senior Vice President with AIM. In addition, on December 2, 2003, the State of Colorado filed civil proceedings against INVESCO. Neither your Fund nor any of the funds in the AIM Family of Funds(R), which includes the INVESCO Funds (the "Funds") has been named as a defendant in any of these proceedings.
The SEC proceeding alleges that INVESCO failed to disclose in the INVESCO Funds' prospectuses and to the INVESCO Funds' independent directors that INVESCO had entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the INVESCO Funds. The SEC is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from serving as an investment advisor, officer or director of an investment company; an accounting of all market timing as well as certain fees and compensation received; disgorgement; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The NYAG proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The NYAG is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from directly or indirectly selling or distributing shares of mutual funds; disgorgement of all profits obtained, including fees collected, and payment of all restitution and damages caused, directly or indirectly from the alleged illegal activities; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The Colorado proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The State of Colorado is seeking injunctions; restitution, disgorgement and other equitable relief; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
If INVESCO is unsuccessful in its defense of these proceedings, it could be barred from serving as an investment advisor for any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (a "registered investment company"). Similarly, if Mr. Cunningham is unsuccessful in his defense of these proceedings, he could be barred from serving as an officer or director of any registered investment company. Such results could also affect the ability of AIM, or any other investment advisor directly or indirectly owned by AMVESCAP, from serving as an investment advisor to any registered investment company, including your Fund. Your Fund has been informed by AIM that, if either of these results occurs, AIM will seek exemptive relief from the SEC to permit it to continue to serve as your Fund's investment advisor. There can be no assurance that such exemptive relief will be granted.
AIM has received inquiries from the SEC, the NASD, Inc., the NYAG and the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with respect to market timing, late trading, fair value pricing and other similar issues and AIM has been providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries.
FS-76
NOTE 12--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (CONTINUED)
In addition to the complaints described above, multiple lawsuits, including
purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against
certain Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and certain related parties, primarily
based upon the allegations in the complaints described above, but also regarding
the funds' fair valuation pricing methodology. Such lawsuits allege a variety of
theories for recovery including, but not limited to: (i) violation of various
provisions of the Federal securities laws; (ii) breach of fiduciary duty; and
(iii) breach of contract. The lawsuits have been filed in both Federal and state
courts and seek such remedies as compensatory damages; restitution; rescission;
accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation; injunctive
relief; disgorgement; equitable relief; interest and the payment of attorneys'
and experts' fees. Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and
presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed against the
Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and related parties in the future.
As a result of these developments, investors in the Funds might react by redeeming their investments. This might require the Funds to sell investments to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the Funds.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund is unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of these matters described above may have on the Fund or AIM's financial condition.
FS-77
INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND -- INVESTOR CLASS, CLASS A, B, C AND R
(FORMERLY, INVESCO INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP VALUE FUND)
A mutual fund designed for investors seeking investment opportunities overseas.
The Investor Class shares offered by this Prospectus are offered only to grandfathered investors. Please see the section of the Prospectus entitled "How To Buy Shares."
Class A, B and C shares are sold primarily through financial intermediaries. Class R shares are sold to qualified retirement plans, retirement savings programs, educational savings programs, and wrap programs primarily through financial intermediaries.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Investment Goals, Strategies, And Risks........... 2 Fund Performance.................................. 3 Fees And Expenses................................. 5 Investment Risks.................................. 6 Principal Risks Associated With The Fund.......... 6 Temporary Defensive Positions..................... 8 Fund Management................................... 8 Portfolio Managers................................ 9 Potential Rewards................................. 9 Share Price....................................... 9 Tools Used to Combat Excessive Short-Term Trading Activity................................ 10 How To Buy Shares................................. 11 Your Account Services............................. 18 How To Sell Shares................................ 19 Taxes............................................. 22 Dividends And Capital Gain Distributions.......... 23 Financial Highlights.............................. 24 |
No dealer, salesperson, or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this Prospectus, and you should not rely on such other information or representations.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved the shares of the Fund. Likewise, the Commission has not determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a federal crime.
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
[LOGO]
Your goals. Our solutions. SM AIM INVESTMENTS SM
PROSPECTUS | February 27, 2004
A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") is the investment advisor for the Fund (formerly, INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund) and INVESCO Global Asset Management (N.A.), Inc. ("IGAM"), is the sub-advisor for the Fund. On November 25, 2003, the series portfolio of AIM International Funds, Inc., II, (formerly, INVESCO International Funds, Inc.) a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), was redomesticated as the Fund, which is a series portfolio of AIM International Mutual Funds, a Delaware statutory trust. Prior to November 25, 2003, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO") served as the investment advisor for the Fund. IGAM is an affiliate of INVESCO. INVESCO and AIM are referred to herein, as appropriate, as the "Advisor."
This Prospectus contains important information about the Fund's Investor Class, Class A, B, C and R shares. Class A, B and C shares are sold primarily through financial intermediaries. Class R shares are sold to qualified retirement plans, retirement savings programs, educational savings programs, and wrap programs primarily through financial intermediaries. If you invest through a financial intermediary, please contact your financial intermediary or, with respect to Class R shares, your plan or program sponsor, for detailed information on suitability and transactional issues (i.e., how to purchase or sell shares, minimum investment amounts, and fees and expenses). Each of the Fund's classes has varying expenses, with resulting effects on their performance. You can choose the class of shares that is best for you, based on how much you plan to invest and other relevant factors discussed in "How To Buy Shares."
THIS PROSPECTUS WILL TELL YOU MORE ABOUT:
[GRAPHIC] Investment Goals & Strategies
[GRAPHIC] Potential Investment Risks
[GRAPHIC] Past Performance
[GRAPHIC] Investment Goals, Strategies, And Risks
FACTORS
International Core Equity Fund seeks total return. It is aggressively managed. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities that the Advisor believes will rise in price faster than other securities, as well as in options and other investments whose values are based upon the values of equity securities.
The Fund has a specific investment objective and strategy. The Fund invests primarily in securities of foreign companies. The Advisor defines a "foreign" company as one that has its principal business activities outside of the United States. Since many companies do business all over the world, including in the United States, the Advisor looks at several factors to determine where a company's principal business activities are located, including:
. the laws of the country under which the issuer is organized;
. the country in which the issuer maintains a principal office;
. the country in which the issuer derives 50% or more of its total revenues; or
. the country that has the primary market for the issuer's securities.
International Core Equity Fund emphasizes bottom-up analysis.
FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT Bottom-Up: For the Fund, the Advisor performs THE FUND'S CURRENT IN- fundamental analyses and extensive research on VESTMENTS AND MARKET specific stocks, which often includes visiting |
OUTLOOK, PLEASE SEE THE companies to meet with corporate management and MOST RECENT ANNUAL OR understand the businesses. The Advisor seeks to SEMIANNUAL REPORT. invest in companies that have above-average earnings growth that the Advisor believes is not fully reflected in the present market price of their securities. Also, the Advisor seeks to increase diversification by setting maximum limits on each security held in the portfolio. International Core Equity Fund also considers value criteria. This means that the Advisor considers companies that are performing well or have solid management and products, but whose stock prices do not reflect that value.
In some cases, our local presence and fundamental research may provide investment insights into specific opportunities and risks involved in each country or region. This analysis is particularly important for investments in "emerging" markets -- those countries that the international financial community considers to have developing economies and securities markets that are not as established as those in the United States. Emerging countries generally are considered to include every nation in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the nations in Western Europe (other than Turkey). In general, investments in emerging markets have a higher degree of risk than investments in more established markets.
Other principal risks involved in investing in the Fund are market, liquidity, counterparty, and lack of timely information risks. These risks are described and discussed later in this Prospectus under the headings "Investment Risks" and "Principal Risks Associated With The Fund." An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") or any other government agency. As with any other mutual fund, there is always a risk that you may lose money on your investment in the Fund.
[GRAPHIC] INVESCO International Core Equity Fund -- Investor Class, Class A, B, C and R
The Fund seeks total return through capital appreciation and current income. The Fund normally invests 80% of its net assets in equity securities of large-capitalization companies with a record of stable earnings or dividends and a reputation for high-quality management. Although some of its investments may be in smaller, emerging stock markets, the Fund generally invests in securities that are traded in larger, more liquid international securities exchanges.
[GRAPHIC] Fund Performance
Performance information in the bar chart below is that of the Fund's Investor Class shares which has the longest operating history of the Fund's classes. Information included in the table is that of Investor Class, Class A, B, C and R shares. The returns reflected in the bar chart reflect only the applicable total expenses of the Investor Class. If the effect of the other classes' total expenses were reflected, the returns would be lower than those shown because the other classes have higher total expenses.
The bar chart below shows the Fund's Investor Class actual yearly performance (commonly known as its "total return") for the years ended December 31 over the past decade or since inception. The returns in the bar chart do not reflect a 12b-1 fee in excess of 0.25%, the sales charge for Class A shares, or the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class B or Class C shares; if they did, the total returns shown would be lower. The table below shows the pre-tax and after-tax average annual total returns of Investor Class shares, and the pre-tax average annual total returns of Class A, B, C and R shares for various periods ended December 31, 2003 compared to the MSCI-EAFE Index and Lipper International Fund Index. The after-tax returns are shown only for Investor Class shares. After-tax returns for other classes offered in this Prospectus will vary.
After-tax returns are provided on a pre-redemption and post-redemption basis. Pre-redemption returns assume you continue to hold your shares and pay taxes on Fund distributions (i.e., dividends and capital gains) but do not reflect taxes that may be incurred upon selling or exchanging shares. Post-redemption returns assume payment of taxes on fund distributions and also that you close your account and pay remaining federal taxes. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect at the time the distribution is paid. State and local taxes are not considered. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. For investors holding their shares in tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts, the after-tax returns are not relevant.
The information in the chart and table illustrates the variability of the Fund's total return and how its performance compared to a broad based market index and a peer group index. The indices do not reflect payment of fees, expenses or taxes. The fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indices shown below, and consequently, the performance of the fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the indices shown below. Remember, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
[CHART]
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 23.43% (12.11%) (16.32%) (11.80%) 30.21% ------------------------------------------------ |
Best Calendar Qtr. [12/99 21.27%]
Worst Calendar Qtr. [9/02 (20.69%)]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN 3 AS OF 12/31/03 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 YEARS 1 YEAR 5 YEARS OR SINCE INCEPTION Investor Class 1 Return Before Taxes 30.21% 0.84% 2.04% 2 Return After Taxes on Distributions 29.98% 0.14% 1.36% 2 Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 19.63% 0.39% 1.43% 2 MSCI-EAFE Index 4,5 38.59% (0.05%) 1.68% Lipper International Fund Index 5,6 36.00% 2.13% 3.52% Class A 1 - Return Before Taxes 22.61% N/A 1.52% 7 Class B 1 - Return Before Taxes 24.22% N/A 2.34% 7 Class C 1 - Return Before Taxes 28.13% N/A (3.82%) 8 Class R 1 - Return Before Taxes N/A N/A 9.02% 9 |
1 Total return figures include reinvested dividends and capital gain distributions and the effect of each class' expenses.
2 The Fund (Investor Class shares) commenced investment operations on October 28, 1998. Index comparison begins on October 31, 1998, the month end closest to the inception date of the class with the longest performance history.
3 The total returns are for those classes of shares with a full calendar year of performance. The effect of each classes' total expenses, including 12b-1 fees, front-end sales charge for Class A, and CDSC for Class B and Class C are reflected.
4 The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index measures the performance of global stock markets in 21 developed countries. The Lipper International Fund Index (which may or may not include the Fund) is included for comparison to a peer group.
5 The indices do not reflect payment of fees, expenses or taxes.
6 The Lipper International Fund Index is an equally weighted representation of the 30 largest funds in the Lipper International category. These funds invest in securities with primary trading outside of the U.S. and may own U.S. securities as well.
7 The Fund's Class A and Class B shares commenced investment operations on March 28, 2002.
8 The Fund's Class C shares commenced investment operations on February 14, 2000.
9 The Fund's Class R shares commenced investment operations on November 24, 2003.
Fees And Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Investor Class, Class A, Class B, Class C or Class R shares of the Fund. If you invest in the Fund through a financial intermediary, you may be charged a commission or transaction fee by the financial intermediary for purchases and sales of Fund shares.
SHAREHOLDER FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR ACCOUNT
Investor Class Class A Class B Class C Class R Maximum Front-End Sales charge on purchases as a percentage of offering price None 5.50% None None None Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) as a percentage of the total original cost of the shares or redemption proceeds, whichever is less None None 1 5.00% 2 1.00% 2 None 1 Maximum Sales Charge on reinvested dividends/distributions None None None None None Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed) 2.00% 3 2.00% 3 None None None Exchange Fee 2.00% 3 2.00% 3 None None None |
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES THAT ARE DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS 4
Investor INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND Class Class A Class B Class C Class R Management Fees 0.75% 0.75% 0.75% 0.75% 0.75% Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 5 0.25% 0.35% 1.00% 1.00% 0.50% Other Expenses 6 1.26% 0.77% 2.38% 2.39% 0.99% ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 7,8 2.26% 1.87% 4.13% 4.14% 2.24% ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== Fee Waivers/Reimbursements 9 0.00% 0.00% 1.45% 1.39% 0.00% Net Expenses 2.26% 1.87% 2.68% 2.75% 2.24% ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== |
1 If you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares and redeem those shares within eighteen months from the date of purchase, you may pay a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) at the time of redemption. For qualified plans investing in Class A shares, you may pay a CDSC of 1.00% on your Class A shares if the plan is redeemed within twelve months from initial deposit in the plan's account. For qualified plans investing in Class R shares, you may pay a CDSC of 0.75% on your Class R shares if the distributor paid a concession to the dealer of record and if the plan is redeemed within twelve months from initial deposit in the plan's account. Please see the sections entitled "How To Buy Shares" and "How To Sell Shares."
2 A 5% and 1% CDSC may be charged on Class B and Class C shares, respectively. Please see the section entitled "How To Buy Shares."
3 A 2% fee is charged on redemptions or exchanges of Class A and Investor Class shares held 30 days or less. Please see the section entitled "How to Sell Shares--Redemption Fees."
4 There is no guarantee that actual expenses will be the same as those shown in the table.
5 Because each class pays a 12b-1 distribution and service fee which is based upon each class's assets, if you own shares of the Fund for a long period of time, you may pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted for mutual funds by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
6 Other expenses for Class R shares are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
7 The Advisor has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and increases in expense offset arrangements excluding directed brokerage, if any) of Investor Class shares to 2.00%. Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses net of this agreement are 2.00% for Investor Class shares. This limitation agreement may be modified or discontinued at any time after April 30, 2004.
8 The Advisor is entitled to reimbursement from the classes for fees and expenses absorbed pursuant to voluntary and contractual expense limitation commitments between the Advisor and the Fund if such reimbursements do not cause a class to exceed expense limitations and the reimbursement is made within three years after the advisor incurred the expense.
9 The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and increases in expense offset arrangements excluding directed brokerage, if any) of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares to 2.10%, 2.68%, 2.75% and 2.25% respectively. The expense limitation agreement is in effect through October 31, 2004.
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Investor Class, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares of the Fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invested $10,000 in Investor Class, Class A, Class B, Class C or Class R shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeemed all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, and that the Fund's Investor Class, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares' operating expenses remain the same. To the extent fees are waived and/or expenses are reimbursed, your expenses will be lower. Although your actual returns and costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years International Core Equity Fund Investor Class $229 $706 $1,210 $2,595 Class A 1 $729 $1,105 $1,505 $2,620 Class B - With Redemption 1 $771 $1,424 $2,191 $3,740 2 Class B - Without Redemption $271 $1,124 $1,991 $3,740 2 Class C - With Redemption 1,3 $378 $1,132 $2,001 $4,239 Class C - Without Redemption 3 $278 $1,132 $2,001 $4,239 Class R $227 $700 $1,200 $2,575 |
1 Based on initial sales charge for Class A shares at the beginning of each
period shown and CDSC charges for Class B and C shares based on redemption
at the end of each period shown. Please see "How To Buy Shares."
2 Assumes conversion of Class B to Class A at the end of the eighth year.
Please see "How To Buy Shares."
3 Class expenses remain the same for each period (except that the Example
reflects the contractual expense reimbursements by the Advisor for the
one-year period and the first year of the three-, five-, and ten-year
periods).
[GRAPHIC] Investment Risks
You should determine the level of risk with which you are comfortable before you invest. The principal risks of investing in any mutual fund, including the Fund, are:
Not Insured. Mutual funds are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, unlike bank deposits such as CDs or savings accounts.
No Guarantee. No mutual fund can guarantee that it will meet its investment objectives.
Possible Loss Of Investment. A mutual fund cannot guarantee its performance, nor assure you that the market value of your investment will increase. You may lose the money you invest, and the Fund will not reimburse you for any of these losses.
BEFORE INVESTING IN A Volatility. The price of your mutual fund shares FUND, YOU SHOULD DE- will increase or decrease with changes in the TERMINE THE LEVEL OF RISK value of the Fund's underlying investments and WITH WHICH YOU ARE COM- changes in the equity markets as a whole.
FORTABLE. TAKE INTO AC-
COUNT FACTORS LIKE YOUR Not A Complete Investment Plan. An investment in AGE, CAREER, INCOME AND any mutual fund does not constitute a complete TIME HORIZON. investment plan. The Fund is designed to be only a part of your personal investment plan. |
[GRAPHIC] Principal Risks Associated With The Fund
You should consider the special risk factors discussed below associated with the Fund's policies in determining the appropriateness of investing in the Fund. See the Statement of Additional Information for a discussion of additional risk factors.
FOREIGN SECURITIES RISKS
Investments in foreign and emerging markets carry special risks, including currency, political, regulatory, and diplomatic risks. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in foreign securities.
Currency Risk. A change in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and a foreign currency may reduce the value of the Fund's investment in a security valued in the foreign currency, or based on that currency value.
Political Risk. Political actions, events, or instability may result in unfavorable changes in the value of a security.
Regulatory Risk. Government regulations may affect the value of a security. In foreign countries, securities markets that are less regulated than those in the U.S. may permit trading practices that are not allowed in the U.S.
Diplomatic Risk. A change in diplomatic relations between the U.S. and a foreign country could affect the value or liquidity of investments.
Transaction Costs. The costs of buying, selling, and holding foreign securities, including brokerage, tax, and custody costs, may be higher than those associated with domestic transactions.
EMERGING MARKETS RISK
Investments in emerging markets carry additional risks beyond those typical of investments in foreign securities. Emerging markets are countries that the international financial community considers to have developing economies and securities markets that are not as established as those in the United States. Emerging markets are generally considered to include every country in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and nations in Western Europe (other than Turkey).
Investments in emerging markets have a higher degree of risk than investments in more established markets. These countries generally have a greater degree of social, political, and economic instability than do developed markets. Governments of emerging market countries tend to exercise more authority over private business activities, and, in many cases, either own or control large businesses in those countries. Businesses in emerging markets may be subject to nationalization or confiscatory tax legislation that could result in investors -- including the Fund -- losing their entire investment. Emerging markets often have a great deal of social tension. Authoritarian governments and military involvement in government is common. In such markets, there is often social unrest, including insurgencies and terrorist activities.
Economically, emerging markets are generally dependent upon foreign trade and foreign investment. Many of these countries have borrowed significantly from foreign banks and governments. These debt obligations can affect not only the economy of a developing country, but its social and political stability as well.
MARKET RISK
Equity stock prices vary and may fall, thus reducing the value of the Fund's investments. Certain stocks selected for the Fund's portfolio may decline in value more than the overall stock market. In general, the securities of large companies are less volatile than those of mid-size companies or small companies.
LIQUIDITY RISK
The Fund's portfolio is liquid if the Fund is able to sell the securities it owns at a fair price within a reasonable time. Liquidity is generally related to the market trading volume for a particular security. Investments in smaller companies or in foreign companies or companies in emerging markets are subject to a variety of risks, including potential lack of liquidity.
COUNTERPARTY RISK
This is a risk associated primarily with repurchase agreements and some derivatives transactions. It is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation to complete the transaction with the Fund.
LACK OF TIMELY INFORMATION RISK
Timely information about a security or its issuer may be unavailable, incomplete, or inaccurate. This risk is more common to securities issued by foreign companies and companies in emerging markets than it is to the securities of U.S.-based companies.
Although the Fund generally invests in equity securities of foreign companies, the Fund also may invest in other types of securities and other financial instruments, indicated in the chart below. Although these investments typically are not part of the Fund's principal investment strategy, they may constitute a significant portion of the Fund's portfolio, thereby possibly exposing the Fund and its investors to the following additional risks.
INVESTMENT RISKS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) These are securities issued by U.S. banks that represent shares of foreign corporations Market, Information, Political, held by those banks. Although traded in U.S. securities markets and valued in U.S. Regulatory, Diplomatic, Liquidity, dollars, ADRs carry most of the risks of investing directly in foreign securities. and Currency Risks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forward Foreign Currency Contracts A contract to exchange an amount of currency on a date in the future at an agreed- Currency, Political, Diplomatic, upon exchange rate might be used by the Fund to hedge against changes in foreign Counterparty, and Regulatory Risks currency exchange rates when the Fund invests in foreign securities. Such contracts do not reduce price fluctuations in foreign securities, or prevent losses if the prices of those securities decline. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Repurchase Agreements A contract under which the seller of a security agrees to buy it back at an agreed-upon Counterparty Risk price and time in the future. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
[GRAPHIC] Temporary Defensive Positions
When securities markets or economic conditions are unfavorable or unsettled, we might try to protect the assets of the Fund by investing in securities that are highly liquid, such as high-quality money market instruments like short-term U.S. government obligations, commercial paper, or repurchase agreements, even though that is not the normal investment strategy of the Fund. We have the right to invest up to 100% of the Fund's assets in these securities, although we are unlikely to do so. Even though the securities purchased for defensive purposes often are considered the equivalent of cash, they also have their own risks. Investments that are highly liquid or comparatively safe tend to offer lower returns. Therefore, the Fund's performance could be comparatively lower if it concentrates in defensive holdings.
Fund Management
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
INVESCO, AIM, IGAM AND ADI ARE AIM is the investment advisor for the Fund, and SUBSIDIARIES OF AMVESCAP PLC, IGAM is the sub-advisor for the Fund. IGAM is an AN INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT affiliate of INVESCO. AIM is located at 11 MANAGEMENT COMPANY THAT Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas MANAGES MORE THAN $371 77046-1173. AIM has acted as an investment BILLION IN ASSETS WORLDWIDE. advisor since its organization in 1976. Today, AMVESCAP IS BASED IN LONDON, AIM, together with its subsidiaries, advises or WITH MONEY MANAGERS manages over 200 investment portfolios, LOCATED IN EUROPE, NORTH encompassing a broad range of investment AND SOUTH AMERICA AND THE objectives. IGAM is located at 1360 Peachtree FAR EAST. Street, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309. As sub-advisor, IGAM is responsible for the Fund's NO SINGLE FUND SHOULD REPRE- day-to-day management, including the Fund's SENT YOUR COMPLETE INVEST- investment decisions and the execution of MENT PROGRAM NOR SHOULD securities transactions with respect to the Fund. YOU ATTEMPT TO USE THE FUND FOR SHORT-TERM TRADING A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") is the Fund's PURPOSES. distributor and is responsible for the sale of the Fund's shares. INVESCO, AIM, IGAM and ADI are subsidiaries of AMVESCAP PLC. Prior to November 25, 2003, INVESCO served as the investment advisor for the Fund. The following table shows the fees the Fund paid to the Advisor for its advisory services in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003. |
-------------------------------------------------------------------- ADVISORY FEE AS A PERCENTAGE OF FUND AVERAGE ANNUAL NET ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT -------------------------------------------------------------------- International Core Equity 0.75% |
Portfolio Managers
The International Core Equity Fund is managed on a day-to-day basis by IGAM, which serves as the sub-advisor to the Fund. When the Advisor refers to team management without naming individual portfolio managers, the Advisor means a system by which a senior investment policy group sets country-by-country allocation of Fund assets and risk controls, while individual country specialists select individual securities within those allocations.
Fund Sub-Advisor Portfolio Manager International Core Equity IGAM Team Management
Potential Rewards
The Fund offers shareholders the potential to increase the value of its capital over time; the Fund also offers the opportunity for current income. Like most mutual funds, the Fund seeks to provide higher returns than the market or its competitors, but cannot guarantee that performance. The Fund seeks to minimize risk by investing in many different companies in a variety of industries.
SUITABILITY FOR INVESTORS
Only you can determine if an investment in the Fund is right for you based
upon your own economic situation, the risk level with which you are
comfortable and other factors. In general, the Fund is most suitable for
investors who:
. are willing to grow their capital over the long-term (at least five
years)
. can accept the additional risks associated with international investing
. understand that shares of the Fund can, and likely will, have daily
price fluctuations
. are investing through tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as
traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs"), as well as
employer-sponsored qualified retirement plans, including 401(k)s and
403(b)s, all of which have longer investment horizons.
You probably do not want to invest in the Fund if you are:
. primarily seeking current dividend income (although the Fund does seek
to provide income in addition to capital appreciation)
. unwilling to accept potentially significant changes in the price of Fund
shares
. speculating on short-term fluctuations in the stock markets
. uncomfortable with the special risks associated with international
investing.
Share Price
CURRENT MARKET VALUE OF FUND ASSETS DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE +ACCRUED INTERESTS AND DIVIDENDS -FUND DEBTS, The price of the Fund's shares is the Fund's net INCLUDING ACCRUED EXPENSES asset value per share. The Fund values portfolio / NUMBER OF SHARES securities for which market quotations are = YOUR SHARE PRICE (NAV) readily available at market value. The Fund's short-term investments are valued at amortized cost when the security has 60 days or less to maturity. The Fund values all other securities and assets at their fair value. Securities and other assets quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on the prevailing |
exchange rates on that day. In addition, if, between the time trading ends on a particular security and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE, events occur that may materially affect the value of the security, the Fund may value the security at its fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The effect of using fair value pricing is that the Fund's net asset value will be subject to the judgment of the Board of Trustees or its designee instead of being determined by the market. Because the Fund may invest in securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of the Fund's assets may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem Fund shares.
The Fund determines the net asset value of its shares on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session, or any earlier NYSE closing time that day.
TIMING OF ORDERS
You can purchase, exchange or redeem shares during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE. The Fund prices purchase, exchange and redemption orders at the net asset value calculated after the transfer agent receives an order in good order. The Fund may postpone the right of redemption only under unusual circumstances, as allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as when the NYSE restricts or suspends trading.
Tools Used to Combat Excessive Short-Term Trading Activity
While the Fund provides its shareholders with daily liquidity, their investment programs are designed to serve long-term investors. Excessive short-term trading activity in the Fund's shares (i.e., a purchase of Fund shares followed shortly thereafter by a redemption of such shares, or vice versa) may hurt the long-term performance of certain funds by requiring them to maintain an excessive amount of cash or to liquidate portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time. AIM and its affiliates (collectively, the "AIM Affiliates") currently use the following tools designed to discourage excessive short-term trading in the retail funds within The AIM Family of Funds(R) and the INVESCO family of funds (together, the "AIM and INVESCO Funds"):
. trade activity monitoring;
. trading guidelines;
. redemption fee on trades in certain AIM and INVESCO Funds; and
. selective use of fair value pricing.
Each of these tools is described in more detail below. Although these tools are designed to discourage excessive short-term trading, you should understand that none of these tools alone nor all of them taken together eliminate the possibility that excessive short-term trading activity in the AIM and INVESCO Funds will occur. Moreover, each of these tools involves judgments that are inherently subjective. The AIM Affiliates seek to make these judgments to the best of their abilities in a manner that they believe is consistent with shareholder interests.
Trade Activity Monitoring
The AIM Affiliates monitor selected trades on a daily basis in an effort
to detect excessive short-term trading activities. If, as a result of this
monitoring, the AIM Affiliates believe that a shareholder has engaged in
excessive short-term trading, they may, in their discretion, ask the
shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases or
exchanges in the shareholder's accounts other than exchanges into a money
market fund. In making such judgments, the AIM Affiliates seek to act in a
manner that they believe is consistent with the best interests of
shareholders.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor trades that are placed by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
Trading Guidelines
Currently, if a shareholder exceeds 10 exchanges per calendar year, or an
AIM or INVESCO Fund or ADI determines, in its sole discretion, that a
shareholder's short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of
whether or not such shareholder exceeds such guidelines), it may, in its
discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each AIM
or INVESCO Fund and ADI reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in
excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that
granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of
shareholders.
Effective on or about March 1, 2004, if a shareholder exceeds four exchanges out of an AIM or INVESCO Fund (other than AIM Money Market Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and INVESCO U.S. Government Money Fund) per calendar year, or a AIM or INVESCO Fund or ADI determines, in its sole discretion, that a shareholder's short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not such shareholder exceeds such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange orders. Each AIM or INVESCO Fund and ADI reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one AIM or INVESCO Fund and into (purchase) another AIM or INVESCO Fund.
The ability of the AIM Affiliates to monitor exchanges made by the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder accounts. This is one reason why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
Redemption Fee
As of November 24, 2003, certain shareholders may be charged a 2.00% redemption fee if the shareholders redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of certain funds within 30 days of purchase. The AIM Affiliates expect to charge the redemption fee on other classes of shares when the AIM or INVESCO Funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. Please see the section entitled "How to Sell Shares -- Redemption Fee" for more information.
The ability of an AIM or INVESCO Fund to assess a redemption fee on the underlying shareholders of omnibus accounts maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and approved fee-based program accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor maintains the underlying shareholder account and
may be further limited by systems limitations applicable to these types of accounts. Additionally, the AIM Affiliates maintain certain retirement plan accounts on a record keeping system that is currently incapable of processing the redemption fee. The provider of this system is working to enhance the system to facilitate the processing of this fee. These are two reasons why this tool cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
Fair Value Pricing
The trading hours for most foreign securities end prior to the close of
the New York Stock Exchange, the time the AIM or INVESCO Fund's net asset
value is calculated. The occurrence of certain events after the close of
foreign markets, but prior to the close of the U.S. market (such as a
significant surge or decline in the U.S. market) often will result in an
adjustment to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign
markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, the AIM
or INVESCO Fund may value foreign securities at fair value, taking into
account such events, when it calculates its net asset value. Fair value
determinations are made in good faith in accordance with procedures
adopted by the Board of Directors or Trustees of the AIM or INVESCO Fund.
Please see the section entitled "Share Price" for more information.
Fair value pricing results in an estimated price and may reduce the possibility that short-term traders could take advantage of potentially "stale" prices of portfolio holdings. However, it cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading.
How To Buy Shares
TO BUY SHARES AT THAT The Fund offers multiple classes of shares. The DAY'S CLOSING PRICE. YOU chart in this section shows several convenient MUST CONTACT US BEFORE ways to invest in the shares of the Fund if you THE CLOSE OF THE NYSE, invest directly through AIM Investment Services, NORMALLY 4:00 P.M. EAST- Inc. ("AIS"), the Fund's transfer agent. If you ERN TIME. invest in the Fund through a financial intermediary, please consult the financial intermediary, or with respect to Class R shares, the plan or program sponsor, for more information on how to purchase shares of the Fund. You may be charged a commission or transaction fee by the financial intermediary or plan or program sponsor for purchases of Fund shares.
With the exception of Class A shares, there is no charge to invest directly through AIS. Class A shares are subject to a front-end sales charge. For more information on this charge, please see the subsection entitled "Sales Charges." If you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares and redeem the shares within eighteen months from the date of purchase, you may pay a 1.00% CDSC at the time of redemption. If you are a qualified retirement plan purchasing Class A shares at net asset value and elect to receive a dealer concession, you may pay a CDSC of 1.00% on your Class A shares if the plan's AIS account is redeemed within twelve months from initial deposit in the account. If you are a qualified retirement plan purchasing Class A shares at net asset value and elect to forego the dealer concession, you will not be charged a CDSC. With respect to redemption of Class B shares held six years or less, a CDSC of 1.00%-5.00% of the lower of the total original cost or current market value of the shares may be assessed. With respect to redemption of Class C shares held twelve months or less, a CDSC of 1.00% of the lower of the total original cost or current market value of the shares may be assessed. If you are a qualified retirement plan and elect to forego the dealer concession, you will not be charged a CDSC. With respect to Class R shares, if you are a qualified retirement plan and elect to receive a dealer concession, you may pay a CDSC of 0.75% on your Class R shares if the plan's AIS account is redeemed within twelve months from initial deposit. If you are a qualified retirement plan and elect to forego the dealer concession, you will not be charged a CDSC. For a non-qualified plan, in determining whether a CDSC applies to a redemption, it is assumed that the shares being redeemed first are any shares in the shareholder's Fund account that are not subject to a CDSC, followed by shares held the longest in the shareholder's account. These charges are not assessed upon Class A, B, C or R shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or other distributions, or Class A, B, C or R shares exchanged for the same class of another AIM or INVESCO Fund. For more information on CDSC charges, please see the subsection of the Prospectus entitled "Choosing A Share Class" and the section of the Statement of Additional Information entitled "Distributor -- Sales Charges and Dealer Concessions."
For all new accounts, please send a completed application form, and specify the fund or funds and class or classes of shares you wish to purchase Purchase orders will not be processed unless the account application and purchase payment are received in good order. In accordance with the USA Patriot Act, if you fail to provide all the required information requested in the current account application, your purchase order will not be processed. Additionally, Federal law requires that the Fund verify and record your identifying information.
A share of each class represents an identical interest in the Fund and has the same rights, except that each class bears its own distribution and shareholder servicing charges, and other expenses. The income attributable to each class and the dividends payable on the shares of each class will be reduced by the amount of the distribution fee, if applicable, and the other expenses payable by that class.
ADI reserves the right to increase, reduce, or waive the Fund's minimum investment requirements in its sole discretion, if it determines this action is in the best interests of the Fund's shareholders. ADI also reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject any order to buy Fund shares, including purchases by exchange. If the Fund determines that you have not provided a correct social security or other tax ID number on your account application, or the Fund is not able to verify your identity as required by law, the Fund may, at its discretion, redeem the account and distribute the proceeds to you.
Please remember that if you pay by check, Automated Clearing House ("ACH"), or wire, and your funds do not clear, you will be responsible for any related loss to the Fund or AIS. If you are already an AIM or INVESCO Fund shareholder, the Fund may seek reimbursement for any loss from your existing account(s).
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS PER FUND ACCOUNT
There are no minimum investments with respect to Class R shares for fund accounts. The minimum investments with respect to Class A, B and C shares and Investor Class shares for fund accounts are as follows:
INITIAL ADDITIONAL TYPE OF ACCOUNT INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans (includes section 401, 403 $ 0 ($25 per fund investment for $50 and 457 plans, and SEP, SARSEP and SIMPLE IRA plans) salary deferrals from Employer- Sponsored Retirement Plans) Systematic Purchase Plan 50 50 IRA, Roth IRA or Coverdell ESA 250 50 All other accounts 1,000 50 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
You may purchase shares using one of the options below. Purchase orders will not be processed unless the account application and purchase payment are received in good order. In accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act, if you fail to provide all the required information requested in the current account application, your purchase order will not be processed. Additionally, Federal law requires that the fund verify and record your identifying information.
PURCHASE OPTIONS
OPENING AN ACCOUNT ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. By Mail Mail completed account application and check to the transfer agent, AIM Investment Services, Inc., P.O. Box 4739, Houston, TX 77210-4739. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Wire Mail completed account application to the transfer agent. Call the transfer agent at (800) 959-4246 to receive a reference number. Then, use the following wire instructions: Beneficiary Bank ABA/Routing #: 113000609 Beneficiary Account Number: 00100366807 Beneficiary Account Name: AIM Investment Services, Inc. RFB: Fund Name, Reference # OBI: Your Name, Account # ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Telephone Open your account using one of the methods described above. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Internet Open your account using one of the methods described above. |
ADDING TO AN ACCOUNT ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Through a Financial Consultant Same By Mail Mail your check and the remittance slip from your confirmation statement to the transfer agent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Wire Call the transfer agent to receive a reference number. Then, use the wire instructions at left. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Telephone Select the AIM Bank Connection SM option on your completed account application or complete an AIM Bank Connection form. Mail the application or form to the transfer agent. Once the transfer agent has received the form, call the transfer agent to place your purchase order. Call the AIM 24-hour Automated Investor Line at 1-800-246-5463. You may place your order after you have provided the bank instructions that will be requested. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Internet Access your account at www.aiminvestments.com. The proper bank instructions must have been provided on your account. You may not purchase shares in AIM prototype retirement accounts on the internet. |
Grandfathered Investors. Investor Class shares of a Fund can be purchased only by:
. Persons or entities who had established an account, prior to April 1,
2002, in Investor Class shares of any of the funds currently distributed
by ADI (the "Grandfathered Funds") and have continuously maintained such
account in Investor Class shares since April 1, 2002;
. Any person or entity listed in the account registration for any
Grandfathered Funds, which account in Investor Class shares was
established prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained since
April 1, 2002, such as joint owners, trustees, custodians, and
designated beneficiaries;
. Customers of certain financial institutions, wrap accounts or other
fee-based advisory programs, or insurance company separate accounts,
which have had relationships with ADI and/or any of the Grandfathered
Funds prior to April 1, 2002 and continuously maintained such
relationships since April 1, 2002;
. Defined benefit, defined contribution, and deferred compensation plans;
and
. INVESCO or AIM employees, INVESCO Funds directors and/or trustees, AIM Funds trustees, AMVESCAP employees, AMVESCAP directors, and their immediate families.
For more detailed information about eligibility, please call 1-800-525-8085. If you hold Grandfathered Funds through a broker/dealer or other financial institution, your eligibility to purchase Investor Class shares may differ depending on that institution's policies.
Exchange Policy. You may exchange your shares in the Fund for shares of the same class in another INVESCO Fund or into certain classes of another AIM Fund, as described in the table below, on the basis of their respective NAVs at the time of the exchange.
Shareholders invested in the following classes of the Will be offered the ability to exchange into the INVESCO Funds: following classes of the AIM Funds: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . Investor Class Shares of all INVESCO Funds . Investor Class Shares of all AIM Funds . Class A Shares 1 of all INVESCO Funds . Class A Shares of Category I and II Funds and AIM Tax- Exempt Cash Fund . Class A3 Shares of all AIM Funds . AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . Class B Shares of all INVESCO Funds . Class B Shares of all AIM Funds, with the exception of AIM Floating Rate Fund ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . Class C Shares of all INVESCO Funds . Class C Shares of all AIM Funds, with the exception of AIM Floating Rate Fund ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . Institutional Class Shares of all INVESCO Funds . Institutional Class Shares of all AIM Retail Funds ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . Class K Shares of all INVESCO Funds . Exchanges not permitted ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholders invested in the following classes of the Will be offered the ability to exchange into the AIM Funds: following classes of the INVESCO Funds: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . Investor Class Shares of all AIM Funds . Investor Class Shares of all INVESCO Funds . Class A Shares of all AIM Funds, with the exception of Class A . Class A Shares of all INVESCO Funds 2 Shares of Category III Funds purchased at net asset value . Class A3 Shares of the AIM Funds . AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . Class B Shares of all AIM Funds . Class B Shares of all INVESCO Funds ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . Class C Shares of all AIM Funds . Class C Shares of all INVESCO Funds ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . Institutional Class Shares of all AIM Retail Funds . Institutional Class Shares of all INVESCO Funds ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . Class R Shares of all AIM Funds . Exchanges not permitted ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1 Class A Shares that are subject to a CDSC will not be exchangeable for
shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund or AIM Money Market Fund.
2 You may be required to pay an initial sales charge equal to the difference
between the sales charge of the Fund being acquired and the sales charge
paid on the Fund being exchanged when exchanging from a Fund with a lower
initial sales charge than the one into which he or she was exchanging.
Neither AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund nor Class A Shares
of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund will be exchangeable for Class A Shares of an
INVESCO Fund that are subject to a CDSC.
FUND EXCHANGES CAN BE A Before making any exchange, be sure to review the CONVENIENT WAY FOR YOU TO prospectuses of the funds involved and consider DIVERSIFY YOUR INVESTMENTS, the differences between the funds. Also, be OR TO REALLOCATE YOUR IN- certain that you qualify to purchase certain
VESTMENTS WHEN YOUR OB- classes of shares in the new fund. An exchange is JECTIVES CHANGE. the sale of shares from one fund immediately followed by the purchase of shares in another. Therefore, any gain or loss realized on the exchange is recognizable for federal income tax purposes (unless, of course, you or your account qualifies as tax-deferred under the Internal Revenue Code). If the shares of the fund you are selling have gone up in value since you bought them, the sale portion of an exchange may result in taxable income to you. |
You will not pay a sales charge when exchanging Class B shares for other Class B shares, Class C shares for other Class C shares, Class K shares for other Class K shares, or Class R shares for other Class R shares. If you make an exchange involving Class B, Class C, Class K or Class R shares, the amount of time you held the original shares will be added to the holding period of the Class B, Class C, Class K or Class R shares, respectively, into which you exchanged for the purpose of calculating any CDSC that may be assessed upon a subsequent redemption.
We have the following policies governing exchanges:
. Both AIM or INVESCO Fund accounts involved in the exchange must be
registered in exactly the same name(s) and Social Security or federal
tax I.D. number(s).
. Currently, if you exceed 10 exchanges per calendar year, or a AIM or
INVESCO Fund or ADI determines, in its sole discretion, that your
short-term trading activity is excessive (regardless of whether or not
you exceed such guidelines), it may, in its discretion, reject any
additional purchase and exchange orders. Each AIM or INVESCO Fund and
ADI reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in excess of these
guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that granting such
exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of shareholders.
Please see the subsection entitled "Tools Used to Combat Excessive
Short-Term Trading Activity -- Trading Guidelines" for more information.
. Effective on or about March 1, 2004, if you exceed four exchanges out of
a AIM or INVESCO Fund (other than AIM Money Market Fund, AIM Tax-Exempt
Cash Fund, AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and INVESCO U.S.
Government Money Fund) per calendar year, or a Fund or ADI determines,
in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading activity is
excessive (regardless of whether or not you exceed such guidelines), it
may, in its discretion, reject any additional purchase and exchange
orders. Each Fund and ADI reserves the discretion to accept exchanges in
excess of these guidelines on a case-by-case basis if it believes that
granting such exceptions would be consistent with the best interests of
shareholders. An exchange is the movement out of (redemption) one Fund
and into (purchase) another Fund.
. Under unusual market conditions, an AIM or INVESCO Fund may delay the
purchase of shares being acquired in an exchange for up to five business
days if it determines that it would be materially disadvantaged by the
immediate transfer of exchange proceeds. The exchange privilege is not
an option or right to purchase shares. Any of the participating AIM or
INVESCO Funds or the distributor may modify or terminate this privilege
at any time. The AIM or INVESCO Fund or ADI will provide you with notice
of such modification or termination whenever it is required to do so by
applicable law, but may impose changes at any time for emergency
purposes.
In addition, the ability to exchange may be temporarily suspended at any time that sales of the AIM or INVESCO Fund into which you wish to exchange are temporarily stopped.
Redemption Fees. You may be charged a redemption fee on certain redemptions including redemptions by exchange. For more information on redemption fees, please see the subsection of the Prospectus entitled "How to Sell Shares--Redemption Fees."
Choosing a Share Class. In deciding which class of shares to purchase, you should consider, among other things, (i) the length of time you expect to hold your shares, (ii) the provisions of the distribution plan applicable to the class, if any, (iii) the eligibility requirements that apply to purchases of a particular class, and (iv) any services you may receive in making your investment determination. Your financial intermediary can help you decide among the various classes. Please contact your financial intermediary for several convenient ways to invest in a fund. Class A, B, C and R shares of the funds are available primarily through financial intermediaries.
In addition, you should also consider the factors below:
Investor Class Class A Class B Class C Class R -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Initial Sales Charge None 5.50% None None None CDSC 1 None 1.00% on 1.00%- 1.00% for 0.75% on certain 5.00% for shares certain purchases shares held purchases held less held less less than held less than 18 than 6 12 months than 12 months years months 12b-1 Fee 0.25% 0.35% 1.00% 1.00% 0.50% Redemption/Exchange Fee 2.00% 2 2.00% 2 None None None Conversion No No Yes 3 No No Purchase Order Maximum None None $100,000 $1,000,000 None |
1 Please see the subsection entitled "Sales Charges" below and the section of the Fund's Statement of Additional Information entitled "Distributor -- Sales Charges and Dealer Concessions" for more information regarding CDSC charges and dealer concessions.
2 A 2.00% fee is charged on redemptions or exchanges of Class A and Investor Class shares held 30 days or less, other than shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
3 Class B shares, along with the pro rata portion of the shares' reinvested dividends and distributions, automatically convert to Class A shares at the end of the month which is eight years after the date on which such Class B shares were purchased.
Effective September 30, 2003, Class B shares are no longer available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. These plans include 401(k) plans (including AIM Solo 401(k) plans), money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that have existing accounts invested in Class B shares will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
Internet Transactions. Investors may exchange and redeem shares of any INVESCO Fund through AIM's Web site. In addition, certain Grandfathered Investor Class shareholders may open new accounts in Investor Class shares. To use this service, you will need a web browser (presently Netscape version 4.0 or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.0 or higher, or AOL version 5.0 or higher) and the ability to use AIM's Web site. AIS will accept Internet purchase instructions only for exchanges or if the purchase price is paid to AIS through debiting your bank account, and any Internet cash redemptions will be paid only to the same bank account from which the payment to AIS originated. Other minimum transaction amounts are discussed in this Prospectus. You may also download an application to open an account from the Web site, complete it by hand, and mail it to AIS, along with a check.
AIS employs reasonable procedures to confirm that transactions entered into over the Internet are genuine. These procedures include the use of alphanumeric passwords, secure socket layering, encryption, and other precautions reasonably designed to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and security of shareholder information. In order to enter into a transaction on AIM's Web site, you will need an account number, your Social Security number, and an alphanumeric password. If AIS follows these procedures, neither AIS, its affiliates nor any fund will be liable for any loss, liability, cost, or expense for following instructions communicated via the Internet that are reasonably believed to be genuine or that follow AIS's security procedures. By entering into the user's agreement with AIS to open an account through our Web site, you lose certain rights if someone gives fraudulent or unauthorized instructions to AIS that result in a loss to you.
SALES CHARGES (CLASS A, B, C AND R ONLY)
Sales charges on Class A shares of the funds are detailed below. As used below, the term "offering price" with respect to Class A shares includes the initial sales charge.
Initial Sales Charges. Class A shares of the funds are subject to the following initial sales charges:
INVESTOR'S SALES CHARGE AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AS A % OF AS A % OF IN A SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE INVESTMENT Less than $25,000 5.50% 5.82% $25,000 but less than $50,000 5.25% 5.54% $50,000 but less than $100,000 4.75% 4.99% $100,000 but less than $250,000 3.75% 3.90% $250,000 but less than $500,000 3.00% 3.09% $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00% 2.04% $1,000,000 or more NAV NAV |
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) for Class A and Class R Shares. You can purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares at net asset value, and the distributor may pay a dealer concession and/or a service fee for purchases of $1,000,000 or more. However, if you purchase shares worth $1,000,000 or more, they may be subject to a CDSC of 1.00% if you redeem them prior to eighteen months after the date of purchase. We will use the "first-in, first-out" method to determine your holding period. Under this method, the date of redemption will be compared with the earliest purchase date of shares held in your account. If your holding period is less than the above-stated time periods, the CDSC may be assessed on the amount of the lower of the total original cost or current market value of the shares. For qualified retirement plans investing in Class A shares, you may pay a CDSC of 1.00% if the plan's AIS account is redeemed within twelve months from initial deposit. For qualified retirement plans investing in Class R shares, you may pay a CDSC of 0.75% if the plan's AIS account is redeemed within twelve months from initial deposit.
CDSC for Class B and Class C Shares. You can purchase Class B and Class C shares at their net asset value per share. However, when you redeem them, they are subject to a CDSC in the following percentages. If your holding period is less than six years for Class B shares and twelve months for Class C shares, the CDSC may be assessed on the amount of the lower of the total original cost or current market value of the shares.
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE MADE CLASS B CLASS C First 5.00% 1.00% Second 4.00% None Third 3.00% None Fourth 3.00% None Fifth 2.00% None Sixth 1.00% None Seventh and following None 1 None |
1 Class B shares, along with the pro rata portion of the shares' reinvested dividends and distributions, automatically convert to Class A shares at the end of the month which is eight years after the date on which such Class B shares were purchased.
Reduced Sales Charges and Sales Charge Exceptions. You may qualify for reduced sales charges or sales charge exceptions. To qualify for these reductions or exceptions, you or your financial intermediary must provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to verify that your purchase qualifies for such treatment.
Reduced Sales Charges. You may be eligible to buy Class A shares at reduced initial sales charge rates under Right of Accumulation or Letter of Intent under certain circumstances.
Rights of Accumulation. You may combine your new purchases of Class A shares of an AIM or an INVESCO Fund with AIM and INVESCO Fund shares currently owned (Class A, B, C, K or R) for the purpose of qualifying for the lower initial sales charge rates that apply to larger purchases. The applicable initial sales charge for the new purchase is based on the total of your current purchase and the current value of all other shares you own.
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund and Class B and Class C shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund and Investor Class shares of any AIM or INVESCO Fund will not be taken into account in determining whether a purchase qualifies for a reduction in initial sales charges pursuant to Rights of Accumulation described above.
Letter of Intent. Under a Letter of Intent (LOI), you commit to purchase a specified dollar amount of Class A shares of a Fund during a thirteen-month period. The amount you agree to purchase determines the initial sales charge you pay. If the full face amount of the LOI is not invested by the end of the thirteen-month period, your account will be adjusted to the higher initial sales charge level for the amount actually invested.
Initial Sales Charge/CDSC Exceptions
You will not pay initial sales charges:
. on shares purchased by reinvesting dividends and distributions;
. when exchanging shares of the same class among certain funds;
. when using the reinstatement privilege;
. when a merger, consolidation, or acquisition of assets of a fund occurs; and
. upon automatic conversion of Class B to Class A.
You will not pay a CDSC:
. if you purchase less than $1,000,000 of Class A shares;
. if you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares and hold those
shares for more than eighteen months;
. if you redeem Class B shares you held for more than six years;
. if you redeem Class C shares you held for more than twelve months;
. if you participate in the periodic withdrawal program and withdraw up to 12% of the value of your shares that are subject to a CDSC in any twelve-month period;
. if you redeem shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions;
. if you are a participant in a qualified retirement plan and redeem Class C, Class K or Class R shares in order to fund a distribution;
. if you are a qualified retirement plan investing in Class A, Class K or Class R shares and elect to forego any dealer concession;
. on increases in the net asset value of your shares;
. to pay account fees; or
. for redemptions following the death of a shareholder or beneficial owner.
There may be other situations when you may be able to purchase or redeem shares at reduced or no sales charges. Consult the Fund's Statement of Additional Information for further details.
Distribution Expenses. We have adopted a Master Distribution Plan (commonly known as a "12b-1 Plan") for each class of shares of the Fund. The 12b-1 fees paid by the Fund's classes of shares are used to pay distribution and service fees to ADI for the sale and distribution of the Fund's shares and to pay for services provided to shareholders. These services include compensation to financial intermediaries that sell Fund shares and/or service shareholder accounts. Because the Fund's shares pay these fees out of their assets on an ongoing basis, these fees increase the cost of your investment.
Under each 12b-1 Plan, payments are limited to an amount computed at each class's applicable 12b-1 fee. If distribution expenses for a class exceed these computed amounts, ADI pays the difference. Conversely, if distribution fees are less than computed amounts, ADI retains the difference.
Your Account Services
With the exception of householding, the following information pertains only to shareholders who hold their shares directly through AIS.
Shareholder Accounts. AIS maintains your share account, which contains your current Fund holdings. The Fund does not issue share certificates.
AIS PROVIDES YOU WITH SERVICES Quarterly Investment Summaries. Each calendar DESIGNED TO MAKE IT SIMPLE FOR YOU quarter, you receive a written statement which TO BUY, SELL, OR EXCHANGE YOUR consolidates and summarizes account activity and SHARES OF ANY INVESCO MUTUAL FUND. value at the beginning and end of the period for each of your INVESCO Funds. Transaction Confirmations. You receive detailed confirmations of individual purchases, exchanges and sales. If you choose certain recurring transaction plans (for instance, Systematic Purchase Plan), your transactions are confirmed on your quarterly Investment Summaries. Telephone Transactions. You and your financial intermediary or plan or program sponsor may buy, exchange, and sell Fund shares by telephone, unless these privileges are specifically declined when the new account Application is filled out. YOU CAN CONDUCT MOST TRANSACTIONS Unless you decline the telephone transaction AND CHECK ON YOUR ACCOUNT privileges, when you fill out and sign the new THROUGH OUR TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE account Application, a Telephone Transaction NUMBER. YOU MAY ALSO ACCESS Authorization Form, or use your telephone PERSONAL ACCOUNT INFORMATION AT transaction privileges, you lose certain rights OUR WEBSITE. AIMINVESTMENTS.COM if someone gives fraudulent or unauthorized instructions to AIS that result in a loss to you. In general, if AIS has followed reasonable procedures, such as recording telephone instructions and sending written transaction confirmations, AIS is not liable for following telephone instructions that it believes to be genuine. Therefore, you have the risk of loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Householding. To save money for the Fund, you may receive only one copy of a prospectus or financial report to each household address. This process, known as "householding," is used for most required shareholder mailings. It does not apply to account statements. You may, of course, request an additional copy of a prospectus or financial report at any time by calling or writing AIS. You may also request that householding be eliminated from all your required mailings. IRAs and Other Retirement Plans. Shares of any INVESCO or AIM mutual fund may be purchased for IRAs and many other types of tax-deferred retirement plans. Please call AIS for information and forms to establish or transfer your existing retirement plan or account. |
How To Sell Shares
The chart in this section shows several convenient ways to sell your fund shares if you invest directly through AIS. If you invest in a fund through a financial intermediary, please consult the financial intermediary, or with respect to Class R shares, the plan or program sponsor, for information on how to sell shares of a Fund. You may be charged a commission or transaction fee by your financial intermediary, or plan or program sponsor for sales of Fund shares. Shares of the Fund may be sold at any time at the next NAV calculated after your request to sell is received by AIS in proper form. Depending on Fund performance, the NAV at the time you sell your shares may be more or less than the price you paid to purchase your shares.
Various fees may apply to Fund redemptions. You may be charged a CDSC at the time of redemption depending on how long you have held your shares. If you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares and redeem the shares within eighteen months from the date of purchase, you may pay a 1.00% CDSC at the time of redemption. If you are a qualified retirement plan purchasing Class A shares at net asset value and elect to receive a dealer concession, you may pay a CDSC of 1.00% on your Class A shares if the plan's AIS account is redeemed within twelve months from initial deposit. If you are a qualified retirement plan purchasing Class A shares at net asset value and elect to forego the dealer concession, you will not be charged a CDSC. With respect to redemption of Class B shares held six years or less, a CDSC of 1.00% - 5.00% of the lower of the total original cost or current market value of the shares may be assessed. With respect to redemption of Class C shares held twelve months or less, a CDSC of 1.00% of the lower of the total original cost or current market value of the shares may be assessed. With respect to Class R shares, if you are a qualified retirement plan and elect to receive a dealer concession, you may pay a CDSC of 0.75% on your Class R shares if the plan's AIS account is redeemed within twelve months from initial deposit. If you are a qualified retirement plan and elect to forego the dealer concession, you will not be charged a CDSC. For a non-qualified plan, in determining whether a CDSC applies to a redemption, it is assumed that the shares being redeemed first are any shares in the shareholder's Fund account that are not subject to a CDSC, followed by shares held the longest in the shareholder's account. These charges are not assessed upon Class A, B, C or R shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or other distributions, or Class A, B, C or R shares exchanged for the same class of another fund as set forth under the section entitled "Exchange Policy." For more information on CDSC charges, please see the subsection of the Prospectus entitled "Choosing A Share Class" and the section of the Statement of Additional Information entitled "Distributor -- Sales Charges and Dealer Concessions."
TO SELL SHARES AT THAT DAY'S CLOSING If you own shares in more than one fund, please PRICE, YOU MUST CONTACT US BEFORE specify the fund whose shares you wish to sell 4:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME. and specify the class of shares. Remember that any sale or exchange of shares in a non-retirement account will likely result in a taxable gain or loss. |
While AIS attempts to process telephone redemptions promptly, there may be times -- particularly in periods of severe economic or market disruption -- when you may experience delays in redeeming shares by telephone.
AIS usually forwards the proceeds from the sale of fund shares within seven days after we receive your request to sell in proper form. However, payment may be postponed under unusual circumstances -- for instance, if normal trading is not taking place on the NYSE, or during an emergency as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. If your fund shares were purchased by a check which has not yet cleared, payment will be made promptly when your purchase check does clear; that can take up to twelve business days.
If you participate in Systematic Purchase Plan, the Fund's automatic monthly investment program, and sell all of the shares in your account, we will not make any additional Systematic Purchase Plan purchases unless you give us other instructions.
Because of the Fund's expense structures, it costs as much to handle a small account as it does to handle a large one. If the value of your account in a Fund falls below $500 ($250 for Investor Class) as a result of your actions (for example, sale of your Fund shares), the Fund reserves the right to sell all of your shares, send the proceeds of the sale to you and close your account. Before this is done, you will be notified and given sixty days to increase the value of your account to $500 ($250 for Investor Class) or more.
Redemption Fees. You may be charged a 2.00% redemption fee (on total redemption proceeds) if you redeem, including redeeming by exchange, Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares of the following Funds (either by selling or exchanging to another AIM Fund or INVESCO Fund) within 30 days of their purchase:
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund AIM Global Value Fund AIM Developing Markets Fund AIM High Yield Fund AIM European Growth Fund AIM International Emerging Growth Fund AIM European Small Company Fund AIM International Growth Fund AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund AIM Trimark Fund AIM Global Growth Fund INVESCO International Core Equity Fund AIM Global Trends Fund INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund |
The redemption fee will be retained by the AIM or INVESCO Fund from which you are redeeming shares (including redemptions by exchange), and is intended to offset the trading costs, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money movements in and out of the AIM or INVESCO Fund. The redemption fee is imposed to the extent that the number of AIM or INVESCO Fund shares you redeem exceeds the number of AIM or INVESCO Fund shares that you have held for more than 30 days. In determining whether the minimum 30 days holding period has been met, only the period during which you have held shares of the AIM or INVESCO Fund from which you are redeeming is counted. For this purpose, shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last.
The 2.00% redemption fee will not be charged on transactions involving the following:
. total or partial redemptions of shares by omnibus accounts maintained
by brokers that do not have the systematic capability to process the
redemption fee;
. total or partial redemptions of shares by approved fee-based programs
that do not have the systematic capability to process the redemption
fee;
. total or partial redemptions of shares held through retirement plans
maintained pursuant to Sections 401, 403, 408, 408A and 457 of the
Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") where the systematic capability to
process the redemption fee does not exist;
. total or partial redemptions effectuated pursuant to an automatic
non-discretionary rebalancing program or a systematic withdrawal plan
set up in the AIM or INVESCO Funds;
. total or partial redemptions requested within 30 days following the death or post-purchase disability of (i) any registered shareholder on an account or (ii) the settlor of a living trust which is the registered shareholder of an account, of shares held in the account at the time of death or initial determination of post-purchase disability;
. total or partial redemptions of shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and other distributions; or
. redemptions initiated by an AIM or INVESCO Fund.
The AIM Affiliates' goal is to apply the redemption fee on all classes of shares regardless of the type of account in which such shares are held. This goal is not immediately achievable because of systems limitations and marketplace resistance. Currently, the redemption fee may be applied on Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class (applicable only to INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund) shares. AIM expects to charge the redemption fee on all other classes of shares when the AIM or INVESCO Funds' transfer agent system has the capability of processing the fee across these other classes. In addition, AIM intends to develop a plan to encourage brokers that maintain omnibus accounts, sponsors of fee-based program accounts and retirement plan administrators for accounts that are exempt from the redemption fee pursuant to the terms above to modify computer programs to impose the redemption fee or to develop alternate processes to monitor and restrict short-term trading activity in the AIM or INVESCO Funds. Lastly, the provider of AIM's retirement plan record keeping system is working to enhance the system to facilitate the processing of the redemption fee. Until such computer programs are modified or alternate processes are developed, the AIM or INVESCO Fund's ability to assess a redemption fee on these types of share classes and accounts is severely limited. These are reasons why the redemption fees cannot eliminate the possibility of excessive short-term trading activity.
The AIM or INVESCO Funds have the discretion to waive the 2.00% redemption fee if a fund is in jeopardy of failing the 90% income test or losing its registered investment company qualification for tax purposes.
Reinstatement Privilege. You may, within 120 days after you sell shares (except Class R shares, Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, Class A shares and Class A3 shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund and Investor Class shares), reinvest all or part of your redemption proceeds in Class A shares of any INVESCO fund at net asset value in an identically registered account.
The reinvestment amount must meet the subsequent investment minimum as indicated in the section "How to Buy Shares".
If you paid a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any reinstated amount, you will not be subject to a CDSC if you later redeem that amount.
You must notify the transfer agent in writing at the time you reinstate that you are exercising your reinstatement privilege.
The following chart shows several ways to sell your shares of the Fund if you invest directly through AIS.
METHOD REDEMPTION MINIMUM PLEASE REMEMBER ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ By Telephone Any amount. You must provide an IRA redemption form Call us toll-free at: 1-800-959-4246. to AIS prior to making an IRA redemption by telephone. AIS's telephone redemption priv- ileges may be modified or terminated in the future at AIS's discretion. The maximum amount which may be redeemed by telephone is generally $250,000. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In Writing Any amount. The redemption request must be signed by Mail your request to: all registered account owners. Payment will AIM Investment Services, Inc. be mailed to your address as it appears on P.O. Box 4739 AIS's records, or to a bank designated by you Houston, TX 77210-4739 in writing. You may also send your request by overnight courier to: AIM Investment Services, Inc. 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77046 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ By Telephone With ACH Any amount. You must provide your bank account in- Call 1-800-959-4246 to request formation or IRA redemption form to AIS your redemption. prior to using this option. AIS will automati- cally pay the proceeds into your designated bank account. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ By Internet Any amount. IRA redemptions are not Place your redemption request at Go to AIM's Web site at permitted via the Internet. www.aiminvestments.com. You will be allowed to aiminvestments.com. redeem by internet if (1) you do not hold physical share certificates; (2) you can provide proper identification information; (3) the proceeds of the redemption do not exceed $250,000; and (4) you have already provided proper bank information. AIM prototype retirement accounts may not be redeemed on the internet. The transfer agent must confirm your transaction during the hours of the customary trading session of the NYSE in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. You will need a Web browser to use this service. Internet transactions are limited to a maximum of $250,000. AIS will automatically pay the proceeds into your designated bank account. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ By AIM 24-hour Automated Investor $50. Be sure to write down the confirmation Line With ACH number provided to you. You must forward Automated transactions by telephone your bank account information to AIS prior are available for redemptions and to using this option. exchanges 24 hours a day. Simply call 1-800-246-5463 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Periodic Withdrawal Plan $100 per payment on a monthly or quarterly You must have at least $10,000 total invested You may call us to request the basis. The redemption check may be made with the funds with at least $5,000 of that appropriate form and more information payable to any party you designate. total invested in the fund from which with- at 1-800-959-4246. drawals will be made. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Payment To Third Party Any amount. All registered account owners must sign the Mail your request to: request, with signature guarantees from an AIM Investment Services, Inc. eligible guarantor financial institution, such P.O. Box 4739 as a commercial bank or a recognized na- Houston, TX 77210-4739 tional or regional securities firm. |
Taxes
TO AVOID BACKUP WITHHOLDING, BE Everyone's tax status is unique. We manage the SURE WE HAVE YOUR CORRECT SOCIAL Fund in an effort to provide maximum total SECURITY OR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION returns to all shareholders of the Fund. The NUMBER. Advisor generally focuses on pre-tax results and ordinarily does not manage the Fund to minimize taxes. We may, nevertheless, take advantage of opportunities to mitigate taxes through management of capital gains and losses. We encourage you to consult your own tax adviser on the tax impact to you of investing directly or indirectly in the Fund. |
The Fund customarily distributes to its shareholders substantially all of its net investment income, net capital gain and net gain from foreign currency transactions, if any. You receive a proportionate part of these distributions, depending on the percentage of the Fund's shares that you own. These distributions are required under federal tax laws governing mutual funds. It is the intent of the Fund to distribute all investment company taxable income and net capital gain. As a result of this policy and the Fund's qualification as a regulated investment company, it is anticipated that the Fund will not pay any federal income or excise taxes.
However, unless you are (or your account is) exempt from income taxes, you must include all dividends and capital gain distributions paid to you by the Fund in your taxable income for federal, state, and local income tax purposes. You also may realize capital gains or losses when you sell shares of the Fund at more or less than the price you originally paid. An exchange is treated as a sale, and is a taxable event. Dividends and other distributions usually are taxable whether you receive them in cash or automatically reinvest them in shares of the distributing Fund(s) or other funds.
If you have not provided AIS with complete, correct tax information, the Fund is required by law to withhold from your distributions, and any money that you receive from the sale of shares of the Fund, a backup withholding tax at the rate in effect on the date of the transaction.
Unless your account is held through a financial intermediary, we will provide you with detailed information every year about your dividends and capital gain distributions. Depending on the activity in your individual account, we may also be able to assist with cost basis figures for shares you sell.
[GRAPHIC] Dividends And Capital Gain Distributions
The Fund earns ordinary or investment income primarily from dividends and interest on their investments. The Fund expects to distribute substantially all of this investment income, less Fund expenses, to shareholders annually. The Fund can make distributions at other times, if it chooses to do so. Please note that classes with higher expenses are expected to have lower dividends.
NET INVESTMENT INCOME AND NET The Fund also realizes capital gains or losses REALIZED CAPITAL GAIN ARE DIS- when it sells securities in its portfolio for TRIBUTED TO SHAREHOLDERS AT more or less than it had paid for them. If total LEAST ANNUALLY. DISTRIBUTIONS ARE gains on sales exceed total losses (including TAXABLE WHETHER REINVESTED IN losses carried forward from previous years), the ADDITIONAL SHARES OR PAID TO YOU Fund has a net realized capital gain. Net IN CASH (EXCEPT FOR TAX-EXEMPT OR realized capital gain, if any, is distributed to TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNTS). shareholders at least annually, usually in December. Dividends and capital gain distributions are paid to you if you hold shares on the record date of the distribution regardless of how long you have held your shares. Under present federal income tax laws, capital gains may be taxable at different rates, depending on how long the Fund has held the underlying investment. Short-term capital gains which are derived from the sale of assets held one year or less are taxed as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains which are derived from the sale of assets held for more than one year are |
taxed at up to the maximum capital gains rate, currently 15% for individuals (20% for gains that the Fund recognized prior to May 6, 2003).
The Fund's daily NAV reflects all realized capital gains that have not yet been distributed to shareholders. Therefore, the Fund's NAV will drop by the amount of a distribution, net of market fluctuations, on the day the distribution is declared. If you buy shares of the Fund just before a distribution is declared, you may wind up "buying a distribution." This means that if the Fund declares a dividend or capital gain distribution shortly after you buy, you will receive some of your investment back as a taxable distribution. Although purchasing your shares at the resulting higher NAV may mean a smaller capital gain or greater loss upon sale of the shares, most shareholders want to avoid the purchase of shares immediately before the distribution record date. However, keep in mind that your basis in the Fund will be increased to the extent such distributions are reinvested in the Fund. If you sell your shares of the Fund at a loss for tax purposes and then replace those shares with a substantially identical investment either thirty days before or after that sale, the transaction is usually considered a "wash sale" and you will not be able to claim a tax loss at the time of sale. Instead the loss will be deferred to a later date.
Dividends and capital gain distributions paid by the Fund are automatically reinvested in additional Fund shares at the NAV on the ex-distribution date, unless you choose to have them automatically reinvested in another INVESCO or AIM Fund or paid to you by check or electronic funds transfer. If you choose to be paid by check, the minimum amount of the check must be at least $10; amounts less than that will be automatically reinvested. Dividends and other distributions, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares, are generally subject to federal income tax.
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the financial performance of the various classes of the Fund for the past five years (or, if shorter, the period of the class's operations). Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the annual percentages that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, whose report, along with the financial statements, is included in the INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund's 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. This Report is available without charge by contacting AIS at the address or telephone number on the back cover of this Prospectus.
INVESTOR CLASS --------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, --------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 7.35 $ 8.17 $ 11.16 $ 11.23 $ 10.02 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.06 (a) 0.05 0.03 (0.01) 0.02 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 1.44 (0.87) (2.07) 0.27 1.21 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total from investment operations 1.50 (0.82) (2.04) 0.26 1.23 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income (0.02) -- (0.01) (0.05) (0.02) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.94) (0.28) (0.00) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total distributions (0.02) -- (0.95) (0.33) (0.02) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption fees added to paid-in-capital 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 8.83 $ 7.35 $ 8.17 $ 11.16 $ 11.23 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total return (b) 20.42% (10.04)% (19.74)% 2.66% 11.77% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $46,920 $40,620 $46,562 $61,708 $51,710 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses to average net assets: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With expense reimbursements 2.00% (c) 1.99% 1.89% 2.04% 2.09% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without expense reimbursements 2.26% (c) 1.99% 1.89% 2.04% 2.56% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 0.78% (c) 0.42% 0.12% (0.37)% 0.30% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portfolio turnover rate 51% 44% 54% 59% 112% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $41,033,718.
Financial Highlights (continued)
CLASS A ------------------------- MARCH 28, 2002 (DATE SALES YEAR ENDED COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, 2003 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 7.31 $ 8.96 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income 0.07 (a) 0.01 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 1.39 (1.66) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total from investment operations 1.46 (1.65) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less dividends from net investment income (0.03) -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption fees added to paid-in-capital 0.00 0.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 8.74 $ 7.31 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total return (b) 19.96% (18.42)% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $2,033 $ 2,944 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses to average net assets: 1.87% (c) 1.48% (d) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 0.91% (c) 0.47% (d) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portfolio turnover rate (e) 51% 44% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $2,733,727.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
CLASS B ------------------------- MARCH 28, 2002 (DATE SALES YEAR ENDED COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, 2003 2002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 7.31 $ 8.96 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.00 (a) (0.01) (a) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 1.43 (1.64) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total from investment operations 1.43 (1.65) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less dividends from net investment income (0.02) -- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption fees added to paid-in capital 0.00 0.00 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 8.72 $ 7.31 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total return (b) 19.50% (18.42)% --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 573 $ 84 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With expense reimbursements 2.75% (c) 2.60% (d) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without expense reimbursements 4.13% (c) 2.60% (d) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 0.03% (c) (0.14)% (d) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portfolio turnover rate (e) 51% 44% --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $312,904.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
Financial Highlights (continued)
CLASS C -------------------------------------------- FEBRUARY 14, 2000 (DATE SALES YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, COMMENCED) TO ------------------------------ OCTOBER 31, 2003 2002 2001 2000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 7.16 $ 8.06 $ 11.14 $12.06 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.00 (a) (0.02) (0.02) (0.04) (a) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 1.37 (0.88) (2.12) (0.88) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total from investment operations 1.37 (0.90) (2.14) (0.92) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income -- -- (0.00) -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.94) -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total distributions -- -- (0.94) -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption fees added to paid-in-capital 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 8.53 $ 7.16 $ 8.06 $11.14 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total return (b) 19.13% (11.17)% (20.75)% (7.63)% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $2,608 $ 1,115 $ 1,272 $1,082 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With expense reimbursements 2.75% (c) 2.75% 2.76% 2.47% (d) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without expense reimbursements 4.14% (c) 3.52% 3.02% 2.47% (d) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 0.03% (c) (0.43)% (0.62)% (0.56)% (d) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portfolio turnover rate (e) 51% 44% 54% 59% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $2,140,005.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
February 27, 2004
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND -- INVESTOR CLASS, CLASS A, B, C
AND R
You may obtain additional information about the Fund from several sources:
Financial Reports. Although this Prospectus describes the Fund's anticipated investments and operations, the Fund also prepares annual and semiannual reports that detail the Fund's actual investments at the report date. These reports include discussion of the Fund's recent performance, as well as the effect of market and general economic trends and the Fund's investment strategy on the Fund's performance. The annual report also includes the report of the Fund's independent accountants.
Statement of Additional Information. The SAI dated February 27, 2004 is a supplement to this Prospectus, and has detailed information about the Fund and its investment policies and practices. A current SAI for the Fund is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference; in other words, the SAI is legally a part of this Prospectus, and you are considered to be aware of the contents of the SAI.
Internet. The current Prospectus, annual report, and semiannual report of the Fund may be accessed through AIM's Web site at aiminvestments.com. AIM's website is not a part of this prospectus. In addition, the Prospectus, SAI, annual report, and semiannual report of the Fund are available on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov.
To obtain a free copy of the current Prospectus, SAI, annual report, or semiannual report, write to AIM Investment Services, Inc., P.O. Box 4739, Houston, Texas 77210-4739; or call 1-800-347-4246. Copies of these materials are also available (with a copying charge) from the SEC's Public Reference Section at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, including information about duplicating fee charges, can be obtained by calling 1-202-942-8090 or by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. The SEC file numbers for the Fund are 811-6463 and 033-44611.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
INVESCO International Core Equity Fund - Investor Class, Class A, B, C, and R
Address:
11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77046
Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 4739, Houston, TX 77210-4739
Telephone:
In continental U.S., call:
1-800-347-4246
February 27, 2004
A Prospectus for the Investor Class, Class A, B, C, and R shares of INVESCO International Core Equity Fund (the "Fund") dated February 27, 2004, provides the basic information you should know before investing in the Fund. This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is incorporated by reference into the Fund's Prospectus; in other words, this SAI is legally part of the Fund's Prospectus. Although this SAI is not a prospectus, it contains information in addition to that set forth in the Prospectus. It is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of the Fund and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus. The financial statements for the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 are incorporated herein by reference from the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders dated October 31, 2003. Prior to November 25, 2003, the Fund was a series portfolio of a Maryland corporation named AIM International Funds, Inc. II (formerly, INVESCO International Funds, Inc.).
You may obtain, without charge, the current Prospectus, SAI, and annual and semiannual reports of the Fund by writing to AIM Investment Services, Inc., P.O. Box 4739, Houston, Texas 77210-4739, or by calling 1-800-347-4246. The Prospectus, annual report, and semiannual report of the Fund are also available through the AIM website at aiminvestments.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Trust...........................................................................................1 Shares of Beneficial Interest.......................................................................1 Investments, Policies, and Risks....................................................................3 Investment Restrictions............................................................................27 Management of the Fund.............................................................................31 Trustees and Officers of the Trust.................................................................42 Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities................................................47 Distribution of Securities.........................................................................47 Other Service Providers............................................................................80 Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices...........................................................80 Tax Consequences of Owning Shares of the Fund......................................................83 Performance........................................................................................86 Pending Litigation.................................................................................91 APPENDICES: RATING OF DEBT SECURITIES.........................................................................A-1 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS.............................................................................B-1 TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE........................................................................C-1 PROXY VOTING POLICIES.............................................................................D-1 CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDER OF SECURITIES................................................E-1 PENDING LITIGATION................................................................................F-1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...............................................................................FS |
THE TRUST
AIM International Mutual Funds (the "Trust") is a Delaware statutory trust which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company. The Trust currently consists of six separate portfolios: AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund, AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund, AIM Global Growth Fund, AIM International Growth Fund and INVESCO International Core Equity Fund, (each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"). This Statement of Additional Information relates solely to the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Investor Class shares of INVESCO International Core Equity Fund (formerly, INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund). Under the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated effective as of June 11, 2003 (the "Trust Agreement"), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") is authorized to create new series of shares without the necessity of a vote of shareholders of the Trust.
The Trust was originally organized on October 30, 1991 as AIM International Funds, Inc., a Maryland corporation. Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, the Trust was reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust on November 25, 2003. The following funds were included in the reorganization: AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund, AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund, AIM Global Growth Fund and AIM International Growth Fund. Prior to November 25, 2003, INVESCO International Core Equity Fund (formerly known as INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund) was a portfolio of AIM International Funds, Inc. II (formerly, INVESCO International Funds, Inc. ("IIFI")), a Maryland corporation. Pursuant to another Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, INVESCO International Core Equity Fund was redomesticated as a portfolio of the Trust. All historical financial and other information contained in this Statement of Additional Information for periods prior to November 25, 2003 relating to the Fund (or a class thereof) is that of the predecessor fund (or the corresponding class thereof). Prior to July 1, 2002, AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund and AIM International Growth Fund were known as AIM Asian Growth Fund, AIM European Development Fund and AIM International Equity Fund, respectively.
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are redeemable at their net asset value (subject, in certain circumstances, to a contingent deferred sales charge or redemption fee) at the option of the shareholder or at the option of the Trust in certain circumstances.
The Trust allocates moneys and other property it receives from the issue or sale of shares of each of its series of shares, and all income, earnings and profits from such issuance and sales, subject only to the rights of creditors, to the appropriate Fund. These assets constitute the underlying assets of each Fund, are segregated on the Trust's books of account, and are charged with the expenses of such Fund and its respective classes. The Trust allocates any general expenses of
the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular Fund by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees, primarily on the basis of relative net assets, or other relevant factors.
Each share of each Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that Fund with each other share and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income belonging to such Fund as are declared by the Board. Each Fund offers separate classes of shares as follows:
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R CLASS CLASS ----------------------------------- ------- ---------- -------- ------- ------------- -------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund X X X AIM European Growth Fund X X X X X AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund X X X AIM Global Growth Fund X X X AIM International Growth Fund X X X X X INVESCO International Core Equity X X X X X Fund |
Each class of shares represents interests in the same portfolio of investments. Differing sales charges and expenses will result in differing net asset values and dividends and distributions. Upon any liquidation of the Trust, shareholders of each class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets belonging to the applicable Fund allocable to such class available for distribution after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities of the Fund allocable to such class.
Each share of a Fund generally has the same voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights; however, each class of shares of a Fund is subject to different sales loads, conversion features, exchange privileges and class-specific expenses. Only shareholders of a specific class may vote on matters relating to that class' distribution plan.
Because Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares at month-end eight years after the date of purchase, the Fund's distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act requires that Class B shareholders must also approve any material increase in distribution fees submitted to Class A shareholders of that Fund. A pro rata portion of shares from reinvested dividends and distributions convert along with the Class B shares.
Except as specifically noted above, shareholders of each Fund are entitled to one vote per share (with proportionate voting for fractional shares), irrespective of the relative net asset value of the shares of a Fund. However, on matters affecting an individual Fund or class of shares, a separate vote of shareholders of that Fund or class is required. Shareholders of a Fund or class are not entitled to vote on any matter which does not affect that Fund or class but that requires a separate vote of another Fund or class. An example of a matter that would be voted on separately by
shareholders of each Fund is the approval of the advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM" or the "Advisor"), and an example of a matter that would be voted on separately by shareholders of each class of shares is the approval of the distribution plans. When issued, shares of each Fund are fully paid and nonassessable, have no preemptive or subscription rights, and are freely transferable. Other than the automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares, there are no conversion rights. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that in situations in which shareholders elect trustees, holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of trustees can elect all of the trustees of the Trust, and the holders of less than 50% of the shares voting for the election of trustees will not be able to elect any trustees.
Under Delaware law, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust shall be entitled to the same limitations of liability extended to shareholders of private for-profit corporations. There is a remote possibility, however, that shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held liable for the obligations of the Trust to the extent the courts of another state which does not recognize such limited liability were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Trust Agreement disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the trustees to all parties, and each party thereto must expressly waive all rights of action directly against shareholders of the Trust. The Trust Agreement provides for indemnification out of the property of a Fund for all losses and expenses of any shareholder of such Fund held liable on account of being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a Fund is unable to meet its obligations and the complaining party is not held to be bound by the disclaimer.
The trustees and officers of the Trust will not be liable for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust or any trustee or officer; however, a trustee or officer is not protected against any liability to the Trust or to the shareholders to which a trustee or officer would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office with the Trust ("Disabling Conduct"). The Trust Agreement provides for indemnification by the Trust of the trustees, the officers and employees or agents of the Trust, provided that such persons have not engaged in Disabling Conduct. The Trust Agreement also authorizes the purchase of liability insurance on behalf of trustees and officers.
SHARE CERTIFICATES. Shareholders of the Funds do not have the right to demand or require the Trust to issue share certificates.
INVESTMENTS, POLICIES, AND RISKS
The principal investments and policies of the Fund are discussed in the Prospectus of the Fund. The Fund also may invest in the following securities and engage in the following practices.
ADRS AND EDRS -- American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs, are receipts typically issued by U.S. banks. ADRs are receipts for the shares of foreign corporations that are held by the bank issuing the receipt. An ADR entitles its holder to all dividends and capital gains on the underlying foreign securities, less any fees paid to the bank. Purchasing ADRs gives a Fund the ability to purchase the functional equivalent of foreign securities without going to the foreign securities markets to do so. ADRs are bought and sold in U.S. dollars, not foreign currencies. An ADR that is "sponsored" means that the foreign corporation whose shares are represented by the ADR is actively involved in the issuance of the ADR, and generally provides material information about the corporation to the U.S. market. An "unsponsored" ADR program means that the foreign corporation whose shares are held by the bank is not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, the market value of the ADR may not reflect important facts known only to the foreign company. Since they mirror their underlying foreign securities, ADRs generally have the same risks as investing directly in the underlying foreign securities. European Depositary Receipts, or EDRs, are similar to ADRs, except they are typically issued by European banks or trust companies.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT IN FOREIGN BANKS AND U.S. BRANCHES OF FOREIGN BANKS -- The Fund may maintain time deposits in and invest in U.S. dollar denominated certificates of deposit ("CDs") issued by foreign banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks. The Fund limits investments in foreign bank obligations to U.S. dollar denominated obligations of foreign banks which have more than $10 billion in assets, have branches or agencies in the U.S., and meet other criteria established by the board of trustees.
The Fund may also invest in bankers' acceptances, time deposits and certificates of deposit of U.S. branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks. Investments in instruments of U.S. branches of foreign banks will be made only with branches that are subject to the same regulations as U.S. banks. Investments in instruments issued by a foreign branch of a U.S. bank will be made only if the investment risk associated with such investment is the same as that involving an investment in instruments issued by the U.S. parent, with the U.S. parent unconditionally liable in the event that the foreign branch fails to pay on the investment for any reason.
COMMERCIAL PAPER -- Commercial paper is the term for short-term promissory notes issued by domestic corporations to meet current working capital needs. Commercial paper may be unsecured by the corporation's assets but may be backed by a letter of credit from a bank or
other financial institution. The letter of credit enhances the commercial paper's creditworthiness. The issuer is directly responsible for payment but the bank "guarantees" that if the note is not paid at maturity by the issuer, the bank will pay the principal and interest to the buyer. The Fund's investment advisor, will consider the creditworthiness of the institution issuing the letter of credit, as well as the creditworthiness of the issuer of the commercial paper, when purchasing paper enhanced by a letter of credit. Commercial paper is sold either in an interest-bearing form or on a discounted basis, with maturities not exceeding 270 days.
DEBT SECURITIES -- Debt securities include bonds, notes, and other securities that give the holder the right to receive fixed amounts of principal, interest, or both on a date in the future or on demand. Debt securities also are often referred to as fixed-income securities, even if the rate of interest varies over the life of the security.
Debt securities are generally subject to credit risk and market risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of the security may be unable to meet interest or principal payments or both as they come due. Market risk is the risk that the market value of the security may decline for a variety of reasons, including changes in interest rates. An increase in interest rates tends to reduce the market values of debt securities in which the Fund has invested. A decline in interest rates tends to increase the market values of debt securities in which the Fund has invested.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and Standard & Poor's ("S&P") ratings provide a useful guide to the credit risk of many debt securities. The lower the rating of a debt security, the greater the credit risk the rating service assigns to the security. To compensate investors for accepting that greater risk, lower-rated debt securities tend to offer higher interest rates. Lower-rated debt securities are often referred to as "junk bonds." Increasing the amount of Fund assets invested in unrated or lower-grade straight debt securities may increase the yield produced by the Fund's debt securities but will also increase the credit risk of those securities. A debt security is considered lower grade if it is rated Ba or less by Moody's or BB or less by S&P at the time of purchase. Lower-rated and non-rated debt securities of comparable quality are subject to wider fluctuations in yields and market values than higher-rated debt securities and may be considered speculative. Although the Fund may invest in debt securities assigned lower grade ratings by S&P or Moody's at the time of purchase, the Fund's investments have generally been limited to debt securities rated B or higher by either S&P or Moody's at the time of purchase. Debt securities rated lower than B by either S&P or Moody's are usually considered to be speculative. At the time of purchase, the Advisor will limit Fund investments to debt securities which the Advisor believes are not highly speculative and which are rated at least CCC by S&P or Caa by Moody's.
A significant economic downturn or increase in interest rates may cause issuers of debt securities to experience increased financial problems which could adversely affect their ability to pay principal and interest obligations, to meet projected business goals, and to obtain additional financing. These conditions more severely impact issuers of lower-rated debt securities. The
market for lower-rated straight debt securities may not be as liquid as the market for higher-rated straight debt securities. Therefore, the Advisor attempts to limit purchases of lower-rated securities to securities having an established secondary market.
Debt securities rated Caa by Moody's may be in default or may present risks of non-payment of principal or interest. Lower-rated securities by S&P (categories BB, B, or CCC) include those which are predominantly speculative because of the issuer's perceived capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with their terms; BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and CCC a high degree of speculation. While such bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are usually outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
The Fund expects that most emerging country debt securities in which it invests will not be rated by U.S. rating services. Although bonds in the lowest investment grade debt category (those rated BBB by S&P, Baa by Moody's or the equivalent) are regarded as having adequate capability to pay principal and interest, they have speculative characteristics. Adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case for higher-rated bonds. Lower-rated bonds by Moody's (categories Ba, B, or Caa) are of poorer quality and also have speculative characteristics. Bonds rated Caa may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest. Lower-rated bonds by S&P (categories BB, B, or CCC) include those that are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with their terms; BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and CCC a high degree of speculation. While such bonds likely will have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions. Bonds having equivalent ratings from other rating services will have characteristics similar to those of the corresponding S&P and Moody's ratings. For a specific description of S&P and Moody's corporate bond rating categories, please refer to Appendix A.
The Fund may invest in zero coupon bonds and step-up bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not make regular interest payments. Zero coupon bonds are sold at a discount from face value. Principal and accrued discount (representing interest earned but not paid) are paid at maturity in the amount of the face value. Step-up bonds initially make no (or low) cash interest payments but begin paying interest (or a higher rate of interest) at a fixed time after issuance of the bond. The market values of zero coupon and step-up bonds generally fluctuate more in response to changes in interest rates than interest-paying securities of comparable term and quality. The Fund may be required to distribute income recognized on these bonds, even though no cash may be paid to the Fund until the maturity or call date of a bond, in order for the Fund to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company. These required distributions could reduce the amount of cash available for investment by the Fund.
DOMESTIC BANK OBLIGATIONS -- U.S. banks (including their foreign branches) issue Certificates of Deposit ("CDs") and bankers' acceptances which may be purchased by the Fund if an issuing bank has total assets in excess of $5 billion and the bank otherwise meets the Fund's credit rating requirements. CDs are issued against deposits in a commercial bank for a specified period and rate and are normally negotiable. Eurodollar CDs are certificates issued by a foreign branch (usually London) of a U.S. domestic bank, and, as such, the credit is deemed to be that of the domestic bank. Bankers' acceptances are short-term credit instruments evidencing the promise of the bank (by virtue of the bank's "acceptance") to pay at maturity a draft which has been drawn on it by a customer (the "drawer"). Bankers' acceptances are used to finance the import, export, transfer, or storage of goods and reflect the obligation of both the bank and the drawer to pay the face amount. Both types of securities are subject to the ability of the issuing bank to meet its obligations, and are subject to risks common to all debt securities. In addition, Eurodollar CDs and banker's acceptances may be subject to foreign currency risk and certain other risks of investment in foreign securities.
EQUITY SECURITIES -- The Fund may invest in common, preferred and convertible preferred stocks, and securities whose values are tied to the price of stocks, such as rights, warrants, and convertible debt securities. Common stocks and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a corporation. Owners of stock, such as the Fund, share in a corporation's earnings through dividends which may be declared by the corporation, although the receipt of dividends is not the principal benefit that the Fund seeks when it invests in stocks and similar instruments.
Instead, the Fund seeks to invest in stocks that will increase in market value and may be sold for more than the Fund paid to buy them. Market value is based upon constantly changing investor perceptions of what the company is worth compared to other companies. Although dividends are a factor in the changing market value of stocks, many companies do not pay dividends, or pay comparatively small dividends. The principal risk of investing in equity securities is that their market values fluctuate constantly, often due to factors entirely outside the control of the Fund or the company issuing the stock. At any given time, the market value of an equity security may be significantly higher or lower than the amount paid by the Fund to acquire it.
Owners of preferred stocks are entitled to dividends payable from the corporation's earnings, which in some cases may be "cumulative" if prior dividends on the preferred stock have not been paid. Dividends payable on preferred stock have priority over distributions to holders of common stock, and preferred stocks generally have a priority on the distribution of assets in the event of the corporation's liquidation. Preferred stocks may be "participating," which means that they may be entitled to dividends in excess of the stated dividend in certain cases. The holders of a company's debt securities generally are entitled to be paid by the company before it pays anything to its stockholders.
Rights and warrants are securities which entitle the holder to purchase the securities of a company (usually, its common stock) at a specified price during a specified time period. The
value of a right or warrant is affected by many of the same factors that determine the prices of common stocks. Rights and warrants may be purchased directly or acquired in connection with a corporate reorganization or exchange offer.
The Fund also may purchase convertible securities including convertible debt obligations and convertible preferred stock. A convertible security entitles the holder to exchange it for a fixed number of shares of common stock (or other equity security), usually at a fixed price within a specified period of time. Until conversion, the owner of convertible securities usually receives the interest paid on a convertible bond or the dividend preference of a preferred stock.
A convertible security has an "investment value" which is a theoretical value determined by the yield it provides in comparison with similar securities without the conversion feature. Investment value changes are based upon prevailing interest rates and other factors. It also has a "conversion value," which is the market value the convertible security would have if it were exchanged for the underlying equity security. Convertible securities may be purchased at varying price levels above or below their investment values or conversion values.
Conversion value is a simple mathematical calculation that fluctuates directly with the price of the underlying security. However, if the conversion value is substantially below the investment value, the market value of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. If the conversion value is near or above the investment value, the market value of the convertible security generally will rise above the investment value. In such cases, the market value of the convertible security may be higher than its conversion value, due to the combination of the convertible security's right to interest (or dividend preference) and the possibility of capital appreciation from the conversion feature. However, there is no assurance that any premium above investment value or conversion value will be recovered because prices change and, as a result, the ability to achieve capital appreciation through conversion may be eliminated.
