File Nos. 2-32773
811-01835
As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 27, 2006
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. 65 / X / --- |
and/or
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
PIONEER VALUE FUND
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (617) 742-7825
Dorothy E. Bourassa, Secretary, Pioneer Value Fund,
60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
___ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) _X_ on February 1, 2006 pursuant to paragraph (b) ___ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) ___ on [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) ___ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) ___ on [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
__ This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Pioneer Value Fund
Investor Class Prospectus, dated February 1, 2006
Pioneer Value Fund (the "Fund") issued Investor Class shares in connection with the reorganization of Safeco Large-Cap Value Fund into the Fund (the "reorganization"). The Fund is not offering additional Investor Class shares except in connection with the reinvestment of dividends on the Fund's outstanding Investor Class shares. Holders of Investor Class shares of the Fund may be eligible to purchase Class A shares of the Fund without paying a sales load, pursuant to the prospectus for that class.
All Investor Class shares of the Fund, whenever issued, convert to Class A shares of the Fund on December 10, 2006.
A copy of the prospectus for the Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares is attached. The following sections from the Class A, Class B and Class C shares prospectus are incorporated by reference into this prospectus:
o Basic information About the Fund (other than "Fees and expenses");
o Management;
o Dividends, capital gains and taxes;
o Financial Highlights; and
o The following sections under "Buying, exchanging and selling shares":
o Net asset value
o Opening your account - Account options, Telephone transaction privileges and Online transaction privileges
o General rules on buying, exchanging and selling shares (other than the subsections entitled "Buying" and "Buying Shares")
o Account options
o Shareowner services
o Shareowner account policies
Fees and expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the fund.
Shareowner fees paid directly from your investment Investor Class ---------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum sales charge (load) when you buy shares None ---------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum deferred sales charge (load) None ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
Annual fund operating expenses paid from the assets of the fund as a percentage of average daily net assets Investor Class(3) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Management Fee(2) 0.53% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee 0.00% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Other Expenses(1) 0.22% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.75% ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
(1) The fund's total annual operating expenses in the table have not been reduced by any expense offset arrangements.
(2) The fund pays a management fee that ranges from 0.50% to 0.70% of average daily net assets, based on its performance and size of the fund. The fund's basic fee, before any performance adjustment, is 0.60% of average daily net assets. This fee is reduced at asset levels above $5 billion. See "Management fee" in the fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares prospectus.
(3) The table below shows expenses for Class A shares.
Annual fund operating expenses paid from the assets of the fund as a percentage of average daily net assets Class A -------------------------------------------------------- Management Fee(2) 0.53% -------------------------------------------------------- Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee 0.25% -------------------------------------------------------- Other Expenses(1) 0.20% -------------------------------------------------------- Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.98% -------------------------------------------------------- |
Example
This example helps you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes that: a) you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods shown, b) you reinvest all dividends and distributions, c) your investment has a 5% return each year and d) the fund's operating expenses remain the same.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, under these assumptions your costs would be:
Number of years you own your shares --------------------------------------------- 1 3 5 10 --------------------------------------------- $77 $ 289 $ 519 $ 1,180 |
Financial highlights
The financial highlights table helps you understand the fund's financial performance since the inception of Investor Class shares.
Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that you would have earned on an investment in Investor Class shares of the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information below has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the fund's independent registered public accounting firm, whose report is included in the fund's annual report along with the fund's financial statements. The annual report is available upon request.
Pioneer Value Fund
Investor Class
For the period from 12/11/04 (Commencement of Operations) to 9/30/05 ------------------ Net asset value, beginning of period $ 17.30 -------- Increase from investment operations: Net investment income $ 0.15 Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions 1.15 -------- Net increase from investment operations $ 1.30 Distributions to shareowners: Net investment income (0.07) Net realized loss (0.96) -------- Net increase in net asset value $ 0.27 -------- Net asset value, end of period $ 17.57 -------- Total return* 7.54%*** Ratio of net expenses to average net assets+ 0.75%** Ratio of net investment income to average net assets+ 1.03%** Portfolio turnover rate 53% Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $125,647 Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly: Net expenses 0.74%** Net investment income 1.04%** |
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period, and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
** Annualized.
*** Not Annualized
+ Ratio assuming no reduction for fees paid indirectly.
18716-00-0206
(C) 2006 Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Underwriter of Pioneer mutual funds, Member SIPC
Prospectus
February 1, 2006
Class A, Class B and Class C Shares
Basic information about the fund .............. 1 Management .................................... 9 Buying, exchanging and selling shares ......... 12 Dividends, capital gains and taxes ............ 42 Financial highlights .......................... 43 |
[LOGO] PIONEER
Investments(R)
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities agency has approved the fund's shares or determined whether this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a crime.
Basic information about the fund
Investment objective
Reasonable income and capital growth.
Principal investment strategies
The fund seeks to invest in a broad list of carefully selected, reasonably priced securities rather than in securities whose prices reflect a premium resulting from their current market popularity. The fund invests the major portion of its assets in equity securities, primarily of U.S. issuers. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, equity securities include common stocks, convertible debt and other equity instruments, such as equity-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs), depositary receipts, warrants, rights, equity interests in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and preferred stocks.
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc., the fund's investment adviser, uses a value approach to select the fund's investments. Using this investment style, Pioneer seeks securities selling at reasonable prices or at substantial discounts to their underlying values and then holds these securities until the market values reflect their intrinsic values. Pioneer evaluates a security's potential value, including the attractiveness of its market valuation, based on the company's assets and prospects for earnings and revenue growth. In making that assessment, Pioneer employs due diligence and fundamental research, an evaluation of the issuer based on its financial statements and operations, employing a bottom-up analytic style. Pioneer also considers a security's potential to provide a reasonable amount of income. Pioneer relies on the knowledge, experience and judgment of its staff and the staff of its affiliates who have access to a wide variety of research. Pioneer focuses on the quality and price of individual issuers, not on economic sector or market-timing strategies. Factors Pioneer looks for in selecting investments include:
o Above average potential for earnings and revenue growth
o Favorable expected returns relative to perceived risks
o Management with demonstrated ability and commitment to the company
o Low market valuations relative to earnings forecast, book value, cash flow
and sales
o Turnaround potential for companies that have been through difficult periods
o Good prospects for dividend growth
The fund primarily invests in securities of U.S. issuers. The fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers. The fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of emerging markets issuers.
The fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in REITs. REITs are companies that invest primarily in real estate or real estate related loans.
Principal risks of investing in the fund
Even though the fund seeks reasonable income and capital growth, you could lose money on your investment or not make as much as if you invested elsewhere if:
Basic information about the fund
o The stock market goes down (this risk may be greater in the short term)
o Value stocks fall out of favor with investors
o The fund's assets remain undervalued or do not have the potential value
originally expected
o Stocks selected for income do not achieve the same return as securities
selected for capital appreciation
Risks of non-U.S. investments
Investing in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in
the securities of U.S. issuers. Some of these risks do not apply to the larger
more developed non-U.S. markets. However, these risks are more pronounced to
the extent the fund invests in emerging markets. These risks may include:
o Less information about non-U.S. issuers or markets may be available due to
less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices
o Many non-U.S. markets are smaller, less liquid and more volatile. In a
changing market, Pioneer may not be able to sell the fund's portfolio
securities at times, in amounts and at prices it considers reasonable
o Adverse effect of currency exchange rates or controls on the value of the
fund's investments
o The economies of non-U.S. countries may grow at slower rates than expected or
may experience a downturn or recession
o Economic, political and social developments may adversely affect the
securities markets
o Withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the fund's return
Risks of REITs
Investing in REITs involves unique risks. They are significantly affected by
the market for real estate and are dependent upon management skills and cash
flow. In addition to its own expenses, the fund will in some cases indirectly
bear its proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs
in which it invests.
Market segment risks
To the extent the fund emphasizes, from time to time, investments in a market
segment, the fund will be subject to a greater degree to the risks particular
to the industries in that segment, and may experience greater market
fluctuation, than a fund without the same focus. For example, industries in the
financial segment, such as banks, insurance companies, broker-dealers and
REITs, may be sensitive to changes in interest rates and general economic
activity and are subject to extensive government regulation. Industries in the
technology segment, such as information technology, communications equipment,
computer hardware and software, and office and scientific equipment, are
subject to risks of rapidly evolving technology, short product lives, rates of
corporate expenditures, falling prices and profits, competition from new market
entrants, and general economic conditions.
The fund's past performance
The bar chart and table indicate the risks of investing in the fund by showing
how the fund has performed in the past. The fund's performance will vary from
year to year.
The fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. As a shareowner, you may lose or make money on your investment.
Fund performance
The chart shows the year-by-year performance of the fund's Class A shares.
Class B and Class C shares will have different performance.
The chart does not reflect any sales charge you may pay when you buy or sell fund shares. Any sales charge will reduce your return.
Annual return Class A shares
(Year ended December 31)
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
'96 21.99 '97 23.70 '98 -7.99 '99 1.61 '00 15.95 '01 -3.08 '02 -18.79 '03 28.54 '04 12.26 '05 5.66 |
The highest calendar quarterly return was 15.93% (03/31/2003 to 06/30/2003)
The lowest calendar quarterly return was -22.31% (06/30/1998 to 09/30/1998)
Basic information about the fund
Comparison with the Russell 1000 Value Index
The table shows the average annual total returns for each class of the fund over time and compares these returns to the returns of the Russell 1000 Value Index. This index measures the performance of large-cap U.S. value stocks.
Unlike the fund, the index is not managed and does not incur expenses. The
table:
o Reflects sales charges applicable to the class
o Assumes that you sell your shares at the end of the period
o Assumes that you reinvest all of your dividends and distributions
Average annual total return (%)
(for periods ended December 31, 2005)
Since Inception 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Inception Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A 09/30/69 Return before taxes -0.40 2.49 6.34 12.30 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return after taxes on distributions -1.78 0.92 4.58 9.38 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return after taxes on distributions and sale of shares 0.70 1.62 4.79 9.34 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 07/01/96 Return before taxes 0.65 2.58 N/A 5.48 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C+ 07/01/96 Return before taxes 4.58 2.54 N/A 5.48 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Russell 1000 Value Index (reflects no deduction for taxes) 7.05 5.28 10.94 14.31* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+ The performance of Class C shares does not reflect the 1% front-end sales charge in effect prior to February 1, 2004. If you paid a 1% sales charge, your returns would be lower than those shown above.
* Since December 31, 1978. Index return information is not available for prior periods. Return of the index since the inception of Class B and Class C shares: 11.26%.
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 the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to shareholders who hold fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
After-tax returns for Class B and Class C shares will vary from the after-tax returns presented for Class A shares.
Fees and expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the fund.
Shareowner fees
paid directly from your investment Class A Class B Class C ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum sales charge (load) when you buy shares as a percentage of offering price 5.75% None None ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a percent- age of offering price or the amount you receive when you sell shares, whichever is less None(1) 4% 1% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Annual fund operating expenses
paid from the assets of the fund as a percentage of average daily net assets Class A Class B Class C ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management Fee(2) 0.53% 0.53% 0.53% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee 0.25% 1.00% 1.00% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Expenses 0.20% 0.50% 0.55% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) 0.98% 2.03% 2.08% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Example
This example helps you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes that: a) you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods shown, b) you reinvest all dividends and distributions, c) your investment has a 5% return each year and d) the fund's total operating expenses remain the same.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, under these assumptions your costs would be:
If you sell your shares If you do not sell your shares ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- Number of years you own your shares ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 3 5 10 1 3 5 10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $669 $869 $1,086 $1,707 $669 $869 $1,086 $1,707 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B 606 937 1,193 2,088 206 637 1,093 2,088 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C 311 652 1,119 2,410 211 652 1,119 2,410 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(1) Class A purchases of $1 million or more and purchases by participants in certain group plans are not subject to an initial sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%. See "Buying, exchanging and selling shares."
Basic information about the fund
(2) At current asset levels, the fund pays a management fee that ranges from 0.50% to 0.70% of average daily net assets, based on its performance and the size of the fund. The fund's basic fee, before any performance adjustment, is 0.60% of average daily net assets. This fee is reduced at asset levels above $5 billion. See "Management."
(3) Total annual fund operating expenses in the table have not been reduced by any expense offset arrangements.
Non-principal investment strategies and related risks As discussed, the fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. issuers to seek reasonable income and capital growth.
This section describes additional investments that the fund may make or strategies that it may pursue to a lesser degree to achieve the fund's goal. Some of the fund's secondary investment policies also entail risks. To learn more about these investments and risks, you should obtain and read the statement of additional information (SAI).
Debt securities
The fund may invest in debt securities of corporate and government issuers.
Generally the fund acquires debt securities that are investment grade, but the
fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in below investment grade debt
securities issued by both U.S. and non-U.S. corporate and government issuers,
including convertible debt securities. The fund invests in debt securities when
Pioneer believes they are consistent with the fund's investment objective of
reasonable income and capital growth, to diversify the fund's portfolio or for
greater liquidity.
Debt securities are subject to the risk of an issuer's inability to meet principal or interest payments on its obligations. Factors that could contribute to a decline in the market value of debt securities in the fund's portfolio include rising interest rates or a reduction in the perceived creditworthiness of the issuer of the securities. A debt security is investment grade if it is rated in one of the top four categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or determined to be of equivalent credit quality by Pioneer. Debt securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are considered speculative. Below investment grade debt securities involve greater risk of loss, are subject to greater price volatility and are less liquid, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or change, than higher quality debt securities.
Cash management and temporary investments Normally, the fund invests substantially all of its assets to meet its investment objective. The fund may invest the remainder of its assets in securities with remaining maturities of less than one year, cash equivalents or may hold cash. For temporary defensive purposes, including during periods of unusual cash flows, the fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest part or all of its assets in these securities or may hold cash. During such periods, the fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective. The fund intends to adopt a defensive strategy when Pioneer believes securities in which the fund normally invests have extraordinary risks due to political or economic factors and in other extraordinary circumstances.
Basic information about the fund
Short-term trading
The fund usually does not trade for short-term profits. The fund will sell an investment, however, even if it has only been held for a short time, if it no longer meets the fund's investment criteria. If the fund does a lot of trading, it may incur additional operating expenses, which would reduce performance, and could cause shareowners to incur a higher level of taxable income or capital gains. See "Financial highlights" for actual annual turnover rate.
Derivatives
The fund may use futures and options on securities, indices and currencies,
forward foreign currency exchange contracts and other derivatives. A derivative
is a security or instrument whose value is determined by reference to the value
or the change in value of one or more securities, currencies, indices or other
financial instruments. Although there is no specific limitation on investing in
derivatives, the fund does not use derivatives as a primary investment
technique and generally limits their use to hedging. However, the fund may use
derivatives for a variety of non-principal purposes, including:
o As a hedge against adverse changes in stock market prices, interest rates or
currency exchange rates
o As a substitute for purchasing or selling securities
o To increase the fund's return as a non-hedging strategy that may be
considered speculative
Even a small investment in derivatives can have a significant impact on the fund's exposure to stock market values, interest rates or currency exchange rates. If changes in a derivative's value do not correspond to changes in the value of the fund's other investments, the fund may not fully benefit from or could lose money on the derivative position. In addition, some derivatives involve risk of loss if the person who issued the derivative defaults on its obligation. Certain derivatives may be less liquid and more difficult to value. The fund will only invest in derivatives to the extent Pioneer believes these investments do not prevent the fund from seeking its investment objective.
Management
Pioneer, the fund's investment adviser,
selects the fund's investments and oversees the fund's operations.
Pioneer is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of UniCredito Italiano S.p.A., one of the largest banking groups in Italy. Pioneer is part of the global asset management group providing investment management and financial services to mutual funds, institutional and other clients. As of December 31, 2005, assets under management were approximately $187 billion worldwide, including over $48 billion in assets under management by Pioneer.
Investment adviser
Pioneer's main office is at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. The
firm's U.S. mutual fund investment history includes creating in 1928 one of the
first mutual funds.
Pioneer has received an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission that permits Pioneer, subject to the approval of the fund's Board of Trustees, to hire and terminate a subadviser or to materially modify an existing subadvisory contract for the fund without shareholder approval. Pioneer retains the ultimate responsibility to oversee and recommend the hiring, termination and replacement of any subadviser. To the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission adopts a rule that would supersede the order, Pioneer and the fund intend to rely on such rule to permit Pioneer, subject to the approval of the fund's Board of Trustees and any other applicable conditions of the rule, to hire and terminate a subadviser or to materially modify an existing subadvisory contract for the fund without shareholder approval.
Portfolio management
Day-to-day management of the fund's portfolio is the responsibility of J. Rodman Wright, lead portfolio manager. Mr. Wright is supported by Aaron C. Clark, portfolio manager, and the domestic equity team. Members of this team manage other Pioneer funds investing primarily in U.S. equity securities. The portfolio managers and the team also may draw upon the research and investment management expertise of the global research team, which provides fundamental research on companies and includes members from Pioneer's affiliate, Pioneer Investment Management Limited. Mr. Wright is a senior vice president of Pioneer and strategy director of the value team. He joined Pioneer in 1994 as an analyst and has been an investment professional since 1988. Mr. Clark is a vice president and joined Pioneer in 2004 as a portfolio manager. Prior to joining Pioneer, Mr. Clark was employed as a portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley Investment Management from 1997 to 2004 and has been an investment professional since 1992.
Management
The fund's statement of additional information provides additional information about the portfolio managers' compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers' ownership of shares of the fund.
Management fee
The fund pays Pioneer a fee for managing the fund and to cover the cost of
providing certain services to the fund.
Pioneer's fee varies based on:
o The fund's assets. Pioneer earns an annual basic fee equal to 0.60% of the
fund's average daily net assets up to $5 billion, 0.575% on the next $5
billion and 0.550% on the excess over $10 billion.
o The fund's performance. Effective May 1, 2003, the investment performance of
the fund has been compared to the Russell 1000 Value Index. The basic fee
can increase or decrease by a maximum of 0.10%, depending on the
performance of the fund's Class A shares relative to the index. The
performance comparison is made for a rolling 36-month period. For periods
prior to May 1, 2003, the performance comparison was made to the Lipper
Growth and Income Fund Index.
Pioneer's fee increases or decreases depending upon whether the fund's
performance is up and down more or less than that of the index during the
rolling 36-month performance period. Each percentage point of difference
between the performance of the Class A shares and the index (to a maximum of
+/- 10) is multiplied by a performance rate adjustment of 0.01%. As a result,
the maximum annualized rate adjustment is +/- 0.10% for the rolling 36-month
performance period. In addition, the fee is further limited on an annual basis
to a maximum rate adjustment of +/- 0.10% (i.e., the fee is further subject to
a cap of average daily net assets and a floor of 0.50% of average daily net
assets, assuming that the fund is not large enough for any breakpoints to
apply). Pioneer currently is waiving the floor on its fee. Pioneer may reimpose
the same floor in the future, but will not be entitled to recover any
previously waived fees.
This performance comparison is made at the end of each month. An appropriate percentage of this rate (based on the number of days in the current month) is then applied to the fund's average net assets for the entire performance period, giving a dollar amount that will be added to (or subtracted from) the basic fee.
Because the adjustment to the basic fee is based on the comparative performance of the fund and the performance record of the index, the controlling factor is not whether fund performance is up or down, but whether it is up or down more or less than the performance record of the index, regardless of general market performance. As a result, Pioneer could earn the maximum possible fee even if the fund's net asset value declines. Moreover, the comparative investment performance of the fund is based solely on the relevant performance period without regard to the cumulative performance over a longer or shorter period of time.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' approval of the management contract is available in the fund's semi-annual report to shareholders, dated March 31, 2005.
Distributor and transfer agent
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. is the fund's distributor. Pioneer Investment
Management Shareholder Services, Inc. is the fund's transfer agent. The fund
compensates the distributor and transfer agent for their services. The
distributor and the transfer agent are affiliates of Pioneer.
Disclosure of portfolio holdings
The fund's policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of the fund's
portfolio securities are described in the statement of additional information
and on Pioneer's website at www.pioneerfunds.com.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Net asset value
The fund's net asset value is the value of its portfolio of securities plus any other assets minus its operating expenses and any other liabilities. The fund calculates a net asset value for each class of shares every day the New York Stock Exchange is open when regular trading closes (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time).
The fund generally values its portfolio securities using closing market prices or readily available market quotations. When closing market prices or market quotations are not available or are considered by Pioneer to be unreliable, the fund uses a security's fair value. All methods of determining the value of a security used by the fund, including those discussed below, on a basis other than market value, are forms of fair value. All valuations of securities on a fair value basis are made pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The use of fair value pricing by the fund may cause the net asset value of its shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated only using market prices. For market prices and quotations, as well as for some fair value methods, the fund relies upon securities prices provided by pricing services.
The fund uses the fair value of a security, including a non-U.S. security, when Pioneer determines that the closing market price on the primary exchange where the security is traded no longer accurately reflects the value of the security at the time the fund calculates its net asset value. This may occur for a variety of reasons that affect either the relevant securities markets generally or the specific issuer. For example, with respect to non-U.S. securities held by the fund, developments relating to specific events in the securities markets or the specific issuer may occur between the time the primary market closes and the time the fund determines its net asset value. In those circumstances when the fund believes the price of the security may be affected, the fund uses the fair value of the security. International securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are closed. For this reason, the values of any international securities owned by the fund could change on a day you cannot buy or sell shares of the fund.
Certain types of securities, including those discussed in this paragraph, are priced using fair value rather than market prices. The fund uses a pricing matrix to determine the value of fixed income securities that do not trade daily. A pricing matrix is a means of valuing a debt security on the basis of current market prices for other debt securities and historical trading patterns in the market for fixed income securities. The fund values cash equivalent securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less at amortized cost. To the extent that the fund invests in the shares of other registered open-end investment companies that are not traded on an exchange (mutual funds), such shares are valued at their published net asset values per share as reported by the funds. The prospectuses of these funds explain the circumstances under which the funds will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
You buy or sell shares at the share price. When you buy Class A shares, you pay an initial sales charge unless you qualify for a waiver or reduced sales charge. When you sell Class B or Class C shares, you may pay a contingent deferred sales charge depending on how long you have owned your shares.
Choosing a class of shares
The fund offers three classes of shares through this prospectus. Each class has
different sales charges and expenses, allowing you to choose the class that
best meets your needs.
Factors you should consider include:
o How long you expect to own the shares
o The expenses paid by each class
o Whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges
Your investment professional can help you determine which class meets your goals. Your investment firm may receive different compensation depending upon which class you choose. If you are not a U.S. citizen and are purchasing shares outside the U.S., you may pay different sales charges under local laws and business practices.
Distribution plans
The fund has adopted a distribution plan for each class of shares offered
through this prospectus in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Under each plan the fund pays distribution and service
fees to the distributor. Because these fees are an ongoing expense of the fund,
over time they increase the cost of your investment and your shares may cost
more than shares that are subject to other types of sales charges.
Additional dealer compensation
The distributor or its affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of their
own assets, to certain brokerage firms and other intermediaries or their
affiliates, based on sales or assets attributable to the firm, or such other
criteria agreed to by the distributor. The firms to which payments may be made
are determined by the distributor. These payments may provide an incentive, in
addition to any sales charge, to these firms to actively promote the Pioneer
funds or cooperate with the distributor's promotional efforts.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Comparing classes of shares
Class A Class B Class C ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why you might Class A shares may be You may prefer Class B You may prefer Class C prefer each class your best alternative if shares if you do not shares if you do not you prefer to pay an want to pay an initial wish to pay an initial initial sales charge and sales charge, or if sales charge and have lower annual you plan to hold your you would rather pay expenses, or if you investment for at least higher annual expenses qualify for any reduction five years. over time. or waiver of the initial sales charge. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Initial sales Up to 5.75% of the None None. charge offering price, which is reduced or waived for large purchases and certain types of inves- tors. At the time of your purchase, your invest- ment firm may receive a commission from the distributor of up to 5%, declining as the size of your investment increases. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contingent None, except in certain Up to 4% is charged if A 1% charge if you sell deferred sales circumstances when you sell your shares. your shares within one charges the initial sales charge The charge is reduced year of purchase. Your is waived. over time and not investment firm may charged after five years. receive a commission Your investment firm from the distributor may receive a commis- at the time of your sion from the distributor purchase of up to 1%. at the time of your pur- chase of up to 4%. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution and Up to 0.25% of average Up to 1% of average Up to 1% of average service fees daily net assets. daily net assets. daily net assets. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual expenses Lower than Class B or Higher than Class A Higher than Class A (including Class C. shares; Class B shares shares; Class C shares distribution and convert to Class A do not convert to any service fees) shares after eight other class of shares. years. You continue to pay higher annual expenses. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exchange Class A shares of other Class B shares of other Class C shares of other privilege Pioneer mutual funds. Pioneer mutual funds. Pioneer mutual funds. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum None $49,999 $999,999 purchase amount (per transaction) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Sales charges: Class A shares
You pay the offering price when you buy Class A shares unless you qualify to purchase shares at net asset value. You pay a lower sales charge as the size of your investment increases. You do not pay a sales charge when you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions paid by the fund. You do not pay a contingent deferred sales charge when you sell shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions.
Sales charges for Class A shares
Sales charge as % of ------------------------ Offering Net amount Amount of purchase price invested ----------------------------------------------------------- Less than $50,000 5.75 6.10 ----------------------------------------------------------- $50,000 but less than $100,000 4.50 4.71 ----------------------------------------------------------- $100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63 ----------------------------------------------------------- $250,000 but less than $500,000 2.50 2.56 ----------------------------------------------------------- $500,000 but less than $1 million 2.00 2.04 ----------------------------------------------------------- $1 million or more -0- -0- ----------------------------------------------------------- |
The dollar amount of the sales charge is the difference between the offering price of the shares purchased (based on the applicable sales charge in the table) and the net asset value of those shares. Since the offering price is calculated to two decimal places using standard rounding methodology, the dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and of the net amount invested for any particular purchase of fund shares may be higher or lower due to rounding.
Reduced sales charges
You may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge if you own or are purchasing
shares of Pioneer mutual funds. The investment levels required to obtain a
reduced sales charge are commonly referred to as "breakpoints." Pioneer offers
two principal means of taking advantage of breakpoints in sales charges for
aggregate purchases of Class A shares over time if:
o The amount of shares you own plus the amount you are investing now is at
least $50,000 (Rights of accumulation)
o You plan to invest at least $50,000 over the next 13 months (Letter of
intent)
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Rights of accumulation
If you qualify for rights of accumulation, your sales charge will be based on
the combined value (at the current offering price) of all your Pioneer mutual
fund shares, the shares of your spouse and the shares of any children under the
age of 21.
Letter of intent
You can use a letter of intent to qualify for reduced sales charges in two
situations:
o If you plan to invest at least $50,000 (excluding any reinvestment of
dividends and capital gain distributions) in the fund's Class A shares
during the next 13 months
o If you include in your letter of intent the value (at the current offering
price) of all of your Class A shares of the fund and all other Pioneer
mutual fund shares held of record in the amount used to determine the
applicable sales charge for the fund shares you plan to buy
Completing a letter of intent does not obligate you to purchase additional shares, but if you do not buy enough shares to qualify for the projected level of sales charges by the end of the 13-month period (or when you sell your shares, if earlier), the distributor will recalculate your sales charge. You must pay the additional sales charge within 20 days after you are notified of the recalculation or it will be deducted from your account (or your sale proceeds). For more information regarding letters of intent, please contact your investment professional or obtain and read the statement of additional information.
Qualifying for a reduced Class A sales charge
In calculating your total account value in order to determine whether you have net sales charge breakpoints, you can include your Pioneer mutual fund shares, those of your spouse and the shares of any children under the age of 21. Pioneer will use each fund's current offering price to calculate your total account value. Certain trustees and fiduciaries may also qualify for a reduced sales charge.
To receive a reduced sales charge, you or your investment professional must, at the time of purchase, notify the distributor of your eligibility. In order to verify your eligibility for a discount, you may need to provide your investment professional or the fund with information or records, such as account numbers or statements, regarding shares of the fund or other Pioneer mutual funds held in all accounts by you, your spouse or children under the age of 21 with that investment professional or with any other financial intermediary. Eligible accounts may include joint accounts, retirement plan accounts, such as IRA and 401k accounts, and custodial accounts, such as ESA, UGMA and UTMA accounts.
It is your responsibility to confirm that your investment professional has notified the distributor of your eligibility for a reduced sales charge at the time of sale. If you or your investment professional do not notify the distributor of your eligibility, you will risk losing the benefits of a reduced sales charge.
For this purpose, Pioneer mutual funds include any fund for which the distributor is principal underwriter and, at the distributor's discretion, may include funds organized outside the U.S. and managed by Pioneer or an affiliate.
You can locate information regarding the reduction or waiver of sales charges, in a clear and prominent format and free of charge, on Pioneer's website at www.pioneerfunds.com. The website includes hyperlinks that facilitate access to this information
Class A purchases at a reduced initial sales charge or net asset value are also available to:
Group plans if the sponsoring organization:
o recommends purchases of Pioneer mutual funds to,
o permits solicitation of, or
o facilitates purchases by its employees, members or participants.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Class A purchases at net asset value
You may purchase Class A shares at net asset value (without a sales charge) as
follows.
Investments of $1 million or more and certain retirement plans You do not pay a sales charge when you purchase Class A shares if you are investing $1 million or more, are a participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan with at least $10 million in total plan assets or are a participant in certain employer-sponsored retirement plans with accounts established with Pioneer on or before March 31, 2004 with 100 or more eligible employees or at least $500,000 in total plan assets. However, you pay a deferred sales charge if you sell your Class A shares within 18 months of purchase (one year of purchase for shares purchased prior to February 1, 2004). The sales charge is equal to 1% of your investment or your sale proceeds, whichever is less.
If you believe you qualify for any of the Class A sales charge waivers discussed below, contact your investment professional or the distributor. You are required to provide written confirmation of your eligibility. You may not resell these shares except to or on behalf of the fund.
Class A purchases at net asset value are available to:
o Current or former trustees and officers of the fund;
o Current or former partners and employees of legal counsel to the fund;
o Current or former directors, officers, employees or sales representatives of
Pioneer and its affiliates;
o Current or former directors, officers, employees or sales representatives of
any subadviser or a predecessor adviser (or their affiliates) to any
investment company for which Pioneer serves as investment adviser;
o Current or former officers, partners, employees or registered representatives
of broker-dealers (at the time of initial share purchase) which have
entered into sales agreements with the distributor;
o Employees of AmSouth Bank (at the time of initial share purchase) investing
through an account held with AmSouth Investment Services, Inc.;
o Members of the immediate families of any of the persons above;
o Any trust, custodian, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan of the
foregoing persons;
o Insurance company separate accounts;
o Certain wrap accounts for the benefit of clients of investment professionals
or other financial intermediaries adhering to standards established by the
distributor;
o Other funds and accounts for which Pioneer or any of its affiliates serve as
investment adviser or manager;
o In connection with certain reorganization, liquidation or acquisition
transactions involving other investment companies or personal holding
companies;
o Certain unit investment trusts;
o Employer-sponsored retirement plans with at least $10 million in total plan
assets;
o Employer-sponsored retirement plans with accounts established with Pioneer on
or before March 31, 2004 with 100 or more eligible employees or at least
$500,000 in total plan assets;
o Participants in Optional Retirement Programs if (i) your employer has
authorized a limited number of mutual funds to participate in the program,
(ii) all participating mutual funds sell shares to program participants at
net asset value, (iii) your employer has agreed in writing to facilitate
investment in Pioneer mutual funds by program participants and (iv) the
program provides for a matching contribution for each participant
contribution;
o Participants in an employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or employer-sponsored 457
plan if (i) your employer has made special arrangements for your plan to
operate as a group through a single broker, dealer or financial
intermediary and (ii) all participants in the plan who purchase shares of a
Pioneer mutual fund do so through a single broker, dealer or other
financial intermediary designated by your employer;
o Shareholders of record (i.e., not held in the name of your broker or an
omnibus account) on the date of the reorganization of a predecessor Safeco
fund into a corresponding Pioneer fund, shareholders who owned shares in
the name of an omnibus account provider on that date that agrees with the
fund to distinguish beneficial holders in the same manner, and retirement
plans with assets invested in the predecessor Safeco fund on that date.
In addition, Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value through certain mutual fund programs sponsored by qualified intermediaries, such as broker-dealers and investment advisers. In each case, the intermediary has entered into an agreement with Pioneer to include the Pioneer funds in their program without the imposition of a sales charge. The intermediary provides investors participating in the program with additional services, including advisory, asset allocation, recordkeeping or other services. You should ask your investment firm if it offers and you are eligible to participate in such a mutual fund program and whether participation in the program is consistent with your investment goals. The intermediaries sponsoring or participating in these mutual fund programs also may offer their clients other classes of shares of the funds and investors may receive different levels of services or pay different fees depending upon the class of shares included in the program. Investors should consider carefully any separate transaction and other fees charged by these programs in connection with investing in each available share class before selecting a share class.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Reinstatement privilege for Class A and Class B shares
If you recently sold all or part of your Class A or Class B shares, you may be
able to reinvest all or part of your sale proceeds without a sales charge in
Class A shares of any Pioneer mutual fund. To qualify for reinstatement:
o You must send a written request to the transfer agent no more than 90 days
after selling your shares and
o The registration of the account in which you reinvest your sale proceeds must
be identical to the registration of the account from which you sold your
shares.
When you elect reinstatement, you are subject to the provisions outlined in the selected fund's prospectus, including the fund's minimum investment requirement. Your sale proceeds will be reinvested in shares of the fund at the Class A net asset value per share determined after the transfer agent receives your written request for reinstatement.
You may realize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of your sale of fund shares, and special tax rules may apply if you elect reinstatement. Consult your tax adviser for more information.
Class A shares that are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
Purchases of Class A shares of $1 million or more, or by participants in a group plan which were not subject to an initial sales charge, may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge upon redemption. A contingent deferred sales charge is payable to the distributor in the event of a share redemption within 18 months (12 months for shares purchased prior to February 1, 2004) following the share purchase at the rate of 1% of the lesser of the value of the shares redeemed (exclusive of reinvested dividend and capital gain distributions) or the total cost of such shares. However, the CDSC is waived for redemptions of Class A shares purchased by an employer-sponsored retirement plan described under Section 401(a), 403(b) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code that has at least $10 million in total plan assets (or that has 1,000 or more eligible employees for plans with accounts established with Pioneer on or before March 31, 2004).
Sales charges: Class B shares
You buy Class B shares at net asset value per share without paying an initial sales charge. However, if you sell your Class B shares within five years of purchase, you will pay the distributor a contingent deferred sales charge. The contingent deferred sales charge decreases as the number of years since your purchase increases.
Contingent deferred sales charge
On shares sold As a % of before the dollar amount subject end of year to the sales charge -------------------------------------- 1 4 -------------------------------------- 2 4 -------------------------------------- 3 3 -------------------------------------- 4 2 -------------------------------------- 5 1 -------------------------------------- 6+ 0 -------------------------------------- |
Shares purchased prior to December 1, 2004 remain subject to the contingent deferred sales charges in effect at the time you purchased those shares.
Conversion to Class A shares
Class B shares automatically convert into Class A shares. This helps you
because Class A shares pay lower expenses.
Your Class B shares will convert to Class A shares eight years after the date
of purchase except that:
o Shares purchased by reinvesting dividends and capital gain distributions will
convert to Class A shares over time in the same proportion as other shares
held in the account
o Shares purchased by exchanging shares from another fund will convert on the
date that the shares originally acquired would have converted into Class A
shares
Currently, the Internal Revenue Service permits the conversion of shares to take place without imposing a federal income tax. Conversion may not occur if the Internal Revenue Service deems it a taxable event for federal tax purposes.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
o You may qualify for a waiver of the CDSC normally charged. See "Waiver or reduction of contingent deferred sales charges"
Sales charges: Class C shares
You buy Class C shares at net asset value per share without paying an initial sales charge. However, if you sell your Class C shares within one year of purchase, you will pay the distributor a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% of the current market value or the original cost of the shares you are selling, whichever is less.
o You may qualify for a waiver of the CDSC normally charged. See "Waiver or reduction of contingent deferred sales charges"
Waiver or reduction of contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) It is your responsibility to confirm that your investment professional has notified the distributor of your eligibility for a reduced sales charge at the time of sale. If you or your investment professional do not notify the distributor of your eligibility, you will risk losing the benefits of a reduced sales charge.
Class A, Class B and Class C shares
The distributor may waive or reduce the CDSC for Class A shares that are
subject to a CDSC or for Class B or Class C shares if:
o The distribution results from the death of all registered account owners or a
participant in an employer-sponsored plan. For UGMAs, UTMAs and trust
accounts, the waiver applies only upon the death of all beneficial owners;
o You become disabled (within the meaning of Section 72 of the Internal Revenue
Code) after the purchase of the shares being sold. For UGMAs, UTMAs and
trust accounts, the waiver only applies upon the disability of all
beneficial owners;
o The distribution is made in connection with limited automatic redemptions as
described in "Systematic withdrawal plans" (limited in any year to 10% of
the value of the account in the fund at the time the withdrawal plan is
established);
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
o The distribution is from any type of IRA, 403(b) or employer-sponsored plan
described under Section 401(a) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code and, in
connection with the distribution, one of the following applies:
- It is part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made over
the life expectancy of the participant or the joint life expectancy of the
participant and his or her beneficiary (limited in any year to 10% of the
value of the participant's account at the time the distribution amount is
established);
- It is a required minimum distribution due to the attainment of age 70 1/2,
in which case the distribution amount may exceed 10% (based solely on
total plan assets held in Pioneer mutual funds);
- It is rolled over to or reinvested in another Pioneer mutual fund in the
same class of shares, which will be subject to the CDSC of the shares
originally held; or
- It is in the form of a loan to a participant in a plan that permits loans
(each repayment applied to the purchase of shares will be subject to a
CDSC as though a new purchase);
o The distribution is to a participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan
described under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or to a
participant in an employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or employer-sponsored 457
plan if (i) your employer has made special arrangements for your plan to
operate as a group through a single broker, dealer or financial
intermediary and (ii) all participants in the plan who purchase shares of a
Pioneer mutual fund do so through a single broker, dealer or other
financial intermediary designated by your employer and is or is in
connection with:
- A return of excess employee deferrals or contributions;
- A qualifying hardship distribution as described in the Internal Revenue
Code. For Class B shares, waiver is granted only on payments of up to 10%
of total plan assets held by Pioneer for all participants, reduced by the
total of any prior distributions made in that calendar year;
- Due to retirement or termination of employment. For Class B shares, waiver
is granted only on payments of up to 10% of total plan assets held in a
Pioneer mutual fund for all participants, reduced by the total of any
prior distributions made in the same calendar year; or
- From a qualified defined contribution plan and represents a participant's
directed transfer, provided that this privilege has been preauthorized
through a prior agreement with the distributor regarding participant
directed transfers (not available to Class B shares);
o The distribution is made pursuant to the fund's right to liquidate or
involuntarily redeem shares in a shareholder's account; or
o The selling broker elects, with the distributor's approval, to waive receipt
of the commission normally paid at the time of the sale.
Please see the fund's statement of additional information for more information regarding reduced sales charges and breakpoints.
Opening your account
If your shares are held in your investment firm's name, the options and services available to you may be different from those discussed in this prospectus. Ask your investment professional for more information.
If you invest in the fund through investment professionals or other financial intermediaries, including wrap programs and fund supermarkets, additional conditions may apply to your investment in the fund, and the investment professional or intermediary may charge you a transaction-based or other fee for its services. These conditions and fees are in addition to those imposed by the fund and its affiliates. You should ask your investment professional or financial intermediary about its services and any applicable fees.
Account options
Use your account application to select options and privileges for your account.
You can change your selections at any time by sending a completed account
options form to the transfer agent. You may be required to obtain a signature
guarantee to make certain changes to an existing account.
Call or write to the transfer agent for account applications, account options forms and other account information:
Pioneer Investment Management
Shareholder Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5014
Telephone 1-800-225-6292
Telephone transaction privileges
If your account is registered in your name, you can buy, exchange or sell fund
shares by telephone. If you do not want your account to have telephone
transaction privileges, you must indicate that choice on your account
application or by writing to the transfer agent.
When you request a telephone transaction the transfer agent will try to confirm that the request is genuine. The transfer agent records the call, requires the caller to provide validating information for the account and sends you a written confirmation. The fund may implement other confirmation procedures from time to time. Different procedures may apply if you have a non-U.S. account or if your account is registered in the name of an institution, broker-dealer or other third party.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Online transaction privileges
If your account is registered in your name, you may be able to buy, exchange or
sell fund shares online. Your investment firm may also be able to buy, exchange
or sell your fund shares online.
To establish online transaction privileges:
o For new accounts, complete the online section of the account application
o For existing accounts, complete an account options form, write to the
transfer agent or complete the online authorization screen on
www.pioneerfunds.com
To use online transactions, you must read and agree to the terms of an online transaction agreement available on the Pioneer website. When you or your investment firm requests an online transaction the transfer agent electronically records the transaction, requires an authorizing password and sends a written confirmation. The fund may implement other procedures from time to time. Different procedures may apply if you have a non-U.S. account or if your account is registered in the name of an institution, broker-dealer or other third party. You may not be able to use the online transaction privilege for certain types of accounts, including most retirement accounts.
General rules on buying, exchanging and selling your fund shares
Share price
If you place an order to purchase, exchange or sell shares with the transfer agent or a broker-dealer by the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), your transaction will be completed at the share price determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on that day. If your order is placed with the transfer agent or a broker-dealer after 4:00 p.m., or your order is not in good order, your transaction will be completed at the share price next determined after your order is received in good order by the fund. The broker-dealer is responsible for transmitting your order to the fund in a timely manner.
Buying
You may buy fund shares from any investment firm that has a sales agreement
with the distributor. If you do not have an investment firm, please call
1-800-225-6292 for information on how to locate an investment professional in
your area.
You can buy fund shares at the offering price. The distributor may reject any order until it has confirmed the order in writing and received payment. The fund reserves the right to stop offering any class of shares.
You may use securities you own to purchase shares of the fund provided that Pioneer, in its sole discretion, determines that the securities are consistent with the fund's objective and policies and their acquisition is in the best interests of the fund. If the fund accepts your securities, they will be valued for purposes of determining the number of fund shares to be issued to you in the same way the
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
fund will value the securities for purposes of determining its net asset value. For federal income tax purposes, you may be taxed in the same manner as if you sold the securities that you exchange for cash in an amount equal to the value of the fund shares that you receive in exchange. Your sales charge for purchases of fund shares will be based upon the value of the fund shares that you receive. Your broker may also impose a fee in connection with processing your purchase of fund shares with securities.
Minimum investment amounts
Your initial investment must be at least $1,000. Additional investments must be
at least $100 for Class A shares and $500 for Class B or Class C shares. You
may qualify for lower initial or subsequent investment minimums if you are
opening a retirement plan account, establishing an automatic investment plan or
placing your trade through your investment firm.
Maximum purchase amounts
Purchases of fund shares are limited to $49,999 for Class B shares and $999,999 for Class C shares. These limits are applied on a per transaction basis. Class A shares are not subject to a maximum purchase amount.
Your initial investment for most types of retirement plan accounts must be at least $250. Additional investments for most types of retirement plans must be at least $100.
Identity verification
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering
activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify
and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When
you open an account, you will need to supply your name, address, date of birth,
and other information that will allow the fund to identify you.
The fund may close your account if we cannot adequately verify your identity. The redemption price will be the net asset value (less applicable sales charges) on the date of redemption.
Exchanging
You may exchange your shares for shares of the same class of another Pioneer mutual fund.
Your exchange request must be for at least $1,000. The fund allows you to exchange your shares at net asset value without charging you either an initial or contingent deferred sales charge at the time of the exchange. Shares you acquire as part of an exchange will continue to be subject to any contingent deferred sales charge that applies to the shares you originally purchased. When you ultimately sell your shares, the date of your original purchase will determine your contingent deferred sales charge.
Before you request an exchange, consider each fund's investment objective and policies as described in the fund's prospectus.
Selling
Your shares will be sold at net asset value per share next calculated after the
fund or its authorized agent, such as broker-dealers, receives your request in
good order.
If the shares you are selling are subject to a deferred sales charge, it will be deducted from the sale proceeds. The fund generally will send your sale proceeds by check, bank wire or electronic funds transfer. Normally you will be paid within seven days. If you recently sent a check to purchase the shares being sold, the fund may delay payment of the sale proceeds until your check has cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days from the purchase date.
If you are selling shares from a non-retirement account or certain IRAs, you may use any of the methods described below. If you are selling shares from a retirement account other than an IRA, you must make your request in writing.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Buying shares
Through your investment firm
Normally, your investment firm will send your purchase request to the fund's distributor and/or transfer agent. Consult your investment professional for more information. Your investment firm receives a commission from the distributor, and may receive additional compensation from Pioneer, for your purchase of fund shares.
By phone or online
You can use the telephone or online purchase privilege if you have an existing
non-retirement account. Certain IRAs can use the telephone purchase privilege.
If your account is eligible, you can purchase additional fund shares by phone
or online if:
o You established your bank account of record at least 30 days ago
o Your bank information has not changed for at least 30 days
o You are not purchasing more than $25,000 worth of shares per account per day
o You can provide the proper account identification information
When you request a telephone or online purchase, the transfer agent will electronically debit the amount of the purchase from your bank account of record. The transfer agent will purchase fund shares for the amount of the debit at the offering price determined after the transfer agent receives your telephone or online purchase instruction and good funds. It usually takes three business days for the transfer agent to receive notification from your bank that good funds are available in the amount of your investment.
In writing, by mail or by fax
You can purchase fund shares for an existing fund account by mailing a check to
the transfer agent. Make your check payable to the fund. Neither initial nor
subsequent investments should be made by third party check. Your check must be
in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. Include in your purchase request the
fund's name, the account number and the name or names in the account
registration.
Exchanging shares
Through your investment firm
Normally, your investment firm will send your exchange request to the fund's
transfer agent. Consult your investment professional for more information about
exchanging your shares.
By phone or online
After you establish an eligible fund account, you can exchange fund shares by
phone or online if:
o You are exchanging into an existing account or using the exchange to
establish a new account, provided the new account has a registration
identical to the original account
o The fund into which you are exchanging offers the same class of shares
o You are not exchanging more than $500,000 worth of shares per account per day
o You can provide the proper account identification information
In writing, by mail or by fax
You can exchange fund shares by mailing or faxing a letter of instruction to
the transfer agent. You can exchange fund shares directly through the fund only
if your account is registered in your name. However, you may not fax an
exchange request for more than $500,000. Include in your letter:
o The name, social security number and signature of all registered owners
o A signature guarantee for each registered owner if the amount of the exchange
is more than $500,000
o The name of the fund out of which you are exchanging and the name of the fund
into which you are exchanging
o The class of shares you are exchanging
o The dollar amount or number of shares you are exchanging
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Selling shares
Through your investment firm
Normally, your investment firm will send your request to sell shares to the
fund's transfer agent. Consult your investment professional for more
information. The fund has authorized the distributor to act as its agent in the
repurchase of fund shares from qualified investment firms. The fund reserves
the right to terminate this procedure at any time.
By phone or online
If you have an eligible non-retirement account, you may sell up to $100,000 per account per day by phone or online. You may sell fund shares held in a retirement plan account by phone only if your account is an eligible IRA (tax penalties may apply). You may not sell your shares by phone or online if you have changed your address (for checks) or your bank information (for wires and transfers) in the last 30 days.
You may receive your sale proceeds:
o By check, provided the check is made payable exactly as your account is
registered
o By bank wire or by electronic funds transfer, provided the sale proceeds are
being sent to your bank address of record
In writing, by mail or by fax
You can sell some or all of your fund shares by writing directly to the fund only if your account is registered in your name. Include in your request your name, your social security number, the fund's name, your fund account number, the class of shares to be sold, the dollar amount or number of shares to be sold and any other applicable requirements as described below. The transfer agent will send the sale proceeds to your address of record unless you provide other instructions. Your request must be signed by all registered owners and be in good order.
The transfer agent will not process your request until it is received in good order.
You may sell up to $100,000 per account per day by fax.
How to contact us
By phone
For information or to request a telephone transaction between 8:00 a.m. and
7:00 p.m. (Eastern time) by speaking with a shareholder services representative
call
1-800-225-6292
To request a transaction using FactFone(SM) call 1-800-225-4321
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-225-1997
By mail
Send your written instructions to:
Pioneer Investment Management
Shareholder Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5014
Pioneer website
www.pioneerfunds.com
By fax
Fax your exchange and sale requests to:
1-800-225-4240
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Excessive trading
Frequent trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio management
strategies, harm fund performance by forcing the fund to hold excess cash or to
liquidate certain portfolio securities prematurely and increase expenses for
all investors, including long-term investors who do not generate these costs.
An investor may use short-term trading as a strategy, for example, if the
investor believes that the valuation of the fund's portfolio securities for
purposes of calculating its net asset value does not fully reflect the then
current fair market value of those holdings. The fund discourages, and does not
take any intentional action to accommodate, excessive and short-term trading
practices, such as market timing. Although there is no generally applied
standard in the marketplace as to what level of trading activity is excessive,
we may consider trading in the fund's shares to be excessive for a variety of
reasons, such as if:
o You sell shares within a short period of time after the shares were
purchased;
o You make two or more purchases and redemptions within a short period of time;
o You enter into a series of transactions that is indicative of a timing
pattern or strategy; or
o We reasonably believe that you have engaged in such practices in connection
with other mutual funds.
The fund's Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of fund shares by fund investors. Pursuant to these policies and procedures, we monitor selected trades on a daily basis in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading. If we determine that an investor or a client of a broker has engaged in excessive short-term trading that we believe may be harmful to the fund, we will ask the investor or broker to cease such activity and we will refuse to process purchase orders (including purchases by exchange) of such investor, broker or accounts that we believe are under their control. In determining whether to take such actions, we seek to act in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the fund's shareholders.
While we use our reasonable efforts to detect excessive trading activity, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that market timers will not employ tactics designed to evade detection. If we are not successful, your return from an investment in the fund may be adversely affected. Frequently, fund shares are held through omnibus accounts maintained by financial intermediaries such as brokers and retirement plan administrators, where the holdings of multiple shareholders, such as all the clients of a particular broker, are aggregated. Our ability to monitor trading practices by investors purchasing shares through omnibus accounts is limited and dependent upon the cooperation of the financial intermediary in observing the fund's policies.
In addition to monitoring trades, the policies and procedures provide that:
o The fund imposes limitations on the number of exchanges out of an account holding the fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares that may occur in any calendar year. See "Exchange limitation."
o Certain funds managed by Pioneer have adopted redemption fees that are incurred if you redeem shares within a short period after purchase, including exchanges. These redemption fees are described in the applicable prospectuses under "Fees and expenses."
The fund may reject a purchase or exchange order before its acceptance or an order prior to issuance of shares. The fund may also restrict additional purchases or exchanges in an account. Each of these steps may be taken, for any reason, without prior notice, including transactions that the fund believes are requested on behalf of market timers. The fund reserves the right to reject any purchase request by any investor or financial institution if the fund believes that any combination of trading activity in the account or related accounts is potentially disruptive to the fund. A prospective investor whose purchase or exchange order is rejected will not achieve the investment results, whether gain or loss, that would have been realized if the order were accepted and an investment made in the fund. The fund and its shareholders do not incur any gain or loss as a result of a rejected order. The fund may impose further restrictions on trading activities by market timers in the future. The fund's prospectus will be amended or supplemented to reflect any material additional restrictions on trading activities intended to prevent excessive trading.
Account options
See the account application form for more details on each of the following options.
Automatic investment plans
You can make regular periodic investments in the fund by setting up monthly
bank drafts, government allotments, payroll deductions, a Pioneer Investomatic
Plan and other similar automatic investment plans. You may use an automatic
investment plan to establish a Class A share account with a small initial
investment. If you have a Class B or Class C share account and your balance is
at least $1,000, you may establish an automatic investment plan.
Pioneer Investomatic Plan
If you establish a Pioneer Investomatic Plan, the transfer agent will make a
periodic investment in fund shares by means of a preauthorized electronic funds
transfer from your bank account. Your plan investments are voluntary. You may
discontinue your plan at any time or change the plan's dollar amount, frequency
or investment date by calling or writing to the transfer agent. You should
allow up to 30 days for the transfer agent to establish your plan.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Automatic exchanges
You can automatically exchange your fund shares for shares of the same class of
another Pioneer mutual fund. The automatic exchange will begin on the day you
select when you complete the appropriate section of your account application or
an account options form. In order to establish automatic exchange:
o You must select exchanges on a monthly or quarterly basis
o Both the originating and receiving accounts must have identical registrations
o The originating account must have a minimum balance of $5,000
You may have to pay income taxes on an exchange.
Distribution options
The fund offers three distribution options. Any fund shares you buy by
reinvesting distributions will be priced at the applicable net asset value per
share.
(1) Unless you indicate another option on your account application, any dividends and capital gain distributions paid to you by the fund will automatically be invested in additional fund shares.
(2) You may elect to have the amount of any dividends paid to you in cash and any capital gain distributions reinvested in additional shares.
(3) You may elect to have the full amount of any dividends and/or capital gain distributions paid to you in cash.
Options (2) or (3) are not available to retirement plan accounts or accounts with a current value of less than $500.
If your distribution check is returned to the transfer agent or you do not cash the check for six months or more, the transfer agent may reinvest the amount of the check in your account and automatically change the distribution option on your account to option (1) until you request a different option in writing. These additional shares will be purchased at the then current net asset value.
Directed dividends
You can invest the dividends paid by one of your Pioneer mutual fund accounts
in a second Pioneer mutual fund account. The value of your second account must
be at least $1,000. You may direct the investment of any amount of dividends.
There are no fees or charges for directed dividends. If you have a retirement
plan account, you may only direct dividends to accounts with identical
registrations.
Systematic withdrawal plans
When you establish a systematic withdrawal plan for your account, the transfer
agent will sell the number of fund shares you specify on a periodic basis and
the proceeds will be paid to you or to any person you select. You must obtain a
signature guarantee to direct payments to another person after you have
established your systematic withdrawal plan. Payments can be made either by check or by electronic transfer to a bank account you designate.
To establish a systematic withdrawal plan:
o Your account must have a total value of at least $10,000 when you establish
your plan
o You must request a periodic withdrawal of at least $50
o You may not request a periodic withdrawal of more than 10% of the value of
any Class B or Class C share account (valued at the time the plan is
implemented)
Systematic sales of fund shares may be taxable transactions for you. While you are making systematic withdrawals from your account, you may pay unnecessary initial sales charges on additional purchases of Class A shares or contingent deferred sales charges.
Direct deposit
If you elect to take dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions in
cash, or if you establish a systematic withdrawal plan, you may choose to have
those cash payments deposited directly into your savings, checking or NOW bank
account.
Voluntary tax withholding
You may have the transfer agent withhold 28% of the dividends and capital gain distributions paid from your fund account (before any reinvestment) and forward the amount withheld to the Internal Revenue Service as a credit against your federal income taxes. Voluntary tax withholding is not available for retirement plan accounts or for accounts subject to backup withholding.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Shareowner services
Pioneer website
www.pioneerfunds.com
The website includes a full selection of information on mutual fund investing.
You can also use the website to get:
o Your current account information
o Prices, returns and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual funds
o Prospectuses for all the Pioneer mutual funds
o A copy of Pioneer's privacy notice
If you or your investment firm authorized your account for the online transaction privilege, you may buy, exchange and sell shares online.
FactFone(SM) 1-800-225-4321
You can use FactFone(SM) to:
o Obtain current information on your Pioneer mutual fund accounts
o Inquire about the prices and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual
funds
o Make computer-assisted telephone purchases, exchanges and redemptions for
your fund accounts
o Request account statements
If you plan to use FactFone(SM) to make telephone purchases and redemptions, first you must activate your personal identification number and establish your bank account of record. If your account is registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other third party, you may not be able to use FactFone(SM).
Household delivery of fund documents
With your consent, Pioneer may send a single proxy statement, prospectus and
shareholder report to your residence for you and any other member of your
household who has an account with the fund. If you wish to revoke your consent
to this practice, you may do so by notifying Pioneer, by phone or in writing
(see "How to contact us"). Pioneer will begin mailing separate proxy
statements, prospectuses and shareholder reports to you within 30 days after
receiving your notice.
Confirmation statements
The transfer agent maintains an account for each investment firm or individual
shareowner and records all account transactions. You will be sent confirmation
statements showing the details of your transactions as they occur, except
automatic investment plan transactions, which are confirmed quarterly. If you
have more than one Pioneer mutual fund account registered in your name, the
Pioneer combined account statement will be mailed to you each quarter.
Tax information
In January of each year, the fund will mail you information about the tax
status of the dividends and distributions paid to you by the fund.
TDD 1-800-225-1997
If you have a hearing disability and access to TDD keyboard equipment, you can
contact our telephone representatives with questions about your account by
calling our TDD number between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern time any weekday
that the New York Stock Exchange is open.
Privacy
The fund has a policy that protects the privacy of your personal information. A
copy of Pioneer's privacy notice was given to you at the time you opened your
account. The fund will send you a copy of the privacy notice each year. You may
also obtain the privacy notice by calling the transfer agent or through
Pioneer's website.
Shareowner account policies
Signature guarantees and other requirements
You are required to obtain a signature guarantee when:
o Requesting certain types of exchanges or sales of fund shares
o Redeeming shares for which you hold a share certificate
o Requesting certain types of changes for your existing account
You can obtain a signature guarantee from most broker-dealers, banks, credit unions (if authorized under state law) and federal savings and loan associations. You cannot obtain a signature guarantee from a notary public.
The Pioneer funds generally accept only medallion signature guarantees. A medallion signature guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association, or other financial institution that is participating in a medallion program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. Signature guarantees from financial institutions that are not participating in one of these programs are not accepted as medallion signature guarantees. The fund may accept other forms of guarantee from financial intermediaries in limited circumstances.
Fiduciaries and corporations are required to submit additional documents to sell fund shares.
Exchange limitation
You may only make up to four exchange redemptions of $25,000 or more per
account per calendar year out of the fund. The fund's exchange limitation is
intended to discourage short-term trading in fund shares. Short-term trading
can increase the expenses incurred by the fund and make portfolio management
less
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
efficient. In determining whether the exchange redemption limit has been reached, Pioneer may aggregate a series of exchanges (each valued at less than $25,000) and/or fund accounts that appear to be under common ownership or control. Pioneer may view accounts for which one person gives instructions or accounts that act on advice provided by a single source to be under common control.
The exchange limitation does not apply to automatic exchange transactions or to exchanges made by participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. While financial intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts that invest in the fund are requested to apply the exchange limitation policy to shareholders who hold shares through such accounts, we do not impose the exchange limitation policy at the level of the omnibus account and are not able to monitor compliance by the financial intermediary with this policy.
Minimum account size
The fund requires that you maintain a minimum account value of $500. If you
hold less than $500 in your account, the fund reserves the right to notify you
that it intends to sell your shares and close your account. You will be given
60 days from the date of the notice to make additional investments to avoid
having your shares sold. This policy does not apply to certain qualified
retirement plan accounts.
Telephone and website access
You may have difficulty contacting the fund by telephone or accessing
pioneerfunds.com during times of market volatility or disruption in telephone
or Internet service. On New York Stock Exchange holidays or on days when the
exchange closes early, Pioneer will adjust the hours for the telephone center
and for online transaction processing accordingly. If you are unable to access
pioneerfunds.com or reach the fund by telephone, you should communicate with
the fund in writing.
Share certificates
The fund does not offer share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded. Any existing certificated shares can only be sold by returning your certificate to the transfer agent, along with a letter of instruction or a stock power (a separate written authority transferring ownership) and a signature guarantee.
Other policies
The fund and the distributor reserve the right to:
o reject any purchase or exchange order for any reason, without prior notice
o charge a fee for exchanges or to modify, limit or suspend the exchange privilege at any time without notice. The fund will provide 60 days' notice of material amendments to or termination of the exchange privilege
o revise, suspend, limit or terminate the account options or services available to shareowners at any time, except as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
The fund reserves the right to:
o suspend transactions in shares when trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
closed or restricted, when the Securities and Exchange Commission
determines an emergency or other circumstances exist that make it
impracticable for the fund to sell or value its portfolio securities
o redeem in kind by delivering to you portfolio securities owned by the fund
rather than cash. Securities you receive this way may increase or decrease
in value while you hold them and you may incur brokerage and transaction
charges and tax liability when you convert the securities to cash
Dividends, capital gains and taxes
Dividends and capital gains
The fund generally pays any distributions of net short- and long-term capital
gains in November. The fund generally pays dividends from any net investment
income in June and December. The fund may also pay dividends and capital gain
distributions at other times if necessary for the fund to avoid U.S. federal
income or excise tax. If you invest in the fund close to the time that the fund
makes a distribution, generally you will pay a higher price per share and you
will pay taxes on the amount of the distribution whether you reinvest the
distribution or receive it as cash.
Taxes
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions from the fund's net
long-term capital gains (if any) are considered long-term capital gains and may
be taxable to you at different maximum rates depending upon their source and
other factors. Distributions from the fund's net short-term capital gains are
taxable as ordinary income. Dividends are taxable either as ordinary income or,
if so designated by the fund and certain other conditions, including holding
period requirements, are met by the fund and the shareholder, as "qualified
dividend income" taxable to individual shareholders at a maximum 15% U.S.
federal income tax rate. Dividends and distributions are taxable, whether you
take payment in cash or reinvest them to buy additional fund shares.
When you sell or exchange fund shares you will generally recognize a capital gain or capital loss in an amount equal to the difference between the net amount of sale proceeds (or, in the case of an exchange, the fair market value of the shares) that you receive and your tax basis for the shares that you sell or exchange. In January of each year the fund will mail to you information about your dividends, distributions and any shares you sold in the previous calendar year.
You must provide your social security number or other taxpayer identification number to the fund along with the certifications required by the Internal Revenue Service when you open an account. If you do not or if it is otherwise legally required to do so, the fund will withhold 28% "backup withholding" tax from your dividends and distributions, sale proceeds and any other payments to you.
You should ask your tax adviser about any federal, state, local and foreign tax considerations, including possible additional withholding taxes for non-U.S. shareholders. You may also consult the fund's statement of additional information for a more detailed discussion of qualified dividend income and other U.S. federal income tax considerations that may affect the fund and its shareowners.
Financial highlights
The financial highlights table helps you understand the fund's financial performance for the past five years.
Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that you would have earned or lost on an investment in Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information below for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2002 through September 30, 2005 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the fund's independent registered public accounting firm, whose report is included in the fund's annual report along with the fund's financial statements. The information below for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 has been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, the fund's previous independent registered public accounting firm. Arthur Andersen ceased operations in 2002. The annual report is available upon request.
Financial highlights
Pioneer Value Fund
Class A
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended 9/30/05 9/30/04 9/30/03 9/30/02 9/30/01 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 18.83 $ 16.25 $ 15.29 $ 19.12 $ 22.67 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Increase (decrease) from investment operations: Net investment income $ 0.14 $ 0.14 $ 0.11 $ 0.15 $ 0.17 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions 2.26 2.62 3.20 (3.17) (2.05) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) from investment operations $ 2.40 $ 2.76 $ 3.31 $ (3.02) $ (1.88) Distributions to shareowners: Net investment income (0.12) (0.14) (0.24) (0.09) (0.14) Net realized loss (3.56) (0.04) (2.11) (0.72) (1.52) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ (1.28) $ 2.58 $ 0.96 $ (3.83) $ (3.55) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 17.55 $ 18.83 $ 16.25 $ 15.29 $ 19.12 ================================================================================== Total return* 13.81% 17.04% 22.94% (16.78)% (8.88)% Ratio of net expenses to average net assets+ 0.98% 1.02% 1.19% 1.16% 1.01% Ratio of net investment income to average net assets+ 0.85% 0.72% 0.85% 0.74% 0.76% Portfolio turnover rate 53% 40% 40% 61% 3% Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $3,997,849 $3,745,950 $3,424,962 $3,016,623 $3,885,560 Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly: Net expenses 0.97% 1.02% 1.19% 1.16% 0.99% Net investment income 0.86% 0.72% 0.85% 0.74% 0.78% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period, and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
+ Ratios assuming no reduction for fees paid indirectly.
** Annualized
Pioneer Value Fund
Class B
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended 9/30/05 9/30/04 9/30/03 9/30/02 9/30/01 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 17.87 $ 15.45 $ 14.71 $ 18.53 $ 22.11 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Increase (decrease) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) $ (0.04) $ (0.04) $ (0.13) $ (0.08) $ 0.01 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions 2.13 2.50 3.08 (3.02) (2.06) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) from investment operations $ 2.09 $ 2.46 $ 2.95 $ (3.10) $ (2.05) Distributions to shareowners: Net investment income -- -- (0.10) -- -- Net realized loss (3.56) (0.04) (2.11) (0.72) (1.53) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ (1.47) $ 2.42 $ 0.74 $ (3.82) $ (3.58) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 16.40 $ 17.87 $ 15.45 $ 14.71 $ 18.53 ======================================================================= Total return* 12.66% 15.95% 21.11% (17.68)% (9.84)% Ratio of net expenses to average net assets+ 2.03% 1.89% 2.69% 2.28% 2.07% Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets+ (0.21)% (0.15)% (0.66)% (0.38)% (0.30)% Portfolio turnover rate 53% 40% 40% 61% 3% Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $51,164 $32,440 $21,666 $17,976 $22,372 Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly: Net expenses 2.02% 1.89% 2.68% 2.29% 2.05% Net investment loss (0.20)% (0.15)% (0.65)% (0.39)% (0.28)% --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period, and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
+ Ratios assuming no reduction for fees paid indirectly.
Financial highlights
Pioneer Value Fund
Class C
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended 9/30/05 9/30/04 9/30/03 9/30/02 9/30/01 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, beginning of period $ 17.87 $ 15.49 $ 14.69 $ 18.53 $ 22.16 Increase (decrease) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) $ (0.04) $ (0.09) $ (0.12) $ (0.10) $ 0.04 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions 2.12 2.51 3.13 (3.02) (2.12) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) from investment operations $ 2.08 $ 2.42 $ 3.01 $ (3.12) $ (2.08) Distributions to shareowners: Net investment income -- -- (0.10) -- (0.02) Net realized gain (3.56) (0.04) (2.11) (0.72) (1.53) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ (1.48) $ 2.38 $ 0.80 $ (3.84) $ (3.63) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 16.39 $ 17.87 $ 15.49 $ 14.69 $ 18.53 ======================================================================= Total return* 12.60% 15.66% 21.61% (17.79)% (9.98)% Ratio of net expenses to average net assets+ 2.08% 2.21% 2.48% 2.32% 2.15% Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets+ (0.25)% (0.47)% (0.44)% (0.42)% (0.39)% Portfolio turnover rate 53% 40% 40% 61% 3% Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $ 8,926 $ 9,168 $ 6,349 $ 4,256 $ 4,431 Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly: Net expenses 2.07% 2.20% 2.47% 2.32% 2.11% Net investment loss (0.24)% (0.46)% (0.43)% (0.42)% (0.35)% --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period, and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
** Annualized.
+ Ratio assuming no reduction for fees paid indirectly.
Notes
Notes
Notes
Notes
Notes
Notes
Pioneer
Value Fund
You can obtain more free information about the fund from your investment firm or by writing to Pioneer Investment Management Shareholder Services, Inc., 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. You may also call 1-800-225-6292.
The fund makes available the statement of additional information and shareowner reports, free of charge, on the fund's website at www.pioneerfunds.com.
Shareowner reports
Annual and semiannual reports to shareowners, and quarterly reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, provide information about the fund's
investments. The annual report discusses market conditions and investment
strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during its last
fiscal year.
Statement of additional information
The statement of additional information provides more detailed information
about the fund. It is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Visit our website
www.pioneerfunds.com
You can also review and copy the fund's shareowner reports, prospectus and statement of additional information at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-202-942-8090 for information. The Commission charges a fee for copies. You can get the same information free from the Commission's EDGAR database on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov). You may also e-mail requests for these documents to publicinfo@sec.gov or make a request in writing to the Commission's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
(Investment Company Act file no. 811-07611)
[LOGO] PIONEER
Investments(R)
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
60 State Street Boston, MA 02109 18713-00-0206 (C)2006 Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. www.pioneerfunds.com Member SIPC |
Prospectus
February 1, 2006
Class R Shares
Basic information about the fund .............. 1 Management .................................... 8 Buying, exchanging and selling shares ......... 11 Dividends, capital gains and taxes ............ 27 Financial highlights .......................... 28 |
[LOGO] PIONEER
Investments(R)
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities agency has approved the fund's shares or determined whether this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a crime.
Basic information about the fund
Investment objective
Reasonable income and capital growth.
Principal investment strategies
The fund seeks to invest in a broad list of carefully selected, reasonably priced securities rather than in securities whose prices reflect a premium resulting from their current market popularity. The fund invests the major portion of its assets in equity securities, primarily of U.S. issuers. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, equity securities include common stocks, convertible debt and other equity instruments, such as equity-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs), depositary receipts, warrants, rights, equity interests in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and preferred stocks.
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc., the fund's investment adviser, uses a value approach to select the fund's investments. Using this investment style, Pioneer seeks securities selling at reasonable prices or at substantial discounts to their underlying values and then holds these securities until the market values reflect their intrinsic values. Pioneer evaluates a security's potential value, including the attractiveness of its market valuation, based on the company's assets and prospects for earnings and revenue growth. In making that assessment, Pioneer employs due diligence and fundamental research, an evaluation of the issuer based on its financial statements and operations, employing a bottom-up analytic style. Pioneer also considers a security's potential to provide a reasonable amount of income. Pioneer relies on the knowledge, experience and judgment of its staff and the staff of its affiliates who have access to a wide variety of research. Pioneer focuses on the quality and price of individual issuers, not on economic sector or market-timing strategies. Factors Pioneer looks for in selecting investments include:
o Above average potential for earnings and revenue growth
o Favorable expected returns relative to perceived risks
o Management with demonstrated ability and commitment to the company
o Low market valuations relative to earnings forecast, book value, cash flow
and sales
o Turnaround potential for companies that have been through difficult periods
o Good prospects for dividend growth
The fund primarily invests in securities of U.S. issuers. The fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers. The fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of emerging markets issuers.
The fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in REITs. REITs are companies that invest primarily in real estate or real estate related loans.
Principal risks of investing in the fund Even though the fund seeks reasonable income and capital growth, you could lose money on your investment or not make as much as if you invested elsewhere if:
Basic information about the fund
o The stock market goes down (this risk may be greater in the short term)
o Value stocks fall out of favor with investors
o The fund's assets remain undervalued or do not have the potential value
originally expected
o Stocks selected for income do not achieve the same return as securities
selected for capital appreciation
Risks of non-U.S. investments
Investing in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in
the securities of U.S. issuers. Some of these risks do not apply to the larger
more developed non-U.S. markets. However, these risks are more pronounced to
the extent the fund invests in emerging markets. These risks may include:
o Less information about non-U.S. issuers or markets may be available due to
less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices
o Many non-U.S. markets are smaller, less liquid and more volatile. In a
changing market, Pioneer may not be able to sell the fund's portfolio
securities at times, in amounts and at prices it considers reasonable
o Adverse effect of currency exchange rates or controls on the value of the
fund's investments
o The economies of non-U.S. countries may grow at slower rates than expected or
may experience a downturn or recession
o Economic, political and social developments may adversely affect the
securities markets
o Withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the fund's return
Risks of REITs
Investing in REITs involves unique risks. They are significantly affected by
the market for real estate and are dependent upon management skills and cash
flow. In addition to its own expenses, the fund will in some cases indirectly
bear its proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs
in which it invests.
Market segment risks
To the extent the fund emphasizes, from time to time, investments in a market segment, the fund will be subject to a greater degree to the risks particular to the industries in that segment, and may experience greater market fluctuation, than a fund without the same focus. For example, industries in the financial segment, such as banks, insurance companies, broker-dealers and REITs, may be sensitive to changes in interest rates and general economic activity and are subject to extensive government regulation. Industries in the technology segment, such as information technology, communications equipment, computer hardware and software, and office and scientific equipment, are subject to risks of rapidly evolving technology, short product lives, rates of corporate expenditures, falling prices and profits, competition from new market entrants, and general economic conditions.
The fund's past performance
The bar chart and table indicate the risks of investing in the fund by showing
how the fund has performed in the past. The fund's performance will vary from
year to year.
The fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. As a shareowner, you may lose or make money on your investment.
Fund performance
The chart shows the year-by-year performance of the fund's Class R shares.
The performance of Class R shares for the period prior to the commencement of operations of Class R shares is based on the performance of the fund's Class A shares, reduced to reflect the higher distribution and service fees of Class R shares. For the period after Class R shares commenced operations, the actual performance of Class R shares is reflected, which performance may be influenced by the smaller asset size of Class R shares compared to Class A shares.
The chart does not reflect any sales charge you may pay when you buy or sell fund shares. Any sales charge will reduce your return.
You do not pay a sales charge on purchases of Class R shares.
Annual return Class R shares
(Year ended December 31)
[The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]
'96 21.42 '97 23.12 '98 -8.49 '99 1.14 '00 15.36 '01 -3.57 '02 -19.19 '03 28.24 '04 10.42 '05 3.18 |
The highest calendar quarterly return was 15.86% (03/31/2003 to 06/30/2003)
The lowest calendar quarterly return was -22.39% (06/30/1998 to 09/30/1998)
Basic information about the fund
Comparison with the Russell 1000 Value Index The table shows the average annual total returns for Class R shares of the fund over time and compares these returns to the returns of the Russell 1000 Value Index. This index measures the performance of large-cap U.S. value stocks.
Unlike the fund, the index is not managed and does not incur expenses. The table:
o Reflects sales charges applicable to the class
o Assumes that you sell your shares at the end of the period
o Assumes that you reinvest all of your dividends and distributions
The performance of Class R shares for the period prior to the commencement of operations of Class R shares is based on the performance of the fund's Class A shares, reduced to reflect the higher distribution and service fees of Class R shares. For the period after Class R shares commenced operations, the actual performance of Class R shares is reflected, which performance may be influenced by the smaller asset size of Class R shares compared to Class A shares.
You do not pay a sales charge on purchases of Class R shares.
Average annual total return (%)
(for periods ended December 31, 2005)
Since Inception 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Inception Date # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R+ 09/30/69 Return before taxes 3.18 2.63 6.15 11.88 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return after taxes on distributions 2.06 1.94 5.80 11.77 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return after taxes on distributions and sale of shares 3.11 2.17 5.37 11.37 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Russell 1000 Value Index (reflects no deduction for taxes) 7.05 5.28 10.94 14.31* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
# Inception date of the fund's Class A shares. Class R shares commenced operations on April 1, 2003.
+ The performance of Class R shares does not reflect the 1% CDSC that was in effect prior to July 1, 2004.
* Since December 31, 1978. Index return information is not available for prior periods.
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 the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. Since Class R shares are only offered to retirement plans, these after-tax returns may not be relevant to you.
Fees and expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareowner fees paid directly from your investment Class R ---------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum sales charge (load) when you buy shares None ---------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum deferred sales charge (load) when you sell shares None ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
Annual fund operating expenses paid from the assets of the fund as a percentage of average daily net assets Class R ------------------------------------------------------- Management Fee(1) 0.53% ------------------------------------------------------- Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee 0.50% ------------------------------------------------------- Other Expenses 1.72% ------------------------------------------------------- Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(2) 2.75% ------------------------------------------------------- |
Example
This example helps you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes that: a) you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods shown, b) you reinvest all dividends and distributions, c) your investment has a 5% return each year and d) the fund's total operating expenses remain the same.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, under these assumptions your costs would be:
Number of years you own your shares ----------------------------------------- 1 3 5 10 ----------------------------------------------------- Class R $278 $853 $1,454 $3,080 ----------------------------------------------------- |
1 At current asset levels, the fund pays a management fee that ranges from 0.50% to 0.70% of average daily net assets, based on its performance and the size of the fund. The fund's basic fee, before any performance adjustment, is 0.60% of average daily net assets. This fee is reduced at asset levels above $5 billion. See "Management."
2 Total annual fund operating expenses in the table have not been reduced by any expense offset arrangements.
Basic information about the fund
Non-principal investment strategies and related risks As discussed, the fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. issuers to seek reasonable income and capital growth.
This section describes additional investments that the fund may make or strategies that it may pursue to a lesser degree to achieve the fund's goal. Some of the fund's secondary investment policies also entail risks. To learn more about these investments and risks, you should obtain and read the statement of additional information (SAI).
Debt securities
The fund may invest in debt securities of corporate and government issuers.
Generally the fund acquires debt securities that are investment grade, but the
fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in below investment grade debt
securities issued by both U.S. and non-U.S. corporate and government issuers,
including convertible debt securities. The fund invests in debt securities when
Pioneer believes they are consistent with the fund's investment objective of
reasonable income and capital growth, to diversify the fund's portfolio or for
greater liquidity.
Debt securities are subject to the risk of an issuer's inability to meet principal or interest payments on its obligations. Factors that could contribute to a decline in the market value of debt securities in the fund's portfolio include rising interest rates or a reduction in the perceived creditworthiness of the issuer of the securities. A debt security is investment grade if it is rated in one of the top four categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or determined to be of equivalent credit quality by Pioneer. Debt securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are considered speculative. Below investment grade debt securities involve greater risk of loss, are subject to greater price volatility and are less liquid, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or change, than higher quality debt securities.
Cash management and temporary investments Normally, the fund invests substantially all of its assets to meet its investment objective. The fund may invest the remainder of its assets in securities with remaining maturities of less than one year, cash equivalents or may hold cash. For temporary defensive purposes, including during periods of unusual cash flows, the fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest part or all of its assets in these securities or may hold cash. During such periods, the fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective. The fund intends to adopt a defensive strategy when Pioneer believes securities in which the fund normally invests have extraordinary risks due to political or economic factors and in other extraordinary circumstances.
Short-term trading
The fund usually does not trade for short-term profits. The fund will sell an investment, however, even if it has only been held for a short time, if it no longer meets the fund's investment criteria. If the fund does a lot of trading, it may incur additional operating expenses, which would reduce performance, and could cause shareowners to incur a higher level of taxable income or capital gains. See "Financial highlights" for actual annual turnover rate.
Derivatives
The fund may use futures and options on securities, indices and currencies,
forward foreign currency exchange contracts and other derivatives. A derivative
is a security or instrument whose value is determined by reference to the value
or the change in value of one or more securities, currencies, indices or other
financial instruments. Although there is no specific limitation on investing in
derivatives, the fund does not use derivatives as a primary investment
technique and generally limits their use to hedging. However, the fund may use
derivatives for a variety of non-principal purposes, including:
o As a hedge against adverse changes in stock market prices, interest rates or
currency exchange rates
o As a substitute for purchasing or selling securities
o To increase the fund's return as a non-hedging strategy that may be
considered speculative
Even a small investment in derivatives can have a significant impact on the fund's exposure to stock market values, interest rates or currency exchange rates. If changes in a derivative's value do not correspond to changes in the value of the fund's other investments, the fund may not fully benefit from or could lose money on the derivative position. In addition, some derivatives involve risk of loss if the person who issued the derivative defaults on its obligation. Certain derivatives may be less liquid and more difficult to value. The fund will only invest in derivatives to the extent Pioneer believes these investments do not prevent the fund from seeking its investment objective.
Management
Pioneer, the fund's investment adviser,
selects the fund's investments and oversees the fund's operations.
Pioneer is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of UniCredito Italiano S.p.A., one of the largest banking groups in Italy. Pioneer is part of the global asset management group providing investment management and financial services to mutual funds, institutional and other clients. As of December 31, 2005, assets under management were approximately $187 billion worldwide, including over $48 billion in assets under management by Pioneer.
Investment adviser
Pioneer's main office is at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. The
firm's U.S. mutual fund investment history includes creating in 1928 one of the
first mutual funds.
Pioneer has received an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission that permits Pioneer, subject to the approval of the fund's Board of Trustees, to hire and terminate a subadviser or to materially modify an existing subadvisory contract for the fund without shareholder approval. Pioneer retains the ultimate responsibility to oversee and recommend the hiring, termination and replacement of any subadviser. To the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission adopts a rule that would supersede the order, Pioneer and the fund intend to rely on such rule to permit Pioneer, subject to the approval of the fund's Board of Trustees and any other applicable conditions of the rule, to hire and terminate a subadviser or to materially modify an existing subadvisory contract for the fund without shareholder approval.
Portfolio management
Day-to-day management of the fund's portfolio is the responsibility of J. Rodman Wright, lead portfolio manager. Mr. Wright is supported by Aaron C. Clark, portfolio manager, and the domestic equity team. Members of this team manage other Pioneer funds investing primarily in U.S. equity securities. The portfolio managers and the team also may draw upon the research and investment management expertise of the global research team, which provides fundamental research on companies and includes members from Pioneer's affiliate, Pioneer Investment Management Limited. Mr. Wright is a senior vice president of Pioneer and strategy director of the value team. He joined Pioneer in 1994 as an analyst and has been an investment professional since 1988. Mr. Clark is a vice president and joined Pioneer in 2004 as a portfolio manager. Prior to joining Pioneer, Mr. Clark was employed as a portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley Investment Management from 1997 to 2004 and has been an investment professional since 1992.
The fund's statement of additional information provides additional information about the portfolio managers' compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers' ownership of shares of the fund.
Management fee
The fund pays Pioneer a fee for managing the fund and to cover the cost of
providing certain services to the fund.
Pioneer's fee varies based on:
o The fund's assets; Pioneer earns an annual basic fee equal to 0.60% of the
fund's average daily net assets up to $5 billion, 0.575% on the next $5
billion and 0.550% on the excess over $10 billion
o Effective May 1, 2003, the investment performance of the fund has been
compared to the Russell 1000 Value Index. The basic fee can increase or
decrease by a maximum of 0.10%, depending on the performance of the fund's
Class A shares relative to the index. The performance comparison is made
for a rolling 36-month period. For periods prior to May 1, 2003, the
performance comparison was made to the Lipper Growth and Income Fund Index.
Pioneer's fee increases or decreases depending upon whether the fund's
performance is up and down more or less than that of the index during the
rolling 36-month performance period. Each percentage point of difference
between the performance of the Class A shares and the index (to a maximum of
+/-10) is multiplied by a performance rate adjustment of 0.01%. As a result,
the maximum annualized rate adjustment is +/-0.10% for the rolling 36-month
performance period. In addition, the fee is further limited on an annual basis
to a maximum rate adjustment of +/-0.10% (i.e., the fee is further subject to a
cap of average daily net assets and a floor of 0.50% of average daily net
assets, assuming that the fund is not large enough for any breakpoints to
apply). Pioneer currently is waiving the floor on its fee. Pioneer may reimpose
the same floor in the future, but will not be entitled to recover any
previously waived fees.
This performance comparison is made at the end of each month. An appropriate percentage of this rate (based on the number of days in the current month) is then applied to the fund's average net assets for the entire performance period, giving a dollar amount that will be added to (or subtracted from) the basic fee.
Because the adjustment to the basic fee is based on the comparative performance of the fund and the performance record of the index, the controlling factor is not whether fund performance is up or down, but whether it is up or down more or less than the performance record of the index, regardless of general market performance. As a result, Pioneer could earn the maximum possible fee even if the fund's net asset value declines. Moreover, the comparative investment performance of the fund is based solely on the relevant performance period without regard to the cumulative performance over a longer or shorter period of time.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' approval of the management contract is available in the fund's semi-annual report to shareholders, dated March 31, 2005.
Management
Distributor and transfer agent
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. is the fund's distributor. Pioneer Investment
Management Shareholder Services, Inc. is the fund's transfer agent. The fund
compensates the distributor and transfer agent for their services. The
distributor and the transfer agent are affiliates of Pioneer.
Disclosure of portfolio holdings
The fund's policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of the fund's
portfolio securities are described in the statement of additional information
and on Pioneer's website at www.pioneerfunds.com.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Net asset value
The fund's net asset value is the value of its portfolio of securities plus any other assets minus its operating expenses and any other liabilities. The fund calculates a net asset value for each class of shares every day the New York Stock Exchange is open when regular trading closes (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time).
The fund generally values its portfolio securities using closing market prices or readily available market quotations. When closing market prices or market quotations are not available or are considered by Pioneer to be unreliable, the fund uses a security's fair value. All methods of determining the value of a security used by the fund, including those discussed below, on a basis other than market value, are forms of fair value. All valuations of securities on a fair value basis are made pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The use of fair value pricing by the fund may cause the net asset value of its shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated only using market prices. For market prices and quotations, as well as for some fair value methods, the fund relies upon securities prices provided by pricing services.
The fund uses the fair value of a security, including a non-U.S. security, when Pioneer determines that the closing market price on the primary exchange where the security is traded no longer accurately reflects the value of the security at the time the fund calculates its net asset value. This may occur for a variety of reasons that affect either the relevant securities markets generally or the specific issuer. For example, with respect to non-U.S. securities held by the fund, developments relating to specific events in the securities markets or the specific issuer may occur between the time the primary market closes and the time the fund determines its net asset value. In those circumstances when the fund believes the price of the security may be affected, the fund uses the fair value of the security. International securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are closed. For this reason, the values of any international securities owned by the fund could change on a day you cannot buy or sell shares of the fund.
Certain types of securities, including those discussed in this paragraph, are priced using fair value rather than market prices. The fund uses a pricing matrix to determine the value of fixed income securities that do not trade daily. A pricing matrix is a means of valuing a debt security on the basis of current market prices for other debt securities and historical trading patterns in the market for fixed income securities. The fund values cash equivalent securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less at amortized cost. To the extent that the fund invests in the shares of other registered open-end investment companies that are not traded on an exchange (mutual funds), such shares are valued at their published net asset values per share as reported by the funds. The prospectuses of these funds explain the circumstances under which the funds will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
You buy or sell Class R shares at the share price.
Eligible Class R share investors
Class R shares are available to certain tax-deferred retirement plans (including 401(k) plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, 457 plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans) held in plan level or omnibus accounts. Class R shares also are available to IRA rollovers from eligible retirement plans that offered one or more Class R share Pioneer funds as investment options. Class R shares are not available to non-retirement accounts, traditional or Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, individual 403(b)s and most individual retirement accounts or retirement plans that are not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Other classes of shares of the fund may be offered through one or more separate prospectuses. Eligible Class R share investors are also eligible to purchase these other classes. However, plan participants may only purchase classes of shares that are available through their plan. Each class has different sales charges and expenses.
Your investment professional can help you determine which class is appropriate. You should ask your investment professional if you qualify for a waiver of sales charges on another class. If you do qualify, another class of shares may be more appropriate for you. Plan fiduciaries should consider their obligations under ERISA in determining which class is an appropriate investment for the plan. Your investment firm may receive different compensation depending upon which class is chosen.
Distribution and service plans
The fund has adopted a distribution plan for Class R shares in accordance with
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Class R
distribution plan, the fund pays distribution fees of 0.50% of average daily
net assets attributable to Class R shares to the distributor. The distributor
uses this fee, among other things, to compensate broker-dealers who engage in
or support the distribution of the fund's Class R shares. Because these fees
are an ongoing expense of the fund, over time they increase the cost of your
investment and your shares may cost more than shares that are subject to other
types of sales charges.
The fund has also adopted a separate service plan for Class R shares. Under the service plan, the fund may pay securities dealers, plan administrators or other service organizations who agree to provide certain services to plans or plan participants holding shares of the fund a service fee of up to 0.25% of average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares held by such plan participants.
The services provided under the service plan include acting as a shareholder of record, processing purchase and redemption orders, maintaining participant account records and answering participant questions regarding the fund.
Additional dealer compensation
The distributor or its affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of their
own assets, to certain brokerage firms and other intermediaries or their
affiliates, based on sales or assets attributable to the firm, or such other
criteria agreed to by the distributor. The firms to which payments may be made
are determined by the distributor. These payments may provide an incentive, in
addition to any sales charge, to these firms to actively promote the Pioneer
funds or cooperate with the distributor's promotional efforts.
Sales charges
You buy Class R shares at net asset value per share. The fund does not impose
any initial or contingent deferred sales charge on Class R shares.
Information for Plan Participants
Participants in retirement plans generally must contact the plan's administrator to purchase, redeem or exchange shares. Shareowner services may only be available to plan participants through a plan administrator. Plans may require separate applications and their policies and procedures may be different than those described in this prospectus. Participants should contact their plan administrator for information regarding shareholder services pertaining to participants' investments in the fund.
The fund allows you to exchange your Class R shares for Class R shares of another Pioneer fund that is available through your plan. Exchanges are made at net asset value.
Before you request an exchange, consider each fund's investment objective and policies as described in the fund's prospectus. Other Pioneer funds may not be available in certain retirement plans.
Information for Plan Sponsors and Administrators
Opening an account
Eligible retirement plans generally may open an account and purchase Class R
shares by contacting any investment firm or plan administrator authorized to
sell the fund's shares. A retirement plan sponsor can obtain retirement plan
applications from its investment firm or plan administrator or by calling the
Retirement Plans Department at 1-800-622-0176.
If the retirement plan invests in the fund through investment professionals or other financial intermediaries, including wrap programs and fund supermarkets, additional conditions may apply to an investment in the fund, and the investment professional
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
or intermediary may charge a transaction-based or other fee for its services. These conditions and fees are in addition to those imposed by the fund and its affiliates. In addition, the options and services available to a retirement plan may be different from those discussed in this prospectus. You should ask your investment professional or financial intermediary about its services and any applicable fees.
Minimum investment amounts
There is no minimum initial amount for Class R share investments.
Account options
Use an account application to select options and privileges for accounts opened
on behalf of the retirement plan. A retirement plan can change the selection of
account options available to the plan and its participants at any time by
sending a completed account options form to the transfer agent. Plan sponsors
may be required to obtain a signature guarantee to make certain changes to an
existing account.
Call or write to the transfer agent for account applications, account options forms and other account information:
Pioneer Investment Management
Shareholder Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5014
Telephone 1-800-225-6292
Share price
If the plan or a participant in the plan places an order to purchase, exchange or sell shares through a plan administrator or broker-dealer by the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), the transaction will be completed at the share price determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange that day. If the order is placed through a plan administrator or broker-dealer after 4:00 p.m., or the order is not in good order, the transaction will be completed at the share price next determined after the order is received in good order by the fund. The plan administrator or broker-dealer is responsible for transmitting the order to the fund in a timely manner.
Buying
Plans and their participants can buy Class R shares at net asset value per
share. The distributor may reject any order until it has confirmed the order in
writing and received payment.
Normally, the plan's investment firm will send a purchase request to the fund's transfer agent. Consult the plan's investment professional for more information. The investment firm receives a commission from the distributor, and may receive additional compensation from Pioneer, for purchase of fund shares by the plan or plan participants.
Exchanging
The fund allows plans and plan participants to exchange Class R shares at net
asset value.
Selling
Class R shares will be sold at net asset value per share next calculated after
the fund or its authorized agent, such as broker-dealers, receives a request in
good order.
The fund generally will send any sale proceeds to the plan's custodian by check, bank wire or electronic funds transfer. Normally, sales proceeds will be paid within seven days. If the plan recently purchased the shares being sold, the fund may delay payment of the sale proceeds until the check has cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days from the purchase date. If a signature guarantee is required, the plan must submit its request in writing.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Information for IRA Rollover Accounts
Opening your account
IRA Rollover Accounts may be eligible to open an account and purchase Class R
shares by contacting any investment firm authorized to sell the fund's shares.
You can obtain an application from your investment firm or by calling the
Retirement Plans Department at 1-800-622-0176. You may also open your Class R
share account by completing an account application and sending it to the
transfer agent by mail or by fax.
If you invest in the fund through investment professionals or other financial intermediaries, including wrap programs and fund supermarkets, additional conditions may apply to your investment in the fund, and the investment professional or intermediary may charge you a transaction-based or other fee for its services. These conditions and fees are in addition to those imposed by the fund and its affiliates. In addition, the options and services available to you may be different from those discussed in this prospectus. You should ask your investment professional or financial intermediary about its services and any applicable fees.
Minimum account size for IRA Rollovers
The fund requires that you maintain a minimum account value of $500. If you
hold less than $500 in your account, the fund reserves the right to notify you
that it intends to sell your shares and close your account. You will be given
60 days from the date of the notice to make additional investments to avoid
having your shares sold.
Minimum investment amounts
There is no minimum initial amount for Class R share investments.
Account options
Use your account application to select options and privileges for your account.
You can change your selections at any time by sending a completed account
options form to the transfer agent. You may be required to obtain a signature
guarantee to make certain changes to an existing account.
Call or write to the transfer agent for account applications, account options forms and other account information:
Pioneer Investment Management
Shareholder Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5014
Telephone 1-800-225-6292
Share price
If you place an order to purchase, exchange or sell shares with the transfer
agent or a broker-dealer by the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), your transaction will be completed
at the share price determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock
Exchange on that day. If your order is placed with the transfer agent or a
broker-dealer after 4:00 p.m., or your order is not in good order, your
transaction will be completed at the share price next determined after your
order is received in good order by the fund. The broker-dealer is responsible
for transmitting your order to the fund in a timely manner.
o The request includes a signature guarantee if you:
Buying
You may buy fund shares from any investment firm that has a sales agreement
with the distributor. If you are an eligible investor and do not have an
investment firm, please call 1-800-225-6292 for information on how to locate an
investment professional in your area.
You can buy Class R shares at net asset value per share. The distributor may reject any order until it has confirmed the order in writing and received payment. Normally, your investment firm will send your purchase request to the fund's transfer agent. Consult your investment professional for more information. Your investment firm receives a commission from the distributor, and may receive additional compensation from Pioneer, for your purchase of fund shares.
Exchanging
You may exchange Class R shares for the Class R shares of another Pioneer
mutual fund.
The fund allows you to exchange your Class R shares at net asset value.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Before you request an exchange, consider each fund's investment objective and policies as described in the fund's prospectus. Other Pioneer funds may not be available in certain retirement plans.
You can exchange fund shares by mailing or faxing a letter of instruction to
the transfer agent. You can exchange fund shares directly through the fund only
if your account is registered in your name. However, you may not fax an
exchange request for more than $500,000. Include in your letter:
o The name, social security number and signature of all registered owners
o A signature guarantee for each registered owner if the amount of the exchange
is more than $500,000
o The name of the fund out of which you are exchanging and the name of the fund
into which you are exchanging
o The class of shares you are exchanging
o The dollar amount or number of shares you are exchanging
By phone
After you establish an eligible fund account, you can exchange fund shares by
phone if:
o You are exchanging into an existing account or using the exchange to
establish a new account, provided the new account has a registration
identical to the original account
o The fund into which you are exchanging offers the same class of shares
o You are not exchanging more than $500,000 worth of shares per account per day
o You can provide the proper account identification information
Selling
Normally, your investment firm will send your request to sell shares to the
fund's transfer agent. Consult your investment professional for more
information. The fund has authorized the distributor to act as its agent in the
repurchase of fund shares from qualified investment firms. The fund reserves
the right to terminate this procedure at any time.
The fund generally will send your sale proceeds by check, bank wire or electronic funds transfer. Normally you will be paid within seven days. If you recently purchased the shares being sold, the fund may delay payment of the sale proceeds until your check has cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days from the purchase date. If a signature guarantee is required, you must submit your request in writing.
You generally may sell fund shares by phone only if your account is an IRA (tax penalties may apply). You may not sell your shares by phone if you have changed your address (for checks) or your bank information (for wires and transfers) in the last 30 days.
You may receive your sale proceeds:
o By check, provided the check is made payable exactly as your account is
registered
o By bank wire or by electronic funds transfer, provided the sale proceeds are
being sent to your bank address of record
You can sell some or all of your fund shares by writing directly to the fund only if your account is registered in your name. Include in your request your name, your social security number, the fund's name, your fund account number, the class of shares to be sold, the dollar amount or number of shares to be sold and any other applicable requirements as described below. The transfer agent will send the sale proceeds to your address of record unless you provide other instructions. Your request must be signed by all registered owners and be in good order.
The transfer agent will not process your request until it is received in good order.
You may sell up to $100,000 per account per day by fax.
Sales may be taxable transactions to shareowners.
Account options
See the account application form for more details on each of the following
options.
Automatic exchanges
You can automatically exchange your fund shares for Class R shares of another
Pioneer mutual fund. The automatic exchange will begin on the day you select
when you complete the appropriate section of your account application or an
account options form. In order to establish automatic exchange:
o You must select exchanges on a monthly or quarterly basis
o Both the originating and receiving accounts must have identical registrations
o The originating account must have a minimum balance of $5,000
Distribution options
The fund offers three distribution options. Any fund shares you buy by
reinvesting distributions will be priced at the applicable net asset value per
share.
(1) Unless you indicate another option on your account application, any dividends and capital gain distributions paid to you by the fund will automatically be invested in additional fund shares.
(2) You may elect to have the amount of any dividends paid to you in cash and any capital gain distributions reinvested in additional shares.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
(3) You may elect to have the full amount of any dividends and/or capital gain distributions paid to you in cash.
Options (2) or (3) are not available to retirement plan accounts or accounts with a current value of less than $500. If you are under 59 1/2, taxes and tax penalties may apply.
If your distribution check is returned to the transfer agent or you do not cash the check for six months or more, the transfer agent may reinvest the amount of the check in your account and automatically change the distribution option on your account to option (1) until you request a different option in writing. These additional shares will be purchased at the then current net asset value.
Directed dividends
If you are over the age of 59 1/2, you can invest the dividends paid by one of
your Pioneer mutual fund accounts in a second Pioneer mutual fund account. The
value of your second account must be at least $1,000. You may direct the
investment of any amount of dividends. There are no fees or charges for
directed dividends. If you have a retirement plan account, you may only direct
dividends to accounts with identical registrations.
Systematic withdrawal plans
When you establish a systematic withdrawal plan for your account, the transfer
agent will sell the number of fund shares you specify on a periodic basis and
the proceeds will be paid to you or to any person you select. You must obtain a
signature guarantee to direct payments to another person after you have
established your systematic withdrawal plan. Payments can be made either by
check or by electronic transfer to a bank account you designate.
To establish a systematic withdrawal plan:
o Your account must have a total value of at least $10,000 when you establish
your plan
o You must request a periodic withdrawal of at least $50
o You may not request a periodic withdrawal of more than 10% of the value of
any Class R share account (valued at the time the plan is implemented)
The above limits are waived for required minimum distributions from your IRA Rollover account.
Systematic sales of fund shares may be taxable transactions for you unless you are exempt from tax.
Direct deposit
If you establish a systematic withdrawal plan, you may choose to have those cash payments deposited directly into your savings, checking or NOW bank account.
Information for All Shareowners
Shareowner services
For plan participants, shareowner services may only be available through the
plan administrator and may be different than those described in this
prospectus. Participants should contact the appropriate plan administrator for
information regarding the administration of participants' investments in the
fund.
Pioneer website
www.pioneerfunds.com
The website includes a full selection of information on mutual fund investing.
You can also use the website to get:
o Current account information if your shares are registered in your own name
and not the name of your plan or other intermediary
o Prices, returns and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual funds
o Prospectuses for all the Pioneer mutual funds
o A copy of Pioneer's privacy notice
FactFone(SM) 1-800-225-4321
You can use FactFone(SM) to:
o Obtain current information on your Pioneer IRA Rollover accounts
o Inquire about the prices and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual
funds
o Request account statements
If your account is registered in the name of an employer-sponsored retirement plan, broker-dealer or other third party, you may not be able to use FactFone(SM) to obtain account information.
Confirmation statements
The transfer agent maintains an account for each investment firm or individual
shareowner and records all account transactions. Plans and IRA Rollover
accounts will be sent confirmation statements showing the details of your
transactions as they occur.
Tax information for IRA Rollovers
In January following the year in which you take a reportable distribution, the
transfer agent will mail you a tax form reflecting the total amount(s) of
distribution(s) received by the end of January.
Privacy
The fund has a policy that protects the privacy of your personal information. A
copy of Pioneer's privacy notice was given to you at the time you opened your
account. The fund will send you a copy of the privacy notice each year. You may
also obtain the privacy notice by calling the transfer agent or through
Pioneer's website.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Shareowner account policies
Identity verification
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering
activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify
and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When
you open an account, you will need to supply your name, address, date of birth,
and other information that will allow the fund to identify you.
The fund may close your account if we cannot adequately verify your identity. The redemption price will be the net asset value (less applicable sales charges) on the date of redemption.
Signature guarantees and other requirements
Plans and IRA Rollover Accounts are required to obtain a signature guarantee when:
o Requesting certain types of exchanges or sales of fund shares
o Requesting certain types of changes for your existing account
You can obtain a signature guarantee from most broker-dealers, banks, credit unions (if authorized under state law) and federal savings and loan associations. You cannot obtain a signature guarantee from a notary public.
The Pioneer funds generally accept only medallion signature guarantees. A medallion signature guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association, or other financial institution that is participating in a medallion program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. Signature guarantees from financial institutions that are not participating in one of these programs are not accepted as medallion signature guarantees. The fund may accept other forms of guarantee from financial intermediaries in limited circumstances.
Fiduciaries and corporations are required to submit additional documents to sell fund shares
In kind purchases
Pioneer may accept securities to purchase shares of the fund in lieu of cash
provided that Pioneer, in its sole discretion, determines that the securities
are consistent with the fund's objective and policies and their acquisition is
in the best interests of the fund. If the fund accepts your securities, they
will be valued for purposes of determining the number of fund shares to be
issued to you in the same way the fund will value the securities for purposes
of determining its net asset value. For federal income tax purposes, you may be
taxed in the same manner as if you sold the securities that you exchange for
cash in an amount equal to the value of the fund shares that you receive in
exchange. Your sales charge for purchases of fund shares will be based upon the
value of the fund
shares that you receive. Your broker may also impose a fee in connection with processing your purchase of fund shares with securities.
Exchange limitation
You may only make up to four exchange redemptions of $25,000 or more per
account per calendar year out of the fund. The fund's exchange limitation is
intended to discourage short-term trading in fund shares. Short-term trading
can increase the expenses incurred by the fund and make portfolio management
less efficient. In determining whether the exchange redemption limit has been
reached, Pioneer may aggregate a series of exchanges (each valued at less than
$25,000) and/or fund accounts that appear to be under common ownership or
control. Pioneer may view accounts for which one person gives instructions or
accounts that act on advice provided by a single source to be under common
control.
The exchange limitation does not apply to automatic exchange transactions or to exchanges made by participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. While financial intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts that invest in the fund are requested to apply the exchange limitation policy to shareholders who hold shares through such accounts, we do not impose the exchange limitation policy at the level of the omnibus account and are not able to monitor compliance by the financial intermediary with this policy.
Excessive trading
Frequent trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio management
strategies, harm fund performance by forcing the fund to hold excess cash or to
liquidate certain portfolio securities prematurely and increase expenses for
all investors, including long-term investors who do not generate these costs.
An investor may use short-term trading as a strategy, for example, if the
investor believes that the valuation of the fund's portfolio securities for
purposes of calculating its net asset value does not fully reflect the then
current fair market value of those holdings. The fund discourages, and does not
take any intentional action to accommodate, excessive and short-term trading
practices, such as market timing. Although there is no generally applied
standard in the marketplace as to what level of trading activity is excessive,
we may consider trading in the fund's shares to be excessive for a variety of
reasons, such as if:
o You sell shares within a short period of time after the shares were
purchased;
o You make two or more purchases and redemptions within a short period of time;
o You enter into a series of transactions that is indicative of a timing
pattern or strategy; or
o We reasonably believe that you have engaged in such practices in connection
with other mutual funds.
The fund's Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of fund shares by fund investors. Pursuant to these policies and procedures, we monitor selected trades on a daily basis in an
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
effort to detect excessive short-term trading. If we determine that an investor or a client of a broker has engaged in excessive short-term trading that we believe may be harmful to the fund, we will ask the investor or broker to cease such activity and we will refuse to process purchase orders (including purchases by exchange) of such investor, broker or accounts that we believe are under their control. In determining whether to take such actions, we seek to act in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the fund's shareholders.
While we use our reasonable efforts to detect excessive trading activity, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that market timers will not employ tactics designed to evade detection. If we are not successful, your return from an investment in the fund may be adversely affected. Frequently, fund shares are held through omnibus accounts maintained by financial intermediaries such as brokers and retirement plan administrators, where the holdings of multiple shareholders, such as all the clients of a particular broker, are aggregated. Our ability to monitor trading practices by investors purchasing shares through omnibus accounts is limited and dependent upon the cooperation of the financial intermediary in observing the fund's policies.
In addition to monitoring trades, the policies and procedures provide that:
o The fund imposes limitations on the number of exchanges out of an account holding the fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares that may occur in any calendar year. See "Exchange limitation."
o Certain funds managed by Pioneer have adopted redemption fees that are incurred if you redeem shares within a short period after purchase, including exchanges. These redemption fees are described in the applicable prospectuses under "Fees and expenses."
The fund may reject a purchase or exchange order before its acceptance or an order prior to issuance of shares. The fund may also restrict additional purchases or exchanges in an account. Each of these steps may be taken, for any reason, without prior notice, including transactions that the fund believes are requested on behalf of market timers. The fund reserves the right to reject any purchase request by any investor or financial institution if the fund believes that any combination of trading activity in the account or related accounts is potentially disruptive to the fund. A prospective investor whose purchase or exchange order is rejected will not achieve the investment results, whether gain or loss, that would have been realized if the order were accepted and an investment made in the fund. The fund and its shareholders do not incur any gain or loss as a result of a rejected order. The fund may impose further restrictions on trading activities by market timers in the future. The fund's prospectus will be amended or supplemented to reflect any material additional restrictions on trading activities intended to prevent excessive trading.
Telephone and website access
You may have difficulty contacting the fund by telephone or accessing
pioneerfunds.com during times of market volatility or disruption in telephone
or Internet service. On New York Stock Exchange holidays or on days when the exchange closes early, Pioneer will adjust the hours for the telephone center and for online transaction processing accordingly. If you are unable to access pioneerfunds.com or reach the fund by telephone, you should communicate with the fund in writing.
Share certificates
The fund does not offer share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.
Other policies
The fund and the distributor reserve the right to:
o reject any purchase or exchange order for any reason, without prior notice
o charge a fee for exchanges or to modify, limit or suspend the exchange
privilege at any time without notice. The fund will provide 60 days' notice
of material amendments to or termination of the exchange privilege
o revise, suspend, limit or terminate the account options or services available
to shareowners at any time, except as required by the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission
The fund reserves the right to:
o stop offering Class R shares
o suspend transactions in shares when trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
closed or restricted, when the Securities and Exchange Commission
determines an emergency or other circumstances exist that make it
impracticable for the fund to sell or value its portfolio securities
o redeem in kind by delivering to you portfolio securities owned by the fund
rather than cash. Securities you receive this way may increase or decrease
in value while you hold them and you may incur brokerage and transaction
charges and tax liability when you convert the securities to cash
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
How to contact us
By phone
For information or to request a telephone transaction between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00
p.m. (Eastern time) by speaking with a shareholder services representative call
1-800-225-6292
To request a transaction using FactFone(SM) call 1-800-225-4321
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-225-1997
By mail
Send your written instructions to:
Pioneer Investment Management
Shareholder Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5014
Pioneer website
www.pioneerfunds.com
By fax
Fax your exchange and sale requests to:
1-800-225-4240
Dividends, capital gains and taxes
Dividends and capital gains
The fund generally pays any distributions of net short- and long-term capital
gains in November. The fund generally pays dividends from any net investment
income in June and December. The fund may also pay dividends and capital gain
distributions at other times if necessary for the fund to avoid U.S. federal
income or excise tax. If you invest in the fund close to the time that the fund
makes a distribution, generally you will pay a higher price per share and,
unless you are exempt from tax, you will pay taxes on the amount of the
distribution whether you reinvest the distribution or receive it as cash.
Taxes
Shareholders that are exempt from U.S. federal income tax, such as retirement
plans that are qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code,
generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on fund dividends or
distributions or on sales or exchanges of fund shares. However, in the case of
fund shares held through a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, fund
dividends and distributions received by the plan and sales and exchanges of
fund shares by the plan generally will be taxable to the employer sponsoring
such plan in accordance with U.S. federal income tax laws governing deferred
compensation plans.
A plan participant whose retirement plan invests in the fund generally is not taxed on fund dividends or distributions received by the plan or on sales or exchanges of fund shares by the plan for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, distributions to plan participants from a retirement plan generally are taxable to plan participants as ordinary income.
You must provide your social security number or other taxpayer identification number to the fund along with any certifications required by the Internal Revenue Service when you open an account.
You should ask your tax adviser about any federal, state, local and foreign tax considerations. You may also consult the fund's statement of additional information for a more detailed discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations that may affect the fund and its shareowners.
Financial highlights
The financial highlights table helps you understand the fund's financial performance since the inception of Class R shares.
Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that you would have earned or lost on an investment in Class R shares of the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information below has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the fund's independent registered public accounting firm, whose report is included in the fund's annual report along with the fund's financial statements. The annual report is available upon request.
Pioneer Value Fund
Class R shares
Year Ended Year Ended 4/1/03 to 9/30/05 9/30/04 9/30/03 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net asset value, beginning of period $18.64 $16.24 $13.91 ------ ------ ------ Increase from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) $(0.18) $(0.12) $ 0.05 Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions 2.20 2.65 2.34 ------ ------ ------ Net increase from investment operations $ 2.02 $ 2.53 $ 2.39 Distributions to shareowners: Net investment income -- (0.09) (0.06) Net realized loss (3.56) (0.04) -- ------ ------ ------ Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $(1.54) $ 2.40 $ 2.33 ------ ------ ------ Net asset value, end of period $17.10 $18.64 $16.24 ====== ====== ====== Total return* 11.65% 15.64% 17.19% Ratio of net expenses to average net assets+ 3.05% 2.79% 1.42%** Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets+ (1.17)% (1.02)% 0.71%** Portfolio turnover rate 53% 40% 40% Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $ 34 $ 10 $ 1 Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly: Net expenses 3.03% 2.77% 1.42%** Net investment income (loss) (1.15)% (1.00)% 0.71%** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period, and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
** Annualized.
+ Ratio assuming no reduction for fees paid indirectly.
Pioneer
Value Fund
You can obtain more free information about the fund from your investment firm or by writing to Pioneer Investment Management Shareholder Services, Inc., 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. You may also call 1-888-294-4480.
The fund makes available the statement of additional information and shareowner reports, free of charge, on the fund's website at www.pioneerfunds.com.
Shareowner reports
Annual and semiannual reports to shareowners, and quarterly reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, provide information about the fund's
investments. The annual report discusses market conditions and investment
strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during its last
fiscal year.
Statement of additional information
The statement of additional information provides more detailed information
about the fund. It is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Visit our website
www.pioneerfunds.com
You can also review and copy the fund's shareowner reports, prospectus and statement of additional information at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-202-942-8090 for information. The Commission charges a fee for copies. You can get the same information free from the Commission's EDGAR database on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov). You may also e-mail requests for these documents to publicinfo@sec.gov or make a request in writing to the Commission's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
(Investment Company Act file no. 811-07611)
[LOGO] PIONEER
Investments(R)
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
60 State Street Boston, MA 02109 18715-00-0206 (C)2006 Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. www.pioneerfunds.com Member SIPC |
Prospectus
February 1, 2006
Class Y Shares
Contents -------------------------------------------------- Basic information about the fund .............. 1 Management .................................... 8 Buying, exchanging and selling shares ......... 11 Dividends, capital gains and taxes ............ 28 Financial highlights .......................... 29 |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor
any state securities agency has approved the
fund's shares or determined whether this
prospectus is accurate or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a crime.
[LOGO] PIONEER
Investments(R)
Basic information about the fund
Investment objective
Reasonable income and capital growth.
Principal investment strategies
The fund seeks to invest in a broad list of carefully selected, reasonably priced securities rather than in securities whose prices reflect a premium resulting from their current market popularity. The fund invests the major portion of its assets in equity securities, primarily of U.S. issuers. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, equity securities include common stocks, convertible debt and other equity instruments, such as equity-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs), depositary receipts, warrants, rights, equity interests in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and preferred stocks.
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc., the fund's investment adviser, uses a value approach to select the fund's investments. Using this investment style, Pioneer seeks securities selling at reasonable prices or at substantial discounts to their underlying values and then holds these securities until the market values reflect their intrinsic values. Pioneer evaluates a security's potential value, including the attractiveness of its market valuation, based on the company's assets and prospects for earnings and revenue growth. In making that assessment, Pioneer employs due diligence and fundamental research, an evaluation of the issuer based on its financial statements and operations, employing a bottom-up analytic style. Pioneer also considers a security's potential to provide a reasonable amount of income. Pioneer relies on the knowledge, experience and judgment of its staff and the staff of its affiliates who have access to a wide variety of research. Pioneer focuses on the quality and price of individual issuers, not on economic sector or market-timing strategies. Factors Pioneer looks for in selecting investments include:
o Above average potential for earnings and revenue growth
o Favorable expected returns relative to perceived risks
o Management with demonstrated ability and commitment to the company
o Low market valuations relative to earnings forecast, book value, cash flow
and sales
o Turnaround potential for companies that have been through difficult periods
o Good prospects for dividend growth
The fund primarily invests in securities of U.S. issuers. The fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers. The fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of emerging markets issuers.
The fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in REITs. REITs are companies that invest primarily in real estate or real estate related loans.
Principal risks of investing in the fund Even though the fund seeks reasonable income and capital growth, you could lose money on your investment or not make as much as if you invested elsewhere if:
Basic information about the fund
o The stock market goes down (this risk may be greater in the short term)
o Value stocks fall out of favor with investors
o The fund's assets remain undervalued or do not have the potential value
originally expected
o Stocks selected for income do not achieve the same return as securities
selected for capital appreciation
Risks of non-U.S. investments
Investing in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in
the securities of U.S. issuers. Some of these risks do not apply to the larger
more developed non-U.S. markets. However, these risks are more pronounced to
the extent the fund invests in emerging markets. These risks may include:
o Less information about non-U.S. issuers or markets may be available due to
less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices
o Many non-U.S. markets are smaller, less liquid and more volatile. In a
changing market, Pioneer may not be able to sell the fund's portfolio
securities at times, in amounts and at prices it considers reasonable
o Adverse effect of currency exchange rates or controls on the value of the
fund's investments
o The economies of non-U.S. countries may grow at slower rates than expected or
may experience a downturn or recession
o Economic, political and social developments may adversely affect the
securities markets
o Withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the fund's return
Risks of REITs
Investing in REITs involves unique risks. They are significantly affected by
the market for real estate and are dependent upon management skills and cash
flow. In addition to its own expenses, the fund will in some cases indirectly
bear its proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs
in which it invests.
Market segment risks
To the extent the fund emphasizes, from time to time, investments in a market segment, the fund will be subject to a greater degree to the risks particular to the industries in that segment, and may experience greater market fluctuation, than a fund without the same focus. For example, industries in the financial segment, such as banks, insurance companies, broker-dealers and REITs, may be sensitive to changes in interest rates and general economic activity and are subject to extensive government regulation. Industries in the technology segment, such as information technology, communications equipment, computer hardware and software, and office and scientific equipment, are subject to risks of rapidly evolving technology, short product lives, rates of corporate expenditures, falling prices and profits, competition from new market entrants, and general economic conditions.
The fund's past performance
The bar chart and table indicate the risks of investing in the fund by showing
how the fund has performed in the past. The fund's performance will vary from
year to year.
The fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. As a shareowner, you may lose or make money on your investment.
Fund performance
The chart shows the year-by-year performance of the fund's Class Y shares.
The performance of Class Y shares for the period prior to the commencement of operations of Class Y shares is the net asset value performance of the fund's Class A shares, which has not been restated to reflect any differences in expenses, including Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class A shares.
The chart does not reflect any sales charge you may pay when you buy or sell fund shares. Any sales charge will reduce your return.
You do not pay a sales charge on purchases of Class Y shares.
Annual return Class Y shares
(Year ended December 31)
[DATA BELOW IS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE ORIGINAL REPORT]
'96 21.99 '97 23.70 '98 -7.99 '99 1.61 '00 15.95 '01 -3.08 '02 -18.79 '03 28.54 '04 12.26 '05 6.23 |
The highest calendar quarterly return was 15.93% (03/31/2003 to 06/30/2003) The lowest calendar quarterly return was -22.31% (06/30/1998 to 09/30/1998)
Basic information about the fund
Comparison with the Russell 1000 Value Index
The table shows the average annual total returns for Class Y shares of the fund over time and compares these returns to the returns of the Russell 1000 Value Index. This index measures the performance of large-cap U.S. value stocks.