EUROBONDS AND YANKEE BONDS -- Bonds issued by foreign branches of U.S. banks ("Eurobonds") and bonds issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign bank and sold in the United States ("Yankee bonds"). These bonds are bought and sold in U.S. dollars, but generally carry with them the same risks as investing in foreign securities.
FOREIGN SECURITIES -- Investments in the securities of foreign companies, or companies that have their principal business activities outside the United States, involve certain risks not associated with investments in U.S. companies. Non-U.S. companies generally are not subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards that apply to U.S. companies. Therefore, financial information about foreign companies may be incomplete, or may not be comparable to the information available on U.S. companies. There may also be less publicly available information about a foreign company.
Although the volume of trading in foreign securities markets is growing, securities of many non-U.S. companies may be less liquid and have greater swings in price than securities of comparable U.S. companies. The costs of buying and selling securities on foreign securities exchanges are generally significantly higher than similar costs in the United States. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of exchanges, brokers, and issuers in foreign countries than there is in the United States. Investments in non-U.S. securities may also be subject to other risks different from those affecting U.S. investments, including local political or economic developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, and imposition of withholding taxes on dividends or interest payments. If it becomes necessary, it may be more difficult for the Fund to obtain or to enforce a judgment against a foreign issuer than against a domestic issuer.
Securities traded on foreign markets are usually bought and sold in local currencies, not in U.S. dollars. Therefore, the market value of foreign securities acquired by the Fund can be affected -- favorably or unfavorably -- by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations. Costs are incurred in converting money from one currency to another. Foreign currency exchange rates are determined by supply and demand on the foreign exchange markets. Foreign exchange markets are affected by the international balance of payments and other economic and financial conditions, government intervention, speculation and other factors, all of which are outside the control of the Fund. Generally, the Fund's foreign currency exchange transactions will be conducted on a cash or "spot" basis at the spot rate for purchasing or selling currency in the foreign currency exchange markets.
FUTURES, OPTIONS, AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
GENERAL. The Advisor may use various types of financial instruments, some of which are derivatives, to attempt to manage the risk of the Fund's investments or, in certain circumstances, for investment (e.g., as a substitute for investing in securities). These financial instruments include options, futures contracts (sometimes referred to as "futures"), forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, and collars (collectively, "Financial Instruments"). The policies in this section do not apply to other types of instruments sometimes referred to as derivatives, such as indexed securities, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, and stripped interest and principal of debt.
Hedging strategies can be broadly categorized as "short" hedges and "long" or "anticipatory" hedges. A short hedge involves the use of a Financial Instrument in order to partially or fully offset potential variations in the value of one or more investments held in the Fund's portfolio. A long or anticipatory hedge involves the use of a Financial Instrument in order to partially or fully offset potential increases in the acquisition cost of one or more investments that the Fund intends to acquire. In an anticipatory hedge transaction, the Fund does not already own a corresponding security. Rather, the hedge relates to a security or type of security that the Fund intends to acquire. If the Fund does not eliminate the hedge by purchasing the security as anticipated, the
effect on the Fund's portfolio is the same as if a long position were entered into. Financial Instruments may also be used, in certain circumstances, for investment (e.g., as a substitute for investing in securities).
Financial Instruments on individual securities generally are used to attempt to hedge against price movements in one or more particular securities positions that the Fund already owns or intends to acquire. Financial Instruments on indexes, in contrast, generally are used to attempt to hedge all or a portion of a portfolio against price movements of the securities within a market sector in which the Fund has invested or expects to invest.
The use of Financial Instruments is subject to applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the several exchanges upon which they are traded, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"). In addition, the Fund's ability to use Financial Instruments will be limited by tax considerations. See "Tax Consequences of Owning Shares of the Fund."
In addition to the instruments and strategies described below, the Advisor may use other similar or related techniques to the extent that they are consistent with the Fund's investment objective and permitted by its investment limitations and applicable regulatory authorities. The Fund's Prospectus or SAI will be supplemented to the extent that new products or techniques become employed involving materially different risks than those described below or in the Prospectus.
Special Risks. Financial Instruments and their use involve special considerations and risks, certain of which are described below.
(1) Financial Instruments may increase the volatility of the Fund. If the Advisor employs a Financial Instrument that correlates imperfectly with the Fund's investments, a loss could result, regardless of whether or not the intent was to manage risk. In addition, these techniques could result in a loss if there is not a liquid market to close out a position that the Fund has entered.
(2) There might be imperfect correlation between price movements of a Financial Instrument and price movement of the investment(s) being hedged. For example, if the value of a Financial Instrument used in a short hedge increased by less than the decline in value of the hedged investment(s), the hedge would not be fully successful. This might be caused by certain kinds of trading activity that distorts the normal price relationship between the security being hedged and the Financial Instrument. Similarly, the effectiveness of hedges using Financial Instruments on indexes will depend on the degree of correlation between price movements in the index and price movements in the securities being hedged.
The Fund is authorized to use options and futures contracts related to securities with issuers, maturities or other characteristics different from the securities in which it typically invests. This involves a risk that the options or futures position will not track the performance of the Fund's portfolio investments.
The direction of options and futures price movements can also diverge from the direction of the movements of the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match the Fund's investments well. Options and futures prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may also result from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts. The Fund may take positions in options and futures contracts with a greater or lesser face value than the securities it wishes to hedge or intends to purchase in order to attempt to compensate for differences in volatility between the contract and the securities, although this may not be successful in all cases.
(3) If successful, the above-discussed hedging strategies can reduce risk of loss by wholly or partially offsetting the negative effect of unfavorable price movements of portfolio securities. However, such strategies can also reduce opportunity for gain by offsetting the positive effect of favorable price movements. For example, if the Fund entered into a short hedge because the Advisor projected a decline in the price of a security in the Fund's portfolio, and the price of that security increased instead, the gain from that increase would likely be wholly or partially offset by a decline in the value of the short position in the Financial Instrument. Moreover, if the price of the Financial Instrument declined by more than the increase in the price of the security, the Fund could suffer a loss.
(4) The Fund's ability to close out a position in a Financial Instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends on the degree of liquidity of the market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the other party to the transaction (the "counterparty") to enter into a transaction closing out the position. Therefore, there is no assurance that any position can be closed out at a time and price that is favorable to the Fund.
(5) As described below, the Fund is required to maintain assets as "cover," maintain segregated accounts or make margin payments when it takes positions in Financial Instruments involving obligations to third parties (i.e., Financial Instruments other than purchased options). If the Fund is unable to close out its positions in such Financial Instruments, it might be required to continue to maintain such assets or segregated accounts or make such payments until the position expired. These requirements might impair the Fund's ability to sell a portfolio security or make an investment at a time when it would otherwise be favorable to do so, or require that the Fund sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time.
Cover. Positions in Financial Instruments, other than purchased options, expose the Fund to an obligation to another party. The Fund will not enter into any such transaction unless it owns (1) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities, currencies or other options, futures contracts or forward contracts, or (2) cash and liquid assets with a value, marked-to-market daily, sufficient to cover its obligations to the extent not covered as provided in (1) above. The Fund will comply with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and will, if the guidelines so require, designate cash or liquid assets as segregated in the prescribed amount as determined daily.
Assets used as cover or held as segregated cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding Financial Instrument is open unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund's assets to cover or to hold as segregated could impede portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
Options. The Fund may engage in certain strategies involving options to attempt to manage the risk of its investments or, in certain circumstances, for investment (e.g., as a substitute for investing in securities). A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell the underlying investment at the agreed-upon exercise price during the option period. A put option gives the purchaser the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy the underlying investment at the agreed-upon exercise price during the option period. Purchasers of options pay an amount, known as a premium, to the option writer in exchange for the right under the option contract. See "Options on Indexes" below with regard to cash settlement of option contracts on index values.
The purchase of call options can serve as a hedge against a price rise of the underlying security and the purchase of put options can serve as a hedge against a price decline of the underlying security. Writing call options can serve as a limited short hedge because declines in the value of the hedged investment would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. However, if the security or currency appreciates to a price higher than the exercise price of the call option, it can be expected that the option will be exercised and the Fund will be obligated to sell the security or currency at less than its market value.
Writing put options can serve as a limited long or anticipatory hedge because increases in the value of the hedged investment would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. However, if the security or currency depreciates to a price lower than the exercise price of the put option, it can be expected that the put option will be exercised and the Fund will be obligated to purchase the security or currency at more than its market value.
The value of an option position will reflect, among other things, the current market value of the underlying investment, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price
to the market price of the underlying investment, the price volatility of the underlying investment and general market and interest rate conditions. Options that expire unexercised have no value.
The Fund may effectively terminate its right or obligation under an option by entering into a closing transaction. For example, the Fund may terminate its obligation under a call or put option that it had written by purchasing an identical call or put option; which is known as a closing purchase transaction. Conversely, the Fund may terminate a position in a put or call option it had purchased by writing an identical put or call option, which is known as a closing sale transaction. Closing transactions permit the Fund to realize profits or limit losses on an option position prior to its exercise or expiration.
Risks of Options on Securities. Options embody the possibility of large amounts of exposure, which will result in the Fund's net asset value being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related investment. The Fund may purchase or write both exchange-traded and OTC options. Exchange-traded options in the United States are issued by a clearing organization affiliated with the exchange on which the option is listed that, in effect, guarantees completion of every exchange-traded option transaction. In contrast, OTC options are contracts between the Fund and its counterparty (usually a securities dealer or a bank) with no clearing organization guarantee. Thus, when the Fund purchases an OTC option, it relies on the counterparty from whom it purchased the option to make or take delivery of the underlying investment upon exercise of the option. Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss of any premium paid by the Fund as well as the loss of any expected benefit from the transaction.
The Fund's ability to establish and close out positions in options depends on the existence of a liquid market. However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist at any particular time. Closing transactions can be made for OTC options only by negotiating directly with the counterparty, or by a transaction in the secondary market if any such market exists. There can be no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration. In the event of insolvency of the counterparty, the Fund might be unable to close out an OTC option position at any time prior to the option's expiration. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting closing transaction on an option it has written, it will be required to maintain the securities subject to the call or the liquid assets underlying the put until a closing purchase transaction can be entered into or the option expires. However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist at any particular time.
If the Fund were unable to effect a closing transaction for an option it had purchased, it would have to exercise the option to realize any profit. The inability to enter into a closing purchase transaction for a covered call option written by the Fund could cause material losses because the Fund would be unable to sell the investment used as cover for the written option until the option expires or is exercised.
Options on Indexes. Puts and calls on indexes are similar to puts and calls on securities or futures contracts except that all settlements are in cash and changes in value depend on changes in the index in question. When the Fund writes a call on an index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the expiration date, upon exercise of the call, the purchaser will receive from the Fund an amount of cash equal to the positive difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple ("multiplier"), which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference. When the Fund buys a call on an index, it pays a premium and has the same rights as to such call as are indicated above. When the Fund buys a put on an index, it pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the seller of the put to deliver to the Fund an amount of cash equal to the positive difference between the exercise price of the put and the closing price of the index times the multiplier. When the Fund writes a put on an index, it receives a premium and the purchaser of the put has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the Fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to the positive difference between the exercise price of the put and the closing level of the index times the multiplier.
The risks of purchasing and selling options on indexes may be greater than options on securities. Because index options are settled in cash, when the Fund writes a call on an index it cannot fulfill its potential settlement obligations by delivering the underlying securities. The Fund can offset some of the risk of writing a call index option by holding a diversified portfolio of securities similar to those on which the underlying index is based. However, the Fund cannot, as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the same securities as underlie the index and, as a result, bears a risk that the value of the securities held will vary from the value of the index.
Even if the Fund could assemble a portfolio that exactly reproduced the composition of the underlying index, it still would not be fully covered from a risk standpoint because of the "timing risk" inherent in writing index options. When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is entitled to receive is determined by the difference between the exercise price and the closing index level. As with other kinds of options, the Fund as the call writer will not learn what it has been assigned until the next business day. The time lag between exercise and notice of assignment poses no risk for the writer of a covered call on a specific underlying security, such as common stock, because in that case the writer's obligation is to deliver the underlying security, not to pay its value as of a moment in the past. In contrast, the writer of an index call will be required to pay cash in an amount based on the difference between the closing index value on the exercise date and the exercise price. By the time the Fund learns what it has been assigned, the index may have declined. This "timing risk" is an inherent limitation on the ability of index call writers to cover their risk exposure.
If the Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund nevertheless will
be required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.
OTC Options. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. While this type of arrangement allows the Fund great flexibility to tailor the option to its needs, OTC options generally involve greater risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization of the exchange where they are traded.
Generally, OTC foreign currency options used by the Fund are European-style options. This means that the option is only exercisable immediately prior to its expiration. This is in contrast to American-style options, which are exercisable at any time prior to the expiration date of the option.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. When the Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, it incurs an obligation respectively to take or make delivery of a specified amount of the obligation underlying the contract at a specified time and price. When the Fund writes an option on a futures contract, it becomes obligated to assume a position in the futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. If the Fund writes a call, on exercise it assumes a short futures position. If it writes a put, on exercise it assumes a long futures position.
The purchase of futures or call options on futures can serve as a long or an anticipatory hedge, and the sale of futures or the purchase of put options on futures can serve as a short hedge. Writing call options on futures contracts can serve as a limited short hedge, using a strategy similar to that used for writing call options on securities or indexes. Similarly, writing put options on futures contracts can serve as a limited long or anticipatory hedge.
In addition, futures strategies can be used to manage the "duration" (a measure of anticipated sensitivity to changes in interest rates, which is sometimes related to the weighted average maturity of a portfolio) and associated interest rate risk of the Fund's fixed-income portfolio. If the Advisor wishes to shorten the duration of the Fund's fixed-income portfolio (i.e., reduce anticipated sensitivity), the Fund may sell an appropriate debt futures contract or a call option thereon, or purchase a put option on that futures contract. If the Advisor wishes to lengthen the duration of the Fund's fixed-income portfolio (i.e., increase anticipated sensitivity), the Fund may buy an appropriate debt futures contract or a call option thereon, or sell a put option thereon.
At the inception of a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit "initial margin" in an amount generally equal to 10% or less of the contract value. Initial margin must also be deposited when writing a call or put option on a futures contract, in accordance with applicable exchange rules. Subsequent "variation margin" payments are made to and from the futures broker daily as the value of the futures or written option position varies, a process known as "marking-to-market." Unlike margin in securities transactions, initial margin on futures contracts and written options on futures contracts does not represent a borrowing on margin, but rather is in the nature of a performance bond or good-faith deposit that is returned to the Fund at the termination of the transaction if all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Under certain circumstances, such as periods of high volatility, the Fund may be required to increase the level of initial margin deposits. If the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities in order to do so at a time when such sales are disadvantageous.
Purchasers and sellers of futures contracts and options on futures can enter into offsetting closing transactions, similar to closing transactions on options, by selling or purchasing, respectively, an instrument identical to the instrument purchased or sold. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract or options position.
Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or an option on a futures contract can vary from the previous day's settlement price; once that limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. Daily price limits do not limit potential losses because prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading, thereby preventing liquidation of unfavorable positions.
If the Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or an option on a futures contract position due to the absence of a liquid market or the imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses. The Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In addition, except in the case of purchased options, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to continue to maintain the position being hedged by the futures contract or option or to continue to maintain cash or securities in a segregated account.
To the extent that the Fund enters into futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and options on foreign currencies traded on a CFTC-regulated exchange, in each case that is not for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish these positions (excluding the amount by which options are "in-the-money" at the time of purchase) may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund's portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any contracts the Fund has
entered into. This policy does not limit to 5% the percentage of the Fund's assets that are at risk in futures contracts, options on futures contracts and currency options.
Risks of Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. The ordinary spreads at a given time between prices in the cash and futures markets (including the options on futures markets), due to differences in the natures of those markets, are subject to the following factors. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions, which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Due to the possibility of distortion, a hedge may not be successful. Although stock index futures contracts do not require physical delivery, under extraordinary market conditions, liquidity of such futures contracts also could be reduced. Additionally, the Advisor may be incorrect in its expectations as to the extent of various interest rates, currency exchange rates or stock market movements or the time span within which the movements take place.
Index Futures. The risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the price of index futures and movements in the price of the securities that are the subject of a hedge increases as the composition of the Fund's portfolio diverges from the index. The price of the index futures may move proportionately more than or less than the price of the securities being hedged. If the price of the index futures moves proportionately less than the price of the securities that are the subject of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective. Assuming the price of the securities being hedged has moved in an unfavorable direction, as anticipated when the hedge was put into place, the Fund would be in a better position than if it had not hedged at all, but not as good as if the price of the index futures moved in full proportion to that of the hedged securities. However, if the price of the securities being hedged has moved in a favorable direction, this advantage will be partially offset by movement of the price of the futures contract. If the price of the futures contract moves more than the price of the securities, the Fund will experience either a loss or a gain on the futures contract that will not be completely offset by movements in the price of the securities that are the subject of the hedge.
Where index futures are purchased in an anticipatory hedge, it is possible that the market may decline instead. If the Fund then decides not to invest in the securities at that time because of concern as to possible further market decline or for other reasons, it will realize a loss on the futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in the price of the securities it had anticipated purchasing.
Foreign Currency Hedging Strategies--Special Considerations. The Fund may use options and futures contracts on foreign currencies, as mentioned previously, and forward currency contracts,
as described below, to attempt to hedge against movements in the values of the foreign currencies in which the Fund's securities are denominated or, in certain circumstances, for investment (e.g., as a substitute for investing in securities denominated in foreign currency). Currency hedges can protect against price movements in a security that the Fund owns or intends to acquire that are attributable to changes in the value of the currency in which it is denominated.
The Fund might seek to hedge against changes in the value of a particular currency when no Financial Instruments on that currency are available or such Financial Instruments are more expensive than certain other Financial Instruments. In such cases, the Fund may seek to hedge against price movements in that currency by entering into transactions using Financial Instruments on another currency or a basket of currencies, the value of which the Advisor believes will have a high degree of positive correlation to the value of the currency being hedged. The risk that movements in the price of the Financial Instrument will not correlate perfectly with movements in the price of the currency subject to the hedging transaction may be increased when this strategy is used.
The value of Financial Instruments on foreign currencies depends on the value of the underlying currency relative to the U.S. dollar. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market might involve substantially larger amounts than those involved in the use of such Financial Instruments, the Fund could be disadvantaged by having to deal in the odd-lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies or any regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation information generally is representative of very large transactions in the interbank market and thus might not reflect odd-lot transactions where rates might be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global, round-the-clock market. To the extent the U.S. options or futures markets are closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements might take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the markets for the Financial Instruments until they reopen.
Settlement of hedging transactions involving foreign currencies might be required to take place within the country issuing the underlying currency. Thus, the Fund might be required to accept or make delivery of the underlying foreign currency in accordance with any U.S. or foreign regulations regarding the maintenance of foreign banking arrangements by U.S. residents and might be required to pay any fees, taxes, and charges associated with such delivery assessed in the issuing country.
Forward Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Deposits. The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or
another foreign currency. A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (term) from the date of the forward currency contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time the forward currency contract is entered. Forward currency contracts are negotiated directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers.
Such transactions may serve as long or anticipatory hedges. For example, the Fund may purchase a forward currency contract to lock in the U.S. dollar price of a security denominated in a foreign currency that the Fund intends to acquire. Forward currency contracts may also serve as short hedges. For example, the Fund may sell a forward currency contract to lock in the U.S. dollar equivalent of the proceeds from the anticipated sale of a security or a dividend or interest payment denominated in a foreign currency.
The Fund may also use forward currency contracts to hedge against a decline in the value of existing investments denominated in foreign currency. Such a hedge would tend to offset both positive and negative currency fluctuations, but would not offset changes in security values caused by other factors. The Fund could also hedge the position by entering into a forward currency contract to sell another currency expected to perform similarly to the currency in which the Fund's existing investments are denominated. This type of hedge could offer advantages in terms of cost, yield, or efficiency, but may not hedge currency exposure as effectively as a simple hedge against U.S. dollars. This type of hedge may result in losses if the currency used to hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the hedged securities are denominated.
The Fund may also use forward currency contracts in one currency or a basket of currencies to attempt to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a different currency if the advisor anticipates that there will be a positive correlation between the two currencies.
The cost to the Fund of engaging in forward currency contracts varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because forward currency contracts are usually entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved. When the Fund enters into a forward currency contract, it relies on the counterparty to make or take delivery of the underlying currency at the maturity of the contract. Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss of some or all of any expected benefit of the transaction.
As is the case with futures contracts, purchasers and sellers of forward currency contracts can enter into offsetting closing transactions, similar to closing transactions on futures contracts, by selling or purchasing, respectively, an instrument identical to the instrument purchased or sold. Secondary markets generally do not exist for forward currency contracts, with the result that
closing transactions generally can be made for forward currency contracts only by negotiating directly with the counterparty. Thus, there can be no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out a forward currency contract at a favorable price prior to maturity. In addition, in the event of insolvency of the counterparty, the Fund might be unable to close out a forward currency contract. In either event, the Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position, and would continue to be required to maintain a position in securities denominated in the foreign currency or to segregate cash or liquid assets.
The precise matching of forward currency contract amounts and the value of the securities, dividends, or interest payments involved generally will not be possible because the value of such securities, dividends, or interest payments, measured in the foreign currency, will change after the forward currency contract has been established. Thus, the Fund might need to purchase or sell foreign currencies in the spot (cash) market to the extent such foreign currencies are not covered by forward currency contracts. The projection of short-term currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain.
Forward currency contracts may substantially change the Fund's investment exposure to changes in currency exchange rates and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not perform as the advisor anticipates. There is no assurance that the advisor's use of forward currency contracts will be advantageous to the Fund or that it will hedge at an appropriate time.
The Fund may also purchase and sell foreign currency and invest in foreign currency deposits. Currency conversion involves dealer spreads and other costs, although commissions usually are not charged.
Combined Positions. The Fund may purchase and write options or futures in combination with each other, or in combination with futures or forward currency contracts, to manage the risk and return characteristics of its overall position. For example, the Fund may purchase a put option and write a call option on the same underlying instrument, in order to construct a combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs.
Turnover. The Fund's options and futures activities may affect its turnover rates and brokerage commission payments. The exercise of calls or puts written by the Fund, and the sale or purchase of futures contracts, may cause it to sell or purchase related investments, thus increasing its turnover rate. Once the Fund has received an exercise notice on an option it has written, it cannot effect a closing transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option
and must deliver or receive the underlying securities at the exercise price. The exercise of puts purchased by the Fund may also cause the sale of related investments, increasing turnover. Although such exercise is within the Fund's control, holding a protective put might cause it to sell the related investments for reasons that would not exist in the absence of the put. The Fund will pay a brokerage commission each time it buys or sells a put or call or purchases or sells a futures contract. Such commissions may be higher than those that would apply to direct purchases or sales.
Swaps, Caps, Floors, and Collars. The Fund is authorized to enter into swaps, caps, floors, and collars. Swaps involve the exchange by one party with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive cash flows, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments. The purchase of a cap or a floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds in the case of a cap, or falls below in the case of a floor, a predetermined value, to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such instrument. A collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
HOLDRS -- Holding Company Depositary Receipts, or HOLDRs, are trust-issued receipts that represent the Fund's beneficial ownership of a specific group of stocks. HOLDRs involve risks similar to the risks of investing in common stocks. For example, the Fund's investment will decline in value if the underlying stocks decline in value. Because HOLDRs are not subject to concentration limits, the relative weight of an individual stock may increase substantially, causing the HOLDRs to be less diverse and creating more risk.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES -- Securities which do not trade on stock exchanges or in the over-the-counter market, or have restrictions on when and how they may be sold, are generally considered to be "illiquid." An illiquid security is one that the Fund may have difficulty -- or may even be legally precluded from -- selling at any particular time. The Fund may invest in illiquid securities, including restricted securities and other investments which are not readily marketable. The Fund will not purchase any such security if the purchase would cause the Fund to invest more than 15% of its net assets, measured at the time of purchase, in illiquid securities. Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days are considered illiquid for purposes of this restriction.
The principal risk of investing in illiquid securities is that the Fund may be unable to dispose of them at the time desired or at a reasonable price. In addition, in order to resell a restricted security, the Fund might have to bear the expense and incur the delays associated with registering the security with the SEC, and otherwise obtaining listing on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market.
INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING PROGRAM -- Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, dated December 21, 1999, the Fund may lend money to, and borrow money for temporary
purposes from other funds advised by the Advisor or its affiliates (the "AIM Funds"). The Fund will borrow through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the cost of bank loans. Interfund borrowings normally extend overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one day's notice. The Fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed.
INVESTMENT COMPANY SECURITIES -- With respect to the Fund's purchase of shares of another investment company, including Affiliated Money Market Funds (defined below), the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of the advisory fees and other operating expenses of such investment company. The Fund has obtained an exemptive order from the SEC allowing it to invest in money market funds that have AIM or an affiliate of AIM as an investment advisor (the "Affiliated Money Market Funds"), provided that investments in Affiliated Money Market Funds do not exceed 25% of the total assets of the investing Fund. The Fund also may invest in Exchange-Traded Funds ("ETFs"). ETFs are investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") as open-end funds or Unit Investment Trusts ("UITs"). ETFs are based on specific domestic and foreign indices. ETF shares are sold and redeemed at net asset value only in large blocks. In addition, national securities exchanges list ETF shares for trading, which allows investors to purchase and sell individual ETF shares among themselves at market prices throughout the day. The 1940 Act limits investments in securities of other investment companies. The following restrictions apply to investments in other investment companies other than Affiliated Money Market Funds: (i) the Fund may not purchase more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of another investment company; (ii) the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities issued by another investment company; and (iii) the Fund may not invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities issued by other investment companies.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS -- To the extent consistent with its investment objective and policies, the Fund may invest in securities issued by real estate investment trusts ("REITs").
REITs are trusts which sell equity or debt securities to investors and use the proceeds to invest in real estate or interests therein. A REIT may focus on particular projects, such as apartment complexes, or geographic regions, such as the Southeastern United States, or both.
To the extent that the Fund has the ability to invest in REITs, the Fund could conceivably own real estate directly as a result of a default on the securities it owns. The Fund, therefore, may be subject to certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate including difficulties in valuing and trading real estate, declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, adverse changes in the climate for real estate, environmental liability risks, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, limitations on rents, changes in neighborhood values, the appeal of properties to tenants, and increases in interest rates.
In addition to the risks described above, REITs may be affected by any changes in the value of the underlying property in their portfolios. REITs are dependent upon management skill, are not diversified, and are therefore subject to the risk of financing single or a limited number of projects. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to maintain an exemption from the 1940 Act. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of debt securities held by the Fund. By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his/her proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS -- The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements ("REPOs") on debt securities that the Fund is allowed to hold in its portfolio. This is a way to invest money for short periods. A REPO is an agreement under which the Fund acquires a debt security and then resells it to the seller at an agreed-upon price and date (normally, the next business day). The repurchase price represents an interest rate effective for the short period the debt security is held by the Fund, and is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying debt security. A repurchase agreement is often considered as a loan collateralized by securities. The collateral securities held by the Fund (including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value in excess of the value of the repurchase agreement. The collateral securities are held by the Fund's custodian bank until the repurchase agreement is completed.
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions that are creditworthy under standards established by the Advisor. The Advisor must use these standards to review the creditworthiness of any financial institution that is a party to a REPO. REPOs maturing in more than seven days are considered illiquid securities. The Fund will not enter into repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days if as a result more than 15% of the Fund's net assets would be invested in these repurchase agreements and other illiquid securities.
As noted above, the Fund uses REPOs as a means of investing cash for short periods of time. Although REPOs are considered to be highly liquid and comparatively low-risk, the use of
REPOs does involve some risks. For example, if the other party to the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security at a time when the value of the security has declined, the Fund may incur a loss on the sale of the collateral security. If the other party to the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code or other laws, a court may determine that the underlying security is collateral for a loan by the Fund not within the control of the Fund and therefore the realization by the Fund on such collateral may automatically be stayed. Finally, it is possible that the Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor of the other party to the agreement.
RULE 144A SECURITIES -- The Fund also may invest in securities that can be resold to institutional investors pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In recent years, a large institutional market has developed for many Rule 144A securities. Institutional investors generally cannot sell these securities to the general public but instead will often depend on an efficient institutional market in which Rule 144A securities can readily be resold to other institutional investors, or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment. Therefore, the fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or certain institutions does not necessarily mean that a Rule 144A Security is illiquid. Institutional markets for Rule 144A securities may provide both reliable market values for Rule 144A securities and enable the Fund to sell a Rule 144A investment when appropriate. For this reason, the Trust's Board of Trustees has concluded that if a sufficient institutional trading market exists for a given Rule 144A security, it may be considered "liquid," and not subject to the Fund's limitations on investment in restricted securities. The Trust's Board of Trustees has given the Advisor the day-to-day authority to determine the liquidity of Rule 144A securities, according to guidelines approved by the Board. The principal risk of investing in Rule 144A securities is that there may be an insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing a Rule 144A Security held by the Fund, and the Fund might be unable to dispose of such security promptly or at reasonable prices.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES-- The Fund may lend its portfolio securities (principally to broker-dealers) where such loans are callable at any time and are continuously secured by segregated collateral equal to no less than the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. Such collateral will be cash, letters of credit, or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. The Fund may lend portfolio securities to the extent of one-third of its total assets.
The Fund would continue to receive the income on loaned securities and would, at the same time, earn interest on the loan collateral or on the investment of any cash collateral. A Fund will not have the right to vote securities while they are being lent, but it can call a loan in anticipation of an important vote. Any cash collateral pursuant to these loans would be invested in short-term money market instruments or Affiliated Money Market Funds. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned increases and the collateral is not increased accordingly or in the event of default by the borrower. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral.
SOVEREIGN DEBT -- In certain emerging countries, the central government and its agencies are the largest debtors to local and foreign banks and others. Sovereign debt involves the risk that the government, as a result of political considerations or cash flow difficulties, may fail to make scheduled payments of interest or principal and may require holders to participate in rescheduling of payments or even to make additional loans. If an emerging country government defaults on its sovereign debt, there is likely to be no legal proceeding under which the debt may be ordered repaid, in whole or in part. The ability or willingness of a foreign sovereign debtor to make payments of principal and interest in a timely manner may be influenced by, among other factors, its cash flow, the magnitude of its foreign reserves, the availability of foreign exchanges on the payment date, the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the debtor's then current relationship with the International Monetary Fund and its then current political
constraints. Some of the emerging countries issuing such instruments have experienced high rates of inflation in recent years and have extensive internal debt. Among other effects, high inflation and internal debt service requirements may adversely affect the cost and availability of future domestic sovereign borrowing to finance government programs, and may have other adverse social, political, and economic consequences, including effects on the willingness of such countries to service their sovereign debt. An emerging country government's willingness and ability to make timely payments on its sovereign debt also are likely to be heavily affected by the country's balance of trade and its access to trade and other international credits. If a country's exports are concentrated in a few commodities, such country would be more significantly exposed to a decline in the international prices of one or more of such commodities. A rise in protectionism on the part of its trading partners, or unwillingness by such partners to make payment for goods in hard currency, could also adversely affect the country's ability to export its products and repay its debts. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected receipts from such agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. However, failure by the sovereign debtor or other entity to implement economic reforms negotiated with multilateral agencies or others, to achieve specified levels of economic performance, or to make other debt payments when due, may cause third parties to terminate their commitments to provide funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor's willingness or ability to service its debts.
The Fund may invest in debt securities issued under the "Brady Plan" in connection with restructurings in emerging country debt markets or earlier loans. These securities, often referred to as "Brady Bonds," are, in some cases, denominated in U.S. dollars and collateralized as to principal by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds having the same maturity. At least one year's interest payments, on a rolling basis, are collateralized by cash or other investments. Brady Bonds are actively traded on an over-the-counter basis in the secondary market for emerging country debt securities. Brady Bonds are lower-rated bonds and highly volatile.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES -- The Fund may, from time to time, purchase debt securities issued by the U.S. government. These securities include Treasury bills, notes, and bonds. Treasury bills have a maturity of one year or less, Treasury notes generally have a maturity of one to ten years, and Treasury bonds generally have maturities of more than ten years.
U.S. government debt securities also include securities issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government. Some obligations of U.S. government agencies, which are established under the authority of an act of Congress, such as Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") Participation certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. GNMA certificates are mortgagebacked securities representing part ownership of a pool of mortgage loans. These loans issued by lenders such as mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and savings and loan associations are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. A "pool" or group of such mortgages is assembled and, after being approved by GNMA, is offered to investors through securities dealers. Once approved by GNMA, the timely
payment of interest and principal on each mortgage is guaranteed by GNMA and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The market value of GNMA certificates is not guaranteed. GNMA certificates are different from bonds because principal is paid back monthly by the borrower over the term of the loan rather than returned in a lump sum at maturity, as is the case with a bond. GNMA certificates are called "pass-through" securities because both interest and principal payments (including prepayments) are passed through to the holder of the GNMA certificate.
Other United States government debt securities, such as securities of the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury. Others, such as bonds issued by Fannie Mae, a federally chartered private corporation, are supported only by the credit of the corporation. In the case of securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the Fund must look principally to the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitments. The U.S. government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so. The Fund will invest in securities of such instrumentalities only when the Advisor is satisfied that the credit risk with respect to any such instrumentality is comparatively minimal.
WHEN-ISSUED/DELAYED DELIVERY -- The Fund normally buys and sells securities on an ordinary settlement basis. That means that the buy or sell order is sent, and the Fund actually takes delivery or gives up physical possession of the security on the "settlement date," which is three business days later. However, the Fund also may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
When-issued or delayed delivery transactions occur when securities are purchased or sold by the Fund and payment and delivery take place at an agreed-upon time in the future. The Fund may engage in this practice in an effort to secure an advantageous price and yield. However, the yield on a comparable security available when delivery actually takes place may vary from the yield on the security at the time the when-issued or delayed delivery transaction was entered into. When the Fund engages in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions, it relies on the seller or buyer to consummate the sale at the future date. If the seller or buyer fails to act as promised, that failure may result in the Fund missing the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. No payment or delivery is made by the Fund until it receives delivery or payment from the other party to the transaction. However, fluctuation in the value of the security from the time of commitment until delivery could adversely affect the Fund.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Fund and, unless identified as non-fundamental policies, may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. As provided in the 1940 Act, a "vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund" means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. Except with respect to borrowing, changes in values of the Fund's assets will not cause a violation of the following investment restrictions so long as percentage restrictions are observed by the Fund at the time it purchases any security. The Fund may not:
1. purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry;
2. with respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, (i) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer;
3. underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as it may be deemed to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act in connection with the disposition of the Fund's portfolio securities;
4. borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow money in an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings);
5. issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act;
6. lend any security or make any loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties, but this limitation does not apply to the purchase of debt securities or to repurchase agreements;
7. purchase or sell physical commodities; however, this policy shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing and selling foreign currency, futures contracts, options, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars, and other financial instruments; or
8. purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).
9. The Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company managed by the advisor or an affiliate or a successor thereof, with substantially the same fundamental investment objective, policies, and limitations as the Fund.
In addition, the Fund has the following non-fundamental policies, which may be changed without shareholder approval:
A. The 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) or purchase securities on margin, except that
(i) this policy does not prevent the Fund from entering into short
positions in foreign currency, futures contracts, options, forward
contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars, and other Financial
Instruments, (ii) the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are
necessary for the clearance of transactions, and (iii) the Fund may
make margin payments in connection with futures contracts, options,
forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars, and other financial
instruments.
B. The Fund may borrow money only from a bank or from an open-end management investment company managed by the Advisor or an affiliate or a successor thereof for temporary or emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investing) or by engaging in reverse repurchase agreements with any party (reverse repurchase agreements will be treated as borrowings for purposes of fundamental limitation (4)).
C. The Fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if, as a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued.
D. The Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Fund's investment objective and policies and permissible under the 1940 Act.
E. With respect to fundamental limitation (1), domestic and foreign banking will be considered to be different industries.
F. With respect to fundamental limitation (1), investments in obligations issued by a foreign government, including the agencies or instrumentalities of a foreign government, are considered to be investments in a specific industry.
G. The Fund may not acquire any securities of registered open-end investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.
In addition, with respect to the Fund's investments in municipal securities, the following non-fundamental policy applies, which may be changed without shareholder approval:
Each state (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico), territory and possession of the United States, each political subdivision, agency, instrumentality and authority thereof, and each multi-state agency of which a state is a member is a separate "issuer." When the assets and revenues of an agency, authority, instrumentality or other political subdivision are separate from the government creating the subdivision and the security is backed only by assets and revenues of the subdivision, such subdivision would be deemed to be the sole issuer. Similarly, in the case of an Industrial Development Bond or Private Activity bond, if that bond is backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental user, then that non-governmental user would be deemed to be the sole issuer. However, if the creating government or another entity guarantees a security, then to the extent that the value of all securities issued or guaranteed by that government or entity and owned by the Fund exceeds 10% of the Fund's total assets, the guarantee would be considered a separate security and would be treated as issued by that government or entity. Securities issued or guaranteed by a bank or subject to financial guaranty insurance are not subject to the limitations set forth in the preceding sentence.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
THE INVESTMENT ADVISOR AND SUB-ADVISOR
AIM is the investment advisor for the Fund, and INVESCO Global Asset Management (N.A.), Inc. ("IGAM" or the "Sub-Advisor") is the sub-advisor. Prior to November 25, 2003, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO") served as the investment advisor and IGAM served as the sub-advisor. IGAM is an affiliate of INVESCO.
AIM, located at 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1173, was organized in 1976, and along with its subsidiaries, manages or advises over 200 investment portfolios, encompassing a broad range of investment objectives. AIM is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of A I M Management Group Inc. ("AIM Management"), a holding company that has been engaged in the financial services business since 1976.
IGAM, located at One Midtown Plaza, 1360 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, is responsible for the Fund's day-to-day management, including the fund's investment decisions and the execution of securities transactions with respect to the fund.
AIM, AIM Management, INVESCO and IGAM are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of AMVESCAP PLC, a publicly traded holding company. Through its subsidiaries, AMVESCAP PLC engages in the business of investment management on an international basis. AMVESCAP PLC is one of the largest independent investment management businesses in the world, with approximately $371 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2003.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
As investment advisor, AIM supervises all aspects of the Fund's operations and provides investment advisory services to the Fund. AIM obtains and evaluates economic, statistical and financial information to formulate and implement investment programs for the Fund. The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, in fulfilling its responsibilities, AIM may engage the services of other investment managers with respect to the Fund. The investment advisory services of AIM and the investment sub-advisory services of IGAM are not exclusive and AIM and IGAM are free to render investment advisory services to others, including other investment companies.
AIM is also responsible for furnishing to the Fund, at AIM's expense, the services of persons believed to be competent to perform all supervisory and administrative services required by the Fund, in the judgment of the trustees, to conduct their respective businesses effectively, as well as the offices, equipment and other facilities necessary for their operations. Such functions include the maintenance of the Fund's accounts and records, and the preparation of all requisite corporate documents such as tax returns and reports to the SEC and shareholders.
The Master Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will pay or cause to be paid all expenses of the Fund not assumed by AIM, including, without limitation: brokerage commissions, taxes, legal, auditing or governmental fees, custodian, transfer and shareholder service agent costs, expenses of issue, sale, redemption, and repurchase of shares, expenses of registering and qualifying shares for sale, expenses relating to trustees and shareholder meetings, the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the fees and other expenses incurred by the Trust on behalf of the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations, and the cost of printing copies of prospectuses and statements of additional information distributed to the Fund's shareholders.
Pursuant to its investment advisory agreement with the Trust, AIM receives a monthly fee from the Fund calculated at the following annual rates, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund during the year:
o 0.75% on the first $500 million of the Fund's average net assets;
o 0.65% on the next $500 million of the Fund's average net assets;
o 0.55% of the Fund's average net assets from $1 billion;
o 0.45% of the Fund's average net assets from $2 billion;
o 0.40% of the Fund's average net assets from $4 billion;
o 0.375% of the Fund's average net assets from $6 billion; and
o 0.35% of the Fund's average net assets from $8 billion.
The management fees payable by the Fund, the amounts waived by INVESCO and the net fees paid by the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 are as follows:
OCTOBER 31, 2003 MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT NET FEE FEE MANAGEMENT PAYABLE WAIVERS FEE PAID ---------- ---------- ---------- INVESCO International Core Equity Fund $ 346,653 $ 0 $ 346,653 |
Prior to November 25, 2003, INVESCO served as investment advisor to the Fund. During the periods ended October 31, 2002 and 2001, the Fund paid INVESCO advisory fees in the dollar amounts shown. If applicable, the advisory fees were offset by credits in the amounts shown below, so that the Fund's fees were not in excess of the expense limitations shown, which were voluntarily agreed to by the Trust and INVESCO. The fee is allocated daily to each class based on the relative proportion of net assets represented by such class.
Advisory Total Expense Total Expense INVESTOR CLASS Fee Dollars Reimbursements Limitations -------------- ----------- -------------- ------------- Year Ended October 31, 2002 $ 365,864 $ 0 2.00% Year Ended October 31, 2001 430,101 0 2.00% CLASS A Period Ended October 31, 20021 $ 1,548 $ 0 2.10%(2) |
CLASS B
Period Ended October 31, 20021 $ 275 $ 0 2.75% CLASS C Year Ended October 31, 2002 $ 7,859 $8,258 2.75% Year Ended October 31, 2001 6,549 2,248 2.75% |
(1) For the period April 1, 2002, commencement of operations, through October 31, 2002.
(2) 2.00% prior to August 1, 2002. Effective August 1, 2002, the Total Expense Limitation was changed to 2.10%.
AIM may from time to time waive or reduce its fee. Voluntary fee waivers or reductions may be rescinded at any time without further notice to investors. During periods of voluntary fee waivers or reductions, AIM will retain its ability to be reimbursed for such fee prior to the end of each fiscal year. Contractual fee waivers or reductions set forth in the Fee Table in a Prospectus may not be terminated or amended to the Fund's detriment during the period stated in the agreement between AIM and the Fund.
AIM has agreed to assume all voluntary and contractual fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements discussed above in the section entitled "The Investment Advisor" and in the Fund's Prospectus.
AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of advisory fees payable by the Fund. The amount of the waiver will equal 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the Affiliated Money Market Funds as a result of the Fund's investment of uninvested cash in an Affiliated Money Market Fund. Termination of this agreement requires approval by the Board of Trustees. See "INVESTMENTS, POLICIES, AND RISKS - Other Investment Company Securities."
AIM has contractually agreed through October 31, 2004 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and increases in expense offset arrangements, excluding directed brokerage (if any) for the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares to 2.10%, 2.68%, 2.75% and 2.25%, respectively.
SECURITIES LENDING ARRANGEMENTS. If a Fund engages in securities lending, AIM will provide the Fund investment advisory services and related administrative services. The advisory agreement describes the administrative services to be rendered by AIM if a Fund engages in securities lending activities, as well as the compensation AIM may receive for such
administrative services. Services to be provided include: (a) overseeing participation in the securities lending program to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and investment guidelines; (b) assisting the securities lending agent or principal (the "agent") in determining which specific securities are available for loan; (c) monitoring the agent to ensure that securities loans are effected in accordance with AIM's instructions and with procedures adopted by the Board; (d) preparing appropriate periodic reports for, and seeking appropriate approvals from, the Board with respect to securities lending activities; (e) responding to agent inquiries; and (f) performing such other duties as may be necessary.
AIM's compensation for advisory services rendered in connection with securities lending is included in the advisory fee schedule. As compensation for the related administrative services AIM will provide, a lending Fund will pay AIM a fee equal to 25% of the net monthly interest or fee income retained or paid to the Fund from such activities. AIM currently intends to waive such fee, and has agreed to seek Board approval prior to its receipt of all or a portion of such fee.
THE SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AIM has entered into a Master Sub-Advisory contract with IGAM to provide investment sub-advisory services to the Fund.
IGAM is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"). IGAM provides investment supervisory services on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases to pension and profit sharing plans, endowments and educational institutions, investment companies, insurance companies, and individuals and personal holding companies.
For the services to be rendered by IGAM under its Master Sub-Advisory Contract, the Advisor will pay to the Sub-Advisor a fee which will be computed daily and paid as of the last day of each month on the basis of the Fund's daily net asset value, using for each daily calculation the most recently determined net asset value of the Fund. On an annual basis, the sub-advisory fee is equal to 40% of the Advisor's compensation of the sub-advised assets per year.
BOARD APPROVAL OF ADVISORY AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS
Board Approval of Advisory Agreement with AIM
At the request of AIM, the Board discussed the approval of the advisory agreement at an in-person meeting held on August 12-13, 2003. The independent trustees also discussed the approval of the advisory agreement with independent counsel prior to that meeting. In
evaluating the advisory agreement, the Board requested and received information from AIM to assist in its deliberations.
The Board considered the following factors in determining reasonableness and fairness of the proposed changes between the then-current advisory agreement with INVESCO and the advisory agreement with AIM:
o The qualifications of AIM to provide investment advisory services. The Board reviewed the credentials and experience of the officers and employees of AIM who would provide investment advisory services to the Fund, and noted that the persons providing portfolio management services to the Fund would not change.
o The range of advisory services provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the services to be provided by AIM under the advisory agreement, and noted that no material changes in the level or type of services provided under the then-current advisory agreement with INVESCO would occur other than the provision by AIM of certain administrative services if the Fund engages in securities lending.
o Qualifications of AIM to provide a range of management and administrative services. The Board reviewed the general nature of the non-investment advisory services performed by AIM and its affiliates, such as administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and the fees received by AIM and its affiliates for performing such services. In addition to reviewing such services, the Board also considered the organizational structure employed by AIM and its affiliates to provide those services. The Board reviewed the proposed elimination from the proposed advisory agreement of the provision of administrative services to the Fund. The Board also reviewed the form of Master Administrative Services Agreement, noted that the overall services to be provided under the existing arrangements and under the Master Administrative Services Agreements are the same, and concluded that the overall accounting and administrative services to be provided by AIM would not change under the combination of the advisory agreement and the Master Administrative Services Agreement.
o The performance record of the Fund. The Board reviewed the Fund's performance record and determined that AIM has developed the expertise and resources for managing funds with an investment objective and strategies similar to those of the Fund and is able, therefore, to provide advisory and administrative services to the Fund.
o Advisory fees and expenses. The Board examined the expense ratio and the level of advisory fees for the Fund under the then-current advisory agreement and compared them with the advisory fees expected to be incurred under the advisory agreement. The Board concluded that the Fund's projected expense ratio and advisory fees under the advisory agreement were fair and reasonable in comparison with those of other similar funds (including similar funds advised by AIM) and in light of the investment management services to be provided by AIM under the advisory agreement. The advisory fees under the advisory agreement
are the same as the advisory fees paid to INVESCO under the then-current advisory agreement, other than the removal of the reimbursement obligation related to services provided to the Fund and AIM by officers and directors which is not currently applicable, and the provisions that permit AIM's receipt of fees for providing administrative services in connection with securities lending activities. Such fees would be paid only to the extent that the Fund engages in securities lending. The Board noted that AIM intends to waive its right to receive any fees under the investment advisory agreement for the administrative services it provides in connection with securities lending activities. The Board also noted that AIM has agreed to seek the Board's approval prior to its receipt of all or a portion of such fees.
o The profitability of AIM. The Board reviewed information concerning the profitability of AIM's (and its affiliates') investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition. The Board noted that, except as described above, no changes to the advisory fees were being proposed, other than to permit AIM's receipt of fees for providing services in connection with securities lending, and further noted that AIM intends to waive its right to receive any such fees and has agreed to seek the Board's approval prior to its receipt of all or a portion of such fees. The Board also noted that, in accordance with an exemptive order issued by the SEC, before the Fund may participate in a securities lending program, the Board must approve such participation. In addition, the Board must evaluate the securities lending arrangements annually and determine that it is in the best interests of the shareholders of the Fund to invest in AIM-advised money market funds any cash collateral the Fund receives as security for the borrower's obligation to return the loaned securities. If the Fund invests the cash collateral in AIM-advised money market funds, AIM will receive additional advisory fees from these money market funds, because the invested cash collateral will increase the assets of these funds and AIM receives advisory fees based upon the assets of these funds. The Board noted that the cash collateral relates to assets of the Fund that have already been invested, and the investment of the cash collateral is intended to benefit the Fund by providing it with additional income. The Board also noted that an investment of the cash collateral in an AIM-advised money market fund would have a positive effect on the profitability of AIM.
o The terms of the advisory agreement. The Board reviewed the terms of the advisory agreement, including changes being made to clarify or expand non-exclusivity, delegation and liability provisions, to separate administrative services from advisory services and to have AIM assist the Fund if it engages in securities lending. The Board determined that these changes reflect the current environment in which the Fund operates, and that AIM should have the flexibility to operate in that environment.
After considering the above factors, the Board concluded that it is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to approve the advisory agreement between the Trust and AIM for the Fund. In so doing, they were advised by independent counsel, retained by the independent
trustees and paid for by Trust, as to the nature of the matters to be considered and the standards to be used in reaching their decision.
The advisory agreement will expire, unless renewed, on or before June 30, 2004.
Board Approval of Sub-Advisory Agreement with AIM and IGAM.
At the request of AIM and IGAM, the Board discussed the approval of the sub-advisory agreement at an in-person meeting held on August 12-13, 2003. The independent trustees also discussed the approval of the sub-advisory agreement with independent counsel prior to that meeting. In evaluating the sub-advisory agreement, the Board requested and received information from AIM and IGAM to assist in its deliberations.
The Board considered the following factors in determining the reasonableness and fairness of the sub-advisory agreement between AIM and IGAM:
o The range of sub-advisory services provided by IGAM. The Board reviewed the services to be provided by IGAM under the sub-advisory agreement, and noted that the level and type of investment advisory services under the sub-advisory agreement would be comparable to those provided by IGAM under Trust's then-current sub-advisory agreement with IGAM.
o The fees payable to IGAM for its services. The Board noted that IGAM will receive compensation based on that portion of the assets of the Fund that it manages (the sub-advised assets). In addition, the fees paid would be a percentage of the advisory fees that AIM receives on the sub-advised assets. The Board noted that these fees had been agreed to by AIM and IGAM, as well as by AMVESCAP, the indirect parent of AIM and IGAM. The Board also noted that the changes to the compensation to IGAM would have no effect on the Fund, since the fees are payable by AIM.
o The performance record of the Fund. The Board reviewed the performance record of the Fund and noted that the same portfolio management team would provide investment advisory services to the Fund under the sub-advisory agreement. The Board determined that such portfolio management team had provided satisfactory services with respect to the Fund, after considering performance information that it received during the past year from IGAM.
o The profitability of IGAM. The Board considered information concerning the profitability of IGAM's (and its affiliates') investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition. The Board noted that IGAM would receive an annual fee equal to a percentage of AIM's compensation on the sub-advised assets. The Board noted that the sub-advisory fees are less than the advisory fees currently received by IGAM under the then-current sub-advisory agreement, but that IGAM assured the Board that such reduction would not affect the nature or quality of the services provided by it to the Fund.
o The terms of the sub-advisory agreement. The Board reviewed the terms of the sub-advisory agreement, including the changes discussed above. The Board determined that these changes reflect the current environment in which the Fund operates, and that IGAM should have the flexibility to operate in that environment.
After considering the above factors, the Board concluded that it is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to approve the sub-advisory agreement between AIM and IGAM for the Fund. In so doing, they were advised by independent counsel, retained by the independent trustees and paid for by Trust, as to the nature of the matters to be considered and the standards to be used in reaching their decision.
The sub-advisory agreement will expire, unless renewed, on or before June 30, 2004.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
AIM and the Trust have entered into a Master Administrative Services Agreement pursuant to which AIM may perform or arrange for the provision of certain accounting and other administrative services to the Fund which are not required to be performed by AIM under the advisory agreement. The Master Administrative Services Agreement provides that it will remain in effect and continue from year to year only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Trust's Board of Trustees, including the independent trustees, by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. Under the Master Administrative Services Agreement, AIM is entitled to receive from the Fund reimbursement of its costs or such reasonable compensation as may be approved by the Board of Trustees. Currently, AIM is reimbursed for the services of the Trust's principal financial officer and her staff, and any expenses related to fund accounting services.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEES
INVESCO delegated its duties as administrator to the Fund to AIM pursuant to an agreement dated August 12, 2003.
Administrative services fees paid to INVESCO or AIM (beginning August 1, 2003) by the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 were $30,799.
During the periods ended October 31, 2002 and 2001, the Fund paid the following fees to INVESCO, if applicable, prior to the voluntary absorption of the Fund expenses by INVESCO (and IGAM, where applicable). The fees are allocated daily to each class based on the relative proportion of net assets represented by such class. To limit expenses, INVESCO had contractually obligated itself to waive fees and bear expenses that would cause the ratio of expenses to average net assets to exceed 2.10% for Class A shares, and 2.75% for each of Class B and Class C shares. The Advisor is entitled to reimbursement by a class of any fees waived pursuant to this arrangement if such reimbursement does not cause the class to exceed the current expense limitations and the reimbursement is made within three years after INVESCO incurred the expense.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES -------------- INVESTOR CLASS Year Ended October 31, 2002 $ 31,690 Year Ended October 31, 2001 35,655 CLASS A Period Ended October 31, 2002(1) $ 137 CLASS B Period Ended October 31, 2002(1) $ 24 CLASS C Year Ended October 31, 2002 $ 682 Year Ended October 31, 2001 544 |
(1) For the period April 1, 2002, commencement of operations, through October 31, 2002.
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AIS"), 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77046, is the Trust's transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, and registrar for the Fund. Prior to October 1, 2003, INVESCO served as transfer agent to the Fund.
The Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and AIS provides that AIS will perform certain shareholder services for the Fund. The Transfer Agency and Service Agreement provides that the Fund pays the transfer agent an annual fee of $22.50 per shareholder account, or, where applicable, per participant in an omnibus account. This fee is paid monthly at the rate of 1/12 of the annual fee and is based upon the actual number of shareholder accounts and omnibus account participants in the Fund at any time during each month.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The overall management of the business and affairs of the Fund and the Trust is vested in the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees approves all significant agreements between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and persons or companies furnishing services to the Fund. The day-to-day operations of the Fund are delegated to the officers of the Trust and to AIM, subject always to the objective(s), restrictions and policies of the Fund and to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are affiliated with AIM and AIM Management, the parent corporation of AIM. All of the Trust's executive officers hold similar offices with some or all of the other AIM Funds.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
The trustees and officers of the Trust, their principal occupations during the last five years and certain other information concerning them are set forth in Appendix B.
The standing committees of the Board of Trustees are the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Investments Committee, the Valuation Committee and the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues.
The members of the Audit Committee are Bob R. Baker, James T. Bunch, Edward K. Dunn, Jr. (Chair), Lewis F. Pennock, Dr. Larry Soll, Dr. Prema Mathai-Davis and Ruth H. Quigley (Vice Chair). The Audit Committee is responsible for:
(i) the appointment, compensation and oversight of any independent auditors employed by the Fund (including monitoring the independence, qualifications and performance of such auditors and resolution of disagreements between the Fund's management and the auditors regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services; (ii) overseeing the financial reporting process of the Fund; (iii) monitoring the process and the resulting financial statements prepared by management to promote accuracy and integrity of the financial statements and asset valuation; (iv) to assist the Board's oversight of the Fund's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Fund's accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (v) to the extent required by Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to pre-approve all permissible non-audit services that are provided to the Fund by its independent auditors; (vi) to pre-approve, in accordance with Item 2.01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X, certain non-audit services provided by the Fund's independent auditors to the Fund's investment advisor and certain other affiliated entities; and (vii) to the extent required by Regulation 14A, to prepare an audit committee report for inclusion in the Fund's annual proxy statement. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Audit Committee held seven meetings.
The members of the Governance Committee are Frank S. Bayley, Bruce L. Crockett
(Chair), Albert R. Dowden, Jack M. Fields (Vice Chair), Gerald J. Lewis and
Louis S. Sklar. The Governance Committee is responsible for: (i) nominating
persons who are not interested persons of the Trust for election or appointment:
(a) as additions to the Board, (b) to fill vacancies which, from time to time,
may occur in the Board and (c) for election by shareholders of the Trust at
meetings called for the election of trustees; (ii) nominating persons for
appointment as members of each committee of the Board, including, without
limitation, the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Investments
Committee and the Valuation Committee, and to nominate persons for appointment
as chair and vice chair of each such committee; (iii) reviewing from time to
time the compensation payable to the trustees and making recommendations to the
Board regarding compensation; (iv) reviewing and evaluating from time to time
the functioning of the Board and the various committees of the Board; (v)
selecting independent legal counsel to the independent trustees and approving
the compensation paid to independent legal counsel; and (vi) approving the
compensation paid to independent counsel and other advisers, if any, to the
Audit Committee of the Trust.
The Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by a shareholder to serve as trustees, provided: (i) that such person is a shareholder of record at the time he or she submits such names and is entitled to vote at the meeting of shareholders at which trustees will be elected; and (ii) that the Governance Committee or the Board, as applicable, shall make the final determination of persons to be nominated. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Governance Committee held five meetings.
Notice procedures set forth in the Trust's bylaws require that any shareholder of a Fund desiring to nominate a trustee for election at a shareholder meeting must submit to the Trust's Secretary the nomination in writing not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such shareholder meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is made of the shareholder meeting and not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the shareholder meeting.
The members of the Investments Committee are Messrs. Baker, Bayley, Bunch, Crockett, Dowden (Chair), Dunn, Fields, Lewis, Pennock, Sklar and Soll, and Carl Frischling, and Dr. Mathai-Davis (Vice Chair) and Miss Quigley. The Investments Committee is responsible for: (i) overseeing AIM's investment-related compliance systems and procedures to ensure their continued adequacy; and (ii) considering and acting, on an interim basis between meetings of the full Board, on investment-related matters requiring Board consideration. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Investments Committee held four meetings.
The members of the Valuation Committee are Messrs. Dunn and Pennock (Chair), and Miss Quigley. The Valuation Committee meets on an ad hoc basis to review matters related to valuation. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Valuation Committee held one meeting.
The members of the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues are Messrs. Crockett, Dowden, Dunn and Lewis (Chair). The purpose of the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues is to remain informed on matters relating to alleged excessive short term trading in shares of the Fund ("market timing") and to provide guidance to special counsel for the independent trustees on market timing issues and related matters between meetings of the independent trustees. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues did not meet.
Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares
The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee (i) in the Fund's and (ii) on an aggregate basis, in all registered investment companies overseen by the trustee within the AIM and INVESCO Funds complex is set forth in Appendix B.
COMPENSATION
Each trustee who is not affiliated with AIM is compensated for his or her services according to a fee schedule which recognizes the fact that such trustee also serves as a trustee of other AIM Funds. Each such trustee receives a fee, allocated among the AIM Funds for which he or she serves as a trustee, which consists of an annual retainer component and a meeting fee component.
Information regarding compensation paid or accrued for each trustee of the Trust who was not affiliated with AIM or INVESCO during the year ended December 31, 2003 is found in Appendix C.
RETIREMENT PLAN FOR TRUSTEES
The trustees have adopted a retirement plan for the trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with AIM. The retirement plan includes a retirement policy as well as retirement benefits for the non-AIM-affiliated trustees.
The retirement policy permits each non-AIM-affiliated trustee to serve until December 31 of the year in which the trustee turns 72. A majority of the trustees may extend from time to time the retirement date of a trustee.
Annual retirement benefits are available to each non-AIM-affiliated trustee of
the Trust and/or the other AIM or INVESCO Funds (each, a "Covered Fund") who has
at least five years of credited service as a trustee (including service to a
predecessor fund) for a Covered Fund. The retirement benefits will equal 75% of
the trustee's annual retainer paid or accrued by any Covered Fund to such
trustee during the twelve-month period prior to retirement, including the amount
of any retainer deferred under a separate deferred compensation agreement
between the Covered Fund and the trustee. The annual retirement benefits are
payable in quarterly installments for a number of years equal to the lesser of
(i) ten or (ii) the number of such trustee's credited years of service. A death
benefit is also available under the plan that provides a surviving spouse with a
quarterly installment of 50% of a deceased trustee's retirement benefits for the
same length of time that the trustee would have received based on his or her
service. A trustee must have attained the age of 65 (55 in the event of death or
disability) to receive any retirement benefit.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS
Messrs. Dunn, Fields, Frischling and Sklar and Dr. Mathai-Davis (for purposes of this paragraph only, the "Deferring Trustees") have each executed a Deferred Compensation Agreement (collectively, the "Compensation Agreements"). Pursuant to the Compensation Agreements, the Deferring Trustees have the option to elect to defer receipt of up to 100% of their compensation payable by the Trust, and such amounts are placed into a deferral account. Currently, the Deferring Trustees have the option to select various AIM Funds or INVESCO Funds in which all or part of their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested. Distributions from the Deferring Trustees' deferral accounts will be paid in cash, generally in equal quarterly installments over a period of up to ten (10) years (depending on the Compensation Agreement) beginning on the date selected under the Compensation Agreement. The Trust's Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, may accelerate or extend the distribution of such deferral accounts after the Deferring Trustee's retirement benefits commence under the Plan. The Board, in its sole discretion, also may accelerate or extend the distribution of such deferral accounts after the Deferring Trustee's termination of service as a director of the Trust. If a Deferring Trustee dies prior to the distribution of amounts in his or her deferral account, the balance of the deferral account will be distributed to his or her designated beneficiary. The Compensation Agreements are not funded and, with respect to the payments of amounts held in the deferral accounts, the Deferring Trustees have the status of unsecured creditors of the Trust and of each other AIM Fund or INVESCO Fund from which they are deferring compensation.
Purchases of Class A Shares of the Funds at Net Asset Value
The trustees and other affiliated persons of the Trust may purchase Class A shares of the AIM and/or INVESCO Funds without paying an initial sales charge. A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors") permits such purchases because there is a reduced sales effort involving in sales to such purchasers, thereby resulting in relatively low expenses of distribution.
CODES OF ETHICS
AIM, the Trust and AIM Distributors have each adopted a Code of Ethics governing, as applicable, personal trading activities of all directors/trustees, officers of the Trust, persons who, in connection with their regular functions, play a role in the recommendation of any purchase or sale of a security by the Fund or obtain information pertaining to such purchase or sale, and certain other employees. The Codes of Ethics are intended to prohibit conflicts of interest with the Trust that may arise from personal trading. Personal trading, including personal trading involving securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, is permitted by persons covered under the relevant Codes subject to certain restrictions; however those persons are generally required to pre-clear all security transactions with the Compliance Officer or his designee and to report all transactions on a regular basis.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to IGAM. The investment sub-advisor will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which have been reviewed by the Board of Trustees, and which are found in Appendix D.
Any material changes to the proxy policies and procedures will be submitted to the Board of Trustees of the Trust for approval. The Board of Trustees will be supplied with a summary quarterly report of the Fund's proxy voting record.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Information about the ownership of each class of the Funds' shares by beneficial or record owners of the Funds and by trustees and officers as a group is found in Appendix E. A shareholder who owns beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund is presumed to "control" that Fund.
DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES
DISTRIBUTOR
The Trust has entered into master distribution agreements, as amended, relating to the Fund (the "Distribution Agreements") with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors"), a registered broker-dealer and a wholly owned subsidiary of AIM, pursuant to which AIM Distributors acts as the distributor of the shares of the Fund. AIM Distributors became the distributor of the Fund effective July 1, 2003. The address of AIM Distributors is P.O. Box 4739, Houston, Texas 77210-4739. Certain trustees and offices of the Trust are affiliated with AIM Distributors.
AIM Distributors bears all expenses, including the cost of printing and distributing prospectuses, incident to marketing of the Fund's shares, except for such distribution expenses as are paid out of Fund assets under the Trust's Plans of Distribution (each individually a "Plan" and collectively, the "Plans"), which have been adopted by the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Prior to July 1, 2003, INVESCO Distributors, Inc. ("IDI") was the distributor of the Fund.
The Distribution Agreements provide AIM Distributors with the exclusive right to distribute shares of the Fund on a continuous basis directly and through other broker-dealers with whom AIM Distributors has entered into selected dealer agreements. AIM Distributors has not undertaken to sell any specified number of shares of any class of the Fund.
INVESTOR CLASS. The Trust has adopted an Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan - Investor Class (the "Investor Class Plan") with respect to Investor Class shares, which provides that the Investor Class shares of the Fund will make monthly payments to AIM Distributors computed at an annual rate no greater than 0.25% of average net assets attributable to Investor Class shares. These payments permit AIM Distributors, at its discretion, to engage in certain activities and provide services in connection with the distribution of the Fund's Investor Class shares to investors. Payments by the Fund under the Investor Class Plan, for any month, may be made to compensate AIM Distributors for permissible activities engaged in and services provided.
CLASS A. The Trust has adopted an Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan
- Class A pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to the Class A
shares of the Fund (the "Class A Plan"). Under the Class A Plan, Class A shares
of the Fund pay compensation to AIM Distributors at an annual rate of 0.35% per
annum of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for the
purpose of financing any activity which is primarily intended to result in the
sale of Class A shares. During any period in which the Fund is closed due to
high asset levels, the Class A shares of the Fund will reduce this payment of
0.35% to 0.25% per annum.
The Class A Plan is designed to compensate AIM Distributors, on a monthly basis, for certain promotional and other sales-related costs, and to implement a financial intermediary incentive program which provides for periodic payments to financial intermediaries that have entered into service agreements and furnish continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own Class A shares of the Fund. The service fees payable to selected financial intermediaries are calculated at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of those Fund shares that are held in such financial intermediaries' customers' accounts.
Of the aggregate amount payable under the Class A Plan, payments to financial intermediaries that provide continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own Class A shares of the Fund, in amounts up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares of the Fund attributable to the customers of such financial intermediaries, are
characterized as service fees. Payments to financial intermediaries in excess of such amount and payments to AIM Distributors would be characterized as an asset-based sales charge pursuant to the Class A Plan. The Class A Plan also imposes a cap on the total amount of sales charges, including asset-based sales charges, that may be paid by the Trust with respect to the Class A shares of the Fund.
CLASS B. The Trust has adopted an Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan
- Class B pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to Class B shares
of the Fund (the "Class B Plan"). Under the Class B Plan, Class B shares of the
Fund pays compensation monthly to AIM Distributors at an annual rate of 1.00%
per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares for the
purpose of financing any activity which is primarily intended to result in the
sale of Class B shares. Of such amount, the Fund pays a service fee of 0.25% of
the average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares to selected
financial intermediaries that have entered into service agreements with respect
to Class B shares of the Fund and that provide continuing personal shareholder
services to its customers who purchase and own Class B shares. Any amounts not
paid as a service fee would constitute an asset-based sales charge pursuant to
the Class B Plan. The portion of the payments to AIM Distributors under the
Class B plan which constitutes an asset-based sales charge (0.75%) is intended
in part to permit AIM Distributors to recoup a portion of such sales commissions
plus financing costs. The Class B Plan also imposes a cap on the total amount of
sales charges, including asset-based sales charges, that may be paid by the
Trust with respect to the Class B shares of the Fund.
The Class B Plan may obligate the Class B shares to continue to make payments to AIM Distributors following termination of the Class B Plan with respect to Class B shares sold by or attributable to the distribution efforts of AIM Distributors unless there has been a complete termination of the Class B Plan (as defined in such Plan). Additionally, the Class B Plan expressly authorizes AIM Distributors to assign, transfer, or pledge its rights to payments pursuant to the Class B Plan. As a result, the contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class B shares will continue to be applicable even in the event of a complete termination of the Class B Plan (as defined in such Plan).
CLASS C. The Trust has adopted an Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan
- Class C pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to the Class C
shares of the Fund (the "Class C Plan"). Under the Class C Plan, Class C shares
of the Fund pays compensation monthly to AIM Distributors at an annual rate of
1.00% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares
for the purpose of financing any activity which is primarily intended to result
in the sale of Class C shares. The Class C Plan is designed to compensate AIM
Distributors for certain promotional and other sales-related costs, and to
implement a financial intermediary incentive program which provides for periodic
payments to selected financial intermediaries that have entered onto service
agreements and furnish continuing personal shareholder services to their
customers who purchase and own Class C shares of the Fund.
Of the aggregate amount payable under the Class C Plan, payments to financial intermediaries that provide continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own Class C shares of the Fund, in amounts of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares of the Fund attributable to the customers of such financial intermediaries, are characterized as a service fee. Payments to financial intermediaries in excess of such amount and payments to AIM Distributors would be characterized as an asset-based sales charge pursuant to the Class C Plan. The Class C Plan also imposes a cap on the total amount of sales charges, including asset-based sales charges, that may be paid by the Trust with respect to the Class C shares.
AIM Distributors may pay sales commissions to financial intermediaries that sell Class C shares of the Fund at the time of such sales. Payments with respect to Class C shares will equal 1.00% of the purchase price of the Class C shares sold or serviced by the financial intermediary, and will consist of an asset-based sales charge of 0.75% of the purchase price of Class C shares sold plus an advance of the first year service fee of 0.25% with respect to such shares. AIM Distributors will retain all payments received by it relating to Class C shares for the first twelve months after they are purchased. The portion of the payments to AIM Distributors under the Class C Plan which constitutes an asset-based sales charge (0.75%) is intended in part to permit AIM Distributors to recoup a portion of on-going sales commissions to financial intermediaries plus financing costs, if any. After the first twelve months, AIM Distributors will make such payments quarterly to financial intermediaries based on the average net asset value of Class C shares which are attributable to shareholders for whom the financial intermediaries are designated as dealers of record. These commissions are not paid on sales to investors who may not be subject to payment of the CDSC and in circumstances where AIM Distributors grants an exemption on particular transactions. Should the financial intermediary elect to waive the asset-based sales charge, the 12b-1 fees will begin to be paid by AIM Distributors to the financial intermediary immediately.
CLASS R. The Trust has adopted an Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan
- Class R pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to Class R shares
of the Fund (the "Class R Plan"). Under the Class R Plan, Class R shares of the
Fund pay compensation monthly to AIM Distributors at an annual rate of 0.50% of
average net assets attributable to Class R shares for the purpose of financing
any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of Class R
shares. The Class R Plan is designed to compensate AIM Distributors for certain
promotional and other sales-related costs, and to implement a financial
intermediary incentive program which provides for periodic payments to selected
financial intermediaries that have entered into service agreements and furnish
continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own
Class R shares of the Fund.
Of the aggregate amount payable under the Class R Plan, payments to financial intermediaries that provide continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own Class R shares of the Fund may be characterized as a service fee.
ALL PLANS. Activities appropriate for financing under the Plans include, but are not limited to, the following: printing of prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports for other than existing shareholders; preparation and distribution of advertising material and sales literature; expenses of organizing and conducting sales seminars; and supplemental payments to financial intermediaries such as asset-based sales charges or as payments of service fees under shareholder service arrangements.
A significant expenditure under the Plans is compensation paid to financial intermediaries, which may include AIM-affiliated companies, in order to obtain various distribution-related and/or administrative services for the Fund. The Fund is authorized by a Plan to use its assets to finance the payments made to obtain those services from selected financial intermediaries which may enter into agreements with AIM Distributors. Payments will be made by AIM Distributors to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund and may be made to banks, savings and loan associations, and other depository institutions ("Banks"). Although the Glass-Steagall Act limits the ability of certain Banks to act as underwriters of mutual fund shares, the Advisor does not believe that these limitations would affect the ability of such Banks to enter into arrangements with AIM Distributors, but can give no assurance in this regard. However, to the extent it is determined otherwise in the future, arrangements with Banks might have to be modified or terminated, and, in that case, the size of the Fund possibly could decrease to the extent that the Banks would no longer invest customer assets in the Fund. Neither the Trust nor its investment advisor will give any preference to Banks which enter into such arrangements when selecting investments to be made by the Fund.
AIM Distributors currently is the distributor of the Fund. Prior to July 1, 2003, IDI was the distributor of the Fund. The Fund made payments to IDI or AIM Distributors (beginning July 1, 2003), under the Investor Class, Class A, Class B and Class C Plans during the fiscal year or period ended October 31, 2003 in the following amounts:
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R(1) IDI $ 65,986 $ 5,828 $ 1,587 $13,222 $ N/A AIM Distributors 36,598 3,740 1,542 8,078 N/A |
(1) Class R shares commenced operations on November 24, 2003.
For the fiscal year or period ended October 31, 2003, allocation of 12b-1 amounts paid by the Fund for the following categories of expenses were:
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R(1) Advertising $ 36,621 $ 788 $ 0 $ 1,205 $ NA Printing and Mailing $ 8,039 $ 117 $ 0 $ 203 $ NA Seminars $ 0 $ 398 $ 137 $ 846 $ NA Underwriters Compensation $ 0 $ 0 $ 2,347 $11,838 $ NA Compensation to Dealers $ 57,924 $ 8,265 $ 645 $ 7,308 $ NA |
(1) Class R shares commenced operations on November 24, 2003.
The services which are provided by financial intermediaries may vary by financial intermediary but include, among other things, processing new shareholder account applications, preparing and transmitting to the Trust's Transfer Agent computer-processable data files of all Fund transactions by customers, serving as the primary source of information to customers in answering questions concerning the Fund, and assisting in other customer transactions with the Fund.
The Plans provide that they shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund as long as such continuance is approved at least annually by the vote of the Board of Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance, including the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees. A Plan can be terminated at any time by the Fund, without penalty, if a majority of the Independent Trustees, or shareholders of the relevant class of shares of the Fund, vote to terminate a Plan. Unless a complete termination of the Class B Plan (as defined in such Plan) occurs, Class B shares will continue to make payments to AIM Distributors with respect to Class B shares sold by or attributable to the distribution efforts of AIM Distributors or its predecessor. The Trust may, in its absolute discretion, suspend, discontinue, or limit the offering of its shares at any time. In determining whether any such action should be taken, the board of trustees intends to consider all relevant factors including, without limitation, the size of the Fund, the investment climate for the Fund, general market conditions, and the volume of sales and redemptions of the Fund's shares. The
Plans may continue in effect and payments may be made under a Plan following any temporary suspension or limitation of the offering of Fund shares; however, the Trust is not contractually obligated to continue a Plan for any particular period of time. Suspension of the offering of the Fund's shares would not, of course, affect a shareholder's ability to redeem his or her shares.
So long as the Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of persons to serve as Independent Trustees of the Trust shall be committed to the Independent Trustees then in office at the time of such selection or nomination. The Plans may not be amended to increase the amount of the Fund's payments under a Plan without approval of the shareholders of the Fund's respective class of shares, and all material amendments to a Plan must be approved by the board of trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. Under the agreement implementing the Plans, AIM Distributors or the Fund, the latter by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or a majority of the holders of the relevant class of the Fund's outstanding voting securities, may terminate such agreement without penalty upon thirty days' written notice to the other party. No further payments will be made by the Fund under a Plan in the event of its termination.
To the extent that a Plan constitutes a plan of distribution adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, it shall remain in effect as such, so as to authorize the use of Fund assets in the amounts and for the purposes set forth therein, notwithstanding the occurrence of an assignment, as defined by the 1940 Act, and rules thereunder. To the extent it constitutes an agreement pursuant to a plan, the Fund's obligation to make payments to AIM Distributors shall terminate automatically, in the event of such "assignment." In this event, the Fund may continue to make payments pursuant to a Plan only upon the approval of new arrangements regarding the use of the amounts authorized to be paid by the Fund under a Plan. Such new arrangements must be approved by the trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. These new arrangements might or might not be with AIM Distributors. On a quarterly basis, the trustees review information about the distribution services that have been provided to the Fund and the 12b-1 fees paid for such services. On an annual basis, the trustees consider whether a Plan should be continued and, if so, whether any amendment to the Plan, including changes in the amount of 12b-1 fees paid by each class of the Fund, should be made.
The only trustees and interested persons, as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, who have a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans are the officers and trustees of the Trust who are also officers either of AIM Distributors or other companies affiliated with AIM Distributors. The benefits which the Trust believes will be reasonably likely to flow to the Fund and its shareholders under the Plans include the following:
o Enhanced marketing efforts, if successful, should result in an increase in net assets through the sale of additional shares and afford greater resources with which to pursue the investment objective of the Fund;
o The sale of additional shares reduces the likelihood that redemption of shares will require the liquidation of securities of the Fund in amounts and at times that are disadvantageous for investment purposes; and
o Increased Fund assets may result in reducing each investor's share of certain expenses through economies of scale (e.g. exceeding established breakpoints in an advisory fee schedule and allocating fixed expenses over a larger asset base), thereby partially offsetting the costs of a Plan.
The positive effect which increased Fund assets will have on the Advisor's revenues could allow the Advisor and its affiliated companies:
o To have greater resources to make the financial commitments necessary to improve the quality and level of the Fund's shareholder services (in both systems and personnel);
o To increase the number and type of mutual funds available to investors from the Advisor and its affiliated companies (and support them in their infancy), and thereby expand the investment choices available to all shareholders; and
o To acquire and retain talented employees who desire to be associated with a growing organization.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Purchases of Class A Shares
INITIAL SALES CHARGES. Each AIM and INVESCO Fund (other than AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund and AIM Money Market Fund) is grouped into one of three categories to determine the applicable initial sales charge for its Class A Shares. Each INVESCO Fund is considered a Category I Fund. The sales charge is used to compensate AIM Distributors and participating dealers for their expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of the Funds' shares. You may also be charged a transaction or other fee by the financial institution managing your account.
Dealer Investor's Sales Charge Concession As a As a As a Percentage Percentage Percentage of the Public of the Net of the Public Amount of Investment in Offering Amount Offering Single Transaction Price Invested Price --------------------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- Less than $ 25,000 5.50% 5.82% 4.75% $ 25,000 but less than $ 50,000 5.25 5.54 4.50 $ 50,000 but less than $ 100,000 4.75 4.99 4.00 $100,000 but less than $ 250,000 3.75 3.90 3.00 $250,000 but less than $ 500,000 3.00 3.09 2.50 $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 1.60 |
LARGE PURCHASES OF CLASS A SHARES. Investors who purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A Shares of a Category I, II or III Fund do not pay an initial sales charge. In addition, investors who currently own Class A shares of Category I, II, or III Funds and make additional purchases that result in account balances of $1,000,000 or more do not pay an initial sales charge on the additional purchases. The additional purchases, as well as initial purchases of $1,000,000 or more, are referred to as Large Purchases. If an investor makes a Large Purchase of Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund, however, each share issued will generally be subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") if the investor redeems those shares within 18 months after purchase. Large Purchases of Class A shares of Category III Funds made on or after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002 will be subject to a 0.25% CDSC if the investor redeems those shares within 12 months after purchase.
AIM Distributors may pay a dealer concession and/or advance a service fee on Large Purchases, as set forth below. Exchanges between the AIM or INVESCO Funds may affect total compensation paid.
AIM Distributors may make the following payments to dealers of record
for Large Purchases of Class A shares of Category I or II Funds, by investors
other than: (i) retirement plans that are maintained pursuant to Sections 401
and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and (ii)
retirement plans that are maintained pursuant to Section 403 of the Code if the
employer or plan sponsor is a tax-exempt organization operated pursuant to
Section 501(c)(3) of the Code.
PERCENT OF PURCHASE
1% of the first $2 million plus 0.80% of the next $1 million plus 0.50% of the next $17 million plus 0.25% of amounts in excess of $20 million |
If (i) the amount of any single purchase order plus (ii) the net asset value of all other shares owned by the same customer submitting the purchase order on the day on which the purchase order is received equals or exceeds $1,000,000, the purchase will be considered a "jumbo accumulation purchase." With regard to any individual jumbo accumulation purchase, AIM Distributors may make payment to the dealer of record based on the cumulative total of jumbo accumulation purchases made by the same customer over the life of his or her account(s).
If an investor made a Large Purchase of Class A shares of a Category III Fund on and after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002 and exchanges those shares for Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund, AIM Distributors will pay an additional dealer concession of 0.75% upon exchange.
If an investor makes a Large Purchase of Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund on and after November 15, 2001 and exchanges those shares for Class A shares of a Category III Fund, AIM Distributors will not pay any additional dealer compensation upon the exchange. Beginning February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of a Category III Fund.
If an investor makes a Large Purchase of Class A3 shares of a Category III Fund on and after October 31, 2002 and exchanges those shares for Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund, AIM Distributors will pay 1.00% of such purchase as dealer compensation upon the exchange. The Class A shares of the Category I or II Fund received in exchange generally will be subject to a 1.00% CDSC if the investor redeems such shares within 18 months from the date of exchange.
If an investor makes a Large Purchase of Class A shares of a Category III Fund and exchanges those shares for Class A shares of another Category III Fund, AIM Distributors will not pay any additional dealer concession upon the exchange. Beginning February 17, 2003, Class A shares of a Category III Fund may not be exchanged for Class A shares of another Category III Fund.
PURCHASES OF CLASS A SHARES BY CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS AT NAV. For purchases of Class A shares of Category I and II Funds, AIM Distributors may make the following payments to investment dealers or other financial service firms for sales of such shares at net asset value
("NAV") to certain retirement plans provided that the applicable dealer of record is able to establish that the retirement plan's purchase of Class A shares is a new investment (as defined below):
PERCENT OF PURCHASE
0.50% of the first $20 million plus 0.25% of amounts in excess of $20 million |
This payment schedule will be applicable to purchases of Class A shares at NAV by the following types of retirement plans: (i) all plans maintained pursuant to Sections 401 and 457 of the Code, and (ii) plans maintained pursuant to Section 403 of the Code if the employer or plan sponsor is a tax-exempt organization operated pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Code.
A "new investment" means a purchase paid for with money that does not represent (i) the proceeds of one or more redemptions of AIM or INVESCO Fund shares, (ii) an exchange of AIM or INVESCO Fund shares, or (iii) the repayment of one or more retirement plan loans that were funded through the redemption of AIM or INVESCO Fund shares. If AIM Distributors pays a dealer concession in connection with a plan's purchase of Class A shares at NAV, such shares may be subject to a CDSC of 1.00% of net assets for 12 months, commencing on the date the plan first invests in Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO Fund. The trail commission will be paid out beginning in the 13th month. If no additional fee is paid to financial intermediaries, the trail commission will begin to accrue immediately. If the applicable dealer of record is unable to establish that a plan's purchase of Class A shares at NAV is a new investment, AIM Distributors will not pay a dealer concession in connection with such purchase and such shares will not be subject to a CDSC.
With regard to any individual jumbo accumulation purchase, AIM Distributors may make payment to the dealer of record based on the cumulative total of jumbo accumulation purchases made by the same plan over the life of the plan's account(s).
PURCHASERS QUALIFYING FOR REDUCTIONS IN INITIAL SALES CHARGES. As shown in the tables above, purchases of certain amounts of AIM or INVESCO Fund shares may reduce the initial sales charges. These reductions are available to purchasers that meet the qualifications listed below. We will refer to purchasers that meet these qualifications as "Qualified Purchasers."
INDIVIDUALS
o an individual (including his or her spouse or domestic partner, and children);
o any trust established exclusively for the benefit of an individual;
o a retirement plan established exclusively for the benefit of an individual, specifically including, but not limited to, a Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Solo 401(k), Keogh plan, or a tax-sheltered 403(b)(7) custodial account; and
o a qualified tuition plan account, maintained pursuant to
Section 529 of the Code, or a Coverdell Education Savings
Account, maintained pursuant to Section 530 of the Code (in
either case, the account must be established by an individual
or have an individual named as the beneficiary thereof).
EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS
o a retirement plan maintained pursuant to Sections 401, 403 (only if the employer or plan sponsor is a tax-exempt organization operated pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Code), 408 (includes SEP, SARSEP and SIMPLE IRA plans) or 457 of the Code, if:
a. the employer or plan sponsor submits all contributions for all participating employees in a single contribution transmittal (the AIM or INVESCO Funds will not accept separate contributions submitted with respect to individual participants);
b. each transmittal is accompanied by a single check or wire transfer; and
c. the AIM or INVESCO Funds are expected to carry separate
accounts in the names of each of the plan participants,
(i) the employer or plan sponsor notifies AIM Distributors
in writing that the separate accounts of all plan
participants should be linked, and (ii) all new
participant accounts are established by submitting an
appropriate Account Application on behalf of each new
participant with the contribution transmittal.
TRUSTEES AND FIDUCIARIES
o a trustee or fiduciary purchasing for a single trust, estate or fiduciary account.
OTHER GROUPS
o any organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not, purchasing AIM or INVESCO Fund shares through a single account, provided that:
a. the organization has been in existence for at least six months; and
b. the organization has some purpose other than the purchase at a discount of redeemable securities of a registered investment company.
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR REDUCTIONS IN INITIAL SALES CHARGES. The following sections discuss different ways that a Qualified Purchaser can qualify for a reduction in the initial sales charges for purchases of Class A shares of the AIM or INVESCO Funds.
LETTERS OF INTENT
A Qualified Purchaser may pay reduced initial sales charges by: (i) indicating on the Account Application that he, she or it intends to provide a Letter of Intent ("LOI"), and (ii) subsequently fulfilling the conditions of that LOI.
The LOI confirms the total investment in shares of the AIM or INVESCO Funds that the Qualified Purchaser intends to make within the next 13 months. By marking the LOI section on the account application and by signing the account application, the Qualified Purchaser indicates that he, she or it understands and agrees to the terms of the LOI and is bound by the provisions described below:
Calculating the Initial Sales Charge
o Each purchase of fund shares normally subject to an initial sales charge made during the 13-month period will be made at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the total dollar amount indicated by the LOI (to determine what the applicable public offering price is, look at the sales charge table in the section on "Initial Sales Charges" above).
o It is the purchaser's responsibility at the time of purchase to specify the account numbers that should be considered in determining the appropriate sales charge.
o The offering price may be further reduced as described below under "Rights of Accumulation" if the Transfer Agent is advised of all other accounts at the time of the investment.
o Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will not be applied to the LOI.
Calculating the Number of Shares to be Purchased
o Purchases made within 90 days before signing an LOI will be applied toward completion of the LOI. The LOI effective date will be the date of the first purchase within the 90-day period.
o Purchases made more than 90 days before signing an LOI will be applied toward the completion of the LOI based on the value of the shares purchased that is calculated at the public offering price on the effective date of the LOI.
o If a purchaser meets the original obligation at any time during the 13-month period, he or she may revise the intended investment amount upward by submitting a written and signed request. This revision will not change the original expiration date.
o The Transfer Agent will process necessary adjustments upon the expiration or completion date of the LOI.
Fulfilling the Intended Investment
o By signing an LOI, a purchaser is not making a binding commitment to purchase additional shares, but if purchases made within the 13-month period do not total the amount specified, the purchaser will have to pay the increased amount of sales charge.
o To assure compliance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Transfer Agent will escrow in the form of shares an appropriate dollar amount (computed to the nearest full share) out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary). All dividends and any capital gain distributions on the escrowed shares will be credited to the purchaser. All shares purchased, including those escrowed, will be registered in the purchaser's name. If the total investment specified under this LOI is completed within the 13-month period, the escrowed shares will be promptly released.
o If the intended investment is not completed, the purchaser will pay the Transfer Agent the difference between the sales charge on the specified amount and the sales charge on the amount actually purchased. If the purchaser does not pay such difference within 20 days of the expiration date, he or she irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Transfer Agent as his attorney to surrender for redemption any or all shares, to make up such difference within 60 days of the expiration date.
Canceling the LOI
o If at any time before completing the LOI Program, the purchaser wishes to cancel the agreement, he or she must give written notice to AIM Distributors.
o If at any time before completing the LOI Program the purchaser requests the Transfer Agent to liquidate or transfer beneficial ownership of his total shares, the LOI will be automatically canceled. If the total amount purchased is less than the amount specified in the LOI, the Transfer Agent will redeem an appropriate number of escrowed shares equal to the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge that would have been paid if the total purchases had been made at a single time.
Other Persons Eligible for the LOI Privilege
The LOI privilege is also available to holders of the Connecticut General Guaranteed Account, established for tax qualified group annuities, for contracts purchased on or before June 30, 1992.
LOIs and Contingent Deferred Sales Charges
If an investor entered into an LOI to purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Category III Fund on and after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002, such shares will be subject to a 12-month, 0.25% CDSC. Purchases of Class A shares of a Category III Fund made pursuant to an LOI to purchase $1,000,000 or more of shares entered into prior to November 15, 2001 or after October 30, 2002 will not be subject to this CDSC. All LOIs to purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of Category I and II Funds are subject to an 18-month, 1% CDSC.
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION
A Qualified Purchaser may also qualify for reduced initial sales charges based upon his, her or its existing investment in shares of any of the AIM and/or INVESCO Funds at the time of the proposed purchase. To determine whether or not a reduced initial sales charge applies to a proposed purchase, AIM Distributors takes into account not only the money which is invested upon such proposed purchase, but also the value of all shares of the AIM and/or INVESCO Funds owned by such purchaser, calculated at their then current public offering price.
If a purchaser qualifies for a reduced sales charge, the reduced sales charge applies to the total amount of money being invested, even if only a portion of that amount exceeds the breakpoint for the reduced sales charge. For example, if a purchaser already owns qualifying shares of any AIM and/or INVESCO Fund with a value of $20,000 and wishes to invest an additional $20,000 in a fund with a maximum initial sales charge of 5.50%, the reduced initial sales charge of 5.25% will apply to the full $20,000 purchase and not just to the $15,000 in excess of the $25,000 breakpoint.
To qualify for obtaining the discount applicable to a particular purchase, the purchaser or his dealer must furnish the Transfer Agent with a list of the account numbers and the names in which such accounts of the purchaser are registered at the time the purchase is made.
Rights of Accumulation are also available to holders of the Connecticut General Guaranteed Account, established for tax-qualified group annuities, for contracts purchased on or before June 30, 1992.
If an investor's new purchase of Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund is at net asset value, the newly purchased shares will be subject to a CDSC if the investor redeems them prior to the end of the 18 month holding period. For new purchases of Class A shares of Category III Funds at net asset value made on and after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002, the newly purchased shares will be subject to a CDSC if the investor redeems them prior to the end of the 12 month holding period.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR REDUCTIONS IN INITIAL SALES CHARGES. As discussed above, investors or dealers seeking to qualify orders for a reduced initial sales charge must identify such orders and, if necessary, support their qualification for the reduced charge. AIM Distributors reserves the right to determine whether any purchaser is entitled to the reduced sales charge based on the definition of a Qualified Purchaser listed above. No person or entity may distribute shares of the AIM or INVESCO Funds without payment of the applicable sales charge other than to Qualified Purchasers.
Purchases of Class A shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund, Class A3 Shares of AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund and AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund, AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund, and Class B and Class C shares of AIM Floating Rate Fund and Investor Class shares will not be taken into account in determining whether a purchase qualifies for a reduction in initial sales charges.
PURCHASES OF CLASS A SHARES AT NET ASSET VALUE. AIM Distributors permits certain categories of persons to purchase Class A shares of the AIM or INVESCO Funds without paying an initial sales charge. These are typically categories of persons whose transactions involve little expense, such as:
o Persons who have a relationship with the funds or with AIM and its affiliates, and are therefore familiar with the funds, and who place unsolicited orders directly with AIM Distributors; or
o Programs for purchase that involve little expense because of the size of the transaction and shareholder records required.