Unlike the fund, the index is not managed and does not incur expenses. The table:
o Reflects sales charges applicable to the class
o Assumes that you sell your shares at the end of the period
o Assumes that you reinvest all of your dividends and distributions
The performance of Class Y shares for the period prior to the commencement of operations of Class Y shares is the net asset value performance of the fund's Class A shares, which has not been restated to reflect any differences in expenses, including Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class A shares.
You do not pay a sales charge on purchases of Class Y shares.
Average annual total return (%)
(for periods ended December 31, 2005)
Since Inception 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Inception Date # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Class Y 9/30/69 Return before taxes 6.23 3.86 7.05 12.50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Return after taxes on distributions 4.77 2.27 5.28 9.59 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Return after taxes on distributions and sale of shares 5.06 2.78 5.42 9.53 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Russell 1000 Value Index (reflects no deduction for taxes) 7.05 5.28 10.94 14.31* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
# Inception date of the fund's Class A shares. Class Y shares commenced operations on August 10, 2004.
* Since December 31, 1978. Index return information is not available for prior periods.
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 the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to shareholders who hold fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Fees and expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the fund.
Shareowner fees paid directly from your investment Class Y -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum sales charge (load) when you buy shares None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum deferred sales charge (load) when you sell shares None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual fund operating expenses paid from the assets of the fund as a percentage of average daily net assets Class Y -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management Fee1 0.53% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee 0.00% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Expenses 0.06% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 0.59% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Example
This example helps you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes that: a) you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods shown, b) you reinvest all dividends and distributions, c) your investment has a 5% return each year and d) the fund's total operating expenses remain the same.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, under these assumptions your costs would be:
Number of years you own your shares ------------------------------------------ 1 3 5 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class Y $60 $189 $329 $738 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1 At current asset levels, the fund pays a management fee that ranges from 0.50% to 0.70% of average daily net assets, based on its performance and the size of the fund. The fund's basic fee, before any performance adjustment, is 0.60% of average daily net assets. This fee is reduced at asset levels above $5 billion. See "Management."
2 Total annual fund operating expenses in the table have not been reduced by any expense offset arrangements.
Basic information about the fund
Non-principal investment strategies and related risks As discussed, the fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. issuers to seek reasonable income and capital growth.
This section describes additional investments that the fund may make or strategies that it may pursue to a lesser degree to achieve the fund's goal. Some of the fund's secondary investment policies also entail risks. To learn more about these investments and risks, you should obtain and read the statement of additional information (SAI).
Debt securities
The fund may invest in debt securities of corporate and government issuers.
Generally the fund acquires debt securities that are investment grade, but the
fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in below investment grade debt
securities issued by both U.S. and non-U.S. corporate and government issuers,
including convertible debt securities. The fund invests in debt securities when
Pioneer believes they are consistent with the fund's investment objective of
reasonable income and capital growth, to diversify the fund's portfolio or for
greater liquidity.
Debt securities are subject to the risk of an issuer's inability to meet principal or interest payments on its obligations. Factors that could contribute to a decline in the market value of debt securities in the fund's portfolio include rising interest rates or a reduction in the perceived creditworthiness of the issuer of the securities. A debt security is investment grade if it is rated in one of the top four categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or determined to be of equivalent credit quality by Pioneer. Debt securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are considered speculative. Below investment grade debt securities involve greater risk of loss, are subject to greater price volatility and are less liquid, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or change, than higher quality debt securities.
Cash management and temporary investments Normally, the fund invests substantially all of its assets to meet its investment objective. The fund may invest the remainder of its assets in securities with remaining maturities of less than one year, cash equivalents or may hold cash. For temporary defensive purposes, including during periods of unusual cash flows, the fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest part or all of its assets in these securities or may hold cash. During such periods, the fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective. The fund intends to adopt a defensive strategy when Pioneer believes securities in which the fund normally invests have extraordinary risks due to political or economic factors and in other extraordinary circumstances.
Short-term trading
The fund usually does not trade for short-term profits. The fund will sell an investment, however, even if it has only been held for a short time, if it no longer meets the fund's investment criteria. If the fund does a lot of trading, it may incur additional operating expenses, which would reduce performance, and could cause shareowners to incur a higher level of taxable income or capital gains. See "Financial highlights" for actual annual turnover rate.
Derivatives
The fund may use futures and options on securities, indices and currencies,
forward foreign currency exchange contracts and other derivatives. A derivative
is a security or instrument whose value is determined by reference to the value
or the change in value of one or more securities, currencies, indices or other
financial instruments. Although there is no specific limitation on investing in
derivatives, the fund does not use derivatives as a primary investment
technique and generally limits their use to hedging. However, the fund may use
derivatives for a variety of non-principal purposes, including:
o As a hedge against adverse changes in stock market prices, interest rates or
currency exchange rates
o As a substitute for purchasing or selling securities
o To increase the fund's return as a non-hedging strategy that may be
considered speculative
Even a small investment in derivatives can have a significant impact on the fund's exposure to stock market values, interest rates or currency exchange rates. If changes in a derivative's value do not correspond to changes in the value of the fund's other investments, the fund may not fully benefit from or could lose money on the derivative position. In addition, some derivatives involve risk of loss if the person who issued the derivative defaults on its obligation. Certain derivatives may be less liquid and more difficult to value. The fund will only invest in derivatives to the extent Pioneer believes these investments do not prevent the fund from seeking its investment objective.
Management
Pioneer, the fund's investment adviser,
selects the fund's investments and oversees the fund's operations.
Pioneer is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of UniCredito Italiano S.p.A., one of the largest banking groups in Italy. Pioneer is part of the global asset management group providing investment management and financial services to mutual funds, institutional and other clients. As of December 31, 2005, assets under management were approximately $187 billion worldwide, including over $48 billion in assets under management by Pioneer.
Investment adviser
Pioneer's main office is at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. The
firm's U.S. mutual fund investment history includes creating in 1928 one of the
first mutual funds.
Pioneer has received an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission that permits Pioneer, subject to the approval of the fund's Board of Trustees, to hire and terminate a subadviser or to materially modify an existing subadvisory contract for the fund without shareholder approval. Pioneer retains the ultimate responsibility to oversee and recommend the hiring, termination and replacement of any subadviser. To the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission adopts a rule that would supersede the order, Pioneer and the fund intend to rely on such rule to permit Pioneer, subject to the approval of the fund's Board of Trustees and any other applicable conditions of the rule, to hire and terminate a subadviser or to materially modify an existing subadvisory contract for the fund without shareholder approval.
Portfolio management
Day-to-day management of the fund's portfolio is the responsibility of J. Rodman Wright, lead portfolio manager. Mr. Wright is supported by Aaron C. Clark, portfolio manager, and the domestic equity team. Members of this team manage other Pioneer funds investing primarily in U.S. equity securities. The portfolio managers and the team also may draw upon the research and investment management expertise of the global research team, which provides fundamental research on companies and includes members from Pioneer's affiliate, Pioneer Investment Management Limited. Mr. Wright is a senior vice president of Pioneer and strategy director of the value team. He joined Pioneer in 1994 as an analyst and has been an investment professional since 1988. Mr. Clark is a vice president and joined Pioneer in 2004 as a portfolio manager. Prior to joining Pioneer, Mr. Clark was employed as a portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley Investment Management from 1997 to 2004 and has been an investment professional since 1992.
The fund's statement of additional information provides additional information about the portfolio managers' compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers' ownership of shares of the fund.
Management fee
The fund pays Pioneer a fee for managing the fund and to cover the cost of
providing certain services to the fund.
Pioneer's fee varies based on:
o The fund's assets. Pioneer earns an annual basic fee equal to 0.60% of the
fund's average daily net assets up to $5 billion, 0.575% on the next $5
billion and 0.550% on the excess over $10 billion.
o The fund's performance. Effective May 1, 2003, the investment performance of
the fund has been compared to the Russell 1000 Value Index. The basic fee
can increase or decrease by a maximum of 0.10%, depending on the
performance of the fund's Class A shares relative to the index. The
performance comparison is made for a rolling 36-month period. For periods
prior to May 1, 2003, the performance comparison was made to the Lipper
Growth and Income Fund Index.
Pioneer's fee increases or decreases depending upon whether the fund's performance is up and down more or less than that of the index during the rolling 36-month performance period. Each percentage point of difference between the performance of the Class A shares and the index (to a maximum of +/- 10) is multiplied by a performance rate adjustment of 0.01%. As a result, the maximum annualized rate adjustment is +/- 0.10% for the rolling 36-month performance period. In addition, the fee is further limited on an annual basis to a maximum rate adjustment of +/- 0.10% (i.e., the fee is further subject to a cap of average daily net assets and a floor of 0.50% of average daily net assets, assuming that the fund is not large enough for any breakpoints to apply). Pioneer currently is waiving the floor on its fee. Pioneer may reimpose the same floor in the future, but will not be entitled to recover any previously waived fees.
This performance comparison is made at the end of each month. An appropriate percentage of this rate (based on the number of days in the current month) is then applied to the fund's average net assets for the entire performance period, giving a dollar amount that will be added to (or subtracted from) the basic fee.
Because the adjustment to the basic fee is based on the comparative performance of the fund and the performance record of the index, the controlling factor is not whether fund performance is up or down, but whether it is up or down more or less than the performance record of the index, regardless of general market performance. As a result, Pioneer could earn the maximum possible fee even if the fund's net asset value declines. Moreover, the comparative investment performance of the fund is based solely on the relevant performance period without regard to the cumulative performance over a longer or shorter period of time.
Management
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' approval of the management contract is available in the fund's semi-annual report to shareholders, dated March 31, 2005.
Distributor and transfer agent
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. is the fund's distributor. Pioneer Investment
Management Shareholder Services, Inc. is the fund's transfer agent. The fund
compensates the distributor and transfer agent for their services. The
distributor and the transfer agent are affiliates of Pioneer.
Disclosure of portfolio holdings
The fund's policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of the fund's
portfolio securities are described in the statement of additional information
and on Pioneer's website at www.pioneerfunds.com.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Net asset value
The fund's net asset value is the value of its portfolio of securities plus any other assets minus its operating expenses and any other liabilities. The fund calculates a net asset value for each class of shares every day the New York Stock Exchange is open when regular trading closes (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time).
The fund generally values its portfolio securities using closing market prices or readily available market quotations. When closing market prices or market quotations are not available or are considered by Pioneer to be unreliable, the fund uses a security's fair value. All methods of determining the value of a security used by the fund, including those discussed below, on a basis other than market value, are forms of fair value. All valuations of securities on a fair value basis are made pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The use of fair value pricing by the fund may cause the net asset value of its shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated only using market prices. For market prices and quotations, as well as for some fair value methods, the fund relies upon securities prices provided by pricing services.
The fund uses the fair value of a security, including a non-U.S. security, when Pioneer determines that the closing market price on the primary exchange where the security is traded no longer accurately reflects the value of the security at the time the fund calculates its net asset value. This may occur for a variety of reasons that affect either the relevant securities markets generally or the specific issuer. For example, with respect to non-U.S. securities held by the fund, developments relating to specific events in the securities markets or the specific issuer may occur between the time the primary market closes and the time the fund determines its net asset value. In those circumstances when the fund believes the price of the security may be affected, the fund uses the fair value of the security. International securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are closed. For this reason, the values of any international securities owned by the fund could change on a day you cannot buy or sell shares of the fund.
Certain types of securities, including those discussed in this paragraph, are priced using fair value rather than market prices. The fund uses a pricing matrix to determine the value of fixed income securities that do not trade daily. A pricing matrix is a means of valuing a debt security on the basis of current market prices for other debt securities and historical trading patterns in the market for fixed income securities. The fund values cash equivalent securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less at amortized cost. To the extent that the fund invests in the shares of other registered open-end investment companies that are not traded on an exchange (mutual funds), such shares are valued at their published net asset values per share as reported by the funds. The prospectuses of these funds explain the circumstances under which the funds will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Share price
The net asset value per share calculated on the day of your transaction.
Distribution of Class Y shares
The distributor incurs the expenses of distributing the fund's Class Y shares,
none of which are reimbursed by the fund or the Class Y shareowners.
Distribution expenses include fees paid to broker-dealers which have sales
agreements with the distributor and other parties, advertising expenses and the
cost of printing and mailing prospectuses to potential investors.
Additional dealer compensation
The distributor or its affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of their own assets, to certain brokerage firms and other intermediaries or their affiliates, based on sales or assets attributable to the firm, or such other criteria agreed to by the distributor. The firms to which payments may be made are determined by the distributor. These payments may provide an incentive, in addition to any sales charge, to these firms to actively promote the Pioneer funds or cooperate with the distributor's promotional efforts.
Opening your account
If you are an individual or other non-institutional investor, open your Class Y share account by completing an account application and sending it to the transfer agent by mail or by fax. If you are any other type of investor, please call the transfer agent to obtain a Class Y share account application and an account number.
If you invest in the fund through investment professionals or other financial intermediaries, including wrap programs and fund supermarkets, additional conditions may apply to your investment in the fund, and the investment professional or intermediary may charge you a transaction-based or other fee for its services. These conditions and fees are in addition to those imposed by the fund and its affiliates. You should ask your investment professional or financial intermediary about its services and any applicable fees.
The transfer agent must receive your account application before you send your initial check or federal funds wire. In addition, you must provide a bank wire address of record when you establish your account.
If your shares are held in your investment firm's name, the options and services available to you may be different from those discussed in this prospectus. Ask your investment professional for more information.
Account options
Use your account application to select options and privileges for your account.
You can change your selections at any time by sending a completed account
options form to the transfer agent. You may be required to obtain a signature
guarantee to make certain changes to an existing account.
Call or write to the transfer agent for account applications, account options forms and other account information:
Pioneer Investment Management
Shareholder Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5014
Telephone 1-800-665-8839
Telephone transaction privileges
If your account is registered in your name, you can exchange or sell Class Y
shares by telephone. If you do not want your account to have telephone
transaction privileges, you must indicate that choice on your account
application or by writing to the transfer agent.
When you request a telephone transaction the transfer agent will try to confirm that the request is genuine. The transfer agent records the call, requires the caller
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
to provide validating information for the account and sends you a written confirmation. The fund may implement other confirmation procedures from time to time. Different procedures may apply if you have a non-U.S. account or if your account is registered in the name of an institution, broker-dealer or other third party.
If you want to place your telephone transaction by speaking to a shareowner services representative, call 1-800-665-8839 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern time on any weekday that the New York Stock Exchange is open.
General rules on buying, exchanging and selling your fund shares
Share price
If you place an order to purchase, exchange or sell shares with the transfer agent or a broker-dealer by the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), your transaction will be completed at the share price determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on that day. If your order is placed with the transfer agent or a broker-dealer after 4:00 p.m., or your order is not in good order, your transaction will be completed at the share price next determined after your order is received in good order by the fund. The broker-dealer is responsible for transmitting your order to the fund in a timely manner.
Buying
You can buy Class Y shares at net asset value per share. The fund does not
impose any initial, contingent deferred or asset based sales charge on Class Y
shares. The distributor may reject any order until it has confirmed it in
writing and received payment.
You may use securities you own to purchase shares of the fund provided that Pioneer, in its sole discretion, determines that the securities are consistent with the fund's objective and policies and their acquisition is in the best interests of the fund. If the fund accepts your securities, they will be valued for purposes of determining the number of fund shares to be issued to you in the same way the
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
fund will value the securities for purposes of determining its net asset value. For federal income tax purposes, you may be taxed in the same manner as if you sold the securities that you exchange for cash in an amount equal to the value of the fund shares that you receive in exchange. Your sales charge for purchases of fund shares will be based upon the value of the fund shares that you receive. Your broker may also impose a fee in connection with processing your purchase of fund shares with securities.
Minimum investment amount
Your initial Class Y share investment must be at least $5 million. This amount
may be invested in one or more of the Pioneer mutual funds that currently offer
Class Y shares. There is no minimum additional investment amount.
Identity verification
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering
activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify
and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When
you open an account, you will need to supply your name, address, date of birth,
and other information that will allow the fund to identify you.
The fund may close your account if we cannot adequately verify your identity. The redemption price will be the net asset value (less applicable sales charges) on the date of redemption.
Waivers of the minimum investment amount The fund will accept an initial investment of less than $5 million if:
(a) The investment is made by a trust company or bank trust department which is initially investing at least $1 million in any of the Pioneer mutual funds and, at the time of the purchase, such assets are held in a fiduciary, advisory, custodial or similar capacity over which the trust company or bank trust department has full or shared investment discretion; or
(b) The investment is at least $1 million in any of the Pioneer mutual funds and the purchaser is an insurance company separate account; or
(c) The account is not represented by a broker/dealer and the investment is made
by (1) an ERISA-qualified retirement plan that meets the requirements of
Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, (2) an employer-sponsored
retirement plan that meets the requirements of Sections 403 or 457 of the
Internal Revenue Code, (3) a private foundation that meets the requirements
of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or (4) an endowment or
other organization that meets the requirements of Section 509(a)(1) of the
Internal Revenue Code; or
(d) The investment is made by an employer-sponsored retirement plan established for the benefit of (1) employees of Pioneer or its affiliates, or (2) employees or the affiliates of broker-dealers who have a Class Y shares sales agreement with the distributor; or
(e) The investment is made through certain mutual fund programs sponsored by qualified intermediaries, such as broker-dealers and investment advisers. In each case, the intermediary has entered into an agreement with Pioneer to include Class Y shares of the Pioneer mutual funds in their program. The intermediary provides investors participating in the program with additional services, including advisory, asset allocation, recordkeeping or other services. You should ask your investment firm if it offers and you are eligible to participate in such a mutual fund program and whether participation in the program is consistent with your investment goals. The intermediaries sponsoring or participating in these mutual fund programs may also offer their clients other classes of shares of the funds and investors may receive different levels of services or pay different fees depending upon the class of shares included in the program. Investors should consider carefully any separate transaction and other fees charged by these programs in connection with investing in each available share class before selecting a share class; or
(f) The investment is made by another Pioneer fund.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Exchanging
You may exchange your Class Y shares for the Class Y shares of another Pioneer
mutual fund.
Your exchange request must be for at least $1,000. The fund allows you to exchange your Class Y shares at net asset value without charging you either an initial or contingent deferred sales charge.
Before you request an exchange, consider each fund's investment objective and policies as described in the fund's prospectus.
Selling
Your Class Y shares will be sold at net asset value per share next calculated
after the fund or its authorized agent, such as broker-dealers, receives your
request in good order. If a signature guarantee is required, you must submit
your request in writing.
The fund generally will send your sale proceeds by check, bank wire or electronic funds transfer. Normally you will be paid within seven days. If you recently purchased the shares being sold, the fund may delay payment of the sale proceeds until your check has cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days from the purchase date.
If you are selling shares from a non-retirement account or certain IRAs, you may use any of the methods described below. If you are selling shares from a retirement account other than an IRA, you must make your request in writing.
Buying shares
In writing, by mail or by fax
You can purchase Class Y shares by mailing a check to the transfer agent. Make
your check payable to the fund. Neither initial nor subsequent investments
should be made by third party check. Your check must be in U.S. dollars and
drawn on a U.S. bank. Include in your purchase request the fund's name, the
account number and the name or names in the account registration.
If you are registering an account in the name of a corporation or other fiduciary, you must send your completed account set-up forms to the transfer agent prior to making your initial purchase.
By phone or wire
By wire
If you have an existing Class Y account, you may wire funds to purchase Class Y
shares. Note, however, that:
o State Street Bank must receive your wire no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern
time on the business day after the fund receives your request to purchase
shares
o If State Street Bank does not receive your wire by 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on
the next business day, your transaction will be canceled at your expense
and risk
o Wire transfers normally take two or more hours to complete and a fee may be
charged by the sending bank
o Wire transfers may be restricted on holidays and at certain other times
Instruct your bank to wire funds to:
Receiving Bank: State Street Bank and Trust Company 225 Franklin Street Boston, MA 02101 ABA Routing No. 011000028 For further credit to: Shareholder Name Existing Pioneer Account No. Pioneer Value Fund |
Through your investment firm
Consult your investment professional for more information.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Exchanging shares
In writing, by mail or by fax
You can exchange Class Y shares by mailing or faxing a letter of instruction to
the transfer agent. You can exchange fund shares directly through the fund only
if your account is registered in your name. However, you may not fax an
exchange request for more than $5 million. Include in your letter:
o The name and signature of all registered owners
o A signature guarantee for each registered owner if the amount of the exchange
is more than $5 million
o The name of the fund out of which you are exchanging and the name of the fund
into which you are exchanging
o The dollar amount or number of Class Y shares you are exchanging
By phone or wire
By phone
After you establish your Class Y account, you can exchange fund shares by phone
if:
o You are using the exchange to establish a new account, provided the new
account has a registration identical to the original account
o The fund into which you are exchanging offers Class Y shares
o You are not exchanging more than $5 million worth of shares per account per
day
o You can provide the proper account identification information
Through your investment firm
Consult your investment professional for more information about exchanging your shares.
Selling shares
In writing, by mail or by fax
You can sell some or all of your Class Y shares by writing directly to the fund
only if your account is registered in your name. Include in your request your
name, the fund's name, your fund account number, the dollar amount or number of
Class Y shares to be sold and any other applicable requirements as described
below.
o The transfer agent will send the sale proceeds to your address of record
unless you provide other instructions
o Your request must be signed by all registered owners
o The transfer agent will not process your request until it is received in good
order
By fax
o You may sell up to $5 million per account per day if the proceeds are
directed to your bank account of record
o You may sell up to $100,000 per account per day if the proceeds are not
directed to your bank account of record
By phone or wire
By phone
o You may sell up to $5 million per account per day if the proceeds are
directed to your bank account of record
o You may sell up to $100,000 per account per day if the proceeds are not
directed to your bank account of record
You may sell fund shares held in a retirement plan account by phone only if your account is an IRA. You may not sell your shares by phone if you have changed your address (for checks) or your bank information (for wires and transfers) in the last 30 days.
You may receive your sale proceeds:
o By check, provided the check is made payable exactly as your account is
registered
o By bank wire or by electronic funds transfer, provided the sale proceeds are
being sent to your bank address of record
Through your investment firm
Consult your investment professional for more information. The fund has authorized the distributor to act as its agent in the repurchase of fund shares from qualified investment firms. The fund reserves the right to terminate this procedure at any time.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
How to contact us
By phone
For information or to request a telephone transaction between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30
p.m. (Eastern time) by speaking with a shareholder services representative call
1-800-665-8839
To use FactFone(SM) call
1-800-225-4321
By mail
Send your written instructions to:
Pioneer Investment Management
Shareholder Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5014
Pioneer website
www.pioneerfunds.com
By fax
Fax your exchange and sale requests to:
1-888-294-4485
Excessive trading
Frequent trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio management
strategies, harm fund performance by forcing the fund to hold excess cash or to
liquidate certain portfolio securities prematurely and increase expenses for
all investors, including long-term investors who do not generate these costs.
An investor may use short-term trading as a strategy, for example, if the
investor believes that the valuation of the fund's portfolio securities for
purposes of calculating its net asset value does not fully reflect the then
current fair market value of those holdings. The fund discourages, and does not
take any intentional action to accommodate, excessive and short-term trading
practices, such as market timing. Although there is no generally applied
standard in the marketplace as to what level of trading activity is excessive,
we may consider trading in the fund's shares to be excessive for a variety of
reasons, such as if:
o You sell shares within a short period of time after the shares were
purchased;
o You make two or more purchases and redemptions within a short period of time;
o You enter into a series of transactions that is indicative of a timing
pattern or strategy; or
o We reasonably believe that you have engaged in such practices in connection
with other mutual funds.
The fund's Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of fund shares by fund investors. Pursuant to these policies and procedures, we monitor selected trades on a daily basis in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading. If we determine that an investor or a client of a broker has engaged in excessive short-term trading that we believe may be harmful to the fund, we will ask the investor or broker to cease such activity and we will refuse to process purchase orders (including purchases by exchange) of such investor, broker or accounts that we believe are under their control. In determining whether to take such actions, we seek to act in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the fund's shareholders.
While we use our reasonable efforts to detect excessive trading activity, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that market timers will not employ tactics designed to evade detection. If we are not successful, your return from an investment in the fund may be adversely affected. Frequently, fund shares are held through omnibus accounts maintained by financial intermediaries such as brokers and retirement plan administrators, where the holdings of multiple shareholders, such as all the clients of a particular broker, are aggregated. Our ability to monitor trading practices by investors purchasing shares through omnibus accounts is limited and dependent upon the cooperation of the financial intermediary in observing the fund's policies.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
In addition to monitoring trades, the policies and procedures provide that:
o Certain funds managed by Pioneer have adopted redemption fees that are incurred if you redeem shares within a short period after purchase, including exchanges. These redemption fees are described in the applicable prospectuses under "Fees and expenses."
The fund may reject a purchase or exchange order before its acceptance or an order prior to issuance of shares. The fund may also restrict additional purchases or exchanges in an account. Each of these steps may be taken, for any reason, without prior notice, including transactions that the fund believes are requested on behalf of market timers. The fund reserves the right to reject any purchase request by any investor or financial institution if the fund believes that any combination of trading activity in the account or related accounts is potentially disruptive to the fund. A prospective investor whose purchase or exchange order is rejected will not achieve the investment results, whether gain or loss, that would have been realized if the order were accepted and an investment made in the fund. The fund and its shareholders do not incur any gain or loss as a result of a rejected order. The fund may impose further restrictions on trading activities by market timers in the future. The fund's prospectus will be amended or supplemented to reflect any material additional restrictions on trading activities intended to prevent excessive trading.
Account options
Distribution options
The fund offers three distribution options. Any fund shares you buy by
reinvesting distributions will be priced at the applicable net asset value per
share.
(1) Unless you indicate another option on your account application, any dividends and capital gain distributions paid to you by the fund will automatically be invested in additional fund shares.
(2) You may elect to have the amount of any dividends paid to you in cash and any capital gain distributions reinvested in additional shares.
(3) You may elect to have the full amount of any dividends and/or capital gain distributions paid to you in cash.
Options (2) or (3) are not available to retirement plan accounts or accounts with a current value of less than $500.
If your distribution check is returned to the transfer agent or you do not cash the check for six months or more, the transfer agent may reinvest the amount of the check in your account and automatically change the distribution option on your account to option (1) until you request a different option in writing. These additional shares will be purchased at the then current net asset value.
Shareowner services
Pioneer website
www.pioneerfunds.com
The website includes a full selection of information on mutual fund investing.
You can also use the website to get:
o Your current account information
o Prices, returns and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual funds
o Prospectuses for all the Pioneer mutual funds
o A copy of Pioneer's privacy notice
FactFone(SM) 1-800-225-4321
You can use FactFone(SM) to:
o Obtain current information on your Pioneer mutual fund accounts
o Inquire about the prices and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual
funds
o Request account statements
If your account is registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other third party, you may not be able to use FactFone(SM) to obtain account information.
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Confirmation statements
The transfer agent maintains an account for each investment firm or individual
shareowner and records all account transactions. You will be sent confirmation
statements showing the details of your transactions as they occur, except
automatic investment plan transactions, which are confirmed quarterly. If you
have more than one Pioneer mutual fund account registered in your name, the
Pioneer combined account statement will be mailed to you each quarter.
Tax information
In January of each year, the fund will mail you information about the tax
status of the dividends and distributions paid to you by the fund.
Privacy
The fund has a policy that protects the privacy of your personal information. A
copy of Pioneer's privacy notice was given to you at the time you opened your
account. The fund will send you a copy of the privacy notice each year. You may
also obtain the privacy notice by calling the transfer agent or through
Pioneer's website.
Shareowner account policies
Signature guarantees and other requirements
You are required to obtain a signature guarantee when:
o Requesting certain types of exchanges or sales of fund shares
o Requesting certain types of changes for your existing account
You can obtain a signature guarantee from most broker-dealers, banks, credit unions (if authorized under state law) and federal savings and loan associations. You cannot obtain a signature guarantee from a notary public.
The Pioneer funds generally accept only medallion signature guarantees. A medallion signature guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association, or other financial institution that is participating in a medallion program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. Signature guarantees from financial institutions that are not participating in one of these programs are not accepted as medallion signature guarantees. The fund may accept other forms of guarantee from financial intermediaries in limited circumstances.
Fiduciaries and corporations are required to submit additional documents to sell fund shares.
Minimum account size
The fund requires that you maintain a minimum account value of $500. If you hold
less than $500 in your account, the fund reserves the right to notify you that
it intends to sell your shares and close your account. You will be given 60 days
from the date of the notice to make additional investments to avoid having your
shares sold. This policy does not apply to certain qualified retirement plan
accounts.
Telephone and website access
You may have difficulty contacting the fund by telephone or accessing
pioneerfunds.com during times of market volatility or disruption in telephone or
Internet service. On New York Stock Exchange holidays or on days when the
exchange closes early, Pioneer will adjust the hours for the telephone center
accordingly. If you are unable to access pioneerfunds.com or reach the fund by
telephone, you should communicate with the fund in writing.
Share certificates
The fund does not offer share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.
Other policies
The fund and the distributor reserve the right to:
o reject any purchase or exchange order for any reason, without prior notice
o charge a fee for exchanges or to modify, limit or suspend the exchange
privilege at any time without notice. The fund will provide 60 days' notice
of material amendments to or termination of the exchange privilege
o revise, suspend, limit or terminate the account options or services available
to shareowners at any time, except as required by the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission
The fund reserves the right to:
o stop offering Class Y shares
o suspend transactions in shares when trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
closed or restricted, when the Securities and Exchange Commission
determines an emergency or other circumstances exist that make it
impracticable for the fund to sell or value its portfolio securities
o redeem in kind by delivering to you portfolio securities owned by the fund
rather than cash. Securities you receive this way may increase or decrease
in value while you hold them and you may incur brokerage and transaction
charges and tax liability when you convert the securities to cash
Dividends, capital gains and taxes
Dividends and capital gains
The fund generally pays any distributions of net short- and long-term capital
gains in November. The fund generally pays dividends from any net investment
income in June and December. The fund may also pay dividends and capital gain
distributions at other times if necessary for the fund to avoid U.S. federal
income or excise tax. If you invest in the fund close to the time that the fund
makes a distribution, generally you will pay a higher price per share and you
will pay taxes on the amount of the distribution whether you reinvest the
distribution or receive it as cash.
Taxes
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions from the fund's net
long-term capital gains (if any) are considered long-term capital gains and may
be taxable to you at different maximum rates depending upon their source and
other factors. Distributions from the fund's net short-term capital gains are
taxable as ordinary income. Dividends are taxable either as ordinary income or,
if so designated by the fund and certain other conditions, including holding
period requirements, are met by the fund and the shareholder, as "qualified
dividend income" taxable to individual shareholders at a maximum 15% U.S.
federal income tax rate. Dividends and distributions are taxable, whether you
take payment in cash or reinvest them to buy additional fund shares.
When you sell or exchange fund shares you will generally recognize a capital gain or capital loss in an amount equal to the difference between the net amount of sale proceeds (or, in the case of an exchange, the fair market value of the shares) that you receive and your tax basis for the shares that you sell or exchange. In January of each year the fund will mail to you information about your dividends, distributions and any shares you sold in the previous calendar year.
You must provide your social security number or other taxpayer identification number to the fund along with the certifications required by the Internal Revenue Service when you open an account. If you do not or if it is otherwise legally required to do so, the fund will withhold 28% "backup withholding" tax from your dividends and distributions, sale proceeds and any other payments to you.
You should ask your tax adviser about any federal, state, local and foreign tax considerations, including possible additional withholding taxes for non-U.S. shareholders. You may also consult the fund's statement of additional information for a more detailed discussion of qualified dividend income and other U.S. federal income tax considerations that may affect the fund and its shareowners.
Financial highlights
The financial highlights table helps you understand the fund's financial performance since the inception of Class Y shares.
Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that you would have earned or lost on an investment in Class Y shares of the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information below has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the fund's independent registered public accounting firm, whose report is included in the fund's annual report along with the fund's financial statements. The annual report is available upon request.
Financial highlights
Pioneer Value Fund
Class Y shares
For the period from 8/11/04 (Commencement Year Ended of Operations) to 9/30/05 9/30/04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net asset value, beginning of period $ 18.84 $ 18.16 ------- ------- Increase from investment operations: Net investment income $ 0.12 $ 0.02 Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions 2.37 0.66 ------- ------- Net increase from investment operations $ 2.49 $ 0.68 ------- ------- Distributions to shareowners: Net investment income $ (0.18) $ - Net realized loss (3.56) ------- ------- Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ (1.25) $ 0.68 ------- ------- Net asset value, end of period $ 17.59 $ 18.84 ------- ------- Total return* 14.40% 3.74%(a) Ratio of net expenses to average net assets+ 0.59% 0.61%** Ratio of net investment income to average net assets+ 1.50% 1.37%** Portfolio turnover rate 53% 40% Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $311,272 $ 1,872 Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly: Net expenses 0.59% 0.61%** Net investment income 1.51% 1.37%** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period, and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
(a) Not annualized
** Annualized.
+ Ratio assuming no reduction for fees paid indirectly.
Notes
Notes
Notes
Pioneer
Value Fund
You can obtain more free information about the fund from your investment firm or by writing to Pioneer Investment Management Shareholder Services, Inc., 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. You may also call 1-888-294-4480.
The fund makes available the statement of additional information and shareowner reports, free of charge, on the fund's website at www.pioneerfunds.com.
Shareowner reports
Annual and semiannual reports to shareowners, and quarterly reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, provide information about the fund's
investments. The annual report discusses market conditions and investment
strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during its last
fiscal year.
Statement of additional information
The statement of additional information provides more detailed information about
the fund. It is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Visit our website
www.pioneerfunds.com
You can also review and copy the fund's shareowner reports, prospectus and statement of additional information at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-202-942-8090 for information. The Commission charges a fee for copies. You can get the same information free from the Commission's EDGAR database on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov). You may also e-mail requests for these documents to publicinfo@sec.gov or make a request in writing to the Commission's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
(Investment Company Act file no. 811-07611)
[LOGO] PIONEER
Investments(R)
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
60 State Street Boston, MA 02109 18714-00-0206 (C)2006 Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. www.pioneerfunds.com Member SIPC |
PIONEER VALUE FUND
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R, Class Y and Investor Class Shares
February 1, 2006
This statement of additional information is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares prospectus, Class R shares prospectus, Class Y shares prospectus, and Investor Class shares prospectus, each dated February 1, 2006, as supplemented or revised from time to time. A copy of each prospectus can be obtained free of charge by calling Shareholder Services at 1-800-225-6292 or by written request to the fund at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. You can also obtain a copy of each prospectus from our website at: www.pioneerfunds.com. The fund's financial statement for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 is incorporated into this statement of additional information by reference. The most recent annual report to shareholders is attached to this statement of additional information.
The fund issued Investor Class shares in connection with the reorganization of Safeco Large Cap Value Fund into the fund. The fund is not offering additional Investor Class shares except in connection with the reinvestment of dividends on the fund's outstanding Investor Class shares.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. Fund History...........................................................2 2. Investment Policies, Risks and Restrictions............................2 3. Trustees and Officers.................................................26 4. Investment Adviser....................................................34 5. Principal Underwriter and Distribution Plans..........................39 6. Shareholder Servicing/Transfer Agent..................................45 7. Custodian.............................................................45 8. Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.........................45 9. Portfolio Management..................................................46 10. Portfolio Transactions................................................49 11. Description of Shares.................................................51 12. Sales Charges.........................................................53 13. Redeeming Shares......................................................57 14. Telephone and Online Transactions.....................................58 15. Pricing of Shares.....................................................60 16. Tax Status............................................................61 17. Investment Results....................................................67 18. Financial Statements..................................................67 19. Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information.............................68 20. Appendix A - Description of Short-Term Debt, Corporate Bond and Preferred Stock Ratings...............................................72 21. Appendix B - Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.....................77 |
1. FUND HISTORY
The fund is a diversified open-end management investment company. The fund was originally organized as a Massachusetts corporation on March 18, 1969 and then reorganized as a Massachusetts business trust on February 15, 1985. It was reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust on May 1, 1996. Prior to April 2, 2001, the fund's name was "Pioneer II."
2. INVESTMENT POLICIES, RISKS AND RESTRICTIONS
The prospectuses present the investment objective and the principal investment strategies and risks of the fund. This section supplements the disclosure in the fund's prospectuses and provides additional information on the fund's investment policies or restrictions. Restrictions or policies stated as a maximum percentage of the fund's assets are only applied immediately after a portfolio investment to which the policy or restriction is applicable (other than the limitations on borrowing and illiquid securities). Accordingly, any later increase or decrease resulting from a change in values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered in determining whether the investment complies with the fund's restrictions and policies.
Illiquid Securities
The fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid and other securities that are not readily marketable. Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days will be included for purposes of the foregoing limit. Securities subject to restrictions on resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), are considered illiquid unless they are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or another exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and are determined to be liquid by Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. ("Pioneer"), the fund's investment adviser. Pioneer determines the liquidity of Rule 144A and other restricted securities according to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Under the direction of the Board of Trustees, Pioneer monitors the application of these guidelines and procedures. The inability of the fund to dispose of illiquid investments readily or at reasonable prices could impair the fund's ability to raise cash for redemptions or other purposes. If the fund sold restricted securities other than pursuant to an exception from registration under the 1933 Act such as Rule 144A, it may be deemed to be acting as an underwriter and subject to liability under the 1933 Act.
Investments in Equity Securities
Equity securities, such as common stock, generally represent an ownership interest in a company. While equity securities have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, equity securities have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular equity security held by the fund. Also, the price of equity securities, particularly common stocks, are sensitive to general movements in the stock market. A drop in the stock market may depress the price of equity securities held by the fund.
Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs") and Associated Risk Factors
REITs are companies which invest primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). In some cases, the fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by the fund. Debt securities issued by REITs are, for the most part, general and unsecured obligations and are subject to risks associated with REITs.
Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. An equity REIT may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT. A mortgage REIT may be affected by changes in interest rates and the ability of the issuers of its portfolio mortgages to repay their obligations. REITs are dependent upon the skills of their managers and are not diversified. REITs are generally dependent upon maintaining cash flows to repay borrowings and to make distributions to shareholders and are subject to the risk of default by lessees or borrowers. REITs whose underlying assets are concentrated in properties used by a particular industry, such as health care, are also subject to risks associated with such industry.
REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. If the REIT invests in adjustable rate mortgage loans the interest rates on which are reset periodically, yields on a REIT's investments in such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates. This causes the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically REITs have been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks included in Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index (the "S&P 500").
Investments in Initial Public Offerings
To the extent consistent with its investment objective, the fund may invest in initial public offerings of equity securities. The market for such securities may be more volatile and entail greater risk of loss than investments in more established companies. Investments in initial public offerings may represent a significant portion of the fund's investment performance. The fund cannot assure that investments in initial public offerings will continue to be available to the fund or, if available, will result in positive investment performance. In addition, as the fund's portfolio grows in size, the impact of investments in initial public offerings on the overall performance of the fund is likely to decrease.
Debt Securities Selection
In selecting debt securities for the fund, Pioneer gives primary consideration to the fund's investment objective, the attractiveness of the market for debt securities given Pioneer's outlook for the equity markets and the fund's liquidity requirements. Once Pioneer determines to allocate a portion of the fund's assets to debt securities, Pioneer generally focuses on short-term instruments to provide liquidity and may invest in a range of fixed income securities if the fund is investing in such instruments for income or capital gains. Pioneer selects individual securities based on broad economic factors and issuer specific factors including the terms of the securities (such as yields compared to U.S. Treasuries or comparable issues), liquidity and rating, sector and issuer diversification.
Convertible Debt Securities
The fund may invest in convertible debt securities which are debt obligations convertible at a stated exchange rate or formula into common stock or other equity securities of or owned by the issuer. Convertible securities rank senior to common stocks in an issuer's capital structure and consequently may be of higher quality and entail less risk than the issuer's common stock. As with all debt securities, the market values of convertible securities tend to increase when interest rates decline and, conversely, tend to decline when interest rates increase.
Debt Obligations of Non-U.S. Governments
The fund may invest in debt obligations of non-U.S. governments. An investment in debt obligations of non-U.S. governments and their political subdivisions (sovereign debt) involve special risks that are not present in corporate debt obligations. The non-U.S. issuer of the sovereign debt or the non-U.S. governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and a fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt may be more volatile than prices of debt obligations of U.S. issues. In the past, certain non-U.S. countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debt.
A sovereign debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor's policy toward its principal international lenders and local political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements from non-U.S. governments, multilateral agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The failure of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor's ability or willingness to service its debts.
Debt Securities Rating Criteria
Investment grade debt securities are those rated "BBB" or higher by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("Standard & Poor's") or the equivalent rating of other nationally recognized rating organizations. Debt securities rated BBB are considered medium grade obligations with
speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken the issuer's ability to pay interest and repay principal. If the rating of an investment grade debt security falls below investment grade, Pioneer will consider if any action is appropriate in light of the fund's investment objective and policies.
Below investment grade debt securities are those rated "BB" and below by Standard & Poor's or the equivalent rating of other nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. See Appendix A for a description of rating categories. The fund may invest in debt securities rated "C" or better.
Below investment grade debt securities or comparable unrated securities are commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are considered predominantly speculative and may be questionable as to principal and interest payments. Changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal payments and interest payments. The amount of high yield securities outstanding has proliferated as an increasing number of issuers have used high yield securities for corporate financing. An economic downturn could severely affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity. Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of lower quality securities will have an adverse effect on the fund's net asset value to the extent that it invests in such securities. In addition, the fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings.
The secondary market for high yield securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an adverse effect on the fund's ability to dispose of a particular security when necessary to meet its liquidity needs. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for high yield securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. As a result, the fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the fund's net asset value.
Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with lower quality debt securities of the type in which the fund may invest a portion of its assets, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those for higher rated securities. In the lower quality segments of the debt securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers' creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality segments of the debt securities market, resulting in greater yield and price volatility.
Lower rated and comparable unrated debt securities tend to offer higher yields than higher rated securities with the same maturities because the historical financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not have been as strong as that of other issuers. However, lower rated securities generally involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher rated securities. Pioneer will attempt to reduce these risks through portfolio diversification and by analysis of each issuer and its ability to make timely payments of income and principal, as well as broad economic trends and corporate developments.
Short-Term Investments
For temporary defensive or cash management purposes, the fund may invest in all types of short-term
investments including, but not limited to, corporate commercial paper and other short-term commercial obligations issued by domestic companies; obligations (including certificates of deposit, time deposits, demand deposits and bankers' acceptances) of banks located in the U.S.; obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities; and repurchase agreements.
U.S. Government Securities
U.S. government securities in which the fund invests include debt obligations of varying maturities issued by the U.S. Treasury or issued or guaranteed by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government, including the Federal Housing Administration, Federal Financing Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the U.S., Small Business Administration, Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), General Services Administration, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks ("FHLBs"), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Maritime Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority, District of Columbia Armory Board, Resolution Trust Corporation and various institutions that previously were or currently are part of the Farm Credit System (which has been undergoing reorganization since 1987). Some U.S. government securities, such as U.S. Treasury bills, Treasury notes and Treasury bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance, are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Others are supported by: (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as securities of the FHLBs; (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency's obligations, such as securities of the FNMA; or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support in the future to U.S. government agencies, authorities or instrumentalities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Securities guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities include: (i) securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government or any of its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities; and (ii) participations in loans made to non-U.S. governments or other entities that are so guaranteed. The secondary market for certain of these participations is limited and, therefore, may be regarded as illiquid.
U.S. government securities may include zero coupon securities that may be purchased when yields are attractive and/or to enhance portfolio liquidity. Zero coupon U.S. government securities are debt obligations that are issued or purchased at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound over the period until maturity or the particular interest payment date at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance. Zero coupon U.S. government securities do not require the periodic payment of interest. These investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service, but generally require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of cash. These investments may experience greater volatility in market value than U.S. government securities that make regular payments of interest. The fund accrues income on these investments for tax and accounting purposes, which is distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is received at the time of accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to satisfy the fund's distribution obligations, in which case the fund will forgo the purchase of additional income producing assets with these funds. Zero coupon U.S. government securities include STRIPS and CUBES, which are issued by the U.S. Treasury as component parts of U.S. Treasury bonds and represent scheduled interest and principal payments on the bonds.
Risks of Non-U.S. Investments
Investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers involves considerations and risks not typically associated with investing in the securities of issuers in the U.S. These risks are heightened with respect to investments in countries with emerging markets and economies. The risks of investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers generally, or in issuers with significant exposure to non-U.S. markets may be related, among other things, to (i) differences in size, liquidity and volatility of, and the degree and manner of regulation of, the securities markets of certain non-U.S. markets compared to the securities markets in the U.S.; (ii) economic, political and social factors; and (iii) foreign exchange matters, such as restrictions on the repatriation of capital, fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which the fund's portfolio securities are quoted or denominated, exchange control regulations and costs associated with currency exchange. The political and economic structures in certain countries, particularly emerging markets, are expected to undergo significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries.
Investments in Emerging Markets. The fund may invest in securities of issuers in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. Emerging economies or securities markets will generally include, but not be limited to, countries included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The fund will generally focus on emerging markets that do not impose unusual trading requirements which tend to restrict the flow of investments. In addition, the fund may invest in unquoted securities, including securities of emerging market issuers.
Non-U.S. Securities Markets and Regulations. There may be less publicly available information about non-U.S. markets and issuers than is available with respect to U.S. securities and issuers. Non-U.S. companies generally are not subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. The trading markets for most non-U.S. securities are generally less liquid and subject to greater price volatility than the markets for comparable securities in the U.S. The markets for securities in certain emerging markets are in the earliest stages of their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in certain non-U.S. markets, including emerging market countries, may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the U.S. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity. The less liquid a market, the more difficult it may be for the fund to accurately price its portfolio securities or to dispose of such securities at the times determined by Pioneer to be appropriate. The risks associated with reduced liquidity may be particularly acute in situations in which the fund's operations require cash, such as in order to meet redemptions and to pay its expenses.
Economic, Political and Social Factors. Certain countries, including emerging markets, may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability than is the case in the U.S. and Western European countries. Such instability may result from, among other things: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved economic, political and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection and conflict. Such economic, political and social instability could significantly disrupt the financial markets in such countries and the ability of the issuers in such countries to repay their obligations. Investing in emerging market countries also involves the risk of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. In the
event of such expropriation, nationalization or other confiscation in any emerging country, the fund could lose its entire investment in that country.
Certain emerging market countries restrict or control foreign investment in their securities markets to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit the fund's investment in those markets and may increase the expenses of the fund. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain markets in the region is subject to restrictions such as the need for certain governmental consents. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the fund's operation.
Economies in individual countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, currency valuation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions. Many countries have experienced substantial, and in some cases extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging countries.
Unanticipated political or social developments may affect the values of the fund's investments in such countries. In the past, the economies, securities and currency markets of many emerging markets have experienced significant disruption and declines. There can be no assurance that these economic and market disruptions might not occur again.
Economies in emerging market countries generally are dependent heavily upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have been, and may continue to be, affected adversely by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade.
Currency Risks. The value of the securities quoted or denominated in foreign currencies may be adversely affected by fluctuations in the relative currency exchange rates and by exchange control regulations. The fund's investment performance may be negatively affected by a devaluation of a currency in which the fund's investments are quoted or denominated. Further, the fund's investment performance may be significantly affected, either positively or negatively, by currency exchange rates because the U.S. dollar value of securities quoted or denominated in another currency will increase or decrease in response to changes in the value of such currency in relation to the U.S. dollar.
Custodian Services and Related Investment Costs. Custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive than in the U.S. Such markets have settlement and clearance procedures that differ from those in the U.S. In certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The inability of the fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement problems could cause the fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could result either in losses to the fund due to a subsequent decline in value of the portfolio security or could result in possible liability to the fund. In addition, security settlement and clearance procedures in some emerging countries may not fully protect the fund against loss or theft of its assets.
Withholding and Other Taxes. The fund will be subject to taxes, including withholding taxes, on income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) that are or may be imposed by certain non-U.S. countries with respect to the fund's investments in such countries. These taxes will reduce the return achieved by the fund. Treaties between the U.S. and such countries may not be available to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates.
Investments in Depositary Receipts
The fund may hold securities of non-U.S. issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and other similar instruments. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in U.S. securities markets, and EDRs and GDRs and other similar global instruments in bearer form are designed for use in non-U.S. securities markets.
ADRs are denominated in U.S. dollars and represent an interest in the right to receive securities of non-U.S. issuers deposited in a U.S. bank or correspondent bank. ADRs do not eliminate all the risk inherent in investing in the securities of non-U.S. issuers. However, by investing in ADRs rather than directly in equity securities of non-U.S. issuers, the fund will avoid currency risks during the settlement period for either purchases or sales. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities which they represent.
For purposes of the fund's investment policies, investments in ADRs, GDRs and similar instruments will be deemed to be investments in the underlying equity securities of non-U.S. issuers. The fund may acquire depositary receipts from banks that do not have a contractual relationship with the issuer of the security underlying the depositary receipt to issue and secure such depositary receipt. To the extent the fund invests in such unsponsored depositary receipts there may be an increased possibility that the fund may not become aware of events affecting the underlying security and thus the value of the related depositary receipt. In addition, certain benefits (i.e., rights offerings) which may be associated with the security underlying the depositary receipt may not inure to the benefit of the holder of such depositary receipt.
Other Investment Companies
The fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the
extent that such investments are consistent with the fund's investment objective
and policies and permissible under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"). Under the 1940 Act, the fund may not acquire the
securities of other domestic or non-U.S. investment companies if, as a result,
(i) more than 10% of the fund's total assets would be invested in securities of
other investment companies, (ii) such purchase would result in more than 3% of
the total outstanding voting securities of any one investment company being held
by the fund, or (iii) more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested
in any one investment company. These limitations do not apply to the purchase of
shares of any investment company in connection with a merger, consolidation,
reorganization or acquisition of substantially all the assets of another
investment company. The fund may invest in money market funds managed by Pioneer
in reliance on an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC").
The fund, as a holder of the securities of other investment companies, will bear its pro rata portion of the other investment companies' expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the fund's own operations.
Exchange Traded Funds
Subject to the limitations on investment in other investment companies, the fund may invest in exchange traded funds (ETFs). ETFs, such as SPDRs, NASDAQ 100 Index Trading Stock (QQQs), iShares and various country index funds, are funds whose shares are traded on a national exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers' Automatic Quotation System (NASDAQ). ETFs may be based on underlying equity or fixed income securities. SPDRs, for example, seek to provide investment results that generally correspond to the performance of the component common stocks of the S&P 500. ETFs do not sell individual shares directly to investors and only issue their shares in large blocks known as "creation units." The investor purchasing a creation unit then sells the individual shares on a secondary market. Therefore, the liquidity of ETFs depends on the adequacy of the secondary market. There can be no assurance that an ETF's investment objective will be achieved. ETFs based on an index may not replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weightings of securities in the index. ETFs are subject to the risks of investing in the underlying securities. The fund, as a holder of the securities of the ETF, will bear its pro rata portion of the ETF's expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the fund's own operations.
Repurchase Agreements
The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, member banks of the Federal Reserve System and other financial institutions. Repurchase agreements are arrangements under which the fund purchases securities and the seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a specific time and at a specific price. The repurchase price is generally higher than the fund's purchase price, with the difference being income to the fund. Under the direction of the Board of Trustees, Pioneer reviews and monitors the creditworthiness of any institution which enters into a repurchase agreement with the fund. The counterparty's obligations under the repurchase agreement are collateralized with U.S. Treasury and/or agency obligations with a market value of not less than 100% of the obligations, valued daily. Collateral is held by the fund's custodian in a segregated, safekeeping account for the benefit of the fund. Repurchase agreements afford the fund an opportunity to earn income on temporarily available cash at low risk. In the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the security before repurchase of the security under a repurchase agreement, the fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of the security. If the court characterizes the transaction as a loan and the fund has not perfected a security interest in the security, the fund may be required to return the security to the seller's estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and interest involved in the transaction.
Short Sales Against the Box
The fund may sell securities "short against the box." A short sale involves the fund borrowing securities from a broker and selling the borrowed securities. The fund has an obligation to return securities identical to the borrowed securities to the broker. In a short sale against the box, the fund at all times own an equal amount of the security sold short or securities convertible or exchangeable for, with or without payment of additional consideration, an equal amount of the security sold short. The fund intends to use short sales against the box to hedge. For example when the fund believes that the price of a current portfolio security may decline, the fund may use a short sale against the box to lock in a sale price for a security rather than selling the security immediately. In such a case, any future losses in the fund's long position should be offset by a
gain in the short position and, conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced by a loss in the short position.
If the fund effects a short sale against the box at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the security, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the security (a "constructive sale") on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if the fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale provided that certain other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the extent to which the fund may make short sales against the box.
Asset Segregation
The 1940 Act requires that the fund segregate assets in connection with certain types of transactions that may have the effect of leveraging the fund's portfolio. If the fund enters into a transaction requiring segregation, such as a forward commitment, the custodian or Pioneer will segregate liquid assets in an amount required to comply with the 1940 Act. Such segregated assets will be valued at market daily. If the aggregate value of such segregated assets declines below the aggregate value required to satisfy the 1940 Act, additional liquid assets will be segregated.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities
The fund may purchase securities, including U.S. government securities, on a when-issued basis or may purchase or sell securities for delayed delivery. In such transactions, delivery of the securities occurs beyond the normal settlement period, but no payment or delivery is made by the fund prior to the actual delivery or payment by the other party to the transaction. The fund will not earn income on these securities until delivered. The purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis involves the risk that the value of the securities purchased will decline prior to the settlement date. The sale of securities for delayed delivery involves the risk that the prices available in the market on the delivery date may be greater than those obtained in the sale transaction. The fund's obligations with respect to when-issued and delayed delivery transactions will be fully collateralized by segregating liquid assets with a value equal to the fund's obligations. See "Asset Segregation."
Portfolio Turnover
It is the policy of the fund not to engage in trading for short-term profits although portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions for the fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater transaction costs which must be borne by the fund and its shareholders.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The fund may engage in foreign currency transactions. These transactions may be conducted at the prevailing spot rate for purchasing or selling currency in the foreign exchange market. The fund also has authority to enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts involving currencies of the different countries in which the fund invests as a hedge against possible variations in the foreign exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar. This is accomplished through contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified currency at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract.
Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward foreign currency contracts with respect to specific receivables or payables of the fund, accrued in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities quoted in foreign currencies. Portfolio hedging is the use of forward foreign currency contracts to offset portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in such foreign currencies. There is no guarantee that the fund will be engaged in hedging activities when adverse exchange rate movements occur. The fund will not attempt to hedge all of its foreign portfolio positions and will enter into such transactions only to the extent, if any, deemed appropriate by Pioneer.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not be possible for the fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates.
The fund may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a different currency, if Pioneer determines that there is a pattern of correlation between the two currencies. Cross-hedging may also include entering into a forward transaction involving two foreign currencies, using one foreign currency as a proxy for the U.S. dollar to hedge against variations in the other foreign currency, if Pioneer determines that there is a pattern of correlation between the proxy currency and the U.S. dollar.
The cost to the fund of engaging in foreign currency transactions varies with such factors as the currency involved, the size of the contract, the length of the contract period, differences in interest rates between the two currencies and the market conditions then prevailing. Since transactions in foreign currency and forward contracts are usually conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved. The fund may close out a forward position in a currency by selling the forward contract or by entering into an offsetting forward contract.
The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Using forward contracts to protect the value of the fund's portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange which the fund can achieve at some future point in time. The precise projection of short-term currency market movements is not possible, and short-term hedging provides a means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of the fund's foreign assets.
While the fund will enter into forward contracts to reduce currency exchange rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain other risks. While the fund may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect correlation between the fund's portfolio holdings of securities quoted or denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by the fund. Such imperfect correlation may cause the fund to sustain losses which will prevent the fund from achieving a complete hedge or expose the fund to risk of foreign exchange loss.
Over-the-counter markets for trading foreign forward currency contracts offer less protection against defaults than is available when trading in currency instruments on an exchange. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on the contract would deprive the fund of unrealized profits or force the fund to cover its commitments for purchase or resale, if any, at the current market price.
If the fund enters into a forward contract to purchase foreign currency, the custodian or Pioneer will segregate liquid assets. See "Asset Segregation."
Options on Foreign Currencies
The fund may purchase and write options on foreign currencies for hedging purposes in a manner similar to that of transactions in forward contracts. For example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio securities are quoted or denominated will reduce the dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In an attempt to protect against such decreases in the value of portfolio securities, the fund may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency declines, the fund will have the right to sell such currency for a fixed amount of dollars which exceeds the market value of such currency. This would result in a gain that may offset, in whole or in part, the negative effect of currency depreciation on the value of the fund's securities quoted or denominated in that currency.
Conversely, if a rise in the dollar value of a currency is projected for those securities to be acquired, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, the fund may purchase call options on such currency. If the value of such currency increases, the purchase of such call options would enable the fund to purchase currency for a fixed amount of dollars which is less than the market value of such currency. Such a purchase would result in a gain that may offset, at least partially, the effect of any currency related increase in the price of securities the fund intends to acquire. As in the case of other types of options transactions, however, the benefit the fund derives from purchasing foreign currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, if currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent anticipated, the fund could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options which would deprive it of a portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates.
The fund may also write options on foreign currencies for hedging purposes. For example, if the fund anticipated a decline in the dollar value of securities quoted or denominated in a foreign currency because of declining exchange rates, it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a covered call option on the relevant currency. If the expected decline occurs, the option will most likely not be exercised, and the decrease in value of portfolio securities will be partially offset by the amount of the premium received by the fund.
Similarly, the fund could write a put option on the relevant currency, instead of purchasing a call option, to hedge against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired. If exchange rates move in the manner projected, the put option will expire unexercised and allow the fund to offset such increased cost up to the amount of the premium. However, as in the case of other types of options transactions, the writing of a foreign currency option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, only if rates move in the expected direction. If unanticipated exchange rate fluctuations occur, the option may be exercised and the fund would be required to purchase or sell the underlying currency at a loss which may not be fully offset by the amount of the premium. As a result of writing options on foreign currencies, the fund also
may be required to forgo all or a portion of the benefits which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements in currency exchange rates.
A call option written on foreign currency by the fund is "covered" if the fund owns the underlying foreign currency subject to the call, or if it has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that foreign currency without additional cash consideration. A call option is also covered if the fund holds a call on the same foreign currency for the same principal amount as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (a) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (b) greater than the exercise price of the call written if the amount of the difference is maintained by the fund in cash or liquid securities. See "Asset Segregation."
The fund may close out its position in a currency option by either selling the option it has purchased or entering into an offsetting option. An exchange-traded options position may be closed out only on an options exchange which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time. For some options no secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, with the result that the fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of underlying currencies pursuant to the exercise of put options. If the fund as a covered call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying currency (or security quoted or denominated in that currency) until the option expires or it delivers the underlying currency upon exercise.
The fund may also use options on currencies to cross-hedge, which involves writing or purchasing options on one currency to hedge against changes in exchange rates of a different currency with a pattern of correlation. Cross hedging may also include using a foreign currency as a proxy for the U.S. dollar, if Pioneer determines that there is a pattern of correlation between that currency and the U.S. dollar.
The fund may purchase and write over-the-counter options to the extent consistent with its limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Trading in over-the-counter options is subject to the risk that the other party will be unable or unwilling to close out options purchased or written by the fund.
Options on Securities and Securities Indices
For hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return, the fund may purchase put and call options on any security in which it may invest or options on any securities index based on securities in which it may invest. The fund would also be able to enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it has purchased.
Writing Call and Put Options on Securities. A call option written by the fund obligates the fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. All call options written by the fund are covered, which means that the fund will own the securities subject to the options as long as the options are outstanding, or the fund will use the other methods described below. The fund's purpose in writing covered call options is to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio
securities transactions alone. However, the fund may forgo the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying security.
A put option written by the fund would obligate the fund to purchase specified securities from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. All put options written by the fund would be covered, which means that the fund would have segregated assets with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put option. The purpose of writing such options is to generate additional income for the fund. However, in return for the option premium, the fund accepts the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying security at a price in excess of its market value at the time of purchase.
Call and put options written by the fund will also be considered to be covered to the extent that the fund's liabilities under such options are wholly or partially offset by its rights under call and put options purchased by the fund. In addition, a written call option or put may be covered by entering into an offsetting forward contract and/or by purchasing an offsetting option or any other option which, by virtue of its exercise price or otherwise, reduces the fund's net exposure on its written option position.
Writing Call and Put Options on Securities Indices. The fund may also write
(sell) covered call and put options on any securities index composed of
securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to
options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options
requires cash payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of
securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price
fluctuations in a group of securities or segments of the securities market
rather than price fluctuations in a single security.
The fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index, or by having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities without additional cash consideration (or for additional consideration if cash in such amount is segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other securities in its portfolio. The fund may cover call and put options on a securities index by segregating assets with a value equal to the exercise price.
Purchasing Call and Put Options. The fund would normally purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities of the type in which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle the fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during the option period. The fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.
The fund would normally purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the market value of securities in its portfolio ("protective puts") or in securities in which it may invest. The purchase of a put option would entitle the fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of the fund's securities. Put options may also be purchased by the fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which it does not own. The fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase
of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the underlying portfolio securities.
The fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange-traded call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are referred to as "closing purchase transactions."
Risks of Trading Options. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option, or at any particular time. If the fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the fund will not be able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of its segregated assets until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if the fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it will have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities.
Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the
following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options;
(ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing
transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may
be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual
or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v)
the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation (the "OCC")
may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one
or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled
at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class
or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or
in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding
options on that exchange, if any, that had been issued by the OCC as a result of
trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with
their terms.
The fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and non-U.S. exchanges and options traded over-the-counter with broker-dealers who make markets in these options. The ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations. Until such time as the staff of the SEC changes its position, the fund will treat purchased over-the-counter options and all assets used to cover written over-the-counter options as illiquid securities, except that with respect to options written with primary dealers in U.S. government securities pursuant to an agreement requiring a closing purchase transaction at a formula price, the amount of illiquid securities may be calculated with reference to the formula.
Transactions by the fund in options on securities and indices will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities governing the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert. Thus, the number of options which the fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of Pioneer. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidations of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.
The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The successful use of protective puts for hedging purposes depends in part on
Pioneer's ability to predict future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities markets.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets.
In addition to the risks of imperfect correlation between the fund's portfolio and the index underlying the option, the purchase of securities index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the fund in purchasing an option will be lost. This could occur as a result of unanticipated movements in the price of the securities comprising the securities index on which the option is based.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
To hedge against changes in securities prices or currency exchange rates or to seek to increase total return, the fund may purchase and sell various kinds of futures contracts, and purchase and write (sell) call and put options on any of such futures contracts. The fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to any of such contracts and options. The futures contracts may be based on various securities (such as U.S. government securities), securities indices, foreign currencies and other financial instruments and indices. The fund will engage in futures and related options transactions for bona fide hedging and non-hedging purposes as described below. All futures contracts entered into by the fund are traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") or on non-U.S. exchanges.
Futures Contracts. A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).
When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, the fund can seek to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities through the sale of futures contracts. When interest rates are falling or securities prices are rising, the fund, through the purchase of futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, the fund can sell futures contracts on a specified currency to protect against a decline in the value of such currency and a decline in the value of its portfolio securities which are denominated in such currency. The fund can purchase futures contracts on a foreign currency to establish the price in U.S. dollars of a security denominated in such currency that the fund has acquired or expects to acquire.
Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit or a loss. While futures contracts on securities or currency will usually be liquidated in this manner, the fund may instead make, or take, delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically advantageous to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures on securities or currency are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.
Hedging Strategies. Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to establish with more certainty the effective price, rate of return and currency exchange rate on portfolio securities and securities that the fund owns or proposes to acquire. The fund may, for example, take a "short" position in the futures market by selling futures contracts in order to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices or foreign currency rates that would adversely affect the value of the fund's portfolio securities. Such futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery of securities held by the fund or securities with characteristics similar to those of the fund's portfolio securities. Similarly, the fund may sell futures contracts in a foreign currency in which its portfolio securities are denominated or in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of correlation between the two currencies. If, in the opinion of Pioneer, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for the fund's portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, the fund may also enter into such futures contracts as part of its hedging strategies. Although under some circumstances prices of securities in the fund's portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, Pioneer will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any such differential by having the fund enter into a greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting the fund's portfolio securities. When hedging of this character is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of the fund's portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.
On other occasions, the fund may take a "long" position by purchasing futures contracts. This may be done, for example, when the fund anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are currently available.
Options on Futures Contracts. The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will give the fund the right (but not the obligation) for a specified price to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures contract, the fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset a decline in the value of the fund's assets. By writing a call option, the fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a futures contract (if the option is exercised), which may have a value higher than the exercise price. Conversely, the writing of a put option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset an increase in the price of securities that the fund intends to purchase. However, the fund becomes obligated to purchase a futures contract (if the option is exercised) which may have a value lower than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by the fund in writing options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received. The fund will incur transaction costs in connection with the writing of options on futures.
The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same series. There is no guarantee that such closing
transactions can be effected. The fund's ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.
Other Considerations. The fund will engage in futures and related options transactions only in accordance with CFTC regulations which permit principals of an investment company registered under the 1940 Act to engage in such transactions without registering as commodity pool operators.
The fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("the "Code"), for maintaining its qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Futures contracts and related options involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in the case of contracts and options obligating the fund to purchase securities or currencies, require the fund to segregate assets to cover such contracts and options.
While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus, while the fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance for the fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and the fund may be exposed to risk of loss. It is not possible to hedge fully or perfectly against the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of non-U.S. securities because currency movements impact the value of different securities in differing degrees.
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights
The fund may invest in warrants, which are securities permitting, but not obligating, their holder to subscribe for other securities. Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they entitle their holders to purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer.
The fund may also invest in stock purchase rights. Stock purchase rights are instruments, frequently distributed to an issuer's shareholders as a dividend, that entitle the holder to purchase a specific number of shares of common stock on a specific date or during a specific period of time. The exercise price on the rights is normally at a discount from market value of the common stock at the time of distribution. The rights do not carry with them the right to dividends or to vote and may or may not be transferable. Stock purchase rights are frequently used outside of the United States as a means of raising additional capital from an issuer's current shareholders.
As a result, an investment in warrants or stock purchase rights may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a warrant or a stock purchase right does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and warrants and stock purchase rights expire worthless if they are not exercised on or prior to their expiration date.
Preferred Shares
The fund may invest in preferred shares of beneficial interest of trust instruments. Preferred shares are equity securities, but they have many characteristics of fixed income securities, such as a fixed dividend payment rate and/or a liquidity preference over the issuer's common shares. However, because preferred shares are equity securities, they may be more susceptible to risks traditionally associated with equity investments than the fund's fixed income securities.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The fund may lend portfolio securities to registered broker-dealers or other institutional investors deemed by Pioneer to be of good standing under agreements which require that the loans be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents or U.S. Treasury bills maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The fund continues to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned as well as the benefit of an increase and the detriment of any decrease in the market value of the securities loaned and would also receive compensation based on investment of the collateral. The fund may pay administrative and custodial fees in connection with loans of securities and may pay a portion of the income or fee earned thereon to the borrower, lending agent or other intermediary. The fund would not, however, have the right to vote any securities having voting rights during the existence of the loan, but would call the loan in anticipation of an important vote to be taken among holders of the securities or of the giving or withholding of consent on a material matter affecting the investment.
As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. The fund will lend portfolio securities only to firms that have been approved in advance by the Board of Trustees, which will monitor the creditworthiness of any such firms. At no time would the value of the securities loaned exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the fund's total assets.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
The fund's Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures relating to disclosure of the fund's portfolio securities. These policies and procedures are designed to provide a framework for disclosing information regarding portfolio holdings, portfolio composition or other portfolio characteristics consistent with applicable regulations of the federal securities laws and general principles of fiduciary duty relating to fund shareholders. While Pioneer may manage other funds and accounts that have substantially similar investment strategies, these policies and procedures only relate to the disclosure of portfolio information of registered management investment companies.
Generally, Pioneer will make the fund's portfolio information available to the public on a monthly basis with an appropriate delay based upon the nature of the information disclosed. Pioneer normally will publish the fund's full portfolio holdings thirty (30) days after the end of each month. Such information shall be made available on the fund's website (WWW.PIONEERFUNDS.COM) and may be sent to rating agencies, reporting/news services and financial intermediaries, upon request. In addition, Pioneer generally makes publicly available information regarding the fund's top ten holdings (including the percentage of the fund's assets represented by each security), the percentage breakdown of the fund's investments by country, sector and industry, various volatility measures (such as beta, standard deviation, etc.), market capitalization ranges and other portfolio characteristics (such as alpha, average P/E ratio, etc.) three (3) business days after the end of each month.
Pioneer may provide the fund's full portfolio holdings or other information to certain entities prior to the date such information is made public, provided that certain conditions are met. The entities to which such disclosure may be made as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information are rating agencies, plan sponsors, prospective separate account clients and other financial intermediaries (i.e., organizations evaluating the fund for purposes of investment by their clients, such as broker-dealers, investment advisers, banks, insurance companies, financial planning firms, plan sponsors, plan administrators, shareholder servicing organizations and pension consultants). As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, Pioneer had not provided the fund's portfolio holdings information to any entity prior to the date such information was made public. The third party must agree to a limited use of that information which does not conflict with the interests of the fund's shareholders, to use the information only for that authorized purpose, to keep such information confidential, and not to trade on such information. The Board of Trustees considered the disclosure of portfolio holdings information to these categories of entities to be consistent with the best interests of shareholders in light of the agreement to maintain the confidentiality of such information and only to use such information for the limited and approved purposes. Pioneer's compliance department, the local head of investment management and the global chief investment officer may, but only acting jointly, grant exemptions to this policy. Exemptions may be granted only if these persons determine that providing such information is consistent with the interests of shareholders and the third party agrees to limit the use of such information only for the authorized purpose, to keep such information confidential, and not to trade on such information. Although the Board will periodically be informed of exemptions granted, granting exemptions entails the risk that portfolio holdings information may be provided to entities that use the information in a manner inconsistent with their obligations and the best interests of the fund.
Compliance with the fund's portfolio holdings disclosure policy is subject to periodic review by the Board of Trustees, including a review of any potential conflicts of interest in the disclosures made by Pioneer in accordance with the policy or the exceptions permitted under the policy. Any change to the policy to expand the categories of entities to which portfolio holdings may be disclosed or an increase in the purposes for which such disclosure may be made would be subject to approval by the Board of Trustees and, reflected, if material, in a supplement to the fund's Statement of Additional Information.
The fund's portfolio holdings disclosure policy is not intended to prevent the disclosure of any and all portfolio information to the fund's service providers who generally need access to such information in the performance of their contractual duties and responsibilities, such as Pioneer, the fund's custodian, fund accounting agent, principal underwriter, investment sub-adviser, if any, independent registered public accounting firm or counsel. In approving the policy, the Board of Trustees considered that the service providers are subject to duties of confidentiality arising under law or contract that provide an adequate safeguard for such information. None of Pioneer, the fund, or any other party receive any compensation or other consideration from any arrangement pertaining to the release of the fund's portfolio holdings information.
In addition, the fund makes its portfolio holdings available semi-annually in shareholder reports filed on Form N-CSR and after the first and third fiscal quarters in regulatory filings on Form N-Q. These shareholder reports and regulatory filings are filed with the SEC, as required by the federal securities laws, and are generally available within seventy (70) days after the end of the fund's fiscal quarter.
Investment Restrictions
Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The fund has adopted certain fundamental investment restrictions which, along with the fund's investment objective, may not be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the fund. Statements in italics are not part of the restriction. For this purpose, a majority of the outstanding shares of the fund means the vote of the lesser of:
(i) 67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy, or
(ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund.
The fund may not:
(1) Issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by applicable law, as amended and interpreted or modified from time to time by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction. Senior securities that the fund may issue in accordance with the 1940 Act include borrowing, futures, when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward foreign currency exchange transactions.
(2) Borrow money, except on a temporary basis and to the extent permitted by applicable law, as amended and interpreted or modified from time to time by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction. Under current regulatory requirements, the fund may: (a) borrow from banks or through reverse repurchase agreements in an amount up to 33 1/3% of the fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed); (b) borrow up to an additional 5% of the fund's assets for temporary purposes; (c) obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of portfolio transactions; (d) purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law; and (e) engage in transactions in mortgage dollar rolls that are accounted for as financings. In the opinion of the SEC, the fund's limitation on borrowing includes any pledge, mortgage, or hypothecation of its assets.
(3) Invest in real estate, except (a) that the fund may invest in securities of issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein, securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment trusts, mortgage-backed securities and other securities that represent a similar indirect interest in real estate; and (b) the fund may acquire real estate or interests therein through exercising rights or remedies with regard to an instrument or security.
(4) Make loans, except that the fund may (i) lend portfolio securities in accordance with the fund's investment policies, (ii) enter into repurchase agreements, (iii) purchase all or a portion of an issue of publicly distributed debt securities, bank loan participation interests, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, debentures or other securities, whether or not the purchase is made upon the original issuance of the securities, (iv) participate in a credit facility whereby the fund may directly lend to and borrow money from other affiliated funds to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act or an exemption therefrom, and (v) make loans in any other manner consistent with applicable law, as amended and interpreted or modified from time to time by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction.
(5) Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the fund may invest in currency instruments and currency contracts and financial instruments and financial contracts that might be deemed to be commodities and commodity contracts in accordance with applicable law. A futures contract, for example, may be deemed to be a commodity contract.
(6) Make any investment inconsistent with its classification as a diversified open-end investment company (or series thereof) under the 1940 Act. Currently, diversification means that, with respect to 75% of its total assets, the fund may not purchase securities of an issuer (other than the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and securities of investment companies), if
(a) such purchase would cause more than 5% of the fund's total assets, taken at market value, to be invested in the securities of such issuer, or
(b) such purchase would at the time result in more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer being held by the fund.
(7) Act as an underwriter, except insofar as the fund technically may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities.
(8) Concentrate its investments in securities of companies in any particular industry. In the opinion of the SEC, investments are concentrated in a particular industry if such investments aggregate 25% or more of the fund's total assets. When identifying industries for purposes of its concentration policy, the fund will rely upon available industry classifications. As of the date of this SAI, the fund relied on MSCI Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) classifications. The fund's policy does not apply to investments in U.S. government securities.
Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions
The following restrictions have been designated as non-fundamental and may be changed by a vote of the fund's Board of Trustees without approval of shareholders:
(1) The fund will not purchase securities during the current fiscal year at any time that outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the fund's total assets.
(2) The fund may not engage in short sales, except short sales against the box.
(3) The fund may not invest in any investment company in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, which would allow the fund to invest in other investment companies, or in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, which would allow the fund to invest in other Pioneer funds, in each case without being subject to the limitations discussed above under "Other Investment Companies" so long as another investment company invests in the fund in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G). The fund has adopted this non-fundamental policy in order that the fund may be a permitted investment to the series of Pioneer Ibbotson Asset Allocation Series, which invest all of their assets in other investment companies. If the series of Pioneer Ibbotson Asset Allocation Series do not invest in the fund, then this non-fundamental restriction will not apply.
(4) The fund does not invest in companies for the purposes of exercising control or management.
(5) The fund will not engage in mortgaging, hypothecating or pledging of its assets except in connection with any borrowing permitted under investment restriction (2); thus the fund's borrowings involving mortgaging, hypothecating or pledging of its assets will not exceed 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), notwithstanding any temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets.
(6) The fund will not purchase securities on margin.
As long as the fund is registered in the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria or Switzerland, the fund may not without the prior approval of its shareholders:
(i) Acquire the shares/units of any other pool of assets, irrespective of its legal form and type, which is invested according to the principle of risk-spreading. This restriction does not apply to a plan of merger or consolidation with or acquisition of substantially all the assets of such other pool of assets;
(ii) Purchase or sell real estate, or any interest therein, and real estate mortgage loans, except that the fund may invest in securities of corporate or governmental entities secured by real estate or marketable interests therein or securities issued by companies (other than real estate limited partnerships, real estate investment trusts and real estate funds) that invest in real estate or interests therein, provided that investment in real estate investment trusts ("REITs") is limited to 20% of the fund's net asset value, and further provided that the REIT is not a partnership, its shares are listed on a stock exchange or traded in an organized market, and it is not subject to an investment fund supervision in its home state;
(iii) Borrow money in amounts exceeding 10% of the fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed) taken at market value;
(iv) Pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber its assets except in connection with borrowings by the fund;
(v) Purchase securities on margin or make short sales;
(vi) Redeem its securities in-kind;
(vii) Invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development leases or programs; or
(viii) Invest in participations of venture capital or private equity funds.
Further, as long as the fund is registered in Switzerland, the fund may not, under the laws of that country, without the prior approval of its shareholders:
(a) Purchase gold or silver bullion, coins or other precious metals or purchase or sell futures contracts or options on any such precious metals;
(b) Invest more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer; provided, however, that this restriction does not apply to cash items and U.S. government securities;
(c) Write (sell) uncovered calls or puts or any combination thereof or purchase, in an amount exceeding 5% of its assets, calls, puts, straddles, spreads or any combination thereof; or
(d) Invest more than 5% of its total assets in financial instruments that are used for non-hedging purposes and which have a leverage effect.
In the case of a change in the laws of Germany, Austria or Switzerland applicable to the fund, the Trustees have the right to adjust the above restrictions relating to the fund's registration in these countries accordingly without the prior approval of the shareholders.
To the extent that an investment restriction imposed by a non-U.S. jurisdiction in which the fund offers shares differs from the equivalent restriction under the 1940 Act, the fund will invest its assets according to the more restrictive investment policy. Because these investment policies affect the fund's investments, all fund shareholders, regardless of country of domicile, will be invested in a fund, the assets of which are subject to the policies imposed both by the 1940 Act and the laws of the other jurisdictions in which the fund is registered. For example, the fund may be subject to laws of the Federal Republic of Germany regulating the fund's investments. In determining to register the fund in Germany, Pioneer and the Board of Trustees concluded that such registration would not adversely affect the fund's ability to adhere to its investment objectives, restrictions and policies.
The following table illustrates which investment restriction the fund would apply depending on the jurisdictions in which the fund is registered. In each case, the restrictions of the non-U.S. jurisdiction, if addressed by the non-U.S. restriction, are stricter than the equivalent U.S. restriction. As a result, as long as the fund is registered in the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria or Switzerland, the fund will adhere to the relevant restrictions of those countries.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If registered in the U.S., Category of If registered in the U.S. Federal Republic of If registered in the U.S. investment restriction only Germany and/or Austria and Switzerland ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senior securities Fundamental restriction Fundamental restriction Fundamental restriction no. 1 applies no. 1 applies no. 1 applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Borrowing Fundamental restriction Non-fundamental Non-fundamental no. 2 applies restriction no. (iii) restriction no. (iii) applies applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investments in real estate Fundamental restriction Non-fundamental Non-fundamental no. 3 applies restriction no. (ii) restriction no. (ii) applies applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lending Fundamental restriction Fundamental restriction Fundamental restriction no. 4 applies no. 4 applies no. 4 applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commodities and commodity Fundamental restriction Fundamental restriction Non-fundamental contracts no. 5 applies no. 5 applies restriction (a) applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total assets of fund in any Fundamental restriction Fundamental restriction Fundamental restriction one company no. 6(A) applies no. 6(A) applies no. 6(A) applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Percentage ownership of Fundamental restriction Fundamental restriction Non-fundamental company by fund no. 6(B) applies no. 6(B) applies restriction (b) applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Acting as underwriter Fundamental restriction Fundamental restriction Fundamental restriction no. 7 applies no. 7 applies no. 7 applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Securities of other No fundamental restriction Non-fundamental Non-fundamental investment companies restriction (i) applies restriction (i) applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pledging, mortgaging, No fundamental restriction Non-fundamental Non-fundamental hypothecating or otherwise restriction no. (iv) restriction no. (iv) encumbering assets applies applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Purchases on margin or make No fundamental restriction Non-fundamental Non-fundamental short sales restriction (v) applies restriction (v) applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If registered in the U.S., Category of If registered in the U.S. Federal Republic of If registered in the U.S. investment restriction only Germany and/or Austria and Switzerland ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption of securities No fundamental restriction Non-fundamental Non-fundamental in-kind restriction (vi) applies restriction (vi) applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oil, gas or other mineral No fundamental restriction Non-fundamental Non-fundamental exploration or development restriction (vii) applies restriction (vii) applies leases or programs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Call and put options No fundamental restriction No fundamental restriction Non-fundamental restriction (c) applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venture capital or private No fundamental restriction Non-fundamental Non-fundamental equity funds restriction (viii) applies restriction (viii) applies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial instruments used No fundamental restriction No fundamental restriction Non-fundamental for non-hedging which have a restriction (d) applies leverage effect ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
3. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The fund's Board of Trustees provides broad supervision over the fund's affairs. The officers of the fund are responsible for the fund's operations. The fund's Trustees and officers are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. Trustees who are interested persons of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act are referred to as Interested Trustees. Trustees who are not interested persons of the fund are referred to as Independent Trustees. Each of the Trustees may serve as a trustee of each of the 91 U.S. registered investment portfolios for which Pioneer serves as investment adviser (the "Pioneer Funds"). The address for all Interested Trustees and all officers of the fund is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Term of Office Name, Age Position Held and Length of Principal Occupation Other Directorships and Address With the Fund Service During Past Five Years Held by this Trustee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interested Trustees: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John F. Cogan, Chairman of the Trustee since Deputy Chairman and a Director Chairman and a Director of Jr. (79)* Board, Trustee 1982. Serves of Pioneer Global Asset ICI Mutual Insurance and President until a Management S.p.A. ("PGAM"); Company; Director of Harbor successor Non-Executive Chairman and a Global Company, Ltd. trustee is Director of Pioneer Investment elected or Management USA Inc. ("PIM-USA"); earlier Chairman and a Director of retirement or Pioneer; Director of Pioneer removal. Alternative Investment Management Limited (Dublin); President and a Director of Pioneer Alternative Investment Management (Bermuda) Limited and affiliated funds; President and Director of Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. ("PFD"); President of all of the Pioneer Funds; and Of Counsel, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (counsel to PIM-USA and the Pioneer Funds) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Independent Trustees: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David R. Bock (62) Trustee Trustee since Senior Vice President and Chief Director of The Enterprise 3050 K. Street NW, 2005. Serves Financial Officer, I-trax, Inc. Social Investment Company Washington, DC 20007 until a (publicly traded health care (privately-held affordable successor services company) (2001 - housing finance company); trustee is present); Managing Partner, Director of New York elected or Federal City Capital Advisors Mortgage Trust (publicly earlier (boutique merchant bank) (2002 traded mortgage REIT) retirement or to 2004); Executive Vice removal. President and Chief Financial Officer, Pedestal Inc. (internet-based mortgage trading company) (2000-2002) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary K. Bush (57) Trustee Trustee since President, Bush International Director of Brady 3509 Woodbine Street, 1997. Serves (international financial Corporation (industrial Chevy Chase, MD 20815 until a advisory firm) identification and successor specialty coated material trustee is products manufacturer), elected or Millenium Chemicals, Inc. earlier (commodity chemicals), retirement or Mortgage Guaranty Insurance removal. Corporation, and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc. (tobacco) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Margaret B.W. Graham Trustee Trustee since Founding Director, The Winthrop None (58) 1990. Serves Group, Inc. (consulting firm); 1001 Sherbrooke Street until a Professor of Management, Faculty West, Montreal, successor of Management, McGill University Quebec, Canada trustee is elected or earlier retirement or removal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marguerite A. Piret Trustee Trustee since President and Chief Executive Director of New America (57) 1982. Serves Officer, Newbury, Piret & High Income Fund, Inc. One Boston Place, 28th until a Company, Inc. (investment (closed-end investment Floor, Boston, MA 02108 successor banking firm) company) trustee is elected or earlier retirement or removal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Winthrop (69) Trustee Trustee since President, John Winthrop & Co., None One North Adgers 1985. Serves Inc. (private investment firm) Wharf, Charleston, SC until a 29401 successor trustee is elected or earlier retirement or removal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fund Officers: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Directorships Held by this Officer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Osbert M. Hood Executive Vice Since June 2003. President and Chief Executive Trustee of certain Pioneer (53)** President Serves at the Officer, PIM-USA since May, 2003 Funds discretion of (Director since January, 2001); the Board President and Director of Pioneer since May, 2003; Chairman and Director of Pioneer Investment Management Shareholder Services, Inc. ("PIMSS") since May, 2003; Executive Vice President of all of the Pioneer Funds since June 3, 2003; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of PIM-USA, November 2000-May 2003; Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, Boston, MA, November 1999-November 2000; -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dorothy E. Secretary Since September Secretary of PIM-USA; Senior None Bourassa (58) 2003. Serves at Vice President- Legal of the discretion Pioneer; and Secretary/Clerk of of Board most of PIM-USA's subsidiaries; and Secretary of all of the Pioneer Funds since September 2003 (Assistant Secretary from November 2000 to September 2003) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christopher J. Assistant Since September Assistant Vice President and None Kelley (41) Secretary 2003. Serves at Senior Counsel of Pioneer since the discretion July 2002; Vice President and of Board Senior Counsel of BISYS Fund Services, Inc. (April 2001 to June 2002); Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Funds Distributor, Inc. (July 2000 to April 2001; and Assistant Secretary of all Pioneer Funds since September 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David C. Phelan Assistant Since September, Partner, Wilmer Cutler Pickering None (48) Secretary 2003. Serves at Hale and Dorr LLP; and Assistant the discretion Secretary of all Pioneer Funds of the Board since September 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vincent Nave (60) Treasurer Since November, Vice President - Fund Accounting, None 2000. Serves at Administration and Custody the discretion Services of Pioneer and of Board Treasurer of all of the Pioneer Funds -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark E. Bradley Assistant Since November Deputy Treasurer of Pioneer None (46) Treasurer 2004. Serves at since 2004; Treasurer and Senior the discretion Vice President, CDC IXIS Asset of the Board Management Services from 2002 to 2003; Assistant Treasurer and Vice President, MFS Investment Management from 1997 to 2002; and Assistant Treasurer of all of the Pioneer Funds since November 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luis I. Presutti Assistant Since November, Assistant Vice President - Fund None (40) Treasurer 2000. Serves at Accounting, Administration and the discretion Custody Services of Pioneer and of Board Assistant Treasurer of all of the Pioneer Funds -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gary Sullivan (47) Assistant Since May, 2002. Fund Accounting Manager - Fund None Treasurer Serves at the Accounting, Administration and discretion of Custody Services of Pioneer; and Board Assistant Treasurer of all of the Pioneer Funds since May 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Katharine Kim Assistant Since September, Fund Administration Manager - None Sullivan (32) Treasurer 2003. Serves at Fund Accounting, Administration the discretion and Custody Services since June of Board 2003; Assistant Vice President - Mutual Fund Operations of State Street Corporation from June 2002 to June 2003 (formerly Deutsche Bank Asset Management); Pioneer Fund Accounting, Administration and Custody Services (Fund Accounting Manager from August 1999 to May 2002); and Assistant Treasurer of all Pioneer Funds since September 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Martin J. Wolin Chief Compliance Since October Chief Compliance Officer of None (38) Officer 2004. Serves at Pioneer (Director of Compliance the discretion and Senior Counsel from November of the Board 2000 to September 2004); and Chief Compliance Officer of all of the Pioneer Funds since 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
*Mr. Cogan is an Interested Trustee because he is an officer or director of the fund's investment adviser and certain of its affiliates.
The outstanding capital stock of PFD, Pioneer and PIMSS is indirectly wholly owned by UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. ("UniCredito Italiano"), one of the largest banking groups in Italy. Pioneer, the fund's investment adviser, provides investment management and financial services to mutual funds, institutional and other clients.
Board Committees
During the most recent fiscal year, the Board of Trustees held 13 meetings. Each Trustee attended at least 75% of such meetings.
The Board of Trustees has an Audit Committee, an Independent Trustees Committee, a Nominating Committee, a Valuation Committee and a Policy Administration Committee. Committee members are as follows:
Audit
David R. Bock, Margaret B. W. Graham and Marguerite A. Piret (Chair)
Independent Trustees
David R. Bock, Mary K. Bush, Margaret B.W. Graham (Chair), Marguerite A. Piret and John Winthrop
Nominating
Mary K. Bush, Marguerite A. Piret, and John Winthrop (Chair)
Valuation
David R. Bock, Margaret B. W. Graham and Marguerite A. Piret (Chair)
Policy Administration
Mary K. Bush (Chair) and John Winthrop
During the most recent fiscal year, the Audit, Independent Trustees, Nominating, Valuation, and Policy Administration Committees held 20, 16, 6, 5 and 10 meetings, respectively.
The Board of Trustees has adopted a charter for the Audit Committee. In accordance with its charter, the purposes of the Audit Committee are to:
|X| act as a liaison between the fund's independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board of Trustees of the fund;
|X| discuss with the fund's independent registered public accounting firm their judgments about the quality of the fund's accounting principles and underlying estimates as applied in the fund's financial reporting;
|X| review and assess the renewal materials of all related party contracts and agreements, including management advisory agreements, underwriting contracts, administration agreements, distribution contracts, and transfer agency contracts, among any other instruments and agreements that may be appropriate from time to time;
|X| review and approve insurance coverage and allocations of premiums between the management and the fund and among the Pioneer Funds;
|X| review and approve expenses under the administration agreement between Pioneer and the fund and allocations of such expenses among the Pioneer Funds; and
|X| receive on a periodic basis a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and the fund or Pioneer; to actively engage in a dialogue with the independent registered public accounting firm with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the firm; and to recommend that the Trustees take appropriate action in response to the independent registered public accounting firm's report to satisfy itself of the firm's independence.
The Nominating Committee reviews the qualifications of any candidate recommended by the Independent Trustees to serve as an Independent Trustee and makes a recommendation regarding that person's qualifications. The Committee does not accept nominations from shareholders.
The Valuation Committee reviews the valuation assigned to certain securities by Pioneer in accordance with the fund's valuation procedures.
The Policy Administration Committee reviews the implementation of certain of the fund's administrative policies and procedures.
The Independent Trustees Committee reviews the fund's management contract and other related party contracts annually and is also responsible for any other action required to be taken, under the 1940 Act, by the Independent Trustees acting alone.
The fund's Declaration of Trust provides that the fund will indemnify the Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with any litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the fund, unless it is determined in the manner specified in the Declaration of Trust that they have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best interests of the fund or that such indemnification would relieve any officer or Trustee of any liability to the fund or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.
Compensation of Officers and Trustees
The fund pays no salaries or compensation to any of its officers. The Pioneer Funds, including the fund, compensate their trustees. The Independent Trustees review and set their compensation annually, taking into consideration the committee and other responsibilities assigned to specific trustees. The table under "Annual Fees, Expense and Other Information-Compensation of Officers and Trustees sets forth the compensation paid to each of the Trustees. The compensation paid to the Trustees is then allocated among the funds as follows:
o each fund with assets less than $250 million pays each Trustee who is not
affiliated with PIM-USA, Pioneer, PFD, PIMSS or UniCredito Italiano (i.e.,
Independent Trustees) an annual fee of $1,000.
o the remaining compensation of the Independent Trustees is allocated to each
fund with assets greater than $250 million based on the fund's net assets.
o the Interested Trustees receive an annual fee of $500 from each fund,
except in the case of funds with net assets of $50 million or less, which
pay each Interested Trustee an annual fee of $200. Pioneer reimburses the
funds for the fees paid to the Interested Trustees.
See "Compensation of Officers and Trustees" in "Annual Fee, Expense and Other
Information."
Sales Loads. The fund offers its shares to Trustees and officers of the fund and employees of Pioneer and its affiliates without a sales charge in order to encourage investment in the fund by individuals who are responsible for its management and because the sales to such persons do not entail any sales effort by the fund, brokers or other intermediaries.
Other Information
Material Relationships of the Independent Trustees. For purposes of the statements below:
o the immediate family members of any person are their spouse, children in the person's household (including step and adoptive children) and any dependent of the person.
o an entity in a control relationship means any person who controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the named person. For example, UniCredito Italiano is an entity that is in a control relationship with Pioneer.
o a related fund is a registered investment company or an entity exempt from the definition of an investment company pursuant to Sections 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act, for
which Pioneer or any of its affiliates act as investment adviser or for which PFD or any of its affiliates act as principal underwriter. For example, the fund's related funds include all of the Pioneer Funds and any non-U.S. funds managed by Pioneer or its affiliates.
As of December 31, 2005, none of the Independent Trustees, nor any of their immediate family members, beneficially owned any securities issued by Pioneer, UniCredito Italiano or any other entity in a control relationship to Pioneer or PFD. During the calendar years 2004 and 2005, none of the Independent Trustees, nor any of their immediate family members, had any direct or indirect interest (the value of which exceeded $60,000), whether by contract, arrangement or otherwise, in Pioneer, UniCredito Italiano, or any other entity in a control relationship to Pioneer or PFD. During the calendar years 2004 and 2005, none of the Independent Trustees, nor any of their immediate family members, had an interest in a transaction or a series of transactions in which the aggregate amount involved exceeded $60,000 and to which any of the following were a party (each a "fund related party"):
o the fund
o an officer of the fund
o a related fund
o an officer of any related fund
o Pioneer
o PFD
o an officer of Pioneer or PFD
o any affiliate of Pioneer or PFD
o an officer of any such affiliate
During the calendar years 2004 and 2005, none of the Independent Trustees, nor any of their immediate family members, had any relationship (the value of which exceeded $60,000) with any fund related party, including, but not limited to, relationships arising out of (i) the payment for property and services, (ii) the provision of legal services, (iii) the provision of investment banking services (other than as a member of the underwriting syndicate) or (iv) the provision of consulting services, except that Mr. West, formerly an Independent Trustee, is Senior Counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell and acts as counsel to the Independent Trustees and the Independent Trustees of the other Pioneer Funds. The aggregate compensation paid to Sullivan & Cromwell by the fund and the other Pioneer Funds was approximately $208,010 and $173,353 in each of 2004 and 2005.
During the calendar years 2004 and 2005, none of the Independent Trustees, nor any of their immediate family members, served as a member of a board of directors on which an officer of any of the following entities also serves as a director:
o Pioneer
o PFD
o UniCredito Italiano
o any other entity in a control relationship with Pioneer or PFD
None of the fund's Trustees or officers has any arrangement with any other person pursuant to which that Trustee or officer serves on the Board of Trustees. During the calendar years 2004 and 2005, none of the Independent Trustees, nor any of their immediate family members, had any position, including as an officer, employee, director or partner, with any of the following:
o the fund
o any related fund
o Pioneer
o PFD
o any affiliated person of the fund, Pioneer or PFD
o UniCredito Italiano
o any other entity in a control relationship to the fund, Pioneer or PFD
Share Ownership. See "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for annual information on the ownership of fund shares by the Trustees, the fund's officers and owners in excess of 5% of any class of shares of the fund and a table indicating the value of shares that each Trustee beneficially owns in the fund and in all the Pioneer Funds.
Code of Ethics. The fund's Board of Trustees approved a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that covers the fund, Pioneer and certain of Pioneer's affiliates. The code of ethics establishes procedures for personal investing and restricts certain transactions. Employees subject to the code of ethics may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund.
Proxy Voting Policies. Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is publicly available to shareowners without charge at http://www.pioneerfunds.com and on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The fund's "Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures" are attached as "Appendix B".
4. INVESTMENT ADVISER
The fund has contracted with Pioneer to act as its investment adviser. Pioneer is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of UniCredito Italiano. Certain Trustees or officers of the fund are also directors and/or officers of certain of UniCredito Italiano's subsidiaries (see management biographies above). Pioneer has entered into an agreement with its affiliate, Pioneer Investment Management Limited ("PIML"), pursuant to which PIML provides certain services and personnel to Pioneer.
As the fund's investment adviser, Pioneer provides the fund with investment research, advice and supervision and furnishes an investment program for the fund consistent with the fund's investment objective and policies, subject to the supervision of the fund's Trustees. Pioneer determines what portfolio securities will be purchased or sold, arranges for the placing of orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, selects brokers or dealers to place those orders, maintains books and records with respect to the fund's securities transactions, and reports to the Trustees on the fund's investments and performance.
Under the terms of its management contract with the fund, Pioneer pays all the operating expenses, including executive salaries and the rental of office space, relating to its services for the fund, with the exception of the following, which are paid by the fund: (i) charges and expenses for fund accounting, pricing and appraisal services and related overhead, including, to the extent such services are performed by personnel of Pioneer or its affiliates, office space and facilities, and personnel compensation, training and benefits; (ii) the charges and expenses of auditors; (iii) the charges and expenses of any custodian, transfer agent, plan agent, dividend disbursing agent,
registrar or any other agent appointed by the fund; (iv) issue and transfer
taxes chargeable to the fund in connection with securities transactions to which
the fund is a party; (v) insurance premiums, interest charges, dues and fees for
membership in trade associations and all taxes and corporate fees payable by the
fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies; (vi) fees and expenses
involved in registering and maintaining registrations of the fund and/or its
shares with federal regulatory agencies, state or blue sky securities agencies
and foreign jurisdictions, including the preparation of prospectuses and
statements of additional information for filing with such regulatory
authorities; (vii) all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of
preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses, notices, proxy statements and
all reports to shareholders and to governmental agencies; (viii) charges and
expenses of legal counsel to the fund and the Trustees; (ix) any fees paid by
the fund in accordance with Rule 12b-1 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the
1940 Act; (x) compensation of those Trustees of the fund who are not affiliated
with, or "interested persons" of, Pioneer, the fund (other than as Trustees),
PIM-USA or PFD; (xi) the cost of preparing and printing share certificates;
(xii) interest on borrowed money, if any; and (xiii) any other expense that the
fund, Pioneer or any other agent of the fund may incur (A) as a result of a
change in the law or regulations, (B) as a result of a mandate from the Board of
Trustees with associated costs of a character generally assumed by similarly
structured investment companies or (C) that is similar to the expenses listed
above, and that is approved by the Board of Trustees (including a majority of
the Independent Trustees) as being an appropriate expense of the fund. In
addition, the fund pays all brokers' and underwriting commissions chargeable to
the fund in connection with its securities transactions.
The Trustees' approval of and the terms, continuance and termination of the management contract are governed by the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as applicable. Pursuant to the management contract, Pioneer will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss sustained by reason of the adoption of any investment policy or the purchase, sale or retention of any securities on the recommendation of Pioneer. Pioneer, however, is not protected against liability by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the management contract.
Advisory Fee. As compensation for its management services and expenses incurred, the fund pays Pioneer a management fee that is comprised of two components. The first component is an annual basic fee (the "basic fee") equal to 0.60% of the fund's average daily net assets up to $5 billion, 0.575% on the next $5 billion and 0.550% on the excess over $10 billion. The second component is a performance fee adjustment.
Performance Fee Adjustment. The basic fee is subject to upward or downward adjustment depending on whether, and to what extent, the investment performance of the Class A shares of the fund for the relevant performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the investment record (the "record") of the index determined by the fund to be appropriate over the same period. The Trustees have designated the Russell 1000 Value Index (the "Index") for this purpose. The Index is made up of those stocks contained within the Russell 1000 Index (a widely recognized measure of the performance of the 1,000 largest stocks, based on capitalization) with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.
The performance period consists of the current month and the prior 35 months. Each percentage point of difference (up to a maximum difference of +/- 10 percentage points) would result in a performance rate adjustment of 0.01%. The maximum rate adjustment is therefore +/- 0.10%. An appropriate percentage of this rate (based upon the number of days in the current month) is then
multiplied by the average daily net assets of the fund over the entire performance period, giving the dollar amount that will be added to (or subtracted from) the basic fee. The monthly performance adjustment will be further adjusted to the extent necessary to insure that the total of such adjustments to the basic fee does not exceed +/- 0.10% of average daily net assets for that year. Pioneer currently is waiving the 0.50% floor on its fee. Pioneer may reimpose the floor of 0.50% in the future, but will not be entitled to recover any previously waived fees.
Performance Adjustment Example
The following hypothetical example illustrates the application of the performance adjustment.
For purposes of the example, any dividends or capital gain distributions paid by the fund are treated as if reinvested in shares of the fund at net asset value, and any dividends paid on the stocks in the Index are treated as if reinvested in the Index.
Example assuming the Fund outperforms the Index
The example also makes these assumptions:
Fund's Fund's For the investment Index's performance relative to the performance period performance cumulative change Index ------------------ ----------- ----------------- ----- First day $10 100 Last day $13 123 Absolute change +$3 +$23 Actual change +30% +23% +7 percentage points |
Based on these assumptions, the fund calculates Pioneer's management fee rate for the last month of the performance period as follows:
|X| The portion of the annual basic fee rate of 0.60% (0.60% of the fund's
average daily net assets up to $5 billion, 0.575% on the next $5 billion
and 0.550% on the excess over $10 billion)applicable to that month is
multiplied by the fund's average daily net assets for the month. This
results in the dollar amount of the basic fee.
|X| The +7 percentage point difference between the performance of the fund's
Class A shares and the record of the Index is multiplied by the performance
rate adjustment of 0.01% producing a rate of 0.07%.
|X| The 0.07% rate (adjusted for the number of days in the month) is multiplied
by the fund's average daily net assets for the performance period. This
results in the dollar amount of the performance adjustment.
|X| The dollar amount of the performance adjustment is added to the dollar
amount of the basic fee producing the adjusted management fee.
Example Assuming the Index outperforms the Fund
The example also makes these assumptions:
Fund's Fund's For the investment Index's performance relative to the performance period performance cumulative change Index ------------------ ----------- ----------------- ----- First day $10 100 Last day $11 120 Absolute change +$1 +$20 Actual change +10% +20% -10 percentage points |
Based on these assumptions, the fund calculates Pioneer's management fee rate for the last month of the performance period as follows:
|X| The portion of the annual basic fee rate of 0.60% (0.60% of the fund's
average daily net assets up to $5 billion, 0.575 on the next $5 billion and
0.550% on the excess over $10 billion) applicable to that month is
multiplied by the fund's average daily net assets for the month. This
results in the dollar amount of the basic fee.
|X| The -10 percentage point difference between the performance of the fund's
Class A shares and the record of the Index is multiplied by the performance
rate adjustment of 0.01% producing a rate of 0.10%.
|X| The - 0.10% rate (adjusted for the number of days in the month) is
multiplied by the fund's average daily net assets for the performance
period. This results in the dollar amount of the performance adjustment.
|X| The dollar amount of the performance adjustment is added to the dollar
amount of the basic fee producing the adjusted management fee.
If the record of the Index during the performance period exceeded the fund's performance, the dollar amount of the performance adjustment would be deducted from the dollar amount of the basic fee.
Because the adjustment to the basic fee is based on the comparative performance of the fund and the record of the Index, the controlling factor is not whether fund performance is up or down, but whether it is up or down more or less than the record of the Index. Moreover, the comparative investment performance of the fund is based solely on the relevant performance period without regard to the cumulative performance over a longer or shorter period of time. The fund has been advised that the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission takes the position that the Board may not substitute a new Index without shareholder approval. Consequently, until the position of the staff changes, the fund would submit any change in the Index to shareholders for their approval.
From time to time, the Trustees may determine that another securities index is a more appropriate benchmark than the Index for purposes of evaluating the performance of the fund. In such event, a successor index may be substituted for the Index in prospectively calculating the performance based adjustment to the basic fee. However, the calculation of the performance adjustment for any portion of the performance period prior to the adoption of the successor index would still be based upon the fund's performance compared to the Index.
It is not possible to predict the effect of the performance adjustment on the overall compensation to Pioneer in the future since it will depend on the performance of the fund relative to the record of the Index.
The board determined that it would be appropriate to increase Pioneer's compensation and that the amount of the increase should be greater when the fund's performance exceeds that of an objective index and, conversely, lower when the fund's performance is poorer than the record of that index. The Index was deemed appropriate for this comparison because it is composed of stocks similar to the securities in which the fund is permitted to invest. The board believes that a performance adjustment is appropriate for the fund and that providing incentives to Pioneer based on its performance benefits shareholders.
Under the terms of the management contract, the fund pays management fees at a rate equal to the basic fee plus or minus the amount of the performance adjustment for the current month and the preceding 35 months. At the end of each succeeding month, the performance period will roll forward one month so that it is always a 36-month period consisting of the current month and the prior 35 months as described above. The fund uses average daily net assets when calculating the rolling 36-month period.
Effective Date of Performance Adjustment
On April 17, 2003, the fund's shareholders approved, effective May 1, 2003, the adoption of the Index as the benchmark for the fund's performance fee adjustment. Previously, the fund used the Lipper Growth and Income Fund Index (the "Old Benchmark") as its performance benchmark. The calculation of the performance fee using the Index is being phased in over a 36-month period. Accordingly, the fund will pay management fees at a rate equal to the basic fee plus or minus the amount of the performance adjustment using the Old Benchmark with respect to any portion of the 36-month period occurring prior to May 1, 2003 and the Index for the portion of the 36-month period occurring after May 1, 2003.
The basic fee is computed and accrued daily, the performance fee adjustment is calculated once per month and the entire management fee is paid monthly.
See the table in Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information for management fees paid to Pioneer during recently completed fiscal years.
Expense Limit
Pioneer has agreed that through the second anniversary of the closing of the
Reorganization, Pioneer will limit the expenses (excluding extraordinary
expenses) of the Investor Class shares to 1.10% of average daily net assets.
Administration Agreement. The fund has entered into an administration agreement with Pioneer pursuant to which certain accounting, administration and legal services which are expenses payable by the fund under the management contract are performed by Pioneer and pursuant to which Pioneer is reimbursed for its costs of providing such services. The costs of these services is based on direct costs and costs of overhead, subject to annual approval by the Board of Trustees. See Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information for fees the fund paid to Pioneer for administration and related services.
Potential Conflicts of Interest. The fund is managed by Pioneer which also serves as investment adviser to other Pioneer mutual funds and other accounts with investment objectives identical or similar to those of the fund. Securities frequently meet the investment objectives of the fund, the other Pioneer mutual funds and such other accounts. In such cases, the decision to recommend a purchase to one fund or account rather than another is based on a number of factors. The determining factors in most cases are the amount of securities of the issuer then outstanding, the value of those securities and the market for them. Other factors considered in the investment recommendations include other investments which each fund or account presently has in a particular industry and the availability of investment funds in each fund or account.
It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by more than one fund and/or account. However, positions in the same issue may vary and the length of time that any fund or account may choose to hold its investment in the same issue may likewise vary. To the extent that more than one of the Pioneer mutual funds or a private account managed by Pioneer seeks to acquire the same security at about the same time, the fund may not be able to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay a higher price for the security. Similarly, the fund may not be able to obtain as large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any particular portfolio security if Pioneer decides to sell on behalf of another account the same portfolio security at the same time. On the other hand, if the same securities are bought or sold at the same time by more than one fund or account, the resulting participation in volume transactions could produce better executions for the fund. In the event more than one account purchases or sells the same security on a given date, the purchases and sales will normally be made as nearly as practicable on a pro rata basis in proportion to the amounts desired to be purchased or sold by each account. Although the other Pioneer mutual funds may have the same or similar investment objectives and policies as the fund, their portfolios do not generally consist of the same investments as the fund or each other, and their performance results are likely to differ from those of the fund.
Personal Securities Transactions. The fund, Pioneer, and PFD have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act which is applicable to officers, trustees/directors and designated employees of Pioneer and PIML. The code permits such persons to engage in personal securities transactions for their own accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund, and is designed to prescribe means reasonably necessary to prevent conflicts of interest from arising in connection with personal securities transactions. The code is on public file with and available from the SEC.
5. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND DISTRIBUTION PLANS
Principal Underwriter
PFD, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is the principal underwriter for the fund in connection with the continuous offering of its shares. PFD is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of PIM-USA.
The fund entered into an underwriting agreement with PFD which provides that PFD will bear expenses for the distribution of the fund's shares, except for expenses incurred by PFD for which it is reimbursed or compensated by the fund under the distribution plans (discussed below). PFD bears all expenses it incurs in providing services under the underwriting agreement. Such expenses include compensation to its employees and representatives and to securities dealers for distribution-related services performed for the fund. PFD also pays certain expenses in connection with the distribution of the fund's shares, including the cost of preparing, printing and distributing advertising or promotional materials, and the cost of printing and distributing prospectuses and supplements to prospective shareholders. The fund bears the cost of registering its shares under federal and state securities law and the laws of certain non-U.S. countries. Under the underwriting agreement, PFD will use its best efforts in rendering services to the fund.
See "Sales Charges" for the schedule of initial sales charge reallowed to dealers as a percentage of the offering price of the fund's Class A shares.
See the tables under "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for commissions retained by PFD and reallowed to dealers in connection with PFD's offering of the fund's Class A and Class C shares during recently completed fiscal years.
The fund will not generally issue fund shares for consideration other than cash. At the fund's sole discretion, however, it may issue fund shares for consideration other than cash in connection with a bona fide reorganization, statutory merger or other acquisition of portfolio securities.
It is the fund's general practice to repurchase its shares of beneficial interest for cash consideration in any amount; however, the redemption price of shares of the fund may, at Pioneer's discretion, be paid in portfolio securities. The fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to which the fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the fund's net asset value during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. Should the amount of redemptions by any shareholder exceed such limitation, the fund will have the option of redeeming the excess in cash or portfolio securities. In the latter case, the securities are taken at their value employed in determining the fund's net asset value. You may incur additional costs, such as brokerage fees and taxes, and risks, including a decline in the value of the securities you receive, if the fund makes an in-kind distribution. The selection of such securities will be made in such manner as the Board of Trustees deems fair and reasonable; however, the fund will not distribute illiquid securities in kind.
Distribution and Service Plans
The fund has adopted a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to its Class A shares (the "Class A Plan") and a plan of distribution with respect to its Class B shares (the "Class B Plan"), a plan of distribution with respect to its Class C shares (the "Class C Plan"), and a plan of distribution with respect to its Class R shares (the "Class R Plan") (together, the "Plans"), pursuant to which certain distribution and service fees are paid to PFD. The fund has not adopted a plan of distribution with respect to its Class Y shares or Investor Class shares. Because of the Plans, long-term shareholders may pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum sales charge permitted by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") regarding investment companies. The Class A Plan is a reimbursement plan, and distribution expenses of PFD are expected to substantially exceed the distribution fees paid by the fund in a given year. The Class B Plan, Class C Plan and Class R Plan are compensation plans, which means that the amount of payments under the plans are not linked to PFD's expenditures, and, consequently, PFD can make a profit under each of those plans. The fund has also adopted a Service Plan with respect to Class R shares that authorizes the fund to pay securities dealers, plan administrators or other service organizations for providing certain account maintenance services to shareowners.
Class A Plan. Pursuant to the Class A Plan the fund reimburses PFD for its
actual expenditures to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the
sale of Class A shares or to provide services to holders of Class A shares,
provided the categories of expenses for which reimbursement is made are approved
by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has approved the following
categories of expenses that may be reimbursed under the Class A Plan: (i) a
service fee to be paid to qualified broker-dealers in an amount not to exceed
0.25% per annum of the fund's daily net assets attributable to Class A shares;
(ii) reimbursement to PFD for its expenditures for broker-dealer commissions and
employee compensation on certain sales of the fund's Class A shares with no
initial sales charge; and (iii) reimbursement to PFD for expenses
incurred in providing services to Class A shareholders and supporting broker-dealers and other organizations (such as banks and trust companies) in their efforts to provide such services. The expenses of the fund pursuant to the Class A Plan are accrued daily at a rate which may not exceed the annual rate of 0.25% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.
The Class A Plan does not provide for the carryover of reimbursable expenses beyond 12 months from the time the fund is first invoiced for an expense. The limited carryover provision in the Class A Plan may result in an expense invoiced to the fund in one fiscal year being paid in the subsequent fiscal year and thus being treated for purposes of calculating the maximum expenditures of the fund as having been incurred in the subsequent fiscal year. In the event of termination or non-continuance of the Class A Plan, the fund has 12 months to reimburse any expense which it incurs prior to such termination or non-continuance, provided that payments by the fund during such 12-month period shall not exceed 0.25% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares during such period. See "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for the amount, if any, of carryover of distribution expenses as of the end of the most recent calendar year.
Class B Plan. PFD pays the selling broker-dealer a commission on the sale of Class B shares equal to 3.75% of the amount invested. This commission is paid at the time of sale of the Class B shares. In order to be entitled to a commission, the selling broker-dealer must have entered into a sales agreements with PFD. At the time of the sale of a Class B share, PFD may also advance to the broker-dealer, from PFD's own assets, the first-year service fee payable under the Class B Plan at a rate up to 0.25% of the purchase price of such shares. If such an advance is made, the broker-dealer would not receive any further service fee until the 13th month following the purchase of Class B shares. As compensation for advancing the service fee, PFD may retain the service fee paid by the fund with respect to such shares for the first year after purchase.
The Class B Plan provides that the fund shall pay to PFD, as the fund's distributor for its Class B shares:
o a distribution fee equal on an annual basis to 0.75% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. The distribution fee compensates PFD for its distribution services with respect to Class B shares. PFD pays the commissions to broker-dealers discussed above and also pays:
o the cost of printing prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes and the preparation and printing of sales literature and
o other distribution-related expenses, including, without limitation, the cost necessary to provide distribution-related services, or personnel, travel, office expenses and equipment.
o a service fee equal to 0.25% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares. PFD in turn pays the service fee to broker-dealers at a rate of up to 0.25% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares owned by shareholder for whom that broker-dealer is the holder or dealer of record. This service fee compensates the broker-dealer for providing personal services and/or account maintenance services rendered by the broker-dealer with respect to Class B shares. PFD may from time to time require that dealers, in addition to providing these services, meet certain criteria in order to receive service fees. PFD is entitled to retain all service fees with respect to Class B shares
for which there is no dealer of record or with respect to which a dealer is not otherwise entitled to a service fee. Such service fees are paid to PFD for personal services and/or account maintenance services that PFD or its affiliates perform for shareholder accounts.
PFD also receives contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSCs") attributable to Class B shares to compensate PFD for its distribution expenses. When a broker-dealer sells Class B shares and elects, with PFD's approval, to waive its right to receive the commission normally paid at the time of the sale, PFD may cause all or a portion of the distribution fees described above to be paid to the broker-dealer.
Since PFD pays commissions to broker-dealers at the time of the sale of Class B shares but only receives compensation for such expenses over time through the distribution fee and CDSC, the Class B Plan and underwriting agreement permit PFD to finance the payment of commissions to broker-dealers. In order to facilitate such financing, the fund has agreed that the distribution fee will not be terminated or modified (including a modification in the rules relating to the conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares) with respect to Class B shares:
o issued prior to the date of any termination or modification;
o attributable to Class B shares issued through one or a series of exchanges of shares of another investment company for which PFD acts as principal underwriter which were initially issued prior to the date of such termination or modification; or
o issued as a dividend or distribution upon Class B shares initially issued or attributable to Class B shares issued prior to the date of any such termination or modification.
The foregoing limitation does not apply to Class B shares issued after the termination or modification. The foregoing limitation on terminating or modifying the Class B Plan also does not apply to a termination or modification:
o if a change in the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations under the 1940 Act, the Conduct Rules of the NASD or an order of any court or governmental agency requires such termination or modification (e.g. if the Conduct Rules were amended to establish a lower limit on the maximum aggregate sales charges that could be imposed on sales of fund shares);
o if the fund (or any successor) terminates the Class B Plan and all payments under the plan and neither the fund (nor any successor) establishes another class of shares which has substantially similar characteristics to the Class B shares of the fund; or
o at any time by the Board of Trustees. However, the Board of Trustees may terminate or modify the Class B Plan only if the fund and Pioneer agree that none of the fund, PFD or any of their affiliates will pay, after the date of termination or modification, a service fee with respect to the fund's Class B shares and the termination or modification of the distribution fee applies equally to all Class B shares outstanding from time to time.