AIM Distributors believes that it is appropriate and in the Funds' best interests that such persons, and certain other persons whose purchases result in relatively low expenses of distribution, be permitted to purchase shares through AIM Distributors without payment of a sales charge.
Accordingly, the following purchasers will not pay initial sales charges on purchases of Class A shares because there is a reduced sales effort involved in sales to these purchasers:
o AIM Management and its affiliates, or their clients;
o Any current or retired officer, director or employee (and members of their immediate family) of AIM Management, its affiliates, the INVESCO Funds, or The AIM Family of
Funds--Registered Trademark--, and any foundation, trust or employee benefit plan established exclusively for the benefit of, or by, such persons;
o Any current or retired officer, director, or employee (and members of their immediate family) of DST Systems, Inc. or Personix, a division of FISERV Solutions, Inc.;
o Sales representatives and employees (and members of their immediate family) of selling group members of financial institutions that have arrangements with such selling group members;
o Purchases through approved fee-based programs;
o Employer-sponsored retirement plans that are Qualified Purchasers, as defined above, provided that:
a. a plan's initial investment is at least $1 million;
b. the employer or plan sponsor signs a $1 million LOI;
c. there are at least 100 employees eligible to participate in the plan; or
d. all plan transactions are executed through a single omnibus account per AIM Fund and the financial institution or service organization has entered into the appropriate agreement with the distributor; further provided that
e. retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code are not eligible to purchase shares at NAV based on the aggregate investment made by the plan or the number of eligible employees unless the employer or plan sponsor is a tax-exempt organization operated pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Code; and
f. purchases of AIM Opportunities I Fund by all retirement plans are subject to initial sales charges;
o Shareholders of record of Advisor Class shares of AIM International Growth Fund or AIM Worldwide Growth Fund on February 12, 1999 who have continuously owned shares of the AIM or INVESCO Funds;
o Shareholders of record or discretionary advised clients of any investment advisor holding shares of AIM Weingarten Fund or AIM Constellation Fund on September 8, 1986, or of AIM Charter Fund on November 17, 1986, who have continuously owned shares having a market value of at least $500 and who purchase additional shares of the same Fund;
o Unitholders of G/SET series unit investment trusts investing proceeds from such trusts in shares of AIM Weingarten Fund or AIM Constellation Fund; provided, however, prior to the termination date of the trusts, a unitholder may invest proceeds from the redemption or repurchase of his units only when the investment in shares of AIM Weingarten Fund and AIM Constellation Fund is effected within 30 days of the redemption or repurchase;
o A shareholder of a fund that merges or consolidates with an AIM or INVESCO Fund or that sells its assets to an AIM or INVESCO Fund in exchange for shares of an AIM or INVESCO Fund;
o Shareholders of the GT Global funds as of October 31, 1987 who since that date continually have owned shares of one or more of these funds;
o Certain former AMA Investment Advisers' shareholders who became shareholders of AIM Global Health Care Fund in October 1989, and who have continuously held shares in the GT Global funds since that time;
o Shareholders of record of Advisor Class shares of an AIM Fund on February 11, 2000 who have continuously owned shares of that AIM Fund, and who purchase additional shares of that AIM Fund;
o Shareholders of Investor Class shares of an AIM or INVESCO Fund;
o Qualified Tuition Programs created and maintained in accordance with
Section 529 of the Code; and
o Initial purchases made by Qualified Purchasers, as defined above, within one (1) year after the registered representative who services their account(s) has become
affiliated with a selling group member with which AIM Distributors has entered into a written agreement; and
o Participants in select brokerage programs for retirement plans and rollover IRAs who purchase shares through an electronic brokerage platform offered by entities with which AIM Distributors has entered into a written agreement.
As used above, immediate family includes an individual and his or her spouse or domestic partner, children, parents and parents of spouse or domestic partner.
In addition, an investor may acquire shares of any of the AIM or INVESCO Funds at net asset value in connection with:
o the reinvestment of dividends and distributions from a Fund;
o exchanges of shares of certain Funds;
o use of the reinstatement privilege; or
o a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets of a Fund.
PAYMENTS TO DEALERS. AIM Distributors may elect to re-allow the entire initial sales charge to dealers for all sales with respect to which orders are placed with AIM Distributors during a particular period. Dealers to whom substantially the entire sales charge is re-allowed may be deemed to be "underwriters" as that term is defined under the 1933 Act.
In addition to, or instead of, amounts paid to dealers as a sales commission, AIM Distributors may, from time to time, at its expense or as an expense for which it may be compensated under a distribution plan, if applicable, pay a bonus or other consideration or incentive to dealers. The total amount of such additional bonus payments or other consideration shall not exceed 0.25% of the public offering price of the shares sold or of average daily net assets of the AIM or INVESCO Fund attributable to that particular dealer. At the option of the dealer, such incentives may take the form of payment for travel expenses, including lodging, incurred in connection with trips taken by qualifying registered representatives and their families to places within or outside the United States. Any such bonus or incentive programs will not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of the applicable AIM or INVESCO Fund's shares or the amount that any particular AIM or INVESCO Fund will receive as proceeds from such sales. Dealers may not use sales of the AIM or INVESCO Funds' shares to qualify for any incentives to the extent that such incentives may be prohibited by the laws of any state.
Purchases of Class B Shares
Class B shares are sold at net asset value, and are not subject to an initial sales charge. Instead, investors may pay a CDSC if they redeem their shares within six years after purchase. See the Prospectus for additional information regarding contingent deferred sales charges. AIM Distributors may pay sales commissions to dealers and institutions who sell Class B shares of the AIM or INVESCO Funds at the time of such sales. Payments will equal 4.00% of the purchase price and will consist of a sales commission equal to 3.75% plus an advance of the first year service fee of 0.25%.
Purchases of Class C Shares
Class C shares are sold at net asset value, and are not subject to an initial sales charge. Instead, investors may pay a CDSC if they redeem their shares within the first year after purchase (no CDSC applies to Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you exchange shares of another AIM Fund that are subject to a CDSC into AIM Short Term Bond Fund). See the Prospectus for additional information regarding this CDSC. AIM Distributors may pay sales commissions to dealers and institutions who sell Class C shares of the AIM or INVESCO Funds (except for Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund) at the time of such sales. Payments will equal 1.00% of the purchase price and will consist of a sales commission of 0.75% plus an advance of the first year service fee of 0.25%. These commissions are not paid on sales to investors exempt from the CDSC, including shareholders of record of AIM Advisor Funds, Inc. on October 31, 1995, who purchase additional shares in any of the Funds on or after May 1, 1995, and in circumstances where AIM Distributors grants an exemption on particular transactions.
AIM Distributors may pay dealers and institutions who sell Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund, an annual fee of 0.50% of average daily net assets. These payments will consist of an asset-based fee of 0.25% and a service fee of 0.25% and will commence immediately.
Purchases of Class K Shares
Class K shares are sold at net asset value, and are not subject to an initial sales charge. If AIM Distributors pays a concession to the dealer of record, however, the Class K shares are subject to a 0.70% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement plan assets are redeemed within one year from the date of the retirement plan's initial purchase.
For purchases of Class K shares, AIM Distributors may make the following payments to dealers of record:
PERCENT OF CUMULATIVE PURCHASE
0.70% of the first $5 million plus 0.45% of amounts in excess of $5 million |
If the dealer of record receives the above payments, the trail commission will be paid out beginning in the 13th month. If no additional fee is paid to financial intermediaries, the trail commission will begin to accrue immediately.
Purchases of Class R Shares
Class R shares are sold at net asset value, and are not subject to an initial sales charge. If AIM Distributors pays a concession to the dealer of record, however, the Class R shares are subject to a 0.75% CDSC at the time of redemption if all retirement plan assets are redeemed within one year from the date of the retirement plan's initial purchase. For purchases of Class R shares of Category I or II Funds, AIM Distributors may make the following payments to dealers of record provided that the applicable dealer of record is able to establish that the purchase of Class R shares is a new investment or a rollover from a retirement plan in which an AIM or INVESCO Fund was offered as an investment option:
Percent of Cumulative Purchases
0.75% of the first $5 million plus 0.50% of amounts in excess of $5 million |
With regard to any individual purchase of Class R shares, AIM Distributors may make payment to the dealer of record based on the cumulative total of purchases made by the same plan over the life of the plan's account(s). If the dealer of record receives the above payments, the trail commission will be paid out beginning in the 13th month. If no additional fee is paid to financial intermediaries, the trail commission will begin to accrue immediately.
Purchases of Investor Class Shares
Investor Class shares are sold at net asset value, and are not subject to an initial sales charge or to a CDSC. AIM Distributors may pay dealers and institutions an annual fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets and such payments will commence immediately.
Exchanges
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EXCHANGES. Normally, shares of an AIM or INVESCO Fund to be acquired by exchange are purchased at their net asset value or applicable offering price, as the case may be, determined on the date that such request is received, but under unusual market conditions such purchases may be delayed for up to five business days if it is determined that a fund would be materially disadvantaged by an immediate transfer of the proceeds of the exchange. If a shareholder is exchanging into a fund paying daily dividends, and the release of the exchange proceeds is delayed for the foregoing five-day period, such shareholder will not begin to accrue dividends until the sixth business day after the exchange.
EXCHANGES BY TELEPHONE. AIM Distributors has made arrangements with
certain dealers and investment advisory firms to accept telephone instructions
to exchange shares between any of the AIM or INVESCO Funds. AIM Distributors
reserves the right to impose conditions on dealers or investment advisors who
make telephone exchanges of shares of the funds, including the condition that
any such dealer or investment advisor enter into an agreement (which contains
additional conditions with respect to exchanges of shares) with AIM
Distributors. To exchange shares by telephone, a shareholder, dealer or
investment advisor who has satisfied the foregoing conditions must call AIS at
(800) 959-4246. If a shareholder is unable to reach AIS by telephone, he may
also request exchanges by fax, telegraph or use overnight courier services to
expedite exchanges by mail, which will be effective on the business day received
by AIS as long as such request is received prior to the close of the customary
trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). AIS and AIM
Distributors may in certain cases be liable for losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent transactions if they do not follow reasonable procedures for
verification of telephone transactions. Such reasonable procedures may include
recordings of telephone transactions (maintained for six months), requests for
confirmation of the shareholder's Social Security Number and current address,
and mailings of confirmations promptly after the transaction.
Redemptions
GENERAL. Shares of the AIM or INVESCO Funds may be redeemed directly through AIM Distributors or through any dealer who has entered into an agreement with AIM Distributors. In addition to the Funds' obligation to redeem shares, AIM Distributors may also repurchase shares as an accommodation to shareholders. To effect a repurchase, those dealers who have executed Selected Dealer Agreements with AIM Distributors must phone orders to the order desk of the Funds at (800) 959-4246 and guarantee delivery of all required documents in good order. A repurchase is effected at the net asset value per share of the applicable Fund next determined after the repurchase order is received. Such an arrangement is subject to timely receipt by AIS, the Funds' transfer agent, of all required documents in good order. If such documents are not received within a reasonable time after the order is placed, the order is subject to cancellation. While there is no charge imposed by a Fund or by AIM Distributors (other than any applicable contingent deferred sales charge) when shares are redeemed or repurchased, dealers may charge a fair service fee for handling the transaction.
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed when (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, (b) the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings, (c) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension, or (d) an emergency as determined by the SEC exists making disposition of portfolio securities or the valuation of the net assets of a Fund not reasonably practicable.
REDEMPTIONS BY TELEPHONE. By signing an account application form, an investor appoints AIS as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any and all unissued shares held by AIS in the designated account(s), present or future, with full power of substitution in the premises. AIS and AIM Distributors are thereby authorized and directed to accept and act upon any telephone redemptions of shares held in any of the account(s) listed, from any person who requests the redemption. An investor acknowledges by signing the form that he understands and agrees that AIS and AIM Distributors may not be liable for any loss, expense or cost arising out of any telephone redemption requests effected in accordance with the authorization set forth in these instructions if they reasonably believe such request to be genuine, but may in certain cases be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. Procedures for verification of telephone transactions may include recordings of telephone transactions (maintained for six months), requests for confirmation of the shareholder's Social Security Number and current address, and mailings of confirmations promptly after the transactions. AIS reserves the right to cease to act as attorney-in-fact subject to this appointment, and AIM Distributors reserves the right to modify or terminate the telephone redemption privilege at any time without notice. An investor may elect not to have this privilege by marking the appropriate box on the application. Then any redemptions must be effected in writing by the investor.
SYSTEMATIC REDEMPTION PLAN. A Systematic Redemption Plan permits a shareholder of an AIM or INVESCO Fund to withdraw on a regular basis at least $50 per withdrawal. Under a Systematic Redemption Plan, all shares are to be held by AIS and all dividends and distributions are reinvested in shares of the applicable AIM or INVESCO Fund by AIS. To provide funds for payments made under the Systematic Redemption Plan, AIS redeems sufficient full and fractional shares at their net asset value in effect at the time of each such redemption.
Payments under a Systematic Redemption Plan constitute taxable events. Since such payments are funded by the redemption of shares, they may result in a return of capital and in capital gains or losses, rather than in ordinary income. Because sales charges are imposed on additional purchases of Class A shares of the Funds, it is disadvantageous to effect such purchases while a Systematic Redemption Plan is in effect.
Each AIM or INVECO Fund bears its share of the cost of operating the Systematic Redemption Plan.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges Imposed upon Redemption of Shares
A CDSC may be imposed upon the redemption of Large Purchases of Class A shares of Category I and II Funds, upon the redemption of Class B shares or Class C shares (no CDSC applies to Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you exchange shares of another AIM or INVESCO Fund that are subject to a CDSC into AIM Short Term Bond Fund) and, in certain circumstances, upon the redemption of Class K or Class R shares. On and after
November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002, a CDSC also may be imposed upon the redemption of Large Purchases of Class A shares of Category III Funds. See the Prospectus for additional information regarding CDSCs.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS FOR LARGE PURCHASES OF CLASS A SHARES. An investor who has made a Large Purchase of Class A shares of a Category I, II or III Fund will not be subject to a CDSC upon the redemption of those shares in the following situations:
o Redemptions of shares of Category I or II Funds held more than 18 months;
o Redemptions of shares of Category III Funds purchased prior to November 15, 2001 or after October 30, 2002;
o Redemptions of shares of Category III Funds purchased on or after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002 and held for more than 12 months;
o Redemptions of shares held by retirement plans in cases where (i) the plan has remained invested in Class A shares of an AIM or INVESCO Fund for at least 12 months, or (ii) the redemption is not a complete redemption of shares held by the plan;
o Redemptions from private foundations or endowment funds;
o Redemptions of shares by the investor where the investor's dealer waives the amounts otherwise payable to it by the distributor and notifies the distributor prior to the time of investment;
o Redemptions of shares of Category I, II or III Funds or AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund acquired by exchange from Class A shares of a Category I or II Fund, unless the shares acquired by exchange (on or after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002 with respect to Category III Funds) are redeemed within 18 months of the original purchase or the exchange of Category I or II Fund shares;
o Redemptions of shares of Category III Funds, shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund or AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund acquired by exchange from Class A shares of a Category III Fund purchased prior to November 15, 2001;
o Redemptions of shares of Category I or II Funds acquired by exchange from Class A shares of a Category III Fund purchased on and after November 15, 2001 and through October 30, 2002, unless the shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 18 months of the original purchase of the exchanged Category III Fund shares;
o Redemption of shares of Category III Funds, shares of AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund or AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund acquired by exchange from Class A shares of a Category III Fund purchased on and after November 15, 2001, and through October 30, 2002 unless the shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 12 months of the original purchase of the exchanged Category III Fund shares;
o Redemptions of shares of Category I or II Funds acquired by exchange on and after November 15, 2001 from AIM Cash Reserve Shares of AIM Money Market Fund if the AIM Cash Reserve Shares were acquired by exchange from a Category I or II Fund, unless the Category I or II Fund shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 18 months of the original purchase of the exchanged Category I or II Funds shares;
o Redemptions of Category I or II Funds by retirement plan participants resulting from a total redemption of the plan assets that occurs more than one year from the date of the plan's initial purchase; and
o Redemptions of shares of Category I or II Funds held by an Investor Class shareholder.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE EXCEPTIONS FOR CLASS B AND C SHARES. Investors who purchased former GT Global funds Class B shares before June 1, 1998 are subject to the following waivers from the CDSC otherwise due upon redemption:
o Total or partial redemptions resulting from a distribution following retirement in the case of a tax-qualified employer-sponsored retirement;
o Minimum required distributions made in connection with an IRA, Keogh Plan or custodial account under Section 403(b) of the Code or other retirement plan following attainment of age 70 1/2;
o Redemptions pursuant to distributions from a tax-qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan, which is invested in the former GT Global funds, which are permitted to be made without penalty pursuant to the Code, other than tax-free rollovers or transfers of assets, and the proceeds of which are reinvested in the former GT Global funds;
o Redemptions made in connection with participant-directed exchanges between options in an employer-sponsored benefit plan;
o Redemptions made for the purpose of providing cash to fund a loan to a participant in a tax-qualified retirement plan;
o Redemptions made in connection with a distribution from any retirement plan or account that is permitted in accordance with the provisions of Section 72(t)(2) of the Code, and the regulations promulgated thereunder;
o Redemptions made in connection with a distribution from a qualified profit-sharing or stock bonus plan described in Section 401(k) of the Code to a participant or beneficiary under Section 401(k)(2)(B)(IV) of the Code upon hardship of the covered employee (determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.401(k)-1(d)(2)); and
o Redemptions made by or for the benefit of certain states, counties or cities, or any instrumentalities, departments or authorities thereof where such entities are prohibited or limited by applicable law from paying a sales charge or commission.
CDSCs will not apply to the following redemptions of Class B or Class C shares, as applicable:
o Additional purchases of Class C shares of AIM Real Estate Fund by shareholders of record on October 31, 1995, of these Funds, except that shareholders whose broker-dealers maintain a single omnibus account with AIS on behalf of those shareholders, perform sub-accounting functions with respect to those shareholders, and are unable
to segregate shareholders of record prior to October 31, 1995, from shareholders whose accounts were opened after that date will be subject to a CDSC on all purchases made after March 1, 1996;
o Redemptions following the death or post-purchase disability of (1) any registered shareholders on an account or (2) a settlor of a living trust, of shares held in the account at the time of death or initial determination of post-purchase disability;
o Certain distributions from individual retirement accounts, Section
403(b) retirement plans, Section 457 deferred compensation plans and
Section 401 qualified plans, where redemptions result from (i)
required minimum distributions to plan participants or beneficiaries
who are age 70 1/2 or older, and only with respect to that portion
of such distributions that does not exceed 12% annually of the
participant's or beneficiary's account value in a particular AIM or
INVESCO Fund; (ii) in kind transfers of assets where the participant
or beneficiary notifies the distributor of the transfer no later
than the time the transfer occurs; (iii) tax-free rollovers or
transfers of assets to another plan of the type described above
invested in Class B or Class C shares of one or more of the AIM or
INVESCO Funds; (iv) tax-free returns of excess contributions or
returns of excess deferral amounts; and (v) distributions on the
death or disability (as defined in the Code) of the participant or
beneficiary;
o Amounts from a Systematic Redemption Plan of up to an annual amount of 12% of the account value on a per fund basis, at the time the withdrawal plan is established, provided the investor reinvests his dividends;
o Liquidation by the AIM or INVESCO Fund when the account value falls below the minimum required account size of $500; and
o Investment account(s) of AIM and its affiliates.
CDSCs will not apply to the following redemptions of Class C shares:
o A total or partial redemption of shares where the investor's dealer of record notified the distributor prior to the time of investment that the dealer would waive the upfront payment otherwise payable to him;
o A total or partial redemption which is necessary to fund a distribution requested by a participant in a retirement plan maintained pursuant to Section 401, 403, or 457 of the Code;
o Redemptions of Class C shares of an AIM or INVESCO Fund other than AIM Short Term Bond Fund if you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund; and
o Redemptions of Class C shares of AIM Short Term Bond Fund unless you received such Class C shares by exchanging Class C shares of another AIM or INVESCO Fund and the original purchase was subject to a CDSC.
CDSCs will not apply to the following redemptions of Class R shares:
o Class R shares where the retirement plan's dealer of record notifies the distributor prior to the time of investment that the dealer waives the upfront payment otherwise payable to him; and
o Redemptions of shares held by retirement plans in cases where (i) the plan has remained invested in Class R shares of an AIM or INVESCO Fund for at least 12 months, or (ii) the redemption is not a complete redemption of all Class R shares held by the plan.
General Information Regarding Purchases, Exchanges and Redemptions
GOOD ORDER. Purchase, exchange and redemption orders must be received in good order. To be in good order, an investor must supply AIS with all required information and documentation, including signature guarantees when required. In addition, if a purchase of shares is made by check, the check must be received in good order. This means that the check must be properly completed and signed, and legible to AIS in its sole discretion.
TIMING OF PURCHASE ORDERS. It is the responsibility of the dealer or other financial intermediary to ensure that all orders are transmitted on a timely basis to AIS. Any loss resulting from the failure of the dealer or financial intermediary to submit an order within the prescribed time frame will be borne by that dealer or financial intermediary. If a check used to purchase shares does not clear, or if any investment order must be canceled due to nonpayment, the investor will be responsible for any resulting loss to an AIM or INVESCO Fund or to AIM Distributors.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES. In addition to those circumstances listed in the "Shareholder Information" section of each Fund's prospectus, signature guarantees are required in the following situations: (1) requests to transfer the registration of shares to another owner;
(2) telephone exchange and telephone redemption authorization forms; (3) changes
in previously designated wiring or electronic funds transfer instructions; and
(4) written redemptions or exchanges of shares previously reported as lost,
whether or not the redemption amount is under $250,000 or the proceeds are to be
sent to the address of record. AIM or INVESCO Funds may waive or modify any
signature guarantee requirements at any time.
Acceptable guarantors include banks, broker-dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, savings associations and any other organization, provided that such institution or organization qualifies as an "eligible guarantor institution" as that term is defined in rules adopted by the SEC, and further provided that such guarantor institution is listed in one of the reference guides contained in AIS' current Signature Guarantee Standards and Procedures, such as certain domestic banks, credit unions, securities dealers, or securities exchanges. AIS will also accept signatures with either: (1) a signature guaranteed with a medallion stamp of the STAMP Program, or (2) a signature guaranteed with a medallion stamp of the NYSE Medallion Signature Program, provided that in either event, the amount of the transaction involved does not exceed the surety coverage amount indicated on the medallion. For information regarding whether a particular institution or organization qualifies as an "eligible guarantor institution," an investor should contact the Client Services Department of AIS.
TRANSACTIONS BY TELEPHONE. By signing an account application form, an investor appoints AIS as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any and all unissued shares held by AIS in the designated account(s), or in any other account with any of the AIM or INVESCO Funds, present or future, which has the identical registration as the designated account(s), with full power of substitution in the premises. AIS and AIM Distributors are thereby authorized and directed to accept and act upon any telephone redemptions of shares held in any of the account(s) listed, from any person who requests the redemption proceeds to be applied to purchase shares in any one or more of the AIM or INVESCO Funds, provided that such fund is available for sale and provided that the registration and mailing address of the shares to be purchased are identical to the registration of the shares being redeemed. An investor acknowledges by signing the form that he understands and agrees that AIS and AIM Distributors may not be liable for any loss, expense or cost arising out of any telephone exchange requests effected in accordance with the authorization set forth in these instructions if they reasonably believe such request to be genuine, but may in certain cases be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. Procedures for verification of telephone transactions may include recordings of telephone transactions (maintained for six months), requests for confirmation of the shareholder's Social Security Number and current address, and mailings of confirmations promptly after the transactions. AIS reserves the right to modify or terminate the telephone exchange privilege at any time without notice. An investor may elect not to have this privilege by marking the appropriate box on the application. Then any exchanges must be effected in writing by the investor.
INTERNET TRANSACTIONS. An investor may effect transactions in his account through the internet by establishing a Personal Identification Number (PIN). By establishing a PIN, the
investor acknowledges and agrees that neither AIS nor AIM Distributors will be liable for any loss, expense or cost arising out of any internet transaction effected by them in accordance with any instructions submitted by a user who transmits the PIN as authentication of his or her identity. Procedures for verification of internet transactions include requests for confirmation of the shareholder's personal identification number and mailing of confirmations promptly after the transactions. The investor also acknowledges that the ability to effect internet transactions may be terminated at any time by the AIM or INVESCO Funds.
ABANDONED PROPERTY. It is the responsibility of the investor to ensure that AIS maintains a correct address for his account(s). An incorrect address may cause an investor's account statements and other mailings to be returned to AIS. Upon receiving returned mail, AIS will attempt to locate the investor or rightful owner of the account. If unsuccessful, AIS will retain a shareholder locator service with a national information database to conduct periodic searches for the investor. If the search firm is unable to locate the investor, the search firm will determine whether the investor's account has legally been abandoned. AIS is legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) abandoned property to the appropriate state's unclaimed property administrator in accordance with statutory requirements. The investor's last known address of record determines which state has jurisdiction.
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE (ALL CLASSES)
The Fund determines its net asset value per share once daily as of the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each business day of the Fund. In the event the NYSE closes early (i.e., before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on a particular day, the Fund determines its net asset value per share as of the close of the NYSE on such day. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, the Fund will generally use futures and options contract closing prices which are available fifteen (15) minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE. The Fund determines net asset value per share by dividing the value of the Fund's securities, cash and other assets (including interest accrued but not collected) attributable to a particular class, less all its liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends payable) attributable to that class, by the total number of shares outstanding of that class. Determination of a Fund's net asset value per share is made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Each security (excluding convertible bonds) held by the Fund is valued at its last sales price on the exchange where the security is principally traded or, lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market (but not including securities reported on the NASDAQ National Market System) is valued on the basis of prices furnished by independent pricing services or market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price on that day; option contracts are valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices on the exchange where the contracts are principally traded; futures contracts are valued at final settlement price quotations from the primary exchange on which they are traded. Debt securities (including
convertible bonds) are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service. Prices provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, individual trading characteristics and other market data.
Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are questionable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust's officers in a manner specifically authorized by the Board. Short-term investments are valued at amortized cost when the security has 60 days or less to maturity.
Foreign securities are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If a development/event is so significant such that there is a reasonably high degree of certainty as to both the effect and the degree of effect that the development/event has actually caused that closing price to no longer reflect actual value, the closing prices, as determined at the close of the applicable foreign market, may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the affected foreign securities as of the close of the NYSE as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Trustees. Adjustments to closing prices to reflect fair value on affected foreign securities may be provided by an independent pricing service. Multiple factors may be considered by the independent pricing service in determining adjustments to reflect fair value and may include information relating to sector indices, ADRs, domestic and foreign index futures, and exchange-traded funds.
Fund securities primarily traded in foreign markets may be traded in such markets on days which are not business days of the Fund. Because the net asset value per share of the Fund is determined only on business days of the Fund, the net asset value per share of the Fund may be significantly affected on days when an investor cannot exchange or redeem shares of the Fund.
HOW TO PURCHASE AND REDEEM SHARES
A complete description of the manner by which shares of the Fund may be purchased appears in the Prospectus under the caption "How To Buy Shares."
The sales charge normally deducted on purchases of Class A shares of the Fund is used to compensate AIM Distributors and participating financial intermediaries for their expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of such shares. Since there is little expense associated with unsolicited orders placed directly with AIM Distributors by persons, who because of their relationship with the Fund or with the Advisor and its affiliates, are familiar with the Fund, or whose programs for purchase involve little expense (e.g., because of the size of the transaction and shareholder records required), AIM Distributors believes that it is appropriate and in the Fund's best interests that such persons be permitted to purchase Class A shares of the Fund through AIM Distributors without payment of a sales charge. The persons who may purchase Class A shares of the Fund without a sales charge are set forth under the Caption "Reductions in Initial Sales Charges - Purchases at Net Asset Value."
The following formula may be used by an investor to determine the public offering price per Class A share of an investment:
Net Asset Value / (1 - Sales Charge as % of Offering Price) = Offering Price |
Information concerning redemption of the Fund's shares is set forth in the Prospectuses under the caption "How To Sell Shares." Shares of the Fund may be redeemed directly through AIM Distributors or through any financial intermediary who has entered into an agreement with AIM Distributors. In addition to the Fund's obligation to redeem shares, AIM Distributors may also repurchase shares as an accommodation to the shareholders. To effect a repurchase, those financial intermediaries who have executed agreements with AIM Distributors must phone orders to the order desk of the Fund at 1-800-347-4246 and guarantee delivery of all required documents in good order. A repurchase is effected at the net asset value of the Fund next determined after such order is received. Such arrangement is subject to timely receipt by AIS of all required documents in good order. If such documents are not received within a reasonable time after the order is placed, the order is subject to cancellation. While there is no charge imposed by the Fund or by AIM Distributors (other than any applicable CDSC or possible redemption fee) when shares are redeemed or repurchased, financial intermediaries may charge a fair service fee for handling the transaction. AIS intends to redeem all shares of the Fund in cash.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed when
(a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is restricted, as determined
by applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, (b) the NYSE is closed for other
than customary weekend and holiday closings, (c) the SEC has by order permitted
such suspension, or (d) an emergency as determined
by the SEC exists making disposition of portfolio securities or the valuation of the net assets of the Fund not reasonably practicable.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 1201 Louisiana Street, Suite 2900, Houston, Texas 77002, are the independent accountants of the Trust. The independent accountants are responsible for auditing the financial statements of the Fund.
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is the custodian of the cash and investment securities of the Trust. The custodian is also responsible for, among other things, receipt and delivery of the Fund's investment securities in accordance with procedures and conditions specified in the custody agreement with the Trust. The custodian is authorized to establish separate accounts in foreign countries and to cause foreign securities owned by the Fund to be held outside the United States in branches of U.S. banks and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, in certain foreign banks and securities depositories.
TRANSFER AGENT
AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AIS"), 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77046 is the Trust's transfer agent, registrar, and dividend disbursing agent. Services provided by AIS include the issuance, cancellation, and transfer of shares of the Fund, and the maintenance of records regarding the ownership of such shares.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Legal matters for the Trust have been passed upon by Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, 1735 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-7599.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
The Fund has authorized one or more brokers to accept purchase and redemption orders on its behalf and such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on the Fund's behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker's authorized designee,
accepts the order. Orders will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next computed after they are accepted by an authorized broker or the broker's authorized designee.
As the investment sub-advisor to the Fund, the Sub-Advisor places orders for the purchase and sale of securities with broker-dealers based upon an evaluation of the financial responsibility of the broker-dealers and the ability of the broker-dealers to effect transactions at the best available prices.
While the Sub-Advisor seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, the Fund does not necessarily pay the lowest commission or spread available. The Sub-Advisor is permitted to, and does, consider qualitative factors in addition to price in the selection of brokers. Among other things, the Sub-Advisor considers the quality of executions obtained on the Fund's portfolio transactions, viewed in terms of the size of transactions, prevailing market conditions in the security purchased or sold, and general economic and market conditions. The Sub-Advisor has found that a broker's consistent ability to execute transactions is at least as important as the price the broker charges for those services.
In seeking to ensure that the commissions charged the Fund are consistent with prevailing and reasonable commissions, the Sub-Advisor monitors brokerage industry practices and commissions charged by broker-dealers on transactions effected for other institutional investors like the Fund.
Consistent with the standard of seeking to obtain favorable execution on portfolio transactions, the Sub-Advisor may select brokers that provide research services to the Sub-Advisor and the Trust, as well as other mutual funds and other accounts managed by the Sub-Advisor. Research services include statistical and analytical reports relating to issuers, industries, securities, and economic factors and trends, which may be of assistance or value to the Sub-Advisor in making informed investment decisions. Research services prepared and furnished by brokers through which the Fund effects securities transactions may be used by the Sub-Advisor in servicing all of its accounts and not all such services may be used by the Sub-Advisor in connection with the Fund. Conversely, the Fund receives benefits of research acquired through the brokerage transactions of other clients of the Sub-Advisor.
In order to obtain reliable trade execution and research services, the Sub-Advisor may utilize brokers that charge higher commissions than other brokers would charge for the same transaction. This practice is known as "paying up." However, even when paying up, the Sub-Advisor is obligated to obtain favorable execution of the Fund's transactions.
Portfolio transactions also may be effected through broker-dealers that recommend the Fund to its clients, or that act as agent in the purchase of the Fund's shares for their clients.
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS AND UNDERWRITING DISCOUNTS
The aggregate dollar amount of brokerage commissions and underwriting discounts paid by the Fund for the periods outlined in the table below were:
Year Ended October 31, 2003 $ 77,229 Year Ended October 31, 2002 48,763 Year Ended October 31, 2001 96,561 |
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, brokers providing research services (directed brokerage) received $67,672, $36,011, and $47,929, respectively, in commissions on portfolio transactions effected for the Fund. The aggregate dollar amount of such portfolio transactions was $30,415,752, $16,722,563, and $23,022,304, respectively. Commissions totaling $0, $0 and $0, respectively, were allocated to certain brokers in recognition of their sales of shares of the Fund on portfolio transactions of the Fund effected during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001.
During the last fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund did not purchase any securities of its regular brokers or dealers.
Neither the Sub-Advisor nor any affiliate of the Sub-Advisor receives any brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions effected on behalf of the Fund, and there is no affiliation between the Sub-Advisor or any person affiliated with the Sub-Advisor or the Fund and any broker or dealer that executes transactions for the Fund.
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF OWNING SHARES OF THE FUND
The Fund intends to continue to conduct its business and satisfy the applicable diversification of assets, distribution, and source of income requirements to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Fund qualified as a regulated investment company and intends to continue to qualify during its current fiscal year. It is the intent of the Fund to distribute all investment company taxable income and net capital gain. As a result of this intent and the Fund's qualification as a regulated investment company, it is anticipated that the Fund will not pay federal income or excise taxes, but its shareholders will generally be subject to tax on Fund distributions that are made to them. If the Fund does not distribute all of its net investment income or net capital gain, it will be subject to income and excise taxes on the amount that is not distributed. If the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be subject to income tax on its net investment income and net capital gain at the corporate tax rates.
Dividends paid by the Fund from net investment income as well as distributions of net realized short-term capital gain and net realized gain from certain foreign currency transactions are taxable for federal income tax purposes as ordinary income to shareholders. After the end of each calendar year, the Fund sends shareholders information regarding the amount and character of dividends paid in the year. Dividends eligible for the dividends-received deduction will be limited to the aggregate amount of qualifying dividends that the Fund derives from its portfolio investments.
Ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund to individuals and other noncorporate taxpayers will be treated as qualified dividend income that is subject to tax at a maximum rate of 15% to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations and from foreign corporations that are either incorporated in a possession of the United States, or are eligible for benefits under certain income tax treaties with the United States that include an exchange of information program. In addition, qualifying dividends include dividends paid with respect to stock of a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. However, dividends received by the Fund from foreign personal holding companies, foreign investment companies or PFICs are not qualifying dividends. If the qualifying dividend income received by the Fund is equal to 95% (or a greater percentage) of the Fund's gross income (exclusive of net capital gain) in any taxable year, all of the ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund will be qualifying dividend income.
The Fund realizes a capital gain or loss when it sells a portfolio security for more or less than it paid for that security. Capital gain and loss are divided into short-term and long-term, depending on how long the Fund held the security which gave rise to the gain or loss. If the security was held one year or less the gain or loss is generally considered short-term, while holding a security
for more than one year will generate a long-term gain or loss. Short-term capital gain is included with income from dividends and interest as ordinary income and is paid to shareholders as dividends, as discussed above.
The Fund may either retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain (net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) for each taxable year. The Fund currently intends to distribute any such amounts. If net capital gain is distributed and designated as a capital gain dividend, it will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain (currently taxable at a maximum rate of 15% for noncorporate shareholders) regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held his shares or whether such gain was recognized by the Fund prior to the date on which the shareholder acquired his shares. However, certain capital gain dividends distributed to noncorporate shareholders for the Fund's fiscal year ending October 31, 2003 may be taxable at a maximum rate of 20%. Conversely, if the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carry forwards) at the 35% corporate tax rate. If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
Dividends paid by the Fund from net capital gain are, for federal income tax purposes, taxable to the shareholder as a long-term capital gain regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares of the Fund. Such distributions are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction. After the end of each fiscal year, the Fund sends information to shareholders regarding the amount of capital gain dividends paid during the year.
All dividends and capital gain distributions, to the extent of the Fund's earnings and profits, are taxable income to the shareholder, whether or not such dividends and distributions are reinvested in additional shares or paid in cash. If the net asset value of the Fund's shares should be reduced below a shareholder's cost as a result of a distribution, such distribution would be taxable to the shareholder although a portion would be a return of invested capital. Accordingly, if shares of the Fund are purchased shortly before a distribution, a portion of the purchase price for the shares may be returned to the shareholder as a taxable dividend or capital gain.
If it invests in foreign securities, the Fund may be subject to the withholding of foreign taxes on dividends or interest it receives on foreign securities. Foreign taxes withheld will be treated as an expense of the Fund unless the Fund meets the qualifications and makes the election to enable it to pass these taxes through to shareholders for use by them as a foreign tax credit or deduction. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes.
The Fund may invest in the stock of "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs"). A PFIC is a foreign corporation that, in general, meets either of the following tests: (1) at least 75% of its gross income is passive or (2) an average value of at least 50% of its assets produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. The Fund intends to "mark-to-market" its stock in any PFIC. In this context, "marking-to-market" means including in ordinary income for each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the PFIC stock over the Fund's adjusted basis in the PFIC stock as of the end of the year. In certain circumstances, the Fund will also be allowed to deduct from ordinary income the excess, if any, of its adjusted basis in PFIC stock over the fair market value of the PFIC stock as of the end of the year. The deduction will only be allowed to the extent of any PFIC mark-to-market gains recognized as ordinary income in prior years. The Fund's adjusted tax basis in each PFIC stock for which it makes this election will be adjusted to reflect the amount of income included or deduction taken under the election.
Gains or losses (1) from the disposition of foreign currencies, (2) from the disposition of debt securities denominated in foreign currencies that are attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of each security and the date of disposition, and (3) that are attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates that occur between the time the Fund accrues interest, dividends or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects the receivables or pays the liabilities, generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss (unless an election is made to treat certain transactions as capital). These gains or losses may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders.
The transfer agent may provide Fund shareholders with information concerning the average cost basis of their shares in order to help them prepare their tax returns. This information is intended as a convenience to shareholders, and will not be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"). The IRS permits the use of several methods to determine the cost basis of mutual fund shares. The cost basis information provided by the transfer agent will be computed using the single-category average cost method, although neither the transfer agent nor the Funds recommend any particular method of determining cost basis. Other methods may result in different tax consequences. Even if you have reported gains or losses for the Fund in past years using another basis method, you may be able to use the average cost method for determining
gains or losses in the current year. However, once you have elected to use the average cost method, you must continue to use it unless you apply to the IRS for permission to change methods. Likewise, changing to any basis method other than the average cost method requires IRS approval.
If you sell Fund shares at a loss after holding them for six months or less, your loss will be treated as long-term (instead of short-term) capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that you may have received on those shares. If you pay a sales charge to acquire shares, that sales charge is generally treated as part of your cost basis for determining gain or loss upon disposition of those shares. However, if you exchange your shares within ninety days of acquisition and the sales charge was paid on the original shares, then the sales charge is not treated as part of your cost basis on the original shares, but instead, carries over to be included as part of your cost basis in the new or replacement shares.
The Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income for that year and its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, plus certain other amounts.
You should consult your own tax adviser regarding specific questions as to federal, state, and local taxes. Dividends and capital gain distributions will generally be subject to applicable state and local taxes. Qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for income tax purposes does not entail government supervision of management or investment policies. The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on February 27, 2004.
PERFORMANCE
To keep shareholders and potential investors informed, the Advisor will occasionally advertise the Fund's total return for one-, five-, and ten-year periods (or since inception). Most advertisements of the Fund will disclose the maximum front-end sales charge imposed on purchases of a Fund's Class A shares and/or the applicable CDSC imposed on redemptions of a Fund's Class B, Class C, and Class R shares. If any advertised performance data does not reflect the maximum front-end sales charge (if any), or the applicable CDSC, such advertisement will disclose that the sales charge or CDSC has not been deducted in computing the performance data, and that, if reflected, such charges would reduce the performance quoted.
The Fund's total return is calculated in accordance with a standardized formula for computation of annualized total return. Standardized total return for Class A shares reflects the deduction of the maximum front-end sales charge at the time of purchase. Standardized total return for Class B and Class C shares reflects the deduction of the maximum applicable CDSC on a redemption of shares held for the period. A 1.00% - 5.00% CDSC may be charged on redemptions of Class B shares held six years or less, other than shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and other distributions. A 1.00% CDSC may be charged on redemptions of Class C shares held twelve months or less, other than shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and other distributions. Please see the section entitled "Distributor" for additional information on CDSCs. A 0.75% CDSC may be charged on redemptions of Class R shares, if you are a qualified plan, elect to receive a dealer concession, and redeem the plan within twelve months from initial deposit in the plan's AIM or INVESCO account. Total returns quoted in advertising reflect all aspects of the Fund's return, including the effect of reinvesting dividends and capital gain distributions, and any change in the Fund's net asset value per share over the period. Average annual returns are calculated by determining the growth or decline in value of a hypothetical investment in the Fund over a stated period, and then calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period. Because average annual returns tend to even out variations in the Fund's returns, investors should realize that the Fund's performance is not constant over time, but changes from year to year, and that average annual returns do not represent the actual year-to-year performance of the Fund.
In addition to average annual returns, the Fund may quote unaveraged or cumulative total returns reflecting the simple change in value of an investment over a stated period. Cumulative total return shows the actual rate of return on an investment for the period cited; average annual total return represents the average annual percentage change in the value of an investment. Both cumulative and average annual total returns tend to "smooth out" fluctuations in the Fund's investment results, because they do not show the interim variations in performance over the periods cited. Total returns may be quoted with or without taking the Fund's maximum applicable Class A front-end sales charge or Class B, Class C, or Class R CDSC into account. Excluding sales charges from a total return calculation produces a higher total return figure.
More information about the Fund's recent and historical performance is contained in the Trust's Annual Report to Shareholders. You may obtain a free copy by calling or writing to AIM Investment Services, Inc. using the telephone number or address on the back cover of the Fund's Prospectus.
When we quote mutual fund rankings published by Lipper Inc., we may compare the Fund to others in its appropriate Lipper category, as well as the broad-based Lipper general fund groupings. These rankings allow you to compare the Fund to its peers. Other independent financial media also produce performance- or service-related comparisons, which you may see in our promotional materials.
Performance figures are based on historical earnings and are not intended to suggest future performance.
Average annual total return performance for the one-, five-, and ten-year periods (or since inception) ended October 31, 2003 was:
10 YEAR OR SINCE 1 YEAR 5 YEAR INCEPTION ------ ------ ---------- INVESTOR CLASS International Core Equity Fund Return Before Taxes 20.42% -0.05% -0.01%(1) Return After Taxes on Distributions 20.37% -0.71% -0.67%(1) Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 13.32% -0.31% -0.28%(1) CLASS A - (INCLUDING FRONT-END SALES CHARGE) International Core Equity Fund Return Before Taxes 13.30% N/A -4.77%(2) Return After Taxes on Distributions 13.23% N/A -4.81%(2) Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 8.70% N/A -4.05%(2) |
CLASS B - (INCLUDING CDSC) International Core Equity Fund Return Before Taxes 14.50% N/A -4.07%(2) Return After Taxes on Distributions 14.46% N/A -4.09%(2) Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 9.46% N/A -3.45%(2) CLASS C - (INCLUDING CDSC) International Core Equity Fund Return Before Taxes 18.13% N/A -6.64%(3) Return After Taxes on Distributions 18.13% N/A -7.24%(3) Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 11.79% N/A -5.78%(3) CLASS R International Core Equity Fund Return Before Taxes N/A N/A N/A(4) Return After Taxes on Distributions N/A N/A N/A(4) Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares N/A N/A N/A(4) |
(1) The Fund (Investor Class shares) commenced investment operations on October 28, 1998.
(2) Since inception on April 1, 2002.
(3) Since inception on February 15, 2000.
(4) The Fund (Class R shares) commenced investment operations on November 24, 2003.
Average annual total return performance for each of the periods indicated was computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value, according to the following formula:
n P(1 + T) = ERV
where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000 T = average annual total return n = number of years ERV = ending redeemable value of initial payment |
Average annual total return after taxes on distributions and after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares is computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending value, according to the following formula:
After taxes on distributions:
n P(1 + T) =ATV D where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000 T = average annual total return (after taxes on distributions) n = number of years ATV = ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at D the beginning of the 1-, 5-, or 10-year periods at the end of the 1-, 5-, or 10-year periods (or fractional portion) after taxes on fund distributions but not after taxes on redemption. |
After taxes on distributions and redemption:
n P(1 + T) =ATV DR where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000 T = average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and redemption) n = number of years ATV = ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at DR the beginning of the 1-, 5-, or 10-year periods at the end of the 1-, 5-, or 10-year periods (or fractional portion) after taxes on fund distributions and redemptions. ERV = ending redeemable value of initial payment |
The average annual total return performance figures shown above were determined by solving the above formula for "T" for each time period indicated.
In conjunction with performance reports, comparative data between the Fund's performance for a given period and other types of investment vehicles, including certificates of deposit, may be provided to prospective investors and shareholders.
In conjunction with performance reports and/or analyses of shareholder services for the Fund, comparative data between that Fund's performance for a given period and recognized indices of investment results for the same period, and/or assessments of the quality of shareholder service, may be provided to shareholders. Such indices include indices provided by Dow Jones &
Company, S&P, Lipper Inc., Lehman Brothers, National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, Frank Russell Company, Value Line Investment Survey, the American Stock Exchange, Morgan Stanley Capital International, Wilshire Associates, the Financial Times Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the Nikkei Stock Average and Deutcher Aktienindex, all of which are unmanaged market indicators. In addition, rankings, ratings, and comparisons of investment performance and/or assessments of the quality of shareholder service made by independent sources may be used in advertisements, sales literature or shareholder reports, including reprints of, or selections from, editorials or articles about the Fund. These sources utilize information compiled (i) internally; (ii) by Lipper Inc.; or (iii) by other recognized analytical services. The Lipper Inc. mutual fund rankings and comparisons which may be used by the Fund in performance reports will be drawn from the following mutual fund groupings, in addition to the broad-based Lipper general fund groupings:
Lipper Mutual Fund Fund Category ---- ------------- International Core Equity Fund International Funds |
Sources for Fund performance information and articles about the Fund include, but are not limited to, the following:
American Association of Individual Institutional Investor Investors' Journal Investor's Business Daily Arizona Republic Kiplinger's Personal Finance Banxquote Lipper Inc.'s Mutual Fund Performance Barron's Analysis Bloomberg News Los Angeles Times Boston Globe Money Magazine Business Week Morningstar CNBC Mutual Funds Magazine CNN New York Times Chicago Sun Times Rocky Mountain News Chicago Tribune Smart Money Denver Business Journal Time Denver Post U.S. News and World Report Dow Jones News Wire USA Today Financial Times Wall Street Journal Forbes Washington Post Fortune Wiesenberger Investment Companies Ibbotson Associates, Inc. Services |
PENDING LITIGATION
A number of civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed that involve one or more AIM or INVESCO Funds, their former and/or current
investment adviser and/or certain other related parties and that are related to the claims filed by the SEC and/or the New York Attorney General against these parties. A list of such lawsuits that have been served as of February 23, 2004 is set forth in Appendix F.
APPENDIX A
RATINGS OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a description of the factors underlying the debt ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch:
MOODY'S LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
Moody's corporate ratings areas follows:
Aaa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt-edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. These are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risk in Aa rated bonds appear somewhat larger than those securities rated Aaa.
A: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
MOODY'S SHORT-TERM PRIME RATING SYSTEM
Moody's short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor senior financial obligations and contracts. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted.
Moody's employs the following designations, all judged to be investment grade , to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers.
PRIME-1: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior
ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. Prime-1 repayment
ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:
leading market positions in well-established industries; high rates of return on
funds employed; conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on
debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed
financial charges and high internal cash generation; and well-established access
to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
PRIME-2: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
PRIME-3: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
NOT PRIME: Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Note: In addition, in certain countries the prime rating may be modified by the issuer's or guarantor's senior unsecured long-term debt rating.
Moody's municipal ratings are as follows:
Moody's U.S. Long-Term Municipal Bond Rating Definitions
Municipal Ratings are opinions of the investment quality of issuers and issues in the US municipal and tax-exempt markets. As such, these ratings incorporate Moody's assessment of the default probability and loss severity of these issuers and issues.
Municipal Ratings are based upon the analysis of four primary factors relating to municipal finance: economy, debt, finances, and administration/management strategies. Each of the factors is evaluated individually and for its effect on the other factors in the context of the municipality's ability to repay its debt.
Aaa: Issuers or issues rated Aaa demonstrate the strongest creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Aa: Issuers or issues rated Aa demonstrate very strong creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
A: Issuers or issues rated A present above-average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Baa: Issuers or issues rated Baa represent average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ba: Issuers or issues rated Ba demonstrate below-average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
B: Issuers or issues rated B demonstrate weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Caa: Issuers or issues rated Caa demonstrate very weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ca: Issuers or issues rated Ca demonstrate extremely weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
C: Issuers or issues rated C demonstrate the weakest creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Note: Also, Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa to Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the issue ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic category.
MOODY'S MIG/VMIG US SHORT-TERM RATINGS
In municipal debt issuance, there are three rating categories for short-term obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Moody's Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels - MIG 1 through MIG 3.
In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade.
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned. The first element represents Moody's evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody's evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the demand feature, using the MIG rating scale.
The short-term rating assigned to the demand feature of VRDOs is designated as VMIG. When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.
MIG ratings expire at note maturity. By contrast, VMIG rating expirations will be a function of each issue's specific structural or credit features.
Gradations of investment quality are indicated by rating symbols, with each symbol representing a group in which the quality characteristics are broadly the same.
MIG 1/VMIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2/VMIG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3/VMIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.
SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
STANDARD & POOR'S LONG-TERM CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL RATINGS
Issue credit ratings are based in varying degrees, on the following considerations: likelihood of payment - capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; nature of and provisions of the obligation; and protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
The issue ratings definitions are expressed in terms of default risk. As such, they pertain to senior obligations of an entity. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above.
S&P describes its ratings for corporate and municipal bonds as follows:
AAA: Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA: Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in a small degree.
A: Debt rated A has a strong capacity to meet its financial commitments although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB: Debt rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB-B-CCC-CC-C: Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
NR: Not Rated.
S&P DUAL RATINGS
S&P assigns "dual" ratings to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure.
The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term debt rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the commercial paper rating symbols for the put option (for example, AAA/A-1+). With short-term demand debt, the note rating symbols are used with the commercial paper rating symbols (for example, SP-1+/A-1+).
S&P COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.
These categories are as follows:
A-1: This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2: Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.
A-3: Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
B: Issues rated 'B' are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment.
C: This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment.
D: Debt rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes such payments will be made during such grace period.
S&P SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL RATINGS
An S&P note rating reflect the liquidity factors and market-access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment: amortization schedule (the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note); and source of payment (the more dependant the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note).
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1: Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2: Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3: Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
FITCH LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
Fitch Ratings provides an opinion on the ability of an entity or of a securities issue to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, or repayment of principal, on a timely basis. These credit ratings apply to a variety of entities and issues, including but not limited to sovereigns, governments, structured financings, and corporations; debt, preferred/preference stock, bank loans, and counterparties; as well as the financial strength of insurance companies and financial guarantors.
Credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood
of getting their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested.
Thus, the use of credit ratings defines their function: "investment grade"
ratings (international Long-term 'AAA' - 'BBB' categories; Short-term 'F1' -
'F3') indicate a relatively low probability of default, while those in the
"speculative" or "non-investment grade" categories (international Long-term 'BB'
- 'D'; Short-term 'B' - 'D') either signal a higher probability of default or
that a default has already occurred. Ratings imply no specific prediction of
default probability. However, for example, it is relevant to note that over the
long term, defaults on 'AAA' rated U.S. corporate bonds have averaged less than
0.10% per annum, while the equivalent rate for 'BBB' rated bonds was 0.35%, and
for 'B' rated bonds, 3.0%.
Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by insurance policies or financial guaranties unless otherwise indicated.
Entities or issues carrying the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small differences in the degrees of credit risk.
Fitch credit and research are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold any security. Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature of taxability of payments of any security.
The ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other obligors, underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch Ratings believes to be reliable. Fitch Ratings does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such information. Ratings may be changed or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, information or for other reasons.
Our program ratings relate only to standard issues made under the
program concerned; it should not be assumed that these ratings apply to every
issue made under the program. In particular, in the case of non-standard issues,
i.e., those that are linked to the credit of a third party or linked to the
performance of an index, ratings of these issues may deviate from the applicable
program rating.
Credit ratings do not directly address any risk other than credit risk. In particular, these ratings do not deal with the risk of loss due to changes in market interest rates and other market considerations.
AAA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, which is unlikely to be affected by foreseeable events.
AA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The obligor has a very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments which is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of good credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances are more likely to impair this capacity.
PLUS (+) MINUS (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in the "AAA" category.
NR: Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
WITHDRAWN: A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called or refinanced and at Fitch's discretion, when Fitch Ratings deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for ratings purposes.
RATINGWATCH: Ratings are placed on RatingWatch to notify investors that there is a reasonable possibility of a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as "Positive," indicating a potential upgrade, "Negative," for potential downgrade, or "Evolving," if ratings may be raised, lowered or maintained. RatingWatch is typically resolved over a relatively short period.
FITCH SPECULATIVE GRADE BOND RATINGS
BB: Bonds are considered speculative. There is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic changes over time. However, business and financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
B: Bonds are considered highly speculative. Significant credit risk is present but a limited margin of safety remains. While bonds in this class are currently meeting financial commitments, the capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
CCC: Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments.
CC: Default of some kind appears probable.
C: Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, AND D: Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such bonds are extremely speculative and are valued on the basis of their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. "DDD" represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and "D" represents the lowest potential for recovery.
PLUS (+) MINUS (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in categories below CCC.
FITCH SHORT-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
The following ratings scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings. A Short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
F-1+: Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
F-1: Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated "F-1+."
F-2: Good Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
F-3: Fair Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is adequate, however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.
B: Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
D: Default. Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent payment default.
APPENDIX B
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
As of January 1, 2004
TRUSTEE AND/OR NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER OTHER TRUSTEESHIP(S) POSITION(S) HELD WITH THE TRUST SINCE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE --------------------------------- ------- ------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- INTERESTED PERSONS Robert H. Graham(1) -- 1946 1991 Director and Chairman, A I M Management Group Inc. None Trustee, Chairman and President (financial services holding company); Director and Vice Chairman, AMVESCAP PLC and Chairman of AMVESCAP PLC - AIM Division (parent of AIM and a global investment management firm) Formerly: President and Chief Executive Officer, A I M Management Group Inc.; Director, Chairman and President, A I M Advisors, Inc. (registered investment advisor); Director and Chairman, A I M Capital Management, Inc. (registered investment advisor), A I M Distributors, Inc. (registered broker dealer), AIM Investment Services, Inc., (registered transfer agent), and Fund Management Company (registered broker dealer); and Chief Executive Officer, AMVESCAP PLC - Managed Products Mark H. Williamson(2) -- 1951 2003 Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, None Trustee and Executive Vice A I M Management Group Inc. (financial services President holding company); Director, Chairman and President, A I M Advisors, Inc. (registered investment advisor); Director, A I M Capital Management, Inc. (registered investment advisor) and A I M Distributors, Inc. (registered broker dealer); Director and Chairman, AIM Investment Services, Inc., (registered transfer agent), and Fund Management Company (registered broker dealer); and Chief Executive Officer, AMVESCAP PLC - AIM Division (parent of AIM and a global investment management firm) Formerly: Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. and INVESCO Distributors, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, AMVESCAP PLC - Managed Products; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NationsBanc Advisors, Inc.; and Chairman of NationsBanc Investments, Inc. |
(2) Mr. Williamson is considered an interested person of the Trust because he is an officer and a director of the advisor to, and a director of the principal underwriter of, the Trust.
TRUSTEE AND/OR NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER OTHER TRUSTEESHIP(S) POSITION(S) HELD WITH THE TRUST SINCE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE --------------------------------- ------- --------------------------------------------------- -------------------- INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES Bob R. Baker -- 1936 1983 Retired None Trustee Formerly: President and Chief Executive Officer, AMC Cancer Research Center; and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, First Columbia Financial Corporation Frank S. Bayley -- 1939 2001 Of Counsel, law firm of Baker & McKenzie Badgley Funds, Inc. Trustee Formerly: Partner, law firm of Baker & McKenzie (registered investment company) James T. Bunch -- 1942 2000 Co-President and Founder, Green, Manning & Bunch None Trustee Ltd. (investment banking firm); and Director, Policy Studies, Inc. and Van Gilder Insurance Corporation Bruce L. Crockett -- 1944 1992 Chairman, Crockett Technology Associates ACE Limited (insurance Trustee (technology consulting company) company); and Captaris, Inc. (unified messaging provider) Albert R. Dowden -- 1941 2000 Director of a number of public and private business Cortland Trust, Inc. Trustee corporations, including the Boss Group, Ltd. (Chairman) (registered (private investment and management) and Magellan investment company); Insurance Company Annuity and Life Re (Holdings), Ltd. Formerly: Director, President and Chief Executive (insurance company) Officer, Volvo Group North America, Inc.; Senior Vice President, AB Volvo; and director of various affiliated Volvo companies Edward K. Dunn, Jr. -- 1935 1998 Retired None Trustee Formerly: Chairman, Mercantile Mortgage Corp.; President and Chief Operating Officer, Mercantile-Safe Deposit & Trust Co.; and President, Mercantile Bankshares Corp. Jack M. Fields -- 1952 1997 Chief Executive Officer, Twenty First Century Administaff ; and Trustee Group, Inc. (government affairs company) and Texana Discovery Global Timber LP (sustainable forestry company) Education Fund (non-profit) Carl Frischling -- 1937 1991 Partner, law firm of Kramer Levin Naftalis and Cortland Trust, Inc. Trustee Frankel LLP (registered investment company) Gerald J. Lewis -- 1933 2000 Chairman, Lawsuit Resolution Services (San Diego, General Chemical Group, Trustee California) Inc. Formerly: Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeals |
TRUSTEE AND/OR NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER OTHER TRUSTEESHIP(S) POSITION(S) HELD WITH THE TRUST SINCE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE --------------------------------- ------- --------------------------------------------------- -------------------- Prema Mathai-Davis -- 1950 1998 Formerly: Chief Executive Officer, YWCA of the USA None Trustee Lewis F. Pennock -- 1942 1991 Partner, law firm of Pennock & Cooper None Trustee Ruth H. Quigley -- 1935 2001 Retired None Trustee Louis S. Sklar -- 1939 1991 Executive Vice President, Development and None Trustee Operations, Hines Interests Limited Partnership (real estate development company) Larry Soll, Ph.D. -- 1942 1997 Retired None Trustee OTHER OFFICERS Kevin M. Carome - 1956 2003 Director, Senior Vice President, Secretary and N/A Senior Vice President and Chief General Counsel, A I M Management Group Inc. Legal Officer (financial services holding company) and A I M Advisors, Inc.; and Vice President, A I M Capital Management, Inc., A I M Distributors, Inc. and AIM Investment Services, Inc.; Director, Vice President and General Counsel, Fund Management Company Formerly: Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.; and Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Liberty Funds Group, LLC Robert G. Alley -- 1948 1994 Managing Director, Chief Fixed Income Officer, and N/A Vice President Senior Investment Officer, A I M Capital Management, Inc. and Vice President, A I M Advisors, Inc. Stuart W. Coco - 1955 2002 Managing Director and Director of Money Market N/A Vice President Research and Special Projects, A I M Capital Management, Inc.; and Vice President, A I M Advisors, Inc. Melville B. Cox -- 1943 1992 Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, A I M N/A Vice President Advisors, Inc. and A I M Capital Management, Inc.; and Vice President, AIM Investment Services, Inc. Edgar M. Larsen(4) -- 1940 1999 Vice President, A I M Advisors, Inc.; and N/A Vice President President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, A I M Capital Management, Inc. Sidney M. Dilgren -- 1961 2004 Vice President and Fund Treasurer, A I M Advisors, N/A Vice President and Treasurer Inc.; Vice President, A I M Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice President, AIM Investment Services, Inc. |
OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Dollar Range of Equity Securities Trustee inthe Name of Trustee Per Fund AIM Funds and the INVESCO Funds ---------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Robert H. Graham Asia Pacific Growth $50,001 - $100,000 Over $100,000 European Growth Over $100,000 Global Aggressive Growth Over $100,000 Global Growth $10,001 - $50,000 International Core Equity Over $100,000 International Growth Over $100,000 Mark H. Williamson European Growth $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000 Global Aggressive Growth $50,001 - $100,000 Bob R. Baker European Growth $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 Frank S. Bayley European Growth $1 - $10,000 $50,001 - $100,000 Global Growth $10,001 - $50,000 James T. Bunch European Growth $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 Bruce L. Crockett INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 $10,001 - $50,000 Albert R. Dowden -0- Over $100,000 Edward K. Dunn, Jr. Global Aggressive Growth $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000(3) International Growth $10,001 - $50,000 Jack M. Fields -0- Over $100,000(3) |
(3) Includes the total amount of compensation deferred by the trustee at his or her election pursuant to a deferred compensation plan. Such deferred compensation is placed in a deferral account and deemed to be invested in one or more of the AIM or INVESCO Funds.
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Dollar Range of Equity Securities Trustee in the Name of Trustee Per Fund AIM Funds and the INVESCO Funds ---------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Carl Frischling Global Growth $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000(3) Gerald J. Lewis European Growth $1 - $10,000 $50,001 - $100,000 INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 Prema Mathai-Davis -0- $1 - $10,000(3) Lewis F. Pennock -0- $50,001 -- $100,000 Ruth H. Quigley -0- $1 - $10,000 Louis S. Sklar International Growth Over $100,000 Over $100,000(3) Larry Soll European Growth $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 Global Aggressive Growth $10,001 - $50,000 INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 |
APPENDIX C
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE
Set forth below is information regarding compensation paid or accrued for each trustee of the Trust who was not affiliated with AIM and/or INVESCO during the year ended December 31, 2003:
RETIREMENT BENEFITS ESTIMATED TOTAL ACCRUED ANNUAL BENEFITS COMPENSATION AGGREGATE BY ALL UPON RETIREMENT FROM AIM COMPENSATION FROM AIM FUNDS AND FROM AIM FUNDS FUNDS AND INVESCO THE INVESCO AND INVESCO FUNDS PAID TO TRUSTEE TRUST(1) FUNDS(2) FUNDS(3) TRUSTEES (4) ----------------------------- ------------------ --------------- ---------------- --------------------- Bob R. Baker(5) $ 0 $32,635 $114,131 $154,554 Frank S. Bayley 7,241 131,228 90,000 159,000 James T. Bunch(5) 0 20,436 90,000 138,679 Bruce L. Crockett 7,289 46,000 90,000 160,000 Albert R. Dowden 7,241 57,716 90,000 159,000 Edward K. Dunn, Jr. 7,289 94,860 90,000 160,000 Jack M. Fields 7,245 28,036 90,000 159,000 Carl Frischling(6) 7,289 40,447 90,000 160,000 Gerald J. Lewis(5) 0 20,436 90,000 142,054 Prema Mathai-Davis 7,289 33,142 90,000 160,000 Lewis F. Pennock 7,289 49,610 90,000 160,000 Ruth H. Quigley 7,289 126,050 90,000 160,000 Louis S. Sklar 7,289 72,786 90,000 160,000 Larry Soll(5) 0 48,830 108,090 140,429 |
(1) Amounts shown are based on the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003. The total amount of compensation deferred by all trustees of the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, including earnings, was $25,285.
(2) During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the total amount of expenses allocated to the Trust in respect of such retirement benefits was $40,694.
(3) These amounts represent the estimated annual benefits payable by the AIM Funds and INVESCO Funds upon the trustees' retirement. These estimated benefits assume retirement at age 65 for the AIM Funds and at age 72 for the INVESCO Funds. Amounts shown assume each trustee serves until his or her normal retirement date and has ten years of service.
(4) All trustees currently serve as trustees of 19 registered investment companies advised by AIM.
(5) Messrs. Baker, Bunch, Lewis and Dr. Soll were elected as trustees of the Trust on October 21, 2003 and therefore received no compensation from the Trust during fiscal year ended October 31, 2003.
(6) During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 the Trust paid $16,561 in legal fees to Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP for services rendered by such firm as counsel to the independent trustees of the Trust. Mr. Frischling is a partner of such firm.
APPENDIX D
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
THE PROXY VOTING POLICIES APPLICABLE TO INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND FOLLOW:
GENERAL POLICY
INVESCO Institutional (NA), Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and INVESCO Global Asset Management (N.A.), Inc. ("INVESCO") each has responsibility for making investment decisions that are in the best interest of its clients. As part of the investment management services it provides to clients, INVESCO may be authorized by clients to vote proxies appurtenant to the shares for which the clients are beneficial owners.
As a fiduciary, INVESCO believes that it has a duty to manage clients' assets solely in the best interest of the clients and that the ability to vote proxies is a client asset. Accordingly, INVESCO has a duty to vote proxies in a manner in which it believes will add value to the client's investment.
INVESCO is regulated by various state and federal laws, such as the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). Because there may be different proxy voting standards for ERISA and non-ERISA clients, INVESCO's policy is to apply the proxy voting policies and procedures described herein to all of its clients. Any discussion herein which refers to an ERISA or non-ERISA situation is used for reference only.
INVESCO may amend its proxy policies and procedures from time to time without prior notice to its clients.
BACKGROUND
ERISA fiduciary standards relating to proxy voting have not been interpreted until more recent times.
Due to the large number of mergers and acquisitions in the 1980s and the growing importance of institutional investors in the equity markets, the Department of Labor ("DOL"), which enforces fiduciary standards for ERISA plan sponsors and managers, took the position that the right to vote shares of stock owned by a pension plan is, in itself, an asset of the plan. Thus, the "Wall Street Rule" of "vote with management (or abstain from voting) or sell the stock" was under scrutiny.
In 1988, the DOL stated, in the "Avon Letter", that the fiduciary act of managing plan assets that are shares of corporate stock includes the voting of proxies appurtenant to those shares of stock. Accordingly, where the authority to manage plan assets has been delegated to
an investment manager pursuant to ERISA, no person other than the investment manager has authority to vote proxies appurtenant to such plan assets, except to the extent the named fiduciary has reserved to itself the right to direct a plan trustee regarding the voting of proxies.
In 1990, in the "Monks Letter", the DOL stated that an ERISA violation would occur if the investment manager is explicitly or implicitly assigned the authority to vote proxies appurtenant to certain plan-owned stock and the named fiduciary, trustee or any person other than the investment manager makes the decision on how to vote the same proxies. Thus, according to the DOL, if the investment management contract expressly provides that the investment manager is not required to vote proxies, but does not expressly preclude the investment manager from voting the relevant proxies, the investment manager would have the exclusive fiduciary responsibility for voting the proxies. In contrast, the DOL pointed out that if either the plan document or the investment management contract expressly precludes the investment manager from voting proxies, the responsibility for voting proxies lies exclusively with the trustee.
In 1994, in its Interpretive Bulletin 94-2 ("94-2"), the DOL reiterated and supplemented the Avon and Monks Letters. In addition, 94-2 extended the principles put forth in the Avon and Monks Letters to voting of proxies on shares of foreign corporations. However, the DOL recognized that the cost of exercising a vote on a particular proxy proposal could exceed any benefit that the plan could expect to gain in voting on the proposal. Therefore, the plan fiduciary had to weigh the costs and benefits of voting on proxy proposals relating to foreign securities and make an informed decision with respect to whether voting a given proxy proposal is prudent and solely in the interest of the plan's participants and beneficiaries.
In January 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") adopted
regulations regarding Proxy Voting by investment advisers (SEC Release No.
IA-2106). These regulations required investment advisers to (1) adopt written
proxy voting policies and procedures which describe how the adviser addresses
material conflicts between its interests and those of its clients with respect
to proxy voting and which also addresses how the adviser resolves those
conflicts in the bet interest of clients; (2) disclose to clients how they can
obtain information from the adviser on how the adviser voted the proxies; and
(3) describe to clients its proxy voting policies and procedure to clients and,
upon request, furnish a copy of them to clients.
PROXY VOTING POLICY
Consistent with the fiduciary standards discussed above, INVESCO will vote proxies unless either the named fiduciary (e.g., the plan sponsor) retains in writing the right to direct the plan trustee or a third party to vote proxies or INVESCO determines that any benefit the client might gain from voting a proxy would be outweighed by the costs associated therewith (i.e., foreign proxies). In voting such proxies, INVESCO will act prudently, taking into consideration those factors that may affect the value of the security and will vote such proxies in a manner in which, in its opinion, is in the best interests of clients.
PROXY COMMITTEE
The INVESCO Proxy Committee will establish guidelines and procedures for voting proxies and will periodically review records on how proxies were voted.
The Proxy Committee will consist of certain of INVESCO's equity investment professionals and non-equity investment professionals.
PROXY MANAGER
The Proxy Committee will appoint a Proxy Manager and/or hire a third-party Proxy Agent to analyze proxies, act as a liaison to the Proxy Committee and manage the proxy voting process, which process includes the voting of proxies and the maintenance of appropriate records.
The Proxy Manager will exercise discretion to vote proxies within the guidelines established by the Proxy Committee. The Proxy Manager will consult with the Proxy Committee in determining how to vote proxies for issues not specifically covered by the proxy voting guidelines adopted by the Proxy Committee or in situations where the Proxy Manager or members of the Committee determine that consultation is prudent.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
In effecting our policy of voting proxies in the best interests of our clients, there may be occasions where the voting of such proxies may present an actual or perceived conflict of interest between INVESCO, as the investment manager, and clients.
Some of these potential conflicts of interest situations include, but are not limited to, (1) where INVESCO (or an affiliate) manage assets, administer employee benefit plans, or provides other financial services or products to companies whose management is soliciting proxies and failure to vote proxies in favor of the management of such a company may harm our (or an affiliate's) relationship with the company; (2) where INVESCO (or an affiliate) may have a business relationship, not with the company, but with a proponent of a proxy proposal and where INVESCO (or an affiliate) may manage assets for the proponent; or (3) where INVESCO (or an affiliate) or any member of the Proxy Committee may have personal or business relationships with participants in proxy contests, corporate directors or candidates for corporate directorships, or where INVESCO (or an affiliate) or any member of the Proxy Committee may have a personal interest in the outcome of a particular matter before shareholders.
In order to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, in the event that INVESCO (or an affiliate) manages assets for a company, its pension plan, or related entity or where any member of the Proxy Committee has a personal conflict of interest, and where we have invested clients'
funds in that company's shares, the Proxy Committee will not take into consideration this relationship and will vote proxies in that company solely in the best interest of all of our clients.
In addition, members of the Proxy Committee must notify INVESCO's Chief Compliance Officer, with impunity and without fear of retribution or retaliation, of any direct, indirect or perceived improper influence made by anyone within INVESCO or by an affiliated company's representatives with regard to how INVESCO should vote proxies. The Chief Compliance Officer will investigate the allegations and will report his or her findings the INVESCO Management Committee. In the event that it is determined that improper influence was made, the Management Committee will determine the appropriate action to take which may include, but is not limited to, (1) notifying the affiliated company's Chief Executive Officer, its Management Committee or Board of Directors, (2) taking remedial action, if necessary, to correct the result of any improper influence where the clients have been harmed, or (3) notifying the appropriate regulatory agencies of the improper influence and to fully cooperate with these regulatory agencies as required. In all cases, the Proxy Committee shall not take into consideration the improper influence in determining how to vote proxies and will vote proxies solely in the best interest of clients.
Furthermore, members of the Proxy Committee must advise INVESCO's Chief Compliance Officer and fellow Committee members of any actual or potential conflicts of interest he or she may have with regard to how proxies are to be voted regarding certain companies (e.g., personal security ownership in a company, or personal or business relationships with participants in proxy contests, corporate directors or candidates for corporate directorships). After reviewing such conflict, upon advice from the Chief Compliance Officer, the Committee may require such Committee member to recuse himself or herself from participating in the discussions regarding the proxy vote item and from casting a vote regarding how INVESCO should vote such proxy.
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES
The Proxy Manager will:
o Vote proxies;
o Take reasonable steps to reconcile proxies received by INVESCO and/or a third-party Proxy Agent who administers the vote with shares held in the accounts;
o Document the vote and rationale for each proxy voted (routine matters are considered to be documented if a proxy is voted in accordance with the Proxy Voting Guidelines established by the Proxy Committee);
o If requested, provide to clients a report of the proxies voted on their behalf.
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
The Proxy Committee has adopted the following guidelines in voting proxies:
I. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
INVESCO will evaluate each proposal separately. However, INVESCO will generally vote FOR a management sponsored proposal unless it believes that adoption of the proposal may have a negative impact on the economic interests of shareholders.
INVESCO will generally vote FOR
o Annual election of directors
o Appointment of auditors
o Indemnification of management or directors or both against negligent or unreasonable action
o Confidentiality of voting
o Equal access to proxy statements
o Cumulative voting
o Declassification of Boards
o Majority of Independent Directors
INVESCO will generally vote AGAINST
o Removal of directors from office only for cause or by a supermajority vote
o "Sweeteners" to attract support for proposals
o Unequal voting rights proposals ("superstock")
o Staggered or classified election of directors
o Limitation of shareholder rights to remove directors, amend by-laws, call special meetings, nominate directors, or other actions to limit or abolish shareholder rights to act independently such as acting by written consent
o Proposals to vote unmarked proxies in favor of management
o Proposals to eliminate existing pre-emptive rights
II. TAKEOVER DEFENSE AND RELATED ACTIONS
INVESCO will evaluate each proposal separately. Generally, INVESCO will vote FOR a management sponsored anti-takeover proposal which (1) enhances management's bargaining position and (2) when combined with other anti-takeover provisions, including state takeover laws, does not discourage serious offers. INVESCO believes that generally four or more anti-takeover measures, which can only be repealed by a super-majority vote, are considered sufficient to discourage serious offers and therefore should be voted AGAINST.
INVESCO will generally vote FOR
o Fair price provisions
o Certain increases in authorized shares and/or creation of new classes of common or preferred stock
o Proposals to eliminate greenmail provisions
o Proposals to eliminate poison pill provisions
o Proposals to re-evaluate or eliminate in-place "shark repellents"
INVESCO will generally vote AGAINST
o Proposals authorizing the company's board of directors to adopt, amend or repeal by-laws without shareholders' approval
o Proposals authorizing the company's management or board of directors to buy back shares at premium prices without shareholders' approval
III. COMPENSATION PLANS
INVESCO will evaluate each proposal separately. INVESCO believes that in order for companies to recruit, promote and retain competent personnel, companies must provide appropriate and competitive compensation plans. INVESCO will generally vote FOR management sponsored compensation plans, which are reasonable, industry competitive and not unduly burdensome to the company in order for the company to recruit, promote and retain competent personnel.
INVESCO will generally vote FOR
o Stock option plans and/or stock appreciation right plans
o Profit incentive plans provided the option is priced at 100% fair market value
o Extension of stock option grants to non-employee directors in lieu of their cash compensation provided the option is priced at or about the then fair market value
o Profit sharing, thrift or similar savings plans
INVESCO will generally vote AGAINST
o Stock option plans that permit issuance of loans to management or selected employees with authority to sell stock purchased by the loan without immediate repayment, or that are overly generous (below market price or with appreciation rights paying the difference between option price and the stock, or permit pyramiding or the directors to lower the purchase price of outstanding options without a simultaneous and proportionate reduction in the number of shares available)
o Incentive plans which become effective in the event of hostile takeovers or mergers (golden and tin parachutes)
o Proposals creating an unusually favorable compensation structure in advance of a sale of the company
o Proposals that fail to link executive compensation to management performance
o Acceleration of stock options/awards if the majority of the board of directors changes within a two year period
o Grant of stock options to non-employee directors in lieu of their cash compensation at a price below 100% fair market value
o Adoption of a stock purchase plan at less than 85% of fair market value
IV. CAPITAL STRUCTURE, CLASSES OF STOCK AND RECAPITALIZATION
INVESCO will evaluate each proposal separately. INVESCO recognizes that from time to time companies must reorganize their capital structure in order to avail themselves of access to the capital markets and in order to restructure their financial position in order to raise capital and to be better capitalized. Generally, INVESCO will vote FOR such management sponsored reorganization proposals if such proposals will help the company gain better access to the capital markets and to attain a better financial position. INVESCO will generally vote AGAINST such proposals that appear to entrench management and do not provide shareholders with economic value.
INVESCO will generally vote FOR
o Proposals to reincorporate or reorganize into a holding company
o Authorization of additional common or preferred shares to accommodate a stock split or other business purposes not related to anti-takeover measures as long as the increase is not excessive and a valid need has been proven
INVESCO will generally vote AGAINST
o Proposals designed to discourage mergers and acquisitions in advance
o Proposals to change state of incorporation to a state less favorable to shareholders' interests
o Reincorporating in another state to implement anti-takeover measures
V. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
INVESCO will evaluate each proposal separately. INVESCO believes that a corporation, if it is in a solid financial position and can afford to do so, has an obligation to return certain largesse to the communities in which it operates. INVESCO believes that the primary mission of a company is to be profitable. However, where a company has proven that it is able to sustain a level of profitability and the market price of the company's shares reflect an appropriate economic value for such shares, INVESCO will generally vote FOR certain social responsibility initiatives. INVESCO will generally vote AGAINST proposed social responsibility initiatives if it believes that the company already has adequate policies and procedures in place and it should focus its efforts on enhancing shareholder value where the assets and resources involved could be put to better use in obtaining profits.
INVESCO will generally vote FOR
o International Labor Organization Principles
o Resolutions seeking Basic Labor Protections and Equal Employment Opportunity
o Expanding EEO/Social Responsibility Reporting
RECORD KEEPING
The Proxy Manager will take necessary steps to retain proxy voting records for the period of time as required by regulations.
APPENDIX E
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
To the best knowledge of the Trust, the names and addresses of the record and beneficial holders of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of the Trust's equity securities and the percentage of the outstanding shares held by such holders are set forth below. Unless otherwise indicated below, the Trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record are also owned beneficially.
A shareholder who owns beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding securities of a Fund is presumed to "control" that Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. Such control may affect the voting rights of other shareholders.
All information listed below is as of February 3, 2004.
AIM ASIA PACIFIC GROWTH FUND
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- PERCENTAGE OWNED PERCENTAGE OWNED PERCENTAGE OWNED NAME AND ADDRESS OF OF OF OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account Attn: Cindy Tempesta, 7th Floor 6.21% 6.76% 5.67% 333 West 34th Street New York, NY 10001-2402 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO The Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration -0- -0- 15.05% 4800 Deer Lake Dr East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL, 32246 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
AIM EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- AMVESCAP Natl TR CO FBO Equator Technologies, Inc. 401 (K) Retirement Plan -0- -0- -0- 31.93% -0- P. O. Box 105779 Atlanta GA 30348-5779 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody FBO Customers (SIM) Attn: Mutual Funds -0- -0- -0- -0- 35.18% 101 Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor 9.70% 8.74% 8.06% -0- 333 West 34th Street New York NY 10001-2402 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO the Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 7.58% 5.89% 18.47% -0- 4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Floor Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nat'l Financial Services Corp The Exclusive Benefit of Cust. One World Financial Center -0- -0- -0- -0- 7.09% 200 Liberty St. 5th Floor Attn: Kate - Recon New York, NY 10281-5503 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NFSC FEBO Western Management Inc. PSP J Turk & M. Morse TTEES V/A 12-23-81 -0- -0- -0- 8.09% -0- 1301 E.9th St. Ste. 3330 Cleveland, OH 44114-1817 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Reliance Trust Company Custodian FBO Morley Incentives 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan -0- -0- -0- 32.42% -0- & Trust P.O. Box 48529 Atlanta, GA 30362-1529 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
AIM GLOBAL AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- PERCENTAGE OWNED PERCENTAGE OWNED PERCENTAGE OWNED NAME AND ADDRESS OF OF OF OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account 6.26% 8.23% 7.81% Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor 333 West 34th Street New York NY 10001-2402 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO The Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 8.96% 11.70% 18.50% 4800 Deer Lake Dr East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
AIM GLOBAL GROWTH FUND
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- PERCENTAGE OWNED PERCENTAGE OWNED PERCENTAGE OWNED NAME AND ADDRESS OF OF OF OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor 333 West 34th Street 7.69% 6.58% 5.13% New York NY 10001-2402 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deloitte & Touche 401K Plan Chase Manhattan Bank TTEE Attn: Angela Ma 7.96% -0- -0- 3 Metrotech Center, 6th Floor Brooklyn NY 11245-0001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO The Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 5.52% 9.26% 19.94% 4800 Deer Lake Dr East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- AMVESCAP National Trust Co. FBO -0- -0- -0- 20.89% -0- West Boylston Insurance Agency, Inc. 401(k) Plan P. O. Box 105779 Atlanta GA 30348-5779 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor -0- 8.07% -0- -0- -0- 333 West 34th Street New York NY 10001-2402 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First Command Bank Trust Attn: Trust Department P. O. Box 901075 -0- -0- -0- -0- 99.32% Fort Worth TX 76101-2075 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MCB Trust Services Cust. FBO Westor, Inc. 700 17th Street, Suite 300 -0- -0- -0- 15.80% -0- Denver, CO 80202-3531 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO the Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 30.82% 22.15% 44.13% 10.03 -0- 4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246-6484 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R* SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Airbrush Images Inc. 401(k) Plan Daniel E. Henrichs Trustee -0- -0- -0- 7.59% -0- 850 N FM 3083 Conroe, TX 77303-1850 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AMVESCAP National Trust Company FBO Equator Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan -0- -0- -0- 6.71% -0- PO Box 105779 Atlanta, GA 30348-5779 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Taghi Partners Safe Harbor 401(k) Ali Tachizadeh or Houshang Techizadeh Trustees -0- -0- -0- 7.01% -0- Ominbus Account 5116 Westheimer Houston, TX 77056-5506 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. 5.94% -0- -0- -0- 14.49% Special Custody Acct for the Exclusive Benefit of Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 101 Montgomery St. San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R* SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO the Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 11.58% 9.25% 47.13% -0- -0- 4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246-6484 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Muir & Co Attn: Mutual Fund Area T-8 P.O. Box 2479 -0- -0- -0- -0- 19.40% San Antonio, TX 78298-2479 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reliance Trust Company Cust FBO William J. Kamm and Sons Inc. 401K Plan -0- -0- -0- 9.22% -0- PO Box 48529 Atlanta, GA 30362-1529 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RR-USA Inc. 401K Carlo Pecorari Trustee Omnibus Account -0- -0- -0- 6.17% -0- 8 Creek Parkway Boothwyn, PA 19061-3132 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheikh Rahman Trustee FBO SAR Engineering Inc. 401K Plan 10 Granite Street -0- -0- -0- 7.14% -0- Quincy, MA 02169-5021 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
* Class R shares commenced operations on November 24, 2003.
MANAGEMENT OWNERSHIP
As of February 3, 2004, the trustees and officers as a group owned less than 1% of the shares outstanding of each class of each Fund.
APPENDIX F
PENDING LITIGATION
The following civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, involving one or more AIM or INVESCO Funds, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"), A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") or INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO") and certain related parties have been served as of February 23, 2004.
RAJ SANYAL, DERIVATELY ON BEHALF OF NATIONS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND, V. WILLIAM P. CARMICHAEL, WILLIAM H. GRIGG, THOMAS F. KELLER, CARL E. MUNDY, JR., CORNELIUS J. PINGS, A. MAX WALKER, CHARLES B. WALKER, EDMUND L. BENSON, III, ROBERT H. GORDON, JAMES B. SOMMERS, THOMAS S. WORD, JR., EDWARD D. BEDARD, GERALD MURPHY, ROBERT B. CARROLL, INVESCO
GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, BANK OF AMERICA
CORPORATION, MARSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, BANC OF AMERICA ADVISORS,
LLC, BANC OF AMERICA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, AND NATIONS FUNDS TRUST,
in the Superior Court Division, State of North Carolina (Civil Action
No. 03-CVS-19622), filed November 14, 2003. This claim alleges common
law breach of fiduciary duty; abuse of control; gross mismanagement;
waste of fund assets; and unjust enrichment. The plaintiff in this case
is seeking: injunctive relief; including imposition of a constructive
trust; damages; restitution and disgorgement; and costs and expenses,
including counsel fees and expert fees.
JOEL GOODMAN, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY
SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC. AND RAYMOND R. CUNNINGHAM, in
the District Court, City and County of Denver, Colorado (Case Number
03CV9268), filed on December 5, 2003. This claim alleges breach of
fiduciary duty and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. The
plaintiffs in this case are seeking: injunctive relief; accounting for
all damages and for all profits and any special benefits obtained;
disgorgement; restitution and damages; costs and disbursements,
including attorneys' and experts' fees; and equitable relief.
L. SCOTT KARLIN, DERIVATIVELY ON BEHALF OF INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC. V.
AMVESCAP, PLC, INVESCO, INC., CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, CANARY
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC., AND CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD., in the
United States District Court, District of Colorado (Civil Action No.
03-MK-2406), filed on November 28, 2003. This claim alleges violations
of Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
("Investment Company Act"), and common law breach of fiduciary duty.
The plaintiffs in this case are seeking damages and costs and expenses,
including attorneys' and experts' fees.
EDWARD LOWINGER AND SHARON LOWINGER, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL
OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, V. INVESCO ADVANTAGE
HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO CORE EQUITY FUND, INVESCO DYNAMICS FUND,
INVESCO ENERGY FUND, INVESCO FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, INVESCO GOLD &
PRECIOUS METALS FUND, INVESCO HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO
INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND (FORMERLY KNOWN AS INTERNATIONAL BLUE
CHIP VALUE FUND), INVESCO LEISURE FUND, INVESCO MID-CAP GROWTH FUND,
INVESCO MULTI-SECTOR FUND, AIM INVESCO S&P 500 INDEX FUND, INVESCO
SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND, INVESCO TECHNOLOGY FUND, INVESCO TOTAL
RETURN FUND, INVESCO UTILITIES FUND, AIM MONEY MARKET FUND, AIM INVESCO
TAX-FREE MONEY FUND, AIM INVESCO TREASURER'S MONEY MARKET RESERVE FUND,
AIM INVESCO TREASURER'S TAX-EXEMPT RESERVE FUND, AIM INVESCO U.S.
GOVERNMENT MONEY FUND, INVESCO ADVANTAGE FUND, INVESCO BALANCED FUND,
INVESCO EUROPEAN FUND, INVESCO GROWTH FUND, INVESCO HIGH-YIELD FUND,
INVESCO GROWTH & INCOME FUND, INVESCO REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY FUND,
INVESCO SELECT INCOME FUND, INVESCO TAX-FREE BOND FUND, INVESCO
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND, INVESCO U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND,
INVESCO VALUE FUND, INVESCO; INVESCO LATIN AMERICAN GROWTH FUND
(COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS THE "INVESCO FUNDS"); AIM STOCK FUNDS, AIM
COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST, AIM SECTOR FUNDS INC., AIM BOND FUNDS INC., AIM
COMBINATION STOCK AND BOND FUNDS INC., AIM MONEY MARKET FUNDS INC., AIM
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS INC. (COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS THE "INVESCO FUNDS
REGISTRANTS"); AMVESCAP PLC, INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC.; TIMOTHY MILLER;
RAYMOND CUNNINGHAM; THOMAS KOLBE; EDWARD J. STERN; AMERICAN SKANDIA
INC.; BREAN MURRAY & CO., INC.; CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC; CANARY
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC; CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD.; AND JOHN
DOES 1-100, in the United States District Court, Southern District of
New York (Civil Action No. 03-CV-9634), filed on December 4, 2003. This
claim alleges violations of: Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"); Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act");
Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act; and Section 206 of the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"). The plaintiffs
in this case are seeking: compensatory damages; rescission; return of
fees paid; accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and
compensation; restitution and disgorgement; and other costs and
expenses, including counsel fees and expert fees.
RICHARD RAVER, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC., INVESCO STOCK FUNDS, INC., AIM MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC., AIM STOCK FUNDS, AIM STOCK FUNDS, INC., AMVESCAP PLC, INVESCO ADVANTAGE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO CORE EQUITY FUND, INVESCO
DYNAMICS FUND, INVESCO ENERGY FUND, INVESCO FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND,
INVESCO GOLD & PRECIOUS METALS FUND, INVESCO HEALTH SCIENCES FUND,
INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND, INVESCO LEISURE FUND, INVESCO
MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INVESCO MULTI-SECTOR FUND, INVESCO S&P 500 INDEX
FUND, INVESCO SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND, INVESCO TECHNOLOGY FUND,
INVESCO TOTAL RETURN FUND, INVESCO UTILITIES FUND, INVESCO ADVANTAGE
FUND, INVESCO BALANCED FUND, INVESCO EUROPEAN FUND, INVESCO GROWTH
FUND, INVESCO HIGH YIELD FUND, INVESCO GROWTH & INCOME FUND, INVESCO
INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP VALUE FUND, INVESCO REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY
FUND, INVESCO SELECT FUND, INVESCO TAX-FREE BOND FUND, INVESCO
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND, INVESCO U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND,
INVESCO VALUE FUND, EDWARD J. STERN, CANARY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC,
CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD., CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, AND DOES
1-100, in the United States District Court, District of Colorado (Civil
Action No. 03-F-2441), filed on December 2, 2003. This claim alleges
violations of: Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act; Sections 10(b)
and 20(a) of the Exchange Act; Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act; and
Sections 34(b), 36(a) and 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. The
claim also alleges common law breach of fiduciary duty. The plaintiffs
in this case are seeking: damages; pre-judgment and post-judgment
interest; attorneys' and experts' fees; and other relief.