In the underwriting agreement, the fund agrees that subsequent to the issuance of a Class B share, the fund will not waive or change any CDSC (including a change in the rules applicable to conversion of Class B shares into another class) in respect of such Class B share, except:
o as provided in the fund's prospectus or statement of additional information; or
o as required by a change in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the Conduct Rules of the NASD or any order of any court or governmental agency.
Class C Plan. Commissions on the sale of Class C shares of up to 0.75% of the amount invested in Class C shares are paid to broker-dealers who have sales agreements with PFD. PFD may also advance to dealers the first-year service fee payable under the Class C Plan at a rate up to 0.25% of the purchase price of such shares. As compensation for such advance of the service fee, PFD may retain the service fee paid by the fund with respect to such shares for the first year after purchase.
The Class C Plan provides that the fund will pay PFD, as the fund's distributor for its Class C shares, a distribution fee accrued daily and paid quarterly, equal on an annual basis to 0.75% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares and will pay PFD a service fee equal to 0.25% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. PFD will in turn pay to securities dealers that enter into a sales agreement with PFD a distribution fee and a service fee at rates of up to 0.75% and 0.25%, respectively, of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares owned by investors for whom that securities dealer is the holder or dealer of record. The service fee is intended to be in consideration of personal services and/or account maintenance services rendered by the dealer with respect to Class C shares. PFD will advance to dealers the first-year service fee at a rate equal to 0.25% of the amount invested. As compensation therefor, PFD may retain the service fee paid by the fund with respect to such shares for the first year after purchase. Commencing in the 13th month following the purchase of Class C shares, dealers will become eligible for additional annual distribution fees and service fees of up to 0.75% and 0.25%, respectively, of the net asset value of such shares. Dealers may from time to time be required to meet certain other criteria in order to receive service fees. PFD or its affiliates are entitled to retain all service fees payable under the Class C Plan for which there is no dealer of record or for which qualification standards have not been met as partial consideration for personal services and/or account maintenance services performed by PFD or its affiliates for shareholder accounts.
The purpose of distribution payments to PFD under the Class C Plan is to compensate PFD for its distribution services with respect to Class C shares of the fund. PFD pays commissions to dealers as well as expenses of printing prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses with respect to the preparation and printing of sales literature and other distribution-related expenses, including, without limitation, the cost necessary to provide distribution-related services, or personnel, travel, office expenses and equipment. The Class C Plan also provides that PFD will receive all CDSCs attributable to Class C shares. When a broker-dealer sells Class C shares and elects, with PFD's approval, to waive its right to receive the commission normally paid at the time of the sale, PFD may cause all or a portion of the distribution fees described above to be paid to the broker-dealer.
Class R Plan. The Class R Plan provides that the fund will pay PFD, as the fund's distributor for its Class R shares, a distribution fee accrued daily and paid quarterly, equal on an annual basis to 0.50% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares. PFD pays the selling broker-dealer a continuing asset based fee equal on an annual basis to 0.50% of the average daily net asset value of the Class R shares for which the broker-dealer is the dealer of record. Dealers may from time to time be required to meet certain other criteria in order to receive distribution fees.
The purpose of distribution payments to PFD under the Class R Plan is to compensate PFD for its distribution services with respect to Class R shares of the fund. PFD pays the expenses of printing prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses with respect to the preparation and printing of sales literature and other distribution-related expenses, including, without limitation, the cost necessary to provide distribution-related services, or personnel, travel, office expenses and equipment.
The fund also has adopted a separate Service Plan. The Service Plan authorizes the fund to pay securities dealers, plan administrators or other service organizations who agree to provide certain services to plans or plan participants holding shares of the fund a service fee of up to 0.25% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares held by such plan participants. These services may include (a) acting, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder of record and nominee for all plan participants; (b) maintaining account records for each plan participant that beneficially owns Class R shares; (c) processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Class R shares on behalf of plan participants, and handling the transmission of funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds; and (d) addressing plan participant questions regarding their accounts and the fund.
General
In accordance with the terms of each Plan, PFD provides to the fund for review by the Trustees a quarterly written report of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. In the Trustees' quarterly review of the Plans, they will consider the continued appropriateness and the level of reimbursement or compensation the Plans provide.
No interested person of the fund, nor any Trustee of the fund who is not an interested person of the fund, has any direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans except to the extent that PFD and certain of its employees may be deemed to have such an interest as a result of receiving a portion of the amounts expended under the Plans by the fund and except to the extent certain officers may have an interest in PFD's ultimate parent, UniCredito Italiano, or in UniCredito Italiano's subsidiaries.
Each Plan's adoption, terms, continuance and termination are governed by Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees believes that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the fund and its current and future shareholders. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the annual percentage limitation of average net assets which may be spent for the services described therein without approval of the shareholders of the fund affected thereby, and material amendments of the Plans must also be approved by the Trustees as provided in Rule 12b-1.
See "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for fund expenses under the Class A Plan, Class B Plan, Class C Plan and Class R Plan and CDSCs paid to PFD for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Upon redemption, Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC, Class B shares are subject to a CDSC at a rate declining from a maximum 4% of the lower of the cost or market value of the shares and Class C shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC. Class R, Class Y and Investor class shares are not subject to a CDSC.
6. SHAREHOLDER SERVICING/TRANSFER AGENT
The fund has contracted with PIMSS, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, to act as shareholder servicing and transfer agent for the fund.
Under the terms of its contract with the fund, PIMSS services shareholder accounts, and its duties include: (i) processing sales, redemptions and exchanges of shares of the fund; (ii) distributing dividends and capital gains associated with the fund's portfolio; and (iii) maintaining account records and responding to shareholder inquiries.
PIMSS receives an annual fee of $26.60 for each shareholder account from the fund as compensation for the services described above. PIMSS is also reimbursed by the fund for its cash out-of-pocket expenditures. The fund may compensate entities which have agreed to provide certain sub-accounting services such as specific transaction processing and recordkeeping services. Any such payments by the fund would be in lieu of the per account fee which would otherwise be paid by the fund to PIMSS.
7. CUSTODIAN
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is the custodian of the fund's assets. The custodian's responsibilities include safekeeping and controlling the fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the fund's investments.
8. INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Ernst & Young LLP, 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, the fund's independent registered public accounting firm, provides audit services, tax return review, and assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of filings with the SEC.
9. PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Additional Information About the Portfolio Managers
Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers. The table below indicates, for each portfolio manager of the fund, information about the accounts other than the fund over which the portfolio manager has day-to-day investment responsibility. All information on the number of accounts and total assets in the table is as of September 30, 2005. For purposes of the table, "Other Pooled Investment Vehicles" may include investment partnerships, undertakings for collective investments in transferable securities ("UCITS") and other non-U.S. investment funds and group trusts, and "Other Accounts" may include separate accounts for institutions or individuals, insurance company general or separate accounts, pension funds and other similar institutional accounts. Certain funds and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager may have substantially similar investment strategies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name of Type of Account Number of Accounts Total Assets Number of Assets Managed for Portfolio Managed Managed Accounts which Advisory Fee Manager Managed for is Performance-Based which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J. Rodman Wright Other Registered 5 $3,453,258,000 1 $3,050,923,000 Investment Companies ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Pooled 2 $1,295,714,000 N/A N/A Investment Vehicles ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Accounts --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aaron C. Clark Other Registered 1 $15,478,000 N/A N/A Investment Companies ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Pooled 0 0 N/A N/A Investment Vehicles ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Accounts N/A N/A --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Potential Conflicts of Interest. When a portfolio manager is responsible for the management of more than one account, the potential arises for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The principal types of potential conflicts of interest that may arise are discussed below. For the reasons outlined below, Pioneer does not believe that any material conflicts are likely to arise out of a portfolio manager's responsibility for the management of the fund as well as one or more other accounts. Although Pioneer has adopted procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities laws and to mitigate the potential for conflicts of interest to affect its portfolio management decisions, there can be no assurance that all conflicts will be identified or that all procedures will be effective in mitigating the potential for such risks. Generally, the risks of such conflicts of interests are increased to the extent that a portfolio manager has a financial incentive to favor one account over another. Pioneer has structured its compensation arrangements in a manner that is intended to limit such potential for conflicts of interests. See "Compensation of Portfolio Managers" below.
o A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in allocating new investment opportunities that have limited supply, such as initial public offerings and private placements. If, for example, an initial public offering that was expected to appreciate in value significantly shortly after the offering was allocated to a single account, that account may be expected to have better investment performance than other accounts that did not receive an allocation of the initial public offering. Generally, investments for which there is limited availability are allocated based upon a range of factors including available cash and consistency with the accounts' investment objectives and policies. This allocation methodology necessarily involves some subjective elements but is intended over time to treat each client in an equitable and fair manner. Generally, the investment opportunity is allocated among participating accounts on a pro rata basis. Although Pioneer believes that its practices are reasonably designed to treat each client in an equitable and fair manner, there may be instances where a fund may not participate, or may participate to a lesser degree than other clients, in the allocation of an investment opportunity.
o A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in the order in which trades for the accounts are placed. If a portfolio manager determines to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the security, accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts that made subsequent transactions. The less liquid the market for the security or the greater the percentage that the proposed aggregate purchases or sales represent of average daily trading volume, the greater the potential for accounts that make subsequent purchases or sales to receive a less favorable price. When a portfolio manager intends to trade the same security on the same day for more than one account, the trades typically are "bunched," which means that the trades for the individual accounts are aggregated and each account receives the same price. There are some types of accounts as to which bunching may not be possible for contractual reasons (such as directed brokerage arrangements). Circumstances may also arise where the trader believes that bunching the orders may not result in the best possible price. Where those accounts or circumstances are involved, Pioneer will place the order in a manner intended to result in as favorable a price as possible for such client.
o A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager's compensation is tied to the performance of that account to a greater degree than other accounts managed by the portfolio manager. If, for example, the portfolio manager receives a bonus based upon the performance of certain accounts relative to a benchmark while other accounts are disregarded for this purpose, the portfolio manager will have a financial incentive to seek
to have the accounts that determine the portfolio manager's bonus achieve the best possible performance to the possible detriment of other accounts. Similarly, if Pioneer receives a performance-based advisory fee, the portfolio manager may favor that account, whether or not the performance of that account directly determines the portfolio manager's compensation.
o A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager has a beneficial interest in the account, in order to benefit a large client or to compensate a client that had poor returns. For example, if the portfolio manager held an interest in an investment partnership that was one of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager, the portfolio manager would have an economic incentive to favor the account in which the portfolio manager held an interest.
o If the different accounts have materially and potentially conflicting investment objectives or strategies, a conflict of interest could arise. For example, if a portfolio manager purchases a security for one account and sells the same security for another account, such trading pattern may disadvantage either the account that is long or short. In making portfolio manager assignments, Pioneer seeks to avoid such potentially conflicting situations. However, where a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts with differing investment objectives and policies, it is possible that the portfolio manager will conclude that it is in the best interest of one account to sell a portfolio security while another account continues to hold or increase the holding in such security.
Compensation of Portfolio Managers. Pioneer has adopted a system of compensation for portfolio managers and seeks to align the financial interests of the portfolio managers with both those of shareholders of the accounts the portfolio managers manage, through incentive payments based in part on the relative investment performance of those funds, and also Pioneer through incentive payments based in part on Pioneer's financial performance. Pioneer's compensation arrangements with its portfolio managers are determined on the basis of the portfolio manager's overall services to Pioneer and its affiliates and not on the basis of specific funds or accounts managed by the portfolio manager. The compensation program for all Pioneer portfolio managers includes a base salary (determined by the rank and tenure of the employee) and an annual bonus program, as well as customary benefits that are offered generally to all full-time employees. Base compensation is fixed and normally reevaluated on an annual basis. Pioneer seeks to set base compensation at market rates, taking into account the experience and responsibilities of the portfolio manager. The bonus plan is intended to provide a competitive level of annual bonus compensation that is tied to the portfolio manager achieving superior investment performance and aligns the financial incentives of Pioneer and the investment professional. Any bonus under the plan is completely discretionary, with a maximum annual bonus that may be in excess of base salary. The annual bonus is based upon a combination of the following factors:
o Quantitative Investment Performance. The quantitative investment performance calculation is based on pre-tax performance of all of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager (which includes the fund and any other accounts managed by the portfolio manager) over a one-year period (20% weighting) and four-year period (80% weighting), measured for periods ending on December 31. The accounts, which include the fund, are ranked against a group of mutual funds with similar investment objectives and investment focus (60%) and a broad-based securities market index measuring the performance of the same type of securities in which the accounts invest (40%), which, in the case of the fund, is the Russell 1000 Value Index. As a result of these two benchmarks, the performance of the portfolio manager for compensation purposes is
measured against the criteria that are relevant to the portfolio manager's competitive universe.
o Qualitative Performance. The qualitative performance component with respect to all of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager includes objectives, such as effectiveness in the areas of teamwork, leadership, communications and marketing, that are mutually established and evaluated by each portfolio manager and management.
o Pioneer Results and Business Line Results. Pioneer's financial performance, as well as the investment performance of its investment management group, affect a portfolio manager's actual bonus by a leverage factor of plus or minus (+/-) a predetermined percentage.
Certain portfolio managers participate in an incentive plan whereby senior executives or other key employees are granted options in stock of Pioneer Global Asset Management S.p.A., an affiliate of Pioneer, at the then fair value of the underlying stock. These options are generally exercisable within three years.
Share Ownership by Portfolio Managers. The following table indicates as of September 30, 2005 the value, within the indicated range, of shares beneficially owned by the portfolio managers of the fund.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name of Portfolio Manager Beneficial Ownership of the Fund* -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J. Rodman Clark E -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aaron C. Clark D -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
*Key to Dollar Ranges
A. None
B. $1 - $10,000
C. $10,001 - $50,000
D. $50,001 - $100,000
E. $100,001 - $500,000
F. $500,001 - $1,000,000
G. Over $1,000,000
10. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed on behalf of the fund by Pioneer pursuant to authority contained in the fund's management contract. Securities purchased and sold on behalf of the fund normally will be traded in the over-the counter market on a net basis (i.e. without commission) through dealers acting for their own account and not as brokers or otherwise through transactions directly with the issuer of the instrument. The cost of securities purchased from underwriters includes an underwriter's commission or concession, and the prices at which securities are purchased and sold from and to dealers include a dealer's markup or markdown. Pioneer normally seeks to deal directly with the primary market makers unless, in its opinion, better prices are available elsewhere. Pioneer seeks to obtain the best execution on portfolio trades. The price of securities and any commission rate paid are always factors, but frequently not the only factors, in judging best execution. In selecting brokers or dealers, Pioneer considers various relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the size and type of the transaction; the nature and character of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold; the
execution efficiency, settlement capability and financial condition of the dealer; the dealer's execution services rendered on a continuing basis; and the reasonableness of any dealer spreads. Transactions in non-U.S. equity securities are executed by broker-dealers in non-U.S. countries in which commission rates may not be negotiable (as such rates are in the U.S.).
Pioneer may select broker-dealers that provide brokerage and/or research services to the fund and/or other investment companies or other accounts managed by Pioneer over which it or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. In addition, consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, if Pioneer determines in good faith that the amount of commissions charged by a broker-dealer is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker, the fund may pay commissions to such broker-dealer in an amount greater than the amount another firm may charge. Such services may include advice concerning the value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities; the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities; providing stock quotation services, credit rating service information and comparative fund statistics; furnishing analyses, electronic information services, manuals and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and performance of accounts and particular investment decisions; and effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement). Pioneer maintains a listing of broker-dealers who provide such services on a regular basis. However, because many transactions on behalf of the fund and other investment companies or accounts managed by Pioneer are placed with broker-dealers (including broker-dealers on the listing) without regard to the furnishing of such services, it is not possible to estimate the proportion of such transactions directed to such dealers solely because such services were provided. Pioneer believes that no exact dollar value can be calculated for such services.
The research received from broker-dealers may be useful to Pioneer in rendering investment management services to the fund as well as other investment companies or other accounts managed by Pioneer, although not all such research may be useful to the fund. Conversely, such information provided by brokers or dealers who have executed transaction orders on behalf of such other accounts may be useful to Pioneer in carrying out its obligations to the fund. The receipt of such research has not reduced Pioneer's normal independent research activities; however, it enables Pioneer to avoid the additional expenses which might otherwise be incurred if it were to attempt to develop comparable information through its own staff.
The fund may participate in third-party brokerage and/or expense offset arrangements to reduce the fund's total operating expenses. Pursuant to third-party brokerage arrangements, the fund may incur lower expenses by directing brokerage to third-party broker-dealers which have agreed to use part of their commission to pay the fund's fees to service providers unaffiliated with Pioneer or other expenses. Since the commissions paid to the third party brokers reflect a commission cost that the fund would generally expect to incur on its brokerage transactions but not necessarily the lowest possible commission, this arrangement is intended to reduce the fund's operating expenses without increasing the cost of its brokerage commissions. Since use of such directed brokerage is subject to the requirement to achieve best execution in connection with the fund's brokerage transactions, there can be no assurance that such arrangements will be utilized. Pursuant to expense offset arrangements, the fund may incur lower transfer agency expenses due to interest earned on cash held with the transfer agent. See "Financial highlights" in the prospectus.
See the table in "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for aggregate brokerage and underwriting commissions paid by the fund in connection with its portfolio transactions during recently completed fiscal years. The Board of Trustees periodically reviews Pioneer's
performance of its responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund.
11. DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
As an open-end management investment company, the fund continuously offers its shares to the public and under normal conditions must redeem its shares upon the demand of any shareholder at the next determined net asset value per share less any applicable CDSC. See "Sales Charges." When issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the prospectus and statement of additional information, shares of the fund are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares will remain on deposit with the fund's transfer agent and certificates will not normally be issued.
The fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated as of April 26, 1996 (the "Declaration"), as amended from time to time, permits the Board of Trustees to authorize the issuance of an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest which may be divided into such separate series as the Trustees may establish. Currently, the fund consists of only one series. The Trustees may, however, establish additional series of shares and may divide or combine the shares into a greater or lesser number of shares without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the fund. The Declaration further authorizes the Trustees to classify or reclassify any series of the shares into one or more classes. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have authorized the issuance of the following classes of shares of the fund, designated as Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, Class R shares, Class Y shares and Investor Class shares. Each share of a class of the fund represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the fund allocable to that class. Upon liquidation of the fund, shareholders of each class of the fund are entitled to share pro rata in the fund's net assets allocable to such class available for distribution to shareholders. The fund reserves the right to create and issue additional series or classes of shares, in which case the shares of each class of a series would participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets allocable to that class of the particular series.
The shares of each class represent an interest in the same portfolio of investments of the fund. Each class has equal rights as to voting, redemption, dividends and liquidation, except that each class bears different distribution (including in the case of Class R shares, fees under the Service Plan) and transfer agent fees and may bear other expenses properly attributable to the particular class. Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class R shareholders have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Rule 12b-1 Plans adopted by holders of those shares in connection with the distribution of shares.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held and may vote in the election of Trustees and on other matters submitted to a meeting of shareholders. Although Trustees are not elected annually by the shareholders, shareholders have, under certain circumstances, the right to remove one or more Trustees. The fund is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual shareholder meetings although special meetings may be called for the purpose of electing or removing Trustees, changing fundamental investment restrictions or approving a management contract.
The shares of each series of the fund are entitled to vote separately to approve investment advisory agreements or changes in investment restrictions, but shareholders of all series vote together in the election and selection of Trustees and accountants. Shares of all series of the fund vote together as a class on matters that affect all series of the fund in substantially the same manner. As to matters affecting a single series or class, shares of such series or class will vote separately. No amendment adversely affecting the rights of shareholders may be made to the Declaration without the affirmative vote of a majority of the fund's shares. Shares have no
preemptive or conversion rights, except that under certain circumstances Class B shares may convert to Class A shares. All Investor Class shares of the fund convert to Class A shares of the fund on December 10, 2006, as described in the fund's Investor Class prospectus.
As a Delaware statutory trust, the fund's operations are governed by the Declaration. Generally, Delaware statutory trust shareholders are not personally liable for obligations of the Delaware statutory trust under Delaware law. The Delaware Statutory Trust Act (the "Delaware Act") provides that a shareholder of a Delaware statutory trust shall be entitled to the same limitation of liability extended to shareholders of private for-profit corporations. The Declaration expressly provides that the fund is organized under the Delaware Act and that the Declaration is to be governed by Delaware law. There is nevertheless a possibility that a Delaware statutory trust, such as the fund, might become a party to an action in another state whose courts refused to apply Delaware law, in which case the fund's shareholders could become subject to personal liability.
To guard against this risk, the Declaration (i) contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the fund and provides that notice of such disclaimer may be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the fund or its Trustees, (ii) provides for the indemnification out of fund property of any shareholders held personally liable for any obligations of the fund or any series of the fund and (iii) provides that the fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss beyond his or her investment because of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which all of the following factors are present: (1) a court refused to apply Delaware law; (2) the liability arose under tort law or, if not, no contractual limitation of liability was in effect; and (3) the fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations. In light of Delaware law, the nature of the fund's business and the nature of its assets, the risk of personal liability to a fund shareholder is remote.
In addition to the requirements under Delaware law, the Declaration provides that a shareholder of the fund may bring a derivative action on behalf of the fund only if the following conditions are met: (a) shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the fund, or 10% of the outstanding shares of the series or class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and (b) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the fund for the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
The Declaration further provides that the fund shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with, or arising out of, any action, suit or proceeding, threatened against or otherwise involving such Trustee or officer, directly or indirectly, by reason of being or having been a Trustee or officer of the fund. The Declaration does not authorize the fund to indemnify any Trustee or officer against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of or for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such person's duties.
The Declaration provides that any Trustee who is not an "interested person" of Pioneer shall be considered to be independent for purposes of Delaware law notwithstanding the fact that such Trustee receives compensation for serving as a trustee of the fund or other investment companies for which Pioneer acts as investment adviser.
12. SALES CHARGES
The fund continuously offers the following classes of shares designated as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Class Y as described in the prospectus. The fund is not offering additional Investor Class shares except in connection with the reinvestment of dividends on the fund's outstanding Investor Class shares. The fund offers its shares at a reduced sales charge to investors who meet certain criteria that permit the fund's shares to be sold with low distribution costs. These criteria are described below or in the prospectus.
Class A Share Sales Charges
You may buy Class A shares at the public offering price, including a sales charge, as follows:
Sales Charge as a % of ---------------------- Offering Net Amount Dealer Amount of Purchase Price Invested Reallowance Less than $50,000 5.75 6.10 5.00 $50,000 but less than $100,000 4.50 4.71 4.00 $100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63 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 1.75 $1,000,000 or more 0.00 0.00 see below |
The schedule of sales charges above is applicable to purchases of Class A shares of the fund by (i) an individual, (ii) an individual and his or her spouse and children under the age of 21 and (iii) a trustee or other fiduciary of a trust estate or fiduciary account or related trusts or accounts including pension, profit-sharing and other employee benefit trusts qualified under Sections 401 or 408 of the Code although more than one beneficiary is involved; however, pension, profit-sharing and other employee benefit trusts qualified under Sections 401 or 408 of the Code which are eligible to purchase Class R shares may aggregate purchases by beneficiaries of such plans only if the pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit trust has determined that it does not require the services provided under the Class R Service Plan. The sales charges applicable to a current purchase of Class A shares of the fund by a person listed above is determined by adding the value of shares to be purchased to the aggregate value (at the then current offering price) of shares of any of the other Pioneer mutual funds previously purchased and then owned, provided PFD is notified by such person or his or her broker-dealer each time a purchase is made which would qualify. Pioneer mutual funds include all mutual funds for which PFD serves as principal underwriter. At the sole discretion of PFD, holdings of funds domiciled outside the U.S., but which are managed by affiliates of Pioneer, may be included for this purpose.
No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1 million or more, or for purchases by participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans described below subject to a CDSC of 1% which may be imposed in the event of a redemption of Class A shares within 18 months of purchase (one year of purchase for shares purchased prior to February 1, 2004). PFD may, in its discretion, pay a commission to broker-dealers who initiate and are responsible for such purchases as follows:
Accounts Other than Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1.00% Up to $4 million 0.50% Next $46 million 0.25% Over $50 million |
Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
0.50% Up to $50 million 0.25% Over $50 million |
These commissions shall not be payable if the purchaser is affiliated with the broker-dealer or if the purchase represents the reinvestment of a redemption made during the previous 12 calendar months. Broker-dealers who receive a commission in connection with Class A share purchases at net asset value by employer-sponsored retirement plans with at least $10 million in total plan assets (or that has 1,000 or more eligible participants for employer-sponsored retirement plans with accounts established with Pioneer on or before March 31, 2004) will be required to return any commissions paid or a pro rata portion thereof if the retirement plan redeems its shares within 18 months of purchase.
If an investor eligible to purchase Class R shares is otherwise qualified to purchase Class A shares at net asset value or at a reduced sales charge, Class A shares may be selected where the investor does not require the distribution and account services needs typically required by Class R share investors and/or the broker-dealer has elected to forgo the level of compensation that Class R shares provides.
Letter of Intent ("LOI"). Reduced sales charges are available for purchases of $50,000 or more of Class A shares (excluding any reinvestments of dividends and capital gain distributions) made within a 13-month period pursuant to an LOI which may be established by completing the Letter of Intent section of the Account Application. The reduced sales charge will be the charge that would be applicable to the purchase of the specified amount of Class A shares as if the shares had all been purchased at the same time. A purchase not made pursuant to an LOI may be included if the LOI is submitted to PIMSS within 90 days of such purchase. You may also obtain the reduced sales charge by including the value (at current offering price) of all your Class A shares in the fund and all other Pioneer mutual funds held of record as of the date of your LOI in the amount used to determine the applicable sales charge for the Class A shares to be purchased under the LOI. Five percent of your total intended purchase amount will be held in escrow by PIMSS, registered in your name, until the terms of the LOI are fulfilled. When you sign the Account Application, you agree to irrevocably appoint PIMSS your attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any or all shares held in escrow with full power of substitution. An LOI is not a binding obligation upon the investor to purchase, or the fund to sell, the amount specified in the LOI.
If the total purchases, less redemptions, exceed the amount specified under the LOI and are in an amount that would qualify for a further quantity discount, all transactions will be recomputed on the expiration date of the LOI to effect the lower sales charge. Any difference in the sales charge resulting from such recomputation will be either delivered to you in cash or invested in additional shares at the lower sales charge. The dealer, by signing the Account Application, agrees to return to PFD, as part of such retroactive adjustment, the excess of the commission previously reallowed or paid to the dealer over that which is applicable to the actual amount of the total purchases under the LOI.
If the total purchases, less redemptions, are less than the amount specified under the LOI, you must remit to PFD any difference between the sales charge on the amount actually purchased and the amount originally specified in the LOI. When the difference is paid, the shares held in escrow
will be deposited to your account. If you do not pay the difference in sales charge within 20 days after written request from PFD or your dealer, PIMSS, after receiving instructions from PFD, will redeem the appropriate number of shares held in escrow to realize the difference and release any excess.
Class B Shares
You may buy Class B shares at the net asset value per share next computed after receipt of a purchase order without the imposition of an initial sales charge; however, Class B shares redeemed within five years of purchase will be subject to a CDSC at the rates shown in the table below. The charge will be assessed on the amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in account value above the initial purchase price, including shares derived from the reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions.
The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of purchase until the time of redemption of Class B shares. In processing redemptions of Class B shares, the fund will first redeem shares not subject to any CDSC and then shares held longest during the five-year period. As a result, you will pay the lowest possible CDSC.
The CDSC for Class B shares subject to a CDSC upon redemption will be determined as follows:
CDSC as a % of Dollar Year Since Purchase Amount Subject to CDSC First 4.0 Second 4.0 Third 3.0 Fourth 2.0 Fifth 1.0 Sixth and thereafter 0.0 |
Shares purchased prior to December 1, 2004 remain subject to the contingent deferred sales charges in effect at the time you purchased those shares. Shares purchased as part of an exchange or acquired as a result of a reorganization of another fund into the fund remain subject to any CDSC that applied to the shares you originally purchased.
Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to PFD and are used in whole or in part to defray PFD's expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the fund in connection with the sale of Class B shares, including the payment of compensation to broker-dealers.
Class B shares will automatically convert into Class A shares eight years after the purchase date, except as noted below. Class B shares acquired by exchange from Class B shares of another Pioneer mutual fund will convert into Class A shares based on the date of the initial purchase and the applicable CDSC. Class B shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions will convert into Class A shares over time in the same proportion as other shares held in the account. For this purpose, Class B shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions will be attributed to particular purchases of Class B shares in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees may determine from time to time. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares is subject to the continuing availability of a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or an opinion of counsel that such conversions will not constitute taxable events for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares will not occur if such ruling or opinion is not available and, therefore, Class B shares would continue to be subject to higher expenses than Class A shares for an indeterminate period.
Class C Shares
You may buy Class C shares at net asset value per share next computed after receipt of a purchase order without the imposition of an initial sales charge; however, Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a CDSC of 1%. The charge will be assessed on the amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in account value above the initial purchase price, including shares derived from the reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. Class C shares do not convert to any other class of fund shares.
In processing redemptions of Class C shares, the fund will first redeem shares not subject to any CDSC and then shares held for the longest period of time during the one-year period. As a result, you will pay the lowest possible CDSC.
Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to PFD and are used in whole or in part to defray PFD's expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the fund in connection with the sale of Class C shares, including the payment of compensation to broker-dealers.
Class R Shares
You may buy Class R shares at the net asset value per share next computed after receipt of a purchase order without the imposition of an initial sales charge
Class R shares are available to certain tax-deferred retirement plans (including 401(k) plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, 457 plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans) held in plan level or omnibus accounts. Class R shares also are available to individual retirement account rollovers from eligible retirement plans that offered one or more Pioneer funds as investment options. Class R shares generally are not available to non-retirement accounts, traditional and Roth IRA's, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEP's, SAR-SEP's, Simple IRA's, individual 403(b)'s or retirement plans that are not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
Investors that are eligible to purchase Class R shares may also be eligible to purchase other share classes. Your investment professional can help you determine which class is appropriate. You should ask your investment professional if you qualify for a waiver of sales charges on another class and take that into consideration when selecting a class of shares. Your investment firm may receive different compensation depending upon which class is chosen.
Class Y and Investor Class Shares
No front-end, deferred or asset based sales charges are applicable to Class Y shares and Investor Class shares. Investor Class shares convert to Class A shares on December 10, 2006.
Additional Payments to Dealers
From time to time, PFD or its affiliates may elect to make payments to broker-dealers in addition to the commissions described above. PFD may elect to reallow the entire initial sales charge to
participating dealers for all Class A sales with respect to which orders are placed during a particular period. Dealers to whom substantially the entire sales charge is reallowed may be deemed to be underwriters under federal securities laws. Contingent upon the achievement of certain sales objectives, PFD may pay to Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. a fee of up to 0.20% on qualifying sales of the fund's Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class R shares through such dealer. In addition, PFD or its affiliates may elect to pay broker-dealers an additional commission based on the net asset value of all of the fund's Class B, Class C, or Class R shares sold by a dealer during a particular period.
PFD may elect to pay, at its own expense, additional cash or other incentives to dealers that sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the fund. Such cash or other incentives may take the form of payment for attendance at preapproved conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other employees, payment for travel expenses, including lodging, incurred by registered representatives and other employees for such seminars or training programs, seminars for the public, advertising and preapproved sales campaigns or dealer-sponsored events. PFD may also elect to make expense reimbursements for special training of a dealer's registered representatives and other employees in group meetings or to help pay the expenses of sales contests. PFD will offer such cash and other incentives only to the extent permitted by applicable law or by a self-regulatory agency such as the NASD.
13. REDEEMING SHARES
Redemptions may be suspended or payment postponed during any period in which any of the following conditions exist: the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is closed or trading on the Exchange is restricted; an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the fund to fairly determine the value of the net assets of its portfolio; or the SEC, by order, so permits.
Redemptions and repurchases are taxable transactions for shareholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax. The net asset value per share received upon redemption or repurchase may be more or less than the cost of shares to an investor, depending on the market value of the portfolio at the time of redemption or repurchase.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan(s) ("SWP") (Class A, B, C, and R shares). A SWP is designed to provide a convenient method of receiving fixed payments at regular intervals from fund share accounts having a total value of not less than $10,000. You must also be reinvesting all dividends and capital gain distributions to use the SWP option.
Periodic payments of $50 or more will be deposited monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually directly into a bank account designated by the applicant or will be sent by check to the applicant, or any person designated by the applicant. Payments can be made either by check or electronic funds transfer to a bank account designated by you. Withdrawals from Class B and Class C share accounts are limited to 10% of the value of the account at the time the SWP is established. See "Qualifying for a reduced sales charge" in the prospectus. If you direct that withdrawal payments be paid to another person, want to change the bank where payments are sent or designate an address that is different from the account's address of record after you have opened your account, a medallion signature guarantee must accompany your instructions. Withdrawals under the SWP are redemptions that may have tax consequences for you.
While you are making systematic withdrawals from your account,, you may pay unnecessary initial sales charges on additional purchases of Class A shares or contingent deferred sales
charges. SWP redemptions reduce and may ultimately exhaust the number of shares in your account. In addition, the amounts received by a shareholder cannot be considered as yield or income on his or her investment because part of such payments may be a return of his or her investment.
A SWP may be terminated at any time (1) by written notice to PIMSS or from PIMSS to the shareholder; (2) upon receipt by PIMSS of appropriate evidence of the shareholder's death; or (3) when all shares in the shareholder's account have been redeemed.
You may obtain additional information by calling PIMSS at 1-800-225-6292.
Reinstatement Privilege (Class A and Class B Shares). Subject to the provisions outlined in the prospectus, you may reinvest all or part of your sale proceeds from Class A or Class B shares without a sales charge into Class A shares of a Pioneer mutual fund. However, the distributor will not pay your investment firm a commission on any reinvested amount.
14. TELEPHONE AND ONLINE TRANSACTIONS
You may purchase, exchange or sell Class A, Class B or Class C shares by telephone or online. Class R and Class Y shares may not be purchased by telephone, and Class R and Class Y shareowners are not eligible for online transaction privileges. The fund is not offering additional Investor Class shares except in connection with the reinvestment of dividends on the fund's outstanding Investor Class shares. See the prospectus for more information. For personal assistance, call 1-800-225-6292 between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Class Y account holders should contact Pioneer's Group Plans Department at 1-800-665-8839 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.) Eastern time on weekdays. Computer-assisted telephone transactions may be available to shareholders who have prerecorded certain bank information (see "FactFone(SM)"). You are strongly urged to consult with your investment professional prior to requesting any telephone or online transaction.
Telephone Transaction Privileges. To confirm that each transaction instruction received by telephone is genuine, the fund will record each telephone transaction, require the caller to provide validating information for the account and send you a written confirmation of each telephone transaction. Different procedures may apply to accounts that are registered to non-U.S. citizens or that are held in the name of an institution or in the name of an investment broker-dealer or other third party. If reasonable procedures, such as those described above, are not followed, the fund may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. The fund may implement other procedures from time to time. In all other cases, neither the fund, PIMSS nor PFD will be responsible for the authenticity of instructions received by telephone; therefore, you bear the risk of loss for unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transactions.
Online Transaction Privileges. If your account is registered in your name, you may be able buy, exchange or sell fund shares online. Your investment firm may also be able to buy, exchange or sell your fund shares online.
To establish online transaction privileges:
|X| For new accounts, complete the online section of the account application
|X| For existing accounts, complete an account options form, write to the
transfer agent or complete the online authorization screen on
www.pioneerfunds.com
To use online transactions, you must read and agree to the terms of an online transaction agreement available on the Pioneer website. When you or your investment firm requests an online transaction the transfer agent electronically records the transaction, requires an authorizing password and sends a written confirmation. The fund may implement other procedures from time to time. Different procedures may apply if you have a non-U.S. account or if your account is registered in the name of an institution, broker-dealer or other third party. You may not be able to use the online transaction privilege for certain types of accounts, including most retirement accounts.
Telephone and Website Online Access. You may have difficulty contacting the fund by telephone or accessing pioneerfunds.com during times of market volatility or disruption in telephone or Internet services. On Exchange holidays or on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes early, Pioneer will adjust the hours for the telephone center and for online transaction processing accordingly. If you are unable to access pioneerfunds.com or to reach the fund by telephone, you should communicate with the fund in writing.
FactFone(SM). FactFone(SM) is an automated inquiry and telephone transaction system available to Pioneer mutual fund shareholders by dialing 1-800-225-4321. FactFone(SM) allows shareholder access to current information on Pioneer mutual fund accounts and to the prices and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual funds. In addition, you may use FactFone(SM) to make computer-assisted telephone purchases, exchanges or redemptions from your Pioneer mutual fund accounts, access your account balances and last three transactions and order a duplicate statement if you have activated your PIN. Telephone purchases or redemptions require the establishment of a bank account of record. Certain FactFone(SM) features are not currently available for Investor Class shareholders. Computer-assisted Class Y share telephone purchases, exchanges and redemptions and certain other FactFone(SM) features for Class Y shareholders are not currently available through FactFone(SM). You are strongly urged to consult with your investment professional prior to requesting any telephone transaction. Shareholders whose accounts are registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other third party may not be able to use FactFone(SM). Call PIMSS for assistance.
FactFone(SM) allows shareholders to hear the following recorded fund information:
o net asset value prices for all Pioneer mutual funds;
o annualized 30-day yields on Pioneer's fixed income funds;
o annualized 7-day yields and 7-day effective (compound) yields for Pioneer's money market funds; and
o dividends and capital gain distributions on all Pioneer mutual funds.
Yields are calculated in accordance with SEC mandated standard formulas.
All performance numbers communicated through FactFone(SM) represent past performance, and figures include the maximum applicable sales charge. A shareholder's actual yield and total return will vary with changing market conditions. The value of each class of shares (except for Pioneer Cash Reserves Fund, Pioneer Institutional Money Market Fund, Pioneer Tax Free Money Market Fund and Pioneer Treasury Reserves Fund, which each seek to maintain a stable $1.00
share price) will also vary, and such shares may be worth more or less at redemption than their original cost.
15. PRICING OF SHARES
The net asset value per share of each class of the fund is determined as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day on which the Exchange is open for trading. As of the date of this statement of additional information, the Exchange is open for trading every weekday except for days the following holidays are observed: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The net asset value per share of each class of the fund is also determined on any other day on which the level of trading in its portfolio securities is sufficiently high that the current net asset value per share might be materially affected by changes in the value of its portfolio securities. The fund is not required to determine its net asset value per share on any day on which no purchase orders in good order for fund shares are received and no shares are tendered and accepted for redemption.
The fund generally values its portfolio securities using closing market prices or readily available market quotations. Securities which have not traded on the date of valuation or securities for which sales prices are not generally reported are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices. Securities quoted in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars utilizing foreign exchange rates employed by the fund's independent pricing services. Generally, trading in non-U.S. securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the fund's shares are determined as of such times. Foreign currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange. When closing market prices or market quotations are not available or are considered by Pioneer to be unreliable, the fund may use a security's fair value. Fair value is the valuation of a security determined on the basis of factors other than market value in accordance with procedures approved by the fund's Trustees. The fund also may use the fair value of a security, including a non-U.S. security, when Pioneer determines that the closing market price on the primary exchange where the security is traded no longer accurately reflects the value of the security due to factors affecting one or more relevant securities markets or the specific issuer. The use of fair value pricing by the fund may cause the net asset value of its shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated using closing market prices. International securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are closed. For this reason, the value of any international securities owned by the fund could change on a day you cannot buy or sell shares of the fund. In connection with making fair value determinations of the value of fixed income securities, the fund's Trustees may use a pricing matrix. Debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which is a method of determining a security's fair value.
The net asset value per share of each class of the fund is computed by taking the value of all of the fund's assets attributable to a class, less the fund's liabilities attributable to that class, and dividing the result by the number of outstanding shares of that class. For purposes of determining net asset value, expenses of the classes of the fund are accrued daily and taken into account. The fund's maximum offering price per Class A share is determined by adding the maximum sales charge to the net asset value per Class A share. Class B, Class C, Class R and Class Y shares are offered at net asset value without the imposition of an initial sales charge (Class B and Class C shares may be subject to a CDSC). No front-end, deferred or asset based sales charges are applicable to Investor Class shares, and no additional Investor Class shares are being offered by
the fund except in connection with the reinvestment of dividends on the fund's outstanding Investor Class shares.
15. TAX STATUS
The fund has elected to be treated, has qualified and intends to qualify each
year as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code so that
it will not pay U.S. federal income tax on income and capital gains distributed
to shareholders (provided that the distribution requirements set forth below are
satisfied). In order to qualify as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Code, the fund must, (i) among other things, derive at least
90% of its gross income for each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments
with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of
stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including gains from
options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of
investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from an
interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (as defined in Section
851(h) of the Code) (the "90% income test") and (ii) diversify its holdings so
that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year: (a) at least 50% of the
value of the fund's total assets is represented by (1) cash and cash items, U.S.
government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and
(2) other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one
issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the fund's total assets
and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and
(b) not more than 25% of the value of the fund's total assets is invested in (1)
the securities (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other
regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, (2) the securities (other
than securities of other regulated investment companies) of two or more issuers
that the fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related
trades or businesses, or (3) the securities of one or more qualified publicly
traded partnerships. For purposes of the 90% income test, the character of
income earned by certain entities in which the fund invests that are not treated
as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes (e.g., partnerships (other
than qualified publicly traded partnerships) or trusts) will generally pass
through to the fund. Consequently, the fund may be required to limit its equity
investments in such entities that earn fee income, rental income or other
nonqualifying income.
If the fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and properly distributes
to its shareholders each taxable year an amount equal to or exceeding the sum of
(i) 90% of its "investment company taxable income" as that term is defined in
the Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, and
the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital
losses, as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the
deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt
interest, if any, over certain disallowed deductions, the fund generally will be
relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the fund, including "net
capital gain" (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term
capital loss), distributed to shareholders. However, if the fund meets such
distribution requirements, but chooses to retain some portion of its investment
company taxable income or net capital gain, it generally will be subject to U.S.
federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. The fund
intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its
investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest, and net capital
gain. If the fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company for any
taxable year, it would be treated as a U.S. corporation subject to U.S. federal
income tax, thereby subjecting any income earned by the fund to tax at the
corporate level, and when such income is distributed, to a further tax at the
shareholder level.
Under the Code, the fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax on a portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to each calendar year. The fund intends to make distributions in a timely manner and accordingly does not expect to be subject to the excise tax.
The fund generally distributes any net short- and long-term capital gains in November. The fund generally pays dividends from any net investment income in June and December. Dividends from income and/or capital gains may also be paid at such other times as may be necessary for the fund to avoid U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Unless shareholders specify otherwise, all distributions from the fund will be automatically reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the fund. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all dividends generally are taxable whether a shareholder takes them in cash or reinvests them in additional shares of the fund. In general, assuming that the fund has sufficient earnings and profits, dividends from investment company taxable income are taxable either as ordinary income or, if so designated by the fund and certain other conditions are met, as "qualified dividend income" taxable to individual shareholders at a maximum 15% U.S. federal income tax rate.
Dividend income distributed to individual shareholders will qualify for the maximum 15% U.S. federal income tax rate on dividends to the extent that such dividends are attributable to "qualified dividend income" as that term is defined in Section 1(h)(11)(B) of the Code from the fund's investments in common and preferred stock of U.S. companies and stock of certain qualified foreign corporations, provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met by both the fund and the shareholders. Dividends received by the fund from REITs generally are not expected to qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income.
A foreign corporation generally is treated as a qualified foreign corporation if it is incorporated in a possession of the United States or it is eligible for the benefits of certain income tax treaties with the United States. A foreign corporation that does not meet such requirements will be treated as qualifying with respect to dividends paid by it if the stock with respect to which the dividends are paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Dividends from passive foreign investment companies, however, do not qualify for the maximum 15% U.S federal income tax rate.
A dividend that is attributable to qualified dividend income of the fund that is paid by the fund to an individual shareholder will not be taxable as qualified dividend income to such shareholder if (1) the dividend is received with respect to any share of the fund held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share became ex-dividend with respect to such dividend, (2) to the extent that the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, or (3) the shareholder elects to have the dividend treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest. The "ex-dividend" date is the date on which the owner of the share at the commencement of such date is entitled to receive the next issued dividend payment for such share even if the share is sold by the owner on that date or thereafter.
Dividends from net capital gain, if any, that are designated as capital gain dividends are taxable as long-term capital gains for U.S. federal income tax purposes without regard to the length of time the shareholder has held shares of the fund. Capital gain dividends distributed by the fund to
individual shareholders generally will qualify for the maximum 15% U.S. federal income tax rate on long-term capital gains, subject to certain limited exceptions.
A shareholder should also be aware that the benefits of the favorable tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative minimum tax to individual shareholders. Under current law, the maximum 15% U.S. federal income tax rate on qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.
Distributions by the fund in excess of the fund's current and accumulated 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 its shares and any such amount in excess of that basis will be treated as gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below. The U.S. federal income tax status of all distributions including the portion of such distributions which may qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income will be reported to shareholders annually.
Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, any dividend declared by the fund as of a record date in October, November or December and paid during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it is declared. In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the fund may be "spilled back" and treated as paid by the fund (except for purposes of the 4% excise tax) during such taxable year. In such case, shareholders generally will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. Under Treasury regulations that may be promulgated in the future, any gains from such transactions that are not directly related to the fund's principal business of investing in stock or securities (or its options contracts or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may have to be limited in order to enable the fund to satisfy the 90% income test. If the net foreign exchange loss for a year were to exceed the fund's investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss), the resulting ordinary loss for such year would not be deductible by the fund or its shareholders in future years.
If the fund acquires any equity interest (under Treasury regulations that may be promulgated in the future, generally including not only stock but also an option to acquire stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income ("passive foreign investment companies"), the fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest charges on "excess distributions" received from such companies or on gain from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. Elections may generally be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections could require the fund to recognize taxable income or gain (subject to tax distribution requirements) without the concurrent receipt of cash. These investments could also result in the treatment of
capital gains from the sale of stock of passive foreign investment companies as ordinary income. The fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to limit its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.
The fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the fund, in the event it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
If the fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the fund generally must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the fund must distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income, including such accrued income, to shareholders to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code and avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to borrow the cash, to satisfy distribution requirements.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss for any year to offset its capital gains, if any, for up to eight years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent capital gains are offset by such losses, they would not result in U.S. federal income tax liability to the fund and are not expected to be distributed as such to shareholders. See Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information for the fund's available capital loss carryforwards.
At the time of an investor's purchase of fund shares, a portion of the purchase price may be attributable to realized or unrealized appreciation in the fund's portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the fund. Consequently, subsequent distributions by the fund with respect to these shares from such appreciation or income may be taxable to such investor even if the net asset value of the investor's shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor's cost for such shares and the distributions economically represent a return of a portion of the investment.
Redemptions and exchanges generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. In general, if fund shares are sold, the shareholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the shareholder's adjusted basis in the shares. Such gain or loss generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year and otherwise generally will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Any loss recognized by a shareholder upon the redemption, exchange or other disposition of shares with a tax holding period of six months or
less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares.
In addition, if Class A or Class B shares that have been held for less than 91 days are redeemed and the proceeds are reinvested in Class A shares of the fund or in Class A shares of another mutual fund at net asset value pursuant to the reinstatement privilege, or if Class A shares in the fund that have been held for less than 91 days are exchanged for the same class of shares in another fund at net asset value pursuant to the exchange privilege, all or a portion of the sales charge paid on the shares that are redeemed or exchanged will not be included in the tax basis of such shares under the Code to the extent a sales charge that would otherwise apply to the shares received is reduced pursuant to the reinstatement or exchange privilege. In either case, the portion of the sales charge not included in the tax basis of the shares redeemed or surrendered in an exchange is included in the tax basis of the shares acquired in the reinvestment or exchange. Losses on redemptions or other dispositions of shares may be disallowed under "wash sale" rules in the event of other investments in the fund (including those made pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain distributions) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after a redemption or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the disallowed portion of any loss generally would be included in the U.S. federal tax basis of the shares acquired in the other investments.
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder, or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, in any single taxable year (or greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Shareholders who own portfolio securities directly are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement but, under current guidance, shareholders of regulated investment companies are not excepted. A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the IRS may be subject to substantial penalties. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether or not the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Options written or purchased and futures contracts entered into by the fund on certain securities, indices and foreign currencies, as well as certain forward foreign currency contracts, may cause the fund to recognize gains or losses from marking-to-market even though such options may not have lapsed, been closed out, or exercised, or such futures or forward contracts may not have been performed or closed out. The tax rules applicable to these contracts may affect the characterization of some capital gains and losses realized by the fund as long-term or short-term. Certain options, futures and forward contracts relating to foreign currency may be subject to Section 988 of the Code, as described above, and accordingly may produce ordinary income or loss. Additionally, the fund may be required to recognize gain if an option, futures contract, forward contract, short sale or other transaction that is not subject to the mark-to-market rules is treated as a "constructive sale" of an "appreciated financial position" held by the fund under Section 1259 of the Code. Any net mark-to-market gains and/or gains from constructive sales may also have to be distributed to satisfy the distribution requirements referred to above even though the fund may receive no corresponding cash amounts, possibly requiring the disposition of portfolio securities or borrowing to obtain the necessary cash. Losses on certain options, futures or forward contracts and/or offsetting positions (portfolio securities or other positions with respect to which the fund's risk of loss is substantially diminished by one or more options, futures or forward contracts) may also be deferred under the tax straddle rules of the Code, which may also affect the characterization of capital gains or losses from straddle positions and certain successor positions as long-term or short-term. Certain tax elections may be available that would
enable the fund to ameliorate some adverse effects of the tax rules described in this paragraph. The tax rules applicable to options, futures, forward contracts and straddles may affect the amount, timing and character of the fund's income and gains or losses and hence of its distributions to shareholders.
Dividends received by the fund from U.S. corporations in respect of any share of stock with a tax holding period of at least 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) extending before and after each dividend held in an unleveraged position and distributed and designated by the fund (except for capital gain dividends received from a regulated investment company) may be eligible for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations under the Code. Any corporate shareholder should consult its tax adviser regarding the possibility that its tax basis in its shares may be reduced, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, by reason of "extraordinary dividends" received with respect to the shares and, to the extent such basis would be reduced below zero, current recognition of income may be required. In order to qualify for the deduction, corporate shareholders must meet the minimum holding period requirement stated above with respect to their fund shares, taking into account any holding period reductions from certain hedging or other transactions or positions that diminish their risk of loss with respect to their fund shares, and, if they borrow to acquire or otherwise incur debt attributable to fund shares, they may be denied a portion of the dividends-received deduction. The entire dividend, including the otherwise deductible amount, will be included in determining the excess, if any, of a corporation's adjusted current earnings over its alternative minimum taxable income, which may increase a corporation's alternative minimum tax liability.
The fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains with respect to its investments in those countries, which would, if imposed, reduce the yield on or return from those investments. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. The fund does not expect to satisfy the requirements for passing through to its shareholders their pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the fund, with the result that shareholders will not include such taxes in their gross incomes and will not be entitled to a tax deduction or credit for such taxes on their own tax returns.
Shareholders that are exempt from U.S. federal income tax, such as retirement plans that are qualified under Section 401 of the Code, generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on fund dividends or distributions or on sales or exchanges of fund shares unless the acquisition of the fund shares was debt-financed. However, in the case of fund shares held through a non-qualified deferred compensation plan, fund dividends and distributions received by the plan and sales and exchanges of fund shares by the plan generally are taxable to the employer sponsoring such plan in accordance with the U.S. federal income tax laws governing deferred compensation plans.
A plan participant whose retirement plan invests in the fund, whether such plan is qualified or not, generally is not taxed on fund dividends or distributions received by the plan or on sales or exchanges of fund shares by the plan for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, distributions to plan participants from a retirement plan account generally are taxable as ordinary income and different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions and certain prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers for more information.
Federal law requires that the fund withhold (as "backup withholding") 28% of reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain distributions and the proceeds of redemptions and
exchanges or repurchases of fund shares, paid to shareholders who have not complied with IRS regulations. In order to avoid this withholding requirement, shareholders, other than certain exempt entities, must certify on their Account Applications, or on separate IRS Forms W-9, that the Social Security Number or other Taxpayer Identification Number they provide is their correct number and that they are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are exempt from backup withholding. The fund may nevertheless be required to backup withhold if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that the number provided is incorrect or backup withholding is applicable as a result of previous underreporting of interest or dividend income.
If, as anticipated, the fund continues to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code, it will not be required to pay any Massachusetts income, corporate excise or franchise taxes.
The description of certain federal tax provisions above relates only to U.S. federal income tax consequences for shareholders who are U.S. persons, i.e., U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates, and who are subject to U.S. federal income tax and hold their shares as capital assets. Except as otherwise provided, this description does not address the special tax rules that may be applicable to particular types of investors, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, securities dealers, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts or entities. Investors other than U.S. persons may be subject to different U.S. federal income tax treatment, including a non-resident alien U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% or at a lower treaty rate on amounts treated as ordinary dividends from the fund (other than certain dividends derived from short-term capital gains and qualified interest income of the fund for taxable years of the fund commencing after December 31, 2004 and prior to January 1, 2008, provided that the fund chooses to make a specific designation relating to such dividends) and, unless an effective IRS Form W-8BEN, or other authorized withholding certificate is on file, to backup withholding at the rate of 28% on certain other payments from the fund. While the fund does not expect fund shares to constitute U.S. real property interests, a portion of the fund's distributions may be attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests. In such case, a non-U.S. shareholder may be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return to report such gain and may be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers on these matters and on state, local, foreign and other applicable tax laws.
17. INVESTMENT RESULTS
See "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for performance information for each class of fund shares as of the most recently completed fiscal year.
18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 appearing in the fund's annual report, filed with the SEC on November 28, 2005 (Accession No. 0000078758-05-000004) are incorporated by reference into this statement of additional information. Those financial statements and financial highlights have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as indicated in their report thereon, and are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report, given on the authority of Ernst & Young LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.
When the fund issued its September 30, 2001 annual report, Arthur Andersen LLP was the independent accountant for the fund. Arthur Andersen ceased operations in 2002.
The fund's annual report includes the financial statements referenced above and is available without charge upon request by calling Shareholder Services at 1-800-225-6292.
19. ANNUAL FEE, EXPENSE AND OTHER INFORMATION
Portfolio Turnover
The fund's annual portfolio turnover rate was 53% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005.
Share Ownership
As of December 31, 2005, the Trustees and officers of the fund owned beneficially in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the fund. The following is a list of the holders of 5% or more of any class of the fund's outstanding shares as of December 31, 2005:
Record Holder Share Class Number of Shares % of Class PFPC FBO Primerica Shareholder Services Class A 45,869,409.017 20.35 221 S. Gulf Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Nuernberger Lebensversicherung AG Class A 14,385,761.100 6.38 KA-Controlling Ostendstr. 100 D-90334 Nurnberg, Mittelfr Germany Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Class C 53,730.096 9.52 Smith Incorporated for the Sole Benefit of its Customers 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 MG Trust Company Cust FBO FHI Class R 1,979.543 26.85 700 17th St Ste 300 Denver, CO 80202-3531 Athletic Clubs International Class R 1,548.128 21.00 401(K) Profit Sharing Plan Francis Cassidy, et al 2729 St Marys Rd Ardmore PA 19003-2026 MG Trust Company Cust FBO Guidedchoice Class R 1,163.034 15.77 700 17th St Ste 300 Denver, CO 80202-3531 |
MG Trust Company Cust FBO Walker County Class R 577.194 7.83 Tax Appraisal DI 700 17th St Ste 300 Denver, CO 80202-3531 MG Trust Company Cust FBO The Institute Class R 488.341 6.62 of Orthopedic RE 700 17th St Ste 300 Denver, CO 80202-3531 MG Trust Company Cust FBO Lumigent Class R 436.756 5.92 Technology 700 17th St Ste 300 Denver, CO 80202-3531 MG Trust Company Cust FBO Rtandt Inc Class R 368.857 5.00 700 17th St Ste 300 Denver, CO 80202-3531 Charles Schwab & Co Inc. Investor Class 624,565.557 8.89 Exclusive Benefit of its Customers Attn: Mutual Fund Department 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 |
Trustee Ownership of Shares of the Fund and Other Pioneer Funds
The following table indicates the value of shares that each Trustee beneficially owned in the fund and Pioneer Funds in the aggregate as of December 31, 2005. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules. The share value of any closed-end fund is based on its closing market price on December 31, 2005. The share value of any open-end Pioneer Fund is based on the net asset value of the class of shares on December 31, 2005. The dollar ranges in this table are in accordance with SEC requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Name of Trustee Securities in the Fund Companies in the Pioneer Family of Funds ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interested Trustees ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John F. Cogan, Jr. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Independent Trustees ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David R. Bock ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary K. Bush ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Margaret B.W. Graham ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marguerite A. Piret ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Winthrop ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Compensation of Officers and Trustees
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each Trustee of the fund.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aggregate Pension or Retirement Total Compensation Compensation Benefits Accrued as from the Fund and Name of Trustee from Fund** Part of Fund Expenses Other Pioneer Funds*** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Interested Trustees: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ John F. Cogan, Jr.* $500.00 $0.00 $34,000.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Osbert M. Hood+ $500.00 $0.00 $28,875.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Independent Trustees: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ David R. Bock++ $8,430.17 $0.00 $124,625.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mary K. Bush $13,089.17 $0.00 $129,375.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Margaret B.W. Graham $13,430.44 $0.00 $129,375.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Marguerite A. Piret $15,330.53 $0.00 $143,375.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stephen K. West+ $11,627.90 $0.00 $102,815.86 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Winthrop $12,457.98 $0.00 $124,625.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total $75,366.19 $0.00 $817,065.86 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
* Under the management contract, Pioneer reimburses the fund for any Interested Trustee fees paid by the fund.
** For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005.
*** For the calendar year ended December 31, 2005. There are 91 U.S.
registered investment portfolios in the Pioneer Family of Funds.
+ Mr. Hood and Mr. West resigned as Trustees of the fund on September 23, 2005.
++ Mr. Bock became a Trustee of the fund on January 1, 2005.