STEVEN B. EHRLICH, CUSTODIAN FOR ALEXA P. EHRLICH, UGTMA/FLORIDA, AND DENNY P. JACOBSON, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, V. INVESCO ADVANTAGE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO CORE EQUITY FUND, INVESCO DYNAMICS FUND, INVESCO ENERGY FUND, INVESCO FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, INVESCO GOLD & PRECIOUS METALS FUND, INVESCO HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND (FORMERLY KNOWN AS INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP VALUE FUND), INVESCO LEISURE FUND, INVESCO MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INVESCO MULTI-SECTOR FUND, AIM INVESCO S&P 500 INDEX FUND, INVESCO SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND, INVESCO TECHNOLOGY FUND, INVESCO TOTAL RETURN FUND, INVESCO UTILITIES FUND, AIM MONEY MARKET FUND, AIM INVESCO TAX-FREE MONEY FUND, AIM INVESCO TREASURERS MONEY MARKET RESERVE FUND, AIM INVESCO TREASURERS TAX-EXEMPT RESERVE FUND, AIM INVESCO US GOVERNMENT MONEY FUND, INVESCO ADVANTAGE FUND, INVESCO BALANCED FUND, INVESCO EUROPEAN FUND, INVESCO GROWTH FUND, INVESCO HIGH-YIELD FUND, INVESCO GROWTH & INCOME FUND, INVESCO REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITY FUND, INVESCO SELECT INCOME FUND, INVESCO TAX-FREE BOND FUND, INVESCO
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND, INVESCO U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND,
INVESCO VALUE FUND, INVESCO LATIN AMERICAN GROWTH FUND (COLLECTIVELY
KNOW AS THE "INVESCO FUNDS"); AIM STOCK FUNDS, AIM COUNSELOR SERIES
TRUST, AIM SECTOR FUNDS INC., AIM BOND FUNDS INC., AIM COMBINATION
STOCK AND BOND FUNDS INC., AIM MONEY MARKET FUNDS INC., AIM
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS INC. (COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS THE "INVESCO FUNDS
REGISTRANTS"); AMVESCAP PLC, INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC.; TIMOTHY MILLER;
RAYMOND CUNNINGHAM; THOMAS KOLBE; EDWARD J. STERN; AMERICAN SKANDIA
INC.; BREAN MURRAY & CO., INC.; CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC; CANARY
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC; CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD.; AND JOHN
DOES 1-100, in the United States District Court, District of Colorado
(Civil Action No. 03-N-2559), filed on December 17, 2003. This claim
alleges violations of: Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act;
Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act; Rule 10b-5 under the
Exchange Act; and Section 206 of the Advisers Act. The plaintiffs in
this case are seeking: compensatory damages; rescission; return of fees
paid; accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation;
restitution and disgorgement; and other costs and expenses, including
counsel fees and expert fees.
PAT B. GORSUCH AND GEORGE L. GORSUCH V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC.; AND
AIM ADVISER, INC., in the United States District Court, District of
Colorado (Civil Action No. 03-MK-2612), filed on December 24, 2003.
This claim alleges violations of: Sections 15(a), 20(a) and 36(b) of
the Investment Company Act. The plaintiffs in this case are seeking:
rescission and/or voiding of the investment advisory agreements; return
of fees paid; damages; and other costs and expenses, including counsel
fees and expert fees.
LORI WEINRIB, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY
SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC., AIM STOCK FUNDS, AIM COUNSELOR
SERIES TRUST, AIM SECTOR FUNDS INC., AIM BOND FUNDS INC., AIM
COMBINATION STOCK AND BOND FUNDS INC., AIM MONEY MARKET FUNDS INC., AIM
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS INC.; AMVESCAP PLC, TIMOTHY MILLER, RAYMOND
CUNNINGHAM, THOMAS KOLBE; EDWARD J. STERN; AMERICAN SKANDIA INC., BREAN
MURRAY & CO., INC., CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, CANARY INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT, LLC, CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD; AND JOHN DOES 1-100, in
the United States District Court, Southern District of New York (Civil
Action No. 04-CV-00492), filed on January 21, 2004. This claim alleges
violations of: Sections 11 and 15 of the 1933 Act; Sections 10(b) and
20(a) of the Exchange Act; Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act; and
Section 206 of the Advisers Act. The plaintiffs in this case are
seeking: compensatory damages; rescission; return of fees paid;
accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation;
restitution and disgorgement; and other costs and expenses, including
counsel fees and expert fees.
CARL E. VONDER HAAR AND MARILYN P. MARTIN, ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND
ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC., INVESCO
STOCK FUNDS, INC. AND DOE DEFENDANTS 1-100, in the United States
District Court, District of Colorado (Civil Action No. 04-CV-812),
filed on February 5, 2004. The claim alleges common law breach of
fiduciary duty; breach of contract; and tortuous interference with
contract. The plaintiffs in this case are seeking: injunctive relief;
damages; disgorgement; and costs and expenses, including counsel fees
and expert fees.
Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be served or filed against the funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and related entities and individuals in the future. This statement of additional information will be supplemented periodically if any such lawsuits do arise.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FS
Report of Independent Auditors
To the Board of Directors/Trustees and Shareholders of INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund now known as INVESCO International Core Equity Fund (one of the funds constituting INVESCO International Funds, Inc. II, now known as AIM International Mutual Funds; hereafter referred to as the "Fund") at October 31, 2003, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2003 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
December 16, 2003
Houston, Texas
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FINANCIALS
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2003
Market Shares Value ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOREIGN STOCKS & OTHER EQUITY INTERESTS-97.13% Australia-2.53% BHP Billiton Ltd. (Diversified Metals & Mining) 77,900 $ 646,167 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Australia Bank Ltd. (Diversified Banks)(a) 31,000 671,152 ================================================================================== 1,317,319 ================================================================================== Austria-1.01% Bank Austria Creditanstalt (Diversified Banks)(a) 12,100 525,366 ================================================================================== Canada-1.67% Barrick Gold Corp. (Gold) 20,000 389,400 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EnCana Corp. (Oil & Gas Exploration & Production) 14,000 480,683 ================================================================================== 870,083 ================================================================================== Denmark-2.10% Danske Bank A.S. (Diversified Banks) 54,500 1,095,640 ================================================================================== Finland-5.08% Nokia Oyj (Communications Equipment) 62,250 1,053,578 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stora Enso Oyj-Class R (Paper Products) 74,500 1,009,763 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPM-Kymmene Oyj (Paper Products) 31,500 587,508 ================================================================================== 2,650,849 ================================================================================== France-7.42% Compagnie de Saint-Gobain (Building Products) 12,700 533,910 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Class B (Tires & Rubber) 25,700 1,004,811 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Societe Generale (Diversified Banks) 14,600 1,080,764 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total S.A.-ADR (Integrated Oil & Gas) 16,000 1,249,120 ================================================================================== 3,868,605 ================================================================================== Germany-3.05% BASF A.G. (Diversified Chemicals) 22,000 1,005,674 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deutsche Bank A.G. (Diversified Capital Markets)(a) 8,900 585,001 ================================================================================== 1,590,675 ================================================================================== Italy-2.85% Eni S.p.A-ADR (Integrated Oil & Gas) 11,700 930,150 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sanpaolo IMI S.p.A.-ADR (Diversified Banks) 24,800 555,024 ================================================================================== 1,485,174 ================================================================================== Japan-19.64% Canon Inc. (Office Electronics) 19,000 919,913 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eisai Co., Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals) 19,400 455,515 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (Photographic Products) 44,000 1,297,415 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hitachi, Ltd.-ADR (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 13,200 788,832 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd. (Hypermarket & Super Centers) 15,000 551,511 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kao Corp. (Household Products) 25,000 514,197 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Millea Holdings, Inc. (Property & Casualty Insurance)(a) 37 441,118 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Market Shares Value ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japan-(Continued) Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Home Entertainment Software) 9,300 $ 718,575 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.-ADR (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 35,200 791,296 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sony Corp.-ADR (Consumer Electronics) 32,200 1,133,440 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals) 25,100 888,597 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Takefuji Corp. (Consumer Finance) 7,200 426,574 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TDK Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 10,000 655,260 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Toyota Motor Corp. (Automobile Manufacturers) 23,000 655,169 ================================================================================== 10,237,412 ================================================================================== Mexico-2.14% Telefonos de Mexico S.A. de C.V.-ADR (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 34,700 1,115,605 ================================================================================== Netherlands-6.75% ABN AMRO Holding N.V.-ADR (Diversified Banks) 28,800 603,936 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DSM N.V. (Specialty Chemicals) 10,440 476,996 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ING Groep N.V.-Dutch Ctfs. (Other Diversified Financial Services) 59,700 1,235,188 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Koninklijke (Royal) Philips Electronics N.V.-New York Shares (Consumer Electronics) 30,950 830,698 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TPG N.V. (Air Freight & Logistics) 17,450 374,987 ================================================================================== 3,521,805 ================================================================================== Norway-1.30% Statoil A.S.A. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 72,400 677,273 ================================================================================== Portugal-1.30% Portugal Telecom, SGPS, S.A.-ADR (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 80,000 676,000 ================================================================================== South Korea-2.79% Korea Electric Power Corp.-ADR (Electric Utilities) 56,800 616,280 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KT Corp.-ADR (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 42,600 839,646 ================================================================================== 1,455,926 ================================================================================== Spain-3.55% Endesa, S.A.-ADR (Electric Utilities) 83,700 1,324,971 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Repsol YPF, S.A.-ADR (Integrated Oil & Gas) 30,300 526,311 ================================================================================== 1,851,282 ================================================================================== Sweden-2.59% Nordea A.B. (Diversified Banks)(a) 88,700 547,957 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volvo A.B.-Class B (Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks) 28,800 801,358 ================================================================================== 1,349,315 ================================================================================== Switzerland-10.37% Compagnie Financiere Richemont A.G. (Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods)(b) 17,300 387,843 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Market Shares Value -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Switzerland-(Continued) Nestle S.A. (Packaged Foods & Meats) 6,500 $ 1,425,694 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Novartis A.G. (Pharmaceuticals) 32,600 1,237,944 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roche Holding A.G. (Pharmaceuticals) 9,660 796,352 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Syngenta A.G. (Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals) 13,400 715,287 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zurich Financial Services A.G. (Multi-Line Insurance) 6,632 846,070 ================================================================================ 5,409,190 ================================================================================ United Kingdom-20.99% Abbey National PLC (Diversified Banks) 56,800 541,729 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAE SYSTEMS PLC (Aerospace & Defense) 268,500 832,749 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BP PLC (Integrated Oil & Gas) 169,000 1,171,463 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cadbury Schweppes PLC (Packaged Foods & Meats) 154,900 991,686 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diageo PLC (Distillers & Vintners) 91,400 1,073,490 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GlaxoSmithKline PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 34,000 727,205 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GlaxoSmithKline PLC-ADR (Pharmaceuticals) 4,800 207,792 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HSBC Holdings PLC (Diversified Banks) 71,600 1,073,927 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingfisher PLC (Home Improvement Retail) 188,487 902,440 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marks & Spencer Group PLC (Department Stores) 82,571 402,681 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (Diversified Banks) 40,500 1,083,816 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scottish Power PLC (Electric Utilities) 177,400 1,052,301 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shell Transport & Trading Co. PLC-ADR (Integrated Oil & Gas) 23,100 881,496 ================================================================================ 10,942,775 ================================================================================ Total Foreign Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $46,091,292) 50,640,294 ================================================================================ |
Market Shares Value ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MONEY MARKET FUNDS-3.35% INVESCO Treasurer's Series Money Market Reserve Fund (Cost $1,745,802)(c) 1,745,802 $ 1,745,802 ===================================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-100.48% (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $47,837,094) 52,386,096 ===================================================================================== INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH CASH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LOANED Money Market Funds-1.89% INVESCO Treasurer's Series Money Market Reserve Fund(c)(d) 982,871 982,871 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $982,871) 982,871 ===================================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-102.37% (Cost $48,819,965) 53,368,967 ===================================================================================== OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES-(2.37%) (1,235,003) ===================================================================================== NET ASSETS-100.00% $ 52,133,964 _____________________________________________________________________________________ ===================================================================================== |
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR-American Depositary Receipt
Ctfs.-Certificates
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Consists of more than one class of securities traded together as a unit.
(c) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same
investment advisor.
(d) The security has been segregated to satisfy the forward commitment to return
the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the
borrower's return of the securities loaned.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities
October 31, 2003
Assets: Investments, at market value (cost $46,091,292)* $ 50,640,294 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Investments in affiliated money market funds (cost $2,728,673) 2,728,673 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Foreign currencies, at value (cost $3,245) 3,061 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Receivables for: Capital stock sold 111,709 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Dividends 109,512 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Expense reimbursements (Note 2) 16,484 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Investment for deferred compensation and retirement plans 9,606 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Other assets 17,999 ================================================================== Total assets 53,637,338 __________________________________________________________________ ================================================================== Liabilities: Payables for: Investments purchased 374,349 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Capital stock reacquired 64,007 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Dividends 23,880 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Deferred compensation and retirement plans 12,110 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Collateral upon return of securities loaned 982,871 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued interest expense 347 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued distribution fees 13,446 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued directors' fees 78 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued operating expenses 32,286 ================================================================== Total liabilities 1,503,374 ================================================================== Net assets applicable to shares outstanding $ 52,133,964 __________________________________________________________________ ================================================================== Net assets consist of: Capital (par value and additional paid-in) $ 58,641,363 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net investment income 358,215 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net realized gain (loss) from investment securities and foreign currencies (11,419,918) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies 4,554,304 ================================================================== $ 52,133,964 __________________________________________________________________ ================================================================== |
Net Assets: Class A $ 2,033,467 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B $ 572,753 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C $ 2,607,667 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Investor Class $ 46,920,077 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Capital stock, $0.01 par value per share: Class A: Authorized 100,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 232,737 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Authorized 100,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 65,657 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Authorized 100,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 305,720 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Investor Class: Authorized 100,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 5,315,165 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class A: Net asset value per share $ 8.74 ------------------------------------------------------------ Offering price per share: (Net asset value of $8.74 (divided by) 94.50%) $ 9.25 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 8.72 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 8.53 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Investor Class: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 8.83 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ |
* At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate market value of $957,253 were on loan to brokers.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
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Statement of Operations
For the year ended October 31, 2003
Investment income: Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $166,293) $ 1,253,399 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividends from affiliated money market funds 2,994 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest 10,010 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Securities lending 17,626 =================================================================================================== Total investment income 1,284,029 =================================================================================================== Expenses: Advisory fees 346,653 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Administrative services fees 30,799 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Custodian fees 50,427 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution fees: Class A 9,568 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 3,129 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 21,400 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investor Class 102,584 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest 694 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer agent fees: Class A 6,116 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 1,085 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 32,101 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investor Class 277,346 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Printing and postage fees 83,867 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Directors' fees 9,646 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other 103,005 =================================================================================================== Total expenses 1,078,420 =================================================================================================== Less: Expenses reimbursed and expense offset arrangements (141,338) =================================================================================================== Net expenses 937,082 =================================================================================================== Net investment income 346,947 =================================================================================================== Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment securities and foreign currencies: Net realized gain (loss) from: Investment securities (1,778,877) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies (513) =================================================================================================== (1,779,390) =================================================================================================== Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: Investment securities 11,810,174 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies (1,022,229) =================================================================================================== 10,787,945 =================================================================================================== Net gain from investment securities and foreign currencies 9,008,555 =================================================================================================== Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $ 9,355,502 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ =================================================================================================== |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
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Statement of Changes in Net Assets
For the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002
2003 2002 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operations: Net investment income $ 346,947 $ 200,261 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized gain (loss) from investment securities and foreign currencies (1,779,390) (3,993,895) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities and foreign currencies 10,787,945 (1,443,362) ============================================================================ Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 9,355,502 (5,236,996) ============================================================================ Distributions to shareholders from net investment income: Class A (6,568) -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (990) -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investor Class (111,474) -- ============================================================================ Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions (119,032) -- ============================================================================ Share transactions-net: Class A (1,891,150) 2,805,994 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 419,499 99,599 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 905,563 (333,747) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investor Class (1,299,347) (406,080) ============================================================================ Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions (1,865,435) 2,165,766 ============================================================================ Net increase (decrease) in net assets 7,371,035 (3,071,230) ============================================================================ Net assets: Beginning of year 44,762,929 47,834,159 ============================================================================ End of year (including undistributed net investment income of $358,215 and $118,278 for 2003 and 2002, respectively) $52,133,964 $44,762,929 ____________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================ |
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2003
NOTE 1--Significant Accounting Policies
INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM International Funds, Inc. II (the "Company" formerly known as, INVESCO International Funds, Inc.). The company is a Maryland corporation registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of two separate portfolios. The Fund currently offers multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund.
The Fund's investment objective is to seek total return. Companies are listed in the Schedule of Investments based on the country in which they are organized.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. Security Valuations -- Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy. A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ National Market System) is valued on the basis of prices furnished by independent pricing services or market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price. Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service. Prices provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between
FS-6
the last bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are questionable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Company's officers in a manner specifically authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company. Market trends, movement in exchange traded funds and ADRs, and the bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally will be valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Foreign securities are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would ordinarily not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If a development/event is so significant that there is a reasonably high degree of certainty as to both the effect and the degree of effect that the development/event has actually caused that closing price to no longer reflect actual value, the closing prices, as determined at the close of the applicable foreign market, may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the affected foreign securities as of the close of the NYSE as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
B. Repurchase Agreements -- Repurchase agreements held by the Fund are fully collateralized by securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and such collateral is in the possession of the Fund's custodian. The collateral is evaluated daily to ensure its market value exceeds the current market value of the repurchase agreements including accrued interest. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. If the seller of a repurchase agreement fails to repurchase the security in accordance with the terms of the agreement, the Fund might incur expenses in enforcing its rights, and could experience losses, including a decline in the value of the underlying security and loss of income.
C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income -- Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
D. Distributions -- Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date.
E. Redemption Fees -- A 2% redemption fee is retained by the Fund to offset transaction costs and other expenses associated with short-term redemptions and exchanges. The fee, subject to certain exceptions, is imposed on certain redemptions or exchanges of shares held less than 90 days. The redemption fee is accounted for as an addition to paid-in-capital by the Fund and is allocated among the share classes based on the relative net assets of each class.
F. Federal Income Taxes -- The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and, as such, will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) which is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements. Any capital loss carryforwards listed are reduced for limitations, if any, to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code.
G. Foreign Currency Translations -- Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market prices on investments are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
H. Foreign Currency Contracts -- A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. The Fund could be exposed to risk if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably.
I. Expenses -- Each Class bears expenses incurred specifically on its behalf and, in addition, each Class bears a portion of general expenses, based on the relative net assets of each Class.
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NOTE 2--Advisory Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
The Company has entered into an investment advisory agreement with INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("IFG") to serve as the Fund's investment advisor. As compensation for its services to the Fund, IFG receives an investment advisory fee which is accrued daily at the applicable rate and paid monthly. The fee is based on the annual rate of the Fund's average net assets as follows:
Average Net Assets Rate ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ First $500 million 0.75% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From $500 million to $1 billion 0.65% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From $1 billion to $2 billion 0.55% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From $2 billion to $4 billion 0.45% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From $4 billion to $6 0.40% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From $6 billion to $8 billion 0.375% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Over $8 billion 0.35% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
A separate Sub-Advisory Agreement between IFG and INVESCO Global Asset Management (N.A.) ("IGAM"), an affiliate of IFG, provides that investment decisions of the Fund are made by IGAM. Fees for such sub-advisory services are paid by IFG.
IFG has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and increases in expense offset arrangements excluding directed brokerage, if any) of Class A, Class B and Class C shares to 2.10%, 2.75% and 2.75%, respectively. Further, IFG has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and increases in expense offset arrangements excluding directed brokerage, if any) to the extent necessary to limit total annual operating expenses of Investor Class shares to 2.00%, respectively. Voluntary expense limitations may be modified or discontinued at any time without further notice to investors after April 30, 2004. During the year ended October 31, 2003 IFG reimbursed transfer agency expenses of $0, $1,085, $29,675 and $104,729 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares, respectively. During the year ended October 31, 2003, IFG reimbursed other class specific expenses of $0, $3,231, $0 and $0 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares, respectively. During the year ended October 31, 2003, IFG reimbursed expenses of the Fund of $1,595. IFG is entitled to reimbursement from a Fund share class that has had fees and expenses absorbed pursuant to these arrangements if such reimbursements do not cause a share class to exceed the then current expense limitations and the reimbursement is made within three years after IFG incurred the expense. At October 31, 2003, the reimbursement that may potentially be made by the Fund to IFG which will expire during the calendar year ended 2005 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares were $0, $0, $4,576 and $10,236, respectively and expiring during the calendar year ended 2006 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares were $0, $5,216, $29,082 and $93,019, respectively. During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund made no reimbursements to IFG.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with IFG has agreed to pay IFG for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, IFG was paid $30,799 for such services.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AISI"), formerly known as AIM Fund Services, Inc., a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund. For the period October 1, 2003 to October 31, 2003 that AISI was the transfer agent, AISI retained $0 for such services. Prior to October 1, 2003, the Company had a transfer agency and service agreement with IFG. IFG retained $282,992 for such services.
The Company has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares of the Fund. The Company has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays AIM Distributors compensation at the annual rate of 0.35% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C and 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets of the Investor Class shares. Of these amounts, the Fund may pay a service fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, or Class C shares to selected dealers and financial institutions who furnish continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own the appropriate class of shares of the Fund. Any amounts not paid as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. NASD Rules also impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the period July 1, 2003 through October 31, 2003, the Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares paid $3,740, $1,542, $8,078 and $36,598, respectively, to AIM Distributors. Prior to July 1, 2003, INVESCO Distributors, Inc. ("IDI") served as the Fund's distributor in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act under substantially identical terms as described for AIM Distributors above. For the period November 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003, the Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares paid IDI $5,828, $1,587, $13,322 and $65,986, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. For the period July 1, 2003 through October 31, 2003, AIM Distributors retained $579 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $7,252, $0 and $765 for Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed upon redemptions by shareholders. For the period May 1, 2003 through June 30, 2003, IFG retained $668 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $2,868, $250, and $718 from Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed upon redemptions by shareholders.
Certain of the Fund's officers and directors are also officers and directors of IFG, IDI, IGAM, AIM and/or AIM Distributors.
NOTE 3--Expense Offset Arrangements
For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received reductions in custodian fees of $1,023 for temporarily uninvested cash or security brokerage transactions under an agreement with the Custodian.
NOTE 4--Directors' Fees
Directors' fees represent remuneration paid to each Director who is not an "interested person" of IFG. Directors have the option to defer compensation payable by the Company. The Directors deferring compensation have the option to select certain INVESCO Funds, in which all or part of their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested.
FS-8
Current Directors are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Directors over a period of time based on the number of years of service. Certain former Directors also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan.
NOTE 5--Portfolio Securities Loaned
The Fund has entered into a securities lending agreement with the custodian. Under the terms of the agreement, the Fund receives income, recorded monthly, after deduction of other amounts payable to the custodian or to the borrower from lending transactions. In exchange for such fees, the custodian is authorized to loan securities on behalf of the Fund, against receipt of collateral at least equal in value to the value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral is invested by the custodian in the INVESCO Treasurer's Series Money Market Reserve Fund. The Fund bears the risk of any deficiency in the amount of collateral available for return to a borrower due to a loss in an approved investment.
At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate value of $957,253 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $982,871 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in an affiliated money market fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received fees of $17,626 for securities lending.
NOTE 6--Borrowings
The Fund is party to an interfund lending agreement between the Fund and other INVESCO sponsored mutual funds, which permit it to borrow or lend cash, at rates beneficial to both the borrowing and lending funds. If the fund's outstanding borrowings from all sources are greater than 10% of its total assets, interfund loans to the fund are collateralized at 102% of the value of the loan; if the fund's outstanding borrowings from all sources are less than 10% of its total assets, interfund loans to the fund are unsecured. The Fund may borrow up to 10% of its total net assets for temporary or emergency purposes. During the year ended October 31, 2003, the amounts outstanding averaged $144,271 per day with a weighted average interest rate of 1.37% and incurred interest expense of $1,970.
The Fund has available a committed Redemption Line of Credit Facility ("LOC"), from a consortium of national banks, to be used for temporary or emergency purposes to meet redemption needs. The LOC permits borrowings to a maximum of 10% of the net assets at value of the Fund. Each Fund agrees to pay annual fees and interest on the unpaid principal balance based on prevailing market rates as defined in the agreement. The funds which were party to the LOC were charged a commitment fee of 0.10% on the unused balance of the committed line. The Fund did not borrow under the LOC during the year ended October 31, 2003. The LOC expires December 3, 2003.
Additionally the Fund is permitted to carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds in the account so the custodian can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank. In either case, the custodian bank will be compensated an amount equal to the Federal Funds rate plus 100 basis points.
NOTE 7--Distributions to Shareholders and Tax Components of Net Assets
Distributions to Shareholders:
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002 was as follows:
2003 2002 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions paid from ordinary income $119,032 $-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Tax Components of Net Assets:
As of October 31, 2003, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income $ 439,881 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Unrealized appreciation -- investments 479,046 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Temporary book/tax differences (635) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital loss carryforward (7,425,691) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital (par value and additional paid in) 58,641,363 ===================================================================== Total net assets $52,133,964 _____________________________________________________________________ ===================================================================== |
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation is due to differences in the timing of recognition of gains and losses on investments for tax and book purposes. The Fund's unrealized appreciation difference is attributable to deferred losses on wash sales, mark to market of certain passive foreign investment securities and other items. The tax-basis unrealized appreciation on investments amount includes appreciation on foreign currencies of $5,303.
The temporary book/tax differences are a result of timing differences between book and tax recognition of income and/or expenses. The Fund's temporary book/tax differences are the result of the deferral of director compensation and director retirement plan expenses.
The Fund has a capital loss carryforward for tax purposes which expires as follows:
Capital Loss Expiration Carryforward ------------------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2009 $3,768,945 ------------------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2010 3,338,725 ------------------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2011 318,021 =================================================================== Total capital loss carryforward $7,425,691 ___________________________________________________________________ =================================================================== |
NOTE 8--Investment Securities
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2003 was $22,589,825 and $24,408,962, respectively.
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities on a Tax Basis -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities $ 5,175,192 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities (4,701,449) ========================================================================== Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities $ 473,743 __________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================== |
Cost of investments for tax purposes is $52,895,224.
NOTE 9--Reclassification of Permanent Differences
Primarily as a result of differing book/tax treatment of foreign currency
transactions, excise tax paid by the fund and passive foreign investment company
reclassifications, on October 31, 2003, undistributed net investment income
(loss) was increased by $12,022, undistributed net realized gains (loss)
decreased by $898 and paid in capital decreased by $11,124. This
reclassification had no effect on net assets of the Fund.
FS-9
NOTE 10--Capital Stock Information
The Fund currently consists of four different classes of shares: Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares and Investor Class shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Investor Class shares are sold at net asset value. Under some circumstances, Class A shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase.
Changes in Capital Stock Outstanding -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year ended October 31, ------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 ------------------------- -------------------------- Shares Amount Shares Amount -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sold: Class A* 11,803,712 $ 91,708,713 2,113,666 $ 15,202,267 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B* 94,870 745,286 26,062 207,861 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 5,685,940 41,466,394 4,961,956 40,714,473 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investor Class 2,285,934 17,798,452 6,990,083 58,150,538 ============================================================================================ Issued as reinvestment of dividends: Class A* 735 6,423 -- -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B* 113 988 -- -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investor Class 9,937 87,741 -- -- ============================================================================================ Reacquired: Class A* (11,974,236) (93,606,691) (1,711,140) (12,396,273) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B* (40,820) (326,822) (14,568) (108,262) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (5,535,854) (40,561,148) (4,964,120) (41,048,220) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investor Class (2,506,238) (19,191,624) (7,163,885) (58,556,618) ============================================================================================ (175,907) $ (1,872,288)** 238,054 $ 2,165,766** ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================ |
* Class A shares and Class B shares commenced sales on March 28, 2002. ** Amount is net of redemption fees of $6,853 and $102,883 for 2003 and 2002, respectively, based on the relative net assets of each class.
NOTE 11--Financial Highlights
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
Class A ------------------------------- March 28, 2002 (Date sales Year ended commenced) to October 31, October 31, 2003 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 7.31 $ 8.96 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income 0.07(a) 0.01 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 1.39 (1.66) ================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 1.46 (1.65) ================================================================================================== Less dividends from net investment income (0.03) -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption fees added to paid-in-capital 0.00 0.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 8.74 $ 7.31 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================== Total return(b) 19.96% (18.42)% __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $2,033 $ 2,944 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: 1.87%(c) 1.48%(d) ================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 0.91%(c) 0.47%(d) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate(e) 51% 44% __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America, does not include sales charges
and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $2,733,727.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
FS-10
NOTE 11--Financial Highlights (continued)
Class B -------------------------------- March 28, 2002 (Date sales Year ended commenced) to October 31, October 31, 2003 2002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 7.31 $ 8.96 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.00(a) (0.01)(a) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 1.43 (1.64) =================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 1.43 (1.65) =================================================================================================== Less dividends from net investment income (0.02) -- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption fees added to paid-in capital 0.00 0.00 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 8.72 $ 7.31 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ =================================================================================================== Total return(b) 19.50% (18.42)% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ =================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 573 $ 84 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ =================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With expense reimbursements 2.75%(c) 2.60%(d) =================================================================================================== Without expense reimbursements 4.13%(c) 2.60%(d) =================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 0.03%(c) (0.14)%(d) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ =================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate(e) 51% 44% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ =================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America, does not include sales charges
and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $312,904.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
FS-11
Note 11--Financial Highlights (continued)
Class C --------------------------------------------------- February 14, 2000 (Date sales Year ended October 31, commenced) to ------------------------------ October 31, 2003 2002 2001 2000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 7.16 $ 8.06 $ 11.14 $12.06 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.00(a) (0.02) (0.02) (0.04)(a) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 1.37 (0.88) (2.12) (0.88) ====================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 1.37 (0.90) (2.14) (0.92) ====================================================================================================================== Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income -- -- (0.00) -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.94) -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total distributions -- -- (0.94) -- ====================================================================================================================== Redemption fees added to paid-in-capital 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 8.53 $ 7.16 $ 8.06 $11.14 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ====================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 19.13% (11.17)% (20.75)% (7.63)% ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ====================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $2,608 $ 1,115 $ 1,272 $1,082 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ====================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With expense reimbursements 2.75%(c) 2.75% 2.76% 2.47%(d) ====================================================================================================================== Without expense reimbursements 4.14%(c) 3.52% 3.02% 2.47%(d) ====================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 0.03%(c) (0.43)% (0.62)% (0.56)%(d) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ====================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate(e) 51% 44% 54% 59% ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ====================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America, does not include sales charges
and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $2,140,005.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
FS-12
NOTE 11--Financial Highlights (continued)
Investor Class ---------------------------------------------------- Year ended October 31, ---------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 7.35 $ 8.17 $ 11.16 $ 11.23 $ 10.02 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.06(a) 0.05 0.03 (0.01) 0.02 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 1.44 (0.87) (2.07) 0.27 1.21 ======================================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 1.50 (0.82) (2.04) 0.26 1.23 ======================================================================================================================= Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income (0.02) -- (0.01) (0.05) (0.02) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (0.94) (0.28) (0.00) ======================================================================================================================= Total distributions (0.02) -- (0.95) (0.33) (0.02) ======================================================================================================================= Redemption fees added to paid-in-capital 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 8.83 $ 7.35 $ 8.17 $ 11.16 $ 11.23 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================= Total return(b) 20.42% (10.04)% (19.74)% 2.66% 11.77% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $46,920 $40,620 $46,562 $61,708 $51,710 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets: ======================================================================================================================= With expense reimbursements 2.00%(c) 1.99% 1.89% 2.04% 2.09% ======================================================================================================================= Without expense reimbursements 2.26%(c) 1.99% 1.89% 2.04% 2.56% ======================================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 0.78%(c) 0.42% 0.12% (0.37)% 0.30% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate 51% 44% 54% 59% 112% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $41,033,718.
NOTE 12--Subsequent Event
On November 24, 2003, AIM International Core Equity Fund ("Selling Fund") transferred substantially all of its assets to the Fund in exchange for shares of the Selling Fund in a tax-free reorganization.
The results of the reorganization are as follows: The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 11,874,981 shares of the Fund for 7,980,438 shares of AIM International Core Equity Fund outstanding as of the open of business on November 24, 2003. AIM International Core Equity Fund's net assets at that date of $105,070,918 including $15,892,959 of unrealized appreciation, were combined with those of the Fund. The aggregate net assets of the Fund immediately before the acquisition were $59,505,921. Included in net assets of the acquired fund is undistributed net investment income (loss) of $(284,360) and undistributed net realized gain (loss) of $(11,571,041) for AIM International Core Equity Fund.
On November 25, 2003, the following became effective pursuant to shareholder approval on October 28, 2003:
. A new investment advisory agreement became effective between the Company and A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"), under which AIM will serve as the investment advisor for the Fund, and a new sub-advisory agreement became effective between AIM and IGAM, under which IGAM will serve as the sub-advisor for the Fund.
. An Agreement and Plan of Reorganization that provides for the redomestication of the Fund as a series portfolio of a newly formed Delaware Trust.
Your Fund's investment advisor, A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"). Another indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO"), was, until recently, the investment advisor to the INVESCO Funds.
On December 2, 2003, each of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York ("NYAG") filed civil proceedings against INVESCO and Raymond R. Cunningham, in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of INVESCO. Mr. Cunningham currently holds the positions of Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of A I M Management Group, Inc., the parent company of AIM, and he also holds the position of Senior Vice President with AIM. In addition, on December 2, 2003, the State of Colorado filed civil proceedings against INVESCO. Neither your Fund nor any of the funds in the AIM Family of Funds/Registered Trademark/, which includes the INVESCO Funds (the "Funds") has been named as a defendant in any of these proceedings.
The SEC proceeding alleges that INVESCO failed to disclose in the INVESCO Funds' prospectuses and to the INVESCO Funds' independent directors that INVESCO had entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the INVESCO Funds. The SEC is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from serving as an investment advisor, officer or director of an investment company; an accounting of all market timing as well as certain fees and compensation received; disgorgement; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
FS-13
NOTE 12--Subsequent Events (continued)
The NYAG proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The NYAG is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from directly or indirectly selling or distributing shares of mutual funds; disgorgement of all profits obtained, including fees collected, and payment of all restitution and damages caused, directly or indirectly from the alleged illegal activities; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The Colorado proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The State of Colorado is seeking injunctions; restitution, disgorgement and other equitable relief; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
If INVESCO is unsuccessful in its defense of these proceedings, it could be barred from serving as an investment advisor for any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (a "registered investment company"). Similarly, if Mr. Cunningham is unsuccessful in his defense of these proceedings, he could be barred from serving as an officer or director of any registered investment company. Such results could also affect the ability of AIM, or any other investment advisor directly or indirectly owned by AMVESCAP, from serving as an investment advisor to any registered investment company, including your Fund. Your Fund has been informed by AIM that, if either of these results occurs, AIM will seek exemptive relief from the SEC to permit it to continue to serve as your Fund's investment advisor. There can be no assurance that such exemptive relief will be granted.
AIM has received inquiries from the SEC, the NASD, Inc., the NYAG and the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with respect to market timing, late trading, fair value pricing and other similar issues and AIM has been providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries.
In addition to the complaints described above, multiple lawsuits, including
purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against
certain Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and certain related parties, primarily
based upon the allegations in the complaints described above, but also regarding
the funds' fair valuation pricing methodology. Such lawsuits allege a variety of
theories for recovery including, but not limited to: (i) violation of various
provisions of the Federal securities laws; (ii) breach of fiduciary duty; and
(iii) breach of contract. The lawsuits have been filed in both Federal and state
courts and seek such remedies as compensatory damages; restitution; rescission;
accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation; injunctive
relief; disgorgement; equitable relief; interest and the payment of attorneys'
and experts' fees. Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and
presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed against the
Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and related parties in the future.
As a result of these developments, investors in the Funds might react by redeeming their investments. This might require the Funds to sell investments to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the Funds.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund is unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of these matters described above may have on the Fund or AIM's financial condition.
FS-14
AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
PROSPECTUS
FEBRUARY 27, 2004
Institutional Class
AIM International Growth Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital. This prospectus contains important information about the Institutional Class shares of the fund. Please read it before investing and keep it for future reference.
As with all other mutual fund securities, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate or accurate. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.
An investment in the fund:
- is not FDIC insured;
- may lose value; and
- is not guaranteed by a bank.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES 1 ------------------------------------------------------ PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND 1 ------------------------------------------------------ PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 2 ------------------------------------------------------ Annual Total Returns 2 Performance Table 3 FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLE 4 ------------------------------------------------------ Fee Table 4 Expense Example 4 FUND MANAGEMENT 5 ------------------------------------------------------ The Advisor 5 Advisor Compensation 5 Portfolio Managers 5 OTHER INFORMATION 6 ------------------------------------------------------ Dividends and Distributions 6 Suitability for Investors 6 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 7 ------------------------------------------------------ SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION A-1 ------------------------------------------------------ Purchasing Shares A-1 Redeeming Shares A-2 Pricing of Shares A-2 Taxes A-3 OBTAINING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Back Cover ------------------------------------------------------ |
The AIM Family of Funds, AIM and Design, AIM, AIM Funds, AIM Funds and Design, AIM Investor, AIM Lifetime America, AIM LINK, AIM Institutional Funds, aimfunds.com, La Familia AIM de Fondos, La Familia AIM de Fondos and Design, Invierta con DISCIPLINA and Invest with DISCIPLINE are registered service marks and AIM Bank Connection, AIM Internet Connect, AIM Private Asset Management, AIM Private Asset Management and Design, AIM stylized and/or Design, AIM Alternative Assets and Design, AIM Investments, AIM Investments and Design, myaim.com, The AIM College Savings Plan, AIM Solo 401(k) and Your goals. Our solutions. are service marks of A I M Management Group Inc. AIM Trimark is a service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. and AIM Funds Management Inc.
No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, and you should not rely on such other information or representations.
The fund's investment objective is to provide long-term growth of capital. The investment objective of the fund may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
The fund seeks to meet its objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of international equity securities whose issuers are considered by the fund's portfolio managers to have strong earnings momentum. The fund focuses its investments in marketable equity securities of foreign companies that are listed on a recognized foreign or U.S. securities exchange or traded in a foreign or U.S. over-the-counter market. The fund will normally invest in the securities of companies located in at least four countries outside of the United States, emphasizing investment in companies in the developed countries of Western Europe and the Pacific Basin.
At the present time, the fund's portfolio managers intend to invest no more than 20% of the fund's total assets in foreign companies located in developing countries, i.e., those that are in the initial stages of their industrial cycles. The fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities exchangeable for or convertible into marketable equity securities of foreign issuers. The fund may also invest up to 20% of its total assets in high-grade short-term securities and debt securities, including U.S. Government obligations, investment grade corporate bonds or taxable municipal securities, whether denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. For cash management purposes, the fund may also hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including shares of affiliated money market funds. Any percentage limitations with respect to assets of the fund are applied at the time of purchase.
The portfolio managers focus on companies that have experienced above-average, long-term growth in earnings and have strong prospects for future growth. In selecting countries in which the fund will invest, the fund's portfolio managers also consider such factors as the prospect for relative economic growth among countries or regions, economic or political conditions, currency exchange fluctuations, tax considerations and the liquidity of a particular security. The fund's portfolio managers consider whether to sell a particular security when any of these factors materially changes.
In anticipation of or in response to adverse market or other conditions, or atypical circumstances such as unusually large cash inflows or redemptions, the fund may temporarily hold all or a portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or high-quality debt instruments. As a result, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
There is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the fund. The value of your investment in the fund will go up and down with the prices of the securities in which the fund invests. The prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
The prices of foreign securities may be further affected by other factors, including:
- Currency exchange rates--The dollar value of the fund's foreign investments will be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the dollar and the currencies in which those investments are traded.
- Political and economic conditions--The value of the fund's foreign investments may be adversely affected by political and social instability in their home countries and by changes in economic or taxation policies in those countries.
- Regulations--Foreign companies generally are subject to less stringent regulations, including financial and accounting controls, than are U.S. companies. As a result, there generally is less publicly available information about foreign companies than about U.S. companies.
- Markets--The securities markets of other countries are smaller than U.S. securities markets. As a result, many foreign securities may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. securities.
These factors may affect the prices of securities issued by foreign companies located in developing countries more than those in countries with mature economies. For example, many developing countries have, in the past, experienced high rates of inflation or sharply devalued their currencies against the U.S. dollar, thereby causing the value of investments in companies located in those countries to decline. Transaction costs are often higher in developing countries and there may be delays in settlement procedures.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
The bar chart and table shown below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of its future performance.
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
The following bar chart shows the performance of the fund's Institutional Class shares. The bar chart does not reflect sales loads. Institutional Class shares are not subject to front-end or back-end sales loads.
ANNUAL YEAR ENDED TOTAL DECEMBER 31 RETURN ----------- ------- 2003................................................................... 28.53 |
During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 14.74% (quarter ended June 30, 2003) and the lowest quarterly return was -6.46% (quarter ended March 31, 2003).
PERFORMANCE TABLE
The following performance table compares the fund's Institutional Class shares performance to that of a broad-based securities market index, a style specific index and a peer group index. The fund's performance reflects payment of sales loads, if applicable. The indices do not reflect payment of fees, expenses or taxes. The fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indices shown below, and consequently, the performance of the fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the indices shown below.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ----------------------------------------------------------------- (for the periods ended December SINCE INCEPTION 31, 2003) 1 YEAR INCEPTION(1) DATE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Institutional Class 03/15/02 Return Before Taxes 28.53% 5.11% Return After Taxes on Distributions 28.40 5.05 Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 18.71 4.35 ----------------------------------------------------------------- MSCI EAFE Index(1) 38.59 11.54 02/28/02(2) MSCI EAFE Growth Index(3) 32.49 8.63 02/28/02(2) Lipper International Fund Index(4) 36.00 10.67 02/28/02(2) ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
(1) The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index measures performance of global stock markets in 21 developed countries. The fund has also included the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Growth Index, which the fund believes more closely reflects the performance of the securities in which the fund invests. In addition, the Lipper International Fund Index (which may or may not include the fund) is included for comparison to a peer group.
(2) The average annual total return given is since the month end closest to the inception date of the Institutional Class shares.
(3) The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Growth Index is recognized as the pre-eminent benchmark in the U.S. to measure international "growth" equity performance (high price to book value securities). It includes securities from 21 countries, representing the developed markets outside North America, Europe, Australasia, and the Far East.
(4) The Lipper International Fund Index is an equally weighted representation of the 30 largest funds in the Lipper International category. These funds invest in securities with primary trading outside of the U.S. and may own U.S. securities as well.
FEE TABLE
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Institutional Class shares of the fund:
SHAREHOLDER FEES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (fees paid directly from your investment) INSTITUTIONAL CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is less) None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(1) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (expenses that are deducted from fund assets) INSTITUTIONAL CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management Fees 0.93% Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees None Other Expenses 0.28 Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.21 Fee Waivers(2) 0.04 Net Expenses 1.17 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(1) There is no guarantee that actual expenses will be the same as those shown
in the table.
(2) The investment advisor has contractually agreed to waive 0.05% of Management
Fees on average net assets in excess of $500 million. The expense limitation
agreement is in effect through October 31, 2004.
You should also consider the effect of any account fees charged by the financial institution managing your account.
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
This example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. To the extent fees are waived and/or expenses are reimbursed, your expenses will be lower. Although your actual returns and costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Institutional Class $119 $380 $661 $1,462 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
THE ADVISOR
A I M Advisors, Inc. (the advisor) serves as the fund's investment advisor and is responsible for its day-to-day management. The advisor is located at 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1173. The advisor supervises all aspects of the fund's operations and provides investment advisory services to the fund, including obtaining and evaluating economic, statistical and financial information to formulate and implement investment programs for the fund.
The advisor has acted as an investment advisor since its organization in 1976. Today, the advisor, together with its subsidiaries, advises or manages over 200 investment portfolios, including the fund, encompassing a broad range of investment objectives.
ADVISOR COMPENSATION
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the advisor received compensation of 0.89% of average daily net assets.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The advisor uses a team approach to investment management. The individual members of the team who are primarily responsible for the management of the fund's portfolio are
- Clas G. Olsson (lead manager), Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 1997 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1994.
- Barrett K. Sides (lead manager), Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 1995 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1990.
- Shuxin Cao, Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 2003 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1997.
- Jason T. Holzer, Senior Portfolio Manager, who has been responsible for the fund since 1999 and has been associated with the advisor and/or its affiliates since 1996.
They are assisted by the Asia/Latin America and Europe/Canada Teams. More information on the fund's management team may be found on our website (http://www.aiminvestments.com/teams). The website is not a part of this prospectus.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund expects that its distributions, if any, will consist primarily of capital gains.
DIVIDENDS
The fund generally declares and pays dividends, if any, annually.
CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund generally distributes long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, annually.
SUITABILITY FOR INVESTORS
The Institutional Class of the fund is intended for use by institutional investors. Shares of the Institutional Class of the fund are available for banks and trust companies acting in a fiduciary or similar capacity, bank and trust company common and collective trust funds, banks and trust companies investing for their own account, entities acting for the account of a public entity (e.g. Taft-Hartley funds, states, cities or government agencies), defined benefit plans, endowments, foundations and defined contribution plans offered pursuant to Sections 401, 457, 403(a), or 403(b) or (c) (defined contribution plans offered pursuant to Section 403(b) must be sponsored by a Section 501(c)(3) organization). For defined contribution plans for which the sponsor has combined defined contribution and defined benefit assets of at least $100 million there is no minimum initial investment requirement, otherwise the minimum initial investment requirement for defined contribution plans is $10 million. There is no minimum initial investment requirement for defined benefit plans, and the minimum initial investment requirement for all other investors for which the Institutional Class of the fund is available is $1 million.
The Institutional Class of the fund is designed to be a convenient and economical vehicle in which institutions can invest in a portfolio of equity securities. An investment in the fund may relieve the institution of many of the investment and administrative burdens encountered when investing in equity securities directly. These include: selection and diversification of portfolio investments; surveying the market for the best price at which to buy and sell; valuation of portfolio securities; receipt, delivery and safekeeping of securities; and portfolio recordkeeping.
Institutional Class shares of the fund were first made available for public sale on March 15, 2002.
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share.
The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information for the fiscal year 2003 and the fiscal period March 15, 2002 through October 31, 2002 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the fund's annual report, which is available upon request.
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS ----------------------------------- MARCH 15, 2002 (DATE SALES YEAR ENDED COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, 2003 2002 Net asset value, beginning of period $12.73 $ 15.09 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.09(a) 0.03(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.55 (2.39) ================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 2.64 (2.36) ================================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $15.37 $ 12.73 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================= Total return(b) 20.74% (15.64)% _________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 79 $ 74 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.17%(c) 1.16%(d) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.21%(c) 1.20%(d) ================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 0.66%(c) 0.33%(d) _________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate(e) 77% 77% _________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $73,309.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
In addition to the fund, A I M Advisors, Inc. serves as investment advisor to many other mutual funds (the AIM funds). The following information is about all the Institutional Classes of the AIM funds.
SHARES SOLD WITHOUT SALES CHARGES
You will not pay an initial or contingent deferred sales charge on purchases of any Institutional Class of shares.
PURCHASING SHARES
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS PER AIM FUND ACCOUNT
The minimum investments for AIM fund Institutional Class accounts are as follows:
INITIAL ADDITIONAL TYPE OF ACCOUNT INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Defined Benefit Plans or Platform Sponsors for Defined Contribution Plans $ 0 no minimum Banks acting in a fiduciary or similar capacity, Collective and Common Trust Funds, Banks and Broker-Dealers acting for their own account or Foundations and Endowments 1 million no minimum Defined Contribution Plans (Corporate, Non-profit or Governmental) 10 million no minimum ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
You may purchase shares using one of the options below. Purchase orders will not be processed unless the account application and purchase payment are received in good order. In accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act, if you fail to provide all the required information requested in the current account application, your purchase order will not be processed. Additionally, Federal law requires that the AIM fund verify and record your identifying information.
OPENING AN ACCOUNT ADDING TO AN ACCOUNT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. Same The financial consultant should mail your completed account application to the transfer agent, AIM Investment Services, Inc., P.O. Box 0843, Houston, TX 77210-0843. The financial consultant should call the transfer agent at (800) 659-1005 to receive a reference number. Then, use the following wire instructions: Beneficiary Bank ABA/Routing #: 113000609 Beneficiary Account Number: 00100366732 Beneficiary Account Name: AIM Investment Services, Inc. RFB: Fund Name, Reference # OBI: Your Name, Account # By Telephone Open your account as described above. Call the transfer agent at (800) 659-1005 and wire payment for your purchase order in accordance with the wire instructions noted above. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
SPECIAL PLANS
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND INVESTMENT
All of your dividends and distributions may be paid in cash or invested in the same AIM fund at net asset value. Unless you specify otherwise, your dividends and distributions will automatically be reinvested in the same AIM fund.
INSTCL--02/04
REDEEMING SHARES
REDEMPTION FEES
Generally, we will not charge you any fees to redeem your shares. Your broker or financial consultant may charge service fees for handling redemption transactions.
Through a Financial Consultant Contact your financial consultant. Redemption proceeds will be sent in accordance with the wire instructions specified in the account application provided to the transfer agent. The transfer agent must receive your financial intermediary's call before the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on days the NYSE is open for business in order to effect the redemption at the day's closing price. By Telephone A person who has been authorized in the account application to effect transactions may make redemptions by telephone. You must call the transfer agent before the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE on days the NYSE is open for business in order to effect the redemption at that day's closing price. |
TIMING AND METHOD OF PAYMENT
We normally will send out redemption proceeds within one business day, and in any event no more than seven days, after we accept your request to redeem.
REDEMPTION BY TELEPHONE
If you redeem by telephone, we will transmit the amount of the redemption
proceeds electronically to your pre-authorized bank account. We use reasonable
procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine
and are not liable for telephone instructions that are reasonably believed to be
genuine.
PRICING OF SHARES
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The price of each AIM fund's shares is the fund's net asset value per share. The AIM funds value portfolio securities for which market quotations are readily available at market value. The AIM fund's short-term investments are valued at amortized cost when the security has 60 days or less to maturity.
The AIM funds value all other securities and assets at their fair value. Securities and other assets quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on the prevailing exchange rates on that day. In addition, if, between the time trading ends on a particular security and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE, events occur that may materially affect the value of the security, the AIM funds may value the security at its fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the AIM fund. The effect of using fair value pricing is that an AIM fund's net asset value will be subject to the judgment of the Board of Trustees or its designee instead of being determined by the market. Because some of the AIM funds may invest in securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on days when the AIM funds do not price their shares, the value of those funds' assets may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem fund shares.
Each AIM fund determines the net asset value of its shares on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session, or any earlier NYSE closing time that day.
TIMING OF ORDERS
You can purchase, exchange or redeem shares during the hours of the customary
trading session of the NYSE. The AIM funds price purchase, exchange and
redemption orders at the net asset value calculated after the transfer agent
receives an order in good order. An AIM fund may postpone the right of
redemption only under unusual circumstances, as allowed by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, such as when the NYSE restricts or suspends trading.
TAXES
In general, dividends and distributions you receive are taxable as ordinary income or long-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes, whether you reinvest them in additional shares or take them in cash. Distributions are generally taxable to you at different rates depending on the length of time the fund holds its assets and the type of income that the fund earns. Different tax rates apply to ordinary income, qualified dividend income, and long-term capital gain distributions, regardless of how long you have held your shares. Every year, you will be sent information showing the amount of INSTCL--02/04
dividends and distributions you received from each AIM fund during the prior year.
Any long-term or short-term capital gains realized from redemptions of AIM fund shares will be subject to federal income tax. Exchanges of shares for shares of another AIM fund are treated as a sale, and any gain realized on the transaction will generally be subject to federal income tax.
The foreign, state and local tax consequences of investing in AIM fund shares may differ materially from the federal income tax consequences described above. In addition, the preceding discussion concerning the taxability of fund dividends and distributions and of redemptions and exchanges of AIM and/or INVESCO fund shares is inapplicable to investors that are generally exempt from federal income tax, such as retirement plans that are qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs. You should consult your tax advisor before investing.
INSTCL--02/04
More information may be obtained free of charge upon request. The Statement of Additional Information (SAI), a current version of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), contains more details about the fund and is incorporated by reference into the prospectus (is legally a part of the prospectus). Annual and semiannual reports to shareholders contain additional information about the fund's investments. The fund's annual report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
If you have questions about this fund, another fund in The AIM Family of Funds--Registered Trademark-- or your account, or wish to obtain free copies of the fund's current SAI or annual or semiannual reports, please contact us
BY MAIL: AIM Investment Services, Inc. P.O. Box 4739 Houston, TX 77210-4739 BY TELEPHONE: (800) 347-4246 ON THE INTERNET: You can send us a request by e-mail or download prospectuses, annual or semiannual reports via our website: http://www.aiminvestments.com |
You can also review and obtain copies of the fund's SAI, reports and other information at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; on the EDGAR database on the SEC's Internet website (http://www.sec.gov); or, after paying a duplication fee, by sending a letter to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102 or by sending an electronic mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov. Please call the SEC at 1-202-942-8090 for information about the Public Reference Room.
AIM International Growth Fund
SEC 1940 Act file number: 811-6463
AIMinvestments.com AIFI-PRO-1
YOUR GOALS. OUR SOLUTIONS. [AIM INVESTMENTS LOGO APPEARS HERE]
--Servicemark-- --Servicemark--
STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
11 GREENWAY PLAZA
SUITE 100
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77046-1173
(713) 626-1919
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATES TO THE INSTITUTIONAL CLASS OF THE AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND PORTFOLIO OF AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS. THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS, AND IT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS FOR THE INSTITUTIONAL CLASS OF AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND. YOU MAY OBTAIN A COPY OF A PROSPECTUS FOR THE INSTITUTIONAL CLASS OF AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR BY WRITING TO:
AIM INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
P.O. BOX 4739
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77210-4739
OR BY CALLING (800) 347-4246
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED FEBRUARY 27, 2004, RELATES TO THE PROSPECTUS FOR THE INSTITUTIONAL CLASS OF AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND DATED FEBRUARY 27, 2004.
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ---- GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST..........................................................................1 Fund History......................................................................................1 Shares of Beneficial Interest.....................................................................1 DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND AND ITS INVESTMENTS AND RISKS........................................................3 Classification....................................................................................3 Investment Strategies and Risks...................................................................3 Equity Investments......................................................................6 Foreign Investments.....................................................................7 Debt Investments........................................................................9 Other Investments.......................................................................9 Investment Techniques..................................................................10 Derivatives............................................................................14 Fund Policies....................................................................................20 Temporary Defensive Positions....................................................................22 MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST....................................................................................22 Board of Trustees...............................................................................22 Management Information...........................................................................22 Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares.......................................................24 Factors Considered in Approving the Master Investment Advisory Agreement...............24 Compensation.....................................................................................25 Retirement Plan For Trustees...........................................................25 Deferred Compensation Agreements.......................................................26 Purchases of Class A Shares of the Funds at Net Asset Value............................26 Codes of Ethics..................................................................................26 Proxy Voting Policies............................................................................26 CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.........................................................27 INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES......................................................................27 Investment Advisor...............................................................................27 Service Agreements...............................................................................28 Other Service Providers..........................................................................29 BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES....................................................................30 Brokerage Transactions...........................................................................30 Commissions......................................................................................30 Brokerage Selection..............................................................................30 Directed Brokerage (Research Services)...........................................................31 Regular Brokers or Dealers.......................................................................31 Allocation of Portfolio Transactions.............................................................31 Allocation of Initial Public Offering ("IPO") Transactions.......................................32 PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES..................................................................33 Purchase and Redemption of Shares................................................................33 Redemptions by the Fund..........................................................................33 Offering Price...................................................................................34 Redemption In Kind...............................................................................35 Backup Withholding...............................................................................35 |
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS....................................................................36 Dividends and Distributions......................................................................36 Tax Matters......................................................................................36 DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES..................................................................................43 Distributor......................................................................................43 CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA.............................................................................44 Pending Litigation...............................................................................49 APPENDICES: RATINGS OF DEBT SECURITIES.................................................................................A-1 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS......................................................................................B-1 TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE.................................................................................C-1 PROXY VOTING POLICIES......................................................................................D-1 CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES........................................................E-1 MANAGEMENT FEES............................................................................................F-1 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEES...............................................................................G-1 BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS......................................................................................H-1 DIRECTED BROKERAGE (RESEARCH SERVICES) AND PURCHASES OF SECURITIES OF REGULAR BROKERS OR DEALERS...........I-1 PERFORMANCE DATA...........................................................................................J-1 PENDING LITIGATION.........................................................................................K-1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS........................................................................................FS |
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST
FUND HISTORY
AIM International Mutual Funds (the "Trust") is a Delaware statutory trust which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company. The Trust currently consists of six separate portfolios: AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund, AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund, AIM Global Growth Fund, AIM International Growth Fund and INVESCO International Core Equity Fund (each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"). This Statement of Additional Information relates solely to the Institutional Class shares of AIM International Growth Fund (the "Fund"). Under the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated June 11, 2003 (the "Trust Agreement"), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") is authorized to create new series of shares without the necessity of a vote of shareholders of the Trust.
The Trust was originally incorporated on October 30, 1991 as AIM
International Funds, Inc., a Maryland corporation. Pursuant to an Agreement and
Plan of Reorganization, the Trust was reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust
on November 25, 2003. The following funds were included in the reorganization:
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund, AIM Global Aggressive
Growth Fund, AIM Global Growth Fund and AIM International Growth Fund. All
historical financial and other information contained in this Statement of
Additional Information for periods prior to November 25, 2003 relating to the
Fund (or a class thereof) is that of the predecessor fund (or the corresponding
class thereof). Prior to November 25, 2003, INVESCO International Core Equity
Fund (formerly known as INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund) was a
portfolio of AIM International Funds, Inc. II ("IIF"), a Maryland corporation.
Pursuant to another Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, the fund was
redomesticated as a portfolio of the Trust. Prior to July 1, 2002, AIM Asia
Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund and AIM International Growth Fund
were known as AIM Asian Growth Fund, AIM European Development Fund and AIM
International Equity Fund, respectively.
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Shares of the Trust are redeemable at their net asset value (subject, in certain circumstances, to a contingent deferred sales charge or redemption fee) at the option of the shareholder or at the option of the Trust in certain circumstances.
The Trust allocates moneys and other property it receives from the issue or sale of shares of each of its series of shares, and all income, earnings and profits from such issuance and sales, subject only to the rights of creditors, to the appropriate Fund. These assets constitute the underlying assets of each Fund, are segregated on the Trust's books of account, and are charged with the expenses of such Fund and its respective classes. The Trust allocates any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular Fund by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees, primarily on the basis of relative net assets, or other relevant factors.
Each share of each Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that Fund with each other share and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income belonging to such Fund as are declared by the Board. Each Fund offers separate classes of shares as follows:
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R CLASS CLASS ---- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------- -------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund x x x AIM European Growth Fund x x x x x AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund x x x AIM Global Growth Fund x x x AIM International Growth Fund x x x x x INVESCO International Core Equity Fund x x x x x |
Each class of shares represents interests in the same portfolio of investments. Differing sales charges and expenses will result in differing net asset values and dividends and distributions. Upon any liquidation of the Trust, shareholders of each class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets belonging to the applicable Fund allocable to such class available for distribution after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities of the Fund allocable to such class.
Each share of a Fund generally has the same voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights; however, each class of shares of a Fund is subject to different sales loads, conversion features, exchange privileges and class-specific expenses.
Except as specifically noted above, shareholders of each Fund are entitled to one vote per share (with proportionate voting for fractional shares), irrespective of the relative net asset value of the shares of a Fund. However, on matters affecting an individual Fund or class of shares, a separate vote of shareholders of that Fund or class is required. Shareholders of a Fund or class are not entitled to vote on any matter which does not affect that Fund or class but that requires a separate vote of another Fund or class. An example of a matter that would be voted on separately by shareholders of each Fund is the approval of the advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"), and an example of a matter that would be voted on separately by shareholders of each class of shares is approval of the distribution plans. When issued, shares of each Fund are fully paid and nonassessable, have no preemptive or subscription rights, and are freely transferable. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that in situations in which shareholders elect trustees, holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of trustees can elect all of the trustees of the Trust, and the holders of less than 50% of the shares voting for the election of trustees will not be able to elect any trustees.
Under Delaware law, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust shall be entitled to the same limitations of liability extended to shareholders of private for-profit corporations. There is a remote possibility, however, that shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held liable for the obligations of the Trust to the extent the courts of another state which does not recognize such limited liability were to apply the laws of such state to a controversy involving such obligations. The Trust Agreement disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the trustees to all parties, and each party thereto must expressly waive all rights of action directly against shareholders of the Trust. The Trust Agreement provides for indemnification out of the property of a Fund for all losses and expenses of any shareholder of such Fund held liable on account of being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a Fund is unable to meet its obligations and the complaining party is not held to be bound by the disclaimer.
The trustees and officers of the Trust will not be liable for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust or any trustee or officer; however, a trustee or officer is not protected against any liability to the Trust or to the shareholders to which a trustee or officer would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office with the Trust ("Disabling Conduct"). The Trust Agreement provides for indemnification by the Trust of the trustees, the officers and employees or agents of the Trust, provided that such persons have not engaged in Disabling Conduct. The Trust Agreement also authorizes the purchase of liability insurance on behalf of trustees and officers.
SHARE CERTIFICATES. Shareholders of the Funds do not have the right to demand or require the Trust to issue share certificates.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND AND ITS INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
CLASSIFICATION
The Trust is an open-end management investment company. The Fund is "diversified" for purposes of the 1940 Act.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The table on the following pages identifies various securities and investment techniques used by AIM in managing The AIM Family of Funds--Registered Trademark--. The table has been marked to indicate those securities and investment techniques that AIM may use to manage the Fund. The Fund may not use all of these techniques at any one time. The Fund's transactions in a particular security or use of a particular technique is subject to limitations imposed by the Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions described in the Fund's Prospectus and/or this Statement of Additional Information, as well as federal securities laws. The Fund's investment objective, policies, strategies and practices are non-fundamental unless otherwise indicated. A more detailed description of the securities and investment techniques, as well as the risks associated with those securities and investment techniques that the Fund utilizes, follows the table. The descriptions of the securities and investment techniques in this section supplement the discussion of principal investment strategies contained in the Fund's Prospectus; where a particular type of security or investment technique is not discussed in the Fund's Prospectus, that security or investment technique is not a principal investment strategy.
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
SUMMARY OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
FUND AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND SECURITY/ INVESTMENT TECHNIQUE EQUITY INVESTMENTS Common Stock X Preferred Stock X Convertible Securities X Alternative Entity Securities X FOREIGN INVESTMENTS Foreign Securities X Foreign Government Obligations Foreign Exchange Transactions X DEBT INVESTMENTS U.S. Government Obligations X Rule 2a-7 Requirements Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Collateralized Mortgage Obligations Bank Instruments Commercial Instruments Participation Interests Municipal Securities Municipal Lease Obligations Investment Grade Corporate Debt Obligations X Junk Bonds |
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
SUMMARY OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
FUND AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND SECURITY/ INVESTMENT TECHNIQUE Liquid Assets X OTHER INVESTMENTS REITs X Other Investment X Companies Defaulted Securities Municipal Forward Contracts Variable or Floating Rate Instruments Indexed Securities Zero-Coupon and Pay-in-Kind Securities Synthetic Municipal Instruments INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES Delayed Delivery X Transactions When-Issued Securities X Short Sales X Margin Transactions X Swap Agreements X Interfund Loans X Borrowing X Lending Portfolio Securities X Repurchase Agreements X Reverse Repurchase Agreements X Dollar Rolls Illiquid Securities X Rule 144A Securities X |
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
SUMMARY OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
FUND AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND SECURITY/ INVESTMENT TECHNIQUE Unseasoned Issuers X Portfolio Transactions Sale of Money Market Securities Standby Commitments DERIVATIVES Equity-Linked Derivatives X Put Options X Call Options X Straddles X Warrants X Futures Contracts and Options on Futures X Contracts Forward Currency Contracts X Cover X |
Equity Investments
COMMON STOCK. Common stock is issued by companies principally to raise cash for business purposes and represents a residual interest in the issuing company. The Fund participates in the success or failure of any company in which it holds stock. The prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
PREFERRED STOCK. Preferred stock, unlike common stock, often offers a stated dividend rate payable from a corporation's earnings. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as call/redemption provisions prior to maturity, a negative feature when interest rates decline. Dividends on some preferred stock may be "cumulative," requiring all or a portion of prior unpaid dividends to be paid before dividends are paid on the issuer's common stock. Preferred stock also generally has a preference over common stock on the distribution of a corporation's assets in the event of liquidation of the corporation, and may be "participating," which means that it may be entitled to a dividend exceeding the stated dividend in certain cases. In some cases an issuer may offer auction rate preferred stock, which means that the interest to be paid is set by auction and will often be reset at
stated intervals. The rights of preferred stocks on the distribution of a corporation's assets in the event of a liquidation are generally subordinate to the rights associated with a corporation's debt securities.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities include bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks and other securities that may be converted into a prescribed amount of common stock or other equity securities at a specified price and time. The holder of convertible securities is entitled to receive interest paid or accrued on debt, or dividends paid or accrued on preferred stock, until the security matures or is converted.
The value of a convertible security depends on 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. Convertible securities may be illiquid, and may be required to convert at a time and at a price that is unfavorable to the Fund.
ALTERNATIVE ENTITY SECURITIES. Companies that are formed as limited partnerships, limited liability companies, business trusts or other non-corporate entities may issue equity securities that are similar to common or preferred stock of corporations.
Foreign Investments
FOREIGN SECURITIES. Foreign securities are equity or debt securities issued by issuers outside the United States, and include securities in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), or other securities representing underlying securities of foreign issuers. Depositary receipts are typically issued by a bank or trust company and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign corporations.
The Fund may invest all of its total assets in foreign securities.
Investments by the Fund in foreign securities, whether denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies, may entail all of the risks set forth below. Investments by the Fund in ADRs, EDRs or similar securities also may entail some or all of the risks described below.
Currency Risk. The value of the Fund's foreign investments will be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. The U.S. dollar value of a foreign security decreases when the value of the U.S. dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated, and increases when the value of the U.S. dollar falls against such currency.
Political and Economic Risk. The economies of many of the countries in which the Fund may invest may not be as developed as the United States' economy and may be subject to significantly different forces. Political or social instability, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, and limitations on the removal of funds or other assets could also adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.
Regulatory Risk. Foreign companies are not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on United States issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Foreign companies are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, corporate governance practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce dividend income payable to the Fund's shareholders.
Market Risk. The securities markets in many of the countries in which the Fund invests will have substantially less trading volume than the major United States markets. As a result, the securities of some foreign companies may be less liquid and experience more price volatility than comparable domestic securities. Increased custodian costs as well as administrative costs (such as the need to use foreign custodians) may be associated with the maintenance of assets in foreign jurisdictions. There is
generally less government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and issuers which may make it difficult to enforce contractual obligations. In addition, transaction costs in foreign securities markets are likely to be higher, since brokerage commission rates in foreign countries are likely to be higher than in the United States.
Risks of Developing Countries. AIM International Growth Fund may invest without limit, but does not intend to invest more than 20% of its total assets in securities of companies located in developing countries. Developing countries are those countries which are not included in the MSCI World Index. The fund considers various factors when determining whether a company is in a developing country, including whether (1) it is organized under the laws of a developing country; (2) it has a principal office in a developing country; (3) it derives 50% or more of its total revenues from business in a developing country; or (4) its securities are traded principally on a stock exchange, or in an over-the-counter market, in a developing country. Investments in developing countries present risks greater than, and in addition to, those presented by investments in foreign issuers in general. A number of developing countries restrict, to varying degrees, foreign investment in stocks. Repatriation of investment income, capital, and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some developing countries. A number of the currencies of developing countries have experienced significant declines against the U.S. dollar in recent years, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by the Fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. Many of the developing securities markets are relatively small or less diverse, have low trading volumes, suffer periods of relative illiquidity, and are characterized by significant price volatility. There is a risk in developing countries that a future economic or political crisis could lead to price controls, forced mergers of companies, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies, any of which may have a detrimental effect on the Fund's investments.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS. Foreign exchange transactions include direct purchases of futures contracts with respect to foreign currency, and contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified currency at a specified future date (up to one year) at a price set at the time of the contract. Such contractual commitments may be forward contracts entered into directly with another party or exchange traded futures contracts.
The Fund has authority to deal in foreign exchange between currencies of the different countries in which it will invest as a hedge against possible variations in the foreign exchange rates between those currencies. The Fund may commit the same percentage of its total assets to foreign exchange hedges as it can invest in foreign securities.
The Fund may utilize either specific transactions ("transaction hedging") or portfolio positions ("position hedging") to hedge foreign currency exposure through foreign exchange transactions. Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of foreign currency with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund accruing in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities, the sale and redemption of shares of the Fund, or the payment of dividends and distributions by the Fund. Position hedging is the purchase or sale of foreign currency with respect to portfolio security positions (or underlying portfolio security positions, such as in an ADR) denominated or quoted in a foreign currency. Additionally, foreign exchange transactions may involve some of the risks of investments in foreign securities.
Debt Investments
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. Obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities include bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as "stripped" or "zero coupon" U.S. Treasury obligations representing future interest or principal payments on U.S. Treasury notes or bonds. Stripped securities are sold at a discount to their "face value," and may exhibit greater price volatility than interest-bearing securities since investors receive no payment until maturity. Obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association ("SLMA"), are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's obligations; still others, though issued by an instrumentality chartered by the U.S. Government, like the Federal Farm Credit Bureau ("FFCB"), are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. The U.S. Government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so.
INVESTMENT GRADE CORPORATE DEBT OBLIGATIONS. The Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated debt obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations or U.S. commercial banks, U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign issuers and debt obligations of foreign issuers denominated in foreign currencies. Such debt obligations include, among others, bonds, notes, debentures and variable rate demand notes. In choosing corporate debt securities on behalf of the Fund, its investment adviser may consider (i) general economic and financial conditions; (ii) the specific issuer's (a) business and management, (b) cash flow, (c) earnings coverage of interest and dividends, (d) ability to operate under adverse economic conditions, (e) fair market value of assets, and (f) in the case of foreign issuers, unique political, economic or social conditions applicable to such issuer's country; and, (iii) other considerations deemed appropriate. The Fund will purchase only investment grade corporate debt securities.
Descriptions of debt securities ratings are found in Appendix A.
LIQUID ASSETS. Cash equivalents include money market instruments (such as certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers' acceptances from U.S. or foreign banks, and repurchase agreements), shares of affiliated money market funds or high-quality debt obligations (such as U.S. Government obligations, commercial paper, master notes and other short-term corporate instruments and municipal obligations).
Other Investments
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS ("REITS"). REITs are trusts that sell equity or debt securities to investors and use the proceeds to invest in real estate or interests therein. A REIT may focus on particular projects, such as apartment complexes, or geographic regions, such as the southeastern United States, or both.
To the extent consistent with its investment objective and policies, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in equity and/or debt securities issued by REITs.
To the extent that the Fund has the ability to invest in REITs, the Fund could conceivably own real estate directly as a result of a default on the securities it owns. The Fund, therefore, may be subject to certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate including difficulties in valuing and trading real estate, declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, adverse changes in the climate for real estate, environmental liability risks, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, limitations on rents, changes in neighborhood values, the appeal of properties to tenants, and increases in interest rates.
In addition to the risks described above, equity REITs may be affected by any changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skill, are not diversified, and are therefore subject to the risk of financing single or a limited number of projects. Such trusts are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to maintain an exemption from the 1940 Act. Changes in interest rates may also affect the value of debt securities held by the Fund. By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his/her proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs.
OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES. With respect to the Fund's purchase of shares of another investment company, including Affiliated Money Market Funds (defined below), the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of the advisory fees and other operating expenses of such investment company. The Fund has obtained an exemptive order from the SEC allowing it to invest in money market funds that have AIM or an affiliate of AIM as an investment advisor (the "Affiliated Money Market Funds"), provided that investments in Affiliated Money Market Funds do not exceed 25% of the total assets of the investing Fund.
The following restrictions apply to investments in other investment companies other than Affiliated Money Market Funds: (i) the Fund may not purchase more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of another investment company; (ii) the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities issued by another investment company; and (iii) the Fund may not invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities issued by other investment companies.
Investment Techniques
DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS. Delayed delivery transactions, also referred to as forward commitments, involve commitments by the Fund to dealers or issuers to acquire or sell securities at a specified future date beyond the customary settlement for such securities. These commitments may fix the payment price and interest rate to be received or paid on the investment. The Fund may purchase securities on a delayed delivery to the extent it can anticipate having available cash on settlement date. Delayed delivery agreements will not be used as a speculative or leverage technique.
Investment in securities on a delayed delivery basis may increase the Fund's exposure to market fluctuation and may increase the possibility that the Fund will incur short-term gains subject to federal taxation or short-term losses if the Fund must engage in portfolio transactions in order to honor a delayed delivery commitment. Until the settlement date, the Fund will segregate liquid assets of a dollar value sufficient at all times to make payment for the delayed delivery transactions. Such segregated liquid assets will be marked-to-market daily, and the amount segregated will be increased if necessary to maintain adequate coverage of the delayed delivery commitments. No additional delayed delivery agreements or when-issued commitments (as described below) will be made by the Fund if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund's total assets would become so committed.
The delayed delivery securities, which will not begin to accrue interest or dividends until the settlement date, will be recorded as an asset of the Fund and will be subject to the risk of market fluctuation. The purchase price of the delayed delivery securities is a liability of the Fund until settlement. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the Fund will not sell or otherwise transfer the delayed delivery basis securities prior to settlement.
The Fund may enter into buy/sell back transactions (a form of delayed delivery agreement). In a buy/sell back transaction, the Fund enters a trade to sell securities at one price and simultaneously enters a trade to buy the same securities at another price for settlement at a future date.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES. Purchasing securities on a "when-issued" basis means that the date for delivery of and payment for the securities is not fixed at the date of purchase, but is set after the securities are issued. The payment obligation and, if applicable, the interest rate that will be received on
the securities are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. The Fund will only make commitments to purchase such securities with the intention of actually acquiring such securities, but the Fund may sell these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable.
Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and the securities held in the Fund's portfolio are subject to changes in market value based upon the public's perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and, if applicable, changes in the level of interest rates. Therefore, if the Fund is to remain substantially fully invested at the same time that it has purchased securities on a when-issued basis, there will be a possibility that the market value of the Fund's assets will fluctuate to a greater degree. Furthermore, when the time comes for the Fund to meet its obligations under when-issued commitments, the Fund will do so by using then available cash flow, by sale of the segregated liquid assets, by sale of other securities or, although it would not normally expect to do so, by directing the sale of the when-issued securities themselves (which may have a market value greater or less than the Fund's payment obligation).
Investment in securities on a when-issued basis may increase the Fund's exposure to market fluctuation and may increase the possibility that the Fund will incur short-term gains subject to federal taxation or short-term losses if the Fund must sell another security in order to honor a when-issued commitment. If the Fund purchases a when-issued security, the Fund will segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to the when-issued commitment. If the market value of such segregated assets declines, additional liquid assets will be segregated on a daily basis so that the market value of the segregated assets will equal the amount of the Fund's when-issued commitments. No additional delayed delivery agreements (as described above) or when-issued commitments will be made by the Fund if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund's total assets would become so committed.
SHORT SALES. In a short sale, the Fund does not immediately deliver the securities sold and does not receive the proceeds from the sale. The Fund is said to have a short position in the securities sold until it delivers the securities sold, at which time it receives the proceeds of the sale. The Fund will make a short sale, as a hedge, when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by the Fund or a security convertible into or exchangeable for such security, or when the Fund does not want to sell the security it owns, because it wishes to defer recognition of gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. In such case, any future losses in the Fund's long position should be reduced by a gain in the short position. Conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced by a loss in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses are reduced will depend upon the amount of the security sold short relative to the amount the Fund owns, either directly or indirectly, and, in the case where the Fund owns convertible securities, changes in the conversion premium. In determining the number of shares to be sold short against the Fund's position in a convertible security, the anticipated fluctuation in the conversion premium is considered. The Fund may also make short sales to generate additional income from the investment of the cash proceeds of short sales.
The Fund will only make short sales "against the box," meaning that at all times when a short position is open, the Fund owns an equal amount to such securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable, without payment of any further consideration, for securities of the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short. To secure its obligation to deliver the securities sold short, the Fund will segregate with its custodian an equal amount of the securities sold short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such securities. The Fund may pledge no more than 10% of its total assets as collateral for short sales against the box.
MARGIN TRANSACTIONS. The Fund will not purchase any security on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities. The payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with futures or related options transactions will not be considered the purchase of a security on margin.
SWAP AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into interest rate, index and currency exchange rate swap agreements for purposes of attempting to obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost to the Fund than if it had invested directly in an instrument that yielded that desired return. 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 realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are 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. Commonly used swap agreements include: (i) interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or "cap"; (ii) interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or "floor"; and (iii) interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.
The "notional amount" of the swap agreement is only a fictitious basis on which to calculate the obligations that the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to exchange. Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund would calculate the obligations on a "net basis." Consequently, the Fund's obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the "net amount"). Obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by segregating liquid assets to avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund. The Fund will not enter into a swap agreement with any single party if the net amount owed to or to be received under existing contracts with that party would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets. For a discussion of the tax considerations relating to swap agreements, see "Dividends, Distributions and Tax Matters - Swap Agreements."
INTERFUND LOANS. The Fund may lend uninvested cash up to 15% of its net assets to other Funds advised by AIM (the "AIM Funds") and may borrow from other AIM Funds to the extent permitted under the Fund's investment restrictions. During temporary or emergency periods, the percentage of the Fund's net assets that may be loaned to other AIM Funds may be increased as permitted by the SEC. If any interfund borrowings are outstanding, the Fund cannot make any additional investments. If the Fund has borrowed from other AIM Funds and has aggregate borrowings from all sources that exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets, the Fund will secure all of its loans from other AIM Funds. The ability of the Fund to lend its securities to other AIM Funds is subject to certain other terms and conditions.
BORROWING. The Fund may borrow money to a limited extent for temporary or emergency purposes. If there are unusually heavy redemptions because of changes in interest rates or for any other reason, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. Selling fund securities under these circumstances may result in a lower net asset value per share or decreased dividend income, or both. The Trust believes that, in the event of abnormally heavy redemption requests, the Fund's borrowing ability would help to mitigate any such effects and could make the forced sale of their portfolio securities less likely.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities (principally to broker-dealers) where such loans are callable at any time and are continuously secured by segregated collateral equal to no less than the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. Such collateral will be cash, letters of credit, or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. The Fund may lend portfolio securities to the extent of one-third of its total assets.
The Fund would continue to receive the income on loaned securities and would, at the same time, earn interest on the loan collateral or on the investment of any cash collateral. The Fund will not have the right to vote securities while they are being lent, but it can call a loan in anticipation of an important vote. Any cash collateral pursuant to these loans would be invested in short-term money market instruments or Affiliated Money Market Funds. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned increases and the collateral is not
increased accordingly or in the event of default by the borrower. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Repurchase agreements are agreements under which the Fund acquires ownership of a security from a broker-dealer or bank that agrees to repurchase the security at a mutually agreed upon time and price (which is higher than the purchase price), thereby determining the yield during the Fund's holding period. The Fund may, however, enter into a "continuing contract" or "open" repurchase agreement under which the seller is under a continuing obligation to repurchase the underlying obligation from the Fund on demand and the effective interest rate is negotiated on a daily basis. The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions involving the types of securities in which it is permitted to invest.
If the seller of a repurchase agreement fails to repurchase the security in accordance with the terms of the agreement, the Fund might incur expenses in enforcing its rights, and could experience losses, including a decline in the value of the underlying security and loss of income. The securities underlying a repurchase agreement will be marked to market every business day so that the value of such securities is at least equal to the investment value of the repurchase agreement, including any accrued interest thereon.
The Fund may invest its cash balances in joint accounts with other AIM Funds for the purpose of investing in repurchase agreements with maturities not to exceed 60 days, and in certain other money market instruments with remaining maturities not to exceed 90 days. Repurchase agreements are considered loans by the Fund under the 1940 Act.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Reverse repurchase agreements are
agreements that involve the sale of securities held by the Fund to financial
institutions such as banks and broker-dealers, with an agreement that the Fund
will repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price and date. The Fund may
employ reverse repurchase agreements (i) for temporary emergency purposes, such
as to meet unanticipated net redemptions so as to avoid liquidating other
portfolio securities during unfavorable market conditions; (ii) to cover
short-term cash requirements resulting from the timing of trade settlements; or
(iii) to take advantage of market situations where the interest income to be
earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction is greater than
the interest expense of the transaction. At the time it enters into a reverse
repurchase agreement, the Fund will segregate liquid assets having a dollar
value equal to the repurchase price, and will subsequently continually monitor
the account to ensure that such equivalent value is maintained at all times.
Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of
securities to be purchased by the Fund may decline below the price at which it
is obligated to repurchase the securities, or that the other party may default
on its obligation, so that the Fund is delayed or prevented from completing the
transaction. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered borrowings by the Fund
under the 1940 Act.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the normal course of business at the price at which they are valued. Illiquid securities may include securities that are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"). Restricted securities may, in certain circumstances, be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, and thus may or may not constitute illiquid securities.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities that are illiquid. Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, which may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering such securities for resale, and the risk of substantial delays in effecting such registrations.
RULE 144A SECURITIES. Rule 144A securities are securities which, while privately placed, are eligible for purchase and resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. This Rule permits certain qualified institutional buyers, such as the Fund, to trade in privately placed securities even though such securities are not registered under the 1933 Act. AIM, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, will consider whether securities purchased under Rule 144A are illiquid and thus subject to the Fund's
restriction on investment in illiquid securities. Determination of whether a Rule 144A security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination AIM will consider the trading markets for the specific security taking into account the unregistered nature of a Rule 144A security. In addition, AIM could consider the (i) frequency of trades and quotes; (ii) number of dealers and potential purchasers; (iii) dealer undertakings to make a market; and (iv) nature of the security and of market place trades (for example, the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer). AIM will also monitor the liquidity of Rule 144A securities and, if as a result of changed conditions, AIM determines that a Rule 144A security is no longer liquid, AIM will review the Fund's holdings of illiquid securities to determine what, if any, action is required to assure that the Fund complies with its restriction on investment in illiquid securities. Investing in Rule 144A securities could increase the amount of the Fund's investments in illiquid securities if qualified institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.
UNSEASONED ISSUERS. Investments in the equity securities of companies having less than three years' continuous operations (including operations of any predecessor) involve more risk than investments in the securities of more established companies because unseasoned issuers have only a brief operating history and may have more limited markets and financial resources. As a result, securities of unseasoned issuers tend to be more volatile than securities of more established companies.
Derivatives
The Fund may invest in forward currency contracts, futures contracts, options on securities, options on indices, options on currencies, and options on futures contracts to attempt to hedge against the overall level of investment and currency risk normally associated with its investments. The Fund may also invest in equity-linked derivative products designed to replicate the composition and performance of particular indices. These instruments are often referred to as "derivatives," which may be defined as financial instruments whose performance is derived, at least in part, from the performance of another asset (such as a security, currency or an index of securities).
EQUITY-LINKED DERIVATIVES. Equity-Linked Derivatives are interests in a securities portfolio designed to replicate the composition and performance of a particular index. Equity-Linked Derivatives are exchange traded. The performance results of Equity-Linked Derivatives will not replicate exactly the performance of the pertinent index due to transaction and other expenses, including fees to service providers, borne by the Equity-Linked Derivatives. Examples of such products include S&P Depositary Receipts ("SPDRs"), World Equity Benchmark Series ("WEBs"), NASDAQ 100 tracking shares ("QQQs"), Dow Jones Industrial Average Instruments ("DIAMONDS") and Optimised Portfolios As Listed Securities ("OPALS"). Investments in Equity-Linked Derivatives involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the types of securities included in the indices such products are designed to track. There can be no assurance that the trading price of the Equity-Linked Derivatives will equal the underlying value of the basket of securities purchased to replicate a particular index or that such basket will replicate the index. Investments in Equity-Linked Derivatives may constitute investments in other investment companies and, therefore, the Fund may be subject to the same investment restrictions with Equity-Linked Derivatives as with other investment companies. See "Other Investment Companies."
PUT AND CALL OPTIONS. A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy the underlying security, contract or foreign currency at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option (or on a specified date if the option is a European style option), regardless of the market price or exchange rate of the security, contract or foreign currency, as the case may be at the time of exercise. If the purchaser exercises the call option, the writer of a call option is obligated to sell the underlying security, contract or foreign currency. A put option gives the purchaser the right to sell the underlying security, contract or foreign currency at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option (or on a specified date if the option is a European style option), regardless of the market price or exchange rate of the security, contract or foreign currency, as the case may be at the time of exercise. If the purchaser exercises the put option, the writer of a put option is obligated to buy the underlying security, contract or foreign currency. The premium paid to the writer is consideration for undertaking the
obligations under the option contract. Until an option expires or is offset, the option is said to be "open." When an option expires or is offset, the option is said to be "closed."
The Fund will not write (sell) options if, immediately after such sale, the aggregate value of securities or obligations underlying the outstanding options exceeds 20% of the Fund's total assets. The Fund will not purchase options if, at any time of the investment, the aggregate premiums paid for the options will exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets.
Pursuant to federal securities rules and regulations, if the Fund writes options it may be required to set aside assets to reduce the risks associated with writing those options. This process is described in more detail below in the section "Cover."
Writing Options. The Fund may write put and call options in an attempt to realize, through the receipt of premiums, a greater current return than would be realized on the underlying security, contract, or foreign currency alone. The Fund may only write a call option on a security if it owns an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable, without payment of any further consideration, for securities of the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities subject to the call option. In return for the premium received for writing a call option, the Fund foregoes the opportunity for profit from a price increase in the underlying security, contract, or foreign currency above the exercise price so long as the option remains open, but retains the risk of loss should the price of the security, contract, or foreign currency decline.
The Fund may write a put option without owning the underlying security if it covers the option as described below in the section "Cover." The Fund may only write a put option on a security as part of an investment strategy, and not for speculative purposes. In return for the premium received for writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk that the price of the underlying security, contract, or foreign currency will decline below the exercise price, in which case the put would be exercised and the Fund would suffer a loss.
If a call option that the Fund has written expires, it will realize a gain in the amount of the premium; however, such gain may be offset by a decline in the market value of the underlying security, contract or currency during the option period. If the call option is exercised, the Fund will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security, contract or currency, which will be increased or offset by the premium received. The Fund would write a put option at an exercise price that, reduced by the premium received on the option, reflects the price it is willing to pay for the underlying security, contract or currency. The obligation imposed upon the writer of an option is terminated upon the expiration of the option, or such earlier time at which the Fund effects a closing purchase transaction by purchasing an option (put or call as the case may be) identical to that previously sold.
Writing call options can serve as a limited hedge because declines in the value of the hedged investment would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. Closing transactions may be effected in order to realize a profit on an outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying security, contract or currency from being called or to permit the sale of the underlying security, contract or currency. Furthermore, effecting a closing transaction will permit the Fund to write another call option on the underlying security, contract or currency with either a different exercise price or expiration date, or both.
Purchasing Options. The Fund may purchase a call option for the purpose of acquiring the underlying security, contract or currency for its portfolio. The Fund is not required to own the underlying security in order to purchase a call option, and may only cover this transaction with cash, liquid assets and/or short-term debt securities. Utilized in this fashion, the purchase of call options would enable the Fund to acquire the security, contract or currency at the exercise price of the call option plus the premium paid. So long as it holds such a call option, rather than the underlying security or currency itself, the Fund is partially protected from any unexpected increase in the market price of the underlying security, contract or currency. If the market price does not exceed the exercise price, the Fund could purchase the security on the open market and could allow the call option to expire, incurring a loss only to the extent of the
premium paid for the option. The Fund may also purchase call options on underlying securities, contracts or currencies against which it has written other call options. For example, where the Fund has written a call option on an underlying security, rather than entering a closing transaction of the written option, it may purchase a call option with a different exercise strike and/or expiration date that would eliminate some or all of the risk associated with the written call. Used in combinations, these strategies are commonly referred to as "call spreads."
The Fund may only purchase a put option on an underlying security, contract or currency ("protective put") owned by the Fund in order to protect against an anticipated decline in the value of the security, contract or currency. Such hedge protection is provided only during the life of the put option. The premium paid for the put option and any transaction costs would reduce any profit realized when the security, contract or currency is delivered upon the exercise of the put option. Conversely, if the underlying security, contract or currency does not decline in value, the option may expire worthless and the premium paid for the protective put would be lost. The Fund may also purchase put options on underlying securities, contracts or currencies against which it has written other put options. For example, where the Fund has written a put option on an underlying security, rather than entering a closing transaction of the written option, it may purchase a put option with a different exercise price and/or expiration date that would eliminate some or all of the risk associated with the written put. Used in combinations, these strategies are commonly referred to as "put spreads." Likewise, the Fund may write call options on underlying securities, contracts or currencies against which it has purchased protective put options. This strategy is commonly referred to as a "collar."
Over-The-Counter Options. Options may be either listed on an exchange or traded in over-the-counter ("OTC") markets. Listed options are third-party contracts (i.e., performance of the obligations of the purchaser and seller is guaranteed by the exchange or clearing corporation) and have standardized strike prices and expiration dates. OTC options are two-party contracts with negotiated strike prices and expiration dates. The Fund will not purchase an OTC option unless it believes that daily valuations for such options are readily obtainable. OTC options differ from exchange-traded options in that OTC options are transacted with dealers directly and not through a clearing corporation (which guarantees performance). Consequently, there is a risk of non-performance by the dealer. Since no exchange is involved, OTC options are valued on the basis of an average of the last bid prices obtained from dealers, unless a quotation from only one dealer is available, in which case only that dealer's price will be used. In the case of OTC options, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option at any specific time. Because purchased OTC options in certain cases may be difficult to dispose of in a timely manner, the Fund may be required to treat some or all of these options (i.e., the market value) as illiquid securities. Although the Fund will enter into OTC options only with dealers that are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with it, there is no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration. In the event of insolvency of the dealer, the Fund might be unable to close out an OTC option position at any time prior to its expiration.
Index Options. Index options (or options on securities indices) are similar in many respects to options on securities, except that an index option gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise, cash instead of securities, if the closing level of the securities index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the call or put times a specified multiple (the "multiplier"), which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference.
The risks of investment in index options may be greater than options on securities. Because index options are settled in cash, when the Fund writes a call on an index it cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities. The Fund can offset some of the risk of writing a call index option position by holding a diversified portfolio of securities similar to those on which the underlying index is based. However, the Fund cannot, as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the same securities as underlie the index and, as a result, bears a risk that the value of the securities held will not be perfectly correlated with the value of the index.
Pursuant to federal securities rules and regulations, if the Fund writes index options, it may be required to set aside assets to reduce the risks associated with writing those options. This process is described in more detail below in the section "Cover."
STRADDLES. The Fund, for hedging purposes, may write straddles (combinations of put and call options on the same underlying security) to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the Fund's overall position. A possible combined position would involve writing a covered call option at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the written covered call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
WARRANTS. Warrants are, in effect, longer-term call options. They give the holder the right to purchase a given number of shares of a particular company at specified prices within certain periods of time. The purchaser of a warrant expects that the market price of the security will exceed the purchase price of the warrant plus the exercise price of the warrant, thus giving him a profit. Since the market price may never exceed the exercise price before the expiration date of the warrant, the purchaser of the warrant risks the loss of the entire purchase price of the warrant. Warrants generally trade in the open market and may be sold rather than exercised. Warrants are sometimes sold in unit form with other securities of an issuer. Units of warrants and common stock may be employed in financing young, unseasoned companies. The purchase price of a warrant varies with the exercise price of the warrant, the current market value of the underlying security, the life of the warrant and various other investment factors.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. A Futures Contract is a two party agreement to buy or sell a specified amount of a specified security or currency (or delivery of a cash settlement price, in the case of an index future) for a specified price at a designated date, time and place (collectively, "Futures Contracts"). A stock index Futures Contract provides for the delivery, at a designated date, time and place, of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the stock index value at the close of trading on the contract and the price agreed upon in the Futures Contract; no physical delivery of stocks comprising the index is made. Brokerage fees are incurred when a Futures Contract is bought or sold, and margin deposits must be maintained at all times when a Futures Contract is outstanding.
The Fund will enter into Futures Contracts for hedging purposes only; that is, Futures Contracts will be sold to protect against a decline in the price of securities or currencies that the Fund owns, or Futures Contracts will be purchased to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of securities or currencies it has committed to purchase or expects to purchase. The Fund's hedging may include sales of Futures Contracts as an offset against the effect of expected increases in interest rates, and decreases in currency exchange rates and stock prices, and purchases of Futures Contracts as an offset against the effect of expected declines in interest rates, and increases in currency exchange rates or stock prices.
The Fund currently may not invest in any security (including futures contracts or options thereon) that is secured by physical commodities.
The Fund will only enter into Futures Contracts that are traded (either domestically or internationally) on futures exchanges and are standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument. Futures exchanges and trading thereon in the United States are regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act and by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"). Foreign futures exchanges and trading thereon are not regulated by the CFTC and are not subject to the same regulatory controls. For a further discussion of the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, see "Foreign Investments" in this Statement of Additional Information.
Closing out an open Futures Contract is effected by entering into an offsetting Futures Contract for the same aggregate amount of the identical financial instrument or currency and the same delivery date. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular Futures Contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to
enter into an offsetting transaction, it will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the Futures Contract.
"Margin" with respect to Futures Contracts is the amount of funds that must be deposited by the Fund in order to initiate Futures Contracts trading and maintain its open positions in Futures Contracts. A margin deposit made when the Futures Contract is entered ("initial margin") is intended to ensure the Fund's performance under the Futures Contract. The margin required for a particular Futures Contract is set by the exchange on which the Futures Contract is traded and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the Futures Contract.
Subsequent payments, called "variation margin," to and from the futures commission merchant through which the Fund entered into the Futures Contract will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying security, currency or index fluctuates making the Futures Contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking-to-market.
If the Fund were unable to liquidate a Futures Contract or an option on a Futures Contract position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market or the imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses. The Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In addition, except in the case of purchased options, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain the position being hedged by the Futures Contract or option or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated account.
Options on Futures Contracts. Options on Futures Contracts are similar to options on securities or currencies except that options on Futures Contracts give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a Futures Contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the Futures Contract position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's Futures Contract margin account. The Fund currently may not invest in any security (including futures contracts or options thereon) that is secured by physical commodities.
Limitations on Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts and on Certain Options on Currencies. To the extent that the Fund enters into Futures Contracts, options on Futures Contracts and options on foreign currencies traded on a CFTC-regulated exchange, in each case other than for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish those positions (excluding the amount by which options are "in-the-money") will not exceed 5% of the total assets of the Fund, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any contracts it has entered into. This guideline may be modified by the Board, without a shareholder vote. This limitation does not limit the percentage of the Fund's assets at risk to 5%.
Pursuant to federal securities rules and regulations, the Fund's use of Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts may require the Fund to set aside assets to reduce the risks associated with using Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts. This process is described in more detail below in the section "Cover."
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS. A forward currency contract is an obligation, usually arranged with a commercial bank or other currency dealer, to purchase or sell a currency against another currency at a future date and price as agreed upon by the parties. The Fund either may accept or make delivery of the currency at the maturity of the forward currency contract. The Fund may also, if its contra party agrees prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Forward currency contracts are traded over-the-counter, and not on organized commodities or securities exchanges. As a result, it may be more difficult to value such contracts, and it may be difficult to enter into closing transactions.
The Fund may engage in forward currency transactions in anticipation of, or to protect itself against, fluctuations in exchange rates. The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts with respect
to a specific purchase or sale of a security, or with respect to its portfolio positions generally. When the Fund purchases a security denominated in a foreign currency for settlement in the near future, it may immediately purchase in the forward market the currency needed to pay for and settle the purchase. By entering into a forward currency contract with respect to the specific purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund can secure an exchange rate between the trade and settlement dates for that purchase or sale transaction. This practice is sometimes referred to as "transaction hedging." Position hedging is the purchase or sale of foreign currency with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in a foreign currency.
The cost to the Fund of engaging in forward currency contracts varies with factors such as the currencies involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because forward currency contracts are usually entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved. The use of forward currency contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of the underlying securities the Fund owns or intends to acquire, but it does establish a rate of exchange in advance. In addition, while forward currency contract sales limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currencies, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currencies increase.
Pursuant to federal securities rules and regulations, the Fund's use of forward currency contracts may require the Fund to set aside assets to reduce the risks associated with using forward currency contracts. This process is described in more detail below in the section "Cover."
COVER. Transactions using forward currency contracts, futures contracts and options (other than options purchased by the Fund) expose the Fund to an obligation to another party. The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless, in addition to complying with all the restrictions noted in the disclosure above, it owns either (1) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities, currencies, or other options, forward currency contracts or futures contracts or (2) cash, liquid assets and/or short-term debt securities with a value sufficient at all times to cover its potential obligations not covered as provided in (1) above. The Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid securities. To the extent that a futures contract, forward currency contract or option is deemed to be illiquid, the assets used to "cover" the Fund's obligation will also be treated as illiquid for purposes of determining the Fund's maximum allowable investment in illiquid securities.
Even though options purchased by the Fund do not expose the Fund to an obligation to another party, but rather provide the Fund with a right to exercise, the Fund intends to "cover" the cost of any such exercise. To the extent that a purchased option is deemed illiquid, the Fund will treat the market value of the option (i.e., the amount at risk to the Fund) as illiquid, but will not treat the assets used as cover on such transactions as illiquid.
Assets used as cover cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding forward currency contract, futures contract or option is open, unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. If a large portion of the Fund's assets is used for cover or otherwise set aside, it could affect portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
GENERAL RISKS OF OPTIONS, FUTURES AND CURRENCY STRATEGIES. The use by the Fund of options, futures contracts and forward currency contracts involves special considerations and risks, as described below. Risks pertaining to particular strategies are described in the sections that follow.
(1) Successful use of hedging transactions depends upon AIM's ability to correctly predict the direction of changes in the value of the applicable markets and securities, contracts and/or currencies. While AIM is experienced in the use of these instruments, there can be no assurance that any particular hedging strategy will succeed.
(2) There might be imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between the price movements of an instrument (such as an option contract) and the price movements of the investments being hedged.
For example, if a "protective put" is used to hedge a potential decline in a security and the security does decline in price, the put option's increased value may not completely offset the loss in the underlying security. Such a lack of correlation might occur due to factors unrelated to the value of the investments being hedged, such as changing interest rates, market liquidity, and speculative or other pressures on the markets in which the hedging instrument is traded.
(3) Hedging strategies, if successful, can reduce risk of loss by wholly or partially offsetting the negative effect of unfavorable price movements in the investments being hedged. However, hedging strategies can also reduce opportunity for gain by offsetting the positive effect of favorable price movements in the hedged investments.
(4) There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option, futures contract or option thereon or forward currency contract at any particular time.
(5) As described above, the Fund might be required to maintain assets as "cover," maintain segregated accounts or make margin payments when it takes positions in instruments involving obligations to third parties. If the Fund were unable to close out its positions in such instruments, it might be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments until the position expired or matured. The requirements might impair the Fund's ability to sell a portfolio security or make an investment at a time when it would otherwise be favorable to do so, or require that the Fund sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time.
(6) There is no assurance that the Fund will use hedging transactions. For example, if the Fund determines that the cost of hedging will exceed the potential benefit to the Fund, the Fund will not enter into such transaction.
FUND POLICIES
FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. The Fund is subject to the following investment restrictions, which may be changed only by a vote of the Fund's outstanding shares. Fundamental restrictions may be changed only by a vote of the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Fund's shares present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares. Any investment restriction that involves a maximum or minimum percentage of securities or assets (other than with respect to borrowing) shall not be considered to be violated unless an excess over or a deficiency under the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or disposition of securities or utilization of assets by the Fund.
(1) The Fund is a "diversified company" as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund will not purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result, the Fund would fail to be a diversified company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as such statute, rules and regulations are amended from time to time or are interpreted from time to time by the SEC staff (collectively, the "1940 Act Laws and Interpretations") or except to the extent that the Fund may be permitted to do so by exemptive order or similar relief (collectively, with the 1940 Act Laws and Interpretations, the "1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions"). In complying with this restriction, however, the Fund may purchase securities of other investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions.
(2) The Fund may not borrow money or issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions.
(3) The Fund may not underwrite the securities of other issuers. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition, disposition or resale of its portfolio securities, regardless of whether the Fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act.
(4) The Fund will not make investments that will result in the concentration (as that term may be defined or interpreted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions) of its investments in the securities of issuers primarily engaged in the same industry. This restriction does not limit the Fund's investments in (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or (ii) tax-exempt obligations issued by governments or political subdivisions of governments. In complying with this restriction, the Fund will not consider a bank-issued guaranty or financial guaranty insurance as a separate security.
(5) The Fund may not purchase real estate or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from investing in issuers that invest, deal, or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, or investing in securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein.
(6) The Fund may not purchase physical commodities or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving futures contracts and options thereon or investing in securities that are secured by physical commodities.
(7) The Fund may not make personal loans or loans of its assets to persons who control or are under common control with the Fund, except to the extent permitted by 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from, among other things, purchasing debt obligations, entering into repurchase agreements, loaning its assets to broker-dealers or institutional investors, or investing in loans, including assignments and participation interests.
(8) The Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and restrictions as the Fund.
The investment restrictions set forth above provide the Fund with the ability to operate under new interpretations of the 1940 Act or pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC without receiving prior shareholder approval of the change. Even though the Fund has this flexibility, the Board of Trustees has adopted non-fundamental restrictions for the Fund relating to certain of these restrictions which AIM must follow in managing the Fund. Any changes to these non-fundamental restrictions, which are set forth below, require the approval of the Board of Trustees.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. The following non-fundamental investment restrictions apply to the Fund. They may be changed without approval of the Fund's voting securities.
(1) In complying with the fundamental restriction regarding issuer diversification, the Fund will not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities), if, as a result, (i) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer. The Fund may (i) purchase securities of other investment companies as permitted by Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act and (ii) invest its assets in securities of other money market funds and lend money to other investment companies or their series portfolios that have AIM or an affiliate of AIM as an investment advisor (an "AIM Advised Fund"), subject to the terms and conditions of any exemptive orders issued by the SEC.
(2) In complying with the fundamental restriction regarding borrowing money and issuing senior securities, the Fund may borrow money in an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). The Fund may borrow from banks, broker-dealers or an AIM Advised Fund. The Fund may not borrow for leveraging, but may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, in anticipation of or in response to adverse market conditions, or for cash management purposes. The Fund may not purchase additional securities when any borrowings from banks exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets or when any borrowings from an AIM Advised Fund are outstanding.
(3) In complying with the fundamental restriction regarding industry concentration, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same industry.
(4) In complying with the fundamental restriction with regard to making loans, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its total assets and may lend money to an AIM Advised Fund, on such terms and conditions as the SEC may require in an exemptive order.
(5) Notwithstanding the fundamental restriction with regard to investing all assets in an open-end fund, the Fund may not invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company with the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and restrictions as the Fund.
(6) Notwithstanding the fundamental restriction with regard to engaging in transactions involving futures contracts and options thereon or investing in securities that are secured by physical commodities, the Fund currently may not invest in any security (including futures contracts or options thereon) that is secured by physical commodities.
(7) The Fund may not acquire any securities of registered open-end investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
In anticipation of or in response to adverse market conditions, or atypical circumstances such as unusually large cash inflows or redemptions, the Fund may temporarily hold all or a portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or high-quality debt instruments. The Fund may also invest up to 25% of its total assets in Affiliated Money Market Funds for these purposes.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES The overall management of the business and affairs of the Fund and the |
Trust is vested in the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees approves all significant agreements between the Trust, on behalf of one or more of the Funds, and persons or companies furnishing services to the Funds. The day-to-day operations of the Fund are delegated to the officers of the Trust and to AIM, subject always to the objective(s), restrictions and policies of the Fund and to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are affiliated with AIM and A I M Management Group Inc. ("AIM Management"), the parent corporation of AIM. All of the Trust's executive officers hold similar offices with some or all of the other AIM Funds.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
The trustees and officers of the Trust, their principal occupations during the last five years and certain other information concerning them are set forth in Appendix B.
The standing committees of the Board of Trustees are the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Investments Committee, the Valuation Committee and the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues.
The members of the Audit Committee are Bob R. Baker, James T. Bunch, Edward K. Dunn, Jr. (Chair), Lewis F. Pennock, Dr. Larry Soll, Dr. Prema Mathai-Davis and Ruth H. Quigley (Vice Chair). The Audit Committee is responsible for:
(i) the appointment, compensation and oversight of any independent auditors employed by the Fund (including monitoring the independence, qualifications and performance of such auditors and resolution of disagreements between the Fund's management and the auditors regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services; (ii) overseeing the financial reporting process of the Fund; (iii) monitoring the process and the resulting financial statements prepared by management to promote accuracy and integrity of the financial statements and asset valuation; (iv) to assist the Board's oversight of the Fund's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Fund's accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (v) to the extent required by Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to pre-approve all permissible non-audit services that are provided to the Fund by its independent auditors; (vi) to pre-approve, in accordance with Item 2.01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X, certain non-audit services provided by the Fund's independent auditors to the Fund's investment advisor and certain other affiliated entities; and (vii) to the extent required by Regulation 14A, to prepare an audit committee report for inclusion in the Fund's annual proxy statement. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Audit Committee held seven meetings.
The members of the Governance Committee are Frank S. Bayley, Bruce L.
Crockett (Chair), Albert R. Dowden, Jack M. Fields (Vice Chair), Gerald J. Lewis
and Louis S. Sklar. The Governance Committee is responsible for: (i) nominating
persons who are not interested persons of the Trust for election or appointment:
(a) as additions to the Board, (b) to fill vacancies which, from time to time,
may occur in the Board and (c) for election by shareholders of the Trust at
meetings called for the election of trustees; (ii) nominating persons for
appointment as members of each committee of the Board, including, without
limitation, the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Investments
Committee and the Valuation Committee, and to nominate persons for appointment
as chair and vice chair of each such committee; (iii) reviewing from time to
time the compensation payable to the trustees and making recommendations to the
Board regarding compensation; (iv) reviewing and evaluating from time to time
the functioning of the Board and the various committees of the Board; (v)
selecting independent legal counsel to the independent trustees and approving
the compensation paid to independent legal counsel; and (vi) approving the
compensation paid to independent counsel and other advisers, if any, to the
Audit Committee of the Trust.
The Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by a
shareholder to serve as trustees, provided: (i) that such person is a
shareholder of record at the time he or she submits such names and is entitled
to vote at the meeting of shareholders at which trustees will be elected; and
(ii) that the Governance Committee or the Board, as applicable, shall make the
final determination of persons to be nominated. During the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2003, the Governance Committee held five meetings.
Notice procedures set forth in the Trust's bylaws require that any shareholder of a Fund desiring to nominate a trustee for election at a shareholder meeting must submit to the Trust's Secretary the nomination in writing not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such shareholder meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is made of the shareholder meeting and not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the shareholder meeting.
The members of the Investments Committee are Messrs. Baker, Bayley, Bunch, Crockett, Dowden (Chair), Dunn, Fields, Lewis, Pennock, Sklar and Soll, and Carl Frischling, and Dr. Mathai-Davis (Vice Chair) and Miss Quigley. The Investments Committee is responsible for: (i) overseeing AIM's
investment-related compliance systems and procedures to ensure their continued adequacy; and (ii) considering and acting, on an interim basis between meetings of the full Board, on investment-related matters requiring Board consideration. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Investments Committee held four meetings.
The members of the Valuation Committee are Messrs. Dunn and Pennock
(Chair), and Miss Quigley (Vice Chair). The Valuation Committee meets on an ad
hoc basis to review matters related to valuation. During the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2003, the Valuation Committee held one meeting.
The members of the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues are Messrs. Crockett, Dowden, Dunn and Lewis (Chair). The purpose of the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues is to remain informed on matters relating to alleged excessive short term trading in shares of the Funds ("market timing") and to provide guidance to special counsel for the independent trustees on market timing issues and related matters between meetings of the independent trustees. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Special Committee Relating to Market Timing Issues did not meet.
Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares
The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee (i) in the Funds and (ii) on an aggregate basis, in all registered investment companies overseen by the trustee within the AIM Funds complex is set forth in Appendix B.
Factors Considered in Approving the Master Investment Advisory Agreement
The advisory agreement with AIM was approved by the Fund's Board at a meeting held on July 30, 2003. In evaluating the fairness and reasonableness of the advisory agreement, the Board of Directors considered a variety of factors, including: the requirements of the Fund for investment
supervisory and administrative services; the quality of AIM's services, including a review of the Fund's investment performance and AIM's investment personnel; the size of the fees in relationship to the extent and quality of the investment advisory services rendered; fees charged to AIM's other clients; fees charged by competitive investment advisors; the size of the fees in light of services provided other than investment advisory services; the expenses borne by the Fund as a percentage of its assets and in relationship to contractual limitations; any fee waivers (or payments of Fund expenses) by AIM; AIM's profitability; the benefits received by AIM from its relationship to the Fund, including soft dollar arrangements, and the extent to which the Fund shares in those benefits; the organizational capabilities and financial condition of AIM and conditions and trends prevailing in the economy, the securities markets and the mutual fund industry; and the historical relationship between the Fund and AIM.
In considering the above factors, the Board also took into account the fact that uninvested cash and cash collateral from securities lending arrangements (collectively, "cash balances") of the Fund may be invested in money market funds advised by AIM pursuant to the terms of an exemptive order. The Board found that the Fund may realize certain benefits upon investing cash balances in AIM advised money market funds, including a higher net return, increased liquidity, increased diversification or decreased transaction costs. The Board also found that the Fund will not receive reduced services if it invests its cash balances in such money market funds. The Board further determined that the proposed securities lending program and related procedures with respect to each of the lending funds is in the best interests of each lending fund and its respective shareholders. The Board therefore concluded that the investment of cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program in the money market funds according to the procedures is in the best interests of each lending fund and its respective shareholders.
After consideration of these factors, the Board found that: (i) the services provided to the Fund and its shareholders were adequate; (ii) the agreement was fair and reasonable under the circumstances; and (iii) the fees payable under the agreement would have been obtained through arm's length negotiations. The Board therefore concluded that the Fund's advisory agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and approved the agreement.
COMPENSATION
Each trustee who is not affiliated with AIM is compensated for his or her services according to a fee schedule which recognizes the fact that such trustee also serves as a trustee of other AIM Funds. Each such trustee receives a fee, allocated among the AIM Funds for which he or she serves as a trustee, which consists of an annual retainer component and a meeting fee component.
Information regarding compensation paid or accrued for each trustee of the Trust who was not affiliated with AIM during the year ended December 31, 2003 is found in Appendix C.
Retirement Plan For Trustees
The trustees have adopted a retirement plan for the trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with AIM. The retirement plan includes a retirement policy as well as retirement benefits for the non-AIM-affiliated trustees.
The retirement policy permits each non-AIM-affiliated trustee to serve until December 31 of the year in which the trustee turns 72. A majority of the trustees may extend from time to time the retirement date of a trustee.
Annual retirement benefits are available to each non-AIM-affiliated trustee of the Trust and/or the other AIM Funds (each, a "Covered Fund") who has at least five years of credited service as a trustee (including service to a predecessor fund) for a Covered Fund. The retirement benefits will equal 75% of the trustee's annual retainer paid or accrued by any Covered Fund to such trustee during the twelve-month period prior to retirement, including the amount of any retainer deferred under a separate deferred compensation agreement between the Covered Fund and the trustee. The annual retirement
benefits are payable in quarterly installments for a number of years equal to the lesser of (i) ten or (ii) the number of such trustee's credited years of service. A death benefit is also available under the plan that provides a surviving spouse with a quarterly installment of 50% of a deceased trustee's retirement benefits for the same length of time that the trustee would have received based on his or her service. A trustee must have attained the age of 65 (55 in the event of death or disability) to receive any retirement benefit.
Deferred Compensation Agreements
Messrs. Dunn, Fields, Frischling and Sklar and Dr. Mathai-Davis (for purposes of this paragraph only, the "Deferring Trustees ") have each executed a Deferred Compensation Agreement (collectively, the "Compensation Agreements"). Pursuant to the Compensation Agreements, the Deferring Trustees have the option to elect to defer receipt of up to 100% of their compensation payable by the Trust, and such amounts are placed into a deferral account. Currently, the Deferring Trustees have the option to select various AIM Funds in which all or part of their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested. Distributions from the Deferring Trustees' deferral accounts will be paid in cash, generally in equal quarterly installments over a period of up to ten (10) years (depending on the Compensation Agreement) beginning on the date selected under the Compensation Agreement. The Trust's Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, may accelerate or extend the distribution of such deferral accounts after the Deferring Trustee's retirement benefits commence under the Plan. The Board, in its sole discretion, also may accelerate or extend the distribution of such deferral accounts after the Deferring Trustee's termination of service as a trustee of the Trust. If a Deferring Trustee dies prior to the distribution of amounts in his or her deferral account, the balance of the deferral account will be distributed to his or her designated beneficiary. The Compensation Agreements are not funded and, with respect to the payments of amounts held in the deferral accounts, the Deferring Trustees have the status of unsecured creditors of the Trust and of each other AIM Fund from which they are deferring compensation.
Purchases of Class A Shares of the Funds at Net Asset Value
The trustees and other affiliated persons of the Trust may purchase Class A shares of the AIM Funds without paying an initial sales charge. A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors") permits such purchases because there is a reduced sales effort involved in sales to such purchasers, thereby resulting in relatively low expenses of distribution.
CODES OF ETHICS
AIM, the Trust and AIM Distributors have each adopted a Code of Ethics governing, as applicable, personal trading activities of all directors/trustees, officers of the Trust, persons who, in connection with their regular functions, play a role in the recommendation of any purchase or sale of a security by any of the Funds or obtain information pertaining to such purchase or sale, and certain other employees. The Codes of Ethics are intended to prohibit conflicts of interest with the Trust that may arise from personal trading. Personal trading, including personal trading involving securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, is permitted by persons covered under the relevant Codes subject to certain restrictions; however those persons are generally required to pre-clear all security transactions with the Compliance Officer or his designee and to report all transactions on a regular basis.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to the Fund's investment advisor. The investment advisor will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which have been reviewed by the Board of Trustees, and which are found in Appendix D.
Any material changes to the proxy policies and procedures will be submitted to the Board of Trustees of the Trust for approval. The Board of Trustees will be supplied with a summary quarterly report of the Fund's proxy voting record.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Information about the ownership of each class of each Fund's shares by beneficial or record owners of such Fund and by trustees and officers as a group is found in Appendix E. A shareholder who owns beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund is presumed to "control" that Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
AIM, the Fund's investment advisor, was organized in 1976, and along with its subsidiaries, manages or advises over 200 investment portfolios encompassing a broad range of investment objectives. AIM is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of AIM Management, a holding company that has been engaged in the financial services business since 1976. AIM Management is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC. AMVESCAP PLC and its subsidiaries are an independent global investment management group. Certain of the directors and officers of AIM are also executive officers of the Trust and their affiliations are shown under "Management Information" herein.
As investment advisor, AIM supervises all aspects of the Fund's operations and provides investment advisory services to the Fund. AIM obtains and evaluates economic, statistical and financial information to formulate and implement investment programs for the Fund.
AIM is also responsible for furnishing to the Fund, at AIM's expense, the services of persons believes to be competent to perform all supervisory and administrative services required by the Fund, in the judgment of the trustees, to conduct their respective businesses effectively, as well as the offices, equipment and other facilities necessary for their operations. Such functions include the maintenance of the Fund's accounts and records, and the preparation of all requisite corporate documents such as tax returns and reports to the SEC and shareholders.
The Master Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will pay or cause to be paid all expenses of the Fund not assumed by AIM, including, without limitation: brokerage commissions, taxes, legal, auditing or governmental fees, the cost of preparing share certificates, custodian, transfer and shareholder service agent costs, expenses of issue, sale, redemption, and repurchase of shares, expenses of registering and qualifying shares for sale, expenses relating to director and shareholder meetings, the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the fees and other expenses incurred by the Trust on behalf of the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations, and the cost of printing copies of prospectuses and statements of additional information distributed to the Fund's shareholders.
AIM, at its own expense, furnishes to the Trust office space and facilities. AIM furnishes to the Trust all personnel for managing the affairs of the Trust and each of its series of shares.
Pursuant to its investment advisory agreement with the Trust, AIM receives a monthly fee from the Fund calculated at the following annual rates, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund during the year:
FUND NAME NET ASSETS ANNUAL RATE --------- ---------- ----------- AIM International Growth Fund First $1 billion 0.95% Amount over $1 billion 0.90% |
AIM may from time to time waive or reduce its fee. Voluntary fee waivers or reductions may be rescinded at any time without further notice to investors. During periods of voluntary fee waivers or reductions, AIM will retain its ability to be reimbursed for such fee prior to the end of each fiscal year. Contractual fee waivers or reductions set forth in the Fee Table in a Prospectus may not be terminated or amended to the Fund's detriment during the period stated in the agreement between AIM and the Fund.
AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of advisory fees payable by the Fund. The amount of the waiver will equal 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the Affiliated Money Market Funds as a result of the Fund's investment of uninvested cash in an Affiliated Money Market Fund. Termination of this agreement requires approval by the Board of Trustees. See "Description of the Fund and Its Investments and Risks - Investment Strategies and Risks - Other Investments - Other Investment Companies."
AIM has contractually agreed through October 31, 2004, to waive advisory fees for AIM International Growth Fund's Institutional Class shares by 0.05% of Management Fees on average daily net assets in excess of $500 million.
The management fees payable by the Fund, the amounts waived by AIM and the net fees paid by the Fund for the last three fiscal years ended October 31 are found in Appendix F.
SECURITIES LENDING ARRANGEMENTS. If the Fund engages in securities lending, AIM will provide the Fund investment advisory services and related administrative services. The advisory agreement describes the administrative services to be rendered by AIM if the Fund engages in securities lending activities, as well as the compensation AIM may receive for such administrative services. Services to be provided include: (a) overseeing participation in the securities lending program to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and investment guidelines; (b) assisting the securities lending agent or principal (the agent) in determining which specific securities are available for loan; (c) monitoring the agent to ensure that securities loans are effected in accordance with AIM's instructions and with procedures adopted by the Board; (d) preparing appropriate periodic reports for, and seeking appropriate approvals from, the Board with respect to securities lending activities; (e) responding to agent inquiries; and (f) performing such other duties as may be necessary.
AIM's compensation for advisory services rendered in connection with securities lending is included in the advisory fee schedule. As compensation for the related administrative services AIM will provide, a lending Fund will pay AIM a fee equal to 25% of the net monthly interest or fee income retained or paid to the Fund from such activities. AIM currently intends to waive such fee, and has agreed to seek Board approval prior to its receipt of all or a portion of such fee.
SERVICE AGREEMENTS
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT. AIM and the Trust have entered into a Master Administrative Services Agreement ("Administrative Services Agreement") pursuant to which AIM may perform or arrange for the provision of certain accounting and other administrative services to the Fund which are not required to be performed by AIM under the advisory agreement. The Administrative Services Agreement provides that it will remain in effect and continue from year to year only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Trust's Board of Trustees, including the independent trustees, by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, AIM is entitled to receive from the Fund reimbursement of its costs or such reasonable compensation as may be approved by the Board of Trustees. Currently, AIM is
reimbursed for the services of the Trust 's principal financial officer and her staff, and any expenses related to fund accounting services.
Administrative services fees paid to AIM by the Fund for the last three fiscal years ended October 31 are found in Appendix G.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
TRANSFER AGENT. AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AIS"), 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046, a registered transfer agent and wholly owned subsidiary of AIM, acts as transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund.
The Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and AIS provides that AIS will perform certain shareholder services for the Fund. The Transfer Agency and Service Agreement provides that AIS will receive a per account fee plus out-of-pocket expenses to process orders for purchases, redemptions and exchanges of shares; prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Fund; maintain shareholder accounts and provide shareholders with information regarding the Fund and its accounts. AIS may impose certain copying charges for requests for copies of shareholder account statements and other historical account information older than the current year and the immediately preceding year.
It is anticipated that most investors will perform their own sub-accounting.
CUSTODIAN. State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian"), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is custodian of all securities and cash of the Fund. Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., 712 Main, Houston, Texas 77002, serves as sub-custodian for purchases of shares of the Fund. The Bank of New York, 100 Church Street, New York, New York 10286, also serves as sub-custodian to facilitate cash management.
The Custodian is authorized to establish separate accounts in foreign countries and to cause foreign securities owned by the Fund to be held outside the United States in branches of U.S. banks and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, in certain foreign banks and securities depositories. AIM is responsible for selecting eligible foreign securities depositories and for assessing the risks associated with investing in foreign countries, including the risk of using eligible foreign securities depositories in a country. The Custodian is responsible for monitoring eligible foreign securities depositories.
Under its contract with the Trust, the Custodian maintains the portfolio securities of the Fund, administers the purchases and sales of portfolio securities, collects interest and dividends and other distributions made on the securities held in the portfolios of the Fund and performs other ministerial duties. These services do not include any supervisory function over management or provide any protection against any possible depreciation of assets.
AUDITORS. The Fund's independent public accountants are responsible for auditing the financial statements of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 1201 Louisiana Street, Suite 2900, Houston, Texas 77002, as the independent public accountants to audit the financial statements of the Fund.
COUNSEL TO THE TRUST. Legal matters for the Trust have been passed upon by Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, 1735 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-7599.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
AIM makes decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, selects broker-dealers, effects the Fund's investment portfolio transactions, allocates brokerage fees in such transactions and, where applicable, negotiates commissions and spreads on transactions. AIM's primary consideration in effecting a security transaction is to obtain the most favorable execution of the order, which includes the best price on the security and a low commission rate. While AIM seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, the Fund may not pay the lowest commission or spread available. See "Brokerage Selection" below.
Some of the securities in which the Fund invests are traded in over-the-counter markets. Portfolio transactions placed in such markets may be effected at either net prices without commissions, but which include compensation to the broker-dealer in the form of a mark up or mark down, or on an agency basis, which involves the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions to the broker-dealer, including electronic communication networks.
Traditionally, commission rates have not been negotiated on stock markets outside the United States. Although in recent years many overseas stock markets have adopted a system of negotiated rates, a number of markets maintain an established schedule of minimum commission rates.
Brokerage commissions paid by the Fund during the last three fiscal years ended October 31 are found in Appendix H.
COMMISSIONS
During the last three fiscal years ended October 31, the Fund did not pay brokerage commissions to brokers affiliated with the Fund, AIM, AIM Distributors, or any affiliates of such entities.
The Fund may engage in certain principal and agency transactions with banks and their affiliates that own 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of an AIM Fund, provided the conditions of an exemptive order received by the AIM Funds from the SEC are met. In addition, the Fund may purchase or sell a security from or to certain other AIM Funds or accounts (and may invest in Affiliated Money Market Funds) provided the Fund follows procedures adopted by the Boards of Trustees of the various AIM Funds, including the Trust. These inter-fund transactions do not generate brokerage commissions but may result in custodial fees or taxes or other related expenses.
BROKERAGE SELECTION
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 provides that AIM, under certain circumstances, lawfully may cause an account to pay a higher commission than the lowest available. Under Section 28(e)(1), AIM must make a good faith determination that the commissions paid are "reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided ... viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or [AIM's] overall responsibilities with respect to the accounts as to which [it] exercises investment discretion." The services provided by the broker also must lawfully and appropriately assist AIM in the performance of its investment decision-making responsibilities. Accordingly, in recognition of research services provided to it, the Fund may pay a broker higher commissions than those available from another broker.
Research services received from broker-dealers supplement AIM's own research (and the research of its affiliates), and may include the following types of information: statistical and background information on the U.S. and foreign economies, industry groups and individual companies; forecasts and interpretations with respect to the U.S. and foreign economies, securities, markets, specific industry groups and individual companies; information on federal, state, local and foreign political developments;
portfolio management strategies; performance information on securities, indexes and investment accounts; information concerning prices of securities; and information supplied by specialized services to AIM and to the Trust 's trustees with respect to the performance, investment activities, and fees and expenses of other mutual funds. Broker-dealers may communicate such information electronically, orally, in written form or on computer software. Research services may also include providing electronic communications of trade information, providing custody services, as well as providing equipment used to communicate research information and providing specialized consultations with AIM personnel with respect to computerized systems and data furnished to AIM as a component of other research services, arranging meetings with management of companies, and providing access to consultants who supply research information.
The outside research assistance is useful to AIM since the broker-dealers used by AIM tend to follow a broader universe of securities and other matters than AIM's staff follows. In addition, the research provides AIM with a diverse perspective on financial markets. Research services provided to AIM by broker-dealers are available for the benefit of all accounts managed or advised by AIM or by its affiliates. Some broker-dealers may indicate that the provision of research services is dependent upon the generation of certain specified levels of commissions and underwriting concessions by AIM's clients, including the Fund. However, the Fund is not under any obligation to deal with any broker-dealer in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities.
In some cases, the research services are available only from the broker-dealer providing them. In other cases, the research services may be obtainable from alternative sources in return for cash payments. AIM believes that the research services are beneficial in supplementing AIM's research and analysis and that they improve the quality of AIM's investment advice. The advisory fee paid by the Fund is not reduced because AIM receives such services. However, to the extent that AIM would have purchased research services had they not been provided by broker-dealers, the expenses to AIM could be considered to have been reduced accordingly.
AIM may determine target levels of brokerage business with various brokers on behalf of its clients (including the Funds) over a certain time period. The target levels will be based upon the following factors, among others: (1) the execution services provided by the broker; and (2) the research services provided by the broker. AIM will not enter into a binding commitment with brokers to place trades with such brokers involving brokerage commissions in precise amounts.
DIRECTED BROKERAGE (RESEARCH SERVICES)
Directed brokerage (research services) paid by the Fund during the last fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 is found in Appendix I.
REGULAR BROKERS OR DEALERS
Information concerning the Fund's acquisition of securities of its regular brokers or dealers during the last fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 is found in Appendix I.
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
AIM and its affiliates manage numerous other investment accounts. Some of these accounts may have investment objectives similar to the Fund. Occasionally, identical securities will be appropriate for investment by the Fund and by another fund or one or more of these investment accounts. However, the position of each account in the same securities and the length of time that each account may hold its investment in the same securities may vary. The timing and amount of purchase by each
account will also be determined by its cash position. If the purchase or sale of securities is consistent with the investment policies of the Fund and one or more of these accounts, and is considered at or about the same time, AIM will fairly allocate transactions in such securities among the Fund and these accounts. AIM may combine such transactions, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, to obtain the most favorable execution. Simultaneous transactions could, however, adversely affect the Fund's ability to obtain or dispose of the full amount of a security which it seeks to purchase or sell.
Sometimes the procedure for allocating portfolio transactions among the various investment accounts advised by AIM results in transactions which could have an adverse effect on the price or amount of securities available to the Fund. In making such allocations, AIM considers the investment objectives and policies of its advisory clients, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment, the size of investment commitments generally held, and the judgments of the persons responsible for recommending the investment. This procedure would apply to transactions in both equity and fixed income securities.
ALLOCATION OF INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING ("IPO") TRANSACTIONS
Certain of the AIM Funds or other accounts managed by AIM may become interested in participating in IPOs. Purchases of IPOs by one AIM Fund or account may also be considered for purchase by one or more other AIM Funds or accounts. It shall be AIM's practice to specifically combine or otherwise bunch indications of interest for IPOs for all AIM Funds and accounts participating in purchase transactions for that IPO, and to allocate such transactions in accordance with the following procedures:
AIM will determine the eligibility of each AIM Fund and account that seeks to participate in a particular IPO by reviewing a number of factors, including suitability of the investment with the AIM Fund's or account's investment objective, policies and strategies, the liquidity of the AIM Fund or account if such investment is purchased, and whether the portfolio manager intends to hold the security as a long-term investment. The allocation of securities issued in IPOs will be made to eligible AIM Funds and accounts in a manner designed to be fair and equitable for the eligible AIM Funds and accounts, and so that there is equal allocation of IPOs over the longer term. Where multiple funds or accounts are eligible, rotational participation may occur, based on the extent to which an AIM Fund or account has participated in previous IPOs as well as the size of the AIM Fund or account. Each eligible AIM Fund and account will be placed in one of four tiers, depending upon each AIM Fund's or account's asset level. The AIM Funds and accounts in the tier containing funds and accounts with the smallest asset levels will participate first, each receiving a 40 basis point allocation (rounded to the nearest share round lot that approximates 40 basis points) (the "Allocation"), based on that AIM Fund's or account's net assets. This process continues until all of the AIM Funds and accounts in the four tiers receive their Allocations, or until the shares are all allocated. Should securities remain after this process, eligible AIM Funds and accounts will receive their Allocations on a straight pro rata basis. In addition, Incubator Funds, as described in AIM's Incubator and New Fund Investment Policy, and any other AIM Fund which has more than 5% of its outstanding shares owned by AIM or one of its affiliates, officers, directors or employees, will each be limited to a 40 basis point allocation only. Such allocations will be allocated to the nearest share round lot that approximates 40 basis points.
When any AIM Funds and/or accounts with substantially identical investment objectives and policies participate in IPO's, they will do so in amounts that are substantially proportionate to each other. In these cases, the net assets of the largest participating AIM Fund will be used to determine in which tier, as described in the paragraph above, such group of AIM Funds or accounts will be placed. If no AIM Fund is participating, then the net assets of the largest account will be used to determine tier placement. The price per share of securities purchased in such IPO transactions will be the same for each AIM Fund and account.
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Before the initial purchase of shares, an investor must submit a completed account application to his financial intermediary, who should forward the application to AIM Investment Services, Inc. at P.O. Box 4497, Houston, Texas 77210-4497. An investor may change information in his account application by submitting written changes or a new account application to his intermediary or to AIS.
Purchase and redemption orders must be received in good order. To be in good order, the financial intermediary must give AIS all required information and documentation with respect to the investor. If the intermediary fails to deliver the investor's payment on the required settlement date, the intermediary must reimburse the Fund for any overdraft charges incurred.
A financial intermediary may submit a written request to AIS for correction of transactions involving Fund shares. If AIS agrees to correct a transaction, and the correction requires a dividend adjustment, the intermediary must agree in writing to reimburse the Fund for any resulting loss.
An investor may terminate his relationship with an intermediary and become the shareholder of record on his account. However, until the investor establishes a relationship with an intermediary, the investor will not be able to purchase additional shares of the Fund, except through the reinvestment of distributions.
Payment for redeemed shares is normally made by Federal Reserve wire to the bank account designated in the investor's account application, but may be sent by check at the investor's request. By providing written notice to his financial intermediary or to AIS, an investor may change the bank account designated to receive redemption proceeds. AIS may request additional documentation.
AIS may request that an intermediary maintain separate master accounts in the Fund for shares held by the intermediary (a) for its own account, for the account of other institutions and for accounts for which the intermediary acts as a fiduciary; and (b) for accounts for which the intermediary acts in some other capacity. An intermediary may aggregate its master accounts and subaccounts to satisfy the minimum investment requirement.
Platform sponsors that provide investment vehicles to fund Section 401 defined contribution plans and have entered into written agreements with AIM Distributors to waive applicable investment minimums may purchase Institutional Class shares for accounts within such plans.
REDEMPTIONS BY THE FUND
If the Fund determines that you have provided incorrect information in opening an account or in the course of conducting subsequent transactions, the Fund may, at its discretion, redeem the account and distribute the proceeds to you.
Additional information regarding purchases and redemptions is located in the Fund's prospectus, under the headings "Purchasing Shares" and "Redeeming Shares."
ABANDONED PROPERTY. It is the responsibility of the investor to ensure that AIS maintains a correct address for his account(s). An incorrect address may cause an investor's account statements and other mailings to be returned to AIS. Upon receiving returned mail, AIS will attempt to locate the investor or rightful owner of the account. If unsuccessful, AIS will retain a shareholder locator service with a national information database to conduct periodic searches for the investor. If the search firm is unable to locate the investor, the search firm will determine whether the investor's account has legally been abandoned. AIS is legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) abandoned property to the appropriate state's unclaimed property administrator in accordance with statutory requirements. The investor's last known address of record determines which state has jurisdiction.
OFFERING PRICE
Institutional Class shares of the Fund are offered at their net asset value.
Calculation of Net Asset Value
The Fund determines its net asset value per share once daily as of the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each business day of the Fund. In the event the NYSE closes early (i.e., before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on a particular day, the Fund determines its net asset value per share as of the close of the NYSE on such day. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, the Fund will generally use futures and options contract closing prices which are available fifteen (15) minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE. The Fund determines net asset value per share by dividing the value of the Fund's securities, cash and other assets (including interest accrued but not collected) attributable to a particular class, less all its liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends payable) attributable to that class, by the total number of shares outstanding of that class. Determination of the Fund's net asset value per share is made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Each security (excluding convertible bonds) held by the Fund is valued at its last sales price on the exchange where the security is principally traded or, lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market (but not including securities reported on the NASDAQ National Market System) is valued on the basis of prices furnished by independent pricing services or market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price on that day; option contracts are valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices on the exchange where the contracts are principally traded; futures contracts are valued at final settlement price quotations from the primary exchange on which they are traded. Debt securities (including convertible bonds) are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service. Prices provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, individual trading characteristics and other market data.
Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and ask prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are questionable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust 's officers in a manner specifically authorized by the Board of Trustees. Short-term investments are valued at amortized cost when the security has 60 days or less to maturity.
Foreign securities are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used
in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If a development/event is so significant such that there is a reasonably high degree of certainty as to both the effect and the degree of effect that the development/event has actually caused that closing price to no longer reflect actual value, the closing prices, as determined at the close of the applicable foreign market, may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the affected foreign securities as of the close of the NYSE as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Trustees. Adjustments to closing prices to reflect fair value on affected foreign securities may be provided by an independent pricing service. Multiple factors may be considered by the independent pricing service in determining adjustments to reflect fair value and may include information relating to sector indices, ADRs, domestic and foreign index futures, and exchange-traded funds.
Fund securities primarily traded in foreign markets may be traded in such markets on days which are not business days of the Fund. Because the net asset value per share of the Fund is determined only on business days of the Fund, the net asset value per share of the Fund may be significantly affected on days when an investor cannot exchange or redeem shares of the Fund.
REDEMPTION IN KIND
AIM intends to redeem all shares of the Fund in cash. It is possible that future conditions may make it undesirable for the Fund to pay for redeemed shares in cash. In such cases, the Fund may make payment in securities or other property. If a Fund has made an election under Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund is obligated to redeem for cash all shares presented to the Fund for redemption by any one shareholder in an amount up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's net assets in any 90-day period. Securities delivered in payment of redemptions are valued at the same value assigned to them in computing the Fund's net asset value per share. Shareholders receiving such securities are likely to incur brokerage costs on their subsequent sales of such securities.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Accounts submitted without a correct, certified taxpayer identification number or, alternatively, a completed Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") Form W-8 (for non-resident aliens) or Form W-9 (certifying exempt status) accompanying the registration information will generally be subject to backup withholding.
Each AIM Fund, and other payers, generally must withhold 28% of redemption payments and reportable dividends (whether paid or accrued) in the case of any shareholder who fails to provide the Fund with a taxpayer identification number ("TIN") and a certification that he is not subject to backup withholding.
An investor is subject to backup withholding if:
1. the investor fails to furnish a correct TIN to the Fund;
2. the IRS notifies the Fund that the investor furnished an incorrect TIN;
3. the investor or the Fund is notified by the IRS that the investor is subject to backup withholding because the investor failed to report all of the interest and dividends on such investor's tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only);
4. the investor fails to certify to the Fund that the investor is not subject to backup withholding under (3) above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only); or
5. the investor does not certify his TIN. This applies only to non-exempt mutual fund accounts opened after 1983.
Interest and dividend payments are subject to backup withholding in all five situations discussed above. Redemption proceeds and long-term gain distributions are subject to backup withholding only if (1), (2) or (5) above applies.
Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting. AIM or AIS will not provide Form 1099 to those payees.
Investors should contact the IRS if they have any questions concerning withholding.
IRS PENALTIES - Investors who do not supply the AIM Funds with a correct TIN will be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the IRS unless such failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. If an investor falsifies information on this form or makes any other false statement resulting in no backup withholding on an account which should be subject to backup withholding, such investor may be subject to a $500 penalty imposed by the IRS and to certain criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.
NONRESIDENT ALIENS - Nonresident alien individuals and foreign entities are not subject to the backup withholding previously discussed, but must certify their foreign status by attaching IRS Form W-8 to their application. Form W-8 generally remains in effect for a period starting on the date the Form is signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year. Such shareholders may, however, be subject to federal income tax withholding at a 30% rate on ordinary income dividends and other distributions. Under applicable treaty law, residents of treaty countries may qualify for a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
It is the present policy of the Fund to declare and pay annually net investment income dividends and capital gain distributions. It is the Fund's intention to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and realized net capital gain. In determining the amount of capital gains, if any, available for distribution, capital gains will be offset against available net capital loss, if any, carried forward from previous fiscal periods. All dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the Fund unless the shareholder has requested in writing to receive such dividends and distributions in cash or that they be invested in Institutional Class shares of another AIM Fund, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Special Plans - Automatic Dividend Investment". Such dividends and distributions will be reinvested at the net asset value per share determined on the ex-dividend date. If a shareholder's account does not have any shares in it on a dividend or capital gain distribution payment date, the dividend or distribution will be paid in cash whether or not the shareholder has elected to have such dividends or distributions reinvested.
Distributions paid by the Fund, other than daily dividends have the effect of reducing the net asset value per share on the ex-dividend date by the amount of the dividend or distribution. Therefore, a dividend or distribution declared shortly after a purchase of shares by an investor would represent, in substance, a return of capital to the shareholder with respect to such shares even though it would be subject to income taxes.
TAX MATTERS
The following is only a summary of certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY. The Fund has elected to be taxed under Subchapter M of the Code as a regulated investment company and intends to maintain its qualification as such in each of its taxable years. As a regulated investment company, the Fund is not subject to federal income tax on the portion of its net investment income (i.e., taxable interest, dividends and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses) and capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of capital gains over capital losses) that it distributes to shareholders, provided that it distributes an amount equal to (i) at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (i.e., net investment income, net foreign currency ordinary gain or loss and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and (ii) at least 90% of the excess of its tax-exempt interest income under Code Section 103(a) over its deductions disallowed under Code Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) for the taxable year (the "Distribution Requirement"), and satisfies certain other requirements of the Code that are described below. Distributions by the Fund made during the taxable year or, under specified circumstances, within twelve months after the close of the taxable year, will be considered distributions of income and gain of the taxable year and can therefore satisfy the Distribution Requirement.
The Fund may use "equalization accounting" in determining the portion of its net investment income and capital gain net income that has been distributed. The Fund that elects to use equalization accounting will allocate a portion of its realized investment income and capital gain to redemptions of Fund shares and will reduce the amount of such income and gain that it distributes in cash. However, the Fund intends to make cash distributions for each taxable year in an aggregate amount that is sufficient to satisfy the Distribution Requirement without taking into account its use of equalization accounting. The Internal Revenue Service has not published any guidance concerning the methods to be used in allocating investment income and capital gain to redemptions of shares. In the event that the Internal Revenue Service determines that the Fund is using an improper method of allocation and has underdistributed its net investment income and capital gain net income for any taxable year, the Fund may be liable for additional federal income tax.
In addition to satisfying the Distribution Requirement, a regulated
investment company must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends,
interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gain from the sale
or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies (to the extent
such currency gains are directly related to the regulated investment company's
principal business of investing in stock or securities) and other income
(including, but not limited to, gain from options, futures or forward contracts)
derived from its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies
(the "Income Requirement"). Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be
required to sell portfolio holdings to meet this requirement.
In addition to satisfying the requirements described above, the Fund must satisfy an asset diversification test in order to qualify as a regulated investment company (the "Asset Diversification Test"). Under this test, at the close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund's assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers, as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets in securities of such issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses.
For purposes of the Asset Diversification Test, the IRS has ruled that the issuer of a purchased listed call option on stock is the issuer of the stock underlying the option. The IRS has also informally ruled that, in general, the issuers of purchased or written call and put options on securities, of long and short positions on futures contracts on securities and of options on such future contracts are the issuers of the securities underlying such financial instruments where the instruments are traded on an exchange.
Where the writer of a listed call option owns the underlying securities, the IRS has ruled that the Asset Diversification Test will be applied solely to such securities and not to the value of the option itself.
With respect to options on securities indexes, futures contracts on securities indexes and options on such futures contracts, the IRS has informally ruled that the issuers of such options and futures contracts are the separate entities whose securities are listed on the index, in proportion to the weighing of securities in the computation of the index. It is unclear under present law who should be treated as the issuer of forward foreign currency exchange contracts, of options on foreign currencies, or of foreign currency futures and related options. It has been suggested that the issuer in each case may be the foreign central bank or the foreign government backing the particular currency. Due to this uncertainty and because the Fund may not rely on informal rulings of the IRS, the Fund may find it necessary to seek a ruling from the IRS as to the application of the Asset Diversification Test to certain of the foregoing types of financial instruments or to limit its holdings of some or all such instruments in order to stay within the limits of such test.
If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions will be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions generally will be eligible for the dividends received deduction (to the extent discussed below) in the case of corporate shareholders and will be included in the qualified dividend income of noncorporate shareholders. See "Fund Distributions" below.
DETERMINATION OF TAXABLE INCOME OF A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY. In general, gain or loss recognized by the Fund on the disposition of an asset will be a capital gain or loss. However, gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by the Fund at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount which accrued during the period of time the Fund held the debt obligation unless the Fund made an election to accrue market discount into income. If the Fund purchases a debt obligation that was originally issued at a discount, the Fund is generally required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount which accrues during such year. In addition, under the rules of Code Section 988, gain or loss recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation denominated in a foreign currency or an option with respect thereto (but only to the extent attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates), and gain or loss recognized on the disposition of a foreign currency forward contract or of foreign currency itself, will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss (except in certain cases for which an election is made to treat gain/loss as capital).
Certain hedging transactions that may be engaged in by the Fund (such as short sales "against the box") may be subject to special tax treatment as "constructive sales" under Section 1259 of the Code if the Fund holds certain "appreciated financial positions" (defined generally as any interest (including a futures or forward contract, short sale or option) with respect to stock, certain debt instruments, or partnership interests if there would be a gain were such interest sold, assigned, or otherwise terminated at its fair market value). Upon entering into a constructive sales transaction with respect to an appreciated financial position, the Fund will generally be deemed to have constructively sold such appreciated financial position and will recognize gain as if such position were sold, assigned, or otherwise terminated at its fair market value on the date of such constructive sale (and will take into account any gain for the taxable year which includes such date).
Some of the forward foreign currency exchange contracts, options and futures contracts that the Fund may enter into will be subject to special tax treatment as "Section 1256 contracts." Section 1256 contracts that the Fund holds are treated as if they are sold for their fair market value on the last business day of the taxable year, regardless of whether a taxpayer's obligations (or rights) under such contracts have terminated (by delivery, exercise, entering into a closing transaction or otherwise) as of such date. Any gain or loss recognized as a consequence of the year-end deemed disposition of Section 1256 contracts is combined with any other gain or loss that was previously recognized upon the termination of Section 1256 contracts during that taxable year. The net amount of such gain or loss for the entire taxable year (including gain or loss arising as a consequence of the year-end deemed sale of such contracts) is deemed to be 60% long-term and 40% short-term gain or loss. However, in the case of Section 1256 contracts that are forward foreign currency exchange contracts, the net gain or loss is
separately determined and (as discussed above) generally treated as ordinary
income or loss. If such a future or option is held as an offsetting position and
can be considered a straddle under Section 1092 of the Code, such a straddle
will constitute a mixed straddle. A mixed straddle will be subject to both
Section 1256 and Section 1092 unless certain elections are made by the Fund.
Other hedging transactions in which the Fund may engage may result in "straddles" or "conversion transactions" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The straddle and conversion transaction rules may affect the character of gains (or in the case of the straddle rules, losses) realized by the Fund. In addition, losses realized by the Fund on positions that are part of a straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into account in calculating the taxable income for the taxable year in which the losses are realized. Because only a few regulations implementing the straddle rules and the conversion transaction rules have been promulgated, the tax consequences to the Fund of hedging transactions are not entirely clear. The hedging transactions may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by the Fund (and, if they are conversion transactions, the amount of ordinary income) which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders.
Because application of any of the foregoing rules governing Section 1256 contracts, constructive sales, straddle and conversion transactions may affect the character of gains or losses, defer losses and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected investment or straddle positions, the taxable income of the Fund may exceed its book income. Accordingly, the amount which must be distributed to shareholders and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or long-term capital gain may also differ from the book income of the Fund and may be increased or decreased as compared to a fund that did not engage in such transactions.
EXCISE TAX ON REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES. A 4% non-deductible excise tax is imposed on a regulated investment company that fails to distribute in each calendar year an amount equal to 98% of ordinary taxable income for the calendar year and 98% of capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses) for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year (or, at the election of a regulated investment company having a taxable year ending November 30 or December 31, for its taxable year (a "taxable year election")). The balance of such income must be distributed during the next calendar year. For the foregoing purposes, a regulated investment company is treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to income tax for any taxable year ending in such calendar year.
For purposes of the excise tax, a regulated investment company shall
(1) reduce its capital gain net income (but not below its net capital gain) by
the amount of any net ordinary loss for the calendar year and (2) exclude
Section 988 foreign currency gains and losses incurred after October 31 (or
after the end of its taxable year if it has made a taxable year election) in
determining the amount of ordinary taxable income for the current calendar year
(and, instead, include such gains and losses in determining ordinary taxable
income for the succeeding calendar year).
The Fund generally intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of its ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for the excise tax. However, in the event that the Internal Revenue Service determines that the Fund is using an improper method of allocation for purposes of equalization accounting (as discussed above), the Fund may be liable for excise tax. Moreover, investors should note that the Fund may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate portfolio investments to make sufficient distributions to avoid excise tax liability. In addition, under certain circumstances, the Fund may elect to pay a minimal amount of excise tax.
PFIC INVESTMENTS. The Fund is permitted to invest in foreign equity securities and thus may invest in stocks of foreign companies that are classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs"). In general, a foreign company is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income.
The application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the character of gain, the amount of gain or loss and the timing of the recognition and character of income with respect to PFIC
stock, as well as subject the Fund itself to tax on certain income from PFIC stock. For these reasons the amount that must be distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC stock.
SWAP AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into swap agreements. The rules governing the tax aspects of swap agreements are in a developing stage and are not entirely clear in certain respects. Accordingly, while the Fund intends to account for such transactions in a manner deemed to be appropriate, the IRS might not accept such treatment. If it did not, the status of the Fund as a regulated investment company might be affected. The Fund intends to monitor developments in this area. Certain requirements that must be met under the Code in order for the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit the extent to which the Fund will be able to engage in swap agreements.
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income for each taxable year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income and treated as dividends for federal income tax purposes, but they will qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction for corporations and as qualified dividend income for individuals and other noncorporate taxpayers to the extent discussed below.
The Fund may either retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain (net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) for each taxable year. The Fund currently intends to distribute any such amounts. If net capital gain is distributed and designated as a capital gain dividend, it will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain (currently taxable at a maximum rate of 15% for noncorporate shareholders) regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held his shares or whether such gain was recognized by the Fund prior to the date on which the shareholder acquired his shares. However, certain capital gain dividends distributed to noncorporate shareholders for the Fund's fiscal year ending October 31, 2003 may be taxable at a maximum rate of 20%. Conversely, if the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carry forwards) at the 35% corporate tax rate. If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
Ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund with respect to a taxable year will qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction generally available to corporations (other than corporations, such as "S" corporations, which are not eligible for the deduction because of their special characteristics and other than for purposes of special taxes such as the accumulated earnings tax and the personal holding company tax) to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. However, the alternative minimum tax applicable to corporations may reduce the value of the dividends received deduction.
Ordinary income dividends paid by a Fund to individuals and other noncorporate taxpayers will be treated as qualified dividend income that is subject to tax at a maximum rate of 15% to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations and from foreign corporations that are either incorporated in a possession of the United States or are eligible for benefits under certain income tax treaties with the United States that include an exchange of information program. In addition, qualifying dividends include dividends paid with respect to stock of a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States.
Alternative minimum tax ("AMT") is imposed in addition to, but only to the extent it exceeds, the regular tax and is computed at a maximum rate of 28% for non-corporate taxpayers and 20% for corporate taxpayers on the excess of the taxpayer's alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI") over an exemption amount. However, the AMT on capital gain dividends and qualified dividend income paid by a Fund to a noncorporate shareholder may not exceed a maximum rate of 15%. The corporate dividends
received deduction is not itself an item of tax preference that must be added back to taxable income or is otherwise disallowed in determining a corporation's AMTI. However, corporate shareholders will generally be required to take the full amount of any dividend received from the Fund into account (without a dividend received deduction) in determining their adjusted current earnings, which are used in computing an additional corporate preference item (i.e., 75% of the excess of a corporate taxpayer's adjusted current earnings over its AMTI (determined without regard to this item and the AMTI net operating loss deduction)) that is includable in AMTI. However, certain small corporations are wholly exempt from the AMT.
Distributions by the Fund that do not constitute earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder's tax basis in his shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his shares.
Distributions by the Fund will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund (or of another Fund). Shareholders receiving a distribution in the form of additional shares will be treated as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received, determined as of the reinvestment date.
Ordinarily, shareholders are required to take distributions by the Fund into account in the year in which the distributions are made. However, dividends declared in October, November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month will be deemed to have been received by the shareholders (and made by the Fund) on December 31 of such calendar year if such dividends are actually paid in January of the following year. Shareholders will be advised annually as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of distributions made (or deemed made) during the year in accordance with the guidance that has been provided by the IRS.
If the net asset value of shares is reduced below a shareholder's cost as a result of a distribution by the Fund, such distribution generally will be taxable even though it represents a return of invested capital. Investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of buying shares of the Fund just prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at this time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing just prior to a distribution will receive a distribution which generally will be taxable to them.
SALE OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES. A shareholder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund in an amount equal to the difference between the proceeds of the sale or redemption and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares. All or a portion of any loss so recognized may be deferred under the wash sale rules if the shareholder purchases other shares of the Fund within 30 days before or after the sale or redemption. In general, any gain or loss arising from (or treated as arising from) the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund will be considered capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for longer than one year. Currently, any long-term capital gain recognized by a non-corporate shareholder will be subject to tax at a maximum rate of 15%. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or redemption of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received on such shares. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a non-corporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. The Fund may be required to withhold 28% of taxable distributions and/or redemption payments. For more information refer to "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares - Backup Withholding."
FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS. Taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, foreign trust or estate, foreign corporation, or foreign partnership ("foreign shareholder"), depends on whether the income from the Fund is "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such shareholder. If the income from the Fund is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, distributions (other than distributions of long-term capital gain) will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) upon the gross amount of the distribution. Such a foreign shareholder would generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on gain realized on the redemption of shares of the Fund, capital gain dividends and amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed net capital gain.
If the income from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and any gains realized upon the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations.
In the case of foreign non-corporate shareholders, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 28% on distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate) unless such shareholders furnish the Fund with proper notification of their foreign status.
Foreign shareholders may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% on the income resulting from the Fund's election to treat any foreign income tax paid by it as paid by its shareholders, but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction with respect to the withholding tax for the foreign tax treated as having been paid by them.
Foreign persons who file a United States tax return to obtain a U.S. tax refund and who are not eligible to obtain a social security number must apply to the IRS for an individual taxpayer identification number, using IRS Form W-7. For a copy of the IRS Form W-7 and accompanying instructions, please contact your tax adviser or the IRS.
Transfers by gift of shares of the Fund by a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to U.S. federal gift tax. An individual who, at the time of death, is a foreign shareholder will nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal estate tax with respect to shares at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens and residents, unless a treaty exception applies. In the absence of a treaty, there is a $13,000 statutory estate tax credit.
The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described herein. Foreign shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund, including the applicability of foreign tax.
FOREIGN INCOME TAX. Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income tax withheld at the source. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, tax on such income. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Fund's assets to be invested in various countries is not known.
If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close of each taxable year consists of the stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the amount of foreign income tax paid by the Fund (the "Foreign Tax Election"). Pursuant to the Foreign Tax Election, shareholders will be required (i) to include in gross income, even though not actually received, their respective pro-rata shares of the foreign income tax paid by the Fund
that are attributable to any distributions they receive; and (ii) either to deduct their pro-rata share of foreign tax in computing their taxable income, or to use it (subject to various Code limitations) as a foreign tax credit against Federal income tax (but not both). No deduction for foreign tax may be claimed by a non-corporate shareholder who does not itemize deductions or who is subject to alternative minimum tax.
Unless certain requirements are met, a credit for foreign tax is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder's U.S. tax (determined without regard to the availability of the credit) attributable to the shareholder's foreign source taxable income. In determining the source and character of distributions received from the Fund for this purpose, shareholders will be required to allocate Fund distributions according to the source of the income realized by the Fund. The Fund's gain from the sale of stock and securities and certain currency fluctuation gain and loss will generally be treated as derived from U.S. sources. In addition, the limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source "passive" income, such as dividend income, and the portion of foreign source income consisting of qualified dividend income is reduced by approximately 57% to account for the tax rate differential. Individuals who have no more than $300 ($600 for married persons filing jointly) of creditable foreign tax included on Form 1099 and whose foreign source income is all "qualified passive income" may elect each year to be exempt from the foreign tax credit limitation and will be able to claim a foreign tax credit without filing Form 1116 with its corresponding requirement to report income and tax by country. Moreover, no foreign tax credit will be allowable to any shareholder who has not held his shares of the Fund for at least 16 days during the 30-day period beginning 15 days before the day such shares become ex-dividend with respect to any Fund distribution to which foreign income taxes are attributed (taking into account certain holding period reduction requirements of the Code). Because of these limitations, shareholders may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate shares of the foreign income tax paid by the Fund.
EFFECT OF FUTURE LEGISLATION; LOCAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS. The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on February 27, 2004. Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.
Rules of state and local taxation of ordinary income, qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends may differ from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder's particular situation. Non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to U.S. tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in the Fund.
DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES
DISTRIBUTOR
The Trust has entered into master distribution agreements, as amended, relating to the Fund (the "Distribution Agreements") with AIM Distributors, a registered broker-dealer and a wholly owned subsidiary of AIM, pursuant to which AIM Distributors acts as the distributor of shares of the Fund. The address of AIM Distributors is P.O. Box 4739, Houston, Texas 77210-4739. Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are affiliated with AIM Distributors. See "Management of the Trust."
The Distribution Agreements provide AIM Distributors with the exclusive right to distribute shares of the Fund on a continuous basis directly and through other broker dealers whom AIM Distributors has entered into selected dealer agreements. AIM Distributors has not undertaken to sell any specified number of shares of any classes of the Fund.
The Trust (on behalf of the Institutional Class of AIM International Growth Fund) or AIM Distributors may terminate the Distribution Agreement on 60 days' written notice without penalty. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
AIM Distributors may, from time to time at its expense, pay a bonus or other consideration or incentive to dealers or banks. The total amount of such additional bonus payments or other consideration shall not exceed 0.10% of the public offering price of the shares sold or of average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to that particular dealer. At the option of the dealer, such incentives may take the form of payment for travel expenses, including lodging, incurred in connection with trips taken by qualifying registered representatives and their families to places within or outside the United States. Any such bonus or incentive programs will not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of AIM International Growth Fund's shares or the amount that the Fund will receive as proceeds from such sales. Dealers may not use sales of AIM International Growth Fund's shares to qualify for any incentives to the extent that such incentives may be prohibited by the laws of any state.
CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA
Although performance data may be useful to prospective investors when comparing the Fund's performance with other funds and other potential investments, investors should note that the methods of computing performance of other potential investments are not necessarily comparable to the methods employed by the Fund.
Average Annual Total Return Quotation
The standard formula for calculating average annual total return is as follows:
n P(1+T) =ERV
Where P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; T = average annual total return (assuming the applicable maximum sales load is deducted at the beginning of the one, five or ten year periods); n = number of years; and ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment at the end of the one, five or ten year periods (or fractional portion of such period). |
The average annual total returns for the Fund, with respect to its Institutional Class shares, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are found in Appendix J.
Total returns quoted in advertising reflect all aspects of the Fund's return, including the effect of reinvesting dividends and capital gain distributions, and any change in the Fund's net asset value per share over the period. Cumulative total return reflects the performance of the Fund over a stated period of time. Average annual total returns are calculated by determining the growth or decline in value of a hypothetical investment in the Fund over a stated period of time, and then calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period.
The Fund's total return is calculated in accordance with a standardized formula for computation of annualized total return.
The Fund's total return shows its overall change in value, including changes in share price and assuming all the Fund's dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested. A cumulative total return reflects the Fund's performance over a stated period of time. An average annual total return reflects the hypothetical compounded annual rate of return that would have produced the same cumulative total return if the Fund's performance had been constant over the entire period. Because average annual
returns tend to even out variations in the Fund's return, investors should recognize that such returns are not the same as actual year-by-year results. To illustrate the components of overall performance, the Fund may separate its cumulative and average annual returns into income results and capital gains or losses.
Alternative Total Return Quotations
Standard total return quotes may be accompanied by total return figures calculated by alternative methods. For example, average annual total return may be calculated without assuming payment of the full sales load according to the following formula:
n P(1+U) =ERV
Where P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; U = average annual total return assuming payment of only a stated portion of, or none of, the applicable maximum sales load at the beginning of the stated period; n = number of years; and ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment at the end of the stated period. |
Cumulative total return across a stated period may be calculated as follows:
P(1+V)=ERV
Where P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; V = cumulative total return assuming payment of all of, a stated portion of, or none of, the applicable maximum sales load at the beginning of the stated period; and ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment at the end of the stated period. |
The cumulative total returns for the Fund, with respect to its Institutional Class shares, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are found in Appendix J.
Average Annual Total Return (After Taxes on Distributions) Quotations
The Fund's average annual total return (after taxes on distributions) shows its overall change in value, including changes in share price and assuming all the Fund's dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested. It reflects the deduction of federal income taxes on distributions, but not on redemption proceeds. Average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions) are calculated by determine the after-tax growth or decline in value of a hypothetical investment in the Fund over a stated period of time, and then calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period. Because average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions) tend to even out variations in the Fund's return, investors should recognize that such returns are not the same as actual year-by-year results. To illustrate the components of overall performance, the Fund may separate its average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions) into income results and capital gains or losses.
The standard formula for calculating average annual total return (after taxes on distributions) is:
n P(1+T) =ATV
D
where P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; T = average annual total return (after taxes on distributions); n = number of years; and ATV = ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the D beginning of the one, five, or ten year periods (or since inception, if applicable) at the end of the one, five, or ten year periods (or since inception, if applicable), after taxes on fund distributions but not after taxes on redemption. |
Standardized average total return (after taxes on distributions) for Institutional Class shares does not reflect a deduction of any sales charges since that class is sold and redeemed at net asset value.
The after-tax returns assume all distributions by the Fund, less the taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at the price calculated as stated in the prospectus on the reinvestment dates during the period. Taxes on the Fund's distributions are calculated by applying to each component of the distribution (e.g., ordinary income and long-term capital gain) the highest corresponding individual marginal federal income tax rates in effect on the reinvestment date. The taxable amount and tax character of each distribution is as specified by the Fund on the dividend declaration date, but reflects any subsequent recharacterizations of distributions. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, are also taken into account. The calculations only reflect federal taxes, and thus do not reflect state and local taxes or the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax.
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions) for the Fund, with respect to its Institutional Class shares, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are found in Appendix J.
Average Annual Total Return (After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares) Quotations
The Fund's average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares) shows its overall change in value, including changes in share price and assuming all the Fund's dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested. It reflects the deduction of federal income taxes on both distributions and proceeds. Average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption) are calculated by determining the after-tax growth or decline in value of a hypothetical investment in the Fund over a stated period of time, and then calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period. Because average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption) tend to even out variations in the Fund's return, investors should recognize that such returns are not the same as actual year-by-year results. To illustrate the components of overall performance, the Fund may separate its average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption) into income results and capital gains or losses.
The standard formula for calculating average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and redemption) is:
n P(1+T) =ATV
DR
where P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; T = average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and redemption); n = number of years; and ATV = ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the DR beginning of the one, five, or ten year periods (or since inception, if applicable) at the end of the one, five, or ten year periods (or since inception, if applicable), after taxes on fund distributions and redemption. |
Standardized average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and redemption) for Institutional Class shares does not reflect a deduction of any sales charges since that class is sold and redeemed at net asset value.
The after-tax returns assume all distributions by the Fund, less the taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at the price calculated as stated in the prospectus on the reinvestment dates during the period. Taxes due on the Fund's distributions are calculated by applying to each component of the distribution (e.g., ordinary income and long-term capital gain) the highest corresponding individual marginal federal income tax rates in effect on the reinvestment date. The taxable amount and tax character of each distribution is as specified by the Fund on the dividend declaration date, but reflects any subsequent recharacterizations of distributions. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, are also taken into account. The calculations only reflect federal taxes, and thus do not reflect state and local taxes or the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax.
The ending values for each period assume a complete liquidation of all shares. The ending values for each period are determined by subtracting capital gains taxes resulting from the sale of Fund shares and adding the tax benefit from capital losses resulting from the sale of Fund shares. The capital gain or loss upon sale of Fund shares is calculated by subtracting the tax basis from the proceeds. Capital gains taxes (or the benefit resulting from tax losses) are calculated using the highest federal individual capital gains tax rate for gains of the appropriate character (e.g., ordinary income or long-term) in effect on the date of the sale of Fund shares and in accordance with federal tax law applicable on that date. The calculations assume that a shareholder may deduct all capital losses in full.
The basis of shares acquired through the $1,000 initial investment are tracked separately from subsequent purchases through reinvested distributions. The basis for a reinvested distribution is the distribution net of taxes paid on the distribution. Tax basis is adjusted for any distributions representing returns of capital and for any other tax basis adjustments that would apply to an individual taxpayer.
The amount and character (i.e., short-term or long-term) of capital gain or loss upon sale of Fund shares is determined separately for shares acquired through the $1,000 initial investment and each subsequent purchase through reinvested distributions. The tax character is determined by the length of the measurement period in the case of the initial $1,000 investment and the length of the period between reinvestment and the end of the measurement period in the case of reinvested distributions.
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption) for the Fund, with respect to its Institutional Class shares, for the one, five and ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003 are found in Appendix J.
Performance Information
All advertisements for the Fund will disclose the maximum sales charge (including deferred sales charges) imposed on purchases of the Fund's shares. If any advertised performance data does not reflect the maximum sales charge (if any), such advertisement will disclose that the sales charge has not been deducted in computing the performance data, and that, if reflected, the maximum sales charge would reduce the performance quoted. Further information regarding the Fund's performance is contained in the Fund's annual report to shareholders, which is available upon request and without charge.
From time to time, AIM or its affiliates may waive all or a portion of their fees and/or assume certain expenses of the Fund. Fee waivers or reductions or commitments to reduce expenses will have the effect of increasing the Fund's yield and total return.
The performance of the Fund will vary from time to time and past results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
Total return and yield figures for the Fund are neither fixed nor guaranteed. The Fund may provide performance information in reports, sales literature and advertisements. The Fund may also, from time to time, quote information about the Fund published or aired by publications or other media
entities which contain articles or segments relating to investment results or other data about the Fund. The following is a list of such publications or media entities:
Advertising Age Forbes Nation's Business Barron's Fortune New York Times Best's Review Hartford Courant Pension World Broker World Inc. Pensions & Investments Business Week Institutional Investor Personal Investor Changing Times Insurance Forum Philadelphia Inquirer Christian Science Monitor Insurance Week USA Today Consumer Reports Investor's Business Daily U.S. News & World Report Economist Journal of the American Wall Street Journal FACS of the Week Society of CLU & ChFC Washington Post Financial Planning Kiplinger Letter CNN Financial Product News Money CNBC Financial Services Week Mutual Fund Forecaster PBS Financial World |
The Fund may also compare its performance to performance data of similar mutual funds as published by the following services:
Bank Rate Monitor Stanger Donoghue's Weisenberger Mutual Fund Values (Morningstar) Lipper, Inc. |
The Fund's performance may also be compared in advertising to the performance of comparative benchmarks such as the following:
Lipper International Fund Index Morgan Stanley Capital International Indices including: EAFE Index EAFE Growth Index |
The Fund may also compare its performance to rates on Certificates of Deposit and other fixed rate investments such as the following:
10 year Treasury Notes 90 day Treasury Bills |
Advertising for the Fund may from time to time include discussions of general economic conditions and interest rates. Advertising for the Fund may also include references to the use of the Fund as part of an individual's overall retirement investment program. From time to time, sales literature and/or advertisements for any of the Fund may disclose: (i) the largest holdings in the Fund's portfolio; (ii) certain selling group members; (iii) certain institutional shareholders; (iv) measurements of risk, including standard deviation, Beta and Sharpe ratios; and/or (v) capitalization and sector analyses of holdings in the Fund's portfolios.
From time to time, the Fund's sales literature and/or advertisements may discuss generic topics pertaining to the mutual fund industry. This includes, but is not limited to, literature addressing general information about mutual funds, discussions regarding investment styles, such as the growth, value or GARP (growth at a reasonable price) styles of investing, variable annuities, dollar-cost averaging, stocks, bonds, money markets, certificates of deposit, retirement, retirement plans, asset allocation, tax-free investing, college planning and inflation.
PENDING LITIGATION
A number of civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed that involve one or more AIM or INVESCO Funds, their former and/or current investment adviser and/or certain other related parties and that are related to the claims filed by the SEC and/or the New York Attorney General against these parties. A list of such lawsuits that have been served as of February 23, 2004 is set forth in Appendix N.
APPENDIX A
RATINGS OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a description of the factors underlying the debt ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch:
MOODY'S LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
Moody's corporate ratings areas follows:
Aaa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt-edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. These are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risk in Aa rated bonds appear somewhat larger than those securities rated Aaa.
A: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C: Bonds and preferred stock which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating
category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
MOODY'S SHORT-TERM PRIME RATING SYSTEM
Moody's short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor senior financial obligations and contracts. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted.
Moody's employs the following designations, all judged to be investment grade , to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers.
PRIME-1: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior
ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. Prime-1 repayment
ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:
leading market positions in well-established industries; high rates of return on
funds employed; conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on
debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed
financial charges and high internal cash generation; and well-established access
to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
PRIME-2: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
PRIME-3: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
NOT PRIME: Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Note: In addition, in certain countries the prime rating may be modified by the issuer's or guarantor's senior unsecured long-term debt rating.
Moody's municipal ratings are as follows:
MOODY'S U.S. LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL BOND RATING DEFINITIONS
Municipal Ratings are opinions of the investment quality of issuers and issues in the US municipal and tax-exempt markets. As such, these ratings incorporate Moody's assessment of the default probability and loss severity of these issuers and issues.
Municipal Ratings are based upon the analysis of four primary factors relating to municipal finance: economy, debt, finances, and administration/management strategies. Each of the factors is evaluated individually and for its effect on the other factors in the context of the municipality's ability to repay its debt.
Aaa: Issuers or issues rated Aaa demonstrate the strongest creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Aa: Issuers or issues rated Aa demonstrate very strong creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
A: Issuers or issues rated A present above-average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Baa: Issuers or issues rated Baa represent average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ba: Issuers or issues rated Ba demonstrate below-average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
B: Issuers or issues rated B demonstrate weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Caa: Issuers or issues rated Caa demonstrate very weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ca: Issuers or issues rated Ca demonstrate extremely weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
C: Issuers or issues rated C demonstrate the weakest creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Note: Also, Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa to Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the issue ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic category.
MOODY'S MIG/VMIG US SHORT-TERM RATINGS
In municipal debt issuance, there are three rating categories for short-term obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Moody's Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels - MIG 1 through MIG 3.
In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade.
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned. The first element represents Moody's evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody's evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the demand feature, using the MIG rating scale.
The short-term rating assigned to the demand feature of VRDOs is designated as VMIG. When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.
MIG ratings expire at note maturity. By contrast, VMIG rating expirations will be a function of each issue's specific structural or credit features.
Gradations of investment quality are indicated by rating symbols, with each symbol representing a group in which the quality characteristics are broadly the same.
MIG 1/VMIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2/VMIG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3/VMIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.
SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
STANDARD & POOR'S LONG-TERM CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL RATINGS
Issue credit ratings are based in varying degrees, on the following considerations: likelihood of payment - capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; nature of and provisions of the obligation; and protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
The issue ratings definitions are expressed in terms of default risk. As such, they pertain to senior obligations of an entity. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above.
S&P describes its ratings for corporate and municipal bonds as follows:
AAA: Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA: Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in a small degree.
A: Debt rated A has a strong capacity to meet its financial commitments although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB: Debt rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB-B-CCC-CC-C: Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
NR: Not Rated.
S&P DUAL RATINGS
S&P assigns "dual" ratings to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure.
The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term debt rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the commercial paper rating symbols for the put option (for example,
AAA/A-1+). With short-term demand debt, the note rating symbols are used with the commercial paper rating symbols (for example, SP-1+/A-1+).
S&P COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.
These categories are as follows:
A-1: This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2: Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.
A-3: Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
B: Issues rated 'B' are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment.
C: This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment.
D: Debt rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes such payments will be made during such grace period.
S&P SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL RATINGS
An S&P note rating reflect the liquidity factors and market-access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment: amortization schedule (the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note); and source of payment (the more dependant the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note).
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1: Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2: Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3: Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
FITCH LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
Fitch Ratings provides an opinion on the ability of an entity or of a securities issue to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, or repayment of principal, on a timely basis. These credit ratings apply to a variety of entities and issues, including but not limited to sovereigns,
governments, structured financings, and corporations; debt, preferred/preference stock, bank loans, and counterparties; as well as the financial strength of insurance companies and financial guarantors.
Credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood
of getting their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested.
Thus, the use of credit ratings defines their function: "investment grade"
ratings (international Long-term 'AAA' - 'BBB' categories; Short-term 'F1' -
'F3') indicate a relatively low probability of default, while those in the
"speculative" or "non-investment grade" categories (international Long-term 'BB'
- 'D'; Short-term 'B' - 'D') either signal a higher probability of default or
that a default has already occurred. Ratings imply no specific prediction of
default probability. However, for example, it is relevant to note that over the
long term, defaults on 'AAA' rated U.S. corporate bonds have averaged less than
0.10% per annum, while the equivalent rate for 'BBB' rated bonds was 0.35%, and
for 'B' rated bonds, 3.0%.
Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by insurance policies or financial guaranties unless otherwise indicated.
Entities or issues carrying the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small differences in the degrees of credit risk.
Fitch credit and research are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold any security. Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature of taxability of payments of any security.
The ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other obligors, underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch Ratings believes to be reliable. Fitch Ratings does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such information. Ratings may be changed or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, information or for other reasons.
Our program ratings relate only to standard issues made under the
program concerned; it should not be assumed that these ratings apply to every
issue made under the program. In particular, in the case of non-standard issues,
i.e., those that are linked to the credit of a third party or linked to the
performance of an index, ratings of these issues may deviate from the applicable
program rating.
Credit ratings do not directly address any risk other than credit risk. In particular, these ratings do not deal with the risk of loss due to changes in market interest rates and other market considerations.
AAA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, which is unlikely to be affected by foreseeable events.
AA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The obligor has a very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments which is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of good credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances are more likely to impair this capacity.
PLUS (+) MINUS (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in the "AAA" category.
NR: Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
WITHDRAWN: A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called or refinanced and at Fitch's discretion, when Fitch Ratings deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for ratings purposes.
RATINGWATCH: Ratings are placed on RatingWatch to notify investors that there is a reasonable possibility of a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as "Positive," indicating a potential upgrade, "Negative," for potential downgrade, or "Evolving," if ratings may be raised, lowered or maintained. RatingWatch is typically resolved over a relatively short period.
FITCH SPECULATIVE GRADE BOND RATINGS
BB: Bonds are considered speculative. There is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic changes over time. However, business and financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
B: Bonds are considered highly speculative. Significant credit risk is present but a limited margin of safety remains. While bonds in this class are currently meeting financial commitments, the capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
CCC: Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments.
CC: Default of some kind appears probable.
C: Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, AND D: Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such bonds are extremely speculative and are valued on the basis of their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. "DDD" represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and "D" represents the lowest potential for recovery.
PLUS (+) MINUS (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in categories below CCC.
FITCH SHORT-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
The following ratings scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings. A Short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
F-1+: Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
F-1: Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated "F-1+."
F-2: Good Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
F-3: Fair Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is adequate, however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.
B: Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
D: Default. Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent payment default.
APPENDIX B
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
As of January 1, 2004
The address of each trustee and officer is 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046. Each trustee oversees 104 portfolios in the AIM and INVESCO Funds complex, except for Messrs. Baker, Bunch, Lewis and Soll who oversee 96 portfolios and Mr. Williamson who oversees 117 portfolios in the AIM and INVESCO Funds complex. The trustees serve for the life of the Trust, subject to their earlier death, incapacitation, resignation, retirement or removal as more specifically provided in the Trust's organizational documents. Column two below includes length of time served with predecessor entities, if any.
TRUSTEE AND/OR OTHER NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(s) DURING PAST 5 TRUSTEESHIP(s) HELD POSITIONS(s) WITH THE TRUST SINCE YEARS BY TRUSTEE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERESTED PERSONS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert H. Graham(1) 1946 1991 Director and Chairman, A I M Management Group None Trustee, Chairman and President Inc. (financial services holding company); Director and Vice Chairman, AMVESCAP PLC and Chairman of AMVESCAP PLC - AIM Division (parent of AIM and a global investment management firm) Formerly: President and Chief Executive Officer, A I M Management Group Inc.; Director, Chairman and President, A I M Advisors, Inc. (registered investment advisor); Director and Chairman, A I M Capital Management, Inc. (registered investment advisor), A I M Distributors, Inc. (registered broker dealer), AIM Investment Services, Inc., (registered transfer agent), and Fund Management Company (registered broker dealer); and Chief Executive Officer, AMVESCAP PLC - Managed Products ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark H. Williamson(2) -- 1951 2003 Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, None Trustee and Executive Vice President A I M Management Group Inc. (financial services holding company); Director, Chairman and President, A I M Advisors, Inc. (registered investment advisor); Director, A I M Capital Management, Inc. (registered investment advisor) and A I M Distributors, Inc. (registered broker dealer), Director and Chairman, AIM Investment Services, Inc., (registered transfer agent), and Fund Management Company (registered broker dealer); and Chief Executive Officer, AMVESCAP PLC - AIM Division (parent |
(2) Mr. Williamson is considered an interested person of the Trust because he is an officer and a director of the advisor to, and a director of the principal underwriter of, the Trust.
TRUSTEE AND/OR OTHER NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 TRUSTEESHIP(S) HELD POSITIONS(S) WITH THE TRUST SINCE YEARS BY TRUSTEE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- of AIM and a global investment management firm) Formerly: Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc.; and INVESCO Distributors, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, AMVESCAP PLC - Managed Products; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NationsBanc Advisors, Inc.; and Chairman of NationsBanc Investments, Inc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob R. Baker - 1936 2003 Retired None Trustee Formerly: President and Chief Executive Officer, AMC Cancer Research Center; and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, First Columbia Financial Corporation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frank S. Bayley -- 1939 2001 Of Counsel, law firm of Baker & McKenzie Badgley Funds, Inc. Trustee (registered Formerly: Partner, law firm of Baker & McKenzie investment company) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James T. Bunch - 1942 2003 Co-President and Founder, Green, Manning & None Trustee Bunch, Ltd. (investment banking firm); and Director, Policy Studies, Inc. and Van Gilder Insurance Corporation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bruce L. Crockett -- 1944 1992 Chairman, Crockett Technology Associates ACE Limited Trustee (technology consulting company) (insurance company); and Captaris, Inc. (unified messaging provider) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Albert R. Dowden -- 1941 2000 Director of a number of public and private Cortland Trust, Inc. Trustee business corporations, including the Boss Group, (Chairman) Ltd. (private investment and management) and (registered Magellan Insurance Company investment company); Annuity and Life Re Formerly: Director, President and Chief (Holdings), Ltd. Executive Officer, Volvo Group North America, (insurance company) Inc.; Senior Vice President, AB Volvo; and director of various affiliated Volvo companies |
TRUSTEE AND/OR OTHER NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 TRUSTEESHIP(S) HELD POSITIONS(S) WITH THE TRUST SINCE YEARS BY TRUSTEE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward K. Dunn, Jr. -- 1935 1998 Retired None Trustee Formerly: Chairman, Mercantile Mortgage Corp.; President and Chief Operating Officer, Mercantile-Safe Deposit & Trust Co.; and President, Mercantile Bankshares Corp. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack M. Fields -- 1952 1997 Chief Executive Officer, Twenty First Century Administaff , Discovery Trustee Group, Inc. (government affairs company) and Global Education Fund Texana Timber LP (sustainable forestry company) (non-profit) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carl Frischling -- 1937 1991 Partner, law firm of Kramer Levin Naftalis and Cortland Trust, Inc. Trustee Frankel LLP (registered investment company) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gerald J. Lewis - 1933 2003 Chairman, Lawsuit Resolution Services (San General Chemical Group, Trustee Diego, California) Inc., Formerly: Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeals ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prema Mathai-Davis -- 1950 1998 Formerly: Chief Executive Officer, YWCA of the None Trustee USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lewis F. Pennock -- 1942 1991 Partner, law firm of Pennock & Cooper None Trustee ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ruth H. Quigley -- 1935 2001 Retired None Trustee ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Louis S. Sklar -- 1939 1991 Executive Vice President, Development and None Trustee Operations, Hines Interests Limited Partnership (real estate development company) |
TRUSTEE AND/OR OTHER NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 TRUSTEESHIP(S) HELD POSITIONS(S) WITH THE TRUST SINCE YEARS BY TRUSTEE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Larry Soll, Ph.D. - 1942 2003 Retired None Trustee |
TRUSTEE AND/OR OTHER NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH AND OFFICER PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 TRUSTEESHIP(S) HELD POSITIONS(S) WITH THE TRUST SINCE YEARS BY TRUSTEE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER OFFICERS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin M. Carome - 1956 Senior Vice 2003 Director, Senior Vice President, Secretary and N/A Vice President and Chief Legal General Counsel, A I M Management Group Officer Inc. (financial services holding company) and A I M Advisors, Inc.; and Vice President, A I M Capital Management, Inc., A I M Distributors, Inc. and AIM Investment Services, Inc.; Director, Vice President and General Counsel, Fund Management Company Formerly: Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.; and Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Liberty Funds Group, LLC ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert G. Alley -- 1948 1994 Managing Director and Chief Fixed Income N/A Vice President Officer, Senior Investment Officer, A I M Capital Management, Inc. and Vice President, A I M Advisors, Inc. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stuart W. Coco - 1955 2002 Managing Director and Director of Money Market N/A Vice President Research and Special Projects, A I M Capital Management, Inc.; and Vice President, A I M Advisors, Inc. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Melville B. Cox -- 1943 1992 Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, A I N/A Vice President M Advisors, Inc. and A I M Capital Management, Inc.; and Vice President, AIM Investment Services, Inc. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edgar M. Larsen-- 1940 1999 Vice President, A I M Advisors, Inc.; and N/A Vice President President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, A I M Capital Management, Inc. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sidney M. Dilgren -- 1961 2004 Vice President and Fund Treasurer, A I M N/A Vice President and Treasurer Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President, AIM Investment Services, Inc. Vice President, A I M Distributors, Inc. |
OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the AIM Funds and the Name of Trustee Per Fund INVESCO Funds ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert H. Graham Asia Pacific Growth $50,001 - $100,000 European Growth Over $100,000 Global Aggressive Growth Over $100,000 Over $100,000 Global Growth $10,001 - $50,000 International Core Equity Over $100,000 International Growth Over $100,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark H. Williamson European Growth $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000 Global Aggressive Growth $50,001 - $100,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob R. Baker European Growth $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frank S. Bayley European Growth $1 - $10,000 $50,001 - $100,000 Global Growth $10,001 - $50,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James T. Bunch European Growth $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bruce L. Crockett INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 $10,001 - $50,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Albert R. Dowden -0- Over $100,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward K. Dunn, Jr Global Aggressive Growth $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000(3) International Growth $10,001 - $50,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack M. Fields -0- Over $100,000(3) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carl Frischling Global Growth $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000(3) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gerald J. Lewis European Growth $1 - $10,000 $50,001 - $100,000 |
(3) Includes the total amount of compensation deferred by the trustee at his or her election pursuant to a deferred compensation plan. Such deferred compensation is placed in a deferral account and deemed to be invested in one or more of the AIM Funds and/or INVESCO Funds.
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the AIM Funds and the Name of Trustee Per Fund INVESCO Funds ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 Prema Mathai-Davis -0- $1 - $10,000(3) Lewis F. Pennock -0- $50,001 -- $100,000 Ruth H. Quigley -0- $1 - $10,000 Louis S. Sklar International Growth Over $100,000 Over $100,000(3) Larry Soll Global Aggressive $10,001 - $50,000 European Growth $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 INVESCO International Core Equity $1 - $10,000 |
APPENDIX C
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE
Set forth below is information regarding compensation paid or accrued for each trustee of the Trust who was not affiliated with AIM and/or INVESCO during the year ended December 31, 2003:
ESTIMATED RETIREMENT ANNUAL BENEFITS BENEFITS TOTAL ACCRUED UPON COMPENSATION BY ALL RETIREMENT FROM ALL AIM AGGREGATE AIM FUNDS FROM FUNDS AND COMPENSATION AND AIM FUNDS AND INVESCO FUNDS FROM THE INVESCO INVESCO PAID TO TRUSTEE TRUST(1) FUNDS(2) FUNDS(3) TRUSTEES(4) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob R. Baker(5) $ 0 $ 32,635 $ 114,131 $ 154,554 Frank S. Bayley 7,241 131,228 $ 90,000 159,000 James T. Bunch(5) 0 20,436 90,000 138,679 Bruce L. Crockett 7,289 46,000 90,000 160,000 Albert R. Dowden 7,241 57,716 90,000 159,000 Edward K. Dunn, Jr 7,289 94,860 90,000 160,000 Jack M. Fields 7,245 28,036 90,000 159,000 Carl Frischling(6) 7,289 40,447 90,000 160,000 Gerald J. Lewis(5) 0 20,436 90,000 142,054 Prema Mathai-Davis 7,289 33,142 90,000 160,000 Lewis F. Pennock 7,289 49,610 90,000 160,000 Ruth H. Quigley 7,289 126,050 90,000 160,000 Louis S. Sklar 7,289 72,786 90,000 160,000 Larry Soll(5) 0 48,830 108,090 140,429 |
(1) Amounts shown are based on the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003. The total amount of compensation deferred by all trustees of the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, including earnings, was $25,285.