Approximate Management Fees the Fund Paid or Owed Pioneer
The following table shows the dollar amount of investment management fees earned with respect to the fund, along with the amount of these fees that were paid after applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements, if any. The data is for the past three fiscal years or shorter period if the fund has been in operation for a shorter period.
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, ---------------------------------------- 2005 2004 2003 Fee Earned $24,158,168 $22,729,835 $19,832,806 Fee Paid $21,310,162 $22,820,394 $22,848,127 |
Fees the Fund Paid to Pioneer under the Administration Agreement
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, ---------------------------------------- 2005 2004 2003 $782,002 $446,808 $542,488 |
Carryover of Distribution Expenses
As of September 30, 2005 there were no carryover of distribution expenses for the fund under the Class A Plan.
Approximate Commissions Reallowed to Dealers (Class A Shares)
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, ---------------------------------------- 2005 2004 2003 $2,242,785 $2,534,445 $2,651,000 |
Approximate Commissions Reallowed to Dealers (Class C Shares)
For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, ---------------------------------------- 2005 2004 2003 N/A $5,575 $8,000 |
Fund Expenses under the Distribution Plans
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2005 -------------------------------------------- Class A Plan Class B Plan Class C Plan Class R Plan $9,088,382 $303,278 $91,514 $119 |
CDSCs
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, CDSCs in the amount of $47,913 were paid to PFD.
Approximate Brokerage and Underwriting Commissions (Portfolio Transactions)
Because most of the fund's securities transactions are affected on a principal basisinvolving a "spread" or "dealer mark-up", the fund has not paid any brokerage commissions during the past three years.
Capital Loss Carryforwards as of September 30, 2005
At September 30, 2005, the fund did not have a net capital loss carryforward.
Average Annual Total Returns as of September 30, 2005*
Average Annual Total Return (%) Since Inception Class of Shares One Year Five Years Ten Years Inception Date Class A Shares Return before taxes 7.26% 3.20% 6.60% 12.36% 9/30/69 Return after taxes on distributions 3.97% 1.38% 4.58% 9.43% Return after taxes on distributions 8.17% 2.13% 4.83% 9.38% and sale of shares Class B Shares Return before taxes 8.99% 3.26% N/A 5.56% 7/01/96 Return after taxes on distributions 5.52% 1.58% N/A 3.92% Return after taxes on distributions 9.64% 2.31% N/A 4.23% and sale of shares Class C Shares Return before taxes 12.60% 3.23% N/A 5.55% 7/01/96 Return after taxes on distributions 9.13% 1.54% N/A 3.92% Return after taxes on distributions 12.00% 2.27% N/A 4.22% and sale of shares |
Class Y Shares Return before taxes 14.40% 4.55% 7.30% 12.56% 9/30/69+ Return after taxes on distributions 10.80% 2.68% 5.25% 9.63% Return after taxes on distributions 13.05% 3.27% 5.45% 9.58% and sale of shares Class R Shares Return before taxes 11.65% 3.50% 6.49% 11.96% 9/30/69++ Return after taxes on distributions 8.34% 2.83% 6.15% 11.86% Return after taxes on distributions 11.22% 2.92% 5.68% 11.45% and sale of shares Investor Class Shares Return before taxes N/A N/A N/A 9.45% 12/10/04+++ Return after taxes on distributions N/A N/A N/A 7.96% Return after taxes on distributions N/A N/A N/A 7.27% and sale of shares |
*Reflects any applicable sales charges.
+Inception date of the fund's Class A shares. The performance of the Class Y
shares for the period prior to the commencement of operations of Class Y shares
on August 10, 2004 is based on the performance of Class A shares, which has not
been restated to reflect any differences in expenses, including Rule 12b-1 fees
applicable to Class A shares
++Inception date of the fund's Class A shares. The performance of Class R shares
for the period prior to the commencement of operations of Class R shares on
April 1, 2003 is based on the performance of Class A shares, reduced to reflect
the higher distribution and service fees of Class R shares. For the period after
April 1, 2003, the actual performance of Class R shares is reflected, which
performance may be influenced by the smaller asset size of Class R shares
compared to Class A shares. The performance of Class R shares does not reflect
the 1% CDSC that was in effect prior to July 1, 2004.
+++Reflects the inception date of Investor Class shares on December 10, 2004.
20. APPENDIX A - DESCRIPTION OF SHORT-TERM DEBT, CORPORATE BOND AND PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS(1)
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") 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 rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt 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.
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 than is the case for Prime-2 securities. 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 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.
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 Debt Ratings
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. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.
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 some time 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.
Moody's assigns ratings to individual debt securities issued from medium-term note (MTN) programs, in addition to indicating ratings to MTN programs themselves. Notes issued under MTN programs with such indicated ratings are rated at issuance at the rating applicable to all pari passu notes issued under the same program, at the program's relevant indicated rating, provided such notes do not exhibit any of the characteristics listed below. For notes with any of the following characteristics, the rating of the individual note may differ from the indicated rating of the program:
1) Notes containing features which link the cash flow and/or market value to the
credit performance of any third party or parties.
2) Notes allowing for negative coupons, or negative principal.
3) Notes containing any provision which could obligate the investor to make any
additional payments.
Market participants must determine whether any particular note is rated, and if so, at what rating level.
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.
Standard & Poor's Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
A-1: A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2: A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3: A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
C: A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D: A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Standard & Poor's Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings
Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
o 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;
o Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
o 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 rating 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. (Such differentiation applies when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.) Accordingly, in the case of junior debt, the rating may not conform exactly with the category definition.
AAA: An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA: An obligation rated AA differs from the highest rated obligations only in small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A: An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB: An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC: An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC: An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C: A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. A C also will be assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying.
D: An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
r: This symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected returns which are not addressed in the credit rating.
N.R.: This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor's does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks
Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor's analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor's capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government's own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.
The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings available at the date of this statement of additional information for the securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated do not necessarily represent ratings which will be given to these securities on the date of the fund's fiscal year-end.
21.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.
VERSION DATED July, 2004
Overview
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. ("Pioneer") is a fiduciary that owes each of its client's duties of care and loyalty with respect to all services undertaken on the client's behalf, including proxy voting. When Pioneer has been delegated proxy-voting authority for a client, the duty of care requires Pioneer to monitor corporate events and to vote the proxies. To satisfy its duty of loyalty, Pioneer must place its client's interests ahead of its own and must cast proxy votes in a manner consistent with the best interest of its clients. Pioneer will vote all proxies presented in a timely manner.
The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are designed to complement Pioneer's investment policies and procedures regarding its general responsibility to monitor the performance and/or corporate events of companies that are issuers of securities held in accounts managed by Pioneer. Pioneer's Proxy Voting Policies summarize Pioneer's position on a number of issues solicited by companies held by Pioneer's clients. The policies are guidelines that provide a general indication on how Pioneer would vote but do not include all potential voting scenarios.
Pioneer's Proxy Voting Procedures detail monitoring of voting, exception votes, and review of conflicts of interest and ensure that case-by-case votes are handled within the context of the overall guidelines (i.e. best interest of client). The overriding goal is that all proxies for US and non-US companies that are received promptly will be voted in accordance with Pioneer's policies or specific client instructions. All shares in a company held by Pioneer-managed accounts will be voted alike, unless a client has given us specific voting instructions on an issue or has not delegated authority to us or the Proxy Voting Oversight Group determines that the circumstances justify a different approach.
Pioneer does not delegate the authority to vote proxies relating to its clients to any of its affiliates, which include other subsidiaries of UniCredito.
Any questions about these policies and procedures should be directed to the Proxy Coordinator.
Proxy Voting Procedures
Proxy Voting Service
Pioneer has engaged an independent proxy voting service to assist in the voting of proxies. The proxy voting service works with custodians to ensure that all proxy materials are received by the custodians and are processed in a timely fashion. To the extent applicable, the proxy voting service votes all proxies in accordance with the proxy voting policies established by Pioneer. The proxy voting service will refer proxy questions to the Proxy Coordinator (described below) for instructions under circumstances where: (1) the application of the proxy voting guidelines is unclear; (2) a particular proxy question is not covered by the guidelines; or (3) the guidelines call for specific instructions on a case-by-case basis. The proxy voting service is also requested to call to the Proxy Coordinator's attention specific proxy questions that, while governed by a guideline, appear to involve unusual or controversial issues. Pioneer reserves the right to attend a meeting in person and may do so when it determines that the company or the matters to be voted on at the meeting are strategically important to its clients.
Proxy Coordinator
Pioneer's Director of Investment Operations (the "Proxy Coordinator") coordinates the voting, procedures and reporting of proxies on behalf of Pioneer's clients. The Proxy Coordinator will deal directly with the proxy voting service and, in the case of proxy questions referred by the proxy voting service, will solicit voting recommendations and instructions from the Director of Portfolio Management US or, to the extent applicable, investment sub-advisers. The Proxy Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that these questions and referrals are responded to in a timely fashion and for transmitting appropriate voting instructions to the proxy voting service. The Proxy Coordinator is responsible for verifying with the Compliance Department whether Pioneer's voting power is subject to any limitations or guidelines issued by the client (or in the case of an employee benefit plan, the plan's trustee or other fiduciaries).
Referral Items
From time to time, the proxy voting service will refer proxy questions to the Proxy Coordinator that are described by Pioneer's policy as to be voted on a case-by-case basis, that are not covered by Pioneer's guidelines or where Pioneer's guidelines may be unclear with respect to the matter to be voted on. Under such certain circumstances, the Proxy Coordinator will seek a written voting recommendation from the Director of Portfolio Management US. Any such recommendation will include: (i) the manner in which the proxies should be voted; (ii) the
rationale underlying any such decision; and (iii) the disclosure of any contacts or communications made between Pioneer and any outside parties concerning the proxy proposal prior to the time that the voting instructions are provided. In addition, the Proxy Coordinator will ask the Compliance Department to review the question for any actual or apparent conflicts of interest as described below under "Conflicts of Interest." The Compliance Department will provide a "Conflicts of Interest Report," applying the criteria set forth below under "Conflicts of Interest," to the Proxy Coordinator summarizing the results of its review. In the absence of a conflict of interest, the Proxy Coordinator will vote in accordance with the recommendation of the Director of Portfolio Management US.
If the matter presents a conflict of interest for Pioneer, then the Proxy Coordinator will refer the matter to the Proxy Voting Oversight Group for a decision. In general, when a conflict of interest is present, Pioneer will vote according to the recommendation of the Director of Portfolio Management US where such recommendation would go against Pioneer's interest or where the conflict is deemed to be immaterial. Pioneer will vote according to the recommendation of its proxy voting service when the conflict is deemed to be material and the Pioneer's internal vote recommendation would favor Pioneer's interest, unless a client specifically requests Pioneer to do otherwise. When making the final determination as to how to vote a proxy, the Proxy Voting Oversight Group will review the report from the Director of Portfolio Management US and the Conflicts of Interest Report issued by the Compliance Department.
Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest occurs when Pioneer's interests interfere, or appear to
interfere with the interests of Pioneer's clients. Occasionally, Pioneer may
have a conflict that can affect how its votes proxies. The conflict may be
actual or perceived and may exist when the matter to be voted on concerns:
o An affiliate of Pioneer, such as another company belonging to the UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. banking group (a "UniCredito Affiliate");
o An issuer of a security for which Pioneer acts as a sponsor, advisor, manager, custodian, distributor, underwriter, broker, or other similar capacity (including those securities specifically declared by PGAM to present a conflict of interest for Pioneer);
o An issuer of a security for which UniCredito has informed Pioneer that a UniCredito Affiliate acts as a sponsor, advisor, manager, custodian, distributor, underwriter, broker, or other similar capacity; or
o A person with whom Pioneer (or any of its affiliates) has an existing, material contract or business relationship that was not entered into in the ordinary course of Pioneer's business.
o Pioneer will abstain from voting with respect to companies directly or indirectly owned by UniCredito Italiano Group, unless otherwise directed by a client. In addition, Pioneer will inform PGAM Global Compliance and the PGAM Independent Directors before exercising such rights.
Any associate involved in the proxy voting process with knowledge of any apparent or actual conflict of interest must disclose such conflict to the Proxy Coordinator and the Compliance Department. The Compliance Department will review each item referred to Pioneer to determine whether an actual or potential conflict of interest with Pioneer exists in connection with the proposal(s) to be voted upon. The review will be conducted by comparing the apparent parties affected by the proxy proposal being voted upon against the Compliance Department's internal list of interested persons and, for any matches found, evaluating the anticipated magnitude and
possible probability of any conflict of interest being present. For each referral item, the determination regarding the presence or absence of any actual or potential conflict of interest will be documented in a Conflicts of Interest Report to the Proxy Coordinator.
Securities Lending
In conjunction with industry standards Proxies are not available to be voted when the shares are out on loan through either Pioneer's lending program or a client's managed security lending program. However, Pioneer will reserve the right to recall lent securities so that they may be voted according to the Pioneer's instructions. If a portfolio manager would like to vote a block of previously lent shares, the Proxy Coordinator will work with the portfolio manager and Investment Operations to recall the security, to the extent possible, to facilitate the vote on the entire block of shares.
Share-Blocking
"Share-blocking" is a market practice whereby shares are sent to a custodian
(which may be different than the account custodian) for record keeping and
voting at the general meeting. The shares are unavailable for sale or delivery
until the end of the blocking period (typically the day after general meeting
date).
Pioneer will vote in those countries with "share-blocking." In the event a
manager would like to sell a security with "share-blocking", the Proxy
Coordinator will work with the Portfolio Manager and Investment Operations
Department to recall the shares (as allowable within the market time-frame and
practices) and/or communicate with executing brokerage firm. A list of countries
with "share-blocking" is available from the Investment Operations Department
upon request.
Record Keeping
The Proxy Coordinator shall ensure that Pioneer's proxy voting service:
o Retains a copy of the proxy statement received (unless the proxy statement is available from the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system);
o Retains a record of the vote cast;
o Prepares Form N-PX for filing on behalf of each client that is a registered investment company; and
o Is able to promptly provide Pioneer with a copy of the voting record upon its request.
The Proxy Coordinator shall ensure that for those votes that may require additional documentation (i.e. conflicts of interest, exception votes and case-by-case votes) the following records are maintained:
o A record memorializing the basis for each referral vote cast;
o A copy of any document created by Pioneer that was material in making the decision on how to vote the subject proxy; and
o A copy of any conflict notice, conflict consent or any other written communication (including emails or other electronic communications) to or from the client (or in the case of an employee benefit plan, the plan's trustee or other fiduciaries) regarding the subject proxy vote cast by, or the vote recommendation of, Pioneer.
Pioneer shall maintain the above records in the client's file for a period not less than ten (10) years.
Disclosure
Pioneer shall take reasonable measures to inform its clients of the process or procedures clients must follow to obtain information regarding how Pioneer voted with respect to assets held in their accounts. In addition, Pioneer shall describe to clients its proxy voting policies and procedures and will furnish a copy of its proxy voting policies and procedures upon request. This information may be provided to clients through Pioneer's Form ADV (Part II) disclosure, by separate notice to the client, or through Pioneer's website.
Proxy Voting Oversight Group
The members of the Proxy Voting Oversight Group are Pioneer's: Director of Portfolio Management US, Head of Investment Operations, and Director of Compliance. Other members of Pioneer will be invited to attend meetings and otherwise participate as necessary. The Head of Investment Operations will chair the Proxy Voting Oversight Group.
The Proxy Voting Oversight Group is responsible for developing, evaluating, and changing (when necessary) Pioneer's Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures. The group meets at least annually to evaluate and review these policies and procedures and the services of its third-party proxy voting service. In addition, the Proxy Voting Oversight Group will meet as necessary to vote on referral items and address other business as necessary.
Amendments
Pioneer may not amend its Proxy Voting Policies And Procedures without the prior approval of the Proxy Voting Oversight Group and its corporate parent, Pioneer Global Asset Management S.p.A
Proxy Voting Policies
Pioneer's sole concern in voting proxies is the economic effect of the proposal on the value of portfolio holdings, considering both the short- and long-term impact. In many instances, Pioneer believes that supporting the company's strategy and voting "for" management's proposals builds portfolio value. In other cases, however, proposals set forth by management may have a negative effect on that value, while some shareholder proposals may hold the best prospects for enhancing it. Pioneer monitors developments in the proxy-voting arena and will revise this policy as needed.
All proxies that are received promptly will be voted in accordance with the specific policies listed below. All shares in a company held by Pioneer-managed accounts will be voted alike, unless a client has given us specific voting instructions on an issue or has not delegated authority to us. Proxy voting issues will be reviewed by Pioneer's Proxy Voting Oversight Group, which consists of the Director of Portfolio Management US, the Director of Investment Operations (the Proxy Coordinator), and the Director of Compliance.
Pioneer has established Proxy Voting Procedures for identifying and reviewing conflicts of interest that may arise in the voting of proxies.
Clients may request, at any time, a report on proxy votes for securities held in their portfolios and Pioneer is happy to discuss our proxy votes with company management. Pioneer retains a proxy voting service to provide research on proxy issues and to process proxy votes.
Administrative
While administrative items appear infrequently in U.S. issuer proxies, they are quite common in non-U.S. proxies.
We will generally support these and similar management proposals:
o Corporate name change.
o A change of corporate headquarters.
o Stock exchange listing.
o Establishment of time and place of annual meeting.
o Adjournment or postponement of annual meeting.
o Acceptance/approval of financial statements.
o Approval of dividend payments, dividend reinvestment plans and other dividend-related proposals.
o Approval of minutes and other formalities.
o Authorization of the transferring of reserves and allocation of income.
o Amendments to authorized signatories.
o Approval of accounting method changes or change in fiscal year-end.
o Acceptance of labor agreements.
o Appointment of internal auditors.
Pioneer will vote on a case-by-case basis on other routine business; however, Pioneer will oppose any routine business proposal if insufficient information is presented in advance to allow Pioneer to judge the merit of the proposal. Pioneer has also instructed its proxy voting service to inform Pioneer of its analysis of any administrative items inconsistent, in its view, with supporting the value of Pioneer portfolio holdings so that Pioneer may consider and vote on those items on a case-by-case basis.
Auditors
We normally vote for proposals to:
o Ratify the auditors. We will consider a vote against if we are concerned about the auditors' independence or their past work for the company. Specifically, we will oppose the ratification of auditors and withhold votes from audit committee members if non-audit fees paid by the company to the auditing firm exceed the sum of audit fees plus audit-related fees plus permissible tax fees according to the disclosure categories proposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
o Restore shareholder rights to ratify the auditors.
We will normally oppose proposals that require companies to:
o Seek bids from other auditors.
o Rotate auditing firms, except where the rotation is statutorily required or where rotation would demonstrably strengthen financial disclosure.
o Indemnify auditors.
o Prohibit auditors from engaging in non-audit services for the company.
Board of Directors
On issues related to the board of directors, Pioneer normally supports management. We will, however, consider a vote against management in instances where corporate performance has been very poor or where the board appears to lack independence.
General Board Issues
Pioneer will vote for:
o Audit, compensation and nominating committees composed of independent directors exclusively.
o Indemnification for directors for actions taken in good faith in accordance with the business judgment rule. We will vote against proposals for broader indemnification.
o Changes in board size that appear to have a legitimate business purpose and are not primarily for anti-takeover reasons.
o Election of an honorary director.
We will vote against:
o Minimum stock ownership by directors.
o Term limits for directors. Companies benefit from experienced directors, and shareholder control is better achieved through annual votes.
o Requirements for union or special interest representation on the board.
o Requirements to provide two candidates for each board seat.
We will vote on a case-by case basis on these issues:
o Separate chairman and CEO positions. We will consider voting with shareholders on these issues in cases of poor corporate performance.
Elections of Directors
In uncontested elections of directors we will vote against:
o Individual directors with absenteeism above 25% without valid reason. We support proposals that require disclosure of director attendance.
o Insider directors and affiliated outsiders who sit on the audit, compensation, stock option or nominating committees. For the purposes of our policy, we accept the definition of affiliated directors provided by our proxy voting service.
We will also vote against:
o Directors who have failed to act on a takeover offer where the majority of shareholders have tendered their shares.
o Directors who appear to lack independence or are associated with very poor corporate performance.
We will vote on a case-by case basis on these issues:
o Re-election of directors who have implemented or renewed a dead-hand or modified dead-hand poison pill (a "dead-hand poison pill" is a shareholder rights plan that may be altered only by incumbent or "dead " directors. These plans prevent a potential acquirer from disabling a poison pill by obtaining control of the board through a proxy vote).
o Contested election of directors.
o Prior to phase-in required by SEC, we would consider supporting election of a majority of independent directors in cases of poor performance.
o Mandatory retirement policies.
o Directors who have ignored a shareholder proposal that has been approved by shareholders for two consecutive years.
Takeover-Related Measures
Pioneer is generally opposed to proposals that may discourage takeover attempts. We believe that the potential for a takeover helps ensure that corporate performance remains high. Pioneer will vote for:
o Cumulative voting.
o Increase ability for shareholders to call special meetings.
o Increase ability for shareholders to act by written consent.
o Restrictions on the ability to make greenmail payments.
o Submitting rights plans to shareholder vote.
o Rescinding shareholder rights plans ("poison pills").
o Opting out of the following state takeover statutes:
o Control share acquisition statutes, which deny large holders voting rights on holdings over a specified threshold.
o Control share cash-out provisions, which require large holders to acquire shares from other holders.
o Freeze-out provisions, which impose a waiting period on large holders before they can attempt to gain control.
o Stakeholder laws, which permit directors to consider interests of non-shareholder constituencies.
o Disgorgement provisions, which require acquirers to disgorge profits on purchases made before gaining control.
o Fair price provisions.
o Authorization of shareholder rights plans.
o Labor protection provisions.
o Mandatory classified boards.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis on the following issues:
o Fair price provisions. We will vote against provisions requiring supermajority votes to approve takeovers. We will also consider voting against proposals that require a supermajority vote to repeal or amend the provision. Finally, we will consider the mechanism used to determine the fair price; we are generally opposed to complicated formulas or requirements to pay a premium.
o Opting out of state takeover statutes regarding fair price provisions. We will use the criteria used for fair price provisions in general to determine our vote on this issue.
o Proposals that allow shareholders to nominate directors.
We will vote against:
o Classified boards, except in the case of closed-end mutual funds.
o Limiting shareholder ability to remove or appoint directors. We will support proposals to restore shareholder authority in this area. We will review on a case-by-case basis proposals that authorize the board to make interim appointments.
o Classes of shares with unequal voting rights.
o Supermajority vote requirements.
o Severance packages ("golden" and "tin" parachutes). We will support proposals to put these packages to shareholder vote.
o Reimbursement of dissident proxy solicitation expenses. While we ordinarily support measures that encourage takeover bids, we believe that management should have full control over corporate funds.
o Extension of advance notice requirements for shareholder proposals.
o Granting board authority normally retained by shareholders (e.g., amend charter, set board size).
o Shareholder rights plans ("poison pills"). These plans generally allow shareholders to buy additional shares at a below-market price in the event of a change in control and may deter some bids.
Capital Structure
Managements need considerable flexibility in determining the company's financial structure, and Pioneer normally supports managements' proposals in this area. We will, however, reject proposals that impose high barriers to potential takeovers.
Pioneer will vote for:
o Changes in par value.
o Reverse splits, if accompanied by a reduction in number of shares.
o Share repurchase programs, if all shareholders may participate on equal terms.
o Bond issuance.
o Increases in "ordinary" preferred stock.
o Proposals to have blank-check common stock placements (other than shares issued in the normal course of business) submitted for shareholder approval.
o Cancellation of company treasury shares.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis on the following issues:
o Reverse splits not accompanied by a reduction in number of shares, considering the risk of delisting.
o Increase in authorized common stock. We will make a determination considering, among other factors:
o Number of shares currently available for issuance;
o Size of requested increase (we would normally approve increases of up to 100% of current authorization);
o Proposed use of the additional shares; and
o Potential consequences of a failure to increase the number of shares outstanding (e.g., delisting or bankruptcy).
o Blank-check preferred. We will normally oppose issuance of a new class of blank-check preferred, but may approve an increase in a class already outstanding if the company has demonstrated that it uses this flexibility appropriately.
o Proposals to submit private placements to shareholder vote.
o Other financing plans.
We will vote against preemptive rights that we believe limit a company's financing flexibility.
Compensation
Pioneer supports compensation plans that link pay to shareholder returns and believes that management has the best understanding of the level of compensation needed to attract and retain qualified people. At the same time, stock-related compensation plans have a significant economic impact and a direct effect on the balance sheet. Therefore, while we do not want to micromanage a company's compensation programs, we will place limits on the potential dilution these plans may impose. Pioneer will vote for:
o 401(k) benefit plans.
o Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), as long as shares allocated to ESOPs are less than 5% of outstanding shares. Larger blocks of stock in ESOPs can serve as a takeover defense. We will support proposals to submit ESOPs to shareholder vote.
o Various issues related to the Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA), including:
o Amendments to performance plans to conform with OBRA;
o Caps on annual grants or amendments of administrative features;
o Adding performance goals; and
o Cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans.
o Establish a process to link pay, including stock-option grants, to performance, leaving specifics of implementation to the company.
o Require that option repricings be submitted to shareholders.
o Require the expensing of stock-option awards.
o Require reporting of executive retirement benefits (deferred compensation, split-dollar life insurance, SERPs, and pension benefits).
o Employee stock purchase plans where the purchase price is equal to at least 85% of the market price, where the offering period is no greater than 27 months and where potential dilution (as defined below) is no greater than 10%.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis on the following issues:
o Executive and director stock-related compensation plans. We will consider the following factors when reviewing these plans:
o The program must be of a reasonable size. We will approve plans where the combined employee and director plans together would generate less than 15% dilution. We will reject plans with 15% or more potential dilution.
Dilution = (A + B + C) / (A + B + C + D), where A = Shares reserved for plan/amendment, B = Shares available under continuing plans, C = Shares granted but unexercised and D = Shares outstanding.
o The plan must not:
o Explicitly permit unlimited option repricing authority or that have repriced in the past without shareholder approval.
o Be a self-replenishing "evergreen" plan, plans that grant discount options and tax offset payments.
o We are generally in favor of proposals that increase participation beyond executives.
o We generally support proposals asking companies to adopt rigorous vesting provisions for stock option plans such as those that vest incrementally over, at least, a three- or four-year period with a pro rata portion of the shares becoming exercisable on an annual basis following grant date.
o We generally support proposals asking companies to disclose their window period policies for stock transactions. Window period policies ensure that employees do not exercise options based on insider information contemporaneous with quarterly earnings releases and other material corporate announcements.
o We generally support proposals asking companies to adopt stock holding periods for their executives.
o All other employee stock purchase plans.
o All other compensation-related proposals, including deferred compensation plans, employment agreements, loan guarantee programs and retirement plans.
o All other proposals regarding stock compensation plans, including extending the life of a plan, changing vesting restrictions, repricing options, lengthening exercise periods or accelerating distribution of awards and pyramiding and cashless exercise programs.
We will vote against:
o Pensions for non-employee directors. We believe these retirement plans reduce director objectivity.
o Elimination of stock option plans.
We will vote on a case-by case basis on these issues:
o Limits on executive and director pay.
o Stock in lieu of cash compensation for directors.
Corporate Governance
Pioneer will vote for:
o Confidential Voting.
o Equal access provisions, which allow shareholders to contribute their opinion to proxy materials.
o Proposals requiring directors to disclose their ownership of shares in the company.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis on the following issues:
o Change in the state of incorporation. We will support reincorporations supported by valid business reasons. We will oppose those that appear to be solely for the purpose of strengthening takeover defenses.
o Bundled proposals. We will evaluate the overall impact of the proposal.
o Adopting or amending the charter, bylaws or articles of association.
o Shareholder appraisal rights, which allow shareholders to demand judicial review of an acquisition price.
We will vote against:
o Shareholder advisory committees. While management should solicit shareholder input, we prefer to leave the method of doing so to management's discretion.
o Limitations on stock ownership or voting rights.
o Reduction in share ownership disclosure guidelines.
Mergers and Restructurings
Pioneer will vote on the following and similar issues on a case-by-case basis:
o Mergers and acquisitions.
o Corporate restructurings, including spin-offs, liquidations, asset sales, joint ventures, conversions to holding company and conversions to self-managed REIT structure.
o Debt restructurings.
o Conversion of securities.
o Issuance of shares to facilitate a merger.
o Private placements, warrants, convertible debentures.
o Proposals requiring management to inform shareholders of merger opportunities.
We will normally vote against shareholder proposals requiring that the company be put up for sale.
Mutual Funds
Many of our portfolios may invest in shares of closed-end mutual funds or exchange-traded funds. The non-corporate structure of these investments raises several unique proxy voting issues.
Pioneer will vote for:
o Establishment of new classes or series of shares.
o Establishment of a master-feeder structure.
Pioneer will vote on a case-by-case on:
o Changes in investment policy. We will normally support changes that do not affect the investment objective or overall risk level of the fund. We will examine more fundamental changes on a case-by-case basis.
o Approval of new or amended advisory contracts.
o Changes from closed-end to open-end format.
o Authorization for, or increase in, preferred shares.
o Disposition of assets, termination, liquidation, or mergers.
o Classified boards of closed-end mutual funds, but will typically support such proposals.
Social Issues
Pioneer will abstain on stockholder proposals calling for greater disclosure of corporate activities with regard to social issues. "Social Issues" may generally be described as shareholder proposals for a company to:
o Conduct studies regarding certain issues of public concern and interest;
o Study the feasibility of the company taking certain actions with regard to such issues; or
o Take specific action, including ceasing certain behavior and adopting company standards and principles, in relation to issues of public concern and interest.
We believe these issues are important and should receive management attention. Pioneer will vote against proposals calling for substantial changes in the company's business or activities. We will also normally vote against proposals with regard to contributions, believing that management should control the routine disbursement of funds.
PART C - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits
(a)(1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust(1)
(a)(2) Certificate of Trust(1)
(a)(3) Amendment to Agreement and Declaration of Trust(5)
(a)(4) Amended Certificate of Trust(5)
(a)(5) Establishment and Designation of Class R Shares(7)
(a)(6) Amendment to Agreement and Declaration of Trust(9)
(a)(7) Amendment to Agreement and Declaration of Trust to
establish Investor Class Shares (11)
(b) Restated By-Laws(3)
(c) None
(d) Management Contract(13)
(e)(1) Underwriting Agreement(5)
(e)(2) Dealer Sales Agreement(14)
(f) None
(g) Custodian Agreement with Brown Brothers
Harriman & Co.(14)
(h)(1) Investment Company Service Agreement(14)
(h)(2) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization(2)
(h)(3) Administration Agreement(14)
(h)(4) Class R Service Plan(8)
(h)(5) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement with respect
to Investor Class shares (11)
(h)(6) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated
October 29, 2004 (13)
(i)(1) Legal Opinion of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell(1)
(i)(2) Legal Opinion regarding Investor Class shares (12)
(i)(3) Opinion as to Tax Matters and Consent (13)
(j) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm (14)
(k) None
(l) None
(m)(1) Class A Distribution Plan(3)
(m)(2) Class B Distribution Plan(4)
(m)(3) Class C Distribution Plan(1)
(m)(4) Class R Distribution Plan (6)
(n) Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3(11)
(o) Not applicable.
(p)(1) Pioneer Funds Code of Ethics. (14)
(p)(2) Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. Code of Ethics. (14)
(p)(3) Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. Code of Ethics. (14)
N/A Powers of Attorney(13)
(1) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registration Statement (File No. 2-32773) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 1, 1996 (Accession No. 0000078758-96-000017).
(2) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibit filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registration Statement (File No. 2-32773) as filed with the SEC on March 1, 1996 (Accession No. 0000078758-96-000011).
(3) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to the Registration Statement (File No. 2-32773) as filed with the SEC on November 27, 2000 (Accession No. 0001016964-00-000172).
(4) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibit filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to the Registration Statement (File No. 2-32773) as filed with the SEC on January 29, 2001 (Accession No. 0000078758-01- 000001).
(5) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Post-Effective Amendment No.56 to the Registration Statement (File No. 2-32773) as filed with the SEC on January 25, 2002 (Accession No. 0001016964-02- 000006).
(6) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Post-Effective Amendment No.57 to the Registration Statement (File No. 2-32773) as filed with the SEC on January 6, 2003 (Accession No. 0000078758-03- 0000020).
(7) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Post-Effective Amendment No.58 to the Registration Statement (File No. 2-32773) as filed with the SEC on January 27, 2003 (Accession No. 0001016964-03- 000010).
(8) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Post-Effective Amendment No.59 to the Registration Statement (File No. 2-32773) as filed with the SEC on December 1, 2003 (Accession No. 0001016964-04 -00245).
(9) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-118445) as filed with the SEC on August 20, 2004 (Accession No.0001145443-04-001278).
(10) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with the Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to the Registration Statement (File No. 2-32773) as filed with the SEC on September 8, 2004 (Accession No. 0001016964-04-000384)
(11) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with the Initial Registration Statement on Form N-14(File No. 333-118445) as filed with the SEC on August 20, 2004 (Accession No. 0001145443-04-001278)
(12) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-118445) as filed with the SEC on October 26, 2004 (Accession No. 0001145443-04-001618)
(13) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 64 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-32773) as filed with the SEC on January 28, 2005 (Accession No. 0001016964-05-000034)
(14) Filed herewith.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
None. Item 25. Indemnification Except for the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), dated April 26, 1996, establishing the Fund as a |
statutory trust under Delaware law, there is no contract, arrangement or statute under which any Trustee, officer, underwriter or affiliated person of the Fund is insured or indemnified. The Declaration provides that every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer, employee or agent of the Fund shall be indemnified by the Fund or the appropriate Fund series to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), may be available to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Fund pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Fund has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Fund of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of the Fund in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Fund 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 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. ("Pioneer Investments") is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. ("UniCredito"). Pioneer Investments manages investment companies, pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates or charitable organizations and other corporations or business entities.
To the knowledge of the Fund, none of Pioneer Investments' directors or executive officers is or has been during their employment with Pioneer Investments engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature for the past two fiscal years, except as noted below. Certain directors and officers, however, may hold or may have held various positions with, and engage or have engaged in business for, the investment companies that Pioneer Investments manages and/or other UniCredito subsidiaries.
OTHER BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION OR EMPLOYMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL NATURE WITHIN LAST TWO NAME OF DIRECTOR/OFFICER FISCAL YEARS John F. Cogan, Jr. Of Counsel, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 |
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
(a) Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies:
Pioneer America Income Trust
Pioneer Balanced Fund
Pioneer Bond Fund
Pioneer Money Market Trust
Pioneer Emerging Growth Fund
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund
Pioneer Equity Income Fund
Pioneer Equity Opportunity Fund
Pioneer Europe Select Equity Fund
Pioneer Fund
Pioneer Fundamental Growth Fund
Pioneer Global High Yield Fund
Pioneer Growth Shares
Pioneer High Yield Fund
Pioneer Ibbotson Asset Allocation Trust
Pioneer Independence Fund
Pioneer International Equity Fund
Pioneer International Value Fund
Pioneer Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Mid Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Trust
Pioneer Real Estate Shares
Pioneer Research Fund
Pioneer Select Equity Fund
Pioneer Select Value Fund
Pioneer Series Trust I
Pioneer Series Trust II
Pioneer Series Trust III
Pioneer Series Trust IV
Pioneer Series Trust V
Pioneer Short Term Income Fund
Pioneer Small Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Small Company Fund
Pioneer Strategic Income Fund
Pioneer Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Value Fund
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust
(b) Directors and executive officers of Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.:
POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH NAME UNDERWRITER FUND John F. Cogan, Jr. Director and Chairman, President and President Trustee Steven M. Graziano Director and Executive Vice President None Julia Hoik Senior Vice President None Natale Algiere Senior Vice President None Michael B. Glenn Senior Vice President None John P. Davy Senior Vice President None Mark D. Goodwin Treasurer None Dorothy E. Bourassa Clerk Secretary |
The principal business address of each of these individuals is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109-1820.
(c) Not applicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts and records are maintained at the Fund's office at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109; contact the Treasurer.
Item 29. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 30. Undertakings
(a) Not Applicable
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Boston and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 27th day of January, 2006.
PIONEER VALUE FUND
By: /s/ Osbert M. Hood Osbert M. Hood Executive Vice President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
Signature Title John F. Cogan, Jr.* Chairman of the Board ) John F. Cogan, Jr. and President ) (Principal Executive ) Officer) ) ) ) Vincent Nave* Chief Financial Officer ) Vincent Nave and Treasurer (Principal ) Financial and Accounting ) Officer) ) ) ) Trustees: ) ) David R. Bock* ) David R. Bock ) ) Mary K. Bush* ) Mary K. Bush ) ) ) John F. Cogan, Jr.* ) John F. Cogan, Jr. ) ) ) Margaret B. W. Graham* ) Margaret B. W. Graham ) ) Marguerite A. Piret* ) Marguerite A. Piret ) ) John Winthrop* ) John Winthrop ) ) ) *By: /s/ Osbert M. Hood Dated: January 27, 2006) Attorney-in-Fact EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Document Title (e)(2) Dealer Sales Agreement (g) Custodian Agreement between the Fund and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (h)(1) Investment Company Service Agreement (h)(3) Administration Agreement (j) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (p)(1) Pioneer Funds Code of Ethics (p)(2) Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. Code of Ethics (p)(3) Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. Code of Ethics |
[PIONEER LOGO]
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Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc., Member of the UniCredito Italiano Banking Group, Register of Banking Groups, has been appointed to serve as principal underwriter as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), for the shares ("Shares") of the investment company portfolios specified by us from time to time. The specified portfolios are hereafter referred to individually as a "Fund" and collectively as the "Funds."
We are hereby inviting you to participate in the selling group and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, to make available to your customers the Shares. By your acceptance hereof, you agree to find purchasers for the Shares, to purchase Shares only from us or from your customers, and to act only as agent for your customers or dealer for your own account, with no authority to act as agent for the Funds, for us or for any other dealer in any respect.
1. ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS. Orders received from you will be accepted only at the public offering price (as defined below in Section 2) applicable to each order. When acting as agent for your customers, you agree to place orders for Shares immediately upon the receipt of, and in the same amount as, orders from your customers. You will not transmit and we will not accept from you on any basis a conditional order from you for the purchase or redemption of Shares. You are authorized to: (i) place orders directly with a Fund for the purchase of Shares, and (ii) tender Shares directly to a Fund for redemption, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Fund prospectus (the "Prospectus," which for purposes of this agreement includes the Statement of Additional Information incorporated by reference therein) and any operating procedures and policies established by us from time to time.
2. PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE AND SALES CHARGE. The public offering price shall be the net asset value per Share plus any sales charge payable upon the purchase of such Shares as described in the Prospectus. The Prospectus provides for discounts for certain
shareholders or groups of related shareholder accounts or sales charge waiver categories. You shall be responsible for communicating these rights to purchasers of Shares through you, ascertaining whether the purchaser is entitled to any discount or waiver of the sales charge, and communicating that information to us at the time you submit the purchase order. Your submission of a purchase order shall constitute a confirmation that you have undertaken such steps with respect to the order submitted. Further, you agree that you will apply any scheduled discount in, or waiver of, the sales charge uniformly to all offerees in the classes specified in the Prospectus. The sales charge applicable to any sale of Shares by you and the dealer concession or commission applicable to any order from you for the purchase of Shares accepted by us shall be as set forth in the Prospectus.
A contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") is applicable to redemptions of certain Shares, as described in the Prospectus. You agree that you will sell Shares subject to a CDSC and held in omnibus accounts only if you are a NETWORKING participant with the National Securities Clearing Corporation and if such accounts are established pursuant to a NETWORKING Agreement.
3. RULE 12b-1 PLANS.
(a) As consideration for your providing distribution and marketing services in the promotion of the sale of Shares subject to a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and for providing personal services to, and/or the maintenance of the accounts of, your customers who invest in and own such Shares, we shall pay such fee, if any, to you as is described in the Prospectus and otherwise established by us from time to time on Shares which are owned by you as nominee for your customers or which are owned by those customers of your firm whose records, as maintained by such Fund or its agent, designate your firm as the customer's dealer of record. Any fee payable hereunder shall be computed and accrued daily and for each quarter shall be based on the average daily net asset value of the relevant Shares. No such fee will be paid to you if the amount of such fee based upon the aggregate value of your customer's Shares for the quarter will be less than $50.00.
(b) The provisions of this Paragraph 3 may be terminated with respect to any Shares in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and thereafter no such fee will be paid to you.
(c) You agree to furnish us and the Trustees of any Fund with such information as shall reasonably be requested by the Trustees with respect to the fees paid to you pursuant to this Section 3.
(d) Consistent with NASD policies as amended or interpreted from time to time (i) you waive payment of amounts due from us pursuant to this Paragraph 3 until we are in receipt of the fees with respect to the relevant Shares, and (ii) our liability for amounts payable to you is limited solely to the proceeds of the fees received by us on the relevant shares.
4. REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES. If you purchase Shares from any customer in connection with repurchase arrangements offered by a Fund, you agree to pay such customer not less than the applicable repurchase price as established by the Prospectus. Any order placed by you for the repurchase of Shares is subject to the timely receipt by the Fund's 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, in which case you agree to be responsible for any loss resulting to the Fund or to us from such cancellation.
5. PAYMENT FOR SHARES. Payment for Shares sold through you shall be made on or before the settlement date specified in the applicable confirmation, and by check payable to the order of such Fund or, if applicable, by Federal Funds wire for credit to such Fund, in accordance with instructions that we will periodically issue to you. Each Fund reserves the right to delay issuance of Shares until such check has cleared. If we do not timely receive payment, we reserve the right, without notice, to cancel the sale. Unless other instructions are received by us on or before the settlement date, orders accepted by us may be placed in an Open Account in your name. If such payment or instructions are not timely received by us, we may hold you responsible for any expense or loss, including loss of profit, suffered by us or by such Fund resulting from your failure to make such payment.
6. MANNER OF OFFERING.
(a) No person is authorized to make or rely on any representations concerning Shares except those contained in the Prospectus and in any sales literature or other material issued by us supplemental to such Prospectus, and used in conformity with applicable rules or conditions. Shares shall only be offered by means of the Prospectus, and you shall be obligated to deliver such Prospectus to your customers in accordance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations, including without limitation the rules of the NASD. All offerings of Shares by you shall be subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus (including the minimum purchase amount) and to the terms and conditions herein set forth. We will furnish additional copies of the Prospectuses and such sales literature and other material issued by us in reasonable quantities upon request. You will provide all customers with the Prospectus and any required point of sale disclosure document(s) prior to or at the time such customer purchases Shares in accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations and promptly will forward to us any customer request for a copy of the applicable Statement of Additional Information. Sales and exchanges of Shares only may be made in those states and jurisdictions where the Shares are registered or qualified for sale to the public. We agree to advise you of the identity of those states and jurisdictions in which the Shares are registered or qualified for sale, and you agree to indemnify us and/or the Funds for any claim, liability, expense or loss in any way arising out of a sale of Shares in any state or jurisdiction in which such Shares are not so registered or qualified. In the event that you offer Shares outside the United States, you agree to comply with the applicable laws, rules and regulations of the foreign government having jurisdiction over such sales, including any regulations of United States military authorities applicable to solicitations to military personnel.
(b) As distributor of the Shares, we shall have the authority to take such action as we may reasonably determine advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to the distribution of such Shares.
(c) We shall have the unconditional right to accept or reject orders for the purchase of Shares. It is understood that for the purposes hereof no Share shall be considered to have been sold by you and no compensation will be payable to you with respect to any order for Shares which is rejected by a Fund or us. Any consideration that you may receive in connection with a rejected purchase order will be returned promptly. The Fund's transfer agent will transmit confirmations of all accepted purchase orders for Shares to the investor or to you, if authorized.
(d) You agree that it is your responsibility to determine the suitability of any Shares as investments for your customers, and that we have no responsibility for such determination.
7. ORDER PROCESSING CONTROLS.
(a) You represent that you have and will maintain policies and procedures in place to ensure that orders for the purchase and redemption of Shares in proper form received by you prior to the earlier of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) or such other time as may be designated in the Prospectus from time to time ("Close of Trading") are segregated from orders received by you after the Close of Trading and that such orders are properly transmitted to us for execution at the net asset value calculated as of the next Close of Trading following receipt of such orders.
(b) In accordance with NASD Notice to Members 03-50 (reminding members of their responsibility to ensure that they have in place policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect and prevent the occurrence of mutual fund transactions that would violate Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act, NASD Conduct Rule 2110 and other applicable rules and regulations), you represent that you have reviewed your policies and procedures to ensure that they are adequate with respect to preventing violations of law and Prospectus requirements related to timely order-taking and excessive trading activity. You represent that you will be responsible for the collection and payment to the Fund of any redemption fees based upon the terms outlined in the Prospectus. In addition, you agree that you will comply with any restrictions and/or limitations on exchanges described in each Fund's Prospectus.
(c) You agree that all purchases of Shares shall be made only to cover orders already received by you. You shall not withhold placing orders received from your customers so as to profit yourself as a result of such withholding. You hereby warrant that each transaction which you initiate will have been authorized by your customer prior to initiation.
(d) You agree to provide information about the identity of your customers and about their transactions in Shares in accordance with the requirements of Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act.
8. EXCESSIVE TRADING. You acknowledge that the Funds are long-term investments and that excessive trading by some shareholders raises the cost of operating the applicable Fund for the remaining shareholders. You further understand that shareholders with market timing strategies or an established pattern of frequent purchases and redemptions (or exchanges between funds) are not welcome as investors in the Funds. You agree that, in the event that it should come to your attention that any of your customers is engaging in a pattern of purchases, redemptions and/or exchanges of Shares that appears to evidence excessive trading activity, you shall immediately notify us of such pattern and shall cooperate fully with us in any investigation and, if deemed necessary or appropriate by us, terminating any such pattern of trading, including, without limitation, by refusing such customer's orders to purchase or exchange Shares. The foregoing shall not limit any other rights that the Funds or we may have from time to time.
9. NASD MATTERS; COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. This agreement is conditioned upon your representation and warranty that you are a member in good standing of the NASD or, in the alternative, that you are a foreign dealer or other entity not eligible for membership in the NASD. You and we agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the NASD and all applicable federal, state, and foreign laws, rules and regulations.
10. STATUS OF SOLICITING DEALER. Nothing herein shall make you a partner with us or render our relationship an association. You are responsible for your own conduct, for the employment, control and conduct of your employees and agents and for injury to such employees or agents or to others through such employees or agents. You assume full responsibility for your employees and agents under applicable laws and agree to pay all employer taxes relating thereto.
11. INDEMNIFICATION. Each of us agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other party and its affiliates, employees and agents against all losses, costs, fines, liabilities, damages and expenses (including reasonable legal and accounting fees) arising out of (i) such party's negligence or willful misconduct in carrying out its duties and responsibilities under this agreement, and/or (ii) any breach by such party of any material provision of this agreement. Such indemnification shall survive the termination of this agreement.
12. COMPLIANCE WITH ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REQUIREMENTS AND ECONOMIC SANCTIONS PROGRAMS. Each of us agrees to comply with all applicable anti-money laundering laws, regulations, rules and government guidance, including the reporting, record keeping and compliance requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA"), as amended by The International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002, Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act (the "PATRIOT Act"), its implementing regulations, and applicable rules adopted thereunder. As required by the PATRIOT Act, you certify to the extent applicable that you have a comprehensive anti-money laundering compliance program that includes policies, procedures and internal controls for complying with the BSA; policies, procedures and internal controls for identifying, evaluating and reporting suspicious activity; a designated compliance officer or officers; training for appropriate employees; and an independent audit function. Each of us further agrees to comply with the economic sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets control to the extent applicable. You agree that any order to purchase Shares shall constitute your continued certification of the matters you have certified in this Section. You agree that if the Funds or we are required to supply information, documentation or guidance to a securities regulatory organization ("SRO") or government department or agency about the customer identification program of the Funds or us or the measures taken to obtain information and to verify the identity of specific clients of the Funds, you shall allow such SRO or government department or agency to examine your files.
The parties agree to cooperate with one another to satisfy due diligence policies of the Funds, which may include annual compliance certifications and periodic due diligence reviews and/or other requests deemed reasonably necessary or appropriate by us to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering requirements.
You certify that all of your customers' taxpayer identification numbers ("TIN") or social security numbers ("SSN") furnished to us by you are correct and that you will not open an account without providing us with the customer's TIN or SSN if we so request.
13. PRIVACY. Each of us agrees to comply with the requirements of Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, 15 U.S.C. ss.ss. 6801 et seq., as may be amended from time to time, and any regulations adopted thereto, including Regulation S-P of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as with any other applicable federal or state privacy laws and regulations. The parties agree that any Non-Public Personal Information, as the term is defined in Regulation S-P, that may be disclosed hereunder is disclosed for the specific purpose of permitting the other party to perform the services set forth in this agreement. Each party agrees that, with respect to such information, it will comply with Regulation S-P and that it will not disclose any Non-Public Personal Information received in connection with this agreement to any other party, except to the extent required to carry out the services set forth in this agreement or as otherwise permitted by law.
14. AMENDMENT; TERMINATION. We and each Fund reserve the right, in our discretion upon notice to you, to amend, modify or terminate this agreement at any time, including without limitation, to change the sales charges, commissions, concessions and other fees described in the applicable Prospectus or to suspend sales or withdraw the offering of Shares. If you do not object to the amendment within 15 days from the date notice of any amendment has been sent to you, the amendment will become a part of this agreement. Your objection must be in writing and be received by us within such 15 days.
15. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) The parties to this agreement agree to cooperate fully in any regulatory investigation or proceeding or judicial proceeding with respect to each party's activities under this agreement and promptly to notify the other party of any such investigation or proceeding.
(b) In the event that your account with any Fund represents more than 5% of the outstanding Shares of that Fund, we may request that you confirm its status as a shareholder of record and confirm whether any of your customers owns beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of that Fund through your account. For this purpose, we will indicate in its inquiry the number of Shares that equal 5% of the outstanding Shares. You agree to reply promptly to any such inquiries.
(c) This agreement supersedes any and all prior agreements between us. All communications to us should be sent to the address below.
(d) Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or sent electronically to you at the address specified by you above.
(e) This agreement shall be construed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without giving effect to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof.
(f) The following provision, as marked, applies to this agreement.
| This document constitutes an amendment to and restatement of the Sales Agreement currently in effect between you and us.
| Please confirm your agreement hereto by signing and returning the enclosed counterpart of this agreement to: Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc., 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109-1820, Attention: Compliance Department.
Your submission and our acceptance of an order for Shares, or receipt by us of an executed copy of this agreement from you, represents your acknowledgement and acceptance of the terms and conditions of this agreement.
PIONEER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
By: ...........................................
William F. O'Grady, Executive Vice President
WE ACCEPT THIS AGREEMENT: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Exact Legal Name of Firm | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Exact Legal Name of Firm (cont.) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Exact Legal Name of Firm (cont.) |
By: ....................................
Authorized Signature
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Name | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Title | | / | | / | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Date [month/day/year] Firm CRD No. |
For Pioneer Use Only
Compliance Review ........................... Dealer No. ................................. NASD Member ................................. Disclosure .................................. |
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60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109-1820
(C)2005 Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
www.pioneerfunds.com
CONTROL NUMBER:(expxxxx) XXXXXXXXX
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of July 1, 2001 between each of the open-end management investment companies listed on Appendix A hereto each a Fund (as amended from time to time) severally and not jointly, (each a FUND), and BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO., a limited partnership formed under the laws of the State of New York (BBH&CO. or the CUSTODIAN). Each Fund is organized under either the laws of the State of Delaware or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and registered with the Commission under the 1940 Act, as amended.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to employ BBH&Co. to act as custodian for the Fund and to provide related services, all as provided herein, and BBH&Co. is willing to accept such employment, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Fund and BBH&Co. hereby agree, as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN. The Fund hereby appoints and employs BBH&Co. as the Fund's custodian for the term and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, including the related 17f-5 Delegation Schedule, and BBH&Co. hereby accepts such appointment. All Investments of the Fund delivered to the Custodian or its agents or Subcustodians shall be dealt with as provided in this Agreement. The duties of the Custodian with respect to the Fund's Investments shall be only as set forth expressly in this Agreement which duties are generally comprised of safekeeping and various administrative duties that will be performed in accordance with Instructions and as reasonably required to effect Instructions.
2. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE FUND. The Fund hereby represents, warrants and covenants each of the following:
2.1 This Agreement has been, and at the time of delivery of each Instruction such Instruction will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund. This Agreement does not conflict with or constitute a default under the Fund's prospectus, Certificate of Trust and By-Laws, or any other agreement, judgment, order or decree to which the Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
2.2 The Fund shall safeguard and shall be responsible for the safekeeping of any testkeys, identification codes, passwords, other security devices or statements of account with which the Custodian provides it. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, in the event the Fund utilizes any on-line service offered by the Custodian, the Fund shall be fully responsible for the security of its connecting terminal, access thereto and the proper and authorized use thereof and the initiation and application of continuing effective safeguards in respect thereof. Additionally, unless otherwise agreed in connection with the provision of such (service) (software) if the Fund uses any on-line or similar communications service made available by the Custodian, the Fund shall be responsible for ensuring the security of its access to the service and for its use of the service, and shall only attempt to access the service and the Custodian's computer systems as directed by the Custodian. Unless otherwise agreed in connection with the provision of such (service) (software). If the Custodian provides any computer software to the Fund relating to the services described in this Agreement, the Fund will only use the software for the purposes for which the Custodian provided the software to the Fund, and will abide by the license agreement accompanying the software and any other security policies which the Custodian provides to the Fund.
3. REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTY OF BBH&CO. BBH&Co. hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by BBH&Co. and does not and will not violate any Applicable Law or conflict with or constitute a default under BBH&Co.'s limited partnership agreement or any agreement, instrument, judgment, order or decree to which BBH&Co. is a party or by which it is bound.
4. INSTRUCTIONS. Unless otherwise explicitly indicated herein, the Custodian shall perform its duties pursuant to Instructions. As used herein, the term INSTRUCTION shall mean a directive initiated by the Fund, acting directly or through its board of trustees, officers or other Authorized Persons, which directive shall conform to the requirements of this Section 4.
4.1 AUTHORIZED PERSONS. For purposes hereof, an AUTHORIZED PERSON shall be a person or entity authorized to give Instructions for or on behalf of the Fund by written notices to the Custodian or otherwise in accordance with procedures delivered to and acknowledged by the Custodian. Such Authorized Persons may be identified by the Board of Trustees of the Fund by name, title or positions, may include officers of the Fund authorized by the Board of Trustees to name additional Authorized Persons and may include officers or employees of the Fund's investment adviser or its affiliates. The Custodian may treat any Authorized Person as having full authority of the Fund to issue Instructions hereunder unless the notice of authorization contains explicit limitations as to said authority. The Custodian may not
treat any Instruction from an Authorized Person directing the delivery of securities or payment to such Authorized Person to be valid for purposes of this Agreement. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the authority of Authorized Persons until it receives appropriate written notice from the Fund to the contrary.
4.2 FORM OF INSTRUCTION. Each Instruction shall be transmitted by such
secured or authenticated electro-mechanical means as the Custodian shall make
available to the Fund from time to time unless the Fund shall elect to transmit
such Instruction in accordance with Subsections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3 of this
Section.
4.2.1 FUND DESIGNATED SECURED-TRANSMISSION METHOD.
Instructions may be transmitted through a secured or tested
electro-mechanical means identified by the Fund or by an Authorized
Person entitled to give Instruction and acknowledged and accepted by
the Custodian; it being understood that such acknowledgment shall
authorize the Custodian to receive and process such means of delivery
but shall not represent a judgment by the Custodian as to the
reasonableness or security of the method determined by the Authorized
Person.
4.2.2 WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS. Instructions may be transmitted in a writing that bears the manual signature or initials of Authorized Persons.
4.2.3 OTHER FORMS OF INSTRUCTION. Instructions may also be transmitted by another means determined by the Fund or Authorized Persons and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian (subject to the same limits as to acknowledgements as is contained in Subsection 4.2.1, above) including Instructions given orally or by SWIFT, telex or telefax (whether tested or untested).
When an Instruction is given by means established under Subsections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3, it shall be the responsibility of the Custodian to use reasonable care to adhere to any security or other procedures established in writing between the Custodian and the Authorized Person (and such other procedures as are customarily adhered to by custodians to protect client assets) with respect to such means of Instruction, but such Authorized Person shall be solely responsible for determining that the particular means chosen is reasonable under the circumstances. Telephonic or oral instructions shall be considered proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by an Authorized Person. Telephonic or oral instructions shall be confirmed by methods established in accordance with Section 4.2.1. With respect to telefax instructions, the parties agree and acknowledge that receipt of legible instructions cannot be assured, that the Custodian cannot verify that authorized signatures on telefax instructions are original or properly affixed, and that the Custodian shall not be liable for losses or expenses incurred through actions taken in reliance on inaccurately stated, illegible or unauthorized telefax instructions; provided that if the Custodian receives Instructions that it determines to be illegible, the Custodian shall promptly seek confirmation of such Instructions from the Authorized Person sending such Instruction. The provisions of Section 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code shall apply to Funds Transfers performed in accordance with Instructions. The Funds Transfer Services Schedule to this Agreement shall comprise a designation of form of a means of delivering Instructions selected by the Custodian for purposes of this Section 4.2.
4.3 COMPLETENESS AND CONTENTS OF INSTRUCTIONS. The Authorized Person shall be responsible for assuring the adequacy and accuracy of Instructions. Particularly, upon any acquisition or disposition or other dealing in the Fund's Investments and upon any delivery and transfer of any Investment or monies, the person initiating such Instruction shall give the Custodian an Instruction with appropriate detail, including, without limitation:
4.3.1 The transaction date and the date and location of settlement; 4.3.2 The specification of the type of transaction; |
4.3.3 A description of the Investments or monies in question, including, as appropriate, quantity, price per unit, amount of money to be received or delivered and currency information; and
4.3.4 The name of the broker or similar entity concerned with execution of the transaction.
If the Custodian shall determine that an Instruction is either unclear or incomplete, the Custodian shall give prompt notice of such determination to the Fund, and the Fund shall thereupon amend or otherwise reform such Instruction.