(2) During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the total amount of expenses allocated to the Trust in respect of such retirement benefits was $40,694.
(3) These amounts represent the estimated annual benefits payable by the AIM Funds and INVESCO Funds upon the trustee's retirement. These estimated benefits assume retirement at age 65 for the AIM Funds and at age 72 for the INVESCO Funds. Amounts shown assume each trustee serves until his or her normal retirement date and has ten years of service.
(4) All trustees currently serve as trustees of 19 registered investment companies advised by AIM.
(5) Messrs. Baker, Bunch, Lewis and Dr. Soll were elected as trustees of the Trust on October 21, 2003 and therefore received no compensation from the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003.
(6) During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 the Trust paid $ 16,561 in legal fees to Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP for services rendered by such firm as counsel to the independent trustees of the Trust. Mr. Frischling is a partner of such firm.
APPENDIX D
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
REVIEWED BY THE AIM FUNDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES JUNE 10, 2003 ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EACH OF A I M ADVISORS, INC., A I M CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC., AIM PRIVATE ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. AND AIM ALTERNATIVE ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC. JUNE 26, 2003
(REVISED AS OF JANUARY 8, 2004)
A. PROXY POLICIES
Each of A I M Advisors, Inc., A I M Capital Management, Inc., AIM Private Asset Management, Inc. and AIM Alternative Asset Management Company, Inc. (each an "AIM Advisor" and collectively "AIM") has the fiduciary obligation to, at all times, make the economic best interest of advisory clients the sole consideration when voting proxies of companies held in client accounts. As a general rule, each AIM Advisor shall vote against any actions that would reduce the rights or options of shareholders, reduce shareholder influence over the board of directors and management, reduce the alignment of interests between management and shareholders, or reduce the value of shareholders' investments. At the same time, AIM believes in supporting the management of companies in which it invests, and will accord proper weight to the positions of a company's board of directors, and the AIM portfolio managers who chose to invest in the companies. Therefore, on most issues, our votes have been cast in accordance with the recommendations of the company's board of directors, and we do not currently expect that trend to change. Although AIM's proxy voting policies are stated below, AIM's proxy committee considers all relevant facts and circumstances, and retains the right to vote proxies as deemed appropriate.
I. BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
A board that has at least a majority of independent directors is integral to good corporate governance. Key board committees, including audit, compensation and nominating committees, should be completely independent.
There are some actions by directors that should result in votes being withheld. These instances include directors who:
o Are not independent directors and (a) sit on the board's audit, compensation or nominating committee, or (b) sit on a board where the majority of the board is not independent;
o Attend less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a valid excuse;
o Implement or renew a dead-hand or modified dead-hand poison pill;
o Sit on the boards of an excessive number of companies;
o Enacted egregious corporate governance or other policies or failed to replace management as appropriate;
o Have failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders have tendered their shares; or
o Ignore a shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of the shares outstanding.
Votes in a contested election of directors must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the following factors:
o Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry;
o Management's track record;
o Portfolio manager's assessment;
o Qualifications of director nominees (both slates);
o Evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders as well as the likelihood that the proposed objectives and goals can be met; and
o Background to the proxy contest.
II. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
A company should limit its relationship with its auditors to the audit engagement, and certain closely related activities that do not, in the aggregate, raise an appearance of impaired independence. We will support the reappointment of the company's auditors unless:
o It is not clear that the auditors will be able to fulfill their function;
o There is reason to believe the independent auditors have rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company's financial position; or
o The auditors have a significant professional or personal relationship with the issuer that compromises the auditors' independence.
III. COMPENSATION PROGRAMS
Appropriately designed equity-based compensation plans, approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align the interests of long-term shareholders and the interests of management, employees and directors. Plans should not substantially dilute shareholders' ownership interests in the company, provide participants with excessive awards or have objectionable structural features. We will consider all incentives, awards and compensation, and compare them to a company-specific adjusted allowable dilution cap and a weighted average estimate of shareholder wealth transfer and voting power dilution.
o We will generally vote against equity-based plans where the total dilution (including all equity-based plans) is excessive.
o We will support the use of employee stock purchase plans to increase company stock ownership by employees, provided that shares purchased under the plan are acquired for no less than 85% of their market value.
o We will vote against plans that have any of the following structural features: ability to re-price underwater options without shareholder approval, ability to issue options with an exercise price below the stock's current market price, ability to issue reload options, or automatic share replenishment ("evergreen") feature.
o We will vote for proposals to reprice options if there is a value-for-value (rather than a share-for-share) exchange.
o We will generally support the board's discretion to determine and grant appropriate cash compensation and severance packages.
IV. CORPORATE MATTERS
We will review management proposals relating to changes to capital structure, reincorporation, restructuring and mergers and acquisitions on a case by case basis, considering the impact of the changes on corporate governance and shareholder rights, anticipated financial and operating benefits, portfolio manager views, level of dilution, and a company's industry and performance in terms of shareholder returns.
o We will vote for merger and acquisition proposals that the proxy committee and relevant portfolio managers believe, based on their review of the materials, will result in financial and operating benefits, have a fair offer price, have favorable prospects for the combined companies, and will not have a negative impact on corporate governance or shareholder rights.
o We will vote against proposals to increase the number of authorized shares of any class of stock that has superior voting rights to another class of stock.
o We will vote for proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the increase in authorized shares would not result in excessive dilution given a company's industry and performance in terms of shareholder returns.
o We will vote for proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders participate on an equal basis.
V. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholder proposals can be extremely complex, and the impact on share value can rarely be anticipated with any high degree of confidence. The proxy committee reviews shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis, giving careful consideration to such factors as: the proposal's impact on the company's short-term and long-term share value, its effect on the company's reputation, the economic effect of the proposal, industry and regional norms applicable to the company, the company's overall corporate governance provisions, and the reasonableness of the request.
o We will generally abstain from shareholder social and environmental proposals.
o We will generally support the board's discretion regarding shareholder proposals that involve ordinary business practices.
o We will generally vote for shareholder proposals that are designed to protect shareholder rights if the company's corporate governance standards indicate that such additional protections are warranted.
o We will generally vote for proposals to lower barriers to shareholder action.
o We will generally vote for proposals to subject shareholder rights plans to a shareholder vote. In evaluating these plans, we give favorable consideration to the presence of "TIDE" provisions (short-term sunset provisions, qualified bid/permitted offer provisions, and/or mandatory review by a committee of independent directors at least every three years).
VI. OTHER
o We will vote against any proposal where the proxy materials lack sufficient information upon which to base an informed decision.
o We will vote against any proposals to authorize the proxy to conduct any other business that is not described in the proxy statement.
o We will vote any matters not specifically covered by these proxy policies and procedures in the economic best interest of advisory clients.
AIM's proxy policies, and the procedures noted below, may be amended from time to time.
B. Proxy Committee Procedures
The proxy committee currently consists of representatives from the Legal and Compliance Department, the Investments Department and the Finance Department.
The committee members review detailed reports analyzing the proxy issues and have access to proxy statements and annual reports. The committee then discusses the issues and determines the vote. The committee shall give appropriate and significant weight to portfolio managers' views regarding a proposal's impact on shareholders. A proxy committee meeting requires a quorum of three committee members, voting in person or by proxy.
AIM's proxy committee shall consider its fiduciary responsibility to all clients when addressing proxy issues and vote accordingly. The proxy committee may enlist the services of reputable outside professionals and/or proxy evaluation services, such as Institutional Shareholder Services or any of its subsidiaries ("ISS"), to assist with the analysis of voting issues and/or to carry out the actual voting process. To the extent the services of ISS or another provider are used, the proxy committee shall periodically review the policies of that provider.
In addition to the foregoing, the following shall be strictly adhered to unless contrary action receives the prior approval of the Funds' Board of Directors/Trustees:
1. Other than by voting proxies and participating in Creditors' committees, AIM shall not engage in conduct that involves an attempt to change or influence the control of a company.
2. AIM will not publicly announce its voting intentions and the reasons therefore.
3. AIM shall not participate in a proxy solicitation or otherwise seek proxy-voting authority from any other public company shareholder.
4. All communications regarding proxy issues between the proxy committee and companies or their agents, or with fellow shareholders shall be for the sole purpose of expressing and discussing AIM's concerns for its advisory clients' interests and not for an attempt to influence or control management.
C. BUSINESS/DISASTER RECOVERY
If the proxy committee is unable to meet due to a temporary business interruption, such as a power outage, a sub-committee of the proxy committee may vote proxies in accordance with the policies stated herein. If the sub-committee of the proxy committee is not able to vote proxies, the sub-committee shall authorize ISS shallto vote proxies by default in accordance with ISS' proxy policies and procedures, which may vary slightly from AIM's.
D. RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING VOTING
If a country's laws allow a company in that country to block the sale of the company's shares by a shareholder in advance of a shareholder meeting, AIM will not vote in shareholder meetings held in that country, unless the company represents that it will not block the sale of its shares in connection with the meeting. Administrative or other procedures, such as securities lending, may also cause AIM to refrain from voting. Although AIM considers proxy voting to be an important shareholder right, the proxy committee will not impede a portfolio manager's ability to trade in a stock in order to vote at a shareholder meeting.
E. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The proxy committee reviews each proxy to assess the extent to which there may be a material conflict between AIM's interests and those of advisory clients. A potential conflict of interest situation may include where AIM or an affiliate manages assets for, administers an employee benefit plan for, provides other financial products or services to, or otherwise has a material business relationship with, a company whose management is soliciting proxies, and failure to vote proxies in favor of management of the company may harm AIM's relationship with the company. In order to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, the proxy committee will not take AIM's relationship with the company into account, and will vote the company's proxies in the best interest of the advisory clients, in accordance with these proxy policies and procedures.
TO THE EXTENT THAT A COMMITTEE MEMBER HAS ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH RESPECT TO A COMPANY OR AN ISSUE PRESENTED, THAT COMMITTEE MEMBER SHOULD INFORM THE PROXY COMMITTEE OF SUCH CONFLICT AND ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON THAT COMPANY OR ISSUE.
APPENDIX E
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
To the best knowledge of the Trust, the names and addresses of the record and beneficial holders of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of the Trust's equity securities and the percentage of the outstanding shares held by such holders are set forth below. Unless otherwise indicated below, the Trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record are also owned beneficially.
A shareholder who owns beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding securities of a Fund is presumed to "control" that Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. Such control may affect the voting rights of other shareholders.
All information listed below is as of February 3, 2004.
AIM ASIA PACIFIC GROWTH FUND
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Airbrush Images Inc. 401K Plan Daniel E. Henrichs Trustee 850 N FM 3083 Conroe, TX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account Attn: Cindy Tempesta, 7th Floor 333 West 34th Street 6.21% 6.76% 5.67% New York, NY 10001-2402 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO The Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration -0- -0- 15.05% 4800 Deer Lake Dr East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL, 32246 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
AIM EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- AMVESCAP Natl TR CO FBO Equator Technologies, Inc. 401 (K) Retirement Plan -0- -0- -0- 31.93% -0- P. O. Box 105779 Atlanta GA 30348-5779 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody FBO Customers (SIM) Attn: Mutual Funds -0- -0- -0- -0- 35.18% 101 Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor 9.70% 8.74% 8.06% -0- 333 West 34th Street New York NY 10001-2402 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO the Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 7.58% 5.89% 18.47% -0- 4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Floor Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nat'l Financial Services Corp The Exclusive Benefit of Cust. One World Financial Center 200 Liberty St. 5th Floor -0- -0- -0- -0- 7.09% Attn: Kate - Recon New York, NY 10281-5503 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- NFSC FEBO Western Management Inc. PSP J Turk & M. Morse TTEES V/A 12-23-81 -0- -0- -0- 8.09% -0- 1301 E.9th St. Ste. 3330 Cleveland, OH 44114-1817 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reliance Trust Company Custodian FBO Morley Incentives 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan & -0- -0- -0- 32.42% -0- Trust P.O. Box 48529 Atlanta, GA 30362-1529 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor 6.26% 8.23% 7.81% 333 West 34th Street New York NY 10001-2402 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO The Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 8.96% 11.70% 18.50% 4800 Deer Lake Dr East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
AIM GLOBAL GROWTH FUND
Class a Shares CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor 7.69% 6.58% 5.13% 333 West 34th Street New York NY 10001-2402 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deloitte & Touche 401K Plan Chase Manhattan Bank TTEE Attn: Angela Ma 7.96% -0- -0- 3 Metrotech Center, 6th Floor Brooklyn NY 11245-0001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO The Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 5.52% 9.26% 19.94% 4800 Deer Lake Dr East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- AMVESCAP National Trust Co. FBO West Boylston Insurance Agency, Inc. 401(k) Plan -0- -0- -0- 20.89% -0- P. O. Box 105779 Atlanta GA 30348-5779 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citigroup Global Markets House Account Attn: Cindy Tempesta 7th Floor -0- 8.07% -0- -0- -0- 333 West 34th Street New York NY 10001-2402 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- First Command Bank Trust Attn: Trust Department P. O. Box 901075 -0- -0- -0- -0- 99.32% Fort Worth TX 76101-2075 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MCB Trust Services Cust. FBO Westor, Inc. 700 17th Street, Suite 300 -0- -0- -0- 15.80% -0- Denver, CO 80202-3531 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO the Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 30.82% 22.15% 44.13% 10.03% -0- 4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246-6484 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R* SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- Airbrush Images Inc. 401(k) Plan -0- -0- -0- 7.59% -0- Daniel E. Henrichs Trustee 850 N FM 3083 Conroe, TX 77303-1850 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AMVESCAP National Trust Company FBO Equator Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan -0- -0- -0- 6.71% -0- PO Box 105779 Atlanta, GA 30348-5779 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Taghi Partners Safe Harbor 401(k) Ali Taghizadeh or Houshang Taghizadeh Trustees Omnibus Account -0- -0- -0- 7.01% -0- 5116 Westheimer Houston, TX 77056-5506 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Acct for the Exclusive Benefit of Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 5.94% -0- -0- -0- 14.49% 101 Montgomery St. San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO the Sole Benefit of Customers Attn: Fund Administration 11.58% 9.25% 47.13% -0- -0- 4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Floor Jacksonville FL 32246-6484 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Muir & Co Attn: Mutual Fund Area T-8 P.O. Box 2479 -0- -0- -0- -0- 19.40% San Antonio, TX 78298-2479 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
INVESTOR CLASS CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES CLASS R* SHARES SHARES -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF OWNED OF PRINCIPAL HOLDER RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD RECORD ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- Reliance Trust Company Custodial FBO William J. Kamm and Sons Inc. 401(k) Plan -0- -0- -0- 9.22% -0- PO Box 48529 Atlanta, GA 30362-1529 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RR-USA Inc. 401(k) Carlo Pecorari Trustee Ominbus Account -0- -0- -0- 6.17% -0- 8 Creek Parkway Boothwyn, PA 19061-3132 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheikh Rahman Trustee FBO SAR Engineering Inc. 401(k) Plan 10 Granite Street -0- -0- -0- 7.14% -0- Quincy, MA 02169-5021 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
* Class R shares commenced operations on November 24, 2003.
MANAGEMENT OWNERSHIP
As of February 3, 2004, the trustees and officers as a group owned less than 1% of the shares outstanding of each class of each Fund.
APPENDIX F
MANAGEMENT FEES
For the last three fiscal years ended October 31, the management fees payable by the Fund, the amounts waived by AIM and the net fees paid by the Fund were as follows:
2003 2002 -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- NET NET MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT FUND NAME FEE PAYABLE FEE WAIVERS FEE PAID FEE PAYABLE FEE WAIVERS FEE PAID --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- AIM International Growth Fund $14,723,373 $555,986 $14,167,387 $18,179,584 $749,026 $17,430,558 2001 -------------------------------------- NET MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT FUND NAME FEE PAYABLE FEE WAIVERS FEE PAID --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- AIM International Growth Fund $26,188,064 $1,184,439 $25,003,625 |
APPENDIX G
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEES
The Fund paid AIM the following amounts for administrative services for the last three fiscal years ended October 31:
FUND NAME 2003 2002 2001 --------- -------- -------- -------- AIM International Growth Fund $387,366 $310,657 $239,396 |
APPENDIX H
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
Brokerage commissions(1) paid by the Fund during the last three fiscal years ended October 31 were as follows:
2003 2002 2001 ---------- ---------- ---------- AIM International Growth Fund(2) $5,242,010 $6,578,185 $9,379,067 |
(1) Disclosure regarding brokerage commissions is limited to commissions paid on agency trades and designated as such on the trade confirm.
(2) The variation in the brokerage commissions paid by AIM International Growth Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, as compared to the two prior fiscal years, was due to fluctuations in the fund's asset levels and record market volatility.
APPENDIX I
DIRECTED BROKERAGE (RESEARCH SERVICES) AND PURCHASES OF
SECURITIES OF REGULAR BROKERS OR DEALERS
During the last fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund allocated the following amount of transactions to broker-dealers that provided AIM with certain research, statistics and other information:
Related Fund Transactions Brokerage Commissions ---- ------------ --------------------- AIM International Growth Fund $138,032 $80,904,692 |
During the last fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the fund did not purchase securities of its "regular" brokers or dealers.
APPENDIX J
PERFORMANCE DATA
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
The average annual total returns for the Fund, with respect to its Institutional Class shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003, are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 ----------------- SINCE INCEPTION 1 YEAR INCEPTION DATE ------ --------- --------- AIM International Growth Fund 20.64% 1.13% 03/15/02 |
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (AFTER TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS)
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions) for the Fund, with respect to its Institutional Class shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 ----------------- SINCE INCEPTION 1 YEAR INCEPTION DATE ------ --------- --------- AIM International Growth Fund 20.64% 1.13% 03/15/02 |
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (AFTER TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTION)
The average annual total returns (after taxes on distributions and redemption) for the Fund, with respect to its Institutional Class shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 ----------------- SINCE INCEPTION 1 YEAR INCEPTION DATE ------ --------- --------- AIM International Growth Fund 13.42% 0.96% 03/15/02 |
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
The cumulative total returns for the Fund, with respect to its Institutional Class shares, for the one, five or ten year periods (or since inception if less than ten years) ended October 31, 2003, are as follows:
PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 ----------------- SINCE INCEPTION 1 YEAR INCEPTION DATE ------ --------- --------- AIM International Growth Fund 20.64% 1.86% 03/15/02 |
APPENDIX K
PENDING LITIGATION
The following civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, involving one or more AIM or INVESCO Funds, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"), A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") or INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO") and certain related parties have been served as of February 23, 2004.
RAJ SANYAL, DERIVATELY ON BEHALF OF NATIONS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND, V. WILLIAM P. CARMICHAEL, WILLIAM H. GRIGG, THOMAS F. KELLER, CARL E. MUNDY, JR., CORNELIUS J. PINGS, A. MAX WALKER, CHARLES B. WALKER, EDMUND L. BENSON, III, ROBERT H. GORDON, JAMES B. SOMMERS, THOMAS S. WORD, JR., EDWARD D. BEDARD, GERALD MURPHY, ROBERT B. CARROLL, INVESCO
GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, BANK OF AMERICA
CORPORATION, MARSICO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, BANC OF AMERICA ADVISORS,
LLC, BANC OF AMERICA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, AND NATIONS FUNDS TRUST,
in the Superior Court Division, State of North Carolina (Civil Action
No. 03-CVS-19622), filed November 14, 2003. This claim alleges common
law breach of fiduciary duty; abuse of control; gross mismanagement;
waste of fund assets; and unjust enrichment. The plaintiff in this case
is seeking: injunctive relief; including imposition of a constructive
trust; damages; restitution and disgorgement; and costs and expenses,
including counsel fees and expert fees.
JOEL GOODMAN, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY
SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC. AND RAYMOND R. CUNNINGHAM, in
the District Court, City and County of Denver, Colorado (Case Number
03CV9268), filed on December 5, 2003. This claim alleges breach of
fiduciary duty and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. The
plaintiffs in this case are seeking: injunctive relief; accounting for
all damages and for all profits and any special benefits obtained;
disgorgement; restitution and damages; costs and disbursements,
including attorneys' and experts' fees; and equitable relief.
L. SCOTT KARLIN, DERIVATIVELY ON BEHALF OF INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC. V.
AMVESCAP, PLC, INVESCO, INC., CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, CANARY
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC., AND CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD., in the
United States District Court, District of Colorado (Civil Action No.
03-MK-2406), filed on November 28, 2003. This claim alleges violations
of Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
("Investment Company Act"), and common law breach of fiduciary duty.
The plaintiffs in this case are seeking damages and costs and expenses,
including attorneys' and experts' fees.
EDWARD LOWINGER AND SHARON LOWINGER, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, V. INVESCO ADVANTAGE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO CORE EQUITY FUND, INVESCO DYNAMICS FUND, INVESCO ENERGY FUND, INVESCO FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, INVESCO GOLD & PRECIOUS METALS FUND, INVESCO HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND (FORMERLY KNOWN AS INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP VALUE FUND), INVESCO LEISURE FUND, INVESCO MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INVESCO MULTI-SECTOR FUND, AIM INVESCO S&P 500 INDEX FUND, INVESCO SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND, INVESCO TECHNOLOGY FUND, INVESCO TOTAL RETURN FUND, INVESCO UTILITIES FUND, AIM MONEY MARKET FUND, AIM INVESCO TAX-FREE MONEY FUND, AIM INVESCO TREASURER'S MONEY MARKET RESERVE FUND, AIM INVESCO TREASURER'S TAX-EXEMPT RESERVE
FUND, AIM INVESCO U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY FUND, INVESCO ADVANTAGE FUND,
INVESCO BALANCED FUND, INVESCO EUROPEAN FUND, INVESCO GROWTH FUND,
INVESCO HIGH-YIELD FUND, INVESCO GROWTH & INCOME FUND, INVESCO REAL
ESTATE OPPORTUNITY FUND, INVESCO SELECT INCOME FUND, INVESCO TAX-FREE
BOND FUND, INVESCO TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND, INVESCO U.S. GOVERNMENT
SECURITIES FUND, INVESCO VALUE FUND, INVESCO; INVESCO LATIN AMERICAN
GROWTH FUND (COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS THE "INVESCO FUNDS"); AIM STOCK
FUNDS, AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST, AIM SECTOR FUNDS INC., AIM BOND
FUNDS INC., AIM COMBINATION STOCK AND BOND FUNDS INC., AIM MONEY MARKET
FUNDS INC., AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS INC. (COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS THE
"INVESCO FUNDS REGISTRANTS"); AMVESCAP PLC, INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC.;
TIMOTHY MILLER; RAYMOND CUNNINGHAM; THOMAS KOLBE; EDWARD J. STERN;
AMERICAN SKANDIA INC.; BREAN MURRAY & CO., INC.; CANARY CAPITAL
PARTNERS, LLC; CANARY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC; CANARY CAPITAL
PARTNERS, LTD.; AND JOHN DOES 1-100, in the United States District
Court, Southern District of New York (Civil Action No. 03-CV-9634),
filed on December 4, 2003. This claim alleges violations of: Sections
11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"); Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act"); Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act; and
Section 206 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Advisers Act"). The plaintiffs in this case are seeking: compensatory
damages; rescission; return of fees paid; accounting for wrongfully
gotten gains, profits and compensation; restitution and disgorgement;
and other costs and expenses, including counsel fees and expert fees.
RICHARD RAVER, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY
SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC., INVESCO STOCK FUNDS, INC., AIM
MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC., AIM STOCK FUNDS, AIM STOCK FUNDS, INC.,
AMVESCAP PLC, INVESCO ADVANTAGE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO CORE
EQUITY FUND, INVESCO DYNAMICS FUND, INVESCO ENERGY FUND, INVESCO
FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, INVESCO GOLD & PRECIOUS METALS FUND, INVESCO
HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND, INVESCO
LEISURE FUND, INVESCO MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INVESCO MULTI-SECTOR FUND,
INVESCO S&P 500 INDEX FUND, INVESCO SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND, INVESCO
TECHNOLOGY FUND, INVESCO TOTAL RETURN FUND, INVESCO UTILITIES FUND,
INVESCO ADVANTAGE FUND, INVESCO BALANCED FUND, INVESCO EUROPEAN FUND,
INVESCO GROWTH FUND, INVESCO HIGH YIELD FUND, INVESCO GROWTH & INCOME
FUND, INVESCO INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP VALUE FUND, INVESCO REAL ESTATE
OPPORTUNITY FUND, INVESCO SELECT FUND, INVESCO TAX-FREE BOND FUND,
INVESCO TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND, INVESCO U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
FUND, INVESCO VALUE FUND, EDWARD J. STERN, CANARY INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT, LLC, CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD., CANARY CAPITAL
PARTNERS, LLC, AND DOES 1-100, in the United States District Court,
District of Colorado (Civil Action No. 03-F-2441), filed on December 2,
2003. This claim alleges violations of: Sections 11 and 15 of the
Securities Act; Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act; Rule
10b-5 under the Exchange Act; and Sections 34(b), 36(a) and 36(b) of
the Investment Company Act. The claim also alleges common law breach of
fiduciary duty. The plaintiffs in this case are seeking: damages;
pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; attorneys' and experts' fees;
and other relief.
STEVEN B. EHRLICH, CUSTODIAN FOR ALEXA P. EHRLICH, UGTMA/FLORIDA, AND DENNY P. JACOBSON, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, V. INVESCO ADVANTAGE HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO CORE EQUITY FUND, INVESCO DYNAMICS FUND, INVESCO ENERGY FUND, INVESCO
FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND, INVESCO GOLD & PRECIOUS METALS FUND, INVESCO
HEALTH SCIENCES FUND, INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND (FORMERLY
KNOWN AS INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP VALUE FUND), INVESCO LEISURE FUND,
INVESCO MID-CAP GROWTH FUND, INVESCO MULTI-SECTOR FUND, AIM INVESCO S&P
500 INDEX FUND, INVESCO SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND, INVESCO TECHNOLOGY
FUND, INVESCO TOTAL RETURN FUND, INVESCO UTILITIES FUND, AIM MONEY
MARKET FUND, AIM INVESCO TAX-FREE MONEY FUND, AIM INVESCO TREASURERS
MONEY MARKET RESERVE FUND, AIM INVESCO TREASURERS TAX-EXEMPT RESERVE
FUND, AIM INVESCO US GOVERNMENT MONEY FUND, INVESCO ADVANTAGE FUND,
INVESCO BALANCED FUND, INVESCO EUROPEAN FUND, INVESCO GROWTH FUND,
INVESCO HIGH-YIELD FUND, INVESCO GROWTH & INCOME FUND, INVESCO REAL
ESTATE OPPORTUNITY FUND, INVESCO SELECT INCOME FUND, INVESCO TAX-FREE
BOND FUND, INVESCO TELECOMMUNICATIONS FUND, INVESCO U.S. GOVERNMENT
SECURITIES FUND, INVESCO VALUE FUND, INVESCO LATIN AMERICAN GROWTH FUND
(COLLECTIVELY KNOW AS THE "INVESCO FUNDS"); AIM STOCK FUNDS, AIM
COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST, AIM SECTOR FUNDS INC., AIM BOND FUNDS INC., AIM
COMBINATION STOCK AND BOND FUNDS INC., AIM MONEY MARKET FUNDS INC., AIM
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS INC. (COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS THE "INVESCO FUNDS
REGISTRANTS"); AMVESCAP PLC, INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC.; TIMOTHY MILLER;
RAYMOND CUNNINGHAM; THOMAS KOLBE; EDWARD J. STERN; AMERICAN SKANDIA
INC.; BREAN MURRAY & CO., INC.; CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC; CANARY
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC; CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD.; AND JOHN
DOES 1-100, in the United States District Court, District of Colorado
(Civil Action No. 03-N-2559), filed on December 17, 2003. This claim
alleges violations of: Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act;
Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act; Rule 10b-5 under the
Exchange Act; and Section 206 of the Advisers Act. The plaintiffs in
this case are seeking: compensatory damages; rescission; return of fees
paid; accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation;
restitution and disgorgement; and other costs and expenses, including
counsel fees and expert fees.
PAT B. GORSUCH AND GEORGE L. GORSUCH V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC.; AND
AIM ADVISER, INC., in the United States District Court, District of
Colorado (Civil Action No. 03-MK-2612), filed on December 24, 2003.
This claim alleges violations of: Sections 15(a), 20(a) and 36(b) of
the Investment Company Act. The plaintiffs in this case are seeking:
rescission and/or voiding of the investment advisory agreements; return
of fees paid; damages; and other costs and expenses, including counsel
fees and expert fees.
LORI WEINRIB, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY
SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC., AIM STOCK FUNDS, AIM COUNSELOR
SERIES TRUST, AIM SECTOR FUNDS INC., AIM BOND FUNDS INC., AIM
COMBINATION STOCK AND BOND FUNDS INC., AIM MONEY MARKET FUNDS INC., AIM
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS INC.; AMVESCAP PLC, TIMOTHY MILLER, RAYMOND
CUNNINGHAM, THOMAS KOLBE; EDWARD J. STERN; AMERICAN SKANDIA INC., BREAN
MURRAY & CO., INC., CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, CANARY INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT, LLC, CANARY CAPITAL PARTNERS, LTD; AND JOHN DOES 1-100, in
the United States District Court, Southern District of New York (Civil
Action No. 04-CV-00492), filed on January 21, 2004. This claim alleges
violations of: Sections 11 and 15 of the 1933 Act; Sections 10(b) and
20(a) of the Exchange Act; Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act; and
Section 206 of the Advisers Act. The plaintiffs in this case are
seeking: compensatory damages; rescission; return of fees paid;
accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation;
restitution and disgorgement; and other costs and expenses, including
counsel fees and expert fees.
CARL E. VONDER HAAR AND MARILYN P. MARTIN, ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND
ALL OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, V. INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC., INVESCO
STOCK FUNDS, INC. AND DOE DEFENDANTS 1-100, in the United States
District Court, District of Colorado (Civil Action No. 04-CV-812),
filed on February 5, 2004. The claim alleges common law breach of
fiduciary duty; breach of contract; and tortuous interference with
contract. The plaintiffs in this case are seeking: injunctive relief;
damages; disgorgement; and costs and expenses, including counsel fees
and expert fees.
Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be served or filed against the funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and related entities and individuals in the future. This statement of additional information will be supplemented periodically if any such lawsuits do arise.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Directors/Trustees
and Shareholders of AIM International Growth Fund
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the AIM International Growth Fund (one of the funds constituting AIM International Funds, Inc., now known as AIM International Mutual Funds; hereafter referred to as the "Fund") at October 31, 2003, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2003 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. The financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or before October 31, 2000 were audited by other independent accountants whose report dated December 6, 2000, expressed an unqualified opinion on the financial highlights.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
December 16, 2003
Houston, Texas
FS-1
FINANCIALS
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- STOCKS & OTHER EQUITY INTERESTS-96.61% AUSTRALIA-1.54% Amcor Ltd. (Paper Packaging) 1,037,900 $ 6,243,877 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BHP Billiton Ltd. (Diversified Metals & Mining) 1,814,700 15,052,628 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Promina Group Ltd. (Property & Casualty Insurance) (Acquired 05/12/03; Cost $1,630,929)(a) 1,404,000 3,299,021 ========================================================================== 24,595,526 ========================================================================== AUSTRIA-0.58% Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen A.G. (Diversified Banks) 84,231 9,280,587 ========================================================================== BRAZIL-0.51% Companhia de Bebidas das Americas-ADR (Brewers) 386,300 8,189,560 ========================================================================== CANADA-8.70% Bombardier Inc.-Class B (Aerospace & Defense) 1,193,200 5,357,409 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadian National Railway Co. (Railroads) 232,300 13,962,666 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CP Railway Ltd. (Railroads) 616,100 17,265,753 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loblaw Cos. Ltd. (Food Retail) (Acquired 11/10/00-10/10/01; Cost $24,025,835)(a) 751,300 36,382,636 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manulife Financial Corp. (Life & Health Insurance) 458,700 13,915,813 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petro-Canada (Integrated Oil & Gas) 357,500 14,405,745 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Royal Bank of Canada (Diversified Banks) 182,090 8,766,836 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suncor Energy, Inc. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 1,362,800 28,620,350 ========================================================================== 138,677,208 ========================================================================== DENMARK-0.84% A P Moller-Maersk A.S.-Class B (Marine) 1,709 13,369,873 ========================================================================== FRANCE-6.54% BNP Paribas S.A. (Diversified Banks) 277,988 14,555,991 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carrefour S.A. (Hypermarkets & Super Centers) 164,335 8,597,284 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- France Telecom S.A. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(b) 314,138 7,576,672 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lagardere S.C.A. (Publishing) 104,014 5,213,819 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pernod Ricard S.A. (Distillers & Vintners) 147,478 14,180,209 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Renault S.A. (Automobile Manufacturers) 288,067 18,988,168 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Societe Generale (Diversified Banks) 103,072 7,629,900 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total S.A.-Class B (Integrated Oil & Gas) 177,249 27,453,170 ========================================================================== 104,195,213 ========================================================================== GERMANY-4.31% Altana A.G. (Pharmaceuticals) 220,684 13,858,861 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- GERMANY-(CONTINUED) Continental A.G. (Tires & Rubber) 253,900 $ 8,588,609 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deutsche Boerse A.G. (Specialized Finance) 148,168 8,208,074 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deutsche Telekom A.G. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(b) 754,304 11,840,308 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Metro A.G. (Hypermarkets & Super Centers) 213,683 8,708,495 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Puma A.G. Rudolf Dassler Sport (Footwear) (Acquired 10/08/03-10/30/03; Cost $8,769,073)(a) 63,102 9,172,652 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Siemens A.G. (Industrial Conglomerates)(b) 122,689 8,243,486 ========================================================================== 68,620,485 ========================================================================== HONG KONG-2.38% Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (Airlines) 5,189,000 9,922,820 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd. (Real Estate Management & Development) 801,000 6,678,782 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- China Merchants Holdings International Co. Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 1,818,000 2,458,149 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CNOOC Ltd.-ADR (Oil & Gas Exploration & Production) 152,800 5,752,920 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 933,000 7,238,752 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. (Real Estate Management & Development) 688,000 5,825,178 ========================================================================== 37,876,601 ========================================================================== HUNGARY-0.57% OTP Bank Rt. (Diversified Banks)(b) 748,200 9,117,492 ========================================================================== INDIA-1.42% Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd. (Thrifts & Mortgage Finance) 228,736 2,624,004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Infosys Technologies Ltd. (IT Consulting & Other Services) 191,172 20,000,717 ========================================================================== 22,624,721 ========================================================================== IRELAND-0.91% Angloz Irish Bank Corp. PLC (Diversified Banks) 1,208,700 14,464,257 ========================================================================== ISRAEL-3.07% Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.-ADR (Pharmaceuticals) 859,100 48,874,199 ========================================================================== ITALY-4.34% Banca Intesa S.p.A. (Diversified Banks) 2,656,700 8,925,197 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Banco Popolare di Verona e Novara Scrl (Diversified Banks) 1,119,180 17,243,637 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eni S.p.A. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 1,143,649 18,097,590 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mediaset S.p.A. (Broadcasting & Cable TV) 1,188,600 11,965,554 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
FS-2
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ITALY-(CONTINUED) UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. (Diversified Banks) 2,616,100 $ 12,849,833 ========================================================================== 69,081,811 ========================================================================== JAPAN-18.10% Canon Inc. (Office Electronics) 410,000 19,850,746 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. (Homebuilding) 593,000 6,400,601 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fanuc Ltd. (Industrial Machinery) 252,200 15,171,478 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (Photographic Products) 170,000 5,012,741 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 173,700 21,356,816 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hoya Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 276,600 25,047,051 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- JSR Corp. (Specialty Chemicals) 724,000 15,352,384 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- KDDI Corp. (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 2,210 12,007,372 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keyence Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 95,200 20,949,545 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nidec Corp. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 175,900 17,048,917 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Automobile Manufacturers) 1,863,300 20,891,751 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nitto Denko Corp. (Specialty Chemicals) 596,700 31,333,810 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOK Corp. (Auto Parts & Equipment) 269,000 10,600,382 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ricoh Co., Ltd. (Office Electronics) 471,000 8,937,341 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Specialty Chemicals) 237,300 8,832,881 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals) 338,400 11,980,124 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Toyota Motor Corp. (Automobile Manufacturers) 342,000 9,742,082 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trend Micro Inc. (Application Software)(b) 331,900 9,152,321 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yamaha Corp. (Leisure Products) 264,000 5,321,806 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals) 534,000 13,413,178 ========================================================================== 288,403,327 ========================================================================== MEXICO-2.22% America Movil S.A. de C.V.-Series L-ADR (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 649,100 15,448,580 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer, S.A. de C.V.- Class B (Diversified Banks)(b) 10,436,700 8,893,381 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wal-Mart de Mexico S.A. de C.V.-Series C (Hypermarkets & Super Centers) 4,251,000 11,110,196 ========================================================================== 35,452,157 ========================================================================== NETHERLANDS-2.39% ABN AMRO Holding N.V. (Diversified Banks) 397,900 8,320,098 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aegon N.V. (Life & Health Insurance) 637,479 8,330,140 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Hardie Industries N.V. (Construction Materials) 732,500 3,717,121 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- NETHERLANDS-(CONTINUED) Koninklijke (Royal) KPN N.V. (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(b) 1,684,959 $ 12,765,692 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Koninklijke (Royal) Philips Electronics N.V. (Consumer Electronics) 184,880 4,966,700 ========================================================================== 38,099,751 ========================================================================== NORWAY-0.79% Telenor A.S.A. (Integrated Telecommunication Services) 2,321,602 12,573,385 ========================================================================== SINGAPORE-1.38% Keppel Corp. Ltd. (Industrial Conglomerates) 2,300,000 7,867,203 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Singapore Airlines Ltd. (Airlines) 947,000 6,587,353 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- United Overseas Bank Ltd. (Diversified Banks) 960,000 7,505,605 ========================================================================== 21,960,161 ========================================================================== SOUTH KOREA-2.64% Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks)(b) 305,000 4,097,592 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kookmin Bank (Diversified Banks) 323,360 11,803,255 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 65,700 26,091,255 ========================================================================== 41,992,102 ========================================================================== SPAIN-2.28% Banco Popular Espanol S.A. (Diversified Banks) 305,845 15,848,114 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Repsol YPF, S.A. (Integrated Oil & Gas) 1,181,716 20,534,383 ========================================================================== 36,382,497 ========================================================================== SWEDEN-2.72% AB SKF-Class B (Industrial Machinery) 135,100 4,759,289 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Atlas Copco A.B.-Class A (Industrial Machinery) 234,200 8,190,588 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ForeningsSparbanken A.B. (Diversified Banks) 484,700 8,042,554 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tele2 A.B.-Class B (Integrated Telecommunication Services)(b) 117,500 5,886,473 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Communications Equipment) 4,463,292 7,633,746 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volvo A.B.-Class B (Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks) 314,900 8,762,071 ========================================================================== 43,274,721 ========================================================================== SWITZERLAND-3.97% Credit Suisse Group (Diversified Capital Markets) 536,212 18,821,825 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nestle S.A. (Packaged Foods & Meats) 27,119 5,948,214 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roche Holding A.G. (Pharmaceuticals) 146,575 12,083,361 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Syngenta A.G. (Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals) 164,689 8,791,031 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- UBS A.G. (Diversified Capital Markets) 286,398 17,520,618 ========================================================================== 63,165,049 ========================================================================== |
FS-3
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAIWAN-3.96% Compal Electronics Inc. (Computer Hardware) 5,778,880 $ 8,771,362 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Electronic Equipment Manufacturers) 2,785,960 12,480,575 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- MediaTek Inc. (Semiconductors) 703,000 7,251,695 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quanta Computer Inc. (Computer Hardware) 3,031,000 8,263,115 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Semiconductors) 13,305,513 26,273,780 ========================================================================== 63,040,527 ========================================================================== UNITED KINGDOM-19.42% AstraZeneca PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 514,875 24,153,849 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barclays PLC (Diversified Banks) 1,676,680 14,122,937 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Centrica PLC (Gas Utilities) 4,458,290 13,940,654 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Enterprise Inns PLC (Restaurants) 311,400 4,462,217 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Galen Holdings PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 426,000 5,461,815 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- GlaxoSmithKline PLC (Pharmaceuticals) 530,470 11,345,892 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- GUS PLC (Catalog Retail) 1,250,290 15,256,739 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ICAP PLC (Investment Banking & Brokerage) 375,300 8,768,829 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Imperial Tobacco Group PLC (Tobacco) 1,607,620 26,619,287 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingfisher PLC (Home Improvement Retail) 1,686,995 8,077,012 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Man Group PLC (Asset Management & Custody Banks) 401,860 9,868,738 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- mm02 PLC (Wireless Telecommunication Services)(b) 11,905,490 12,913,552 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next PLC (Department Stores) 1,019,420 20,387,014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reckitt Benckiser PLC (Household Products) 1,100,240 23,122,116 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shire Pharmaceuticals Group PLC (Pharmaceuticals)(b) 673,350 5,095,429 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Smith & Nephew PLC (Health Care Supplies) 3,075,235 24,404,760 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tesco PLC (Food Retail) 5,919,043 23,699,641 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Travis Perkins PLC (Home Improvement Retail) 218,700 4,424,148 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
MARKET SHARES VALUE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNITED KINGDOM-(CONTINUED) Vodafone Group PLC (Wireless Telecommunication Services) 18,480,590 $ 38,759,619 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morrison (William) Supermarkets PLC (Food Retail) 3,812,970 14,475,376 ========================================================================== 309,359,624 ========================================================================== UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1.03% Autoliv, Inc.-SDR (Auto Parts & Equipment) 251,000 8,233,500 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Synthes-Stratec, Inc. (Health Care Equipment)(b) 8,900 8,140,406 ========================================================================== 16,373,906 ========================================================================== Total Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $1,206,227,506) 1,539,044,740 ========================================================================== PRINCIPAL AMOUNT BONDS-0.00% INDIA-0.00% Hindustan Lever Ltd. (Household Products), Sec. Deb., 9.00%, 01/01/05 (Cost $0) INR 1,100,000 1,558 ========================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-96.61% (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $1,206,227,506) 1,539,046,298 ========================================================================== SHARES INVESTMENTS PURCHASED WITH CASH COLLATERAL FROM SECURITIES LOANED MONEY MARKET FUNDS-2.69% STIC Liquid Assets Portfolio(c)(d) 42,838,030 42,838,030 ========================================================================== Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $42,838,030) 42,838,030 ========================================================================== TOTAL INVESTMENTS-99.30% (Cost $1,249,065,536) 1,581,884,328 ========================================================================== OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES-0.70% 11,118,235 ========================================================================== NET ASSETS-100.00% $1,593,002,563 __________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================== |
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR - American Depositary Receipt Deb. - Debentures INR - Indian Rupee SDR - Swedish Depository Receipt Sec. - Secured |
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) Security not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (e.g.,
the security was purchased in a Rule 144A transaction or a Regulation D
transaction). The security may be resold only pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional
buyers. The Fund has no rights to demand registration of these securities.
The aggregate market value of these securities at 10/31/03 was $48,854,309,
which represented 3.07% of the Fund's net assets. Unless otherwise
indicated, these securities are not considered to be illiquid.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same
investment advisor.
(d) The security has been segregated to satisfy the forward commitment to return
the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the
borrower's return of the securities loaned.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-4
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
October 31, 2003
ASSETS: Investments, at market value (cost $1,206,227,506)* $1,539,046,298 ------------------------------------------------------------ Investments in affiliated money market funds (cost $42,838,030) 42,838,030 ------------------------------------------------------------ Foreign currencies, at value (cost $39,494,059) 39,394,759 ------------------------------------------------------------ Cash 14,454,167 ------------------------------------------------------------ Receivables for: Investments sold 20,287,918 ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital stock sold 3,280,743 ------------------------------------------------------------ Dividends and interest 3,469,334 ------------------------------------------------------------ Amount due from advisor 15,290 ------------------------------------------------------------ Investment for deferred compensation plan 88,383 ------------------------------------------------------------ Other assets 185,212 ============================================================ Total assets 1,663,060,134 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ LIABILITIES: Payables for: Investments purchased 14,808,329 ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital stock reacquired 9,828,142 ------------------------------------------------------------ Deferred compensation plan 88,383 ------------------------------------------------------------ Collateral upon return of securities loaned 42,838,030 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued distribution fees 676,640 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued directors' fees 98,268 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued transfer agent fees 1,257,312 ------------------------------------------------------------ Accrued operating expenses 462,467 ============================================================ Total liabilities 70,057,571 ============================================================ Net assets applicable to shares outstanding $1,593,002,563 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Capital (par value and additional paid-in) $1,787,466,539 ------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net investment income 1,385,424 ------------------------------------------------------------ Undistributed net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts (528,589,622) ------------------------------------------------------------ Unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies 332,740,222 ============================================================ $1,593,002,563 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ NET ASSETS: Class A $1,117,420,019 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B $ 360,671,403 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C $ 113,964,516 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class R $ 867,405 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Institutional Class $ 79,220 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ CAPITAL STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE: Class A: Authorized 480,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 73,387,899 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 25,188,905 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 7,951,939 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class R: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 57,282 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Institutional Class: Authorized 240,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------ Outstanding 5,155 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class A: Net asset value per share $ 15.23 ------------------------------------------------------------ Offering price per share: (Net asset value of $15.23 divided by 94.50%) $ 16.12 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class B: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 14.32 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class C: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 14.33 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Class R: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 15.14 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ Institutional Class: Net asset value and offering price per share $ 15.37 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ |
* At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate market value of $38,847,584 were on loan to brokers.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-5
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended October 31, 2003
INVESTMENT INCOME: Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $3,554,080) $ 27,094,609 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividends from affiliated money market funds 803,434 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest 79,655 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Securities lending 1,001,326 ========================================================================== Total investment income 28,979,024 ========================================================================== EXPENSES: Advisory fees 14,723,373 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Administrative services fees 387,366 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Custodian fees 1,354,320 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution fees: Class A 3,330,664 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 3,602,319 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 1,092,583 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R 2,950 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer agent fees 6,313,971 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer agent fees -- Institutional Class 65 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Directors' fees 36,990 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other 1,128,604 ========================================================================== Total expenses 31,973,205 ========================================================================== Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expenses paid indirectly (1,251,776) ========================================================================== Net expenses 30,721,429 ========================================================================== Net investment income (loss) (1,742,405) ========================================================================== REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN FROM INVESTMENT SECURITIES, FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND FUTURES CONTRACTS: Net realized gain from: Investment securities 46,644,664 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies 3,194,368 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Futures contracts 593,783 ========================================================================== 50,432,815 ========================================================================== Change in net unrealized appreciation of: Investment securities 262,645,749 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign currencies 7,957 ========================================================================== 262,653,706 ========================================================================== Net gain from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts 313,086,521 ========================================================================== Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $311,344,116 __________________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================== |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-6
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002
2003 2002 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATIONS: Net investment income (loss) $ (1,742,405) $ (8,846,063) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts 50,432,815 (221,331,772) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change in net unrealized appreciation of investment securities, and foreign currencies 262,653,706 52,979,939 ============================================================================================== Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 311,344,116 (177,197,896) ============================================================================================== Share transactions-net: Class A (206,630,297) (212,077,269) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (101,031,208) (148,436,124) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (20,132,725) (35,844,117) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R 636,461 49,318 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Institutional Class (8,827) 80,835 ============================================================================================== Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions (327,166,596) (396,227,357) ============================================================================================== Net increase (decrease) in net assets (15,822,480) (573,425,253) ============================================================================================== NET ASSETS: Beginning of year 1,608,825,043 2,182,250,296 ============================================================================================== End of year (including undistributed net investment income (loss) of $1,385,424 and $(168,216) for 2003 and 2002, respectively) $1,593,002,563 $1,608,825,043 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ============================================================================================== |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FS-7
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2003
NOTE 1--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
AIM International Growth Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM International Funds, Inc. (the "Company"). The Company is a Maryland corporation registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of five separate portfolios. The Fund currently offers multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund. Effective November 25, 2003, the Fund redomesticated as a series portfolio of a newly formed Delaware statutory trust, AIM International Mutual Funds.
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Companies are listed in the Schedule of Investments based on the country in which they are organized.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. SECURITY VALUATIONS -- Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy. A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ National Market System) is valued on the basis of prices furnished by independent pricing services or market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price. Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service. Prices provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to special securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are questionable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Company's officers in a manner specifically authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company. Market trends, movement in exchange traded funds and ADRs, and the bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally will be valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Foreign securities are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If a development/event is so significant that there is a reasonably high degree of certainty as to both the effect and the degree of effect that the development/event has actually caused that closing price to no longer reflect actual value, the closing prices, as determined at the close of the applicable foreign market, may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the affected foreign securities as of the close of the NYSE as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
B. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME -- Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. DISTRIBUTIONS -- Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to use a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES -- The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and, as such, will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) which is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements. Any capital loss carryforwards listed are reduced for limitations, if any, to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code.
E. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATIONS -- Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market prices on investments are included
FS-8
with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
F. FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS -- A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. The Fund could be exposed to risk if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably.
G. EXPENSES -- Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund are charged to the operations of such class. Transfer agency fees and expenses and other shareholder recordkeeping fees and expenses attributable to the Institutional Class are charged to such class. Transfer agency fees and expenses relating to all other classes are allocated among those classes based on relative net assets. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
NOTE 2--ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Company has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM at the annual rate of 0.95% of the first $1 billion of the Fund's average daily net assets, plus 0.90% of the Fund's average daily net assets in excess of $1 billion. AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees payable by the Fund to AIM at the annual rate of 0.05% on net assets in excess of $500 million. Further, AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds in which the Fund has invested (excluding investments made in affiliated money market funds with cash collateral from securities loaned by the Fund). For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM waived fees of $555,986. Under a prior agreement to limit the aggregate costs of certain shareholder services provided by third party administrators, AIM reimbursed fees of $670,300 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares based on the relative net assets of those classes.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM was paid $387,366 for such services.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AISI"), formerly known as A I M Fund Services, Inc., a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund. For the Institutional Class, the transfer agent has contractually agreed to reimburse class specific transfer agent fees to the extent necessary to limit transfer agent fees to 0.10% of the average net assets. During the year ended October 31, 2003, AISI retained $2,406,157 for such services.
The Company has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("AIM Distributors") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and the Institutional Class shares of the Fund. The Company has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays AIM Distributors compensation at the annual rate of 0.30% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares and 0.50% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares. Of these amounts, the AIM Distributors may pay a service fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, Class C or Class R shares to selected dealers and financial institutions who furnish continuing personal shareholder services to their customers who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not paid as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. NASD Rules also impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the year ended October 31, 2003, the Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares paid $3,330,664, $3,602,319, $1,092,583 and $2,950, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During the year ended October 31, 2003, AIM Distributors retained $85,350 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $1,104,821, $142, $36,471 and $0 from Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed upon redemptions by shareholders.
Certain officers and directors of the Company are officers and directors of AIM, AISI and/or AIM Distributors.
NOTE 3--EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENTS
For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received reductions in transfer agency fees from AISI (an affiliate of AIM) of $24,533 and reductions in custodian fees of $957 under expense offset arrangements which resulted in a reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $25,490.
NOTE 4--DIRECTORS' FEES
Directors' fees represent remuneration paid to each Director of the Company who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Directors have the option to defer compensation payable by the Company. The Directors deferring compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested.
Current Directors are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Directors over a period of time based on the number of years of service. Certain former Trustees also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund paid legal fees of $4,784 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Directors. A member of that firm is a Director of the Company.
FS-9
NOTE 5--BORROWINGS
The Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. Under certain circumstances, a loan will be secured by collateral. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
Effective June 26, 2003, the Fund became a participant in an uncommitted
unsecured revolving line of credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000 or
(ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds
advised by AIM which are parties to the line of credit can borrow on a first
come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest
at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the reporting period, the Fund was a participant in a committed line of credit facility with a syndicate administered by Citibank, N.A. The Fund could borrow up to the lesser of (i) $500,000,000 or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which were parties to the line of credit could borrow on a first come, first served basis. The funds which were party to the line of credit were charged a commitment fee of 0.09% on the unused balance of the committed line. The commitment fee was allocated among the funds based on their respective average net assets for the period. The committed line of credit facility expired May 20, 2003.
During the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under either the uncommitted unsecured revolving line of credit facility or the committed line of credit facility.
Additionally the Fund is permitted to carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds in the account so the custodian can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank. In either case, the custodian bank will be compensated an amount equal to the Federal Funds rate plus 100 basis points.
NOTE 6--PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to the extent of one-third of the Fund's total assets. Such loans are secured by collateral equal to no less than the market value of the loaned securities determined daily. Such collateral will be cash or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Cash collateral pursuant to these loans is invested in short-term money market instruments or affiliated money market funds. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned were to increase and the borrower did not increase the collateral accordingly, and the borrower fails to return the securities. It is the Fund's policy to obtain additional collateral from or return excess collateral to the borrower by the end of the next business day, following the valuation date of the securities loaned. Therefore, the value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan.
At October 31, 2003, securities with an aggregate value of $38,847,584 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $42,838,030 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in an affiliated money market fund. For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Fund received fees of $1,001,326 for securities lending.
NOTE 7--DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
Distributions to Shareholders:
There were no ordinary income or long-term capital gain distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002.
Tax Components of Net Assets:
As of October 31, 2003, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income $ 1,573,558 ------------------------------------------------------------ Unrealized appreciation -- investments 330,833,847 ------------------------------------------------------------ Temporary book/tax differences (188,136) ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital loss carryforward (526,683,245) ------------------------------------------------------------ Capital (par value and additional paid-in) 1,787,466,539 ============================================================ Total net assets $1,593,002,563 ____________________________________________________________ ============================================================ |
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation is due to differences in the timing of recognition of gains and losses on investments for tax and book purposes. The Fund's unrealized appreciation difference is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. Amount includes appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currencies of $(78,570).
The temporary book/tax differences are a result of timing differences between book and tax recognition of income and/or expenses. The Fund's temporary book/tax differences are the result of the deferral of director compensation and director retirement plan expenses.
The Fund has a capital loss carryforward for tax purposes which expires as follows:
CAPITAL LOSS EXPIRATION CARRYFORWARD ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2008 $ 8,427,649 ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2009 296,794,208 ---------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2010 221,461,388 ========================================================== Total capital loss carryforward $526,683,245 __________________________________________________________ ========================================================== |
FS-10
NOTE 8--INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2003 was $1,136,347,378 and $1,406,098,946 respectively.
UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES ON A TAX BASIS ----------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities $337,542,565 ----------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities (6,630,148) =========================================================== Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities $330,912,417 ___________________________________________________________ =========================================================== Cost of investments for tax purposes is $1,250,971,911. |
NOTE 9--RECLASSIFICATION OF PERMANENT DIFFERENCES
Primarily as a result of differing book/tax treatment of foreign currency transactions and capital loss limitations, on October 31, 2003, undistributed net investment income was increased by $3,296,045, undistributed net realized gains decreased by $3,622,479 and paid in capital increased by $326,434. This reclassification had no effect on net assets of the Fund.
NOTE 10--CAPITAL STOCK INFORMATION
The Fund currently offers five different classes of shares: Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, Class R shares and the Institutional Class shares. Class A shares are sold with front-end sales charge. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Class R shares and the Institutional Class shares are sold at net asset value. Under some circumstances, Class A shares and Class R shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase.
CHANGES IN SHARES OUTSTANDING -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------ 2003 2002 ------------------------------- ------------------------------- SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sold: Class A 360,002,923 $ 4,667,044,231 368,401,191 $ 5,196,926,844 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 1,810,130 22,361,870 3,311,442 44,849,213 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 18,493,883 227,638,038 15,573,890 203,220,053 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R* 1,257,373 16,539,372 3,845 49,318 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Institutional Class** -- -- 5,818 80,835 ================================================================================================================================ Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares: Class A 2,013,886 26,283,106 660,780 9,377,577 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (2,133,943) (26,283,106) (698,495) (9,377,577) ================================================================================================================================ Reacquired: Class A (374,808,645) (4,899,957,634) (380,070,713) (5,418,381,690) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B (7,880,064) (97,109,972) (13,644,671) (183,907,760) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C (20,026,701) (247,770,763) (18,116,304) (239,064,170) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R* (1,203,936) (15,902,911) -- -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Institutional Class** (663) (8,827) -- -- ================================================================================================================================ (22,475,757) $ (327,166,596) (24,573,217) $ (396,227,357) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================ |
* Class R shares commenced sales on June 3, 2002. ** Institutional Class shares commenced sales on March 15, 2002.
FS-11
NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
CLASS A ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.69 $ 14.45 $ 21.60 $ 21.73 $ 17.59 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.01(a) (0.03)(a) (0.01) 0.08(a) (0.03) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.53 (1.73) (5.66) 0.72 4.49 ================================================================================================================================= Total from investment operations 2.54 (1.76) (5.67) 0.80 4.46 ================================================================================================================================= Less distributions: Dividends from net investment income -- -- -- -- (0.11) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributions from net realized gains -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.21) ================================================================================================================================= Total distributions -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.32) ================================================================================================================================= Net asset value, end of period $ 15.23 $ 12.69 $ 14.45 $ 21.60 $ 21.73 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Total return(b) 20.02% (12.18)% (27.96)% 3.16% 25.73% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $1,117,420 $1,093,344 $1,404,269 $2,325,636 $2,058,419 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.74%(c) 1.70% 1.57% 1.44% 1.48% --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.82%(c) 1.74% 1.61% 1.48% 1.52% ================================================================================================================================= Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets 0.09%(c) (0.21)% (0.04)% 0.30% (0.14)% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= Portfolio turnover rate 77% 77% 85% 87% 86% _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================================================= |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $1,110,221,314.
CLASS B ----------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.02 $ 13.78 $ 20.81 $ 21.11 $ 17.13 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.08)(a) (0.12)(a) (0.13) (0.11)(a) (0.17)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.38 (1.64) (5.42) 0.74 4.36 =============================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 2.30 (1.76) (5.55) 0.63 4.19 =============================================================================================================================== Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.21) =============================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 14.32 $ 12.02 $ 13.78 $ 20.81 $ 21.11 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 19.14% (12.77)% (28.48)% 2.42% 24.72% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $360,671 $401,288 $612,125 $997,843 $887,106 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.44%(c) 2.40% 2.27% 2.18% 2.27% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.52%(c) 2.44% 2.31% 2.22% 2.31% =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.61)(c) (0.91)% (0.75)% (0.44)% (0.93)% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 77% 77% 85% 87% 86% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $360,231,865.
FS-12
NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
CLASS C ----------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.03 $ 13.79 $ 20.82 $ 21.13 $ 17.14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.08)(a) (0.12)(a) (0.13) (0.11)(a) (0.17)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.38 (1.64) (5.42) 0.73 4.37 =============================================================================================================================== Total from investment operations 2.30 (1.76) (5.55) 0.62 4.20 =============================================================================================================================== Less distributions from net realized gains -- -- (1.48) (0.93) (0.21) =============================================================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $ 14.33 $ 12.03 $ 13.79 $ 20.82 $ 21.13 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Total return(b) 19.12% (12.76)% (28.47)% 2.37% 24.76% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $113,965 $114,070 $165,857 $253,998 $118,208 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.44%(c) 2.40% 2.27% 2.18% 2.27% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.52%(c) 2.44% 2.31% 2.22% 2.31% =============================================================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.61)(c) (0.91)% (0.75)% (0.44)% (0.93)% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate 77% 77% 85% 87% 86% _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and does not include sales
charges.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $109,258,326.
CLASS R ---------------------------------- JUNE 3, 2002 (DATE SALES YEAR ENDED COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, 2003 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net asset value, beginning of period $12.69 $ 15.27 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.01(a) (0.02)(a) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.44 (2.56) ================================================================================================ Total from investment operations 2.45 (2.58) ================================================================================================ Net asset value, end of period $15.14 $ 12.69 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Total return(b) 19.31% (16.90)% ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 867 $ 49 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.94%(c) 1.89%(d) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2.02%(c) 1.93%(d) ================================================================================================ Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.11)(c) (0.40)(d) ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ Portfolio turnover rate(e) 77% 77% ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ================================================================================================ |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and is not annualized for
periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $589,989.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
FS-13
NOTE 11--FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS --------------------------------- MARCH 15, 2002 (DATE SALES YEAR ENDED COMMENCED) TO OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, 2003 2002 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $12.73 $ 15.09 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) 0.09(a) 0.03(a) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) 2.55 (2.39) =============================================================================================== Total from investment operations 2.64 (2.36) =============================================================================================== Net asset value, end of period $15.37 $ 12.73 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================== Total return(b) 20.74% (15.64)% _______________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================== Ratios/supplemental data: Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) $ 79 $ 74 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================== Ratio of expenses to average net assets: With fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.17%(c) 1.16%(d) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1.21%(c) 1.20%(d) =============================================================================================== Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 0.66%(c) 0.33%(d) _______________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================== Portfolio turnover rate(e) 77% 77% _______________________________________________________________________________________________ =============================================================================================== |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and is not annualized for
periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are based on average daily net assets of $73,309.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
NOTE 12--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Your Fund's investment advisor, A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"). Another indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AMVESCAP, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("INVESCO"), was, until recently, the investment advisor to the INVESCO Funds.
On December 2, 2003, each of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York ("NYAG") filed civil proceedings against INVESCO and Raymond R. Cunningham, in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of INVESCO. Mr. Cunningham currently holds the positions of Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of A I M Management Group, Inc., the parent company of AIM, and he also holds the position of Senior Vice President with AIM. In addition, on December 2, 2003, the State of Colorado filed civil proceedings against INVESCO. Neither your Fund nor any of the funds in the AIM Family of Funds(R), which includes the INVESCO Funds (the "Funds") has been named as a defendant in any of these proceedings.
The SEC proceeding alleges that INVESCO failed to disclose in the INVESCO Funds' prospectuses and to the INVESCO Funds' independent directors that INVESCO had entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the INVESCO Funds. The SEC is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from serving as an investment advisor, officer or director of an investment company; an accounting of all market timing as well as certain fees and compensation received; disgorgement; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The NYAG proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The NYAG is seeking injunctions, including permanent injunctions from directly or indirectly selling or distributing shares of mutual funds; disgorgement of all profits obtained, including fees collected, and payment of all restitution and damages caused, directly or indirectly from the alleged illegal activities; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
The Colorado proceeding is also based on the circumstances described above. The State of Colorado is seeking injunctions; restitution, disgorgement and other equitable relief; civil monetary penalties; and other relief.
If INVESCO is unsuccessful in its defense of these proceedings, it could be barred from serving as an investment advisor for any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (a "registered investment company"). Similarly, if Mr. Cunningham is unsuccessful in his defense of these proceedings, he could be barred from serving as an officer or director of any registered investment company. Such results could also affect the ability of AIM, or any other investment advisor directly or indirectly owned by AMVESCAP, from serving as an investment advisor to any registered investment company, including your Fund. Your Fund has been informed by AIM that, if either of these results occurs, AIM will seek exemptive relief from the SEC to permit it to continue to serve as your Fund's investment advisor. There can be no assurance that such exemptive relief will be granted.
AIM has received inquiries from the SEC, the NASD, Inc., the NYAG and the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with respect to market timing, late trading, fair value pricing and other similar issues and AIM has been providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries.
FS-14
NOTE 12--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (CONTINUED)
In addition to the complaints described above, multiple lawsuits, including
purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against
certain Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and certain related parties, primarily
based upon the allegations in the complaints described above, but also regarding
the funds' fair valuation pricing methodology. Such lawsuits allege a variety of
theories for recovery including, but not limited to: (i) violation of various
provisions of the Federal securities laws; (ii) breach of fiduciary duty; and
(iii) breach of contract. The lawsuits have been filed in both Federal and state
courts and seek such remedies as compensatory damages; restitution; rescission;
accounting for wrongfully gotten gains, profits and compensation; injunctive
relief; disgorgement; equitable relief; interest and the payment of attorneys'
and experts' fees. Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and
presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed against the
Funds, INVESCO, AIM, AMVESCAP and related parties in the future.
As a result of these developments, investors in the Funds might react by redeeming their investments. This might require the Funds to sell investments to provide for sufficient liquidity and could also have an adverse effect on the investment performance of the Funds.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund is unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of these matters described above may have on the Fund or AIM's financial condition.
FS-15
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits -------- -------- a - Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Registrant, dated June 11, 2003.(11) b - Amended and Restated By-Laws, adopted effective July 30, 2003.(11) c - Articles II, VI, VII, VIII and IX of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, and Articles IV, V and VI of the Amended and Restated Bylaws define rights of holders of shares. d (1) - (a) Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated November 25, 2003, between A I M Advisors, Inc. and Registrant.(19) |
- (b) Form of Amendment No.1, dated _______________________, to Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated ___________________________, between Registrant and A I M Advisors, Inc.(11)
(2) - Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory contract for Mutual Funds, dated November 25, 2003, between A I M Advisors, Inc. and INVESCO Global Asset Management (N.A.), Inc. on behalf of INVESCO International Core Equity Fund.(19) |
(3) - (a) Investment Advisory Agreement dated February 28, 1997.(12)
- (b) Amendment dated January 30, 1998 to Advisory Agreement.(13)
- (c) Amendment dated September 18, 1998 to Advisory Agreement.(14)
- (d) Amendment dated May 13, 1999 to Advisory Agreement.(15)
- (e) Amendment dated October 29, 1999 to Advisory Agreement.(15)
- (f) Amendment dated November 28, 2000 to Advisory Agreement.(16)
- (g) Amendment dated November 1, 2002 to Advisory Agreement.(17)
e (1) - (a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (all Classes of Shares except Class B shares), dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19) |
- (b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 29, 2003 to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (all classes of Shares except Class B shares), dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
- (c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 4, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant (all classes of shares except Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
- (d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 20, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant (all classes of shares except Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
- (e) Amendment No. 4, dated November 24, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant (all classes of shares except Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
- (f) Amendment No. 5, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant (all classes of shares except Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
(2) - (a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (Class B shares) dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19) |
- (b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 1, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (Class B shares), dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
(c) Amendment No. 2, dated October 29, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
(d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 3, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
(e) Amendment No. 4, dated November 4, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
(f) Amendment No. 5, dated November 20, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
(g) Amendment No. 6, dated November 24, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
(h) Amendment No. 7, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc.(19)
(3) - Form of Selected Dealer Agreement for Investment Companies Managed by A I M Advisors, Inc.(5)
(4) - Form of Bank Acting as Agent for its Customers between A I M Distributors, Inc. and banks.(3)
f (1) - AIM Funds Retirement Plan for Eligible Directors/Trustees effective as of March 8, 1994, as restated September 18, 1995, March 7, 2000 and October 1, 2001.(6) (2) - Form of AIM Funds Director Deferred Compensation Agreement, as amended March 7, 2000, September 28, 2001 and September 26, 2002.(9) |
g (1) - (a) Master Custodian Contract, dated May 1, 2000, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company.(6)
- (b) Amendment, dated as of May 1, 2000, to Master Custodian Contract, dated May 1, 2000, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company.(6)
- (c) Amendment, dated as of June 29, 2001, to Master Custodian Contract, dated May 1, 2000, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company.(8)
- (d) Amendment, dated as of April 2, 2002, to Master Custodian Contract, dated May 1, 2000, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company.(9)
(2) - (a) Subcustodian Agreement with Texas Commerce Bank, dated September 9, 1994, among Texas Commerce Bank National Association, State Street Bank and Trust Company, A I M Fund Services, Inc. and Registrant.(1) - (b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 2, 1998, to Subcustodian Agreement with Chase Bank of Texas, N.A. (formerly, Texas Commerce Bank) among Chase Bank of Texas, N.A. (formerly, Texas Commerce Bank), State Street Bank and Trust Company, A I M Fund Services, Inc. and Registrant.(4) |
(3) - Foreign Assets Delegation Agreement, dated May 31, 2002, between A I M Advisors, Inc. and Registrant.(7)
(4) - Custody Agreement between INVESCO International Funds, Inc. and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated May 8, 2001, as amended September 28, 2001, October 5, 2001, October 19, 2001, March 29, 2002, April 30, 2002, May 10, 2002, July 31, 2002, August 30, 2002, October 21, 2002, November 1, 2002, November 30, 2002, December 26, 2002, and February 10, 2003.(18) h (1) - Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated November 25, 2003, between the Registrant and AIM Investment Services, Inc.(19) (2) - Transfer Agency Agreement, dated November 20, 2003, between the Registrant (on behalf of INVESCO International Core Equity Fund) and AIM Investment Services, Inc.(19) |
(3) - (a) Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated November 25, 2003, between A I M Advisors, Inc. and Registrant.(19)
- (b) Form of Amendment No. 1, dated _______________________, to the Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated November 25, 2003, between A I M Advisors, Inc. and Registrant.(11)
(4) - Shareholder Sub-Accounting Services Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1993, among the Registrant, First Data Investor Services Group (formerly The Shareholder Services Group, Inc.), Financial Data Services, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc.(1) (5) - (a) Form of Memorandum of Agreement, regarding securities lending, dated effective ______________________, between Registrant, on behalf of AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Development Fund, AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund, AIM Global Growth Fund, AIM International Growth Fund, [INVESCO European Fund and INVESCO International Core Equity Fund] and A I M Advisors, Inc.(11) |
- (b) Form of Memorandum of Agreement, regarding advisory fee waiver, dated _________________________, between A I M Advisors, Inc. and Registrant, on behalf of AIM International Growth Fund.(11)
- (c) Form of Memorandum of Agreement, regarding expense limitations, dated _____________________, between AIM Investment Services, Inc. and Registrant, on behalf of the Institutional Class of AIM International Growth Fund.(11)
(6) - Interfund Loan Agreement, dated September 18, 2001, between A I M Advisors, Inc. and Registrant.(7)
(7) - Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated July 30, 2003, between Registrant and AIM International Funds, Inc. previously filed with the Proxy Statement of AIM International Funds, Inc. on August 21, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference. (8) - Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated August 13, 2003, between AIM International Mutual Funds and INVESCO International Funds, Inc. previously filed with the Proxy Statement of INVESCO International Funds, Inc. on August 13, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
i - Opinion and Consent of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP.(19)
j - Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.(19) k - Omitted Financial Statements - None. l (1) - (a) Initial Capitalization Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1994, for AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund, AIM Global Growth Fund and AIM Global Income Fund.(1) - (b) Initial Capitalization Agreement, dated November 3, 1997, for AIM Asian Growth Fund and AIM European Development Fund.(2) |
m (1) - (a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares), dated August 18, 2003.(19)
- (b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 29, 2003, to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares).(19)
- (c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 4, 2003, to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares).(19)
- (d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 20, 2003, to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares).(19)
- (e) Amendment No. 4, dated November 24, 2003, to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares).(19)
- (f) Amendment No. 5, dated November 25, 2003, to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares).(19)
(2) - (a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares) (Securitization Feature), dated August 18, 2003.(19)
- (b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 29, 2003, to the Amended
and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares)
(Securitization Feature).(19)
- (c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 4, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares).(19)
- (d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 20, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares).(19)
- (e) Amendment No. 4, dated November 24, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares).(19)
- (f) Amendment No. 5, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares).(19)
(3) - (a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares), dated August 18, 2003.(19)
- (b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 29, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares).(19)
- (c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 4, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares).(19)
- (d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 20, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares).(19)
- (e) Amendment No. 4, dated November 24, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares).(19)
- (f) Amendment No. 5, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares).(19)
(4) - (a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class R Shares), dated August 18, 2003.(19)
- (b) Amendment No. 1, dated November 4, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class R Shares).(19)
- (c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 24, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class R Shares).(19)
- (d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class R Shares).(19)
(5) - (a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Investor Class Shares), dated August 18, 2003.(19)
- (b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 29, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Investor Class Shares).(19)
- (c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Investor Class Shares).(19)
(6) - Master Related Agreement to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares).(19)
(7) - Master Related Agreement to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares).(19)
(8) - Master Related Agreement to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class R Shares).(19)
(9) - Master Related Agreement to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Investor Class Shares).(19)
n - Fourth Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan of The AIM Family of Funds(R) effective December 12, 2001 as amended and restated March 4, 2002 and further amended and restated October 31, 2002 and as further amended and restated July 21, 2003 and as further amended and restated effective August 18, 2003.(11) o - Reserved. p (1) - A I M Management Group Inc. Code of Ethics, adopted May 1, 1981 as last amended June 10, 2003, relating to A I M Management Group Inc. and A I M Advisors, Inc. and its wholly owned and indirect subsidiaries.(10) (2) - Code of Ethics of the Registrant, effective October 31, 2003.(11) ---------- |
(1) Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 9, filed on February 28, 1996.
(2) Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 14, filed on February 20, 1998.
(3) Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 15, filed on December 23, 1998.
(4) Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 17, filed on February 23, 2000.
(5) Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 22, filed on February 22, 2001.
(6) Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 23, filed on December 28, 2001.
(7) Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 24, filed on February 22, 2002.
(8) Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 25, filed on April 4, 2002.
(9) Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 26, filed on February 26, 2003.
(10) Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 28, filed on July 7, 2003.
(11) Incorporated by reference to PEA No. 29 filed on August 29, 2003.
(12) Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement of INVESCO International Funds, Inc. on February 25, 1997 and incorporated by reference herein. (Identical except for the name of the Registrant (AIM International Mutual Funds) and the date of the Agreement.)
(13) Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement of INVESCO International Funds, Inc. on February 26, 1998 and incorporated by reference herein. (Identical except for the name of the Registrant (AIM International Mutual Funds) and the date of the Agreement.)
(14) Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement of INVESCO International Funds, Inc. on December 30, 1998 and incorporated by reference herein. (Identical except for the name of the Registrant (AIM International Mutual Funds) and the date of the Agreement.)
(15) Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registration Statement of INVESCO International Funds, Inc. on January 25, 2000 and incorporated by reference herein. (Identical except for the name of the Registrant (AIM International Mutual Funds) and the date of the Agreement.)
(16) Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the Registration Statement of INVESCO International Funds, Inc. on December 21, 2000 and incorporated by reference herein. (Identical except for the name of the Registrant (AIM International Mutual Funds) and the date of the Agreement.)
(17) Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registration Statement of INVESCO International Funds, Inc. on October 24, 2002 and incorporated by reference herein. (Identical except for the name of the Registrant (AIM International Mutual Funds) and the date of the Agreement.)
(18) Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registration Statement of INVESCO International Funds, Inc. on February 13, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein. (Identical except for the name of the Registrant (AIM International Mutual Funds) and the date of the Agreement.)
(19) Filed herewith electronically.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control With the Fund
None.
Item 25. Indemnification
The Registrant's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated June 11, 2003, provides, among other things (i) that trustees and officers of the Registrant, when acting as such, shall not be personally liable for any act, omission or obligation of the Registrant or any trustee or officer (except for liabilities to the Registrant or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty); (ii) for the indemnification by the Registrant of the trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and Bylaws and other applicable law; (iii) that shareholders of the Registrant shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, obligations or expenses of the Registrant or any portfolio or class; and (iv) for the indemnification by the Registrant, out of the assets belonging to the applicable portfolio, of shareholders and former shareholders of the Registrant in case they are held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been shareholders of the Registrant or any portfolio or class and not because of their acts or omissions or for some other reason.
A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"), the Registrant and other investment companies managed by AIM, their respective officers, trustees, directors and employees (the "Insured Parties") are insured under a joint Mutual Fund and Investment Advisory Professional and Directors and Officers Liability Policy, issued by ICI Mutual Insurance Company, with a $35,000,000 limit of liability.
Section 16 of the Master Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and AIM provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of AIM or any of its officers, directors or employees, that AIM shall not be subject to liability to the Registrant or to any series of the Registrant, or to any shareholder of any series of the Registrant for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security. Any liability of AIM to any series of the Registrant shall not automatically impart liability on the part of AIM to any other series of the Registrant. No series of the Registrant shall be liable for the obligations of any other series of the Registrant.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the shares being registered hereby, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisor
The only employment of a substantial nature of the Advisor's directors and officers is with the Advisor and its affiliated companies. For information as to the business profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of the officers and directors of INVESCO Global Asset Management (N.A.), Inc. reference is made to Form ADV filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 by INVESCO Global Asset Management (N.A.), Inc. herein incorporated by reference. Reference is also made to the caption (1) "Fund Management - The Advisor" of the Prospectuses with respect to AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund, AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund, AIM Global Growth Fund and AIM International Growth Fund and (2) "Fund Management" of the Prospectus with respect to INVESCO International Core Equity Fund which comprises Part A of the Registration Statement, and to the caption (1) "Management of the Trust" of the Statement of Additional Information with respect to AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund, AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund, AIM Global Growth Fund and AIM International Growth Fund and (2) "Management of the Funds" of the Statement of Additional Information with respect to INVESCO International Core Equity Fund which comprises Part B of the Registration Statement, and to Item 27(b) of this Part C.
Item 27. Principal Underwriters (a) A I M Distributors, Inc., the Registrant's principal underwriter, also acts as a principal underwriter to the |
following investment companies:
AIM Combination Stock & Bond Funds
AIM Counselor Series Trust
AIM Equity Funds
AIM Floating Rate Fund
AIM Funds Group
AIM Growth Series
AIM International Mutual Funds
AIM Investment Funds
AIM Investment Securities Funds
AIM Sector Funds
AIM Special Opportunities Funds
AIM Stock Funds
AIM Summit Fund
AIM Tax-Exempt Funds
AIM Variable Insurance Funds
(b) The following table sets forth information with respect to each director, officer or partner of A I M Distributors, Inc.
Name and Principal Position and Officers with Positions and Offices Business Address* Underwriter with Registrant ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Gene L. Needles Chairman, Director, President & None Chief Executive Officer Mark H. Williamson Director Trustee & Executive Vice President John S. Cooper Executive Vice President None James L. Salners Executive Vice President None |
Name and Principal Position and Officers with Positions and Offices Business Address* Underwriter with Registrant ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Marilyn M. Miller Executive Vice President None James E. Stueve Executive Vice President None Raymond R. Cunningham Senior Vice President None Glenda A. Dayton Senior Vice President None Gary K. Wendler Senior Vice President None Stephen H. Bitteker First Vice President None Kevin M. Carome Vice President Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Officer Mary A. Corcoran Vice President None Sidney M. Dilgren Vice President Vice President & Treasurer Dawn M. Hawley Vice President & Treasurer None Ofelia M. Mayo Vice President, General Counsel & Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Kim T. McAuliffe Vice President None Linda L. Warriner Vice President None Rebecca Starling-Klatt Assistant Vice President & Chief None Compliance Officer Kathleen J. Pflueger Secretary Assistant Secretary |
* 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1173 (c) None. Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records A I M Advisors, Inc., 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1173, and INVESCO Funds Group Inc, 4350 South Monaco Street, Denver, CO 80237, will maintain physical possession of each such account, book or other document of the Registrant at its principal executive offices, except for those maintained by the Registrant's Custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, and the Registrant's Transfer Agent and Dividend Paying Agent, AIM Investment Services, Inc. (formerly, A I M Fund Services, Inc.), P.O. Box 4739, Houston, Texas 77210-4739. Item 29. Management Services None. |
Item 30. Undertakings
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Houston, Texas on the 25th day of February, 2004.
REGISTRANT: AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
By: /s/ Robert H. Graham ------------------------------ Robert H. Graham, President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
SIGNATURES TITLE DATE ----------------------------------- ----------------------------- ---- /s/ Robert H. Graham Chairman, Trustee & President February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) (Robert H. Graham) /s/ Bob R. Baker* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Bob R. Baker) /s/ Frank S. Bayley* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Frank S. Bayley) /s/ James T. Bunch* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (James T. Bunch) /s/ Bruce L. Crockett* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Bruce L. Crockett) /s/ Albert R. Dowden* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Albert R. Dowden) /s/ Edward K. Dunn, Jr.* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Edward K. Dunn, Jr.) /s/ Jack M. Fields* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Jack M. Fields) /s/ Carl Frischling* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Carl Frischling) /s/ Gerald J. Lewis* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Gerald J. Lewis) /s/ Prema Mathai-Davis* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Prema Mathai-Davis) /s/ Lewis F. Pennock* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Lewis F. Pennock) /s/ Ruth H. Quigley* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Ruth H. Quigley) |
/s/ Louis S. Sklar* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Louis S. Sklar) /s/ Larry Soll* Trustee February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- (Larry Soll) /s/ Mark H. Williamson* Trustee & February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- Executive Vice President (Mark H. Williamson) Vice President & Treasurer February 25, 2004 /s/ Sidney M. Dilgren (Principal Financial and ----------------------------------- Accounting Officer) (Sidney M. Dilgren) *By /s/ Robert H. Graham February 25, 2004 ----------------------------------- Robert H. Graham Attorney-in-Fact |
* Original Powers of Attorney authorizing Robert H. Graham and Kevin M. Carome, and each of them, to execute this Registration Statement of the Registrant on behalf of the above-named trustees and officers of the Registrant (with the exception of Bob R. Baker, James T. Bunch, Gerald J. Lewis and Larry Soll) have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Registration Statement of AIM Variable Insurance Funds on Form N-14 on December 31, 2003 and original Powers of Attorney for Bob R. Baker, James T. Bunch, Gerald J. Lewis and Larry Soll have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Registration Statement of INVESCO Variable Investment Funds, Inc. on Form N-14 on December 31, 2003 and hereby are incorporated by reference.
INDEX
Exhibit Number Description ------- --------------------------------------------------------------- d (1)(a) Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated November 25, 2003, between A I M Advisors, Inc. and Registrant d (2) Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory contract for Mutual Funds, dated November 25, 2003, between A I M Advisors, Inc. and INVESCO Global Asset Management (N.A.), Inc. on behalf of INVESCO International Core Equity Fund e (1)(a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (all Classes of Shares except Class B shares), dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (1)(b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 29, 2003 to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (all classes of Shares except Class B shares), dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (1)(c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 4, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant (all classes of shares except Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (1)(d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 20, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant (all classes of shares except Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (1)(e) Amendment No. 4, dated November 24, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant (all classes of shares except Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (1)(f) Amendment No. 5, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant (all classes of shares except Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (2)(a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (Class B shares) dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (2)(b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 1, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (Class B shares), dated August 18, 2003, between Registrant and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (2)(c) Amendment No. 2, dated October 29, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (2)(d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 3, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (2)(e) Amendment No. 4, dated November 4, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc. |
e (2)(f) Amendment No. 5, dated November 20, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (2)(g) Amendment No. 6, dated November 24, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc. e (2)(h) Amendment No. 7, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003, between Registrant (Class B shares) and A I M Distributors, Inc. h (1) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated November 25, 2003, between the Registrant and AIM Investment Services, Inc. h (2) Transfer Agency Agreement, dated November, 20, 2003, between Registrant (on behalf of INVESCO Core Equity Fund) and AIM Investment Services, Inc. h (3)(a) Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated November 25, 2003, between A I M Advisors, Inc. and Registrant m (1)(a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares), dated August 18, 2003. m (1)(b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 29, 2003, to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares). m (1)(c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 4, 2003, to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares). m (1)(d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 20, 2003, to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares). m (1)(e) Amendment No. 4, dated November 24, 2003, to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares). m (1)(f) Amendment No. 5, dated November 25, 2003, to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares). m (2)(a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares) (Securitization Feature), dated August 18, 2003. m (2)(b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 29, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares) (Securitization Feature). m (2)(c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 4, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares). m (2)(d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 20, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares). m (2)(e) Amendment No. 4, dated November 24, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares). m (2)(f) Amendment No. 5, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class B Shares). |
m (3)(a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares), dated August 18, 2003. m (3)(b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 29, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares). m (3)(c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 4, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares). m (3)(d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 20, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares). m (3)(e) Amendment No. 4, dated November 24, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares). m (3)(f) Amendment No. 5, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares). m (4)(a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class R Shares), dated August 18, 2003. m (4)(b) Amendment No. 1, dated November 4, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class R Shares). m (4)(c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 24, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class R Shares). m (4)(d) Amendment No. 3, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class R Shares). m (5)(a) Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Investor Class Shares), dated August 18, 2003. m (5)(b) Amendment No. 1, dated October 29, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Investor Class Shares). m (5)(c) Amendment No. 2, dated November 25, 2003, to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Investor Class Shares). m (6) Master Related Agreement to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares) m (7) Master Related Agreement to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares) m (8) Master Related Agreement to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class R Shares) m (9) Master Related Agreement to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Investor Class Shares) |
EXHIBIT d(1)(a)
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
MASTER INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made this 25th day of November, 2003 by and between AIM International Mutual Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust") with respect to its series of shares shown on the Appendix A attached hereto, as the same may be amended from time to time, and A I M Advisors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Advisor").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end, diversified management investment company;
WHEREAS, the Advisor is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), as an investment advisor and engages in the business of acting as an investment advisor;
WHEREAS, the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration of Trust") authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board of Trustees") to create separate series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust, and as of the date of this Agreement, the Board of Trustees has created six separate series portfolios (such portfolios and any other portfolios hereafter added to the Trust being referred to collectively herein as the "Funds"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Advisor desire to enter into an agreement to provide for investment advisory services to the Funds upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Advisory Services. The Advisor shall act as investment advisor for the Funds and shall, in such capacity, supervise all aspects of the Funds' operations, including the investment and reinvestment of cash, securities or other properties comprising the Funds' assets, subject at all times to the policies and control of the Board of Trustees. The Advisor shall give the Trust and the Funds the benefit of its best judgment, efforts and facilities in rendering its services as investment advisor.
2. Investment Analysis and Implementation. In carrying out its obligations under Section 1 hereof, the Advisor shall:
(a) supervise all aspects of the operations of the Funds;
(b) obtain and evaluate pertinent information about significant developments and economic, statistical and financial data, domestic, foreign or otherwise, whether affecting the economy generally or the Funds, and whether concerning the individual issuers whose securities are included in the assets of the Funds or the activities in which
such issuers engage, or with respect to securities which the Advisor considers desirable for inclusion in the Funds' assets;
(c) determine which issuers and securities shall be represented in the Funds' investment portfolios and regularly report thereon to the Board of Trustees;
(d) formulate and implement continuing programs for the purchases and sales of the securities of such issuers and regularly report thereon to the Board of Trustees; and
(e) take, on behalf of the Trust and the Funds, all actions which appear to the Trust and the Funds necessary to carry into effect such purchase and sale programs and supervisory functions as aforesaid, including but not limited to the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of securities for the Funds.
3. Securities Lending Duties and Fees. The Advisor agrees to provide the following services in connection with the securities lending activities of each Fund: (a) oversee participation in the securities lending program to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and investment guidelines; (b) assist the securities lending agent or principal (the "Agent") in determining which specific securities are available for loan; (c) monitor the Agent to ensure that securities loans are effected in accordance with the Advisor's instructions and with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees; (d) prepare appropriate periodic reports for, and seek appropriate approvals from, the Board of Trustees with respect to securities lending activities; (e) respond to Agent inquiries; and (f) perform such other duties as necessary.
As compensation for such services provided by the Advisor in connection with securities lending activities of each Fund, a lending Fund shall pay the Advisor a fee equal to 25% of the net monthly interest or fee income retained or paid to the Fund from such activities.
4. Delegation of Responsibilities. The Advisor is authorized to delegate any or all of its rights, duties and obligations under this Agreement to one or more sub-advisors, and may enter into agreements with sub-advisors, and may replace any such sub-advisors from time to time in its discretion, in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and rules and regulations thereunder, as such statutes, rules and regulations are amended from time to time or are interpreted from time to time by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and if applicable, exemptive orders or similar relief granted by the SEC and upon receipt of approval of such sub-advisors by the Board of Trustees and by shareholders (unless any such approval is not required by such statutes, rules, regulations, interpretations, orders or similar relief).
5. Independent Contractors. The Advisor and any sub-advisors shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be independent contractors and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed to be an agent of the Trust.
6. Control by Board of Trustees. Any investment program undertaken by the Advisor pursuant to this Agreement, as well as any other activities undertaken by the Advisor on behalf of the Funds, shall at all times be subject to any directives of the Board of Trustees.
7. Compliance with Applicable Requirements. In carrying out its obligations under this Agreement, the Advisor shall at all times conform to:
(a) all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder;
(b) the provisions of the registration statement of the Trust, as the same may be amended from time to time under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act;
(c) the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, as the same may be amended from time to time;
(d) the provisions of the by-laws of the Trust, as the same may be amended from time to time; and
(e) any other applicable provisions of state, federal or foreign law.
8. Broker-Dealer Relationships. The Advisor is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Funds, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates.
(a) The Advisor's primary consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution.
(b) In selecting a broker-dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Advisor will take the following into consideration: the best net price available; the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker-dealer; the size of and the difficulty in executing the order; and the value of the expected contribution of the broker-dealer to the investment performance of the Funds on a continuing basis. Accordingly, the price to the Funds in any transaction may be less favorable than that available from another broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably justified by other aspects of the fund execution services offered.
(c) Subject to such policies as the Board of Trustees may from time to time determine, the Advisor shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Funds to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage and research services to the Advisor an amount of commission for effecting a fund investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Advisor determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Advisor's overall responsibilities with respect to a particular Fund, other Funds of the Trust, and to other clients of the Advisor as to which the Advisor exercises investment discretion. The Advisor is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Funds to such brokers and dealers who also provide research or statistical material, or other services to the Funds, to the Advisor, or to any sub-advisor. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Advisor shall determine and the Advisor will report on said allocations regularly to the Board of Trustees indicating the brokers to whom such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.
(d) With respect to one or more Funds, to the extent the Advisor does not delegate trading responsibility to one or more sub-advisors, in making decisions regarding broker-dealer relationships, the Advisor may take into consideration the recommendations of any sub-advisor appointed to provide investment research or advisory services in connection with the Funds, and may take into consideration any research services provided to such sub-advisor by broker-dealers.
(e) Subject to the other provisions of this Section 8, the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and rules and regulations thereunder, as such statutes, rules and regulations are amended from time to time or are interpreted from time to time by the staff of the SEC, any exemptive orders issued by the SEC, and any other applicable provisions of law, the Advisor may select brokers or dealers with which it or the Funds are affiliated.
9. Compensation. The compensation that each Fund shall pay the Advisor is set forth in Appendix B attached hereto.
10. Expenses of the Funds. All of the ordinary business expenses incurred in the operations of the Funds and the offering of their shares shall be borne by the Funds unless specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement. These expenses borne by the Funds include but are not limited to brokerage commissions, taxes, legal, accounting, auditing, or governmental fees, the cost of preparing share certificates, custodian, transfer and shareholder service agent costs, expenses of issue, sale, redemption and repurchase of shares, expenses of registering and qualifying shares for sale, expenses relating to trustees and shareholder meetings, the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the fees and other expenses incurred by the Trust on behalf of the Funds in connection with membership in investment company organizations and the cost of printing copies of prospectuses and statements of additional information distributed to the Funds' shareholders.
11. Services to Other Companies or Accounts. The Trust understands that the Advisor now acts, will continue to act and may act in the future as investment manager or advisor to fiduciary and other managed accounts, and as investment manager or advisor to other investment companies, including any offshore entities, or accounts, and the Trust has no objection to the Advisor so acting, provided that whenever the Trust and one or more other investment companies or accounts managed or advised by the Advisor have available funds for investment, investments suitable and appropriate for each will be allocated in accordance with a formula believed to be equitable to each company and account. The Trust recognizes that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the size of the positions obtainable and the prices realized for the Funds.
12. Non-Exclusivity. The Trust understands that the persons employed by the Advisor to assist in the performance of the Advisor's duties under this Agreement will not devote their full time to such service and nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Advisor or any affiliate of the Advisor to engage in and devote time and attention to other businesses or to render services of whatever kind or nature. The Trust further understands and agrees that officers or directors of the Advisor may serve as officers or trustees of the Trust, and that officers or trustees of the Trust may serve as officers or directors of the Advisor to the extent permitted by law; and that the officers and directors of the Advisor are not prohibited from engaging in any other business activity or from rendering services to any other person, or from serving as partners, officers, directors or trustees of any other firm or trust, including other investment advisory companies.
13. Effective Date, Term and Approval. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund, if approved by the shareholders of such Fund, on the Effective Date for such Fund, as set forth in Appendix A attached hereto. If so approved, this Agreement shall thereafter continue in force and effect until June 30, 2004, and may be continued from year to year thereafter, provided that the continuation of the Agreement is specifically approved at least annually:
(a) (i) by the Board of Trustees or (ii) by the vote of "a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of such Fund (as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act); and
(b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a party to this Agreement (other than as trustees of the Trust), by votes cast in person at a meeting specifically called for such purpose.
14. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated as to the Trust
or as to any one or more of the Funds at any time, without the payment of any
penalty, by vote of the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund, or by the Advisor, on
sixty (60) days' written notice to the other party. The notice provided for
herein may be waived by the party entitled to receipt thereof. This Agreement
shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, the term
"assignment" for purposes of this paragraph having the meaning defined in
Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act.
15. Amendment. No amendment of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against which enforcement of the amendment is sought.
16. Liability of Advisor and Fund. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Advisor or any of its officers, directors or employees, the Advisor shall not be subject to liability to the Trust or to the Funds or to any shareholder of the Funds for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security. Any liability of the Advisor to one Fund shall not automatically impart liability on the part of the Advisor to any other Fund. No Fund shall be liable for the obligations of any other Fund.
17. Liability of Shareholders. Notice is hereby given that, as provided by applicable law, the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust and that the shareholders shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the same limitation on personal liability as shareholders of private corporations for profit.
18. Notices. Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered, telecopied or mailed postage paid, to the other party entitled to receipt thereof at such address as such party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust and that of the Advisor shall be 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1173.
19. Questions of Interpretation. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or
provision of the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States Courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC issued pursuant to said Acts. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act reflected in any provision of the Agreement is revised by rule, regulation or order of the SEC, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws (without reference to conflicts of law provisions) of the State of Texas.
20. License Agreement. The Trust shall have the non-exclusive right to use the name "AIM" to designate any current or future series of shares only so long as A I M Advisors, Inc. serves as investment manager or advisor to the Trust with respect to such series of shares.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in duplicate by their respective officers on the day and year first written above.
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
(a Delaware statutory trust)
Attest: /s/ JOHN H. LIVELY By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson ------------------------------- --------------------------------- Assistant Secretary Mark H. Williamson Executive Vice President (SEAL) Attest: A I M ADVISORS, INC. /s/ JOHN H. LIVELY By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson --------------------------------- --------------------------------- Assistant Secretary Mark H. Williamson President |
(SEAL)
APPENDIX A
FUNDS AND EFFECTIVE DATES
NAME OF FUND EFFECTIVE DATE OF ADVISORY AGREEMENT ------------ ------------------------------------ AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund November 25, 2003 AIM European Growth Fund November 25, 2003 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund November 25, 2003 AIM Global Growth Fund November 25, 2003 AIM International Growth Fund November 25, 2003 INVESCO International Core Equity Fund November 25, 2003 |
APPENDIX B
COMPENSATION TO THE ADVISOR
The Trust shall pay the Advisor, out of the assets of a Fund, as full compensation for all services rendered, an advisory fee for such Fund set forth below. Such fee shall be calculated by applying the following annual rates to the average daily net assets of such Fund for the calendar year computed in the manner used for the determination of the net asset value of shares of such Fund.
AIM ASIA PACIFIC GROWTH FUND
AIM EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND
NET ASSETS ANNUAL RATE ---------- ----------- First $500 million............................................................ 0.95% Over $500 million............................................................. 0.90% |
AIM GLOBAL AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
NET ASSETS ANNUAL RATE ---------- ----------- First $1 billion.............................................................. 0.90 Over $1 billion............................................................... 0.85% |
AIM GLOBAL GROWTH FUND
NET ASSETS ANNUAL RATE ---------- ----------- First $1 billion.............................................................. 0.85% Over $1 billion............................................................... 0.80% |
AIM INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
NET ASSETS ANNUAL RATE ---------- ----------- First $1 billion.............................................................. 0.95% Over $1 billion............................................................... 0.90% |
INVESCO INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND
NET ASSETS ANNUAL RATE ---------- ----------- First $500 million............................................................ 0.75% Next $500 million............................................................. 0.65% From $1 billion............................................................... 0.55% From $2 billion............................................................... 0.45% From $4 billion............................................................... 0.40% From $6 billion............................................................... 0.375% From $8 billion............................................................... 0.35% |
Exhibit d(2)
MASTER INTERGROUP SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACT FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
This contract is made as of November 25, 2003, between A I M Advisors, Inc. hereinafter "Adviser," 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046, and INVESCO Global Asset Management (N.A.), Inc. "Sub-Adviser," 1360 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.
WHEREAS:
A) Adviser has entered into an investment advisory agreement with AIM International Mutual Funds (hereinafter "Trust"), an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), with respect to the funds set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto (each a "Fund");
B) Sub-Adviser represents that it is licensed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act") as an investment adviser and engages in the business of acting as an investment adviser;
C) Adviser is authorized to delegate certain, any or all of its rights, duties and obligations under investment advisory agreements to sub-advisers, including sub-advisers that are affiliated with Adviser.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. Appointment. Adviser hereby appoints Sub-Adviser as Sub-Adviser of each Fund for the period and on the terms set forth herein. Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
2. Duties as Sub-Adviser.
(a) Subject to the supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees ("Board") and Adviser, the Sub-Adviser will provide a continuous investment program for each Fund, including investment research and management, with respect to all or a portion of the securities and investments and cash equivalents of the Fund (the "Sub-Advised Assets"), such Sub-Advised Assets to be determined by the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser will determine from time to time what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold with respect to the Sub-Advised Assets of each Fund, and the brokers and dealers through whom trades will be executed.
(b) The Sub-Adviser agrees that, in placing orders with brokers and dealers, it will attempt to obtain the best net result in terms of price and execution. Consistent with this obligation, the Sub-Adviser may, in its discretion, purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers and dealers who sell shares of the Funds or provide the Funds, Adviser's other clients, or Sub-Adviser's other clients with research, analysis, advice and similar services. The Sub-Adviser may pay to brokers and dealers, in return for such research and analysis, a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other
brokers and dealers, subject to the Sub-Adviser determining in good faith that such commission or spread is reasonable in terms either of the particular transaction or of the overall responsibility of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser to the Funds and their other clients and that the total commissions or spreads paid by each Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund over the long term. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Sub-Adviser, or any affiliated person thereof, except in accordance with the applicable securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder and any exemptive orders currently in effect. Whenever the Sub-Adviser simultaneously places orders to purchase or sell the same security on behalf of a Fund and one or more other accounts advised by the Sub-Adviser, such orders will be allocated as to price and amount among all such accounts in a manner believed to be equitable to each account.
(c) The Sub-Adviser will maintain all required books and records with respect to the securities transactions of the Funds, and will furnish the Board and Adviser with such periodic and special reports as the Board or Adviser reasonably may request. Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Adviser are the property of the Adviser, and agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by applicable law any records which it maintains for the Adviser and which are required to be maintained, and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Adviser any records which it maintains for the Adviser upon request by the Adviser.
3. Further Duties. In all matters relating to the performance of this Contract, Sub-Adviser will act in conformity with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and Registration Statement of the Trust and with the instructions and directions of the Board and will comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the rules, regulations, exemptive orders and no-action positions thereunder, and all other applicable laws and regulations. Sub-Adviser shall maintain compliance procedures for the Funds that it and the Adviser reasonably believe are adequate to ensure compliance with the 1940 Act and the investment objective(s) and policies as stated in the prospectuses and statements of additional information.
4. Services Not Exclusive. The services furnished by Sub-Adviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive and Sub-Adviser shall be free to furnish similar services to others so long as its services under this Contract are not impaired thereby. Nothing in this Contract shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer or employee of Sub-Adviser, who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust, to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature.
5. Compensation.
(a) For the services provided to a Fund under this Contract, Adviser will pay Sub-Adviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, at the rate of 40% of the Adviser's compensation on the Sub-Advised Assets per year, on or before the last business day of the next succeeding calendar month.
(b) If this Contract becomes effective or terminates before the end of any month, the fee for the period from the effective date to the end of the month or from the beginning of such month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated
according to the proportion which such period bears to the full month in which such effectiveness or termination occurs.
6. Fee Waivers and Expense Limitations. If, for any fiscal year of the Trust, the amount of the advisory fee which the Fund would otherwise be obligated to pay to the Adviser is reduced because of contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense limitations by the Adviser, the fee payable hereunder to the Sub-Adviser shall be reduced proportionately; and to the extent that the Adviser reimburses the Fund as a result of such expense limitations, the Sub-Adviser shall reimburse the Adviser that proportion of such reimbursement payments which the sub-advisory fee hereunder bears to the advisory fee under this Contract.
7. Limitation of Liability of Sub-Adviser and Indemnification. Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any costs or liabilities arising from any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Fund or the Trust in connection with the matters to which this Contract relates except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of Sub-Adviser in the performance by Sub-Adviser of its duties or from reckless disregard by Sub-Adviser of its obligations and duties under this Contract. Any person, even though also an officer, partner, employee, or agent of Sub-Adviser, who may be or become a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to a Fund or the Trust or acting with respect to any business of a Fund or the Trust to be rendering such service to or acting solely for the Fund or the Trust and not as an officer, partner, employee, or agent or one under the control or direction of Sub-Adviser even though paid by it.
8. Duration and Termination.
(a) This Contract shall become effective upon the date hereabove written, provided that this Contract shall not take effect with respect to any Fund unless it has first been approved (i) by a vote of a majority of the independent Trustees who are not parties to this Contract or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a party to this Contract, other than as Board members ("Independent Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by vote of a majority of that Fund's outstanding voting securities, when required by the 1940 Act.
(b) Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Contract shall continue in force and effect until June 30, 2004. Thereafter, if not terminated, with respect to each Fund, this Contract shall continue automatically for successive periods not to exceed twelve months each, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Fund.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Fund this Contract may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (i) by vote of the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on sixty days' written notice to Sub-Adviser; or (ii) by the Adviser on sixty days' written notice to Sub-Adviser; or (iii) by the Sub-Adviser on sixty days' written notice to the Trust. Termination of this Contract with respect to one Fund shall not affect the continued effectiveness of this
Contract with respect to any other Fund. This Contract will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
9. Amendment. No provision of this Contract may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, and, when required by the 1940 Act, no amendment of this Contract shall be effective until approved by vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities.
10. Notices. Any notices under this Contract shall be writing, addressed and delivered, telecopied or mailed postage paid, to the other party entitled to receipt thereof at such address as such party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust and the Adviser shall be 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Sub-Adviser shall be 1360 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.
11. Governing Law. This Contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Texas conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
12. Miscellaneous. The captions in this Contract are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Contract shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Contract shall not be affected thereby. This Contract shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Contract having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States Courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued pursuant to said Acts. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act reflected in any provision of the Contract is revised by rule, regulation or order of the SEC, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Contract to be executed by their officers designated as of the day and year first above written.
A I M ADVISORS, INC. INVESCO GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT (N.A.), INC. Adviser Sub-adviser By: /s/ MARK H. WILLIAMSON By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE] ------------------------------- ------------------------------- Name: Mark H. Williamson Name: [ILLEGIBLE] Its: President Its: President & CEO |
EXHIBIT A
TO
MASTER INTERGROUP SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACT FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
FUND
INVESCO International Core Equity Fund
EXHIBIT e(1)(a)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement, (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to each class of shares except Class B Shares as set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement, (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor").
W I T N E S S E T H:
In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
FIRST: The Fund on behalf of each Portfolio hereby appoints the Distributor as its exclusive agent for the sale of the Shares to the public directly and through investment dealers and financial institutions in the United States and throughout the world in accordance with the terms of the then current prospectus or statement of additional information (collectively, a "Prospectus") applicable to the Portfolio.
SECOND: The Fund shall not sell any Shares except through the Distributor and under the terms and conditions set forth in paragraph FOURTH below. Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing sentence, however:
(A) the Fund may issue Shares of a Portfolio to any other investment company or personal holding company, or to the shareholders thereof, in exchange for all or a majority of the shares or assets of any such company;
(B) the Fund may issue Shares at their net asset value in connection with certain classes of transactions or to certain classes of investors, in accordance with Rule 22d-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), provided that any such class of transaction or class of investor is specified in the Prospectus of the applicable Portfolio; and
(C) the Fund shall have the right to specify minimum amounts for initial and subsequent orders for the purchase of Shares of a Portfolio.
THIRD: The Distributor hereby accepts appointment as exclusive agent for the sale of the Shares and agrees that it will use its best efforts to sell such Shares; provided, however, that:
(A) the Distributor may, and when requested by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio shall, suspend its efforts to effectuate sales of Shares at any time when, in the opinion of the Distributor or of the Fund, no sales should be made because of market or other economic considerations or abnormal circumstances of any kind;
(B) the Fund may withdraw the offering of the Shares of a Portfolio (i)
at any time with the consent of the Distributor, or (ii) without such consent
when so required by the provisions of any statute or of any order, rule or
regulation of any governmental body having jurisdiction; and
(C) the Distributor, as agent, does not undertake to sell any specific amount of Shares of a Portfolio.
FOURTH:
(A) The public offering price of the Shares of a Portfolio (the "offering price") shall be the net asset value per share plus a sales charge, if any. Net asset value per share shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Prospectus of the applicable Portfolio. The sales charge shall be established by the Distributor. The Distributor may establish a schedule of contingent deferred sales charges to be imposed at the time of redemption of certain Shares and such schedule of contingent deferred sales charges shall be disclosed in the Prospectus of each Portfolio. The sales charges and schedule of contingent deferred sales charges may reflect scheduled variations in, the elimination of, or waivers of sales charges on sales of or redemptions of Shares either generally to the public, or to any specified class of investors or in connection with any specified class of transactions, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations and exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and as set forth in the Prospectus applicable to the Shares. The Distributor and the Fund shall apply any then applicable scheduled variation in, elimination of, or waiver of, the selling commission or contingent deferred sales charge uniformly to all classes of transactions or classes of investors.
(B) The Portfolios shall allow directly to investment dealers and other financial institutions through whom Shares are sold, such portion of any applicable sales charges as may be payable to them and specified by the Distributor up to but not exceeding the amount of the total sales charge. The difference between any sales charges so payable and the total sales charges included in the offering price shall be paid to the Distributor.
The Distributor may pay to investment dealers and other financial institutions through whom Shares are sold, such sales charge or other payment as the Distributor may specify from time to time. Payment of any such sales charge or other payment shall be the sole obligation of the Distributor.
(C) No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit any payments by a Fund to the Distributor or by the Distributor to investment dealers, financial institutions and 401(k) plan service providers where such payments are made under a distribution plan adopted by the Fund on behalf of the Shares of a Portfolio pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
(D) The Fund shall redeem the Shares from shareholders in accordance with the terms set forth from time to time in the Prospectus of each Portfolio. The price to be paid to a shareholder to redeem the Shares shall be equal to the net asset value of the Shares being redeemed, less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge ("gross redemption proceeds"), calculated pursuant to the then applicable schedule of contingent deferred sales charges, and if applicable, after payment of any applicable contingent deferred sales charge, less any applicable redemption fee, which redemption fee shall be retained by the Portfolio ("net redemption proceeds"). The Distributor shall be entitled to receive the amount of any applicable contingent deferred sales charge that has been subtracted from gross redemption proceeds. The Fund shall pay or cause the Fund's transfer agent
to pay the applicable contingent deferred sales charge to the Distributor on the date net redemption proceeds are payable to the redeeming shareholder.
FIFTH: The Distributor shall act as agent of the Fund on behalf of each Portfolio in connection with the sale and redemption of Shares. Except with respect to such sales and redemptions, the Distributor shall act as principal in all matters relating to the promotion or the sale of Shares and shall enter into all of its own engagements, agreements and contracts as principal on its own account. The Distributor shall enter into agreements with investment dealers and financial institutions selected by the Distributor, authorizing such investment dealers and financial institutions to offer and sell the Shares to the public upon the terms and conditions set forth therein, which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. Each agreement shall provide that the investment dealer or financial institution shall act as a principal, and not as an agent, of the Fund on behalf of the Portfolios.
SIXTH: The Portfolio shall bear:
(A) the expenses of qualification of Shares for sale in connection with such public offerings in such states as shall be selected by the Distributor, and of continuing the qualification therein until the Distributor notifies the Fund that it does not wish such qualification continued; and
(B) all legal expenses in connection with the foregoing.
SEVENTH: The Distributor shall bear the expenses of printing from the final proof and distributing the Prospectuses for the Shares (including supplements thereto) relating to public offerings made by the Distributor pursuant to this Agreement (which shall not include those Prospectuses, and supplements thereto, to be distributed to shareholders of each Portfolio), and any other promotional or sales literature used by the Distributor or furnished by the Distributor to investment dealers and financial institutions in connection with such public offerings, and expenses of advertising in connection with such public offerings.
EIGHTH: The Distributor will accept orders for the purchase of Shares only to the extent of purchase orders actually received and not in excess of such orders, and it will not avail itself of any opportunity of making a profit by expediting or withholding orders. The Fund may reject purchase orders where, in the judgment of the Fund, such rejection is in the best interest of the Fund.
NINTH: The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, and the Distributor shall each comply with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and of all other federal and state laws, rules and regulations governing the issuance and sale of the Shares.
TENTH:
(A) In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Distributor, the Fund on behalf of the Portfolios shall indemnify the Distributor against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses which the Distributor may incur under the Securities Act of 1933, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or Prospectus of the Portfolios, or any omission to state a material fact therein, the omission of which makes any statement contained therein misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Fund in connection therewith by or on behalf of the Distributor. The Distributor shall indemnify the Fund and
the Shares against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses which the Fund or the Shares may incur arising out of or based upon any act or deed of the Distributor or its sales representatives which has not been authorized by the Fund in its Prospectus or in this Agreement.
(B) The Distributor shall indemnify the Fund and the Portfolio against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses which the Fund or the Portfolio may incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or Prospectus of the Portfolios, or any omission to state a material fact therein if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Fund in connection therewith by or on behalf of the Distributor.
(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Distributor shall not be liable for any errors of the transfer agent(s) of the Portfolio, or for any failure of any such transfer agent to perform its duties.
ELEVENTH: Nothing herein contained shall require the Fund to take any action contrary to any provision of its Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, or to any applicable statute or regulation.
TWELFTH: This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Shares of each Portfolio upon its approval by the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of the fund and by a vote of the majority of the trustees or directors of the Fund who are not interested parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose, shall continue in force and effect until June 30, 2004, and shall continue in force and effect from year to year thereafter, provided, that such continuance is specifically approved with respect to the Shares of each Portfolio at least annually (a)(i) by the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of the Fund or (ii) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of such class of such Portfolio (as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act), and (b) by vote of a majority of the trustees or directors of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose.
THIRTEENTH:
(A) This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of such class of such Portfolio, or by the Distributor, on sixty (60) days' written notice to the other party; and
(B) This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, the term "assignment" having the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act.
FOURTEENTH: Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed postage prepaid, to the other party at such address as the other party may designate for the receipt of notices. Until further notice to the other party, the addresses of each Fund and the Distributor shall be 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1143.
FIFTEENTH: Notice is hereby given that, as provided by applicable law, the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the shareholders of the Fund or any
Portfolio individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund or such Portfolio and that the shareholders shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the same limitation on personal liability as stockholders of private corporations for profit.
SIXTEENTH: This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in the State of Delaware and governed by, construed in accordance with and enforced pursuant to the internal laws of the State of Delaware without reference to its conflicts of laws rules.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed in duplicate on the day and year first above written.
EACH FUND (LISTED ON SCHEDULE A) ON
BEHALF OF THE SHARES OF EACH PORTFOLIO
LISTED ON SCHEDULE A
By: /s/ Robert H. Graham ------------------------------------ Name: Robert H. Graham Title: President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene L. Needles ------------------------------------ Name: Gene L. Needles Title: President |
SCHEDULE A
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
AIM ADVISOR FUNDS
AIM International Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM Real Estate Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM EQUITY FUNDS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Value II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Blue Chip Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class Investor Class AIM Capital Development Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Charter Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Constellation Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Core Strategies Fund - Class A Class C 7 |
AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM Diversified Dividend Fund - Class A Class C AIM Emerging Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Large Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM U.S. Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Weingarten Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM FUNDS GROUP AIM Balanced Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Balanced Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Small Company Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Utilities Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Emerging Growth Fund - Class A 8 |
Class C AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM New Technology Fund - Class A Class C AIM Premier Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Premier Equity II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Select Equity Fund - Class A Class C AIM Small Cap Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM GROWTH SERIES AIM Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Small Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C 9 |
AIM Global Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS AIM Developing Markets Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Financial Services Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Health Care Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Energy Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Science and Technology Fund - Class A Class C AIM Libra Fund - Class A Class C AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS AIM High Yield Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Income Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Intermediate Government Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund - Class A Class A3 Institutional Class 10 |
AIM Money Market Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Municipal Bond Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Short Term Bond Fund - Class C AIM Total Return Bond Fund - Class A Class C AIM SERIES TRUST AIM Global Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS AIM Opportunities I Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities III Fund - Class A Class C AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUND AIM High Income Municipal Fund - Class A Class C AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - Class A Investor Class AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund - Class A Class A3 |
EXHIBIT e(1)(b)
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement, (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to each class of shares except Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor") is hereby amended as follows:
Schedule A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
AIM ADVISOR FUNDS
AIM International Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM EQUITY FUNDS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Value II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Blue Chip Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class Investor Class AIM Capital Development Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class |
AIM Charter Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Constellation Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Core Strategies Fund - Class A Class C AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM Diversified Dividend Fund - Class A Class C AIM Emerging Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Large Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM U.S. Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Weingarten Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class |
AIM FUNDS GROUP
AIM Balanced Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Balanced Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Small Company Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Utilities Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Emerging Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM New Technology Fund - Class A Class C AIM Premier Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Premier Equity II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Select Equity Fund - Class A Class C AIM Small Cap Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R |
AIM GROWTH SERIES
AIM Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Small Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS AIM Developing Markets Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Financial Services Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Health Care Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Energy Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Science and Technology Fund - Class A 4 |
Class C AIM Libra Fund - Class A Class C AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS AIM High Yield Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Income Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Intermediate Government Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund - Class A Class A3 Institutional Class AIM Money Market Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Municipal Bond Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Short Term Bond Fund - Class C AIM Total Return Bond Fund - Class A Class C AIM Real Estate Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM SERIES TRUST AIM Global Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS AIM Opportunities I Fund - Class A Class C 5 |
AIM Opportunities II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities III Fund - Class A Class C AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUND AIM High Income Municipal Fund - Class A Class C AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - Class A Investor Class AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund - Class A Class A3" |
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: October 29, 2003
EACH FUND (LISTED ON SCHEDULE A) ON BEHALF OF
THE SHARES OF EACH PORTFOLIO LISTED ON
SCHEDULE A
By: /s/ Kevin M. Carome ------------------------------------------ Kevin M. Carome Senior Vice President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene L. Needles ------------------------------------------ Gene L. Needles President |
EXHIBIT e(1)(c)
AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement, (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to each class of shares except Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor") is hereby amended as follows:
Schedule A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
AIM ADVISOR FUNDS
AIM International Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM EQUITY FUNDS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Value II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Blue Chip Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class Investor Class AIM Capital Development Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class |
AIM Charter Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Constellation Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Core Strategies Fund - Class A Class C AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM Diversified Dividend Fund - Class A Class C AIM Emerging Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Large Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM U.S. Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Weingarten Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class |
AIM FUNDS GROUP
AIM Balanced Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Balanced Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Small Company Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Utilities Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Emerging Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM New Technology Fund - Class A Class C AIM Premier Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Premier Equity II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Select Equity Fund - Class A Class C AIM Small Cap Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R |
AIM GROWTH SERIES
AIM Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Small Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Global Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS AIM Developing Markets Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Financial Services Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Health Care Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Energy Fund - Class A 4 |
Class C AIM Global Science and Technology Fund - Class A Class C AIM Libra Fund - Class A Class C AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Trimark Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS AIM High Yield Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Income Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Intermediate Government Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund - Class A Class A3 Institutional Class AIM Money Market Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Municipal Bond Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Short Term Bond Fund - Class C 5 |
AIM Total Return Bond Fund - Class A Class C AIM Real Estate Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS AIM Opportunities I Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities III Fund - Class A Class C AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUND AIM High Income Municipal Fund - Class A Class C AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - Class A Investor Class AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund - Class A Class A3" |
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 4, 2003
EACH FUND (LISTED ON SCHEDULE A) ON BEHALF OF
THE SHARES OF EACH PORTFOLIO LISTED ON
SCHEDULE A
By: /s/ Kevin M. Carome ----------------------------------------- Kevin M. Carome Senior Vice President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene L. Needles ----------------------------------------- Gene L. Needles President |
EXHIBIT e(1)(d)
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (all Classes of shares except Class B Shares) (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement, (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to each class of shares except Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor") is hereby amended as follows:
Schedule A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
AIM ADVISOR FUNDS
AIM International Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM EQUITY FUNDS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Value II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Blue Chip Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class Investor Class AIM Capital Development Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class |
AIM Charter Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Constellation Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Core Strategies Fund - Class A Class C AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM Diversified Dividend Fund - Class A Class C AIM Emerging Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Large Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM U.S. Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Weingarten Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class |
AIM FUNDS GROUP
AIM Balanced Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Balanced Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Small Company Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Utilities Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Emerging Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM New Technology Fund - Class A Class C AIM Premier Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Premier Equity II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Select Equity Fund - Class A Class C AIM Small Cap Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R |
AIM GROWTH SERIES
AIM Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Small Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Global Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS AIM Developing Markets Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Financial Services Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Health Care Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Energy Fund - Class A 4 |
Class C AIM Global Science and Technology Fund - Class A Class C AIM Libra Fund - Class A Class C AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Trimark Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS AIM High Yield Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Income Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Intermediate Government Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund - Class A Class A3 Institutional Class AIM Money Market Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Municipal Bond Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Short Term Bond Fund - Class C 5 |
AIM Total Return Bond Fund - Class A Class C AIM Real Estate Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM SECTOR FUNDS INVESCO Energy Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Financial Services Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class INVESCO Health Science Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Leisure Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Technology Fund - Class A Class C Class K Institutional Class Investor Class INVESCO Telecommunications Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Utilities Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS AIM Opportunities I Fund - Class A 6 |
Class C AIM Opportunities II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities III Fund - Class A Class C AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUND AIM High Income Municipal Fund - Class A Class C AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - Class A Investor Class AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund - Class A Class A3" |
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 20, 2003
EACH FUND (LISTED ON SCHEDULE A) ON BEHALF OF
THE SHARES OF EACH PORTFOLIO LISTED ON
SCHEDULE A
By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson ----------------------------------------- Mark H. Williamson Executive Vice President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene L. Needles ----------------------------------------- Gene L. Needles President |
EXHIBIT e(1)(e)
AMENDMENT NO. 4
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (all Classes of shares except Class B Shares) (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement, (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to each class of shares except Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor") is hereby amended as follows:
Schedule A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
AIM EQUITY FUNDS
AIM Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Value II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Blue Chip Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class Investor Class AIM Capital Development Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Charter Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class |
AIM Constellation Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Core Strategies Fund - Class A Class C AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM Diversified Dividend Fund - Class A Class C AIM Emerging Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Large Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM U.S. Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Weingarten Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class |
AIM FUNDS GROUP
AIM Balanced Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Balanced Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Small Company Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Emerging Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM Premier Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Select Equity Fund - Class A Class C AIM Small Cap Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM GROWTH SERIES AIM Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Small Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Global Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. 3 |
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS AIM Developing Markets Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Health Care Fund - Class A Class C AIM Libra Fund - Class A Class C AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Trimark Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS AIM High Yield Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class 4 |
AIM Income Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Intermediate Government Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund - Class A Class A3 Institutional Class AIM Money Market Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Municipal Bond Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Short Term Bond Fund - Class C AIM Total Return Bond Fund - Class A Class C AIM Real Estate Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM SECTOR FUNDS INVESCO Energy Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Financial Services Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class INVESCO Health Science Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class 5 |
INVESCO Leisure Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Technology Fund - Class A Class C Class K Institutional Class Investor Class INVESCO Utilities Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS AIM Opportunities I Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities III Fund - Class A Class C AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUND AIM High Income Municipal Fund - Class A Class C AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - Class A Investor Class AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund - Class A Class A3" |
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 24, 2003
EACH FUND (LISTED ON SCHEDULE A) ON BEHALF OF
THE SHARES OF EACH PORTFOLIO LISTED ON
SCHEDULE A
By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson ----------------------------------------- Mark H. Williamson Executive Vice President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene L. Needles ----------------------------------------- Gene L. Needles President |
EXHIBIT e(1)(f)
AMENDMENT NO. 5
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (all Classes of shares except Class B Shares) (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A to the Agreement, (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to each class of shares except Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor") is hereby amended as follows:
Schedule A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(ALL CLASSES OF SHARES EXCEPT CLASS B SHARES)
AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS
INVESCO Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Total Return Fund - Class A Class C Class K Institutional Class Investor Class AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund - Class A Class C INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund - Class A Class C AIM EQUITY FUNDS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Value II Fund - Class A Class C |
AIM Blue Chip Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class Investor Class AIM Capital Development Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Charter Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Constellation Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Core Strategies Fund - Class A Class C AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM Diversified Dividend Fund - Class A Class C AIM Emerging Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Large Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM U.S. Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Weingarten Fund - Class A Class C 2 |
Class R Institutional Class AIM FUNDS GROUP AIM Balanced Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Basic Balanced Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Small Company Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Emerging Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM Premier Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Select Equity Fund - Class A Class C AIM Small Cap Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM GROWTH SERIES AIM Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Small Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Global Trends Fund - Class A Class C |
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class INVESCO International Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS AIM Developing Markets Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Health Care Fund - Class A Class C AIM Libra Fund - Class A Class C AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Trimark Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS AIM High Yield Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class 4 |
AIM Income Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Intermediate Government Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund - Class A Class A3 Institutional Class AIM Money Market Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Municipal Bond Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Short Term Bond Fund - Class C AIM Total Return Bond Fund - Class A Class C AIM Real Estate Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM SECTOR FUNDS INVESCO Energy Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Financial Services Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class INVESCO Health Science Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO Leisure Fund - Class A Class C 5 |
Class K Investor Class INVESCO Technology Fund - Class A Class C Class K Institutional Class Investor Class INVESCO Utilities Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS AIM Opportunities I Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities III Fund - Class A Class C AIM STOCK FUNDS INVESCO Dynamics Fund - Class A Class C Class K Institutional Class Investor Class INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class K Institutional Class Investor Class INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class K Investor Class INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund - Institutional Class Investor Class AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUND AIM High Income Municipal Fund - Class A Class C 6 |
AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - Class A Investor Class AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund - Class A Class A3 AIM TREASURER'S SERIES TRUST INVESCO Stable Value Fund - Class R Institutional Class INVESCO U.S. Government Money Fund - Investor Class |
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 25, 2003
EACH FUND (LISTED ON SCHEDULE A) ON BEHALF OF
THE SHARES OF EACH PORTFOLIO LISTED ON
SCHEDULE A
By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson ----------------------------------------- Mark H. Williamson Executive Vice President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene L. Needles ----------------------------------------- Gene L. Needles President |
EXHIBIT e(2)(a)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
THIS AGREEMENT made as of this 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company described on Schedule A-1 and Schedule A-2 to this agreement (each individually referred to as the "Fund", or collectively, the "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or of beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A to this agreement (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to the Class B shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor").
W I T N E S S E T H:
In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
FIRST: The Fund on behalf of each Portfolio which is a series thereof hereby appoints the Distributor as its exclusive agent for the sale of the Shares to the public directly and through investment dealers and financial institutions in the United States and throughout the world in accordance with the then current prospectus or statement of additional information (collectively, a "Prospectus") of the applicable Portfolio. If after termination of the Distributor's services to the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio pursuant to this Agreement, such Fund retains the services of another distributor, the distribution agreement with such other distributor shall contain provisions comparable to Clauses FOURTH and SEVENTH hereof and Exhibit A hereto, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, will require such other distributor to maintain and make available to the Distributor records regarding sales, redemptions and reinvestments of Shares necessary to implement the terms of Clauses FOURTH, SEVENTH and EIGHTH hereof.
SECOND: The Fund shall not sell any Shares except through the Distributor and under the terms and conditions set forth in paragraph FOURTH below. Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing sentence:
(A) the Fund may issue Shares of a Portfolio to any other investment company or personal holding company, or to the shareholders thereof, in exchange for all or a majority of the shares or assets of any such company;
(B) the Fund may issue Shares at their net asset value in connection with certain classes of transactions or to certain classes of investors, in accordance with Rule 22d-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), provided that any such class of transaction or category of person is specified in the Prospectus; and
(C) the Fund shall have the right to specify minimum amounts for initial and subsequent orders for the purchase of Shares of a Portfolio.
THIRD: The Distributor hereby accepts appointment as exclusive agent for the sale of the Shares and agrees that it will use its best efforts to sell such Shares; provided, however, that:
(A) the Distributor may, and when requested by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio shall, suspend its efforts to effectuate sales of Shares at any time when, in the opinion of the Distributor or of the Fund, no sales should be made because of market or other economic considerations or abnormal circumstances of any kind;
(B) the Fund may withdraw the offering of the Shares of a Portfolio (i) at any time with the consent of the Distributor, or (ii) without such consent when so required by the provisions of any statute or of any order, rule or regulation of any governmental body having jurisdiction; and
(C) the Distributor, as agent, does not undertake to sell any specific amount of Shares of a Portfolio.
FOURTH:
(A) The public offering price of the Shares of a Portfolio shall be the net asset value per share of the applicable Shares. Net asset value per share shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Prospectus of the applicable Portfolio. The Distributor may establish a schedule of contingent deferred sales charges to be imposed at the time of redemption of the Shares, and such schedule shall be disclosed in the Prospectus of each Portfolio. Such schedule of contingent deferred sales charges may reflect variations in or waivers of such charges on redemptions of Shares, either generally to the public or to any specified class of investors and/or in connection with any specified class of transactions, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations and exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as set forth in the Prospectus of the applicable Portfolio. The Distributor and the Fund shall apply any then applicable scheduled variation in or waiver of contingent deferred sales charges uniformly to all shareholders and/or all transactions belonging to a specified class.
(B) The Distributor may pay to investment dealers and other financial institutions through whom Shares are sold, such sales commission as the Distributor may specify from time to time. Payment of any such sales commissions shall be the sole obligation of the Distributor.
(C) No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit any payments by the Fund to the Distributor or by the Distributor to investment dealers, financial institutions and 401(k) plan service providers where such payments are made under a distribution plan adopted by the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
(D) The Fund shall redeem the Shares from shareholders in
accordance with the terms set forth from time to time in the Prospectus of each
applicable Portfolio. The price to be paid to a shareholder to redeem the Shares
shall be equal to the net asset value of the Shares being redeemed ("gross
redemption proceeds"), less first, any applicable contingent deferred sales
charge, calculated pursuant to the then applicable schedule of contingent
deferred sales charges, and second, any applicable redemption fee as provided in
the Prospectus, which redemption fee shall be retained by the Portfolio ("net
redemption proceeds"). The Distributor shall be entitled to receive the amount
of the contingent deferred sales charge that has been subtracted from gross
redemption proceeds (the "CDSC"), provided that the Shares being redeemed were
(i) issued by a Portfolio during the term of this Agreement and any predecessor
Agreement between the Fund or its predecessor and the Distributor or (ii) issued
by a Portfolio during or after the term of this Agreement or any predecessor
Agreement between the Fund or its predecessor and the Distributor in one or a
series of free exchanges of Shares for Shares of another Portfolio, which can be
traced to Shares initially issued by a Portfolio during the term of this
Agreement, any predecessor Agreement or any
other distribution agreement with the Distributor (the "Distributor's Earned CDSC"). The Fund shall pay or cause the Fund's transfer agent to pay the Distributor's Earned CDSC to the Distributor on the date net redemption proceeds are payable to the redeeming shareholder.
(E) The Distributor shall maintain adequate books and records to identify Shares (i) issued by a Portfolio during the term of this Agreement and any predecessor Agreement between the Fund or its predecessor and the Distributor or (ii) issued by a Portfolio during or after the term of this Agreement or any predecessor Agreement between the Fund or its predecessor and the Distributor in one or a series of free exchanges of Shares for Shares of another Portfolio, which can be traced to Shares initially issued by a Portfolio during the term of this Agreement, any predecessor Agreement or any other distribution agreement with the Distributor and shall calculate the Distributor's Earned CDSC, if any, with respect to such Shares, upon their redemption. The Fund shall be entitled to rely on the Distributor's books, records and calculations with respect to the Distributor's Earned CDSC.
FIFTH: The Distributor shall act as an agent of the Fund in connection with the sale and redemption of Shares. Except with respect to such sales and redemptions, the Distributor shall act as principal in all matters relating to the promotion of the sale of Shares and shall enter into all of its own engagements, agreements and contracts as principal on its own account. The Distributor shall enter into agreements with investment dealers and financial institutions selected by the Distributor, authorizing such investment dealers and financial institutions to offer and sell the Shares to the public upon the terms and conditions set forth therein, which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. Each agreement shall provide that the investment dealer or financial institution shall act as a principal, and not as an agent, of the Fund.
SIXTH: The Portfolio shall bear:
(A) the expenses of qualification of Shares for sale in connection with such public offerings in such states as shall be selected by the Distributor, and of continuing the qualification therein until the Distributor notifies the Fund that it does not wish such qualification continued; and
(B) all legal expenses in connection with the foregoing.
SEVENTH:
(A) The Distributor shall bear the expenses of printing from the final proof and distributing the Prospectus for the Shares (including supplements thereto) relating to public offerings made by the Fund pursuant to such Prospectus (which shall not include the Prospectus, and supplements thereto, to be distributed to existing shareholders of the Shares), and any other promotional or sales literature used by the Distributor or furnished by the Distributor to dealers in connection with such public offerings, and expenses of advertising in connection with such public offerings.
(B) Subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law including the applicable rules of NASD Inc. regarding asset-based sales charges, the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio shall pay to the Distributor as a reimbursement for all or a portion of such expenses, or as reasonable compensation for distribution of the Shares, an asset-based sales charge in an amount equal to 0.75% per annum of the average daily net asset value of the Shares of such Portfolio from time to time (the "Distribution Fees"), such Distribution Fees to be payable pursuant to a distribution plan applicable to the Shares of the Fund adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan"). For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Distributor's 12b-1 Share" shall mean a percentage that shall be recomputed periodically (but not less than monthly) in accordance with Exhibit A to this
Agreement. The Distributor will be deemed to have performed all services required to be performed in order to be entitled to receive its Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees with respect to Shares of each Portfolio upon the settlement of each sale of Shares (or shares of another portfolio from which the Share derives) taken into account in determining such Distributor's 12b-1 Share (including shares that derive from such Shares). The Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees relating to each Portfolio shall accrue daily and be paid to the Distributor as soon as practicable after the end of each calendar month within which it accrues but in any event within 10 business days after the end of each such calendar month (unless the Distributor shall specify a later date in written instructions to the Fund) provided, however, that any notices and calculation required by Section EIGHTH: (B) and (C) have been received by the Fund.
(C) The Distributor shall maintain adequate books and records to permit calculations periodically (but not less than monthly) of, and shall calculate on a monthly basis, the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees relating to each Portfolio to be paid to the Distributor. The Fund shall be entitled to rely on the Distributor's books, records and calculations relating to the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees relating to each Portfolio.
EIGHTH:
(A) The Distributor may, from time to time, assign, transfer or pledge ("Transfer") to one or more designees (each an "Assignee"), its rights to all or a designated portion of (i) the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees (but not the Distributor's duties and obligations pursuant hereto or pursuant to the Plan), and (ii) the Distributor's Earned CDSC, free and clear of any offsets or claims the Fund may have against the Distributor. Each such Assignee's ownership interest in a Transfer of a designated portion of a Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees and a Distributor's Earned CDSC is hereinafter referred to as an "Assignee's 12b-1 Portion" and an "Assignee's CDSC Portion," respectively. A Transfer pursuant to this Section EIGHTH: (A) shall not reduce or extinguish any claim of the Fund against the Distributor.
(B) The Distributor shall promptly notify the Fund in writing of a Transfer pursuant to Section EIGHTH: (A) by providing the Fund with the name and address of each such Assignee.
(C) The Distributor may direct the Fund to pay directly to an Assignee such Assignee's 12b-1 Portion and Assignee's CDSC Portion. In such event, the Distributor shall provide the Fund with a monthly calculation of (i) the Distributor's Earned CDSC and Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees and (ii) each Assignee's 12b-1 Portion and Assignee's CDSC Portion, if any, for such month (the "Monthly Calculation"). The Monthly Calculation shall be provided to the Fund by the Distributor promptly after the close of each month or such other time as agreed to by the Fund and the Distributor which allows timely payment of the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees and Distributor's Earned CDSC and/or the Assignee's 12b-1 Portion and Assignee's CDSC Portion. The Fund shall not be liable for any interest on such payments occasioned by delayed delivery of the Monthly Calculation by the Distributor. In such event following receipt from the Distributor of (i) notice of Transfer referred to in Section EIGHTH: (B) and (ii) each Monthly Calculation, the Fund on behalf of each Portfolio shall make all payments directly to the Assignee or Assignees in accordance with the information provided in such notice and Monthly Calculation, on the same terms and conditions as if such payments were to be paid directly to the Distributor. The Fund shall be entitled to rely on the Distributor's notices and Monthly Calculations in respect of amounts to be paid pursuant to this Section EIGHTH: (C).
(D) Alternatively, in connection with a Transfer the Distributor may direct the Fund to pay all of such Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees and Distributor's Earned CDSC from
time to time to a depository or collection agent designated by any Assignee, which depository or collection agent may be delegated the duty of dividing such Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees and Distributor's Earned CDSC between the Assignee's 12b-1 Portion and Assignee's CDSC Portion and the balance of the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees (such balance, when distributed to the Distributor by the depository or collection agent, the "Distributor's 12b-1 Portion") and of the Distributor's Earned CDSC (such balance, when distributed to the Distributor by the depository or collection agent, the "Distributor's Earned CDSC Portion"), in which case only the Distributor's 12b-1 Portion and Distributor's Earned CDSC Portion may be subject to offsets or claims the Fund may have against the Distributor.
(E) The Fund shall not amend the Plan to reduce the amount payable to the Distributor or any Assignee under Section SEVENTH: (B) hereof with respect to the Shares for any Shares which have been issued prior to the date of such amendment.
NINTH: The Distributor will accept orders for the purchase of Shares only to the extent of purchase orders actually received and not in excess of such orders, and it will not avail itself of any opportunity of making a profit by expediting or withholding orders.
TENTH: Pursuant to the Plan and this Agreement, the Distributor may receive and use a service fee in the amount of .25% of the average daily net assets of the Shares of a Portfolio to provide continuing personal shareholder services to customers who may, from time to time, directly or beneficially own Shares of such Portfolio, including but not limited to, distributing sales literature to customers, answering routine customer inquiries regarding the Portfolio, assisting customers in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses, and in enrolling in any of several special investment plans offered in connection with the purchase of Shares, assisting customers in the establishment and maintenance of customer accounts and records and in the placement of purchase and redemption transactions, assisting customers in investing dividends and capital gains distributions automatically in Shares and providing such other services as the Fund or the customer may reasonably request and the Distributor agrees to provide. The Distributor will not be obligated to provide services which are provided by a transfer agent for the Fund with respect to a Portfolio. The Distributor may provide the services described in this Section TENTH either directly or through third parties. Any agreement with a third party shall provide that the third party service provider shall act as principal, and not as an agent of the Fund.
ELEVENTH: The Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio and the Distributor shall each comply with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and of all other federal and state laws, rules and regulations governing the issuance and sale of the Shares.
TWELFTH:
(A) In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Distributor, the Fund shall indemnify the Distributor against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses which the Distributor may incur under the Securities Act of 1933, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or Prospectus of the Shares, or any omission to state a material fact therein, the omission of which makes any statement contained therein misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Fund in connection therewith by or on behalf of the Distributor. The Distributor shall indemnify the Fund and the Shares against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses which the Fund or the Shares may incur arising out of or based upon (i) any act or deed of the Distributor or its sales representatives which has not been authorized by the Fund in its Prospectus or in this Agreement and (ii) the Fund's reliance on the Distributor's books, records, calculations and notices in Sections FOURTH: (E), SEVENTH: (C), EIGHTH: (B), EIGHTH: (C) and EIGHTH: (D).
(B) The Distributor shall indemnify the Fund and the Shares against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses which the Fund or the Shares may incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or Prospectus of the Shares, or any omission to state a material fact therein if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Fund in connection therewith by or on behalf of the Distributor.
(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Distributor shall not be liable for any errors of the transfer agent(s) of the Shares, or for any failure of any such transfer agent to perform its duties.
THIRTEENTH: Nothing herein contained shall require the Fund to take any action contrary to any provision of its Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, or its charter or bylaws or to any applicable statute or regulation.
FOURTEENTH: This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Shares of each Portfolio on August 18, 2003, upon its approval by the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of the Fund and by vote of a majority of the trustees or directors of the Fund who are not interested parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose, shall continue in force and effect until June 30, 2004, and from year to year thereafter, provided, that such continuance is specifically approved with respect to the Shares of each Portfolio at least annually (a)(i) by the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of the Fund or (ii) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of such Portfolio, and (b) by vote of a majority of the trustees or directors of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose.
FIFTEENTH:
(A) This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio, at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of such Portfolio, or by the Distributor, on sixty (60) days' written notice to the other party; and
(B) This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of
its assignment, the term "assignment" having the meaning set forth in Section
2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act; provided, that, subject to the provisions of the
following sentence, if this Agreement is terminated for any reason, the
obligations of the Fund and the Distributor pursuant to Sections FOURTH: (D),
FOURTH: (E), SEVENTH: (B), SEVENTH: (C), EIGHTH: (A) through (E) and TWELFTH:
(A) of this Agreement will continue and survive any such termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon Complete Termination of the Plan (as such
term is defined in Section 11 of the applicable Plan in effect at the date of
this Agreement) with respect to Shares of a Portfolio, the obligations of the
Fund in respect of Shares of such Portfolio pursuant to the terms of Sections
SEVENTH: (B), SEVENTH: (C), EIGHTH: (A), EIGHTH: (C), EIGHTH: (D) and EIGHTH:
(E) (with respect to payments of the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the
Distribution Fees and Assignee's 12b-1 Portion in respect of such Portfolio) of
this Agreement shall terminate. A termination of the applicable Plan with
respect to any or all Shares of any or all Portfolios shall not affect the
obligations of the Fund pursuant to Sections FOURTH: (D), EIGHTH: (A), EIGHTH:
(C), EIGHTH: (D) and EIGHTH: (E) (with respect to payments of Distributor's
Earned CDSC or Assignee's CDSC Portion) hereof or of the obligations of the
Distributor pursuant to Section FOURTH: (E) or EIGHTH: (B) hereof.
(C) The Transfer of the Distributor's rights to the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees or Distributor's Earned CDSC shall not cause a termination of this Agreement or be deemed to be an assignment for purposes of Section FIFTEENTH: (B) above.
SIXTEENTH: Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed postage prepaid, to the other party at such address as the other party may designate for the receipt of notices. Until further notice to the other party, the addresses of each Fund and the Distributor is 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046-1173.
SEVENTEENTH: Notice is hereby given that, as provided by applicable law, the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the shareholders of the Fund or any Portfolio individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund or such Portfolio and that the shareholders shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the same limitation on personal liability as stockholders of private corporations for profit.
EIGHTEENTH: This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in the State of Delaware and governed by, construed in accordance with and enforced pursuant to the internal laws of the State of Delaware without reference to its conflicts of laws rules.
NINETEENTH: This Agreement amends and restates the prior master distribution agreements in effect immediately prior to August 18, 2003 for each Portfolio listed on Exhibit A-1 and amends and restates that portion of the prior amended and restated master distribution plan and agreement that constituted a distribution agreement in effect immediately prior to August 18, 2003, which amended and restated the master distribution plan and agreement in effect from August 23, 2000, for each Portfolio listed on Schedule A-2 (collectively, the "Prior Distribution Agreements"), insofar as such Prior Distribution Agreements pertained to Shares of any Portfolio. For the avoidance of doubt, all service fees and all Distribution Fees and CDSCs (subject to the rights of
any Assignee) payable under the Prior Distribution Agreements continue to be payable under this Agreement, whether initially payable to A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") or to INVESCO Distributors, Inc. ("IDI"), IDI having assigned its rights under its Prior Distribution Agreement, subject to the rights of any Assignee, to ADI. Nothing herein is intended to affect the absolute assignment of rights in Distribution Fees and CDSCs under the Prior Distribution Agreements to any Assignee, and the Distributor will track such assigned Distribution Fees and CDSCs on the same basis as it tracks the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees as set forth on Exhibit A to this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed in duplicate on the day and year first above written.
Each FUND (listed on Schedule A-1 on behalf of the Shares of each Portfolio listed on Schedule A-1
By: /s/ Kevin M. Carome --------------------------------- Name: Kevin M. Carome Title: Senior Vice President |
Each FUND (listed on Schedule A-2 on behalf of the Shares of each Portfolio listed on Schedule A-2
By: /s/ Ronald L. Grooms --------------------------------- Name: Ronald L. Grooms Title: Treasurer |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Micheal J. Cemo --------------------------------- Name: Micheal J. Cemo Title: CEO |
SCHEDULE A-1
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AIM ADVISOR FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM International Core Equity Fund
AIM Real Estate Fund
AIM EQUITY FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Basic Value II Fund
AIM Blue Chip Fund
AIM Capital Development Fund
AIM Charter Fund
AIM Constellation Fund
AIM Core Strategies Fund
AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund
AIM Diversified Dividend Fund
AIM Emerging Growth Fund
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund
AIM U.S. Growth Fund
AIM Weingarten Fund
AIM FUNDS GROUP
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Balanced Fund
AIM Basic Balanced Fund
AIM European Small Company Fund
AIM Global Utilities Fund
AIM Global Value Fund
AIM International Emerging Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM New Technology Fund
AIM Premier Equity Fund
AIM Premier Equity II Fund
AIM Select Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund
AIM GROWTH SERIES
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Basic Value Fund
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund
AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
AIM European Growth Fund
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Global Growth Fund
AIM International Growth Fund
AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Developing Markets Fund
AIM Global Energy Fund
AIM Global Financial Services Fund
AIM Global Health Care Fund
AIM Global Science and Technology Fund
AIM Libra Fund
AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM High Yield Fund
AIM Income Fund
AIM Intermediate Government Fund
AIM Money Market Fund
AIM Municipal Bond Fund
AIM Total Return Bond Fund
AIM SERIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO
AIM Global Trends Fund
AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Opportunities I Fund
AIM Opportunities II Fund
AIM Opportunities III Fund
AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
PORTFOLIO
AIM High Income Municipal Fund
SCHEDULE A-2
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
INVESCO BOND FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO High Yield Fund
INVESCO Select Income Fund
INVESCO Tax-Free Bond Fund
INVESCO U.S. Government Securities Fund
INVESCO COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Balanced Fund
INVESCO Core Equity Fund
INVESCO Total Return Fund
INVESCO COUNSELOR SERIES FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Advantage Fund
INVESCO Advantage Global Health Sciences Fund
INVESCO INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO European Fund
INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund
INVESCO MANAGER SERIES FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIO
INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund
INVESCO MONEY MARKET FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIO
INVESCO Cash Reserves Fund
INVESCO SECTOR FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Energy Fund
INVESCO Financial Services Fund
INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund
INVESCO Health Sciences Fund
INVESCO Leisure Fund
INVESCO Real Estate Opportunity Fund
INVESCO Technology Fund
INVESCO Telecommunications Fund
INVESCO Utilities Fund
INVESCO STOCK FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Dynamics Fund
INVESCO Growth Fund
INVESCO Growth & Income Fund
INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund
INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund
INVESCO Value Equity Fund
EXHIBIT A
The Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees in respect of the Shares of each Portfolio shall be 100 percent until such time as the Distributor shall cease to serve as exclusive distributor of the Shares of such Portfolio and thereafter shall be a percentage, recomputed first on the date of any termination of the Distributor's services as exclusive distributor of Shares of any Portfolio and thereafter periodically (but not less than monthly), representing the percentage of Shares of such Portfolio outstanding on each such computation date allocated to the Distributor in accordance with the following rules:
1. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Exhibit A defined terms used herein shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Distribution Agreement and the following terms shall have the following meanings:
"Commission Shares" shall mean shares of the Portfolio or another portfolio the redemption of which would, in the absence of the application of some standard waiver provision, give rise to the payment of a CDSC and shall include Commission Shares which due to the expiration of the CDSC period no longer bear a CDSC.
"Date of Original Issuance" shall mean, in respect of any Commission Share of any Portfolio, the date with reference to which the amount of the CDSC payable on redemption thereof, if any, is computed.
"Distributor" shall mean the Distributor.
"Free Exchange Transaction" shall mean a transaction in which shares of one portfolio (the "Redeeming Portfolio") are exchanged for shares of another portfolio (the "Issuing Portfolio") where, pursuant to the applicable constituent documents of the Issuing Portfolio, the shares issued by the Issuing Portfolio in exchange for the shares of the Redeeming Portfolio are deemed to have been acquired at the time when the exchanged shares of the Redeeming Portfolio were acquired (or deemed to have been acquired).
"Free Shares" shall mean, in respect of any Portfolio, each Share of such Portfolio other than any Commission Share.
"Omnibus Account" shall mean, in respect of any Portfolio, any account maintained by the transfer agent for such Portfolio reflecting the record ownership of Shares of such Portfolio by an entity who maintains sub-transfer agency records reflecting the actual beneficial ownership of such Shares in other persons or entities.
"Omnibus Shares" shall mean, in respect of any Portfolio, the Shares of such Portfolio held in the name of a broker-dealer street account on records maintained by the transfer agent for such Portfolio and for which such broker-dealer provides sub-transfer agency services.
"Other Distributor" shall mean each person appointed as the exclusive distributor for the Shares of the Portfolio after the Distributor ceases to serve in that capacity.
2. ALLOCATION RULES. In determining the Distributor's 12b-1 Share in respect of a particular Portfolio:
(a) Commission Shares: There shall be allocated to the Distributor and each Other Distributor all Commission Shares of such Portfolio which have a Date of Original Issuance which occurs during the period such Distributor or such Other Distributor, as the case may be, was the exclusive distributor for the Shares of the Portfolio, determined in accordance with the transfer agent records maintained for such Portfolio.
(b) Free Shares (other than Omnibus Shares): A Free Share (other than an Omnibus Share) of any Portfolio will be attributed to the Distributor and each Other Distributor in accordance with the transfer agent reports of the transfer agent for such Portfolio.
(c) Omnibus Shares: Omnibus Shares of any Portfolio which are Free Shares outstanding on any date shall be attributed to the Distributor and each Other Distributor pursuant to the following rules:
(i) For purposes of the attribution of Omnibus Shares of a Portfolio which are Free Shares, such attributions shall be made separately for the Omnibus Shares held in each individual Omnibus Account of such Portfolio, and the result of each such separate computation shall be aggregated to provide the total Free Shares attributable to the Distributor and each Other Distributor.
(ii) Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares and issued (other than in connection with Free Exchange Transaction) during any calendar month shall be attributed to the Distributor and each Other Distributor as of the end of such calendar month in a number computed as follows:
A x (B/C)
where:
A= Omnibus Shares which are Free Shares issued (other than in connection with a Free Exchange Transaction) during such calendar month.
B= Commission Shares and Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares deemed to be attributed to the Distributor or such Other Distributor, as the case may be, and outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar month in accordance with this paragraph (C).
C= Total number of Commission Shares and Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar month.
(iii) Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares and redeemed (other than in connection with a Free Exchange Transaction) during any calendar month shall be attributed to the Distributor and each Other Distributor as of the end of such calendar month in a number computed as follows:
A x (B/C)
where:
A= Omnibus Shares which are Free Shares redeemed (other than in connection with a Free Exchange Transaction) during such calendar month.
B= Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares deemed to be attributed to the Distributor or such Other Distributor, as the case may be, and outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar month in accordance with this paragraph (c).
C= Total number of Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar month in accordance with this paragraph (c).
(iv) Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares exchanged into or out of a specific Portfolio during any calendar month (such amount, which may be a positive or negative number, the "Net Exchange Shares") shall be computed as follows:
A - B - C + D
where:
A= Total number of Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of the current calendar month.
B= Total number of Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar month.
C= Total number of Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares and issued during the current calendar month and allocated among the Distributor and such Other Distributor in accordance with clause (ii) immediately above.
D= Total number of Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares and redeemed during the current calendar month and allocated among the Distributor and such Other Distributor in accordance with clause (iii) immediately above.
The amount of Net Exchange Shares computed for a given calendar month shall be attributed to the Distributor and each Other Distributor as of the end of such calendar month in a number computed as follows:
E x (F/G)
where:
E= Total number of Net Exchange Shares computed in a given month as of the close of business on the last day of the current calendar month.
F= Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares deemed to be attributed to the Distributor and such Other Distributor, as the case may be, and outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar month in accordance with this paragraph (c).
G= Total number of Free Shares which are Omnibus Shares outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar month.
(d) General: For purposes of the foregoing, Shares of each Portfolio will be deemed to be issued, redeemed, exchanged and converted to class A shares in accordance with the rules used by the transfer agent for each such Portfolio.
For purposes of paragraph (c) above, if the form of any transfer agent report of the transfer agent for any Portfolio or the practices or capabilities of such transfer agent in respect of any Portfolio, change after July 31, 2003 and as a result of such changes the attributions of Free Shares (other than Omnibus Shares) contemplated by paragraph (c) above no longer reach results which are consistent with the results obtained under this Exhibit A if the form of such transfer agent report or the practices or capability of such transfer agent had not changed, then at the request of the Distributor, and Other Distributor or any third party (a "Transferee") that has obtained an interest in the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees for such Portfolio, the Distributor, each other Distributor, the Fund and the Transferee shall negotiate in good faith to cause the transfer agent for such Portfolio to generate transfer agent reports or to adjust this Exhibit A as may be necessary to reach results consistent with those that would have been produced if such report had not changed; provided, that if such parties cannot reach agreement on such modifications within a reasonable period of time after the date of any such change, such parties shall submit the question to arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association and the decision reached by the arbitrator shall be final and binding.
The Fund shall use its best efforts to assure that the transfer agent and the sub-transfer agents for each Portfolio maintain the data necessary to implement the foregoing rules. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the transfer agents or sub-transfer agents for such Portfolio are unable to maintain the data necessary to implement the foregoing rules as written, or if the transfer agent or sub-transfer agents seek to change allocation methods after the date of this Agreement (or any later date on which a sub-transfer agent is permitted to allocate shares consistent with documentation with any Transferee), or if the Distributor shall cease to serve as exclusive distributor of the Shares of the Portfolio, the Distributor and the Fund agree to negotiate in good faith with each other, with the transfer agents and sub-transfer agents for such Portfolio and with any third party that has obtained an interest in the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Distribution Fees in respect of such Portfolio with a view to arriving at mutually satisfactory modifications to the foregoing rules designed to accomplish substantially identical results on the basis of data which can be made available.
EXHIBIT e(2)(b)
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A-2 to the Agreement (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A-2 to the Agreement, (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to the Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor") is hereby amended as follows:
Schedule A-2 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A-2
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
AIM BOND FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO High Yield Fund
INVESCO Select Income Fund
INVESCO Tax-Free Bond Fund
INVESCO U.S. Government Securities Fund
AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Balanced Fund
INVESCO Core Equity Fund
INVESCO Total Return Fund
AIM COUNSELOR SERIES FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Advantage Fund
INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund
AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. II
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO European Fund
INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund
AIM MANAGER SERIES FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIO
INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund
AIM MONEY MARKET FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIO
INVESCO Cash Reserves Fund
AIM SECTOR FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Energy Fund
INVESCO Financial Services Fund
INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund
INVESCO Health Sciences Fund
INVESCO Leisure Fund
INVESCO Real Estate Opportunity Fund
INVESCO Technology Fund
INVESCO Telecommunications Fund
INVESCO Utilities Fund
AIM STOCK FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Dynamics Fund
INVESCO Growth Fund
INVESCO Growth & Income Fund
INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund
INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund
INVESCO Value Equity Fund
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: October 1, 2003
EACH FUND (LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2
ON BEHALF OF THE SHARES OF EACH
PORTFOLIO LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2
By: /s/ Raymond R. Cunningham --------------------------------- Name: Raymond R. Cunningham Title: President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene L. Needles --------------------------------- Name: Gene L. Needles Title: President |
EXHIBIT e(2)(c)
AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A-1 to the Agreement (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A-1 to the Agreement, (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to the Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor") is hereby amended as follows:
Schedule A-1 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A-1
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
AIM ADVISOR FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM International Core Equity Fund
AIM EQUITY FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Basic Value II Fund
AIM Blue Chip Fund
AIM Capital Development Fund
AIM Charter Fund
AIM Constellation Fund
AIM Core Strategies Fund
AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund
AIM Diversified Dividend Fund
AIM Emerging Growth Fund
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund
AIM U.S. Growth Fund
AIM Weingarten Fund
AIM FUNDS GROUP
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Balanced Fund
AIM Basic Balanced Fund
AIM European Small Company Fund
AIM Global Utilities Fund
AIM Global Value Fund
AIM International Emerging Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM New Technology Fund
AIM Premier Equity Fund
AIM Premier Equity II Fund
AIM Select Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund
AIM GROWTH SERIES
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Basic Value Fund
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund
AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
AIM European Growth Fund
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Global Growth Fund
AIM International Growth Fund
AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Developing Markets Fund
AIM Global Energy Fund
AIM Global Financial Services Fund
AIM Global Health Care Fund
AIM Global Science and Technology Fund
AIM Libra Fund
AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM High Yield Fund
AIM Income Fund
AIM Intermediate Government Fund
AIM Money Market Fund
AIM Municipal Bond Fund
AIM Total Return Bond Fund
AIM Real Estate Fund
AIM SERIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO
AIM Global Trends Fund
AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Opportunities I Fund
AIM Opportunities II Fund
AIM Opportunities III Fund
AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
PORTFOLIO
AIM High Income Municipal Fund"
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: October 29, 2003
EACH FUND (LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-1
ON BEHALF OF THE SHARES OF EACH
PORTFOLIO LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-1
By: /s/ Kevin M. Carome --------------------------------- Name: Kevin M. Carome Title: Senior Vice President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene L. Needles --------------------------------- Name: Gene L. Needles Title: President |
EXHIBIT e(2)(d)
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A-2 to the Agreement (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A-2 to the Agreement, (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to the Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor") is hereby amended as follows:
Schedule A-2 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A-2
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
AIM BOND FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Tax-Free Bond Fund
INVESCO U.S. Government Securities Fund
AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Core Equity Fund
INVESCO Total Return Fund
AIM COUNSELOR SERIES FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund
AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. II
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO European Fund
INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund
AIM MANAGER SERIES FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIO
INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund
AIM SECTOR FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Energy Fund
INVESCO Financial Services Fund
INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund
INVESCO Health Sciences Fund
INVESCO Leisure Fund
INVESCO Technology Fund
INVESCO Telecommunications Fund
INVESCO Utilities Fund
AIM STOCK FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Dynamics Fund
INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund
INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund"
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 3, 2003
EACH FUND (LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2
ON BEHALF OF THE SHARES OF EACH
PORTFOLIO LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2
By: /s/ Raymond R. Cunningham --------------------------------- Name: Raymond R. Cunningham Title: President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene L. Needles --------------------------------- Name: Gene L. Needles Title: President |
EXHIBIT e(2)(e)
AMENDMENT NO. 4
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A-1 to the Agreement (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A-1 to the Agreement, (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to the Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor") is hereby amended as follows:
Schedule A-1 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A-1
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
AIM ADVISOR FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM International Core Equity Fund
AIM EQUITY FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Basic Value II Fund
AIM Blue Chip Fund
AIM Capital Development Fund
AIM Charter Fund
AIM Constellation Fund
AIM Core Strategies Fund
AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund
AIM Diversified Dividend Fund
AIM Emerging Growth Fund
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund
AIM U.S. Growth Fund
AIM Weingarten Fund
AIM FUNDS GROUP
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Balanced Fund
AIM Basic Balanced Fund
AIM European Small Company Fund
AIM Global Utilities Fund
AIM Global Value Fund
AIM International Emerging Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM New Technology Fund
AIM Premier Equity Fund
AIM Premier Equity II Fund
AIM Select Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund
AIM GROWTH SERIES
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Basic Value Fund
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund
AIM Global Trends Fund
AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
AIM European Growth Fund
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Global Growth Fund
AIM International Growth Fund
AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Developing Markets Fund
AIM Global Energy Fund
AIM Global Financial Services Fund
AIM Global Health Care Fund
AIM Global Science and Technology Fund
AIM Libra Fund
AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund
AIM Trimark Fund
AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund
AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM High Yield Fund
AIM Income Fund
AIM Intermediate Government Fund
AIM Money Market Fund
AIM Municipal Bond Fund
AIM Total Return Bond Fund
AIM Real Estate Fund
AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Opportunities I Fund
AIM Opportunities II Fund
AIM Opportunities III Fund
AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
PORTFOLIO
AIM High Income Municipal Fund"
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 4, 2003
EACH FUND (LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-1
ON BEHALF OF THE SHARES OF EACH
PORTFOLIO LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-1
By: /s/ Kevin M. Carome --------------------------------- Name: Kevin M. Carome Title: Senior Vice President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene L. Needles --------------------------------- Name: Gene L. Needles Title: President |
EXHIBIT e(2)(f)
AMENDMENT NO. 5
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (Class B Shares) (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A-1 and Schedule A-2 to the Agreement (each individually referred to as the "Fund", or collectively, the "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A-1 and Schedule A-2 to the Agreement (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to the Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor"), is hereby amended as follows:
1. The heading in the Agreement is amended to change the reference to "Schedule A" in the fourth line thereof to a reference to "Schedule A-1 and Schedule A-2.".
2. Paragraph NINETEENTH is amended to change the reference to "Exhibit A-1" in the second line thereof to a reference to "Schedule A-1."
3. Schedule A-2 to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Schedule A-2 attached to this amendment.
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended hereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 20, 2003
EACH FUND LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-1 ON
BEHALF OF THE SHARES OF EACH PORTFOLIO
LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-1
By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson --------------------------------- Name: Mark H. Williamson Title: Executive Vice President |
EACH FUND LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2 ON
BEHALF OF THE SHARES OF EACH
PORTFOLIO LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2
By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson --------------------------------- Name: Mark H. Williamson Title: Executive Vice President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene L. Needles --------------------------------- Name: Gene L. Needles Title: President |
SCHEDULE A-2
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
AIM BOND FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Tax-Free Bond Fund
INVESCO U.S. Government Securities Fund
AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Core Equity Fund
INVESCO Total Return Fund
AIM COUNSELOR SERIES FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIO
INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund
AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. II
PORTFOLIO
INVESCO European Fund
INVESCO International Core Equity Fund
AIM MANAGER SERIES FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIO
INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund
AIM SECTOR FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Energy Fund
INVESCO Energy Fund
INVESCO Financial Services Fund
INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund
INVESCO Health Sciences Fund
INVESCO Leisure Fund
INVESCO Real Estate Opportunity Fund
INVESCO Technology Fund
INVESCO Telecommunications Fund
INVESCO Utilities Fund
AIM STOCK FUNDS INC.
INVESCO Dynamics Fund
INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund
INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund
EXHIBIT e(2)(g)
AMENDMENT NO. 6
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (Class B Shares) (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A-1 and Schedule A-2 to the Agreement (each individually referred to as the "Fund", or collectively, the "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A-1 and Schedule A-2 to the Agreement (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to the Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor"), is hereby amended as follows:
1. Schedule a-1 and Schedule a-2 to the Agreement are hereby deleted in their entirety and replaced with Schedule a-1 and Schedule a-2 attached to this amendment.
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended hereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 24, 2003
EACH FUND LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-1 ON
BEHALF OF THE SHARES OF EACH
PORTFOLIO LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-1
By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson --------------------------------- Name: Mark H. Williamson Title: Executive Vice President |
EACH FUND LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2 ON
BEHALF OF THE SHARES OF EACH
PORTFOLIO LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2
By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson --------------------------------- Name: Mark H. Williamson Title: Executive Vice President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene Needles --------------------------------- Name: Gene Needles Title: President |
SCHEDULE A-1
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
AIM EQUITY FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Basic Value II Fund
AIM Blue Chip Fund
AIM Capital Development Fund
AIM Charter Fund
AIM Constellation Fund
AIM Core Strategies Fund
AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund
AIM Diversified Dividend Fund
AIM Emerging Growth Fund
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund
AIM U.S. Growth Fund
AIM Weingarten Fund
AIM FUNDS GROUP
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Balanced Fund
AIM Basic Balanced Fund
AIM European Small Company Fund
AIM Global Value Fund
AIM International Emerging Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Premier Equity Fund
AIM Select Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund
AIM GROWTH SERIES
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Basic Value Fund
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund
AIM Global Trends Fund
AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
AIM European Growth Fund
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Global Growth Fund
AIM International Growth Fund
AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Developing Markets Fund
AIM Global Health Care Fund
AIM Libra Fund
AIM Trimark Fund
AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund
AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund
AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM High Yield Fund
AIM Income Fund
AIM Intermediate Government Fund
AIM Money Market Fund
AIM Municipal Bond Fund
AIM Total Return Bond Fund
AIM Real Estate Fund
AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Opportunities I Fund
AIM Opportunities II Fund
AIM Opportunities III Fund
AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
PORTFOLIO
AIM High Income Municipal Fund
SCHEDULE A-2
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Core Equity Fund
INVESCO Total Return Fund
AIM COUNSELOR SERIES FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIO
INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund
AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. II
PORTFOLIO
INVESCO International Core Equity Fund
AIM MANAGER SERIES FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIO
INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund
AIM SECTOR FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Energy Fund
INVESCO Energy Fund
INVESCO Financial Services Fund
INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund
INVESCO Health Sciences Fund
INVESCO Leisure Fund
INVESCO Real Estate Opportunity Fund
INVESCO Technology Fund
INVESCO Utilities Fund
AIM STOCK FUNDS INC.
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Dynamics Fund
INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund
INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund
EXHIBIT e(2)(h)
AMENDMENT NO. 7
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement (Class B Shares) (the "Agreement") made as of the 18th day of August, 2003, by and between each registered investment company set forth on Schedule A-1 and Schedule A-2 to the Agreement (each individually referred to as the "Fund", or collectively, the "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth on Schedule A-1 and Schedule A-2 to the Agreement (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to the Class B Shares (the "Shares") of each Portfolio, and A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor"), is hereby amended as follows:
1. Schedule a-1 and Schedule a-2 to the Agreement are hereby deleted in their entirety and replaced with Schedule a-1 and Schedule a-2 attached to this amendment.
All other terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended hereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 25, 2003
EACH FUND LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-1 ON
BEHALF OF THE SHARES OF EACH
PORTFOLIO LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-1
By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson --------------------------------- Name: Mark H. Williamson Title: Executive Vice President |
EACH FUND LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2 ON
BEHALF OF THE SHARES OF EACH
PORTFOLIO LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2
By: /s/ Mark H. Williamson --------------------------------- Name: Mark H. Williamson Title: Executive Vice President |
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Gene Needles --------------------------------- Name: Gene Needles Title: President |
SCHEDULE A-1
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
AIM EQUITY FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Basic Value II Fund
AIM Blue Chip Fund
AIM Capital Development Fund
AIM Charter Fund
AIM Constellation Fund
AIM Core Strategies Fund
AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund
AIM Diversified Dividend Fund
AIM Emerging Growth Fund
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund
AIM U.S. Growth Fund
AIM Weingarten Fund
AIM FUNDS GROUP
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Balanced Fund
AIM Basic Balanced Fund
AIM European Small Company Fund
AIM Global Value Fund
AIM International Emerging Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Premier Equity Fund
AIM Select Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund
AIM GROWTH SERIES
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Basic Value Fund
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund
AIM Global Trends Fund
AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
AIM European Growth Fund
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Global Growth Fund
AIM International Growth Fund
AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Developing Markets Fund
AIM Global Health Care Fund
AIM Libra Fund
AIM Trimark Fund
AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund
AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund
AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM High Yield Fund
AIM Income Fund
AIM Intermediate Government Fund
AIM Money Market Fund
AIM Municipal Bond Fund
AIM Total Return Bond Fund
AIM Real Estate Fund
AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
AIM Opportunities I Fund
AIM Opportunities II Fund
AIM Opportunities III Fund
AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
PORTFOLIO
AIM High Income Municipal Fund
SCHEDULE A-2
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(CLASS B SHARES)
AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Core Equity Fund
INVESCO Total Return Fund
AIM COUNSELOR SERIES FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund
INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund
AIM SECTOR FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS
INVESCO Energy Fund
INVESCO Financial Services Fund
INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund
INVESCO Health Sciences Fund
INVESCO Leisure Fund
INVESCO Technology Fund
INVESCO Utilities Fund
AIM STOCK FUNDS
INVESCO Dynamics Fund
INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund
INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund
Exhibit h(1)
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
AND
AIM INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ARTICLE 1 TERMS OF APPOINTMENT; DUTIES OF THE TRANSFER AGENT......................... 1 ARTICLE 2 FEES AND EXPENSES.......................................................... 2 ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE TRANSFER AGENT....................... 3 ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE FUND................................. 4 ARTICLE 5 INDEMNIFICATION............................................................ 4 ARTICLE 6 COVENANTS OF THE FUND AND THE TRANSFER AGENT............................... 5 ARTICLE 7 TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT................................................... 6 ARTICLE 8 ADDITIONAL FUNDS........................................................... 6 ARTICLE 9 LIMITATION OF SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY........................................ 6 ARTICLE 10 ASSIGNMENT................................................................. 7 ARTICLE 11 AMENDMENT.................................................................. 7 ARTICLE 12 TEXAS LAW TO APPLY......................................................... 7 ARTICLE 13 MERGER OF AGREEMENT........................................................ 7 ARTICLE 14 COUNTERPARTS............................................................... 7 |
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 25th day of November, 2003, by and between AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust, having its principal office and place of business at 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046 (the "Fund"), and AIM Investment Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation having its principal office and place of business at 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046 (the "Transfer Agent").
WHEREAS, the Transfer Agent is registered as such with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series and classes, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets and each such class having different distribution arrangements; and
WHEREAS, the Fund on behalf of the Retail Class and Institutional Class of each of the Portfolios thereof (the "Portfolios") desires to appoint the Transfer Agent as its transfer agent, and agent in connection with certain other activities, with respect to the Portfolios, and the Transfer Agent desires to accept such appointment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT; DUTIES OF THE TRANSFER AGENT
1.01 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Fund hereby employs and appoints the Transfer Agent to act as, and the Transfer Agent agrees to act as, its transfer agent for the authorized and issued shares of beneficial interest of the Fund representing interests in the Retail Class and the Institutional Class of each of the respective Portfolios ("Shares"), dividend disbursing agent, and agent in connection with any accumulation or similar plans provided to shareholders of each of the Portfolios (the "Shareholders"), including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program, as provided in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information (the "Prospectus") of the Fund on behalf of the Portfolios.
1.02 The Transfer Agent agrees that it will perform the following services:
(a) The Transfer Agent shall, in accordance with procedures established from time to time by agreement between the Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, as applicable, and the Transfer Agent:
(i) receive for acceptance, orders for the purchase of Shares, and promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation thereof to the Custodian of the Fund authorized pursuant to the Charter of the Fund (the "Custodian");
(ii) pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of Shares and hold such Shares in the appropriate Shareholder account;
(iii) receive for acceptance redemption requests and redemption directions and deliver the appropriate documentation thereof to the Custodian;
(iv) at the appropriate time as and when it receives monies paid to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay over or cause to be paid over in the appropriate manner such monies as instructed by the Fund;
(v) effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof upon receipt of appropriate instructions;
(vi) prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Fund on behalf of the Shares;
(vii) maintain records of account for and advise the Fund and its Shareholders as to the foregoing; and
(viii) record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-1O(e) a record of the total number of Shares which are authorized, based upon data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding.
The Transfer Agent shall also provide the Fund on a regular basis with the total number of Shares which are authorized and issued and outstanding and shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which function shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund.
(b) In addition to the services set forth in the above paragraph
(a), the Transfer Agent shall: (i) perform the customary services of a transfer
agent, including but not limited to: maintaining all Shareholder accounts,
mailing Shareholder reports and prospectuses to current Shareholders, preparing
and mailing confirmation forms and statements of accounts to Shareholders for
all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other confirmable transactions in
Shareholder accounts, preparing and mailing activity statements for
Shareholders, and providing Shareholder account information.
(c) Procedures as to who shall provide certain of these services in Article 1 may be established from time to time by agreement between the Fund on behalf of each Portfolio and the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent may at times perform only a portion of these services and the Fund or its agent may perform these services on the Fund's behalf.
ARTICLE 2
FEES AND EXPENSES
2.01 For performance by the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund agrees on behalf of each of the Portfolios to pay the Transfer Agent fees as set out in the initial fee schedule attached hereto for the Retail Classes and an annual fee in the amount of .0125% of average daily net assets, payable monthly for the Institutional Classes. Such fees and out-of-pocket expenses and advances identified under Section 2.02 below may be changed from time to time subject to mutual written agreement between the Fund and the Transfer Agent.
2.02 In addition to the fee paid under Section 2.01 above, the Fund agrees to reimburse the Transfer Agent for out-of-pocket expenses or advances incurred by the Transfer Agent for the items set out in the fee schedule attached hereto. In addition, any other expenses incurred by the Transfer Agent at the request or with the consent of the Fund, will be reimbursed by the Fund on behalf of the applicable Shares.
2.03 The Fund agrees on behalf of each of the Portfolios to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses following the mailing of the respective billing notice. Postage for mailing of dividends, proxies, Fund reports and other mailings to all Shareholder accounts shall be advanced to the Transfer Agent by the Fund at least seven (7) days prior to the mailing date of such materials.
2.04 The Fund and the Transfer Agent recognize that the Transfer Agent and/or its affiliates, including without limitation A I M Distributors, Inc., may, from time to time, enter into certain omnibus, sub-accounting and other similar arrangements whereby a broker/dealer or other financial institution is the shareholder of record and performs certain recordkeeping and other services (the "Ancillary Services") for the underlying beneficial owners of shares in the Portfolios. The Fund and the Transfer Agent agree that: (i) the Transfer Agent and/or its affiliates are entering into these arrangements on behalf of and for the benefit of the Fund and each Portfolio; (ii) amounts owed under these arrangements are the obligations of the Portfolios; and (iii) the Fund shall pay such owed amounts to the Transfer Agent, who shall be responsible for paying such amounts to the entities providing the Ancillary Services.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE TRANSFER AGENT
The Transfer Agent represents and warrants to the Fund that:
3.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware.
3.02 It is duly qualified to carry on its business in Delaware and in Texas.
3.03 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Charter and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.04 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.05 It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
3.06 It is registered as a Transfer Agent as required by the federal securities laws.
3.07 This Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation to it.
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE FUND
The Fund represents and warrants to the Transfer Agent that:
4.01 It is a statutory trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware.
4.02 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
4.03 All corporate proceedings required by said Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
4.04 It is an open-end, diversified management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
4.05 A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended on behalf of each of the Portfolios is currently effective and will remain effective, with respect to all Shares of the Fund being offered for sale.
ARTICLE 5
INDEMNIFICATION
5.01 The Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for, and the Fund shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, indemnify and hold the Transfer Agent harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to:
(a) all actions of the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct;
(b) the Fund's lack of good faith, negligence or willful misconduct which arise out of the breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund hereunder;
(c) the reliance on or use by the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors of information, records and documents or services which (i) are received or relied upon by the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors and/or furnished to it or performed by on behalf of the Fund, and (ii) have been prepared, maintained and/or performed by the Fund or any other person or firm on behalf of the Fund; provided such actions are taken in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct;
(d) the reliance on, or the carrying out by the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors of any instructions or requests of the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio; provided such actions are taken in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct; or
(e) the offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or regulations of any state that such Shares be registered
in such state or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or any state with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such state.
5.02 The Transfer Agent shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to any action or failure or omission to act by the Transfer Agent as result of the Transfer Agent's lack of good faith, negligence or willful misconduct.
5.03 At any time the Transfer Agent may apply to any officer of the Fund for instructions, and may consult with legal counsel with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by the Transfer Agent under this Agreement, and the Transfer Agent and its agents or subcontractors shall not be liable to and shall be indemnified by the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio for any action taken or omitted by it in reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel. The Transfer Agent shall be protected and indemnified in acting upon any paper or document furnished by or on behalf of the Fund, reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, or upon any instruction, information, data, records or documents provided to the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors by machine readable input, telex, CRT data entry or other similar means authorized by the Fund, and shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund.
5.04 In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such causes.
5.05 Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any consequential damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder.
5.06 In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Article 5 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim. The party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the other party's prior written consent.
ARTICLE 6
COVENANTS OF THE FUND AND THE TRANSFER AGENT
6.01 The Fund shall, upon request, on behalf of each of the Portfolios promptly furnish to the Transfer Agent the following:
(a) a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund authorizing the appointment of the Transfer Agent and the execution and delivery of this Agreement; and
(b) a copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Fund and all amendments thereto.
6.02 The Transfer Agent shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable. To the extent required by Section 31 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Rules thereunder, the Transfer Agent agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by the Transfer Agent relating to the services to be performed by the Transfer Agent hereunder are the property of the Fund and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such Section and Rules, and will be surrendered promptly to the Fund on and in accordance with its request.
6.03 The Transfer Agent and the Fund agree that all books, records, information and data pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except as may be required by law.
6.04 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the Shareholder records of the Fund, the Transfer Agent will endeavor to notify the Fund and to secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Fund as to such inspection. The Transfer Agent reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
7.01 This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon sixty
(60) days written notice to the other.
7.02 Should the Fund exercise its right to terminate this Agreement, all out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolios. Additionally, the Transfer Agent reserves the right to charge for any other reasonable expenses associated with such termination and/or a charge equivalent to the average of three (3) months' fees.
ARTICLE 8
ADDITIONAL FUNDS
8.01 In the event that the Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in addition to the Portfolios with respect to which it desires to have the Transfer Agent render services as transfer agent under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Transfer Agent in writing, and if the Transfer Agent agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
ARTICLE 9
LIMITATION OF SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
9.01 Notice is hereby given that this Agreement is being executed by the Fund by a duly authorized officer thereof acting as such and not individually. The obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers, shareholders or the investment advisor of the Fund individually but are binding only upon the assets and property belonging to
the Fund, on its own behalf or on behalf of a Portfolio, for the benefit of which the trustees or directors have caused this Agreement to be executed.
ARTICLE 10
ASSIGNMENT
10.01 Except as provided in Section 10.03 below, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party without the written consent of the other party.
10.02 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
10.03 The Transfer Agent may, without further consent on the part of the Fund, subcontract for the performance hereof with any entity which is duly registered as a transfer agent pursuant to Section 17A(c)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended ("Section 17A(c)(1)"); provided, however, that the Transfer Agent shall be as fully responsible to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its own acts and omissions.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENT
11.01 This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written agreement executed by both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
ARTICLE 12
TEXAS LAW TO APPLY
12.01 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
ARTICLE 13
MERGER OF AGREEMENT
13.01 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether oral or written.
ARTICLE 14
COUNTERPARTS
14.01 This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
By: /s/ MARK H. WILLIAMSON -------------------------------- Executive Vice President ATTEST: /s/ JIM COPPEDGE ----------------------------------- Assistant Secretary |
AIM INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ TONY D. GREEN -------------------------------- President ATTEST: /s/ JIM COPPEDGE ----------------------------------- Assistant Secretary |
FEE SCHEDULE
1. For performance by the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund agrees on behalf of each of the Portfolios to pay the Transfer Agent an annualized fee for shareholder accounts that are open during any monthly period as set forth below, and an annualized fee of $.70 per shareholder account that is closed during any monthly period. Both fees shall be billed by the Transfer Agent monthly in arrears on a prorated basis of 1/12 of the annualized fee for all such accounts.
PER ACCOUNT FEE FUND TYPE ANNUALIZED --------- ---------- Class A, A3, B, C, R and Investor and AIM Summit Fund Non-Daily Accrual Funds $15.20 Class A, A3, B, C, R and Investor Monthly Dividend and Daily Accrual Funds $16.20 AIM Floating Rate Fund $17.60 |
2. Investment Credits
The total fees due to the Transfer Agent from all funds affiliated with the Fund shall be reduced by an amount equal to the investment income earned by the Transfer Agent, if any, on the balances of the disbursement accounts for those funds.
3. Out-of-Pocket Expenses
The Fund shall reimburse the Transfer Agent monthly for applicable out-of-pocket expenses relating to the procurement of the following goods and services, as they relate to the performance of the Transfer Agent's obligations set forth in Article I of the Agreement, including, but not limited to:
- Remote access, license and usage charges paid by the Transfer Agent for use of shareholder record keeping and related systems provided by DST Systems, Inc., and used by the Transfer Agent to service Shareholder accounts, including but not limited to:
- TA2000(R), the recordkeeping system on which records related to most Shareholder accounts will be maintained;
- TRAC2000(R), the recordkeeping system on which records related to Shareholder accounts held by and through employer-sponsored retirement plans are maintained;
- Automated Work Distributor(TM), a document imaging, storage and distribution system;
- Financial Access Network, a computer system and related software
applications which will provide the necessary interfaces to allow customers to access account information residing on the TA2000 and TRAC2000 systems through aiminvestments.com; and
- PowerSelect(TM), a reporting database that AFS can query to produce reports derived from Shareholder account data residing on the TA2000 and TRAC2000 systems.
- Client specific system enhancements.
- Computer terminals, communication lines, printers and other equipment and any expenses incurred in connection with such terminals and lines.
- Magnetic media tapes and related freight.
- Microfiche, microfilm and electronic image scanning equipment, production and storage costs.
- Telephone and telecommunication costs, including all lease, maintenance and line costs.
- Record retention, retrieval and destruction costs, including, but not limited to exit fees charged by third party record keeping vendors.
- Duplicating services.
- Courier services.
- Ad hoc reports.
- Programming costs, system access and usage fees, electronic presentment service fees, data and document delivery fees, and other related fees and costs paid by the Transfer Agent to Fiserv Solutions, Inc., which relate to the printing and delivery of the following documents to Shareholders and to each Shareholder's broker of record:
- Investment confirmations;
- Periodic account statements;
- Tax forms; and
- Redemption checks.
- Printing costs, including, without limitation, the costs associated with printing certificates, envelopes, checks, stationery, confirmations and statements.
- Postage (bulk, pre-sort, ZIP+4, bar coding, first class).
- Shipping, certified and overnight mail and insurance.
- Certificate insurance.
- Banking charges, including without limitation, incoming and outgoing wire charges.
- Check writing fees.
- Federal Reserve charges for check clearance.
- Rendering fees.
- Third party audit reviews.
- Due diligence mailings.
- Proxy solicitations, mailings and tabulations.
- Shareholder information and education mailings, including, but not limited to, periodic shareholder newsletters and tax guides.
- Such other miscellaneous expenses reasonably incurred by the Transfer Agent in performing its duties and responsibilities.
The Fund agrees that postage and mailing expenses will be paid on the day of or prior to mailing. In addition, the Fund will promptly reimburse the Transfer Agent for any other unscheduled expenses incurred by the Transfer Agent whenever the Fund and the Transfer Agent mutually agree that such expenses are not otherwise properly borne by the Transfer Agent as part of its duties and obligations under the Agreement.
4. The fees and credits described in Paragraphs 1 and 2 above shall first be allocated to the Institutional Class, if any, of such Portfolio based upon the number of shareholder accounts holding shares of such Class relative to the total number of shareholder accounts holding all Classes of shares in the Portfolio. The Portfolio's remaining fiscal year-to-date fees and credits described in Paragraphs 1 and 2 above for shareholder accounts holding Class A, A3, B, C, R and Investor Class shares, as applicable, of each Portfolio shall be allocated among such Classes on the basis of fiscal year-to-date average net assets.
5. Fees payable by the Transfer Agent for Ancillary Services
provided to the Institutional Class, if any, of each Portfolio
pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Agreement shall be allocated
to such Institutional Class. The Portfolio's fiscal
year-to-date fees payable by the Transfer Agent for Ancillary
Services provided to the Class A, A3, B, C, R and Investor
Class shares, as applicable, of each Portfolio pursuant to
Section 2.04 of the Agreement shall be allocated among such
Classes of each Portfolio based upon fiscal year-to-date
average net assets of each such Class.
6. Out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Transfer Agent in acting as transfer agent for the AIM Funds Accounts shall first be allocated among such funds and portfolios based upon the number of shareholder accounts maintained by the Transfer Agent for such funds and portfolios. Such out-of-pocket expenses that have been allocated to a Portfolio shall be further allocated to the Institutional Class, if any, of such Portfolio based upon the number of shareholder accounts holding shares of such Class relative to the total number of shareholder accounts holding all Classes of shares in the Portfolio. The remaining amount of the Portfolio's fiscal year-to-date out-of-pocket expenses shall be further allocated among the Class A, A3, B, C, R and Investor Class shares, as applicable, of each Portfolio based upon fiscal year-to-date average net assets of each such Class.
7. Specifically identified fees, credits and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Transfer Agent on behalf of one or more, but less than all, Portfolios or Classes shall be allocated solely to the affected Portfolios or Classes using the allocation
methodologies described in paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 above.
8. As used in this Fee Schedule, "AIM Funds" shall mean all investment companies and their series portfolios, if any, comprising, from time to time, the AIM Family of Funds(R), and "AIM Funds Accounts" shall mean shareholder accounts for the AIM Funds.
Exhibit h(2)
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of this 20th day of November, 2003, between the registered investment companies specified in Schedule A, each a Delaware statutory trust (each individually referred to as "Company"), having its principal office and place of business at 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas, 77046, and AIM Investment Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, having its principal place of business at 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046 (the "Transfer Agent").