4.4 TIMELINESS OF INSTRUCTIONS. In giving an Instruction, the Fund shall take into consideration delays which may occur due to the involvement of a Subcustodian or agent, differences in time zones, and other factors particular to a given market, exchange or issuer. When the Custodian has established specific timing requirements or deadlines with respect to particular classes of Instructions and adequate notice thereof has been provided to the Fund, or when an Instruction is received by the Custodian at such a time that it could not reasonably be expected to have acted on such Instruction due to time zone differences or other factors beyond its reasonable control, the Custodian shall not be responsible for any increased risk or failure to timely complete any settlement to the extent that such risk arises out of such delay.
5. SAFEKEEPING OF FUND ASSETS. The Custodian shall hold Investments delivered to it or Subcustodians for the Fund in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the safekeeping of Investments not delivered or that are not caused to be issued to it or its Subcustodians or pre-existing faults or defects in Investments that are delivered to the Custodian, or its Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby authorized to hold with itself or a Subcustodian, and to record in one or more accounts, all Investments delivered to and accepted by the Custodian, any Subcustodian or their respective agents pursuant to an Instruction or in consequence of any corporate
action. The Custodian shall hold Investments for the account of the Fund and shall segregate Investments from assets belonging to the Custodian and shall cause its Subcustodians to segregate Investments from assets belonging to the Subcustodian in an account held for the Fund or in an account maintained by the Subcustodian generally for non-proprietary assets of the Custodian.
5.1 USE OF SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES. The Custodian may deposit and maintain Investments in any Securities Depository, either directly or through one or more Subcustodians appointed by the Custodian. Investments held in a Securities Depository shall be held (a) subject to the agreement, rules, statement of terms and conditions or other document or conditions effective between the Securities Depository and the Custodian or the Subcustodian, as the case may be, and (b) in an account for the Fund or in bulk segregation in an account maintained for the non-proprietary assets of the entity holding such Investments in the Securities Depository. If the rules and regulations of the Securities Depository prevent the Custodian, the Subcustodian or (any agent of either) from holding its clients' assets in such a separate account, the Custodian, the Subcustodian or other agent shall as appropriate segregate such Investments for benefit of the Fund or for benefit of clients of the Custodian generally on its own books.
5.2 CERTIFICATED ASSETS. Investments which are certificated may be held in registered or bearer form: (a) in the Custodian's vault; (b) in the vault of a Subcustodian or agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian; or (c) in an account maintained by the Custodian, Subcustodian or agent at a Securities Depository; all in accordance with customary market practice in the jurisdiction in which any Investments are held provided that Securities are held in the name of the Fund or in an account of the Custodian containing only the assets of the Fund or only assets held as fiduciary or custodian for customers..
5.3 REGISTERED ASSETS. Investments which are registered may be registered in the name of the Custodian, a Subcustodian, or in the name of the Fund or a nominee for any of the foregoing, and may be held in any manner set forth in paragraph 5.2 above with or without any identification of fiduciary capacity in such registration.
5.4 BOOK ENTRY ASSETS. Investments which are represented by book-entry may be so held in an account maintained by the Book-entry Agent on behalf of the Custodian, a Subcustodian or another agent of the Custodian, or a Securities Depository.
5.5 REPLACEMENT OF LOST INVESTMENTS. In the event of a loss of Investments for which the Custodian is responsible under the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall replace such Investment, or in the event that such replacement cannot be effected, the Custodian shall pay to the Fund the fair market value of such Investment based on
the last available price as of the close of business in the relevant market on the date that a claim was first made to the Custodian with respect to such loss, or, if less, such other amount as shall be agreed by the parties as the date for settlement.
6. ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall perform the following administrative duties with respect to Investments of the Fund.
6.1 PURCHASE OF INVESTMENTS. Pursuant to Instruction, Investments purchased for the account of the Fund shall be paid for (a) against delivery thereof to the Custodian or a Subcustodian, as the case may be, either directly or through a Clearing Corporation or a Securities Depository (in accordance with the rules of such Securities Depository or such Clearing Corporation), or (b) otherwise in accordance with an Instruction or Applicable Law. However, (i) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund, the Custodian may release funds to a securities system or to a Subcustodian prior to the receipt of advice from the securities system or Subcustodian that the securities underlying such repurchase agreement have been transferred by book entry into the Account of the Custodian maintained with such securities system or Subcustodian, so long as such payment instructions to the securities system or Subcustodian include a requirement that delivery is only against payment for securities, (ii) in the case of foreign exchange contracts, options, time deposits, call account deposits, currency deposits, and other deposits, contracts or options, the Custodian may make payment therefor without receiving an instrument evidencing said deposit, contract or option so long as such payment instructions detail specific securities to be acquired, and (iii) in the case of securities for which payment for the security and receipt of the instrument evidencing the security are under generally accepted trade practice or the terms of the instrument representing the security expected to take place in different locations or through separate parties, the Custodian may make payment for such securities prior to delivery thereof in accordance with such generally accepted trade practice or the terms of the instrument representing such security.
6.2 SALE OF INVESTMENTS. Pursuant to Instruction, Investments sold for
the account of the Fund shall be delivered (a) against payment therefor in cash,
by certified check, bank cashiers check, bank credit or by bank wire transfer,
(b) by credit to the account of the Custodian or the applicable Subcustodian, as
the case may be, with a Clearing Corporation or a Securities Depository (in
accordance with the rules of such Securities Depository or such Clearing
Corporation), or (c) otherwise in accordance with an Instruction, Applicable Law
or the terms of the instrument representing such Investment; provided, however,
that (i) in the case of delivery of physical certificates or
instruments representing securities, the Custodian may make delivery to the broker buying the securities, against receipt therefor, for examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom, provided that the payment therefor is to be made to the Custodian (which payment may be made by a broker's check) or that such securities are to be returned to the Custodian, and (ii) in the case of securities referred to in the last sentence of Section 6.1, the Custodian may make settlement, including with respect to the form of payment, in accordance with generally accepted trade practice relating to such securities or the terms of the instrument representing said security.
6.3 DELIVERY AND RECEIPT IN CONNECTION WITH BORROWINGS OF THE FUND OR OTHER COLLATERAL AND MARGIN REQUIREMENTS. Pursuant to Instruction, the Custodian may deliver or receive Investments or cash of the Fund in connection with borrowings or loans by the Fund and other collateral and margin requirements.
6.4 FUTURES AND OPTIONS. If, pursuant to an Instruction, the Custodian
shall become a party to an agreement with the Fund and a futures commission
merchant regarding margin accounts (TRI-PARTY AGREEMENT), the Custodian shall
(a) receive and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian,
confirmations or other documents evidencing the purchase or sale by the Fund of
exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options, (b) when required by
such Tri-Party Agreement, deposit and maintain in an account opened pursuant to
such Agreement (MARGIN ACCOUNT), segregated either physically or by book-entry
in a Securities Depository for the benefit of any futures commission merchant,
such Investments as the Fund shall have designated as initial, maintenance or
variation "margin" deposits or other collateral intended to secure the Fund's
performance of its obligations under the terms of any exchange-traded futures
contracts and commodity options; and (c) thereafter pay, release or transfer
Investments into or out of the margin account in accordance with the provisions
of such Agreement. Alternatively, the Custodian may deliver Investments, in
accordance with an Instruction, to a futures commission merchant for purposes of
margin requirements in accordance with Rule 17f-6. The Custodian shall in no
event be responsible for the acts and omissions of any futures commission
merchant to whom Investments are delivered pursuant to this Section; for the
sufficiency of Investments held in any Margin Account; or, for the performance
of any terms of any exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options.
6.5 CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND SIMILAR INVESTMENTS. From time to time, the Fund's Investments may include Investments that are not ownership interests as may be represented by certificate (whether registered or bearer), by entry in a Securities Depository or by book entry agent, registrar or similar agent for recording ownership interests in the relevant Investment. If the Fund shall at any time acquire such Investments, including without limitation deposit obligations, loan participations, repurchase agreements and derivative arrangements, the Custodian shall (a) receive and
retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the arrangement; and (b) perform on the Fund's account in accordance with the terms of the applicable arrangement, but only to the extent directed to do so by Instruction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility for agreements running to the Fund as to which it is not a party other than to retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, documents or copies of documents evidencing the arrangement and, in accordance with Instruction, to include such arrangements in reports made to the Fund.
6.6 EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall: after prior notice of such action to the Fund: (a) exchange securities held for the account of the Fund for other securities in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, conversion, split-up, change of par value of shares or similar event: and (b) deposit any such securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization or protective plan.
6.7 SURRENDER OF SECURITIES. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian may surrender securities after prior notice of such action to the Fund: (a) in temporary form for definitive securities; (b) for transfer into the name of an entity allowable under Section 5.3; and (c) for a different number of certificates or instruments representing the same number of shares or the same principal amount of indebtedness.
6.8 RIGHTS, WARRANTS, ETC. Pursuant to Instruction, the Custodian shall
(a) deliver warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar securities to the issuer or
trustee thereof, or to any agent of such issuer or trustee, for purposes of
exercising such rights or selling such securities, and (b) deposit securities in
response to any invitation for the tender thereof.
6.9 MANDATORY CORPORATE ACTIONS. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall after prior notice of such action to the Fund: (a) comply with the terms of all mandatory or compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions or similar rights of securities ownership affecting securities held on the Fund's account and promptly notify the Fund of such action; and (b) collect all stock dividends, rights and other items of like nature with respect to such securities.
6.10 INCOME COLLECTION. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the
Custodian shall collect any amount due and payable to the Fund with respect to
Investments and promptly credit the amount collected to a Principal or Agency
Account; provided, however, that the Custodian shall not be responsible for:
(a) the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to Investments that
are in default; or (b) the collection of cash or share entitlements with
respect to Investments that are not registered in the name of the Custodian or
its Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby authorized to endorse and deliver
any instrument required to be so endorsed and delivered to effect collection
of any amount due and payable to the Fund with respect to Investments.
6.11 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES AND DISCLOSURE OF THE FUND'S INTEREST. The Custodian is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the Fund ownership certificates, affidavits or other disclosure required under Applicable Law or established market practice in connection with the receipt of income, capital gains or other payments by the Fund with respect to Investments, or in connection with the sale, purchase or ownership of Investments.
With respect to securities issued in the United States of America, the Custodian [ ] may [ ] may not release the identity of the Fund to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and the Fund. IF NO BOX IS CHECKED, THE CUSTODIAN SHALL RELEASE SUCH INFORMATION UNTIL IT RECEIVES CONTRARY INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE FUND. With respect to securities issued outside of the United States of America, information shall be released in accordance with law or custom of the particular country in which such security is located.
6.12 PROXY MATERIALS. The Custodian shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Fund proxy forms, notices of meeting, and any other notices or announcements affecting or relating to Investments received by the Custodian or any nominee. Unless authorized to do so by Instructions or proxy, neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall vote any securities held for the Fund pursuant to this Agreement.
6.13. TAXES. The Custodian shall, where applicable, assist the Fund in the reclamation of taxes withheld on dividends and interest payments received by the Fund. In the performance of its duties with respect to tax withholding and reclamation, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on the advice of counsel and upon information and advice regarding the Fund's tax status that is received from or on behalf of the Fund without duty of separate inquiry.
6.14. USE OF SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS. Upon receipt of Instructions, the
Custodian shall establish and maintain on its books a segregated account or
accounts on behalf of the Fund into which account or accounts may be transferred
cash and/or securities of the Fund (i) in accordance with the provisions of any
agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (or any futures commission merchant registered under
the Commodity Exchange Act) relating to compliance with the rules of the Options
Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered contract market), or any
similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in
connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash
or securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund
or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund,
(iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by
Investment Company Act and (iv) as mutually agreed from time to time between the
Fund and the Custodian.
6.15 OTHER DEALINGS. The Custodian shall otherwise act as directed by Instruction, including without
limitation effecting the free payments of moneys or the free delivery of securities, provided that such Instruction shall indicate the purpose of such payment or delivery and that the Custodian shall record the party to whom such payment or delivery is made.
The Custodian shall attend to all nondiscretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, transfer or purchase or other administration of Investments, except as otherwise directed by an Instruction.
In fulfilling the duties set forth in Sections 6.6 through 6.10 above, the Custodian shall promptly provide to the Fund all information pertaining to a corporate action which the Custodian actually receives; provided that the Custodian shall not be responsible for the completeness or accuracy of any information it receives. Any advance credit of cash or shares expected to be received as a result of any corporate action shall be subject to actual collection and may, when the Custodian deems collection unlikely, be reversed by the Custodian.
The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) agents (other than Subcustodians) to carry out some or all of the administrative provisions of this Agreement (AGENTS), provided, however, that the appointment of such agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its administrative obligations under this Agreement.
7. CASH ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS AND MONEY MOVEMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to open and maintain, with itself or with Subcustodians, cash accounts in United States Dollars, in such other currencies as are the currencies of the countries in which the Fund maintains Investments or in such other currencies as the Fund shall from time to time request by Instruction.
7.1 TYPES OF CASH ACCOUNTS. Cash accounts opened on the books of the Custodian (PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTS) shall be opened in the name of the Fund. Such accounts collectively shall be a deposit obligation of the Custodian and shall be subject to the terms of this Section 7 and the general liability provisions contained in Section 9. Cash accounts opened on the books of a Subcustodian may be opened in the name of the Fund or the Custodian or in the name of the Custodian for its customers generally (AGENCY ACCOUNTS). Such deposits shall be obligations of the Subcustodian and shall be treated as an Investment of the Fund. Accordingly, the responsibility of the Custodian with respect to cash accounts shall be the same as and no greater than other Investments. Accordingly, the Custodian shall not be liable for
their repayment in the event such Subcustodian, by reason of its bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise, fails to make repayment.
7.2 PAYMENTS AND CREDITS WITH RESPECT TO THE CASH ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall make payments from or deposits to any of said accounts in the course of carrying out its administrative duties, including but not limited to income collection with respect to the Fund's Investments, and otherwise in accordance with Instructions. The Custodian and its Subcustodians shall be required to credit amounts to the cash accounts only when moneys are actually received in cleared funds in accordance with banking practice in the country and currency of deposit. Any credit made to any Principal or Agency Account before actual receipt of cleared funds shall be provisional and may be reversed by the Custodian in the event such payment is not actually collected. Unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Custodian or any Subcustodian, all deposits shall be payable only at the branch of the Custodian or Subcustodian where the deposit is made or carried.
7.3 CURRENCY AND RELATED RISKS. The Fund bears risks of holding or
transacting in any currency. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss or
damage arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter
in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, which may delay or affect the
transferability, convertibility or availability of any currency in the country
(a) in which such Principal or Agency Accounts are maintained or (b) in which
such currency is issued, and in no event shall the Custodian be obligated to
make payment of a deposit denominated in a currency during the period during
which its transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected by
any such law, regulation or event. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be required to repay
any deposit made at a foreign branch of either the Custodian or Subcustodian if
such branch cannot repay the deposit due to a cause for which the Custodian
would not be responsible in accordance with the terms of Section 9 of this
Agreement unless the Custodian or such Subcustodian expressly agrees in writing
to repay the deposit under such circumstances. All currency transactions in any
account opened pursuant to this Agreement are subject to exchange control
regulations of the United States and of the country where such currency is the
lawful currency or where the account is maintained. Any taxes, costs, charges or
fees imposed on the convertibility of a currency held by the Fund shall be for
the account of the Fund.
7.4 FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS. The Custodian shall, subject to the terms of this Section, settle foreign exchange transactions (including contracts, futures, options and options on futures) on behalf and for the account of the Fund with such currency brokers or banking institutions, including Subcustodians, as the Fund may direct pursuant to Instructions. The Custodian may act as principal in any foreign exchange transaction with the Fund in accordance with
Section 7.4.2 of this Agreement. The obligations of the Custodian in respect of all foreign exchange transactions (whether or not the Custodian shall act as principal in such transaction) shall be contingent on the free, unencumbered transferability of the currency transacted on the actual settlement date of the transaction.
7.4.1 THIRD PARTY FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS. The Custodian shall process foreign exchange transactions (including without limitation contracts, futures, options, and options on futures), where any third party acts as principal counterparty to the Fund on the same basis it performs duties as agent for the Fund with respect to any other of the Fund's Investments. Accordingly the Custodian shall only be responsible for delivering or receiving currency on behalf of the Fund in respect of such contracts pursuant to Instructions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the failure of any counterparty (including any Subcustodian) in such agency transaction to perform its obligations thereunder. The Custodian (a) shall transmit cash and Instructions to and from the currency broker or banking institution with which a foreign exchange contract or option has been executed pursuant hereto, (b) may make free outgoing payments of cash in the form of U.S. Dollars or foreign currency without receiving confirmation of a foreign exchange contract or option or confirmation that the countervalue currency completing the foreign exchange contract has been delivered or received or that the option has been delivered or received, and (c) shall hold all confirmations, certificates and other documents and agreements received by the Custodian and evidencing or relating to such foreign exchange transactions in safekeeping. Subject to the Custodian's Standard of Care under this Agreement, the Fund accepts full responsibility for its use of third-party foreign exchange dealers and for execution of said foreign exchange contracts and options and understands that the Fund shall be responsible for any and all costs and interest charges which may be incurred by the Fund or the Custodian as a result of the failure or delay of third parties to deliver foreign exchange.
7.4.2 FOREIGN EXCHANGE WITH THE CUSTODIAN AS PRINCIPAL. The Custodian may undertake foreign exchange transactions with the Fund as principal as the Custodian and the Fund may agree from time to time. In such event, the foreign exchange transaction will be performed in accordance with the particular agreement of the parties, or in the event a principal foreign exchange transaction is initiated by Instruction in the absence of specific agreement, such transaction will be performed in accordance with the usual commercial terms of the Custodian.
7.5 DELAYS. If no event of Force Majeure shall have occurred and be continuing and in the event that a delay shall have been caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian in carrying out an Instruction to credit or transfer cash, the Custodian, without limiting the Custodian's obligations under Section 9. shall be liable to the Fund: (a) with respect to Principal Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Custodian on overnight deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected; and, (b) with respect to Agency Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Subcustodian on overnight deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected. The Custodian shall not be liable for delays in carrying out such Instructions to transfer cash which are not due to the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct.
7.6 ADVANCES. If, for any reason in the conduct of its safekeeping duties pursuant to Section 5 hereof or its administration of the Fund's assets pursuant to Section 6 hereof, the Custodian or any Subcustodian advances monies to facilitate settlement or otherwise for the benefit of the Fund (whether or not any Principal or Agency Account shall be overdrawn either during, or at the end of, any Business Day), (collectively, an "Advance"), then in such event any Investment at any time held for the account of the Fund by the Custodian or a Subcustodian shall be security for such Advance and if the Fund shall fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund's Investments to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.
Neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be obligated to advance monies to the Fund, and in the event that such Advance occurs, any transaction giving rise to an Advance shall be for the account and risk of the Fund and shall not be deemed to be a transaction undertaken by the Custodian for its own account and risk. If such Advance shall have been made by a Subcustodian or any other person, the Custodian may assign any rights granted or arising to the Custodian hereunder to such Subcustodian or other person. The Custodian may assign any rights it has hereunder to a Subcustodian or third party.
7.7 INTEGRATED ACCOUNT. For purposes hereof, deposits maintained in all Principal Accounts (whether or not denominated in Dollars) of each series of the Fund shall collectively constitute a single and indivisible current account with respect to the series' obligations to the Custodian, or its assignee, and balances in such Principal Accounts shall be available for satisfaction of the series' obligations under this Section 7.
8. SUBCUSTODIANS AND SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES. Subject to the provisions hereinafter set forth in this Section 8, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to utilize Securities Depositories to act on behalf of the Fund and to appoint from time to time and to utilize Subcustodians. With respect to securities and funds held by a Subcustodian, either directly or indirectly (including by a Securities Depository or Clearing Corporation), notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, payment for securities purchased and delivery of securities sold may be made prior to receipt of securities or payment, respectively, and securities or payment may be received in a form, in accordance with
(a) governmental regulations, (b) rules of Securities Depositories and clearing agencies, (c) generally accepted trade practice in the applicable local market, (d) the terms and characteristics of the particular Investment, or (e) the terms of Instructions.
8.1 DOMESTIC SUBCUSTODIANS AND SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES. The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain, either directly or through one or more agents appointed by the Custodian, Investments of the Fund in any Securities Depository in the United States, including The Depository Trust Company, provided such Depository meets applicable requirements of the Federal Reserve Bank or of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian may, at any time and from time to time, appoint any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act on behalf of the Fund as a Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund in the United States.
8.2 FOREIGN SUBCUSTODIANS AND SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES. Unless instructed otherwise by the Fund, the Custodian may deposit and/or maintain non-U.S. Investments of the Fund in any non-U.S. Securities Depository provided such Securities Depository meets the requirements of an "eligible securities depository" under Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act, or any successor rule or regulation ("Rule 17f-7") or which by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom. Prior to the time that securities are placed with such depository, but subject to the provisions of Section 8.2.4 below, the Custodian shall have prepared an assessment of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Securities Depository and shall have established a system to monitor such risks on a continuing basis in accordance with Subsection 8.2.3 of this Section and Rule 17f-7. Additionally, the Custodian may, at any time and from time to time, appoint (a) any bank, trust company or other entity meeting the requirements of an "eligible foreign custodian" under Rule 17f-5 or which by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom, or (b) any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act on behalf of the Fund as a Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund outside the United States. Such appointment of foreign Subcustodians shall be subject to approval of the Fund or the Foreign Custody Manager in accordance with Subsections 8.2.1 and 8.2.2 hereof, and use of non-U.S. Securities Depositories shall be subject to the terms of Subsections 8.2.3 and 8.2.4 hereof. An Instruction to open an account in a given country shall comprise authorization of the Custodian to hold assets in such country in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall not be required to make independent inquiry as to the authorization of the Fund to invest in such country.
8.2.1 BOARD APPROVAL OF FOREIGN SUBCUSTODIANS. Unless and except to the extent that the Board has delegated to and the Custodian has accepted delegation of review of certain matters concerning the appointment of Subcustodians pursuant to Subsection 8.2.2, the Custodian shall, prior to the appointment of any Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund outside the United States, obtain written confirmation of the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund with respect to (a) the identity of a Subcustodian, and (b) the Subcustodian agreement which shall govern such appointment, such approval to be signed by an Authorized Person.
8.2.2 DELEGATION OF BOARD REVIEW OF SUBCUSTODIANS. From time to time, the Custodian may agree to perform certain reviews of Subcustodians and of Subcustodian Contracts as delegate of the Fund's Board. In such event, the Custodian's duties and obligations with respect to this delegated review will be performed in accordance with the terms of the attached 17f-5 Delegation Schedule to this Agreement.
8.2.3 MONITORING AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES. Prior to the placement of any assets of the Fund with a non-U.S. Securities Depository, the Custodian: (a) shall provide to the Fund or its authorized representative an assessment of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets within such Securities Depository; and (b) shall have established a system to monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Securities Depository on a continuing basis and to promptly notify the Fund or its Investment Adviser of any material changes in such risk. In performing its duties under this subsection, the Custodian shall use reasonable care and may rely on such reasonable sources of information. It is acknowledged that information procured through some sources may not be independently verifiable by the Custodian and that direct access to Securities Depositories is limited under most circumstances. Accordingly, the Custodian shall not be responsible for errors or omissions in its duties hereunder provided that it has performed its monitoring and assessment duties with reasonable care, prudence and diligence. The risk assessment shall be provided to the Fund or its Investment Adviser by such means as the Custodian shall reasonably establish. Advices of material change in such assessment may be provided by the Custodian in the manner established as customary between the Fund and the Custodian for transmission of material market information.
8.3 RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUBCUSTODIANS. The Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund caused by or resulting from the acts or omissions of any Subcustodian to the extent that under the terms set forth in the subcustodian agreement between the Custodian and the Subcustodian, the Subcustodian has failed to perform in accordance with the standard of conduct imposed under such subcustodian agreement as determined in accordance with the law which is adjudicated to govern such agreement and in accordance with any determination of any court as to the duties of said Subcustodian pursuant to said agreement. The Custodian shall also be liable to the Fund for its own negligence in connection with the delivery of any securities or funds held by it to any Subcustodian.
8.4 NEW COUNTRIES. The Fund shall be responsible for informing the Custodian sufficiently in advance of a
proposed investment which is to be held in a country in which no Subcustodian is authorized to act in order that the Custodian shall, if it deems appropriate to do so, have sufficient time to establish a subcustodial arrangement in accordance herewith. In the event, however, the Custodian is unable to establish such arrangements prior to the time such investment is to be acquired, the Custodian is authorized to designate at its discretion a local safekeeping agent, and the use of such local safekeeping agent shall be at the sole risk of the Fund, and accordingly the Custodian shall be responsible to the Fund for the actions of such agent if and only to the extent the Custodian shall have recovered from such agent for any damages caused the Fund by such agent. The Custodian shall provide the Fund prompt notice if it receives Instruction with respect to a security to be settled in a country for which a Subcustodian has not been appointed or if the Custodian has appointed such an agent and at the request of the Fund, the Custodian agrees to remove any security held on behalf of the Fund by such an agent to a Subcustodian. Under such circumstances, the Custodian shall collect income and respond to corporate developments on a best efforts basis.
9. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTODIAN. In performing its duties and obligations hereunder, the Custodian shall use reasonable care, prudence and diligence in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, provided that the Custodian shall not be required to take any action that would be in contravention of Applicable Law. Subject to the specific provisions of this Section, the Custodian shall be liable for any direct damage or expense incurred by the Fund in consequence of the Custodian's negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. In no event shall the Custodian be liable hereunder for any special or punitive damages or for losses attributable to the diminution in the enterprise value of the Fund or damage to reputation arising out of, pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement even if the Custodian has been advised of the possibility of such damages. It is agreed that the Custodian shall have no duty to assess the risks inherent in the Fund's Investments or to provide investment advice with respect to such Investments and that the Fund as principal shall bear any risks attendant to particular Investments such as failure of counterparty or issuer.
9.1 LIMITATIONS OF PERFORMANCE. The Custodian shall not be responsible under this Agreement for any failure to perform its duties, and shall not be liable hereunder for any loss or damage in association with such failure to perform, for or in consequence of the following causes:
9.1.1 FORCE MAJEURE. FORCE MAJEURE shall mean any
circumstance or event which is beyond the reasonable control
of the Custodian, a Subcustodian or any agent of the Custodian
or a Subcustodian and which adversely affects the performance
by the Custodian of its obligations hereunder, by the
Subcustodian of its obligations under its Subcustody Agreement
or by any other agent of the Custodian or the Subcustodian,
including any event caused by, arising out of or involving (a)
an act of God, (b) accident, fire, water damage or explosion,
(c) any computer, system or other equipment failure or
malfunction caused by any computer virus or the malfunction or
failure of any communications medium, (d) any interruption of
the power supply or other utility service, (e) any strike or
other work stoppage, whether partial or total, (f) any delay
or disruption resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of
any Sovereign Risk, (g) any disruption of, or suspension of
trading in, the securities, commodities or foreign exchange
markets, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the
occurrence of any Sovereign Risk, (h) any encumbrance on the
transferability of a currency or a currency position on the
actual settlement date of a foreign exchange transaction,
whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of
any Sovereign Risk, or (i) any other cause similarly beyond
the reasonable control of the Custodian.
9.1.2 COUNTRY RISK. COUNTRY RISK shall mean, with respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of Investments in a jurisdiction, all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of, systemic and markets factors affecting the acquisition, payment for or ownership of Investments including (a) the prevalence of crime and corruption, (b) the inaccuracy or unreliability of business and financial information, (c) the instability or volatility of banking and financial systems, or the absence or inadequacy of an infrastructure to support such systems, (d) custody and settlement infrastructure of the market in which such Investments are transacted and held, (e) the acts, omissions and operation of any Securities Depository, (f) the risk of the bankruptcy or insolvency of banking agents, counterparties to cash and securities transactions, registrars or transfer agents, and (g) the existence of market conditions which prevent the orderly execution or settlement of transactions or which affect the value of assets.
9.1.3 SOVEREIGN RISK. SOVEREIGN RISK shall mean, in respect of any jurisdiction, including the United States of America, where Investments are acquired or held hereunder or under a Subcustody Agreement, (a) any act of war, terrorism, riot, insurrection or civil commotion, (b) the imposition of any investment, repatriation or exchange control restrictions by any Governmental Authority, (c) the confiscation, expropriation or nationalization of any Investments by any Governmental Authority, whether de facto or de jure, (iv) any devaluation or revaluation of the currency, (d) the imposition of taxes, levies or other charges affecting Investments, (vi) any change in the Applicable Law, or (e) any other economic or political risk incurred or experienced beyond the Custodian's control.
9.2. LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, claim, damage or other liability arising from the following causes:
9.2.1 FAILURE OF THIRD PARTIES. The failure of any third party including: (a) any issuer of Investments or book-entry or other agent of an issuer; (b) any counterparty with respect to any Investment, including any issuer of exchange-traded or other futures, option, derivative or commodities contract; (c) failure of an Investment Adviser, Foreign Custody Manager (if not the Custodian) or other agent of the Fund; or (d) failure of other third parties similarly beyond the control or choice of the Custodian.
9.2.2 INFORMATION SOURCES. The Custodian may rely upon information received from issuers of Investments or agents of such issuers, information received from Subcustodians and from other commercially reasonable sources such as commercial data bases and the like, but shall not be responsible for specific inaccuracies in such information, provided that the Custodian has, complied with its standard of care under this Agreement and relied upon such information in good faith, or for the failure of any commercially reasonable information provider.
9.2.3 RELIANCE ON INSTRUCTION. Action by the Custodian or the Subcustodian in accordance with an Instruction, even when such action conflicts with, or is contrary to any provision of, the Fund's Declaration of Trust, Certificate of Trust By-laws, Applicable Law, or actions by the trustees, directors or shareholders of the Fund.
9.2.4 RESTRICTED SECURITIES. The limitations inherent in the rights, transferability or similar investment characteristics of a given Investment of the Fund.
10. INDEMNIFICATION. The Fund hereby indemnifies the Custodian and each Subcustodian, and their respective agents, nominees and the partners, employees, officers and directors, and agrees to hold each of them harmless from and against all claims and liabilities, including counsel fees and taxes, incurred or assessed against any of them in connection with the performance of this Agreement and any Instruction, except such as may arise from its or any of its agent's breach of the relevant standard of care set forth in this Agreement. If a Subcustodian or any other person indemnified under the preceding sentence gives written notice of a claim to the Custodian, the Custodian shall promptly give written notice to the Fund.
11. REPORTS AND RECORDS. The Custodian shall:
11.1 create and maintain records relating to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and as required by the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder and under applicable federal and state laws. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and, in the event of the termination of this Agreement, shall be delivered to the successor custodian;
11.2 make available to the Fund, its auditors, counsel, agents and employees, during regular business hours of the Custodian, upon reasonable request , all records maintained by the Custodian pursuant to paragraph 11.1 above, subject, however, to all reasonable security requirements of the Custodian then applicable to the records of its custody customers generally; and
11.3 make available to the Fund all Electronic Reports; it being understood that the Custodian shall not be liable hereunder for the inaccuracy or incompleteness thereof or for errors in any information included therein.
12. MISCELLANEOUS.
12.1 PROXIES, ETC. The Fund will promptly execute and deliver, upon request, such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may be reasonable and necessary or desirable for the Custodian to provide, or to cause
any Subcustodian to provide, in its performance of custody services.
12.2 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between each Fund listed from an Appendix A hereto, as amended from time to time, severally and not jointly, and the Custodian with respect to the subject matter hereof. Accordingly, this Agreement supersedes any custody agreement or other oral or written agreements heretofore in effect between the Fund and the Custodian with respect to the custody of the Fund's Investments. Appendix A may be amended by Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. from time to time to add any additional Funds with the consent of the Custodian
12.3 WAIVER AND AMENDMENT. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, amended or modified, and no addendum or appendix to this Agreement shall be or become effective, or be waived, amended or modified, except by an instrument in writing executed by the party against which enforcement of such waiver, amendment or modification is sought; provided, however, that an Instruction shall, whether or not such Instruction shall constitute a waiver, amendment or modification for purposes hereof, be deemed to have been accepted by the Custodian when it commences actions pursuant thereto or in accordance therewith.
12.4 GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF, THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW OF SUCH STATE. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND THE FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
12.5 NOTICES. Notices and other writings contemplated by this
Agreement, other than Instructions, shall be delivered (a) by hand, (b) by first
class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
(c) by a nationally recognized overnight courier, or (d) by facsimile
transmission, provided that any notice or other writing sent by facsimile
transmission shall also be mailed, postage prepaid, to the party to whom such
notice is addressed. All such notices shall be addressed, as follows:
If to the Fund:
c/o Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attention: General Counsel
Telephone: (617) 422-4980
Facsimile: (617) 422-4223
and
[Fund Name]
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attention: Vin____________ Treasurer
Telephone: (781)
Facsimile: (781)
If to the Custodian:
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
40 Water Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Attn: Manager, Securities Department Telephone: (617) 772-1818 Facsimile: (617) 772-2263, |
or such other address as the Fund or the Custodian may have designated in writing to the other.
12.6 HEADINGS. Paragraph headings included herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not modify, define, expand or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.
12.7 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by the Fund and the Custodian.
12.8 CONFIDENTIALITY. The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering or obtaining services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by or to any bank examiner of the Custodian or any Subcustodian, any Regulatory Authority, any auditor of the parties hereto, or by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by Applicable Law.
12.9 COUNSEL. In fulfilling its duties hereunder, the Custodian shall be entitled to receive and act upon the
advice of (i) counsel regularly retained by the Custodian in respect of such matters, (ii) counsel for the Fund or (iii) such counsel as the Fund and the Custodian may agree upon, with respect to all matters, and the Custodian shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
12.10 CONFLICT. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the
Custodian and its associates from (i) dealing as a principal or an intermediary
in the sale, purchase or loan of the Fund's Investments to, or from the
Custodian or its associates; (ii) acting as a custodian, a subcustodian, a
trustee, an agent, securities dealer, an investment manager or in any other
capacity for any other client whose interests may be adverse to the interests of
the Fund; or (iii) buying, holding, lending, and dealing in any way in any
assets for the benefit of its own account, or for the account of any other
client whose interests may be adverse to the Fund notwithstanding that the same
or similar assets may be held or dealt in by, or for the account of the Fund by
the Custodian. The Fund hereby voluntarily consents to, and waives any potential
conflict of interest between the Custodian and/or its associates and the Fund,
and agrees that:
(a) the Custodian's and/or its associates' engagement in
any such transaction shall not disqualify the Custodian
from continuing to perform as the custodian of the Fund
under this Agreement;
(b) the Custodian and/or its associates shall not be under any
duty to disclose any information in connection with any such
transaction to the Fund;
(c) the Custodian and/or its associates shall not be liable to account to the Fund for any profits or benefits made or derived by or in connection with any such transaction; and
(d) the Fund shall use all reasonable efforts to disclose this provision, among other provisions in this Agreement, to its shareholders.
13. DEFINITIONS. The following defined terms will have the respective meanings set forth below.
13.1 ADVANCE shall mean any extension of credit by or through the Custodian or by or through any Subcustodian and shall include amounts paid to third parties for account of the Fund or in discharge of any expense, tax or other item payable by the Fund.
13.2 AGENCY ACCOUNT(S) shall mean any deposit account opened on the
books of a Subcustodian or other banking institution in accordance with Section
7.1.
13.3 AGENT(S) shall have the meaning set forth in the last sentence of
Section 6.
13.4 APPLICABLE LAW shall mean with respect to each jurisdiction, all
(a) laws, statutes, treaties, regulations, guidelines (or their equivalents);
(b) orders, interpretations licenses and permits; and (c) judgments, decrees,
injunctions
writs, orders and similar actions by a court of competent jurisdiction; compliance with which is required or customarily observed in such jurisdiction.
13.5 AUTHORIZED PERSON(S) shall mean any person or entity authorized to give Instructions on behalf of the Fund in accordance with Section 4.1.
13.6 BOOK-ENTRY AGENT(S) shall mean an entity acting as agent for the issuer of Investments for purposes of recording ownership or similar entitlement to Investments, including without limitation a transfer agent or registrar.
13.7 CLEARING CORPORATION shall mean any entity or system established for purposes of providing securities settlement and movement and associated functions for a given market.
13.8 DELEGATION AGREEMENT shall mean any separate agreement entered into between the Custodian and the Fund or its authorized representative with respect to certain matters concerning the appointment and administration of Subcustodians delegated to the Custodian pursuant to Rule 17f-5. 13.9 FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER shall mean the Fund's foreign custody manager appointed pursuant to Rule 17f-5 of the 1940 Act.
13.10 FOREIGN FINANCIAL REGULATORY AUTHORITY shall have the meaning given by Section 2(a)(50) of the 1940 Act.
13.11 FUNDS TRANSFER SERVICES SCHEDULE shall mean any separate schedule entered into between the Custodian and the Fund or its authorized representative with respect to certain matters concerning the processing of payment orders from Principal Accounts of the Fund.
13.12 GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK LISTING shall mean the Countries and Subcustodians approved for Investments in non-U.S. Markets.
13.13 INSTRUCTION(S) shall have the meaning assigned in Section 4.
13.14 INVESTMENT ADVISER shall mean any person or entity who is an Authorized Person to give Instructions with respect to the investment and reinvestment of the Fund's Investments.
13.15 INVESTMENT(S) shall mean any investment asset of the Fund, including without limitation securities, bonds, notes, and debentures as well as receivables, derivatives, contractual rights or entitlements and other intangible assets.
13.16 MARGIN ACCOUNT shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4 hereof.
13.17 PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT(S) shall mean deposit accounts of the Fund carried on the books of BBH&Co. as principal in accordance with Section 7.
13.18 SAFEKEEPING ACCOUNT shall mean an account established on the books of the Custodian or any Subcustodian for purposes of segregating the interests of the Fund (or clients of the Custodian or Subcustodian) from the assets of the Custodian or any Subcustodian.
13.19 SECURITIES DEPOSITORY shall mean a central or book entry system or agency established under Applicable Law for purposes of recording the ownership and/or entitlement to investment securities for a given market that, if a foreign Securities Depository, meets the definitional requirements of Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.
13.20 SUBCUSTODIAN(S) shall mean each foreign bank appointed by the Custodian pursuant to Section 8, but shall not include Securities Depositories.
13.21 TRI-PARTY AGREEMENT shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.4 hereof.
13.22 1940 ACT shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended..
14. COMPENSATION. The Fund agrees to pay to the Custodian (a) a fee in an
amount set forth in the fee letter between the Fund and the Custodian in
effect on the date hereof or as amended from time to time, and (b) all
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Custodian in connection with this
Agreement, including the fees and expenses of all Subcustodians, and payable
from time to time. Amounts payable by the Fund under and pursuant to this
Section 14 shall be payable by wire transfer to the Custodian at BBH&Co. in New
York, New York.
15. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated by either party in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The provisions of this Agreement and any other rights or obligations incurred or accrued by any party hereto prior to termination of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
15.1 NOTICE AND EFFECT. This Agreement may be terminated by either party by written notice effective no sooner than seventy-five (75) consecutive calendar days following the date that notice to such effect shall be delivered to other party at its address set forth in paragraph 12.5 hereof.
15.2 SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN. In the event of the appointment of a successor custodian, it is agreed that the Investments of the Fund held by the Custodian or any Subcustodian shall be delivered to the successor custodian in
accordance with reasonable Instructions. The Custodian agrees to cooperate with the Fund in the execution of documents and performance of other actions necessary or desirable in order to facilitate the succession of the new custodian. If no successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall in like manner transfer the Fund's Investments in accordance with Instructions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. EACH FUND LISTED ON APPENDIX A HERETO,
SEVERALLY AND NOT JOINTLY
By: /s/ Stokley P. Towles By: /s/ David D. Tripple Name: Stokley P. Towles Name: David D. Tripple Title: Partner Title: Executive Vice President of each Fund Date: August 20, 2001 Date: |
FUNDS TRANSFER SERVICES SCHEDULE TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
1. EXECUTION OF PAYMENT ORDERS. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (the Custodian) is hereby instructed by Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. (the Company) to execute each payment order, whether denominated in United States dollars or other applicable currencies, received by the Custodian in the Company's name as sender and authorized and confirmed by an Authorized Person as defined in a Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 by and between the Custodian and the Company, as amended or restated from time thereafter (the Agreement), provided that the Company has sufficient available funds on deposit in a Principal Account as defined in the Agreement and provided that the order (i) is received by the Custodian in the manner specified in this Funds Transfer Services Schedule or any amendment hereafter; (ii) complies with any written instructions and restrictions of the Company as set forth in this Funds Transfer Services Schedule or any amendment hereafter; (iii) is authorized by the Company or is verified by the Custodian in compliance with a security procedure set forth in Paragraph 2 below for verifying the authenticity of a funds transfer communication sent to the Custodian in the name of the Company or for the detection of errors set forth in any such communication; and (iv) contains sufficient data to enable the Custodian to process such transfer.
2. SECURITY PROCEDURE. The Company hereby elects to use the procedure selected below as its security procedure (the Security Procedure). The Security Procedure will be used by the Custodian to verify the authenticity of a payment order or a communication amending or canceling a payment order. The Custodian will act on instructions received provided the instruction is authenticated by the Security Procedure. The Company agrees and acknowledges in connection with (i) the size, type and frequency of payment orders normally issued or expected to be issued by the Company to the Custodian, (ii) all of the security procedures offered to the Company by the Custodian, and (iii) the usual security procedures used by customers and receiving banks similarly situated, that authentication through the Security Procedure shall be deemed commercially reasonable for the authentication of all payment orders submitted to the Custodian. The Company hereby elects (PLEASE CHOOSE ONE) the following Security Procedure as described below:
[ ] BIDS AND BIDS WORLDVIEW PAYMENT PRODUCTS. BIDS and BIDS Worldview
Payment Products, are on-line payment order authorization facilities with built-in authentication procedures. The Custodian and the Company shall each be responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of passwords or other codes to be used by them in connection with BIDS. The Custodian will act on instructions received through BIDS without duty of further confirmation unless the Company notifies the Custodian that its password is not secure.
[X] SWIFT. Primary Method the Custodian and the Company shall comply with SWIFT's authentication procedures. The Custodian will act on instructions received via SWIFT provided the instruction is authenticated by the SWIFT system.
[ ] TESTED TELEX. The Custodian will accept payment orders sent by tested telex, provided the test key matches the algorithmic key the Custodian and Company have agreed to use.
[ ] COMPUTER TRANSMISSION. The Custodian is able to accept transmissions sent from the Company's computer facilities to the Custodian's computer facilities provided such transmissions are encrypted and digitally certified or are otherwise authenticated in a reasonable manner based on available technology. Such procedures shall be established in an operating protocol between the Custodian and the Company.
[X] TELEFAX INSTRUCTIONS. Back-Up Method A payment order transmitted to the Custodian by telefax transmission shall transmitted by the Company to a telephone number specified from time to time by the Custodian for such purposes. If it detects no discrepancies, the Custodian will then either:
1. If the telefax requests a repetitive payment order, the Custodian may call the Company at its last known telephone number, request to speak to the Company or Authorized Person, and confirm the authorization and the details of the payment order (a "Callback"); or
2. If the telefax requests a non-repetitive order, the Custodian will perform a Callback.
All faxes must be accompanied by a fax cover sheet which indicates the sender's name, company name, telephone number, fax number, number of pages, and number of transactions or instructions attached.
[ ] TELEPHONIC. Alternative Back-Up Method A telephonic payment order shall be called into the Custodian at the telephone number designated from time to time by the Custodian for that purpose. The caller shall identify herself/himself as an Authorized Person. The Custodian shall obtain the payment order data from the caller. The Custodian shall then:
1. If a telephonic repetitive payment order, the Custodian may perform a Callback; or
2. If a telephonic non-repetitive payment order, the Custodian will perform a Callback.
In the event the Company chooses a procedure which is not a Security Procedure as described above, the Company agrees to be bound by any payment order (whether or not authorized) issued in its name and accepted by the Custodian in compliance with the procedure selected by the Company.
3. REJECTION OF PAYMENT ORDERS. The Custodian shall give the Company timely notice of the Custodian's rejection of a payment order. Such notice may be given in writing or orally by telephone, each of which is hereby deemed commercially reasonable. In the event the Custodian fails to execute a properly executable payment order and fails to give the Company notice of the Custodian's non-execution, the Custodian shall be liable only for the Company's actual damages and only to the extent that such damages are recoverable under UCC 4A (as defined in Paragraph 7 below). Notwithstanding anything in this Funds Transfer Services Schedule and the Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian shall in no event be liable for any consequential or special damages under this Funds Transfer Services Schedule, whether or not such damages relate to services covered by UCC 4A, even if the Custodian has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Whenever compensation in the form of interest is payable by the Custodian to the Company pursuant to this Funds Transfer Services Schedule, such compensation will be payable at the rate specified in UCC 4A.
4. CANCELLATION OF PAYMENT ORDERS. The Company may cancel a payment order but the Custodian shall have no liability for the Custodian's failure to act on a cancellation instruction unless the Custodian has received such cancellation instruction at a time and in a manner affording the Custodian reasonable opportunity to act prior to the Custodian's execution of the order. Any cancellation shall be sent and confirmed in the manner set forth in Paragraph 2 above.
5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DETECTION OF ERRORS AND UNAUTHORIZED PAYMENT ORDERS.
Except as may be provided, the Custodian is not responsible for detecting any
Company error contained in any payment order sent by the Company to the
Custodian. In the event that the Company's payment order to the Custodian either
(i) identifies the beneficiary by both a name and an identifying or bank account
number and the name and number identify different persons or entities, or (ii)
identifies any bank by both a name and an identifying number and the number
identifies a person or entity different from the bank identified by name,
execution of the payment order, payment to the beneficiary, cancellation of the
payment order or actions taken by any bank in respect of such payment order may
be made solely on the basis of the number. The Custodian shall not be liable for
interest on the amount of any payment order that was not authorized or was
erroneously executed unless the Company so notifies the Custodian within thirty
(30) business days following the Company's receipt of notice that such payment
order had been processed. If a payment order in the name of the Company and
accepted by the Custodian was not authorized by the Company, the liability of
the parties will be governed by the applicable provisions of UCC 4A.
6. LAWS AND REGULATIONS. The rights and obligations of the Custodian and the Company with respect to any payment order executed pursuant to this Funds Transfer Services Schedule will be governed by any applicable laws, regulations, circulars and funds transfer system rules, the laws and regulations of the United States of America and of other relevant countries including exchange control regulations and limitations on dealings or other sanctions, and including without limitation those sanctions imposed under the law of the United States of America by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Any taxes, fines, costs, charges or fees imposed by relevant authorities on such transactions shall be for the account of the Company.
7. MISCELLANEOUS. All accounts opened by the Company or its authorized agents at the Custodian subsequent to the date hereof shall be governed by this Funds Transfer Schedule. All terms used in this Funds Transfer Services Schedule shall have the meaning set forth in Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code as currently in effect in the State of New York (UCC 4A) unless otherwise set forth herein. The terms and conditions of this Funds Transfer Services Schedule are in addition to, and do not modify or otherwise affect, the terms and conditions of the Agreement and any other agreement or arrangement between the parties hereto.
8. INDEMNIFICATION. The Custodian does not recommend the sending of instructions by telefax or telephonic means as provided in Paragraph 2. BY ELECTING TO SEND INSTRUCTIONS BY TELEFAX OR TELEPHONIC MEANS, THE COMPANY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY THE CUSTODIAN AND ITS PARTNERS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR ALL LOSSES THEREFROM.
OPTIONAL: The Custodian will perform a Callback if instructions are sent by telefax or telephonic means as provided in Paragraph 2. THE COMPANY MAY, AT ITS OWN RISK AND BY HEREBY AGREEING TO INDEMNIFY THE CUSTODIAN AND ITS PARTNERS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR ALL LOSSES THEREFROM OTHER THAN LOSSES RESULTING FROM THE CUSTODIANS OWN NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL DEFAULT, ELECT TO WAIVE A CALLBACK BY THE CUSTODIAN BY INITIALLING HERE:____
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. is a member of the UniCredit Italian Banking Group, register of banking groups.
Accepted and agreed: BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ON APPENDIX A HERETO, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME By: /s/ Stokley P. Towles By: /s/ David D. Tripple Name: Stokley P. Towles Name: David D. Tripple Title: Partner Title: Executive Vice President |
Date: August 20, 2001 Date:
17F-5 DELEGATION SCHEDULE
By its execution of this Delegation Schedule dated as of July 1, 2001. Each Fund listed on Appendix A hereto, as amended from time to time, severally and not jointly, each of which is a management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the "1940 Act"), acting through its Board of Trustees or its duly appointed representative (each a "Fund"), hereby appoints BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO., a New York limited partnership with an office in Boston, Massachusetts (the "Delegate") as its delegate to perform certain functions with respect to the custody of Fund's Assets outside the United States.
1. MAINTENANCE OF FUND'S ASSETS ABROAD. The Fund, acting through its Board of Trustees or its duly authorized representative, hereby instructs Delegate pursuant to the terms of the Custodian Agreement dated as of the date hereof executed by and between the Fund and the Delegate (the "Custodian Agreement") to place and maintain the Fund's Assets in countries outside the United States in accordance with Instructions received from the Fund's Investment Adviser. Such instruction shall represent a Proper Instruction under the terms of the Custodian Agreement. The Fund acknowledges that: (a) the Delegate shall perform services hereunder only with respect to the countries where it accepts delegation as Foreign Custody Manager as indicated on your Global Custody Network Listing; (b) depending on conditions in the particular country, advance notice may be required before the Delegate shall be able to perform its duties hereunder in or with respect to such country (such advance notice to be reasonable in light of the specific facts and circumstances attendant to performance of duties in such country); and (c) nothing in this Delegation Schedule shall require the Delegate to provide delegated or custodial services in any country, and there may from time to time be countries as to which the Delegate determines it will not provide delegation services.
2. DELEGATION. Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act as amended, the Board hereby delegates to the Delegate, and the Delegate hereby accepts such delegation and agrees to
perform, only those duties set forth in this Delegation Schedule concerning the safekeeping of the Fund's Assets in each of the countries as to which it acts as the Board's delegate. The Fund appoints the Delegate as the Fund's "Foreign Custody Manager" as such term is used in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act. The Delegate is hereby authorized to take such actions on behalf of or in the name of the Fund as are reasonably required to discharge its duties under this Delegation Schedule, including, without limitation, to cause the Fund's Assets to be placed with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian in accordance herewith.
3. SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIAN AND CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION. The Delegate shall perform the following duties with respect to the selection of Eligible Foreign Custodians and administration of certain contracts governing the Fund's foreign custodial arrangements:
(a) SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIAN. The Delegate shall place and maintain the Fund's Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian; PROVIDED that the Delegate shall have determined that the Fund's Assets will be subject to reasonable care based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets including without limitation:
(i) The Eligible Foreign Custodian's practices, procedures, and
internal controls, including, but not limited to, the physical
protections available for certificated securities (if applicable), the
controls and procedures for dealing with any Securities Depository, the
method of keeping custodial records, and the security and data
protection practices;
(ii) Whether the Eligible Foreign Custodian has the requisite
financial strength to provide reasonable care for the Fund's Assets;
(iii) The Eligible Foreign Custodian's general reputation and
standing; and
(iv) Whether the Fund will have jurisdiction over and be able to
enforce judgments against the Eligible Foreign Custodian, such as by
virtue of the existence of any offices of such Eligible Foreign
Custodian in the United States or such Eligible Foreign Custodian's
appointment of an agent for service of process in the United States or
consent to jurisdiction in the United States.
(b) CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION. The Delegate shall cause that the foreign custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall be governed by a written contract that the Delegate
has determined will provide reasonable care for Fund assets based on the standards specified in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act . Each such contract shall, except as set forth in the last paragraph of this subsection (b), include provisions that provide:
(i) For indemnification or insurance arrangements (or any
combination of the foregoing) that will adequately protect the Fund
against the risk of loss of assets held in accordance with such
contract;
(ii) That the Fund's Assets will not be subject to any right,
charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the
Eligible Foreign Custodian or its creditors except a claim of payment
for their safe custody or administration or, in the case of cash
deposits, liens or rights in favor of creditors of such Custodian
arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws;
(iii) That beneficial ownership of the Fund's Assets will be
freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than
for safe custody or administration;
(iv) That adequate records will be maintained identifying the
Fund's Assets as belonging to the Fund or as being held by a third
party for the benefit of the Fund;
(v) That the Fund's independent public accountants will be given
access to those records described in (iv) above or confirmation of the
contents of such records; and
(vi) That the Delegate will receive sufficient and timely
periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping of the Fund's Assets,
including, but not limited to, notification of any transfer to or from
the Fund's account or a third party account containing the Fund's
Assets.
Such contract may contain, in lieu of any or all of the provisions specified in this Section 3 (b), such other provisions that the Delegate determines will provide, in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for the Fund's Assets as the specified provisions, in their entirety.
(c) LIMITATION TO DELEGATED SELECTION. Notwithstanding anything in this Delegation Schedule to the contrary, the duties under this Section 3 shall apply only to Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Delegate and shall not apply to Securities Depositories or to any Eligible Foreign Custodian that the Delegate is directed to use pursuant to Section 7.
4. MONITORING. The Delegate shall establish a system to monitor at reasonable
intervals (but at least annually) the appropriateness of maintaining the Fund's Assets with each Eligible Foreign Custodian that has been selected by the Delegate pursuant to Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule. The Delegate shall monitor the continuing appropriateness of placement of the Fund's Assets in accordance with the criteria established under Section 3(a) of this Delegation Schedule. The Delegate shall monitor the continuing appropriateness of the contract governing the Fund's arrangements in accordance with the criteria established under Section 3(b) of this Delegation Schedule.
5. REPORTING. At least annually and more frequently as mutually agreed between the parties, the Delegate shall provide to the Board written reports specifying placement of the Fund's Assets with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Delegate pursuant to Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule and shall promptly report as to any material changes to such foreign custody arrangements. Delegate will prepare such a report with respect to any Eligible Foreign Custodian that the Delegate has been instructed to use pursuant to Section 7 only to the extent specifically agreed with respect to the particular situation.
6. WITHDRAWAL OF FUND'S ASSETS. If the Delegate determines that an arrangement
with a specific Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Delegate under
Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule no longer meets the requirements of said
Section, Delegate shall withdraw the Fund's Assets from the non-complying
arrangement as soon as reasonably practicable; PROVIDED, however, that if in the
reasonable judgment of the Delegate, such withdrawal would require liquidation
of any of the Fund's Assets or would materially impair the liquidity, value or
other investment characteristics of the Fund's Assets, it shall be the duty of
the Delegate to provide information regarding the particular circumstances and
to act only in accordance with Proper Instructions with respect to such
liquidation or other withdrawal.
7. DIRECTION AS TO ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIAN. Notwithstanding this Delegation Schedule, the Fund, acting through its Board, its Investment Adviser or its other authorized representative, may direct the Delegate to place and maintain the Fund's Assets with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian, including without limitation with respect to investment in countries as to which the Custodian will not provide delegation services. In such event, the Delegate shall be entitled to rely on any such instruction as a Proper Instruction under the terms of the Custodian Agreement and shall have no duties under this Delegation Schedule with respect to such arrangement save those that it may undertake specifically in writing with respect to each particular instance.
8. STANDARD OF CARE. In carrying out its duties under this Delegation Schedule, the Delegate agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for safekeeping the Fund's Assets would exercise.
9. REPRESENTATIONS.The Delegate hereby represents and warrants that it is a U.S. Bank and that this Delegation Schedule has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Delegate and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Delegate.
The Fund hereby represents and warrants that its Board of Trustees has determined that it is reasonable to rely on the Delegate to perform the delegated responsibilities provided for herein and that this Delegation Schedule has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Fund.
10. EFFECTIVENESS; TERMINATION. This Delegation Schedule shall be effective as of the date on which this Delegation Schedule shall have been accepted by the Delegate, as indicated by the date set forth below the Delegate's signature. This Delegation Schedule may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Such termination shall be effective on the 30th day following the date on which the non-terminating party shall receive the foregoing notice. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, this Delegation Schedule shall be deemed to have been terminated concurrently with the termination of the Custodian Agreement.
11. NOTICES.Notices and other communications under this Delegation Schedule are to be made in accordance with the arrangements designated for such purpose under the Custodian Agreement unless otherwise indicated in a writing referencing this Delegation Schedule and executed by both parties.
12. DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms in this Delegation Schedule have the following meanings:
a. ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIAN - shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-5(a)(1) and shall also include a U.S. Bank.
b. FUND'S ASSETS - shall mean any of the Fund's investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States, and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's transactions in such investments.
c. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS - shall have the meaning set forth in the Custodian Agreement.
d. SECURITIES DEPOSITORY - shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-7.
e. SOVEREIGN RISK - shall have the meaning set forth in
Section [6.3] of the Custodian Agreement.
f . U.S. BANK - shall mean a bank which qualifies to serve as a custodian of assets of investment companies under Section 17(f) of the Act.
13. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION. This Delegation Schedule shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal courts sitting in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or of the state courts of such Commonwealth.
14. FEES. Delegate shall perform its functions under this Delegation Schedule for the compensation determined under the Custodian Agreement.
15. INTEGRATION. This Delegation Schedule sets forth all of the Delegate's duties with respect to the selection and monitoring of Eligible Foreign Custodians, the administration of contracts with Eligible Foreign Custodians, the withdrawal of assets from Eligible Foreign Custodians and the issuance of reports in connection with such duties. The terms of the Custodian Agreement shall apply generally as to matters not expressly covered in this Delegation Schedule, including dealings with the Eligible Foreign Custodians in the course of discharge of the Delegate's obligations under the Custodian Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. EACH FUND LISTED ON APPENDIX A By: /s/ Stokley P. Towles By: /s/ David D. Tripple Name: Stokley P. Towles Name: David D. Tripple Title: Partner Title: Executive Vice President |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of July 1, 2001
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under a Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001.
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY-INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL FINANCIALS FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL TELECOMS FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INDO-ASIA FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE-CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER LIMITED MATURITY BOND FUND
PIONEER MICRO-CAP FUND
PIONEER MID-CAP FUND
PIONEER MID-CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX-MANAGED FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY-INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL FINANCIALS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL HEALTH CARE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL TELECOMS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID-CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SWISS FRANC BOND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on behalf of each such open-end management investment company.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ David D. Trippel By: /s/ D.A. Donahue Name: David D. Tripple Name: D.A. Donahue Title: Executive Vice President Title: Partner |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of August 21, 2001
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under a Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001.