WITNESSETH:
That for and in consideration of mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the Company and the Transfer Agent agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Authorized Person" shall be deemed to include the Chairman, President, any Vice President, the Secretary, Treasurer, or any other person, whether or not any such person is an officer or employee of a Company, duly authorized to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of any Company or any Fund (as defined below), as indicated in a certification as may be received by the Transfer Agent from time to time;
(b) "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Transfer Agent, which is actually received by the Transfer Agent and signed on behalf of the Company by any two officers thereof;
(c) "Commission" shall have the meaning given it in the 1940 Act;
(d) "Custodian" refers to the custodian of all of the securities and other moneys owned by the Company or any Fund of the Company;
(e) "Oral Instructions" shall mean oral instructions actually received by the Transfer Agent from a person reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be an Authorized Person;
(f) "Prospectus" shall mean the currently effective prospectus relating to a Fund's Shares registered under the Securities Act of 1933;
(g) "Shares" refers to the shares of common stock of a Company, regardless of whether such shares are classified into one or more separate Funds;
(h) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares;
(i) "Written Instructions" shall mean a written communication actually received by the Transfer Agent where the receiver is able to verify with a reasonable
degree of certainty the authenticity of the sender of such communication; and
(j) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time.
(k) "Fund" shall refer to a single portfolio of investments owned by a Company; the Funds of each Company are listed in Schedule A, which may be amended from time to time.
2. Representation of Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent does hereby represent and warrant to the Company that it has an effective registration statement on SEC Form TA-1 and, accordingly, has duly registered as a transfer agent as provided in Section 17A(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
3. Appointment of the Transfer Agent. The Company hereby appoints and constitutes the Transfer Agent as transfer agent for all of the Shares of the Company authorized as of the date hereof, and the Transfer Agent accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the duties herein set forth. If the Board of Trustees of the Company (the "Trustees") hereafter reclassifies the Shares, by the creation of one or more additional Funds or otherwise, the Transfer Agent agrees that it will act as transfer agent for the Shares so reclassified on the terms set forth herein.
4. Compensation.
(a) The Company will initially compensate the Transfer Agent for its services rendered under this Agreement in accordance with the fees set forth in the Fee Schedule annexed hereto and incorporated herein.
(b) The parties hereto will agree upon the compensation for acting as transfer agent for any series of Shares hereafter designated and established at the time that the Transfer Agent commences serving as such for said series, and such agreement shall be reflected in a Fee Schedule for that series, dated and signed by an authorized officer of each party hereto, to be attached to this Agreement.
(c) Any compensation agreed to hereunder may be adjusted from time to time by attaching to this Agreement a revised Fee Schedule, dated and signed by an authorized officer of each party hereto, and a certified copy of the resolution of the Trustees authorizing such revised Fee Schedule.
(d) The Transfer Agent will bill the Company as soon as practicable after the end of each calendar month, and said billings will be detailed in accordance with the Fee Schedule for the Fund. The Fund will promptly pay to the Transfer Agent the amount of such billing.
5. Documents. In connection with the appointment of the Transfer Agent, the Company shall, on or before the date this Agreement goes into effect, file with the Transfer Agent the following documents:
(a) A certified copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or Articles of Incorporation, as applicable, of the Company, including all amendments thereto, as then in effect;
(b) A certified copy of the Bylaws of the Company, as then in effect;
(c) Certified copies of the resolutions of the Trustees authorizing this Agreement and designating Authorized Persons to give instructions to the Transfer Agent;
(d) All account application forms and other documents relating to Shareholder accounts;
(e) A certified list of Shareholders of each Fund with the name, address and tax identification number of each Shareholder, and the number of Shares held by each, certificate numbers and denominations (if any certificates have been issued), lists of any accounts against which stops have been placed, together with the reasons for said stops, and the number of Shares redeemed by the Fund;
(f) Copies of all agreements then in effect between the Company and any agent with respect to the issuance, sale, or cancellation of Shares; and
(g) An opinion of counsel for the Company with respect to the validity of the Shares.
6. Further Documentation. The Company will also furnish from time to time the following documents:
(a) Each resolution of the Trustees authorizing the original issue of Shares of each Fund;
(b) Each Registration Statement filed with the Commission, and amendments and orders with respect thereto, in effect with respect to the sale of Shares of the Fund;
(c) A certified copy of each amendment to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or Articles of Incorporation, as applicable, and the Bylaws of the Company;
(d) Certified copies of each resolution of the Trustees designating Authorized Persons to give instructions to the Transfer Agent;
(e) Certificates as to any change in any officer, trustee, or Authorized Person of the Company;
(f) Such other certificates, documents or opinions as may mutually be deemed necessary or appropriate for the Transfer Agent in the proper performance of its duties.
7. Certificates for Shares and Records Pertaining Thereto.
(a) The Fund no longer issues share certificates. The Transfer Agent shall maintain a record of each certificate previously issued, the number of Shares represented thereby, and the holder of record. The Transfer Agent shall further maintain a stop transfer record on lost certificates.
(b) The Transfer Agent may establish such additional rules and regulations governing the transfer or registration of certificates for Shares as it may deem advisable and consistent with such rules and regulations generally adopted by transfer agents.
8. Sale of Fund Shares.
(a) Whenever a Fund or its authorized agent shall sell or
cause to be sold any Shares, the Fund or its
authorized agent shall provide or cause to be
provided to the Transfer Agent information including:
(i) the number of Shares sold, trade date, and price;
(ii) the amount of money to be delivered to the
Custodian for the sale of such Shares; (iii) in the
case of a new account, a new account application or
sufficient information to establish an account.
(b) The Transfer Agent will, upon receipt by it of a check or other payment identified by it as an investment in Shares of a Fund and drawn or endorsed to the Transfer Agent as agent for, or identified as being for the account of, a Fund, promptly deposit such check or other payment to the appropriate account postings necessary to reflect the investment. The Transfer Agent will notify the respective Fund, or its designee, and the Custodian of all purchases and related account adjustments.
(c) Upon receipt of the notification required under paragraph (a) hereof and the notification from the Custodian that such money has been received by it, the Transfer Agent shall issue to the purchaser or his authorized agent such Shares as he is entitled to receive, based on the appropriate net asset value of the Fund's Shares, determined in accordance with applicable federal law or regulation, as described in the Prospectus for the applicable Fund. In issuing Shares to a purchaser or his authorized agent, the Transfer Agent shall be entitled to rely upon the latest written directions, if any, previously received by the Transfer Agent from the purchaser or his authorized agent concerning the delivery of such Shares.
(d) The Transfer Agent shall not be required to issue any Shares of a Fund where it has received Written Instructions from the Fund or written notification from any appropriate federal or state authority that the sale of the Shares of the Fund has been suspended or discontinued, and the Transfer Agent shall be entitled to rely upon such Written Instructions or written notification.
(e) Upon the issuance of any Shares of a Fund in accordance with the foregoing provision of this Article, the Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for the
payment of any original issue or other taxes required to be paid by the Fund in connection with such issuance.
9. Returned Checks. In the event that any check or other order for the payment of money is returned unpaid for any reason, the Transfer Agent will: (i) give prompt notice of such return to the applicable Fund or its designee; (ii) place a stop transfer order against all Shares issued or held on deposit as a result of such check or order; (iii) in the case of any Shareholder who has obtained redemption checks, place a stop payment order on the checking account on which such checks are issued; and (iv) take such other steps as the Transfer Agent may, in its discretion, deem appropriate or as the applicable Fund or its designee may instruct.
10. Redemptions.
(a) Redemptions By Mail or In Person. Shares of a Fund
will be redeemed upon receipt by the Transfer Agent
of: (i) a written request for redemption, signed by
each registered owner exactly as the Shares are
registered; (ii) certificates properly endorsed for
any Shares for which certificates have been issued;
(iii) signature guarantees to the extent required by
the Transfer Agent as described in the Prospectus or
Statement of Additional Information (the "SAI") for
the Fund; and (iv) any additional documents required
by the Transfer Agent for redemption by corporations,
executors, administrators, trustees and guardians.
(b) Draft Redemptions. If the Transfer Agent has received a completed application and authorization of redemption by drafts signed by the registered owner(s), the Transfer Agent will, as agent for the Shareholder upon receipt of a redemption draft cause the Company to redeem a sufficient number of Shares in the Shareholder's account to cover the amount of the draft. All draft redemptions will be subject to such additional requirements as may be described in the Prospectus or SAI for the applicable Fund and the rules and regulations of the Transfer Agent.
(c) Wire Orders or Telephone Redemptions. The Transfer Agent will, consistent with procedures which may be established by the Company from time to time for redemption by wire or telephone, upon receipt of such a wire order or telephone redemption request, redeem Shares and transmit the proceeds of such redemption to the redeeming Shareholder as directed. All wire or telephone redemptions will be subject to such additional requirements as may be described in the Prospectus or SAI for the applicable Fund. Both the Company and the Transfer Agent reserve the right to modify or terminate the procedures for wire order or telephone redemptions at any time.
(d) Processing Redemptions. Upon receipt of all necessary information and documentation relating to a redemption, the Transfer Agent will issue to the Custodian an advice setting forth the number of Shares of the Fund received by the Transfer Agent for redemption and that such shares are valid and in good standing for redemption. The Transfer Agent shall, upon receipt of the moneys paid to it by the Custodian for the redemption of such Shares, pay such moneys to the Shareholder, his authorized agent or legal representative.
11. Transfers and Exchanges. The Transfer Agent is authorized to review and process transfers of Shares of the Fund and to the extent, if any, permitted in the Prospectus or SAI for each Fund, exchanges between a Fund and other Funds advised by the Fund's investment adviser, A I M Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser"), on the records of the Fund maintained by the Transfer Agent. If Shares to be transferred are represented by outstanding certificates, the Transfer Agent will, upon surrender to it of the certificates in proper form for transfer, and upon cancellation thereof, credit the same to the transferee on its books. If the Shares to be transferred are not represented by outstanding certificates, the Transfer Agent will, upon an order therefor by or on behalf of the registered holder thereof in proper form, credit the same to the transferee on its books. If Shares are to be exchanged for shares of another mutual fund, the Transfer Agent will process such exchange in the same manner as a redemption and sale of Shares, except that it may in its discretion waive requirements for information and documentation.
12. Right to Seek Assurances. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to refuse to transfer or redeem Shares until it is satisfied that the requested transfer or redemption is legally authorized, and it shall incur no liability for the refusal, in good faith, to make transfers or redemptions that the Transfer Agent, in its judgment, deems improper or unauthorized, or until it is satisfied that there is no basis for any claims adverse to such transfer or redemption. The Transfer Agent may, in effecting transfers, rely upon the provisions of the Uniform Act for the Simplification of Fiduciary Security Transfers or the Uniform Commercial Code, as the same may be amended from time to time, which in the opinion of legal counsel for the Company or of the Transfer Agent's own legal counsel protect the Transfer Agent in not requiring certain documents in connection with the transfer or redemption of Shares of the Fund, and the Fund shall indemnify the Transfer Agent for any acts done or omitted by it in reliance upon such laws or opinions of counsel to the Fund or of its own counsel.
13. Distributions.
(a) Each Fund will promptly notify the Transfer Agent of the declaration of any dividend or distribution. The Company shall furnish to the Transfer Agent a resolution of the Trustees, certified by the Secretary, authorizing the declaration of dividends and authorizing the Transfer Agent to rely on Oral Instructions or a Certificate specifying the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which Shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per share to Shareholders of record as of that date, and the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent on the payment date.
(b) The Transfer Agent will, on or before the payable date of any dividend or distribution, notify the Custodian of the estimated amount of cash required to pay said dividend or distribution, and the respective Fund agrees that, on or before the mailing date of such dividend or distribution, it shall instruct the Custodian to place in a dividend disbursing account funds equal to the cash amount to be paid out. The Transfer Agent, in accordance with Shareholder
instructions, will calculate, prepare and mail checks to, or (where appropriate) credit such dividend or distribution to the accounts of Shareholders of the applicable Fund, and maintain and safeguard all underlying records.
(c) The Transfer Agent will replace lost checks upon receipt of properly executed affidavits and maintain stop payment orders against replaced checks.
(d) The Transfer Agent will maintain all records necessary to reflect the crediting of dividends that are reinvested in Shares of the Fund of the Company.
(e) The Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any improper payments made in accordance with the resolution of the Trustees of the Company.
(f) If the Transfer Agent shall not receive from the Custodian sufficient cash to make payment to all Shareholders of a Fund as of the record date, the Transfer Agent shall, upon notifying the Fund, withhold payment to the Fund's Shareholders of record as of the record date until such sufficient cash is provided to the Transfer Agent.
14. Other Duties. In addition to the duties expressly provided for herein, the Transfer Agent shall perform such other duties and functions as are set forth in the Fee Schedules(s) hereto from time to time.
15. Taxes. It is understood that the Transfer Agent shall file such appropriate information returns concerning the payment of dividends and capital gain distributions with the proper federal, state and local authorities as are required by law to be filed by each Company and shall withhold such sums as are required to be withheld by applicable law.
16. Books and Records.
(a) The Transfer Agent shall maintain records showing for
each investor's account, identified by each Fund in
each Company, the following: (i) names, addresses,
tax identifying numbers and assigned account numbers;
(ii) numbers of Shares held; (iii) historical
information regarding the account of each
Shareholder, including dividends paid and date and
price of all transactions on a Shareholder's account;
(iv) any stop or restraining order placed against a
Shareholder's account; (v) information with respect
to withholdings in the case of a foreign account;
(vi) any capital gain or dividend reinvestment order,
plan application, dividend address and correspondence
relating to the current maintenance of a
Shareholder's account; (vii) certificate numbers and
denominations for any Shareholders holding
certificates; and (viii) any information required in
order for the Transfer Agent to perform the
calculations contemplated or required by this
Agreement.
(b) Any records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act will be preserved for the periods prescribed in Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act.
Such records may be inspected by any Fund at reasonable times. The Transfer Agent may, at its option at any time, and shall forthwith upon a Company's demand, turn over to the applicable Company and cease to retain in the Transfer Agent's files, records and documents created and maintained by the Transfer Agent in performance of its services or for its protection. At the end of the six-year retention period, such records and documents will either be turned over to the Company, or destroyed in accordance with the Company's authorization.
(c) The Transfer Agent shall enter into and maintain in effect with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provisions for periodic backup of computer files and data with respect to the Funds and emergency use of electronic data processing equipment. In the event of equipment failures, the Transfer Agent shall, at no additional expense to the Funds, take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions. The Transfer Agent shall have no liability with respect to the loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure, provided such loss or interruption is not caused by the Transfer Agent's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this Agreement and provided further that the Transfer Agent has complied with the provisions of this paragraph.
17. Shareholder Relations.
(a) The Transfer Agent will investigate all Shareholder inquiries related to Shareholder accounts and respond promptly to correspondence from Shareholders.
(b) The Transfer Agent will address and mail all communications to Shareholders or their nominees, including proxy material and periodic reports to Shareholders.
(c) In connection with special and annual meetings of Shareholders, the Transfer Agent will prepare Shareholder lists, mail and certify as to the mailing of proxy materials, process and tabulate returned proxy cards, report on proxies voted prior to meetings, and certify to the Secretary of the applicable Company's Shares to be voted at meetings.
18. Reliance by Transfer Agent; Instructions.
(a) The Transfer Agent shall be protected in acting upon any paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by an Authorized Person and shall not be held to have any notice of any change of authority of any person until receipt of written certification thereof from the Fund. It shall also be protected in processing Share certificates that it reasonably believes to bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of the officers of the applicable Company and the proper countersignature of the Transfer Agent.
(b) At any time the Transfer Agent may apply to any Authorized Person of the Company for Written Instructions, and, at the expense of the applicable
Company, may seek advice from legal counsel for the Company, with respect to any matter arising in connection with this Agreement, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with such Written Instructions or with the opinion of such counsel. In addition, the Transfer Agent, its officers, agents or employees, shall accept instructions or requests given to them by any person representing or acting on behalf of the Company only if said representative is known by the Transfer Agent, its officers, agents or employees, to be an Authorized Person. The Transfer Agent shall have no duty or obligation to inquire into, nor shall the Transfer Agent be responsible for, the legality of any act done by it upon the request or direction of Authorized Persons of the Company.
(c) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, the Transfer Agent shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for: (i) the legality of the issue or sale of any Shares of any Fund, or the sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor; (ii) the legality of the redemption of any Shares of any Fund, or the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor; (iii) the legality of the declaration of any dividend by any Fund, or the legality of the issue of any Shares of any Fund in payment of any stock dividend; or (iv) the legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of the Shares of any Fund.
19. Standard of Care and Indemnification.
(a) The Transfer Agent may, in connection with this Agreement, employ agents or attorneys in fact, and shall not be liable for any loss arising out of or in connection with its actions under this Agreement so long as it acts in good faith and with due diligence, and is not negligent or guilty of any willful misconduct.
(b) The Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Transfer Agent from and against any and all claims, demands, expenses and liabilities (whether with or without basis in fact or law) of any and every nature which the Transfer Agent may sustain or incur or which may be asserted against the Transfer Agent by any person by reason of, or as a result of: (i) any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Transfer Agent in good faith in reliance upon any Certificate, instrument, order or stock certificate believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, countersigned or executed by any duly Authorized Person, upon the Oral Instructions or Written Instructions of an Authorized Person of the Company or upon the opinion of legal counsel for the Company or its own counsel; or (ii) any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Transfer Agent in connection with its appointment in good faith in reliance upon any law, act, regulation or interpretation of the same even though the same may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed. However, indemnification hereunder shall not apply to actions or omissions of the Transfer Agent or its directors, officers, employees or agents in cases of its own gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith, or reckless disregard of its or their own duties hereunder.
20. Affiliation Between Fund and Transfer Agent. It is understood that the trustees, officers, employees, agents and Shareholders of the Fund, and the officers, directors, employees, agents and shareholders of the Adviser, are or may be interested in the Transfer Agent as directors, officers, employees, agents, shareholders, or otherwise, and that the directors, officers, employees, agents or shareholders of the Transfer Agent may be interested in the Fund as trustees, officers, employees, agents, shareholders, or otherwise, or in the Adviser as officers, trustees, employees, agents, shareholders or otherwise.
21. Term.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective with respect to
a Company on the date on which it is approved by vote
of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Trustees, including a majority of the trustees who
are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Company, and shall continue in effect for
an initial term of one year, and from year to year
thereafter, so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually both: (i) by
either the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Company; and
(ii) by a vote of the majority of the trustees who
are not interested persons of the Company (as defined
in the 1940 Act) cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting upon such approval.
(b) Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall not be less than sixty (60) days after the date of receipt of such notice. In the event such notice is given by the Company, it shall be accompanied by a resolution of the Trustees, certified by the Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor transfer agent.
22. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties with the formality of this Agreement, and (i) authorized or approved by the resolution of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act, or (ii) authorized and approved by such other procedures as may be permitted or required by the 1940 Act.
23. Subcontracting. The Company agrees that the Transfer Agent may, in its discretion, subcontract for certain of the services to be provided hereunder.
24. Miscellaneous.
(a) Any notice and other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Company or the Transfer Agent, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to that party and mailed or delivered to it at its office set forth below or at such other place as it may from time to time designate in writing.
To the Company:
(Address to Relevant Company Listed in Schedule A)
11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046
Attn.: Kevin M. Carome, Senior Vice President
To the Transfer Agent:
AIM Investment Services, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046
Attn.: Tony D. Green, President
(b) This Agreement shall not be assignable and in the event of its assignment (in the sense contemplated by the 1940 Act), it shall automatically terminate.
(c) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
(d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective corporate officers thereunder duly authorized and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY (LISTED IN SCHEDULE A)
By: /s/ ROBERT H. GRAHAM -------------------------------- Robert H. Graham, President ATTEST: /s/ JIM A. COPPEDGE ------------------------------------ Jim A. Coppedge, Assistant Secretary |
TRANSFER AGENT
By: /s/ TONY D. GREEN -------------------------------- Tony D. Green, President ATTEST: /s/ JIM A. COPPEDGE ------------------------------------ Jim A. Coppedge, Assistant Secretary |
FEE SCHEDULE
This Fee Schedule for services is made pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement dated November 20, 2003 (the "Agreement"), between the registered investments companies specified in Schedule A (each individually referred to as "Company") and AIM Investment Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"). The parties hereto agree to the following:
Account Maintenance Charges. Fees are based on an annual charge set forth below. These annual charges are billable monthly at the rate of one-twelfth (1/12) of the annual fee.
ANNUAL ANNUAL OMNIBUS CHARGE PER ACCOUNT SHAREHOLDER CHARGE PER COMPANY ACCOUNT PARTICIPANT -------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST $ 22.50 $ 22.50 AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS $ 22.50 $ 22.50 AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS $ 22.50 $ 22.50 AIM SECTOR FUNDS $ 22.50 $ 22.50 AIM STOCK FUNDS $ 22.50 $ 22.50 AIM TREASURER'S SERIES TRUST(1) N/A N/A INVESCO VARIABLE INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.(2) N/A N/A |
Expenses. A Fund shall not be liable for reimbursement to the Transfer Agent of expenses incurred by it in the performance of services pursuant to the Agreement, provided, however, that nothing herein or in the Agreement shall be construed as affecting in any manner any obligations assumed by a Fund with respect to expense payment or reimbursement pursuant to a separate written agreement between the Fund and the Transfer Agent or any affiliate thereof.
Effective this 20th day of November, 2003.
COMPANY (LISTED IN SCHEDULE A)
By: /s/ ROBERT H. GRAHAM ---------------------------------- Robert H. Graham, President ATTEST: /s/ JIM A. COPPEDGE ------------------------------------ Jim A. Coppedge, Assistant Secretary |
TRANSFER AGENT
By: /s/ TONY D. GREEN ---------------------------------- Tony D. Green, President ATTEST: /s/ JIM A. COPPEDGE ------------------------------------ Jim A. Coppedge, Assistant Secretary |
1 The Transfer Agent will not charge INVESCO Treasurer's Money Market Reserve Fund and INVESCO Treasurer's Tax-Exempt Reserve Fund, portfolios of the Company, a fee under this Agreement, but this commitment may be changed following consultation with the board of trustees.
2 The Transfer Agent shall receive an annual fee of $5,000 per Fund, billable monthly at the rate of one-twelfth (1/12) of the annual fee. The fee is applied for each Fund in the month that it commences or ceases operation, as well as in each month that the Fund is in operation regardless of the number of shareholders.
SCHEDULE A
REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY FUNDS EFFECTIVE DATE --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- ----------------- AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund November 25, 2003 INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS INVESCO Core Equity Fund November 25, 2003 INVESCO Total Return Fund AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS INVESCO International Core Equity November 25, 2003 AIM SECTOR FUNDS INVESCO Energy Fund November 20, 2003 INVESCO Financial Services Fund INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund INVESCO Health Sciences Fund INVESCO Leisure Fund INVESCO Technology Fund INVESCO Telecommunications Fund INVESCO Utilities Fund AIM STOCK FUNDS INVESCO Dynamics Fund November 25, 2003 INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund INVESCO S&P 500 Index Fund AIM TREASURER'S SERIES TRUST INVESCO Treasurer's Money Market Reserve Fund November 25, 2003 INVESCO Treasurer's Tax-Exempt Reserve Fund INVESCO U.S. Government Money Fund |
REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY FUNDS EFFECTIVE DATE --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- ----------------- INVESCO VARIABLE INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC. VIF-Core Equity Fund November 20, 2003 VIF-Dynamics Fund VIF-Financial Services Fund VIF-Growth Fund VIF-Health Sciences Fund VIF-High Yield Fund VIF-Leisure Fund VIF-Real Estate Opportunity Fund VIF-Small Company Growth Fund VIF-Technology Fund VIF-Telecommunications Fund VIF-Total Return Fund VIF-Utilities Fund |
EXHIBIT h(3)(a)
MASTER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
This MASTER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made this 25th day of November, 2003 by and between A I M ADVISORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Administrator") and AIM International Mutual Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust") with respect to the separate series set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Portfolios").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust, on behalf of the Portfolios, has retained the Administrator to perform (or arrange for the performance of) accounting, shareholder servicing and other administrative services as well as investment advisory services to the Portfolios, and that the Administrator may receive reasonable compensation or may be reimbursed for its costs in providing such additional services, upon the request of the Board of Trustees and upon a finding by the Board of Trustees that the provision of such services is in the best interest of the Portfolios and their shareholders; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has found that the provision of such administrative services is in the best interest of the Portfolios and their shareholders, and has requested that the Administrator perform such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. The Administrator hereby agrees to provide, or arrange for the provision of, any or all of the following services by the Administrator or its affiliates:
(a) the services of a principal financial officer of the Trust (including related office space, facilities and equipment) whose normal duties consist of maintaining the financial accounts and books and records of the Trust and the Portfolios, including the review of daily net asset value calculations and the preparation of tax returns; and the services (including related office space, facilities and equipment) of any of the personnel operating under the direction of such principal financial officer;
(b) supervising the operations of the custodian(s), transfer agent(s) or dividend agent(s) for the Portfolios; or otherwise providing services to shareholders of the Portfolios; and
(c) such other administrative services as may be furnished from time to time by the Administrator to the Trust or the Portfolios at the request of the Trust's Board of Trustees.
2. The services provided hereunder shall at all times be subject to the direction and supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees.
3. As full compensation for the services performed and the facilities furnished by or at the direction of the Administrator, the Trust shall pay the Administrator in accordance with the Fee Schedule as set forth in Appendix A attached hereto.
4. The Administrator shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Portfolios in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from the Administrator's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
5. The Trust and the Administrator each hereby represent and warrant, but only as to themselves, that each has all requisite authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and that this Agreement is legal, valid and binding, and enforceable in accordance with its terms.
6. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the rights of any director, officer or employee of the Administrator who may also be a trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the right of the Administrator to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.
7. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Portfolio on the Effective Date for such Portfolio, as set forth in Appendix A attached hereto. This Agreement shall continue in effect until June 30, 2004, and may be continued from year to year thereafter, provided that the continuation of the Agreement is specifically approved at least annually:
(a) (i) by the Trust's Board of Trustees or (ii) by the vote of "a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of such Portfolio (as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act); and
(b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a party to this Agreement (other than as trustees of the Trust), by votes cast in person at a meeting specifically called for such purpose.
This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in Section 2(a) (4) of the 1940 Act).
8. This Agreement may be amended or modified with respect to one or more Portfolios, but only by a written instrument signed by both the Trust and the Administrator.
9. Notice is hereby given that, as provided by applicable law, the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust and that the shareholders shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the same limitation on personal liability as stockholders of private corporations for profit.
10. Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (a) to the Administrator at Eleven Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046, Attention: President, with a copy to the General Counsel, or (b) to the Trust at Eleven Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77046, Attention: President, with a copy to the General Counsel.
11. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof.
12. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws (without reference to conflicts of law provisions) of the State of Texas.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
A I M ADVISORS, INC.
Attest: /s/ JOHN H. LIVELY By: /s/ MARK H. WILLIAMSON --------------------------- --------------------------- Assistant Secretary President (SEAL) AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS Attest: /s/ JOHN H. LIVELY By: /s/ MARK H. WILLIAMSON ---------------------------- --------------------------- Assistant Secretary Executive Vice President |
(SEAL)
APPENDIX A
FEE SCHEDULE TO
MASTER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
OF
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
PORTFOLIOS EFFECTIVE DATE OF AGREEMENT ---------- --------------------------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund November 25, 2003 AIM European Growth Fund November 25, 2003 AIM Global Aggressive Growth November 25, 2003 AIM Global Growth Fund November 25, 2003 AIM International Growth Fund November 25, 2003 |
AIM may receive reimbursement for costs or reasonable compensation for such services as follows:
Rate* Net Assets ----- ---------- 0.023% First $1.5 billion 0.013% Next $1.5 billion 0.003% Over $3 billion |
*Annual minimum fee is $50,000. An additional $10,000 per class of shares is charged for each class other than the initial class. The $10,000 class fee is waived for any of the above Portfolios with insufficient assets to result in the payment of more than the minimum fee of $50,000.
PORTFOLIO EFFECTIVE DATE OF AGREEMENT --------- --------------------------- INVESCO International Core Equity Fund** November 25, 2003 |
**The Trust shall pay the Administrator $10,000 per year per Portfolio base fee, plus an additional fee, computed on a daily basis and paid on a monthly basis. The additional fee to the Administrator under this Agreement shall be computed at the annual rate of 0.045% of each of the above Portfolios daily net assets as so determined.
Exhibit i
CONSENT OF COUNSEL
AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
We hereby consent to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm under the caption (a) "Other Service Providers - Counsel to the Company" in the Statements of Additional Information for the retail classes of (i) AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund, AIM International Growth Fund, AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund and AIM Global Growth Fund and (ii) the institutional class of AIM International Growth Fund, and (b) "Legal Counsel" in the Statement of Additional Information for the retail classes of INVESCO International Core Equity Fund, which are included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (No. 33-44611), and Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (No. 811-6463), on Form N-1A of AIM International Mutual Funds.
/s/ Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP ------------------------------------------- Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP Philadelphia, Pennsylvania February 23, 2004 |
EXHIBIT j
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our five reports each dated December 16, 2003, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund, AIM European Growth Fund, AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund, AIM Global Growth Fund and AIM International Growth Fund (five of the funds constituting AIM International Mutual Funds, formerly known as AIM International Funds, Inc.) and of our report dated December 16, 2003, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of INVESCO International Core Equity Fund, formerly known as INVESCO International Blue Chip Value Fund (one of the funds constituting AIM International Mutual Funds, formerly known as AIM International Funds, Inc. II), which appear in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Financial Highlights" and "Other Service Providers" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Houston, Texas February 24, 2004 |
EXHIBIT m(1)(a)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
(EFFECTIVE AUGUST 18, 2003)
SECTION 1. Each registered investment company, as described in Schedule A to this plan (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or of beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth in Schedule A to this plan (each, a "Portfolio"), may act as a distributor of the Class A Shares of such Portfolio (the "Shares") of which such Fund is the issuer, pursuant to Rule12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), according to the terms of this Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan").
SECTION 2. The Fund may incur expenses pursuant to this Plan on behalf of a Portfolio at the applicable annual rate set forth on Schedule A under "Maximum Aggregate Fee" of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the Shares. Such expenses shall be subject to any applicable limitations imposed from time to time by the applicable rules of NASD Inc. ("NASD").
SECTION 3. The Fund may expend amounts under this Plan to finance distribution-related services for the Shares of each Portfolio. Distribution-related services shall mean any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of the Shares, including, but not limited to, organizing and conducting sales seminars, implementing advertising programs, engaging finders and paying finders fees, printing prospectuses and statements of additional information (and supplements thereto) and annual and semi-annual reports for other than existing shareholders, preparing and distributing advertising material and sales literature, making supplemental payments to dealers and other institutions as asset-based sales charges, and administering this Plan.
The Fund has selected A I M Distributors, Inc. ("Distributors") to provide distribution-related services on behalf of and for the Shares of each Portfolio. Distributors may provide such distribution-related services either directly or through third parties.
SECTION 4. The Fund may also expend amounts under this Plan to finance
payments of service fees under arrangements for personal continuing shareholder
services. Personal continuing shareholder services may include, but shall not be
limited to, the following: (I) distributing sales literature to customers; (ii)
answering routine customer inquiries concerning the Fund and the Shares; (iii)
assisting customers in changing dividend options, account designations and
addresses, and in enrolling in any of several retirement plans offered in
connection with the purchase of Shares; (iv) assisting customers in the
establishment and maintenance of customer accounts and records, and in the
placement of purchase and redemption transactions; (v) assisting customers in
investing dividends and capital gains distributions automatically in Shares; and
(vi) providing such other information and services as the Fund or the customer
may reasonably request.
Distributors may implement these arrangements either directly or through third parties.
SECTION 5. All amounts expended pursuant to this Plan shall be paid to Distributors pursuant to the related agreement to this Plan attached hereto as Exhibit A and are the legal obligation of the Fund and not of Distributors. The maximum service fee payable by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio for personal continuing shareholder services shall be twenty-five one-
hundredths of one percent (0.25%), or such lower rate for the Portfolio as is specified on Schedule A, per annum of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the Shares owned by the customers of entity providing such shareholder services.
No provision of this Plan shall be interpreted to prohibit any payments by the Fund with respect to the Shares of a Portfolio during periods when the Fund has suspended or otherwise limited sales of such Shares.
SECTION 6. Distributors shall provide to the Fund's Board of Directors/Trustees ("Board of Trustees") and the Board of Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended under this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
SECTION 7. This Plan and any agreement related to this Plan shall become effective immediately, with respect to any Portfolio, upon the receipt by the applicable Fund of both (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, and (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of those Directors\Trustees ("Trustees") of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the "Dis-interested Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
SECTION 8. Any material amendments to this Plan must be approved, with respect to any Portfolio, by both (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the applicable Fund, and (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Dis-interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the amendment. In addition, this Plan may not be amended with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio to increase materially the amount to be spent for distribution provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Shares of such Portfolio.
SECTION 9. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section 10, this Plan and any related agreement shall continue in effect for the Shares of each Portfolio until June 30, 2004 and thereafter each shall continue in effect so long as such continuance is specifically approved, at least annually, in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in Section 7.
SECTION 10. This Plan may be terminated with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio at any time by vote of a majority of the Dis-interested Trustees of the applicable Fund, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of such Portfolio. If this Plan is terminated with respect to a Portfolio, the obligation of the Fund to make payments pursuant to this Plan with respect to such Portfolio will also cease and the Fund will not be required to make any payments with respect to such Portfolio beyond the termination date.
SECTION 11. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be made in writing, and shall provide:
(a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Dis-interested Trustees of the applicable Fund or by a vote of the outstanding Shares of such Portfolio, on not more than sixty (60) days' written notice to any other party to the agreement; and
(b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
SECTION 12. This Plan amends and restates the plan of distribution in effect immediately prior to August 18, 2003 (the "Prior Plan") for each Portfolio listed on Schedule A which had adopted the Prior Plan, insofar as such Prior Plan pertains to Class A Shares of the Portfolio.
SCHEDULE A
TO
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class A Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class A Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM ADVISOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Charter Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Constellation Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Balanced Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Global Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM New Technology Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM International Growth Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Libra Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM High Yield Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Income Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund 0.00% 0.15% 0.15% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SERIES TRUST BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Global Trends Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% |
EXHIBIT m(1)(b)
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective October 29, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class A Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class A Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM ADVISOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Charter Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Constellation Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Balanced Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Global Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM New Technology Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM International Growth Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Libra Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM High Yield Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Income Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund 0.00% 0.15% 0.15% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SERIES TRUST BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Global Trends Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%" |
* The Distribution Fee is payable apart from the sales charge, if any, as stated in the current prospectus for the applicable Portfolio (or Class thereof).
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: October 29, 2003
EXHIBIT m(1)(c)
AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 4, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class A Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class A Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM ADVISOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Charter Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Constellation Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Global Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM New Technology Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM International Growth Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Libra Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Yield Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Income Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund 0.00% 0.15% 0.15% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% |
* The Distribution Fee is payable apart from the sales charge, if any, as stated in the current prospectus for the applicable Portfolio (or Class thereof).
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 4, 2003
EXHIBIT m(1)(d)
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 20, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class A Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class A Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM ADVISOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Charter Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Constellation Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Global Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM New Technology Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM International Growth Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Libra Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Yield Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Income Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund 0.00% 0.15% 0.15% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SECTOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Energy Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Financial Services Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Health Sciences Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Leisure Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Technology Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Telecommunications Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Utilities Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%" |
* The Distribution Fee is payable apart from the sales charge, if any, as stated in the current prospectus for the applicable Portfolio (or Class thereof).
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 20, 2003
EXHIBIT m(1)(e)
AMENDMENT NO. 4
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 24, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class A Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class A Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Charter Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Constellation Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM International Growth Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Libra Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Yield Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Income Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund 0.00% 0.15% 0.15% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SECTOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Energy Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Financial Services Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Health Sciences Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Leisure Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Technology Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Utilities Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%" |
* The Distribution Fee is payable apart from the sales charge, if any, as stated in the current prospectus for the applicable Portfolio (or Class thereof).
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 24, 2003
EXHIBIT m(1)(f)
AMENDMENT NO. 5
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 25, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class A Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class A Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Total Return Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Charter Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Constellation Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------ SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM International Growth Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% INVESCO International Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Libra Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Yield Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Income Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund 0.00% 0.15% 0.15% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SECTOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Energy Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Financial Services Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Health Sciences Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Leisure Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Technology Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Utilities Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM STOCK FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Dynamics Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%" |
* The Distribution Fee is payable apart from the sales charge, if any, as stated in the current prospectus for the applicable Portfolio (or Class thereof).
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 25, 2003
EXHIBIT m(2)(a)
AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
(SECURITIZATION FEATURE)
SECTION 1. Each registered investment company, as described in Schedule A to this plan (each individually referred to as the "Fund", or collectively, the "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or of beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth in Schedule A to this plan (each, a "Portfolio"), may act as a distributor of the Class B Shares of such Portfolio (the "Shares") of which such Fund is the issuer, pursuant to Rule12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), according to the terms of this Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan").
SECTION 2. The Fund may incur expenses pursuant to this Plan on behalf of a Portfolio at the applicable annual rate set forth on Schedule A under "Maximum Aggregate Fee" of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the Shares. Such expenses shall be subject to any applicable limitations imposed from time to time by the applicable rules of NASD Inc. ("NASD").
SECTION 3. The Fund may expend amounts under this Plan to finance distribution-related services for the Shares of each Portfolio. Distribution-related services shall mean any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of the Shares, including, but not limited to, organizing and conducting sales seminars, implementing advertising programs, engaging finders and paying finders fees, printing prospectuses and statements of additional information (and supplements thereto) and annual and semi-annual reports for other than existing shareholders, preparing and distributing advertising material and sales literature, making supplemental payments to dealers and other institutions as asset-based sales charges, and administering this Plan.
The Fund has selected A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") as its exclusive agent to provide distribution-related services on behalf of and for the Shares of each Portfolio. Any agent, including ADI, selected to act as the Fund's exclusive agent for distribution of the Shares of any Portfolio from time to time is a "Distributor." Distributor may provide such distribution services either directly or through third parties.
SECTION 4. The Fund may also expend amounts under this Plan to finance
payments of service fees under arrangements for personal continuing shareholder
services. Personal continuing shareholder services may include, but shall not be
limited to, the following: (i) distributing sales literature to customers; (ii)
answering routine customer inquiries concerning the Fund and the Shares; (iii)
assisting customers in changing dividend options, account designations and
addresses, and in enrolling in any of several retirement plans offered in
connection with the purchase of Shares; (iv) assisting customers in the
establishment and maintenance of customer accounts and records, and in the
placement of purchase and redemption transactions; (v) assisting customers in
investing dividends and capital gains distributions automatically in Shares; and
(vi) providing such other information and services as the Fund or the customer
may reasonably request.
Distributor may implement these arrangements either directly or through third parties. The Distributor, acting as principal, may provide some or all of the shareholder services to Portfolio shareholders for which the Distributor is the broker of record, as set forth in the distribution agreement with Distributor.
SECTION 5. All amounts expended pursuant to this Plan shall be paid to Distributor pursuant to a distribution agreement related to this Plan and are the legal obligation of the Fund and not of the Distributor or its designee. The maximum service fee payable by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio for personal continuing shareholder services shall be twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.25%), or such lower rate for the Portfolio as is specified on Schedule A, per annum of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the Shares owned by the customers of the entity providing such shareholder services.
No provision of this Plan shall be interpreted to prohibit any payments by the Fund with respect to the Shares of a Portfolio during periods when the Fund has suspended or otherwise limited sales of such Shares.
SECTION 6. (a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 11 and 12 hereof, amounts incurred pursuant to Section 2 in respect of Shares of each Portfolio shall be paid by the Fund to Distributor in respect of such Shares or, if more than one institution has acted as Distributor in respect of such Shares, then amounts incurred pursuant to Section 2 and payable in respect of such Shares shall be paid to each such Distributor in proportion to the number of such Shares sold by or attributable to such Distributor's distribution efforts in respect of such Shares in accordance with allocation provisions of each Distributor's distribution agreement (the "Distributor's 12b-1 Share") notwithstanding that such Distributor's distribution agreement with the Fund may have been terminated.
(b) Any Distributor may assign, transfer or pledge ("Transfer") to one or more designees (each an "Assignee"), its rights to all or a designated portion of its Distributor's 12b-1 Share of the Maximum Asset-Based Sales Charge set forth on Exhibit A ("Distribution Fees") relating to a Portfolio from time to time (but not such Distributor's duties and obligations pursuant hereto or pursuant to any distribution agreement in effect from time to time, if any, between such Distributor and the Fund), free and clear of any offsets or claims the Fund may have against such Distributor. Each such Assignee's ownership interest in a Transfer of a specific designated portion of a Distributor's 12b-1 Share of Distribution Fees relating to a Portfolio is hereafter referred to as an "Assignee's 12b-1 Portion." A Transfer pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall not reduce or extinguish any claims of the Fund against the Distributor.
(c) Each Distributor shall promptly notify the Fund in writing of each such Transfer by providing the Fund with the name and address of each such Assignee.
(d) A Distributor may direct the Fund to pay an
Assignee's 12b-1 Portion directly to such Assignee. In such event, the
Distributor shall provide the Fund with a monthly calculation of the amount of
(i) the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of Distribution Fees relating to a Portfolio,
and (ii) each Assignee's 12b-1 Portion, if any, for such month (the "Monthly
Calculation"). In such event, the Fund shall, upon receipt of such notice and
Monthly Calculation from the Distributor, make all payments required under such
distribution agreement directly to the Assignee in accordance with the
information provided in such notice and Monthly Calculation upon the same terms
and conditions as if such payments were to be paid to the Distributor.
(e) Alternatively, in connection with a Transfer, a Distributor may direct the Fund to pay all of such Distributor's 12b-1 Share of Distribution Fees relating to a Portfolio from time to time to a depository or collection agent designated by any Assignee, which depository or collection agent may be delegated the duty of dividing such Distributor's 12b-1 Share of Distribution Fees relating to a Portfolio between the Assignee's 12b-1 Portion and the balance of the Distributor's 12b-1 Share of Distribution Fees relating to a Portfolio (such balance, when distributed to the Distributor by the depository or collection agent, the "Distributor's 12b-1 Portion"), in which case only
the Distributor's 12b-1 Portion may be subject to offsets or claims the Fund may have against such Distributor.
SECTION 7. Distributor shall provide to the Fund's Board of Trustees or Board of Directors and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended under this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
SECTION 8. This Plan and any agreement related to this Plan shall become effective on August 18, 2003, with respect to any Portfolio, upon the receipt by the Fund of both (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of the Fund, and (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of those Trustees or Directors of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the "Dis-interested Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
SECTION 9. Any material amendments to this Plan must be approved, with respect to any Portfolio, by both (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of the Fund, and (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Dis-interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the amendment. In addition, this Plan may not be amended with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio to increase materially the amount to be spent for distribution provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Shares of such Portfolio.
SECTION 10. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section 11, this Plan and any related agreement shall continue in effect for the Shares of each Portfolio until June 30, 2004 and thereafter each shall continue in effect so long as such continuance is specifically approved, at least annually, in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in Section 8.
SECTION 11. This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to the Shares of a Portfolio by vote of a majority of the Dis-interested Trustees of the Fund, or by vote of a majority of outstanding Shares of such Portfolio. If this Plan is terminated with respect to a Portfolio, the obligation of the Fund to make payments pursuant to this Plan with respect to such Portfolio shall terminate, and the Fund shall not be required to make payments hereunder beyond such termination date with respect to expenses incurred in connection with Shares sold prior to such termination date, provided, in each case that each of the requirements of a Complete Termination of this Plan in respect of such Portfolio, as defined below, are met. A termination of this Plan with respect to any or all Shares of any or all Portfolios shall not affect the obligation of the Fund to withhold and pay to any Distributor contingent deferred sales charges to which such distributor is entitled pursuant to any distribution agreement. For purposes of this Section 11 a "Complete Termination" of this Plan in respect of any Portfolio shall mean a termination of this Plan in respect of such Portfolio, provided that: (i) the Dis-interested Trustees of the Fund shall have acted in good faith and shall have determined that such termination is in the best interest of the Fund and the shareholders of such Portfolio; (ii) the Fund does not alter the terms of the contingent deferred sales charges applicable to Shares outstanding at the time of such termination; and (iii) unless the applicable Distributor at the time of such termination was in material breach under the distribution agreement in respect of such Portfolio, the Fund shall not, in respect of such Portfolio, pay to any person or entity, other than such Distributor or its designee, either the asset-based sales charge or the service fee (or any similar fee) in respect of the Shares sold by such Distributor prior to such termination.
SECTION 12. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be made in writing, and shall provide:
(a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, with respect to the Shares of a Portfolio, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Dis-interested
Trustees of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Shares of such Portfolio, on not more than sixty (60) days' written notice to any other party to the agreement; and
(b) that such agreement shall terminate
automatically in the event of its assignment; provided, however, that, subject
to the provisions of Section 11 hereof, if such agreement is terminated for any
reason with respect to the Shares of a Portfolio, the obligation of the Fund to
make payments with respect to the Shares of such Portfolio of (i) the
Distributor's 12b-1 Share of Distribution Fees relating to such Portfolio in
accordance with the directions of the Distributor pursuant to Section 6(d) or
(e) hereof if there exist Assignees for all or any portion of such Distributor's
12b-1 Share of Distribution Fees relating to such Portfolio, and (ii) the
remainder of such Distributor's 12b-1 Share of Distribution Fees relating to
such Portfolio to such Distributor if there are no Assignees for such
Distributor's 12b-1 Share, pursuant to such agreement and this Plan will
continue with respect to the Shares of such Portfolio until such Shares are
redeemed or automatically converted into another class of shares of such
Portfolio.
SECTION 13. This Plan amends and restates the plan of distribution in effect immediately prior to August 18, 2003 (the "Prior Plan") for each Portfolio listed on Schedule A, insofar as such Prior Plan pertains to Class B Shares of the Portfolio. All service fees and all Distribution Fees (subject to the rights of any Assignee) payable under the Prior Plan continue to be payable under this Plan.
SCHEDULE A
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES
The Fund shall pay the Distributor or the Assignee as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class B Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below to the average daily net assets of the Class B Shares of the Portfolio. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of Class B Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM ADVISOR FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ----------------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM EQUITY FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM FUNDS GROUP CHARGE FEE FEE --------------------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM New Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM GROWTH SERIES CHARGE FEE FEE ----------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. CHARGE FEE FEE ---------------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ----------------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE --------------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM SERIES TRUST CHARGE FEE FEE ----------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIO AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------ ------ --- --- PORTFOLIO AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
EXHIBIT m(2)(b)
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
(SECURITIZATION FEATURE)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective October 29, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor or the Assignee as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class B Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below to the average daily net assets of the Class B Shares of the Portfolio. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of Class B Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM ADVISOR FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM EQUITY FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------------------- ------- -------- --------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM FUNDS GROUP CHARGE FEE FEE --------------------------------------- ------- -------- --------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM New Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM GROWTH SERIES CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------------------- ------- -------- --------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------------------- ------- ------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM SERIES TRUST CHARGE FEE FEE --------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%" |
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: October 29, 2003
EXHIBIT m(2)(c)
AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
(SECURITIZATION FEATURE)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 4, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor or the Assignee as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class B Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below to the average daily net assets of the Class B Shares of the Portfolio. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of Class B Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM ADVISOR FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ---------------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM EQUITY FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE --------------------------------- ------ -------- --------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM FUNDS GROUP CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM New Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM GROWTH SERIES CHARGE FEE FEE ----------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. CHARGE FEE FEE --------------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE --------------------------------------- ------ -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------------------- ------- ------- --------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------ ------- ------- ---------- PORTFOLIO - CLASS B SHARES AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%" |
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 4, 2003
EXHIBIT m(2)(d)
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
(SECURITIZATION FEATURE)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12-1, is hereby amended, effective November 20, 2003, as follows:
1. Section 6(b) is amended by deleting the reference to "Exhibit A" in line 3 and replacing it with a reference to "Schedule A."
2. Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with Schedule A attached hereto.
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended hereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SCHEDULE A
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES
The Fund shall pay the Distributor or the Assignee as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class B Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below to the average daily net assets of the Class B Shares of the Portfolio. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of Class B Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM ADVISOR FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ----------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIO AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM EQUITY FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ---------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM FUNDS GROUP CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------------------- ------- ------- --------- PORTFOLIOS AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM New Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM GROWTH SERIES CHARGE FEE FEE ---------------------------- ------ ------- --------- PORTFOLIOS AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. CHARGE FEE FEE --------------------------------- ------- -------- --------- PORTFOLIOS AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE --------------------------------------- ------ -------- ---------- PORTFOLIOS AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------- ------ -------- ---------- PORTFOLIOS AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------- ------- -------- ---------- PORTFOLIOS AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM SECTOR FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------------- ------ -------- ---------- PORTFOLIO INVESCO Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Health Sciences Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Leisure Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Real Estate Opportunity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Telecommunications Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------- ------- ------- ---------- PORTFOLIO AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
EXHIBIT m(2)(e)
AMENDMENT NO. 4
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
(SECURITIZATION FEATURE)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12-1, is hereby amended, effective November 24, 2003, as follows:
1. Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with Schedule A attached hereto.
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended hereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SCHEDULE A
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES
The Fund shall pay the Distributor or the Assignee as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class B Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below to the average daily net assets of the Class B Shares of the Portfolio. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of Class B Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM EQUITY FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ---------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM FUNDS GROUP CHARGE FEE FEE --------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM GROWTH SERIES CHARGE FEE FEE ----------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. CHARGE FEE FEE ----------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM SECTOR FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ---------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIO INVESCO Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Health Sciences Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Leisure Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Real Estate Opportunity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIO AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
EXHIBIT m(2)(f)
AMENDMENT NO. 5
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
(SECURITIZATION FEATURE)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12-1, is hereby amended, effective November 25, 2003, as follows:
1. Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with Schedule A attached hereto.
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended hereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SCHEDULE A
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B SHARES)
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES
The Fund shall pay the Distributor or the Assignee as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class B Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below to the average daily net assets of the Class B Shares of the Portfolio. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of Class B Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM EQUITY FUND CHARGE FEE FEE --------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM FUNDS GROUP CHARGE FEE FEE --------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM GROWTH SERIES CHARGE FEE FEE ----------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------ ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO International Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ------------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIOS AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIO AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM AIM COMBINATION STOCK & SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE BOND FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ---------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIO INVESCO Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Total Return Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST CHARGE FEE FEE -------------------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIO INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM SECTOR FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ---------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIO INVESCO Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Health Sciences Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Leisure Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE AIM STOCK FUNDS CHARGE FEE FEE ---------------- ------ --- --- PORTFOLIO INVESCO Dynamics Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
EXHIBIT m(3)(a)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
(EFFECTIVE AUGUST 18, 2003)
SECTION 1. Each registered investment company, as described in Schedule A to this plan (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or of beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth in Schedule A to this plan (each, a "Portfolio"), may act as a distributor of the Class C Shares of such Portfolio (the "Shares") of which such Fund is the issuer, pursuant to Rule12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), according to the terms of this Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan").
SECTION 2. The Fund may incur expenses pursuant to this Plan on behalf of a Portfolio at the applicable annual rate set forth on Schedule A under "Maximum Aggregate Fee" of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the Shares. Such expenses shall be subject to any applicable limitations imposed from time to time by the applicable rules of NASD Inc. ("NASD").
SECTION 3. The Fund may expend amounts under this Plan to finance distribution-related services for the Shares of each Portfolio. Distribution-related services shall mean any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of the Shares, including, but not limited to, organizing and conducting sales seminars, implementing advertising programs, engaging finders and paying finders fees, printing prospectuses and statements of additional information (and supplements thereto) and annual and semi-annual reports for other than existing shareholders, preparing and distributing advertising material and sales literature, making supplemental payments to dealers and other institutions as asset-based sales charges, and administering this Plan.
The Fund has selected A I M Distributors, Inc. ("Distributors") to provide distribution-related services on behalf of and for the Shares of each Portfolio. Distributors may provide such distribution-related services either directly or through third parties.
SECTION 4. The Fund may also expend amounts under this Plan to finance
payments of service fees under arrangements for personal continuing shareholder
services. Personal continuing shareholder services may include, but shall not be
limited to, the following: (I) distributing sales literature to customers; (ii)
answering routine customer inquiries concerning the Fund and the Shares; (iii)
assisting customers in changing dividend options, account designations and
addresses, and in enrolling in any of several retirement plans offered in
connection with the purchase of Shares; (iv) assisting customers in the
establishment and maintenance of customer accounts and records, and in the
placement of purchase and redemption transactions; (v) assisting customers in
investing dividends and capital gains distributions automatically in Shares; and
(vi) providing such other information and services as the Fund or the customer
may reasonably request.
Distributors may implement these arrangements either directly or through third parties.
SECTION 5. All amounts expended pursuant to this Plan shall be paid to Distributors pursuant to the related agreement to this Plan attached hereto as Exhibit A and are the legal obligation of the Fund and not of Distributors. The maximum service fee payable by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio for personal continuing shareholder services shall be twenty-five one-
hundredths of one percent (0.25%), or such lower rate for the Portfolio as is specified on Schedule A, per annum of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the Shares owned by the customers of entity providing such shareholder services.
No provision of this Plan shall be interpreted to prohibit any payments by the Fund with respect to the Shares of a Portfolio during periods when the Fund has suspended or otherwise limited sales of such Shares.
SECTION 6. Distributors shall provide to the Fund's Board of Directors/Trustees ("Board of Trustees") and the Board of Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended under this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
SECTION 7. This Plan and any agreement related to this Plan shall become effective immediately, with respect to any Portfolio, upon the receipt by the applicable Fund of both (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, and (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of those Directors\Trustees ("Trustees") of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the "Dis-interested Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
SECTION 8. Any material amendments to this Plan must be approved, with respect to any Portfolio, by both (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the applicable Fund, and (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Dis-interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the amendment. In addition, this Plan may not be amended with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio to increase materially the amount to be spent for distribution provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Shares of such Portfolio.
SECTION 9. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section 10, this Plan and any related agreement shall continue in effect for the Shares of each Portfolio until June 30, 2004 and thereafter each shall continue in effect so long as such continuance is specifically approved, at least annually, in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in Section 7.
SECTION 10. This Plan may be terminated with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio at any time by vote of a majority of the Dis-interested Trustees of the applicable Fund, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of such Portfolio. If this Plan is terminated with respect to a Portfolio, the obligation of the Fund to make payments pursuant to this Plan with respect to such Portfolio will also cease and the Fund will not be required to make any payments with respect to such Portfolio beyond the termination date.
SECTION 11. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be made in writing, and shall provide:
(a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Dis-interested Trustees of the applicable Fund or by a vote of the outstanding Shares of such Portfolio, on not more than sixty (60) days' written notice to any other party to the agreement; and
(b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
SECTION 12. This Plan amends and restates the plan of distribution in effect immediately prior to August 18, 2003 (the "Prior Plan") for each Portfolio listed on Schedule A which had adopted the Prior Plan, insofar as such Prior Plan pertains to Class C Shares of the Portfolio.
SCHEDULE A
TO
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class C Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class C Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM ADVISOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM New Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Short Term Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM SERIES TRUST BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
EXHIBIT m(3)(b)
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective October 29, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class C Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class C Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM ADVISOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM New Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Short Term Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM SERIES TRUST BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%" |
* The Distribution Fee is payable apart from the sales charge, if any, as stated in the current prospectus for the applicable Portfolio (or Class thereof).
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: October 29, 2003
EXHIBIT m(3)(c)
AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 4, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class C Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class C Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM ADVISOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM New Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
AIM Trimark Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Short Term Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%" |
* The Distribution Fee is payable apart from the sales charge, if any, as stated in the current prospectus for the applicable Portfolio (or Class thereof).
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 4, 2003
EXHIBIT m(3)(d)
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 20, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class C Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class C Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM ADVISOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM New Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Science and Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
AIM Trimark Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Short Term Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM SECTOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Health Sciences Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Leisure Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Telecommunications Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%" |
* The Distribution Fee is payable apart from the sales charge, if any, as stated in the current prospectus for the applicable Portfolio (or Class thereof).
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 20, 2003
EXHIBIT m(3)(e)
AMENDMENT NO. 4
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 24, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class C Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class C Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Short Term Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM SECTOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Health Sciences Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Leisure Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%" |
* The Distribution Fee is payable apart from the sales charge, if any, as stated in the current prospectus for the applicable Portfolio (or Class thereof).
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 24, 2003
EXHIBIT m(3)(f)
AMENDMENT NO. 5
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 25, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class C Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class C Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class C Shares of the Portfolio.
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- INVESCO Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Total Return Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Charter Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
AIM Constellation Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------ SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM European Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM International Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO International Core Equity Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Libra Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM High Yield Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Income Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Money Market Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Short Term Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM SECTOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- INVESCO Energy Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Financial Services Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Health Sciences Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Leisure Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Technology Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Utilities Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM STOCK FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- INVESCO Dynamics Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00% |
MAXIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS C SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------ --- --- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%" |
* The Distribution Fee is payable apart from the sales charge, if any, as stated in the current prospectus for the applicable Portfolio (or Class thereof).
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 25, 2003
EXHIBIT m(4)(a)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS R SHARES)
(EFFECTIVE AUGUST 18, 2003)
SECTION 1. Each registered investment company, as described in Schedule A to this plan (each individually referred to as "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of its series of common stock or of beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth in Schedule A to this plan (each, a "Portfolio"), may act as a distributor of the Class R Shares of such Portfolio (the "Shares") of which such Fund is the issuer, pursuant to Rule12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), according to the terms of this Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan").
SECTION 2. The Fund may incur expenses pursuant to this Plan on behalf of a Portfolio at the applicable annual rate set forth on Schedule A under "Maximum Aggregate Fee" of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the Shares. Such expenses shall be subject to any applicable limitations imposed from time to time by the applicable rules of NASD Inc. ("NASD").
SECTION 3. The Fund may expend amounts under this Plan to finance distribution-related services for the Shares of each Portfolio. Distribution-related services shall mean any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of the Shares, including, but not limited to, organizing and conducting sales seminars, implementing advertising programs, engaging finders and paying finders fees, printing prospectuses and statements of additional information (and supplements thereto) and annual and semi-annual reports for other than existing shareholders, preparing and distributing advertising material and sales literature, making supplemental payments to dealers and other institutions as asset-based sales charges, and administering this Plan.
The Fund has selected A I M Distributors, Inc. ("Distributors") to provide distribution-related services on behalf of and for the Shares of each Portfolio. Distributors may provide such distribution-related services either directly or through third parties.
SECTION 4. The Fund may also expend amounts under this Plan to finance
payments of service fees under arrangements for personal continuing shareholder
services. Personal continuing shareholder services may include, but shall not be
limited to, the following: (I) distributing sales literature to customers; (ii)
answering routine customer inquiries concerning the Fund and the Shares; (iii)
assisting customers in changing dividend options, account designations and
addresses, and in enrolling in any of several retirement plans offered in
connection with the purchase of Shares; (iv) assisting customers in the
establishment and maintenance of customer accounts and records, and in the
placement of purchase and redemption transactions; (v) assisting customers in
investing dividends and capital gains distributions automatically in Shares; and
(vi) providing such other information and services as the Fund or the customer
may reasonably request.
Distributors may implement these arrangements either directly or through third parties.
SECTION 5. All amounts expended pursuant to this Plan shall be paid to Distributors pursuant to the related agreement to this Plan attached hereto as Exhibit A and are the legal obligation of the Fund and not of Distributors. The maximum service fee payable by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio for personal continuing shareholder services shall be twenty-five one-
hundredths of one percent (0.25%), or such lower rate for the Portfolio as is specified on Schedule A, per annum of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to the Shares owned by the customers of entity providing such shareholder services.
No provision of this Plan shall be interpreted to prohibit any payments by the Fund with respect to the Shares of a Portfolio during periods when the Fund has suspended or otherwise limited sales of such Shares.
SECTION 6. Distributors shall provide to the Fund's Board of Directors/Trustees ("Board of Trustees") and the Board of Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended under this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
SECTION 7. This Plan and any agreement related to this Plan shall become effective immediately, with respect to any Portfolio, upon the receipt by the applicable Fund of both (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, and (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of those Directors\Trustees ("Trustees") of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the "Dis-interested Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
SECTION 8. Any material amendments to this Plan must be approved, with respect to any Portfolio, by both (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the applicable Fund, and (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Dis-interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the amendment. In addition, this Plan may not be amended with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio to increase materially the amount to be spent for distribution provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Shares of such Portfolio.
SECTION 9. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section 10, this Plan and any related agreement shall continue in effect for the Shares of each Portfolio until June 30, 2004 and thereafter each shall continue in effect so long as such continuance is specifically approved, at least annually, in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in Section 7.
SECTION 10. This Plan may be terminated with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio at any time by vote of a majority of the Dis-interested Trustees of the applicable Fund, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of such Portfolio. If this Plan is terminated with respect to a Portfolio, the obligation of the Fund to make payments pursuant to this Plan with respect to such Portfolio will also cease and the Fund will not be required to make any payments with respect to such Portfolio beyond the termination date.
SECTION 11. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be made in writing, and shall provide:
(a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, with respect to the Shares of any Portfolio, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Dis-interested Trustees of the applicable Fund or by a vote of the outstanding Shares of such Portfolio, on not more than sixty (60) days' written notice to any other party to the agreement; and
(b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
SECTION 12. This Plan amends and restates the plan of distribution in effect immediately prior to August 18, 2003 (the "Prior Plan") for each Portfolio listed on Schedule A which had adopted the Prior Plan, insofar as such Prior Plan pertains to Class R Shares of the Portfolio.
SCHEDULE A
TO
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS R SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class R Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class R Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class R Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class R Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM ADVISOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Charter Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Constellation Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM European Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM International Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Income Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Money Market Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
EXHIBIT m(4)(b)
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS R SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 4, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS R SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class R Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class R Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class R Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class R Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM ADVISOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM International Core Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Charter Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Constellation Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM European Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM International Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Trimark Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Income Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Money Market Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 4, 2003
EXHIBIT m(4)(c)
AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS R SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 24, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS R SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class R Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class R Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class R Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class R Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Charter Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Constellation Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM European Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM International Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Trimark Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Income Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Money Market Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 24, 2003
EXHIBIT m(4)(d)
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS R SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 25, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS R SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class R Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class R Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class R Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class R Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Charter Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Constellation Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------ SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM European Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM International Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% INVESCO International Core Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Trimark Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Income Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Money Market Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM TREASURER'S SERIES TRUST BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Stable Value Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% |
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 25, 2003
Class C AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C AIM New Technology Fund - Class A Class C AIM Premier Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Premier Equity II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Select Equity Fund - Class A Class C AIM Small Cap Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R AIM GROWTH SERIES AIM Basic Value Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM Small Cap Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC. AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM European Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund - Class A Class C 9 |
AIM Global Growth Fund - Class A Class C AIM International Growth Fund - Class A Class C Class R Institutional Class AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS AIM Developing Markets Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Financial Services Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Health Care Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Energy Fund - Class A Class C AIM Global Science and Technology Fund - Class A Class C AIM Libra Fund - Class A Class C AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS AIM High Yield Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Income Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Intermediate Government Fund - Class A Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund - Class A Class A3 Institutional Class 10 |
AIM Money Market Fund - AIM Cash Reserve Shares Class C Class R Investor Class AIM Municipal Bond Fund - Class A Class C Investor Class AIM Short Term Bond Fund - Class C AIM Total Return Bond Fund - Class A Class C AIM SERIES TRUST AIM Global Trends Fund - Class A Class C AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS AIM Opportunities I Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities II Fund - Class A Class C AIM Opportunities III Fund - Class A Class C AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUND AIM High Income Municipal Fund - Class A Class C AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund - Class A Investor Class AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund - Class A Class A3 |
EXHIBIT m(1)(f)
AMENDMENT NO. 5
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 25, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class A Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class A Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Total Return Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Charter Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Constellation Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
.
.
.
AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM FUNDS GROUP BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Balanced Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Balanced Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Small Company Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM International Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Premier Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Select Equity Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Small Cap Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM GROWTH SERIES BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ----------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Trends Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Small Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------ SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM European Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Growth Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM International Growth Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% INVESCO International Core Equity Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Developing Markets Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Global Health Care Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% AIM Libra Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Yield Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Income Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Intermediate Government Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund 0.00% 0.15% 0.15% AIM Municipal Bond Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Real Estate Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Total Return Bond Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SECTOR FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Energy Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Financial Services Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Health Sciences Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Leisure Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Technology Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Utilities Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ------------------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Opportunities I Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Opportunities III Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
.
.
.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM STOCK FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM --------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- INVESCO Dynamics Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% |
MINIMUM ASSET AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM -------------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM High Income Municipal Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%" |
* The Distribution Fee is payable apart from the sales charge, if any, as stated in the current prospectus for the applicable Portfolio (or Class thereof).
All other terms and provisions of the Plan not amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.
Dated: November 25, 2003
EXHIBIT m(1)(e)
AMENDMENT NO. 4
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
The Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of August 18, 2003, pursuant to Rule 12b-1, is hereby amended, effective November 24, 2003, as follows:
Schedule A to the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"SCHEDULE A
TO
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
(DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES)
The Fund shall pay the Distributor as full compensation for all services rendered and all facilities furnished under the Distribution Plan for the Class A Shares of each Portfolio designated below, a Distribution Fee* and a Service Fee determined by applying the annual rate set forth below as to the Class A Shares of each Portfolio to the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio for the plan year. Average daily net assets shall be computed in a manner used for the determination of the offering price of the Class A Shares of the Portfolio.
MINIMUM ASSET AIM EQUITY FUNDS BASED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM ---------------- SALES SERVICE AGGREGATE PORTFOLIO - CLASS A SHARES CHARGE FEE FEE ------- ------- --------- AIM Aggressive Growth Fund 0.00% 0.25% 0.25% AIM Basic Value II Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Blue Chip Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Capital Development Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Charter Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Constellation Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% AIM Core Strategies Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Diversified Dividend Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Emerging Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Large Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM U.S. Growth Fund 0.10% 0.25% 0.35% AIM Weingarten Fund 0.05% 0.25% 0.30% |
EXHIBIT m(6)
[AIM INVESTMENTS LOGO]
MASTER RELATED AGREEMENT TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
This Master Related Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") by each registered investment company, listed in Schedule A to this Agreement (each individually referred to as a "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of the series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth in Schedule A to this Agreement (each, a "Portfolio"), with respect to the Class A Shares of each such Portfolio listed on Schedule A. This Agreement, being made between A I M Distributors, Inc. ("Distributors") and each Fund, on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, defines the services to be provided by Distributors, or its designees, for which it is to receive payments pursuant to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class A Shares) (the "Plan") adopted by each of the Funds. The Plan has been approved by a majority of the directors/trustees ("Trustees") of each of the Funds, including a majority of the Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or this Agreement (the "Dis-Interested Trustees"), by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan.
1. a. Distributors may use payments received pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement to provide continuing personal shareholder services to customers who may, from time to time, directly or beneficially own shares of the Funds. Continuing personal shareholder services may include but are not limited to, distributing sales literature to customers, answering routine customer inquiries regarding the Funds, assisting customers in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses, and in enrolling in any of several special investment plans offered in connection with the purchase of the Funds' shares, assisting customers in the establishment and maintenance of customer accounts and records and in the placement of purchase and redemption transactions, assisting customers in investing dividends and capital gains distributions automatically in shares, and providing such other services as the Funds or the customer may reasonably request and Distributors agrees to provide. Distributors will not be obligated to provide services which are provided by a transfer agent for a Fund with respect to a Portfolio.
b. Distributors may also use the payments received pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement for distribution-related services. As used in this Agreement, "distribution-related services" shall mean any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of the Shares, including, but not limited to, organizing and conducting sales seminars, implementing advertising programs, engaging finders and paying finders fees, printing prospectuses and statements of additional information (and supplements thereto) and annual and semi-annual reports for other than existing shareholders, preparing and distributing advertising material and sales literature, making supplemental payments to dealers and other institutions as asset-based sales charges, and administering the Plan.
c. Distributors may provide the services described in paragraphs
a. and b. above either directly or through third parties (its
"designees").
2. For the services provided by Distributors or its designees pursuant to this Agreement, each Fund shall pay Distributors a fee, calculated at the end of each month at the annual rate set forth in Schedule A, or such lesser rate as shall be agreed to by Distributors, as applied to the average net asset value of the shares of such Fund purchased or acquired through exchange on or after the Plan Calculation Date shown for such Fund on Schedule A.
3. The total of the fees calculated for all of the Funds listed on Schedule A for any period with respect to which calculations are made shall be paid to Distributors within 10 days after the close of each month.
4. Distributors shall furnish the Funds with such information as shall reasonably be requested by the Trustees of the Funds with respect to the fees paid to Distributors pursuant to this Agreement.
5. Distributors shall furnish the Trustees of the Funds, for their review on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
6. Distributors may enter into other similar Master Related Agreements with any other investment company without a Fund's consent.
7. This Agreement shall become effective immediately upon its approval by a majority of the Trustees of each of the Funds, including a majority of the Dis-Interested Trustees, by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan and this Agreement.
8. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect as long as the continuance of the Plan and this Agreement are approved at least annually by a vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the Dis-Interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting thereon.
9. This Agreement may be terminated with respect to any Fund at any time without payment of any penalty by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of such Fund who are Dis-interested Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares, on sixty (60) days' written notice. It will be terminated by any act which terminates the Fund's Plan, and in any event, it shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
10. This Agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties.
11. All communications should be sent to the address of each signor as shown at the bottom of this Agreement.
12. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: _____________________________________ Name: ___________________________________ Title: __________________________________ 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77046-1173 Attn: President EFFECTIVE [DATE]. FUND (LISTED IN SCHEDULE A) on behalf of the Class A Shares of each Portfolio listed on Schedule A By: ____________________________________ Name: __________________________________ Title: _________________________________ |
SCHEDULE "A" TO
MASTER RELATED AGREEMENT
Maximum Aggregate Fund Fee Rate* Plan Calculation Date ---- --------- --------------------- AIM EQUITY FUNDS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund A Shares 0.25 July 1, 1992 AIM Blue Chip Fund A Shares 0.35 June 3, 1996 AIM Capital Development Fund A Shares 0.35 June 17, 1996 AIM Charter Fund A Shares 0.30 November 18, 1986 AIM Constellation Fund A Shares 0.30 September 9, 1986 AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund A Shares 0.35 June 7, 1999 AIM Diversified Dividend Fund A Shares 0.35 December 31, 2001 AIM Emerging Growth Fund A Shares 0.35 March 31, 2000 AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund A Shares 0.35 July 15, 1999 AIM Large Cap Growth Fund A Shares 0.35 March 1, 1999 AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund A Shares 0.35 November 1, 1999 AIM Weingarten Fund A Shares 0.30 September 9, 1986 AIM FUNDS GROUP AIM Balanced Fund A Shares 0.25 October 18, 1993 AIM Basic Balanced Fund A Shares 0.35 September 28, 2001 AIM European Small Company Fund A Shares 0.35 August 31, 2000 AIM Global Value Fund A Shares 0.35 December 29, 2000 AIM International Emerging Growth Fund A Shares 0.35 August 31, 2000 AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund A Shares 0.35 December 31, 2001 AIM Premier Equity Fund A Shares 0.25 July 1, 1992 AIM Select Equity Fund A Shares 0.25 July 1, 1992 AIM Small Cap Equity Fund A Shares 0.35 August 31, 2000 AIM GROWTH SERIES AIM Basic Value Fund A Shares 0.35 May 29, 1998 AIM Global Trends Fund A Shares 0.50 May 29, 1998 AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund A Shares 0.35 May 29, 1998 AIM Small Cap Growth Fund A Shares(1) 0.35 May 29, 1998 |
Maximum Aggregate Fund Fee Rate* Plan Calculation Date ---- --------- --------------------- AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund A Shares 0.35 November 1, 1997 AIM European Growth Fund A Shares 0.35 November 1, 1997 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund A Shares 0.50 September 15, 1994 AIM Global Growth Fund A Shares 0.50 September 15, 1994 AIM International Growth Fund A Shares 0.30 May 21, 1992 INVESCO International Core Equity Fund A Shares 0.35 March 29, 2002 AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS AIM Developing Markets Fund A Shares 0.50 May 29, 1998 AIM Global Health Care Fund A Shares 0.50 May 29, 1998 AIM Libra Fund A Shares 0.35 November 1, 2002 AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund A Shares 0.35 November 4, 2003 AIM Trimark Fund A Shares 0.35 November 4, 2003 AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund A Shares 0.35 November 4, 2003 AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS AIM High Yield Fund A Shares 0.25 July 1, 1992 AIM Income Fund A Shares 0.25 July 1, 1992 AIM Intermediate Government Fund A Shares 0.25 July 1, 1992 AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund A Shares 0.15 December 2, 1987 AIM Municipal Bond Fund A Shares 0.25 July 1, 1992 AIM Real Estate Fund A Shares 0.35 August 4, 1997 AIM Total Return Bond Fund A Shares 0.35 December 31, 2001 AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS AIM Opportunities I Fund A Shares 0.35 June 29, 1998 AIM Opportunities II Fund A Shares 0.35 December 30, 1998 AIM Opportunities III Fund A Shares 0.35 December 30, 1999 AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS AIM High Income Municipal Fund A Shares 0.25 December 22, 1997 AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund A Shares 0.25 July 1, 1992 |
SCHEDULE "A" TO
RELATED AGREEMENT
Maximum Aggregate Fund Fee Rate* Plan Calculation Date ---- --------- --------------------- AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS INVESCO Core Equity Fund A Shares 0.35 March 29, 2002 INVESCO Total Return Fund A Shares 0.35 March 29, 2002 AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund A Shares 0.35 May 15, 2001 INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund A Shares 0.35 August 30, 2002 AIM SECTOR FUNDS INVESCO Energy Fund A Shares 0.35 March 29, 2002 INVESCO Financial Services Fund A Shares 0.35 March 29, 2002 INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund A Shares 0.35 March 29, 2002 INVESCO Health Sciences Fund A Shares 0.35 March 29, 2002 INVESCO Leisure Fund A Shares 0.35 March 29, 2002 INVESCO Technology Fund A Shares 0.35 March 29, 2002 INVESCO Utilities Fund A Shares 0.25(2) March 29, 2002 AIM STOCK FUNDS INVESCO Dynamics Fund A Shares 0.35 March 29, 2002 INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund A Shares 0.35 September 28, 2001 INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund A Shares 0.35 March 29, 2002 |
* Of this amount, 0.25% is paid as a shareholder servicing fee and the remainder is paid as an asset based sales charge, as these terms are defined under the rules of the NASD, Inc.
EXHIBIT m(7)
[AIM INVESTMENTS LOGO]
MASTER RELATED AGREEMENT TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS C SHARES)
This Master Related Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") by each registered investment company, listed in Schedule A to this Agreement (each individually referred to as a "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of the series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth in Schedule A to this Agreement (each, a "Portfolio" ), with respect to the Class C Shares of each such Portfolio listed on Schedule A. This Agreement, being made between A I M Distributors, Inc. ("Distributors") and each Fund, on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, defines the services to be provided by Distributors, or its designees, for which it is to receive payments pursuant to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class C Shares) (the "Plan") adopted by each of the Funds. The Plan has been approved by a majority of the directors/trustees ("Trustees") of each of the Funds, including a majority of the Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or this Agreement (the "Dis-Interested Trustees"), by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan.
1. a. Distributors may use payments received pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement to provide continuing personal shareholder services to customers who may, from time to time, directly or beneficially own shares of the Funds. Continuing personal shareholder services may include but are not limited to, distributing sales literature to customers, answering routine customer inquiries regarding the Funds, assisting customers in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses, and in enrolling in any of several special investment plans offered in connection with the purchase of the Funds' shares, assisting customers in the establishment and maintenance of customer accounts and records and in the placement of purchase and redemption transactions, assisting customers in investing dividends and capital gains distributions automatically in shares, and providing such other services as the Funds or the customer may reasonably request and Distributors agrees to provide. Distributors will not be obligated to provide services which are provided by a transfer agent for a Fund with respect to a Portfolio.
b. Distributors may also use the payments received pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement for distribution-related services. As used in this Agreement, "distribution-related services" shall mean any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of the Shares, including, but not limited to, organizing and conducting sales seminars, implementing advertising programs, engaging finders and paying finders fees, printing prospectuses and statements of additional information (and supplements thereto) and annual and semi-annual reports for other than existing shareholders, preparing and distributing advertising material and sales literature, making supplemental payments to dealers and other institutions as asset-based sales charges, and administering the Plan.
c. Distributors may provide the services described in paragraphs
a. and b. above either directly or through third parties (its
"designees").
2. For the services provided by Distributors or its designees pursuant to this Agreement, each Fund shall pay Distributors a fee, calculated at the end of each month at the annual rate set forth in Schedule A, or such lesser rate as shall be agreed to by Distributors, as applied to the average net asset value of the shares of such Fund purchased or acquired through exchange on or after the Plan Calculation Date shown for such Fund on Schedule A.
3. The total of the fees calculated for all of the Funds listed on Schedule A for any period with respect to which calculations are made shall be paid to Distributors within 10 days after the close of each month.
4. Distributors shall furnish the Funds with such information as shall reasonably be requested by the Trustees of the Funds with respect to the fees paid to Distributors pursuant to this Agreement.
5. Distributors shall furnish the Trustees of the Funds, for their review on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
6. Distributors may enter into other similar Master Related Agreements with any other investment company without a Fund's consent.
7. This Agreement shall become effective immediately upon its approval by a majority of the Trustees of each of the Funds, including a majority of the Dis-Interested Trustees, by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan and this Agreement.
8. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect as long as the continuance of the Plan and this Agreement are approved at least annually by a vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the Dis-Interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting thereon.
9. This Agreement may be terminated with respect to any Fund at any time without payment of any penalty by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of such Fund who are Dis-interested Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares, on sixty (60) days' written notice. It will be terminated by any act which terminates the Fund's Plan, and in any event, it shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
10. This Agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties.
11. All communications should be sent to the address of each signor as shown at the bottom of this Agreement.
12. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:_______________________________ Name: ____________________________ Title: ___________________________ 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77046-1173 Attn: President EFFECTIVE [DATE]. FUND (LISTED IN SCHEDULE A) on behalf of the Class C Shares of each Portfolio listed on Schedule A By: _______________________________ Name: _____________________________ Title: ____________________________ |
SCHEDULE "A" TO
RELATED AGREEMENT
Maximum Aggregate Fund Fee Rate* Plan Calculation Date ---- --------- --------------------- AIM EQUITY FUNDS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 March 1, 1999 AIM Blue Chip Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Capital Development Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Charter Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Constellation Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Dent Demographic Trends Fund C Shares 1.00 June 7, 1999 AIM Diversified Dividend Fund C Shares 1.00 December 31, 2001 AIM Emerging Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 March 31, 2000 AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund C Shares 1.00 August 1, 2000 AIM Large Cap Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 April 5, 1999 AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 November 1, 1999 AIM Weingarten Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM FUNDS GROUP AIM Balanced Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Basic Balanced Fund C Shares 1.00 September 28, 2001 AIM European Small Company Fund C Shares 1.00 August 31, 2000 AIM Global Value Fund C Shares 1.00 December 29, 2000 AIM International Emerging Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 August 31, 2000 AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund C Shares 1.00 December 31, 2001 AIM Premier Equity Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Select Equity Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Small Cap Equity Fund C Shares 1.00 August 31, 2000 AIM GROWTH SERIES AIM Basic Value Fund C Shares 1.00 May 3, 1999 AIM Global Trends Fund C Shares 1.00 May 29, 1998 AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund C Shares 1.00 May 3, 1999 AIM Small Cap Growth Fund C Shares(1) 1.00 May 3, 1999 AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 November 1, 1997 AIM European Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 November 1, 1997 AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Global Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM International Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 INVESCO International Core Equity Fund C Shares 1.00 June 1, 2000 |
Maximum Aggregate Fund Fee Rate* Plan Calculation Date ---- --------- --------------------- AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS AIM Developing Markets Fund C Shares 1.00 March 1, 1999 AIM Global Health Care Fund C Shares 1.00 March 1, 1999 AIM Libra Fund C Shares 1.00 November 1, 2002 AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund C Shares 1.00 November 4, 2003 AIM Trimark Fund C Shares 1.00 November 4, 2003 AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund C Shares 1.00 November 4, 2003 AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS AIM High Yield Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Income Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Intermediate Government Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Money Market Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Municipal Bond Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Short Term Bond Fund C Shares 1.00 August 30, 2002 AIM Real Estate Fund C Shares 1.00 August 4, 1997 AIM Total Return Bond Fund C Shares 1.00 December 31, 2001 AIM SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUNDS AIM Opportunities I Fund C Shares 1.00 December 30, 1998 AIM Opportunities II Fund C Shares 1.00 November 12, 1999 AIM Opportunities III Fund C Shares 1.00 March 31, 2000 AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS AIM High Income Municipal Fund C Shares 1.00 December 22, 1997 |
SCHEDULE "A" TO
RELATED AGREEMENT
Maximum Aggregate Fund Fee Rate* Plan Calculation Date ---- --------- --------------------- AIM COMBINATION STOCK & BOND FUNDS INVESCO Core Equity Fund C Shares 1.00 June 1, 2000 INVESCO Total Return Fund C Shares 1.00 June 1, 2000 AIM COUNSELOR SERIES TRUST INVESCO Advantage Health Sciences Fund C Shares 1.00 May 15, 2001 INVESCO Multi-Sector Fund C Shares 1.00 August 30, 2002 AIM SECTOR FUNDS INVESCO Energy Fund C Shares 1.00 June 1, 2000 INVESCO Financial Services Fund C Shares 1.00 June 1, 2000 INVESCO Gold & Precious Metals Fund C Shares 1.00 June 1, 2000 INVESCO Health Sciences Fund C Shares 1.00 June 1, 2000 INVESCO Leisure Fund C Shares 1.00 June 1, 2000 INVESCO Technology Fund C Shares 1.00 June 1, 2000 INVESCO Utilities Fund C Shares 1.00 September 28, 2001 AIM STOCK FUNDS INVESCO Dynamics Fund C Shares 1.00 June 1, 2000 INVESCO Mid-Cap Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 September 28, 2001 INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund C Shares 1.00 June 1, 2000 |
EXHIBIT m(8)
[AIM INVESTMENTS LOGO]
MASTER RELATED AGREEMENT TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS R SHARES)
This Master Related Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") by each registered investment company, listed in Schedule A to this Agreement (each individually referred to as a "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of the series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth in Schedule A to this Agreement (each, a "Portfolio" ), with respect to the Class R Shares of each such Portfolio listed on Schedule A. This Agreement, being made between A I M Distributors, Inc. ("Distributors") and each Fund, on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, defines the services to be provided by Distributors, or its designees, for which it is to receive payments pursuant to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Class R Shares) (the "Plan") adopted by each of the Funds. The Plan has been approved by a majority of the directors/trustees ("Trustees") of each of the Funds, including a majority of the Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or this Agreement (the "Dis-Interested Trustees"), by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan.
1. a. Distributors may use payments received pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement to provide continuing personal shareholder services to customers who may, from time to time, directly or beneficially own shares of the Funds. Continuing personal shareholder services may include but are not limited to, distributing sales literature to customers, answering routine customer inquiries regarding the Funds, assisting customers in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses, and in enrolling in any of several special investment plans offered in connection with the purchase of the Funds' shares, assisting customers in the establishment and maintenance of customer accounts and records and in the placement of purchase and redemption transactions, assisting customers in investing dividends and capital gains distributions automatically in shares, and providing such other services as the Funds or the customer may reasonably request and Distributors agrees to provide. Distributors will not be obligated to provide services which are provided by a transfer agent for a Fund with respect to a Portfolio.
b. Distributors may also use the payments received pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement for distribution-related services. As used in this Agreement, "distribution-related services" shall mean any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of the Shares, including, but not limited to, organizing and conducting sales seminars, implementing advertising programs, engaging finders and paying finders fees, printing prospectuses and statements of additional information (and supplements thereto) and annual and semi-annual reports for other than existing shareholders, preparing and distributing advertising material and sales literature, making supplemental payments to dealers and other institutions as asset-based sales charges, and administering the Plan.
c. Distributors may provide the services described in paragraphs
a. and b. above either directly or through third parties (its
"designees").
2. For the services provided by Distributors or its designees pursuant to this Agreement, each Fund shall pay Distributors a fee, calculated at the end of each month at the annual rate set forth in Schedule A, or such lesser rate as shall be agreed to by Distributors, as applied to the average net asset value of the shares of such Fund purchased or acquired through exchange on or after the Plan Calculation Date shown for such Fund on Schedule A.
3. The total of the fees calculated for all of the Funds listed on Schedule A for any period with respect to which calculations are made shall be paid to Distributors within 10 days after the close of each month.
4. Distributors shall furnish the Funds with such information as shall reasonably be requested by the Trustees of the Funds with respect to the fees paid to Distributors pursuant to this Agreement.
5. Distributors shall furnish the Trustees of the Funds, for their review on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
6. Distributors may enter into other similar Master Related Agreements with any other investment company without a Fund's consent.
7. This Agreement shall become effective immediately upon its approval by a majority of the Trustees of each of the Funds, including a majority of the Dis-Interested Trustees, by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan and this Agreement.
8. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect as long as the continuance of the Plan and this Agreement are approved at least annually by a vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the Dis-Interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting thereon.
9. This Agreement may be terminated with respect to any Fund at any time without payment of any penalty by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of such Fund who are Dis-interested Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares, on sixty (60) days' written notice. It will be terminated by any act which terminates the Fund's Plan, and in any event, it shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
10. This Agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties.
11. All communications should be sent to the address of each signor as shown at the bottom of this Agreement.
12. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: __________________________________ Name: ________________________________ Title: _______________________________ 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77046-1173 Attn: President EFFECTIVE [DATE]. FUND (LISTED IN SCHEDULE A) on behalf of the Class R Shares of each Portfolio listed on Schedule A By: __________________________________ Name: ________________________________ Title: _______________________________ |
SCHEDULE "A" TO
RELATED AGREEMENT
Maximum Aggregate Fund Fee Rate* Plan Calculation Date ---- --------- --------------------- AIM EQUITY FUNDS AIM Aggressive Growth Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Blue Chip Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Capital Development Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Charter Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Constellation Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Large Cap Growth Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Mid Cap Growth Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Weingarten Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM FUNDS GROUP AIM Balanced Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Premier Equity Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Small Cap Equity Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM GROWTH SERIES AIM Basic Value Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Small Cap Growth Fund R Shares(1) 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS AIM European Growth Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM International Growth Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 INVESCO International Core Equity Fund R Shares 0.50 November 24, 2003 AIM INVESTMENT FUNDS AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund R Shares 0.50 November 4, 2003 AIM Trimark Fund R Shares 0.50 November 4, 2003 AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund R Shares 0.50 November 4, 2003 AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS AIM Income Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Intermediate Government Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 AIM Money Market Fund R Shares 0.50 June 3, 2002 |
SCHEDULE "A" TO
RELATED AGREEMENT
Maximum Aggregate Fund Fee Rate* Plan Calculation Date ---- --------- --------------------- AIM TREASURER'S SERIES TRUST INVESCO Stable Value Fund R Shares 0.50 [ , 2003] |
EXHIBIT m(9)
[AIM INVESTMENTS LOGO]
MASTER RELATED AGREEMENT TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(INVESTOR CLASS SHARES)
This Master Related Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") by each registered investment company, listed in Schedule A to this Agreement (each individually referred to as a "Fund", or collectively, "Funds"), severally, on behalf of each of the series of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, set forth in Schedule A to this Agreement (each, a "Portfolio" ), with respect to the Investor Class Shares of each such Portfolio listed on Schedule A. This Agreement, being made between A I M Distributors, Inc. ("Distributors") and each Fund, on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, defines the services to be provided by Distributors, or its designees, for which it is to receive payments pursuant to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Plan (Investor Class Shares) (the "Plan") adopted by each of the Funds. The Plan has been approved by a majority of the directors/trustees ("Trustees") of each of the Funds, including a majority of the Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or this Agreement (the "Dis-Interested Trustees"), by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan.
1. a. Distributors may use payments received pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement to provide continuing personal shareholder services to customers who may, from time to time, directly or beneficially own shares of the Funds. Continuing personal shareholder services may include but are not limited to, distributing sales literature to customers, answering routine customer inquiries regarding the Funds, assisting customers in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses, and in enrolling in any of several special investment plans offered in connection with the purchase of the Funds' shares, assisting customers in the establishment and maintenance of customer accounts and records and in the placement of purchase and redemption transactions, assisting customers in investing dividends and capital gains distributions automatically in shares, and providing such other services as the Funds or the customer may reasonably request and Distributors agrees to provide. Distributors will not be obligated to provide services which are provided by a transfer agent for a Fund with respect to a Portfolio.
b. Distributors may also use the payments received pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement for distribution-related services. As used in this Agreement, "distribution-related services" shall mean any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of the Shares, including, but not limited to, organizing and conducting sales seminars, implementing advertising programs, engaging finders and paying finders fees, printing prospectuses and statements of additional information (and supplements thereto) and annual and semi-annual reports for other than existing shareholders, preparing and distributing advertising material and sales literature, making supplemental payments to dealers and other institutions as asset-based sales charges, and administering the Plan.
c. Distributors may provide the services described in paragraphs
a. and b. above either directly or through third parties (its
"designees").
2. For the services provided by Distributors or its designees pursuant to this Agreement, each Fund shall pay Distributors a fee, calculated at the end of each month at the annual rate set forth in Schedule A, or such lesser rate as shall be agreed to by Distributors, as applied to the average net asset value of the shares of such Fund purchased or acquired through exchange on or after the Plan Calculation Date shown for such Fund on Schedule A.
3. The total of the fees calculated for all of the Funds listed on Schedule A for any period with respect to which calculations are made shall be paid to Distributors within 10 days after the close of each month.
4. Distributors shall furnish the Funds with such information as shall reasonably be requested by the Trustees of the Funds with respect to the fees paid to Distributors pursuant to this Agreement.
5. Distributors shall furnish the Trustees of the Funds, for their review on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
6. Distributors may enter into other similar Master Related Agreements with any other investment company without a Fund's consent.
7. This Agreement shall become effective immediately upon its approval by a majority of the Trustees of each of the Funds, including a majority of the Dis-Interested Trustees, by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan and this Agreement.
8. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect as long as the continuance of the Plan and this Agreement are approved at least annually by a vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the Dis-Interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting thereon.
9. This Agreement may be terminated with respect to any Fund at any time without payment of any penalty by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of such Fund who are Dis-interested Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares, on sixty (60) days' written notice. It will be terminated by any act which terminates the Fund's Plan, and in any event, it shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
10. This Agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties.
11. All communications should be sent to the address of each signor as shown at the bottom of this Agreement.
12. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: ________________________________ Name: ______________________________ Title: _____________________________ 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77046-1173 Attn: President EFFECTIVE [DATE]. FUND (LISTED IN SCHEDULE A) on behalf of the Investor Class Shares of each Portfolio listed on Schedule A By: ________________________________ Name: ______________________________ Title: _____________________________ |
SCHEDULE "A" TO
RELATED AGREEMENT
Maximum Aggregate Fund Fee Rate Plan Calculation Date ---- -------- --------------------- AIM EQUITY FUNDS AIM Blue Chip Fund Investor Shares 0.25 October 1, 2003 AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund Investor Shares 0.25 October 1, 2003 AIM Large Cap Growth Fund Investor Shares 0.25 October 1, 2003 AIM INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS AIM European Growth Fund Investor Shares 0.25 October 1, 2003 AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS AIM High Yield Fund Investor Shares 0.25 October 1, 2003 AIM Income Fund Investor Shares 0.25 October 1, 2003 AIM Intermediate Government Fund Investor Shares 0.25 October 1, 2003 AIM Municipal Bond Fund Investor Shares 0.25 October 1, 2003 AIM Real Estate Fund Investor Shares 0.25 October 1, 2003 |