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY-INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL FINANCIALS FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL TELECOMS FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INDO-ASIA FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE-CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER LIMITED MATURITY BOND FUND
PIONEER MICRO-CAP FUND
PIONEER MID-CAP FUND
PIONEER MID-CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX-MANAGED FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY-INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL FINANCIALS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL HEALTH CARE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL TELECOMS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID-CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SWISS FRANC BOND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER LONG/SHORT FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL VALUE FUND
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on behalf of each such open-end management investment company.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ David D. Tripple By: /s/ D.A. Donahue Name: David D. Tripple Name: D.A. Donahue Title: Executive Vice President Title: Partner |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of November 13, 2001
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the
Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL FINANCIALS FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL TELECOMS FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INDO-ASIA FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER LIMITED MATURITY BOND FUND
PIONEER LONG/SHORT FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX MANAGED FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER WORLD EQUITY FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL FINANCIALS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL HEALTH CARE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL TELECOMS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SWISS FRANC BOND VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on behalf of each such open-end management investment company.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ Stokley P. Towles Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: Stokley P. Towles Title: Assistant [Secretary] Title: Partner |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of December 14, 2001
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL CONSUMERS FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL ENERGY & UTILITIES FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL FINANCIALS FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL INDUSTRIALS FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL TELECOMS FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER LONG/SHORT FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX MANAGED FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL CONSUMERS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL ENERGY & UTILITIES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL FINANCIALS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL HEALTH CARE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL INDUSTRIALS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL TELECOMS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SWISS FRANC BOND VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on behalf of each such open-end management investment company.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ Stokley P. Towles Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: Stokley P. Towles Title: Assistant Secretary Title: Partner |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of September 3, 2002
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER CORE EQUITY FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER LONG/SHORT FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on behalf of each such open-end management investment company.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ John F. Cogan, Jr. By: /s/ Stokley P. Towles Name: John F. Cogan, Jr. Name: Stokley P. Towles Title: President Title: Partner |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of January 27, 2003
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the
Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER CORE EQUITY FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER LONG/SHORT FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on behalf of each such open-end management investment company.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Assistant Secretary Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN |
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH
OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of July 8, 2003
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER CORE EQUITY FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER LONG/SHORT FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on behalf of each such open-end management investment company.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Assistant Secretary Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN |
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of September 29, 2003
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER CORE EQUITY FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER LONG/SHORT FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on behalf of each such open-end management investment company.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Secretary Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of October 1, 2003
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER CORE EQUITY FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER LONG/SHORT FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP STOCK FUND
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA ABROAD FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA-PACIFIC RIM FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on its behalf.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Secretary Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of December 11, 2003
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER RESEARCH FUND
PIONEER SELECT EQUITY FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP STOCK FUND
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA ABROAD FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA-PACIFIC RIM FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA ABROAD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP STOCK VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on its behalf.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Secretary Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of December 19, 2003
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER RESEARCH FUND
PIONEER SELECT EQUITY FUND
PIONEER TAX ADVANTAGED BALANCED FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP STOCK FUND
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA ABROAD FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA-PACIFIC RIM FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA ABROAD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP STOCK VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on its behalf.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Secretary Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of January 30, 2004
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER RESEARCH FUND
PIONEER SELECT EQUITY FUND
PIONEER TAX ADVANTAGED BALANCED TRUST
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP STOCK FUND
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA ABROAD FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA-PACIFIC RIM FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA ABROAD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP STOCK VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on its behalf.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Secretary Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of March 2, 2004
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER RESEARCH FUND
PIONEER SELECT EQUITY FUND
PIONEER SELECT VALUE FUND
PIONEER TAX ADVANTAGED BALANCED TRUST
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP STOCK FUND
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA ABROAD FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA-PACIFIC RIM FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA PACIFIC RIM VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP STRATEGIC GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on its behalf.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Secretary Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A TO |
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of August 4, 2004
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON AGGRESSIVE ALLOCATION FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON GROWTH ALLOCATION FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON MODERATE ALLOCATION FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER RESEARCH FUND
PIONEER SELECT EQUITY FUND
PIONEER SELECT VALUE FUND
PIONEER SHORT TERM INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX ADVANTAGED BALANCED TRUST
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP STOCK FUND
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA ABROAD FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA-PACIFIC RIM FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA PACIFIC RIM VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP STRATEGIC GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on its behalf.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Secretary Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A TO |
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of August 17, 2004
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
CALIFORNIA TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON AGGRESSIVE ALLOCATION FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON GROWTH ALLOCATION FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON MODERATE ALLOCATION FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER RESEARCH FUND
PIONEER SELECT EQUITY FUND
PIONEER SELECT VALUE FUND
PIONEER SHORT TERM INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX ADVANTAGED BALANCED TRUST
PIONEER TAX FREE MONEY MARKET FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP STOCK FUND
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA ABROAD FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA-PACIFIC RIM FUND
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BOND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA PACIFIC RIM VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP STRATEGIC GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE II VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on its behalf.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Secretary Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of November 23, 2004
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER EMERGING GROWTH FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EQUITY OPPORTUNITY FUND
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT FUND
PIONEER FLOATING RATE TRUST
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES, a
series trust consisting of:
PIONEER IBBOTSON AGGRESSIVE ALLOCATION FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON GROWTH ALLOCATION FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON MODERATE ALOCAITON FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER RESEARCH FUND
PIONEER SELECT EQUITY FUND
PIONEER SELECT VALUE FUND
PIONEER SERIES TRUST I, a series trust
consisting of:
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER SERIES TRUST II, a series trust
consisting of:
PIONEER PAPP STOCK FUND
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA-PACIFIC RIM FUND
PIONEER PAPP STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
PIONEER CALIFORNIA TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE MONEY MARKET FUND
PIONEER SERIES TRUST III, a series trust consisting of:
PIONEER CULLEN VALUE FUND
PIONEER SHORT TERM INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX ADVANTAGED BALANCED TRUST
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER VARIABLE CONTRACTS TRUST, a series
trust consisting of:
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BOND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER CULLEN VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY OPPORTUNITY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER IBBOTSON AGGRESSIVE ALLOCATION VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER IBBOTSON GROWTH ALLOCATION VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER IBBOTSON MODERATE ALLOCATION VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP AMERICA PACIFIC RIM VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER PAPP SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE II VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and on its behalf.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/ James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Secretary Title: Managing Director |
APPENDIX A TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN |
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
AND
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
Dated as of December 6, 2005
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under the
Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001 (the "Agreement"):
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME TRUST
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
PIONEER BOND FUND
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS FUND
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME FUND
PIONEER EQUITY OPPORTUNITY FUND
PIONEER EUROPE SELECT EQUITY FUND
PIONEER FLOATING RATE TRUST
PIONEER FUND
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES
PIONEER HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER HIGH YIELD FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES, a series trust consisting of:
PIONEER IBBOTSON AGGRESSIVE ALLOCATION FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON CONSERVATIVE ALLOCATION FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON GROWTH ALLOCATION FUND
PIONEER IBBOTSON MODERATE ALOCAITON FUND
PIONEER INDEPENDENCE FUND
PIONEER INTEREST SHARES
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
PIONEER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
PIONEER MONEY MARKET TRUST, a series trust consisting of:
PIONEER CASH RESERVES FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND
PIONEER PROTECTED PRINCIPAL PLUS FUND II
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES
PIONEER RESEARCH FUND
PIONEER SELECT EQUITY FUND
PIONEER SELECT VALUE FUND
PIONEER SERIES TRUST I, a series trust consisting of:
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER OAK RIDGE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER SERIES TRUST II, a series trust consisting of:
PIONEER AM PAC GROWTH FUND
PIONEER GROWTH LEADERS FUND
PIONEER SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH FUND
PIONEER CALIFORNIA TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
PIONEER MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE MONEY MARKET FUND
PIONEER SERIES TRUST III, a series trust consisting of:
PIONEER CULLEN VALUE FUND
PIONEER SERIES TRUST IV, a series trust consisting of:
PIONEER CLASSIC BALANCED FUND
PIONEER FOCUSED EQUITY FUND
PIONEER FLORIDA TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
PIONEER INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY FUND
PIONEER TREASURY RESERVES FUND
PIONEER SERIES TRUST V, a series trust consisting of:
PIONEER GLOBAL SELECT EQUITY FUND
PIONEER SELECT RESEARCH GROWTH FUND
PIONEER SELECT RESEARCH VALUE FUND
PIONEER SHORT TERM INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX ADVANTAGED BALANCED TRUST
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY FUND
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
PIONEER TAX FREE INCOME FUND
PIONEER VALUE FUND
PIONEER VARIABLE CONTRACTS TRUST, a series trust consisting of:
PIONEER AMERICA INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER AMPAC GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BOND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER BALANCED VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER CORE BOND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER CULLEN VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EMERGING MARKETS VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EQUITY OPPORTUNITY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER EUROPE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER FUND VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GLOBAL HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER GROWTH SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER HIGH YIELD VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER IBBOTSON AGGRESSIVE ALLOCATION VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER IBBOTSON GROWTH ALLOCATION VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER IBBOTSON MODERATE ALLOCATION VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER INTERNATIONAL VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MID CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER MONEY MARKET VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER OAK RIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL AND MID CAP GROWTH VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER REAL ESTATE SHARES VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL CAP VALUE II VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER SMALL COMPANY VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER STRATEGIC INCOME VCT PORTFOLIO
PIONEER VALUE VCT PORTFOLIO
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be
executed in its name and on its behalf.
Each of the open-end management BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. investment companies listed on this Appendix "A" By: /s/Dorothy E. Bourassa By: /s/James R. Kent Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: James R. Kent Title: Secretary Title: Managing Director |
PIONEER FAMILY OF FUNDS
MASTER INVESTMENT COMPANY SERVICE AGREEMENT
March 4, 2003
WHEREAS, each open-end and closed-end investment management company listed on Exhibit A hereto organized as either a Delaware business trust or a Massachusetts business trust, each with its principal place of business at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 (each a "Customer"), has previously entered into an investment management company service agreement (the "Original Agreement(s)") between itself and Pioneer Investment Management Shareholder Services, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation with its principal place of business at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 ("PIMSS"); and
WHEREAS, Customer and PIMSS now have determined that it is desirable to amend and restate each Original Agreement so as to provide for a Master Investment Company Service Agreement between each Customer listed on Exhibit A hereto, as amended from time to time, and PIMSS, and that each Original Agreement is hereby superseded by this Agreement as of the date hereof;
NOW THEREFORE, each Customer, severally and not jointly, and PIMSS hereby agree as follows:
1. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY PIMSS. During the term of this Agreement, PIMSS will provide to each series of shares of beneficial interest of Customer which may be established from time to time (the "Account") the services described in Exhibits C, D, E and F (collectively, the Exhibits). It is understood that PIMSS may subcontract any of such services to one or more firms designated by PIMSS, provided that PIMSS (i) shall be solely responsible for all compensation payable to any such firm and (ii) shall be liable to Customer for the acts or omissions of any such firm to the same extent as PIMSS would be liable to Customer with respect to any such act or omission hereunder.
2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Agreement shall become effective on the date hereof (the "Effective Date") and shall continue in effect until it is terminated in accordance with Section 11 below.
3. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTATION, MATERIALS AND DATA. Customer shall, from time to time, while this Agreement is in effect deliver all such documentation, materials and data as may be necessary or desirable to enable PIMSS to perform its services hereunder.
4. REPORTS AND MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS BY PIMSS. PIMSS will furnish to Customer and to properly authorized auditors, examiners, distributors, dealers, underwriters, salesmen, insurance companies, investors, and others designated by Customer in writing, such books, any and all records and reports at such times as are prescribed for each service in the Exhibits attached hereto. Customer agrees to examine or to ask any other authorized recipient to examine each such report or copy promptly and will report or cause to be reported any errors or discrepancies therein of which Customer then has any knowledge. PIMSS may at its option at any time, and shall forthwith upon Customer's demand, turn over to Customer and cease to retain in PIMSS' files any and all records and documents created and maintained by PIMSS pursuant to this Agreement which are no longer needed by PIMSS in the performance of its services or for its protection.
If not so turned over to Customer, such documents and reports will be retained by PIMSS for six years from the year of creation, during the first two of which the same shall be in readily accessible form. At the end of six years, such records and documents will be turned over to Customer by PIMSS unless Customer authorizes their destruction.
5. PIMSS' DUTY OF CARE. PIMSS shall at all times use reasonable care and act in good faith in performing its duties hereunder. PIMSS shall incur no liability to Customer in connection with its performance of services hereunder except to the extent that it does not comply with the foregoing standards.
PIMSS shall at all times adhere to various procedures and systems consistent with industry standards in order to safeguard Customer's checks, records and other data from loss or damage attributable to fire or theft. PIMSS shall maintain insurance adequate to protect against the costs of reconstructing checks, records and other data in the event of such loss and shall notify Customer in the event of a material adverse change in such insurance coverage. In the event of damage or loss occurring to Customer's records or data such that PIMSS is unable to meet the terms of this Agreement, PIMSS shall transfer all records and data to a transfer agent of Customer's choosing upon Customer's written authorization to do so.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, PIMSS shall not be liable or responsible for delays or errors occurring by reason of circumstances beyond its control, including acts of civil, military or banking authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, flood or other catastrophes, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots, failure of transportation, communication or power supply.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY. PIMSS will keep confidential all records and information provided by Customer or by the shareholders of the Account to PIMSS, except to the extent disclosures are required by this Agreement, are required by the Customer's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, or are required by a valid subpoena or warrant issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a state or federal agency or governmental authority.
7. CUSTOMER INSPECTION. Upon reasonable notice, in writing signed by Customer, PIMSS shall make available, during regular business hours, all records and other data created and maintained pursuant to this Agreement for reasonable audit and inspection by Customer or Customer's agents, including reasonable visitation by Customer or Customer's agents, including inspecting PIMSS' operation facilities. PIMSS shall not be liable for injury to or responsible in any way for the safety of any individual visiting PIMSS' facilities under the authority of this section. Customer will keep confidential and will cause to keep confidential all confidential information obtained by its employees or agents or any other individual representing Customer while on PIMSS' premises. Confidential information shall include (1) any information of whatever nature regarding PIMSS' operations, security procedures, and data processing capabilities, (2) financial information regarding PIMSS, its affiliates, or subsidiaries, and (3) any information of whatever kind or description regarding any customer of PIMSS, its affiliates or subsidiaries.
8. RELIANCE BY PIMSS ON INSTRUCTIONS AND ADVICE; INDEMNITY. PIMSS shall be entitled to seek advice of Customer's legal counsel with respect to PIMSS' responsibilities and duties hereunder and shall in no event be liable to Customer for any action taken pursuant to such advice, except to the extent that Customer's legal counsel determines in its sole discretion that the rendering of advice to PIMSS would result in a conflict of interest.
Whenever PIMSS is authorized to take action hereunder pursuant to proper instructions from Customer, PIMSS shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate, letter or other instrument or telephone call or Internet transaction reasonably believed by PIMSS to be genuine and to have been properly made or signed by an officer or other authorized agent of Customer, and shall be entitled to receive as conclusive proof of any fact or matter required to be ascertained by it hereunder a certificate signed by an officer of Customer or any other person authorized by Customer's Board of Trustees.
Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of this Agreement, Customer agrees to indemnify and hold PIMSS, its employees, agents and nominees harmless from any and all claims, demands, actions and suits, whether groundless or otherwise, and from and against any and all judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and character arising out of or in any way relating to PIMSS' action or non-action upon information, instructions or requests given or made to PIMSS by Customer with respect to the Account.
Notwithstanding the above, whenever Customer may be asked to indemnify or hold PIMSS harmless, Customer shall be advised of all pertinent facts arising from the situation in question. Additionally, PIMSS will use reasonable care to identify and notify Customer promptly concerning any situation which presents, actually or potentially, a claim for indemnification against Customer. Customer shall have the option to defend PIMSS against any claim for which PIMSS is entitled to indemnification from Customer
under the terms hereof, and, in the event Customer so elects, it will notify PIMSS and, thereupon, Customer shall take over complete defense of the claim, and PIMSS shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in such a situation for which indemnification shall be sought or entitled. PIMSS may in no event confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which Customer will be asked to indemnify PIMSS except with Customer's prior written consent.
9. MAINTENANCE OF DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS. PIMSS shall maintain on behalf of Customer such deposit accounts as are necessary or desirable from time to time to enable PIMSS to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
10. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT TO PIMSS. For the services rendered by PIMSS under this Agreement, Customer agrees to pay to PIMSS an (a) annual fee per open account and (b) an annual fee per closed account in the applicable amounts set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto in effect on the date hereof, or as amended from time to time, such fees to be payable in equal monthly installments. Customer shall reimburse PIMSS monthly for out-of-pocket expenses, including, but not limited to, forms, postage, mail service, telephone charges, including internet access charges, archives, microfiche and other records storage services, mailing and tabulating proxies, sub account recordkeeper fees relating to omnibus accounts, and miscellaneous. In addition, Customer will reimburse any other expenses incurred by PIMSS at the request of or with the consent of Customer.
11. TERMINATION. Either PIMSS or Customer may at any time terminate this Agreement by giving 90 days' prior written notice to the other.
After the date of termination, for so long as PIMSS in fact continues to perform any one or more of the services contemplated by this Agreement or the Exhibits, the provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 8 dealing with indemnification, shall, where applicable, continue in full force and effect.
12. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.
12.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PIMSS.
PIMSS represents and warrants to the Customer that:
(a) It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(b) It is duly qualified to carry on its business in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Nebraska.
(c) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into this Agreement.
(d) It is empowered under all applicable laws and by its Articles of Organization and By Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
12.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CUSTOMER.
Customer represents and warrants to PIMSS that:
(a) It is a business trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of its governing jurisdiction.
(b) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into this Agreement.
(c) It is empowered under all applicable laws and by its Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(d) It is either an open-end or closed-end management investment company, as applicable, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(e) A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is currently effective and will remain effective, and appropriate state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be made, with respect to all shares of beneficial interest of the Customer to be offered for sale.
12.3 CUSTOMER DOCUMENT DELIVERY.
Customer shall promptly furnish to PIMSS the following:
(a) A copy of Customer's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By Laws and all amendments related thereto.
(b) A certified copy of the resolution of the Customer's Board of Trustees authorizing the appointment of PIMSS and the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
(c) A copy of the Customer's Registration Statement and all amendments thereto.
13. INDEMNIFICATION. Customer and PIMSS acknowledge and agree that all liabilities arising directly or indirectly under this Agreement, of any and every nature
whatsoever, including, without limitation, liabilities arising in connection with any agreement of Customer or its Trustees set forth herein to indemnify any party to this Agreement or any other person, shall be satisfied out of the assets of the Account first and then of Customer and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares of beneficial interest of Customer shall be personally liable for any of the foregoing liabilities. Customer's Agreement and Declaration of Trust describes in detail the respective responsibilities and limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of beneficial interest of Customer.
14. MISCELLANEOUS. In connection with the operation of this Agreement, Customer and PIMSS may agree from time to time on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions are to be signed by both parties and annexed hereto, but no such provision shall contravene any applicable federal and state law or regulation, and no such provision shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
This Agreement together with all Exhibits constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof whether written or oral.
If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions of the Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Customer and PIMSS have caused this Agreement to be executed in their respective names by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.
PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGMENT
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/Tracy Cmar Tracy Cmar Senior Vice President |
EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ON
EXHIBIT A ATTACHED HERETO, AS
AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME
(Severally and not Jointly)
By: /s/Vincent Nave Vincent Nave Treasurer |
EXHIBIT A - TO MASTER INVESTMENT COMPANY SERVICE AGREEMENT
Dated December 6, 2005
EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ON
EXHIBIT A ATTACHED HERETO, AS
AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME
(Severally and not Jointly)
By: /s/Vincent Nave Vincent Nave Treasurer Dated: December 6, 2005 |
EXHIBIT B - TO MASTER INVESTMENT COMPANY SERVICE AGREEMENT
ACCOUNT FEES
A. OPEN EQUITY FUND ACCOUNTS
$26.60 per account
B. OPEN FIXED INCOME FUND ACCOUNTS
$33.00 per account
C. OPEN MONEY MARKET FUND ACCOUNTS
$28.00 per account
D. OPEN VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND ACCOUNTS
$1500.00 per account
E. ALL FUNDS-CLOSED ACCOUNTS
$8.00 per account
Confirmed and approved by the Pioneer Funds Board of Trustees as of January 1, 2005.
EXHIBIT C
SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT SERVICE:
As servicing agent for fund accounts and in accordance with the provisions of the standard fund application and Customer's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, PIMSS will:
(a) Open, maintain and close accounts.
(b) Purchase shares for the shareholder.
(c) Out of the money received in payment for sales of Customer's shares pay to the Customer's custodian the net asset value per share and pay to the underwriter and to the dealer their commission, if any, on a bi-monthly basis.
(d) Redeem shares by systematic withdrawal orders. (SEE EXHIBIT D)
(e) Reinvest or disburse dividends and other distributions upon direction of a shareholder.
(f) Establish the proper registration of ownership of shares.
(g) Pass upon the adequacy of documents submitted by a shareholder or his legal representative to substantiate the transfer of ownership of shares from the registered owner to transferees.
(h) Make transfers from time to time upon the books of the Customer in accordance with properly executed transfer instructions furnished to PIMSS.
(i) Upon receiving appropriate detailed instructions and written materials prepared by Customer and, where applicable, proxy proofs checked by Customer, mail shareholder reports, proxies and related materials of suitable design for automatic enclosing, receive and tabulate executed proxies, and furnish an annual meeting list of shareholders when required.
(j) Respond to shareholder inquiries in a timely manner.
(k) Maintain dealer and salesperson records.
(l) Maintain and furnish to Customer such shareholder information as Customer may reasonably request for the purpose of compliance by Customer with the applicable tax and securities law of various jurisdictions.
(m) Mail confirmations of transactions to shareholders in a timely fashion (confirmations of Automatic Investment Plan transactions will be mailed quarterly).
(n) Provide Customer with such information regarding correspondence as well as enable Customer to comply with related Form N-SAR (semi-annual report) requirements.
(o) Maintain continuous proof of the outstanding shares of Customer.
(p) Solicit taxpayer identification numbers.
(q) Provide data to enable Customer to file abandoned property reports for those accounts that have been indicated by the Post Office to be not at the address of record with no forwarding address.
(r) Maintain bank accounts and reconcile same on a monthly basis.
(s) Provide management information reports on a quarterly basis to Customer's Board of Trustees outlining the level of service provided.
(t) Provide sales/statistical reporting for purposes of providing Customer's management with information for maximizing the return to shareholders.
EXHIBIT D
REDEMPTION SERVICE:
In accordance with the provisions of the Customer's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as servicing agent for the redemptions, PIMSS will:
(a) Where applicable, establish accounts payable based on information furnished to PIMSS on behalf of Customer (i.e., copies of trade confirmations and other documents deemed necessary or desirable by PIMSS on the first business day following the trade date).
(b) Receive shares for redemption through written, telephone or Internet authorization.
(c) Verify there are sufficient available shares in an account to cover redemption requests.
(d) Transfer the redeemed or repurchased shares to Customer's treasury share account or, if applicable, cancel such shares for retirement.
(e) Pay the applicable redemption or repurchase price to the shareholder in accordance with Customer's Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information and Agreement and Declaration of Trust on or before the seventh calendar day succeeding any receipt of requests for redemption or repurchase in "good order" as defined in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
(f) Notify Customer and the underwriter on behalf of Customer of the total number of shares presented and covered by such requests within a reasonable period of time following receipt.
(g) Promptly notify the shareholder if any such request for redemption or repurchase is not in "good order" together with notice of the documents required to comply with the good order standards. Upon receipt of the necessary documents, PIMSS shall effect such redemption at the net asset value applicable on the date and at the time of receipt of such documents.
(h) Produce periodic reports of unsettled items, if any.
(i) Adjust unsettled items, if any, relative to dividends and distributions.
(j) Report to Customer any late redemptions which must be included in Customer's Form N-SAR (semi-annual report) filing.
EXHIBIT E
EXCHANGE SERVICE:
(a) Receive and process exchanges in accordance with a duly executed exchange authorization. PIMSS will redeem existing shares and use the proceeds to purchase new shares. Shares of Customer purchased directly or acquired through reinvestment of dividends on such shares may be exchanged for shares of other Pioneer funds (which funds have sales charges) only by payment of the applicable sales charge, if any, as described in Customer's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. Shares of Customer acquired by exchange and through reinvestment of dividends on such shares may be re-exchanged to another Pioneer fund at its respective net asset value.
(b) Make authorized deductions of fees, if any.
(c) Register new shares identically with the shares surrendered for exchange. Mail an account statement confirming the exchange by first class mail to the address of record.
(d) Maintain a record of unprocessed exchanges and produce a periodic report.
EXHIBIT F
INCOME ACCRUAL AND DISBURSING SERVICE:
(a) Distribute income dividends and/or capital gain distributions, either through reinvestment or in cash, in accordance with shareholder instructions.
(b) On the mailing date, Customer shall make available to PIMSS collected funds to make such distribution.
(c) Adjust unsettled items relative to dividends and distributions.
(d) Reconcile dividends and/or distributions with Customer.
(e) Prepare and file annual Federal and State information returns of distributions and, in the case of Federal returns, mail information copies to shareholders and report and pay Federal income taxes withheld from distributions made to non-resident aliens.
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
THIS ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT dated this 9th day of October, 1998 between the Pioneer Funds, listed on Exhibit 1 hereto (the "Funds"), and Pioneering Management Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Manager").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Funds are registered as open-end, diversified, management investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement (the "Registration Statement") for the purpose of registering its shares for public offering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, the parties hereto are parties to Management Contracts (the "Management Contracts");
WHEREAS, the Management Contracts provide that the Manager will bear all of the Funds' expenses other than those provided in Section 2(c) and 2(d) of the Management Contracts;
WHEREAS, Section 2(c)(i) provides that the Funds shall pay charges and expenses for Fund accounting, pricing and appraisal services and, for those Funds noted with an asterisk on Exhibit 2 hereto, related overhead, including, to the extent that such services were performed by personnel of the Manager or its affiliates, office space and facilities, and personnel compensation, training and benefits;
WHEREAS, Section 2(c)(vi) and (vii) provide that the Funds shall pay
(i) fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registrations of
the Funds and/or their shares with the Commission, state or blue sky securities
agencies and foreign countries, including the preparation of prospectuses and
statements of additional information for filing with the Commission and (ii) all
expenses of shareholders and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and
distributing prospectuses, notices, proxy statements and all reports to
shareholders and to governmental agencies; and
WHEREAS, certain of these activities, as set forth on Exhibit 3 hereto, can be performed by members of the Manager's legal, accounting and administrative staff working at the direction and under the supervision of the Board of Trustees and Fund counsel.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set forth herein, the Funds and the Manager do hereby agree as follows:
1. The Funds authorize the Manager to perform fund accounting services on behalf of the Funds, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees. Such services, determined as of the date of this Agreement, are set forth on Exhibit 2 hereto. These services (the "Bookkeeping Services") may be revised from time to time on mutual agreement of the parties.
2. The Funds authorize the Manager to assist with the performance of the legal services listed on Exhibit 3 hereto (the "Legal Services"). The Legal Services shall at all times be subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees and Fund counsel.
3. The Trustees recognize that the Bookkeeping Services and the Legal Services can be performed efficiently by the Manager. The Funds are entering into this Agreement to achieve the operating and expense benefits of such efficiency. In authorizing such activities on behalf of the Funds, the Funds expressly do not delegate to the Manager or its personnel the authority to render legal advice to, or legal judgments on behalf of, the Funds. Between meetings of the Trustees, Fund counsel is authorized to determine the services that may appropriately be provided by the Manager pursuant to this Agreement.
4. In consideration of its services under this Agreement, the Manager shall be entitled to be reimbursed for the allocable portion of the direct costs of the Bookkeeping Services and the Legal Expenses (collectively, the "Services"). Such allocation shall be based upon the proportion of personnel time devoted to the Services authorized to be performed on behalf of the Funds to the total time worked by such personnel, in each case as estimated in good faith by the Manager and reviewed and approved annually by the Board of Trustees. Direct costs shall include any out-of-pocket expenses of the Manager incurred in connection with the Services, the salaries and benefits of personnel of the Manager who are engaged in the Services pursuant to this Agreement and, with respect to the Services, a reasonable allocation of overhead (to the extent permitted under the Management Contracts) associated with the performance of the Bookkeeping Services. The Manager shall estimate such direct costs and overhead (as appropriate) in good faith and the Funds shall be entitled to such supporting information as the Trustees shall reasonably request from time to time. Allocations of reimbursements paid hereunder among the Funds shall be subject to annual approval of the Board of Trustees.
5. The Manager will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law in the performance of its services under the Agreement, but nothing contained herein will be construed to protect the Manager against any liability to the Funds or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
6. Either party hereto may, without penalty, terminate this Agreement by the giving of 60 days' written notice to the other party.
7. The Manager is an independent contractor and not an employee of the Funds for any purpose. If any occasion should arise in which the Manager gives any advice to its clients concerning the shares of the Funds, the Manager will act solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of the Funds or any series thereof.
8. This Agreement states the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and its intended to be the complete and exclusive statement of the terms hereof. It may not be added to or changed orally, and may not be modified or rescinded except by a writing signed by the parties hereto and in accordance with the 1940 Act, when applicable.
9. This Agreement and all performance hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
10. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
11. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by this duly authorized officers and their seal to be hereto affixed as of the day and year first above written.
Attest: The Pioneer Funds Listed on Exhibit 1 hereto By: /s/ John F. Cogan, Jr. /s/ Joseph P. Barri John F. Cogan, Jr. Joseph P. Barri President Secretary PIONEERING MANAGEMENT CORPORATION |
Attest:
/s/ Joseph P. Barri By: /s/ David D. Tripple Joseph P. Barri David D. Tripple Secretary President |
Exhibit 1
Pioneer Aggressive Growth Fund
Pioneer America Income Trust
Pioneer Balanced Fund
Pioneer Bond Fund
Pioneer Core Equity Fund
Pioneer Emerging Growth Fund
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund
Pioneer Equity Income Fund
Pioneer Europe Fund
Pioneer Europe Select Fund
Pioneer Fund
Pioneer Global Consumers Fund
Pioneer Global Energy & Utilities Fund
Pioneer Global Financials Fund
Pioneer Global Health Care Fund
Pioneer Global High Yield Fund
Pioneer Global Industrials Fund
Pioneer Global Telecoms Fund
Pioneer Global Value Fund
Pioneer Growth Shares
Pioneer High Yield Fund
Pioneer Independence Fund
Pioneer Indo-Asia Fund
Pioneer Interest Shares
Pioneer International Equity Fund
Pioneer International Value Fund
Pioneer Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Large Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Limited Maturity Bond Fund
Pioneer Market Neutral Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Trust
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund II
Pioneer Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Mid Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Money Market Trust
Pioneer Real Estate Shares
Pioneer Science & Technology Fund
Pioneer Small Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Small Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Small Company Fund
Pioneer Strategic Income Fund
Pioneer Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Value Fund
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust:
Pioneer America Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Balanced VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Emerging Markets VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Equity Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Europe VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Fund VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Global Consumers VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Global Energy & Utilities VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Global Financials VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Global Health Care VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Global Industrials VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Global Telecoms VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Global Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Growth Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer High Yield VCT Portfolio
Pioneer International Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Mid Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Money Market VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Real Estate Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Science & Technology VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Company VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Strategic Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Value VCT Portfolio
Updated as of January, 2003
/s/ Vincent Nave Vincent Nave Treasurer |
Exhibit 1
Pioneer Aggressive Growth Fund
Pioneer America Income Trust
Pioneer Balanced Fund
Pioneer Bond Fund
Pioneer Core Equity Fund
Pioneer Emerging Growth Fund
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund
Pioneer Equity Income Fund
Pioneer Europe Fund
Pioneer Europe Select Fund
Pioneer Fund
Pioneer Global High Yield Fund
Pioneer Global Value Fund
Pioneer Growth Shares
Pioneer High Yield Fund
Pioneer Independence Fund
Pioneer Interest Shares
Pioneer International Equity Fund
Pioneer International Value Fund
Pioneer Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Large Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Market Neutral Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Trust
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund II
Pioneer Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Mid Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Money Market Trust
Pioneer Real Estate Shares
Pioneer Series Trust I
Pioneer Oak Ridge Small Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Oak Ridge Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Series Trust II
Pioneer Papp Stock Fund
Pioneer Papp Small and Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Papp America Abroad Fund
Pioneer Papp America-Pacific Rim Fund
Pioneer Small Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Small Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Small Company Fund
Pioneer Strategic Income Fund
Pioneer Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Value Fund
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust:
Pioneer America Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Balanced VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Emerging Markets VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Equity Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Europe VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Fund VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Growth Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer High Yield VCT Portfolio
Pioneer International Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Mid Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Money Market VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Real Estate Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Company VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Strategic Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Value VCT Portfolio
Updated as of October 6, 2003
/s/ Vincent Nave Vincent Nave Treasurer |
Exhibit 1
Pioneer Aggressive Growth Fund
Pioneer America Income Trust
Pioneer Balanced Fund
Pioneer Bond Fund
Pioneer Emerging Growth Fund
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund
Pioneer Equity Income Fund
Pioneer Europe Fund
Pioneer Europe Select Fund
Pioneer Fund
Pioneer Global High Yield Fund
Pioneer Global Value Fund
Pioneer Growth Shares
Pioneer High Yield Fund
Pioneer Independence Fund
Pioneer Interest Shares
Pioneer International Equity Fund
Pioneer International Value Fund
Pioneer Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Large Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Market Neutral Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Trust
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund II
Pioneer Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Mid Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Money Market Trust
Pioneer Real Estate Shares
Pioneer Research Fund
Pioneer Select Equity Fund
Pioneer Series Trust I
Pioneer Oak Ridge Small Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Oak Ridge Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Series Trust II
Pioneer Papp Stock Fund
Pioneer Papp Small and Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Papp America Abroad Fund
Pioneer Papp America-Pacific Rim Fund
Pioneer Small Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Small Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Small Company Fund
Pioneer Strategic Income Fund
Pioneer Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Value Fund
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust:
Pioneer America Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Balanced VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Emerging Markets VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Equity Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Europe VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Fund VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Growth Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer High Yield VCT Portfolio
Pioneer International Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Mid Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Money Market VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Oak Ridge Large Cap Growth VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Papp America Abroad VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Papp Small and Mid Cap Growth VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Papp Stock VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Real Estate Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Company VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Strategic Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Value VCT Portfolio
Updated as of December 11, 2003
/s/ Vincent Nave Vincent Nave Treasurer of Each Fund Listed Above |
Exhibit 1
Pioneer America Income Trust
Pioneer Balanced Fund
Pioneer Bond Fund
Pioneer Emerging Growth Fund
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund
Pioneer Equity Income Fund
Pioneer Europe Fund
Pioneer Europe Select Fund
Pioneer Fund
Pioneer Global High Yield Fund
Pioneer Global Value Fund
Pioneer Growth Shares
Pioneer High Yield Fund
Pioneer Ibbotson Asset Allocation Series
Pioneer Ibbotson Aggressive Allocation Fund
Pioneer Ibboton Growth Allocation Fund
Pioneer Ibboton Moderate Allocation Fund
Pioneer Independence Fund
Pioneer Interest Shares
Pioneer International Equity Fund
Pioneer International Value Fund
Pioneer Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Trust
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund II
Pioneer Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Mid Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Money Market Trust
Pioneer Real Estate Shares
Pioneer Research Fund
Pioneer Select Equity Fund
Pioneer Select Value Fund
Pioneer Series Trust I
Pioneer Oak Ridge Small Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Oak Ridge Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Series Trust II
Pioneer Papp Stock Fund
Pioneer Papp Small and Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Papp Strategic Growth Fund
Pioneer Papp America-Pacific Rim Fund
Pioneer Short Term Income Fund
Pioneer Small Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Small Company Fund
Pioneer Strategic Income Fund
Pioneer Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Value Fund
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust:
Pioneer America Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Balanced VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Emerging Markets VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Equity Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Europe VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Fund VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Growth Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer High Yield VCT Portfolio
Pioneer International Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Mid Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Money Market VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Oak Ridge Large Cap Growth VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Papp America Abroad VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Papp Small and Mid Cap Growth VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Papp Stock VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Real Estate Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Company VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Strategic Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Value VCT Portfolio
Updated as of August 6, 2004
/s/ Vincent Nave Vincent Nave Treasurer of Each Fund Listed Above |
Exhibit 1
Pioneer America Income Trust
Pioneer Balanced Fund
Pioneer Bond Fund
Pioneer Emerging Growth Fund
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund
Pioneer Equity Income Fund
Pioneer Europe Fund
Pioneer Europe Select Fund
Pioneer Fund
Pioneer Global High Yield Fund
Pioneer Global Value Fund
Pioneer Growth Shares
Pioneer High Yield Fund
Pioneer Ibbotson Asset Allocation Series
Pioneer Ibbotson Aggressive Allocation Fund
Pioneer Ibboton Growth Allocation Fund
Pioneer Ibboton Moderate Allocation Fund
Pioneer Independence Fund
Pioneer Interest Shares
Pioneer International Equity Fund
Pioneer International Value Fund
Pioneer Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Trust
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund II
Pioneer Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Mid Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Money Market Trust
Pioneer Real Estate Shares
Pioneer Research Fund
Pioneer Select Equity Fund
Pioneer Select Value Fund
Pioneer Series Trust I
Pioneer Oak Ridge Small Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Oak Ridge Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Series Trust II, a series trust consisting of:
Pioneer California Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Growth Opportunities Fund
Pioneer Municipal Bond Fund
Pioneer Papp Strategic Growth Fund
Pioneer Papp Small and Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Papp Stock Fund
Pioneer Papp America-Pacific Rim Fund
Pioneer Tax Free Money Market Fund
Pioneer Short Term Income Fund
Pioneer Small Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Small Company Fund
Pioneer Strategic Income Fund
Pioneer Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Value Fund
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust:
Pioneer America Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Balanced VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Emerging Markets VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Equity Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Europe VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Fund VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Growth Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer High Yield VCT Portfolio
Pioneer International Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Mid Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Money Market VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Oak Ridge Large Cap Growth VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Papp America Abroad VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Papp Small and Mid Cap Growth VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Papp Stock VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Real Estate Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Company VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Strategic Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Value VCT Portfolio
Updated as of August 17, 2004
/s/ Vincent Nave Vincent Nave Treasurer of Each Fund Listed Above |
Pioneer Municipal High Income Trust (the "Trust") is hereby added as a Fund under the Administration Agreement, dated October 9, 1998 (the "Agreement"), between Pioneer Investment Management, Inc and the investment companies listed on Exhibit 1 thereto from time to time; provided, however, that PIM shall only provide the Trust with the legal services listed on Exhibit 3 to such Agreement (and shall not provide Bookkeeping Services to the Trust pursuant to the Agreement) and shall only be reimbursed for the Trust's allocable share of Legal Expenses (as defined in the Agreement).
Dated: July 22, 2003
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa ---------------------------------------------------------- Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Title: Assistant Secretary |
PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Osbert M. Hood ----------------------------------------------------------- Name: Osbert M. Hood Title: President |
Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Trust (the "Trust") is hereby added as a Fund under the Administration Agreement, dated October 9, 1998 (the "Agreement"), between Pioneer Investment Management, Inc and the investment companies listed on Exhibit 1 thereto from time to time; provided, however, that PIM shall only provide the Trust with the legal services listed on Exhibit 3 to such Agreement (and shall not provide Bookkeeping Services to the Trust pursuant to the Agreement) and shall only be reimbursed for the Trust's allocable share of Legal Expenses (as defined in the Agreement).
Dated: October 1, 2003
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Treasurer |
PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Vice President |
Pioneer Tax Advantaged Balanced Trust (the "Trust") is hereby added as a Fund under the Administration Agreement, dated October 9, 1998 (the "Agreement"), between Pioneer Investment Management, Inc and the investment companies listed on Exhibit 1 thereto from time to time; provided, however, that PIM shall only provide the Trust with the legal services listed on Exhibit 3 to such Agreement (and shall not provide Bookkeeping Services to the Trust pursuant to the Agreement) and shall only be reimbursed for the Trust's allocable share of Legal Expenses (as defined in the Agreement).
Dated: January 30, 2004
PIONEER TAX ADVANTAGED BALANCED TRUST
By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Treasurer |
PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Vice President |
Pioneer America Income Trust
Pioneer Balanced Fund
Pioneer Bond Fund
Pioneer Emerging Growth Fund
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund
Pioneer Equity Income Fund
Pioneer Equity Opportunity Fund
Pioneer Europe Fund
Pioneer Europe Select Fund
Pioneer Fund
Pioneer Global High Yield Fund
Pioneer Growth Shares
Pioneer High Yield Fund
Pioneer Ibbotson Asset Allocation Series
Pioneer Ibbotson Aggressive Allocation Fund
Pioneer Ibbotson Growth Allocation Fund
Pioneer Ibbotson Moderate Allocation Fund
Pioneer Independence Fund
Pioneer Interest Shares
Pioneer International Equity Fund
Pioneer International Value Fund
Pioneer Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Mid Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Trust
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund II
Pioneer Money Market Trust
Pioneer Real Estate Shares
Pioneer Research Fund
Pioneer Select Equity Fund
Pioneer Select Value Fund
Pioneer Series Trust I
Pioneer Oak Ridge Small Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Oak Ridge Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Series Trust II
Pioneer Papp Stock Fund
Pioneer Papp Small and Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Papp Strategic Growth Fund
Pioneer Papp America-Pacific Rim Fund
Pioneer California Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Growth Opportunities Fund
Pioneer Municipal Bond Fund
Pioneer Tax Free Money Market Fund
Pioneer Series Trust III
Pioneer Cullen Value Fund
Pioneer Short Term Income Fund
Pioneer Small Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Small Company Fund
Pioneer Strategic Income Fund
Pioneer Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Value Fund
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust:
Pioneer America Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Bond VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Balanced VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Cullen Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Emerging Markets VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Equity Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Equity Opportunity VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Europe VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Fund VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Growth Opportunities VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Growth Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer High Yield VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Ibbotson Aggressive Allocation VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Ibbotson Growth Allocation VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Ibbotson Moderate Allocation VCT Portfolio
Pioneer International Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Mid Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Money Market VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Oak Ridge Large Cap Growth VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Papp America Pacific Rim VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Papp Small and Mid Cap Growth VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Real Estate Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Cap Value II VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Company VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Strategic Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Value VCT Portfolio
Updated as of September 21, 2004
By:/s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Treasurer of Each Fund Listed Above |
Pioneer Floating Rate Trust (the "Fund") is hereby added as a Fund under the Administration Agreement, dated October 9, 1998 (the "Agreement"), between Pioneer Investment Management, Inc and the investment companies listed on Exhibit 1 thereto from time to time; provided, however, that PIM shall only provide the Fund with the legal services listed on Exhibit 3 to such Agreement (and shall not provide Bookkeeping Services to the Fund pursuant to the Agreement) and shall only be reimbursed for the Fund's allocable share of Legal Expenses (as defined in the Agreement).
Dated: November 23, 2004 By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Treasurer |
PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Vice President |
EXHIBIT 2
PIONEERING MANAGEMENT CORP.
Fund Accounting, Administration and Custody Services (FAACS)
LIST OF SERVICES PROVIDED TO PIONEER MUTUAL FUNDS
SERVICES LISTED BY FAACS TEAM, OR FUNCTIONAL AREA. PLEASE SEE
ATTACHED CHART FOR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE.
PERCENTAGES FOLLOWING FAACS TEAM NAMES INDICATE EACH TEAM'S
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PERCENTAGE BILLABLE TO THE FUNDS.
FAACS Administration (70%):
. Provide direction, supervision and administrative support to all FAACS
teams
. Prepare or review and submit all tax reports for Funds
+ Oversee fund distributions for regulatory compliance
+ Assist in planning for new product introductions
Fund Accounting (91%):
. Maintain all accounting records for Funds
. Calculate and report daily net asset values per share and yields
. Recommend income and capital gains distribution rates
. Prepare funds' financial statements and assist in fund audits
+ Maintain accounting records for institutional portfolios
+ Perform periodic tests to verify each Fund's compliance with its prospectus
and applicable regulations
GlobalCustody and Settlements Division (20%):
. Enter portfolio trades into Fund Accounting records
. Support corporate actions analyses
+ Validate trade data and communicate them
to Custodian Banks
+ Act as liaison with Custodian Banks for trade settlements, security
position reconciliations and relaying global market updates to Investment
Advisor
+ Provide daily cash reporting to portfolio managers
+ Resolve trade disputes with counter-parties
Pricing and Corporate Actions (95%):
. Ensure accuracy and timeliness of prices supplied by external sources to
provide daily valuations of all security positions held by every Fund
. Validate and communicate corporate/class action information to Fund
Accounting
. Present monthly valuation report to Funds' Board of Trustees
+ Provide valuation and corporate actions services for securities held by
institutional portfolios, but not by Funds
FAACS Systems (51%):
. Provide systems support to users of fund accounting and portfolio pricing
software, and manage relationships with applicable software and hardware
vendors
. Develop and maintain custom applications and systems interfaces for FAACS
teams
. Manage Year 2000 project
+ Provide user support and vendor liaison for trading, compliance and
analysis systems
+ Implement and manage systems interfaces with Investment Advisor, Custodian
Banks and other service providers
Shareholder Reporting and Audit Liaison (82%):
. Review and complete Funds' financial statements
. Manage the Fund Audit process to ensure timely completion of shareholder
reports
. Prepare reports related to contract renewals and soft dollar payments for
Board of Trustees' review
. Provide financial information to Legal Department for prospectus updates
and other regulatory filings
. Prepare regulatory reports such as N-SAR, Form S and EDGAR filings
+ Provide financial information to Pioneer management and industry trade
groups
+ Provide liquidity, commission and soft dollar reporting to Pioneer
management
Funds Controller (93%):
. Manage fund expense payment cycles (e.g., timeliness and accuracy of
payments, allocation of costs among portfolios)
. Coordinate and standardize fund expense accruals and forecasting
. Provide expense reporting to Fund Accounting, FAACS management and auditors
. Compile daily reports of shareholder transactions from all sources (e.g.,
PSC, PMIL, BFDS, variable annuity agents, 401(k) administrators, third
party record keepers) for entry into fund records
. Provide daily reconciliation of receivable, payable and share accounts
between fund records and entities listed above
. Manage the daily estimating process to minimize "as of" gains and losses
to Funds
. Communicate daily fund prices and yields to PSC, PMIL, etc.
+ Provide fund-related analyses to Pioneer management
EXHIBIT 3 [updated fall 2001]
THE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT USA INC. - LEGAL DEPARTMENT
I. LIST OF REIMBURSABLE LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED TO PIONEER MUTUAL FUNDS
Filings under Investment Company Act of 1940 and Securities Act of 1933
o Prepare and File (via EDGAR) Rule 24f-2 Notices (coordination with Pioneer Fund Accounting and Hale and Dorr LLP as necessary)
o SEC Electronic Filing (EDGAR) Responsibilities
o Prepare Fund Registration Statements and Related Filings
for filing on EDGAR and complete filings
o Maintain and develop enhancements to Pioneer's EDGAR
systems and procedures, including contingency planning
o Maintain EDGAR related databases and document archives
o Liaison with third party EDGAR agents when necessary
o Prepare proxy statements and related materials for filing
on EDGAR and complete filings
Blue Sky Administration (State Registration)
o Principal liaison with Blue Sky vendor (Automated Business
Development Corporation)
o Coordinate SEC filing schedule and fund documentation with Blue Sky
vendor
o Monitor status of state filings with Blue Sky vendor
o Transfer Agent coordination
o Review vendor statements and invoices
o Conduct vendor due diligence, as appropriate
Hiring oversight
In-person meetings
Arthur Andersen audit
Miscellaneous Services
o Assist Pioneer Fund Accounting in the preparation of Fund Form N-SARs
o Managing internal participation in prospectus simplification
project. Charge Funds only for portion that relates to Funds--this
excludes work on behalf of distribution or management companies,
including coordination internally.
II. LIST OF NON-REIMBURSABLE LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED TO PIONEER MUTUAL FUNDS
Filings under Investment Company Act of 1940 and Securities Act of 1933
o Maintain Pioneer Mutual Funds SEC Filing Calendar
o Interact as necessary with the staff of the investment adviser,
distribution company and transfer agent to ensure awareness of
Fund disclosure requirements
o Coordinate internal review of Prospectuses and SAIs
o Coordinate Hale and Dorr LLP review and internal review of Hale and
Dorr LLP material
o Identify business and other situations that trigger requirement to
supplement Prospectuses and SAIs
Proxy Statements
o Assist Hale and Dorr LLP in the preparation of proxy statements
o Coordinate internal review of proxy statements and related documents
o Review proxy related materials prepared by the distribution
company to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
o Review the transfer agent's proxy solicitation efforts to ensure
compliance with regulatory requirements
o Act as liaison between Hale and Dorr LLP and transfer agency staff
with respect to the proxy solicitation process
Miscellaneous Services
o Monitor the preparation of shareholder reports by the distribution
company
o Prepare and File (via EDGAR) Section 16 filings (re: Pioneer
Interest Shares)
o Maintain Officer and Trustee Securities Holdings (Fund and non-Fund
related)
o Code of Ethics Administration (as it relates to Disinterested
Trustees)
Regulatory Oversight
o Monitor proposed changes in applicable regulation and inform
appropriate Pioneer personnel of the proposals and impact on Funds
o Act as liaison with Hale and Dorr LLP in the implementation of
changes
Special Projects
o Coordinate implementation of Text Manager (formerly Document
Directions software system) for prospectus production
o Prospectus simplification efforts on behalf of distribution or
management companies, including internal coordination
o Privacy procedures required by Gramm, Leach, Bliley and Regulation
S-P
Administration Agreement dated October 9, 1998, amended as of December 6, 2005
Exhibit 1
Pioneer America Income Trust
Pioneer Balanced Fund
Pioneer Bond Fund
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund
Pioneer Equity Income Fund
Pioneer Equity Opportunity Fund
Pioneer Europe Select Equity Fund
Pioneer Fund
Pioneer Global High Yield Fund
Pioneer Growth Shares
Pioneer High Yield Fund
Pioneer Ibbotson Asset Allocation Series
Pioneer Ibbotson Aggressive Allocation Fund
Pioneer Ibbotson Conservative Allocation Fund
Pioneer Ibbotson Growth Allocation Fund
Pioneer Ibbotson Moderate Allocation Fund
Pioneer Independence Fund
Pioneer Interest Shares
Pioneer International Equity Fund
Pioneer International Value Fund
Pioneer Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Mid Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Trust
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund
Pioneer Protected Principal Plus Fund II
Pioneer Money Market Trust
Pioneer Real Estate Shares
Pioneer Research Fund
Pioneer Select Equity Fund
Pioneer Select Value Fund
Pioneer Series Trust I
Pioneer Oak Ridge Small Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Oak Ridge Large Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer Series Trust II
Pioneer Growth Leaders Fund
Pioneer Small and Mid Cap Growth Fund
Pioneer AmPac Growth Fund
Pioneer California Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Growth Opportunities Fund
Pioneer Municipal Bond Fund
Pioneer Tax Free Money Market Fund
Pioneer Series Trust III
Pioneer Cullen Value Fund
Pioneer Series Trust IV
Pioneer Classic Balanced Fund
Pioneer Focused Equity Fund
Pioneer Florida Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Government Income Fund
Pioneer Institutional Money Market Fund
Pioneer International Core Equity Fund
Pioneer Treasury Reserves Fund
Pioneer Series Trust V
Pioneer Global Select Equity Fund
Pioneer Select Research Growth Fund
Pioneer Select Research Value Fund
Pioneer Short Term Income Fund
Pioneer Small Cap Value Fund
Pioneer Small Company Fund
Pioneer Strategic Income Fund
Pioneer Tax Free Income Fund
Pioneer Value Fund
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust:
Pioneer America Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Am Pac Growth VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Balanced VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Bond VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Core Bond VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Cullen Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Emerging Markets VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Equity Income VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Equity Opportunity VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Europe VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Fund VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Global High Yield VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Growth Opportunities VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Growth Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer High Yield VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Ibbotson Aggressive Allocation VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Ibbotson Growth Allocation VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Ibbotson Moderate Allocation VCT Portfolio
Pioneer International Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Mid Cap Value VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Money Market VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Oak Ridge Large Cap Growth VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small and Mid Cap Growth VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Real Estate Shares VCT Portfolio
Pioneer Small Cap Value VCT Portfolio Pioneer Small Cap Value II VCT Portfolio Pioneer Small Company VCT Portfolio Pioneer Strategic Income VCT Portfolio Pioneer Value VCT Portfolio
Updated as of December 6, 2005
By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Treasurer of Each Fund Listed Above |
Pioneer Municipal High Income Trust (the "Trust") is hereby added as a Fund under the Administration Agreement, dated October 9, 1998 (the "Agreement"), between Pioneer Investment Management, Inc and the investment companies listed on Exhibit 1 thereto from time to time; provided, however, that PIM shall only provide the Trust with the legal services listed on Exhibit 3 to such Agreement (and shall not provide Bookkeeping Services to the Trust pursuant to the Agreement) and shall only be reimbursed for the Trust's allocable share of Legal Expenses (as defined in the Agreement).
Dated: July 22, 2003
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
By: /s/ Dorothy E. Bourassa Name: Dorothy E. Bourassa Title: Assistant Secretary |
PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Osbert M. Hood Name: Osbert M. Hood Title: President |
Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Trust (the "Trust") is hereby added as a Fund under the Administration Agreement, dated October 9, 1998 (the "Agreement"), between Pioneer Investment Management, Inc and the investment companies listed on Exhibit 1 thereto from time to time; provided, however, that PIM shall only provide the Trust with the legal services listed on Exhibit 3 to such Agreement (and shall not provide Bookkeeping Services to the Trust pursuant to the Agreement) and shall only be reimbursed for the Trust's allocable share of Legal Expenses (as defined in the Agreement).
Dated: October 1, 2003
PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST
By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Treasurer |
PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Vice President |
Pioneer Tax Advantaged Balanced Trust (the "Fund") is hereby added as a Fund under the Administration Agreement, dated October 9, 1998 (the "Agreement"), between Pioneer Investment Management, Inc and the investment companies listed on Exhibit 1 thereto from time to time; provided, however, that PIM shall only provide the Fund with the legal services listed on Exhibit 3 to such Agreement (and shall not provide Bookkeeping Services to the Fund pursuant to the Agreement) and shall only be reimbursed for the Fund's allocable share of Legal Expenses (as defined in the Agreement).
Dated: January 30, 2004
PIONEER TAX ADVANTAGED BALANCED TRUST
By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Treasurer |
Pioneer Floating Rate Trust (the "Fund") is hereby added as a Fund under the Administration Agreement, dated October 9, 1998 (the "Agreement"), between Pioneer Investment Management, Inc and the investment companies listed on Exhibit 1 thereto from time to time; provided, however, that PIM shall only provide the Fund with the legal services listed on Exhibit 3 to such Agreement (and shall not provide Bookkeeping Services to the Fund pursuant to the Agreement) and shall only be reimbursed for the Fund's allocable share of Legal Expenses (as defined in the Agreement).
Dated: November 23, 2004
PIONEER FLOATING RATE TRUST
By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Treasurer |
PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Vincent Nave Name: Vincent Nave Title: Vice President |
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Financial Highlights" in the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R, Class Y and Investor Class shares Prospectuses and "Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings", "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and "Financial Statements" in the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R, Class Y and Investors Class shares Statement of Additional Information and to the incorporation by reference of our report, dated November 14, 2005, on the financial statements and financial highlights of Pioneer Value Fund included in the Annual Report to the Shareowners for the year ended September 30, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Post-Effective Amendment Number 65 to the Registration Statement (Form N-1A, No. 2-32773) of Pioneer Value Fund.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP Boston, Massachusetts January 24, 2006 |
POLICY
The Pioneer Funds (each a "Fund" and, collectively, the "Funds") are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards. An important element of the Funds' commitment is their philosophy of always putting shareholder interests ahead of the interests of the Funds' officers, trustees and service providers. Access persons of the Funds must conduct their personal securities transactions in a manner that is consistent with this Code and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or abuse of their positions of trust and responsibility. The Funds respect the rights of access persons to make personal investment decisions. However, access persons must ensure that their decisions are not based on information they have obtained as a result of their position with the Funds.
APPLICABILITY
This Code of Ethics for Personal Investing (the "Code") governs personal investment activities by officers and trustees of the Pioneer Funds (each an "access persons," and, collectively, "access persons"). It also applies to each Fund's investment adviser and subadviser and each Fund's principal underwriter that is an affiliated person of the Fund's investment adviser or subadviser. Upon the determination that a person is an access person, the Compliance Department of Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. (the "Compliance Department") will provide the access person with a copy of this Code and inform him or her of their reporting obligations under the Code. If an access person knows that he or she is an access person under this Code, the access person will be required to comply with it even though the Compliance Department has not yet advised the access person of their obligations.
Access persons complying with the Code of Ethics of Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. are deemed to have complied with this Code.
PURPOSE
The Board of Trustees ("Board") of the Funds has adopted this Code pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). This Code is designed to provide the Funds with a high level of confidence that the activities of access persons and service providers do not conflict with the interests of Funds or their shareholders.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
It is unlawful for an access person in connection with his or her purchase or sale of a reportable security held or to be acquired by the Fund:
o To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Fund;
o To make any untrue statement of a material fact to the Fund or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to the Fund, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;
o To engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the Fund; or
o To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Fund.
For this purpose, a reportable security is considered to be held or to be acquired by a Fund if within the most recent 15 days, the security:
o Is or has been held by the Fund; or
Is being or has been considered by the Fund or its investment adviser for purchase by the Fund.
RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES
Access persons who, in connection with their regular functions or duties, makes or participate in making recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities by a Fund must obtain approval from the Compliance Department before directly or indirectly acquiring beneficial ownership(1) in any securities in an Initial Public Offering(2) or in a Limited Offering(3)
All transactions in shares of a Fund must be consistent with the prospectus requirements applicable to the Fund.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Access persons must report the information set forth below to the Compliance Department. Any report provided under this section may contain
1 Beneficial ownership is interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder.
2 An Initial Public Offering means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
3 A Limited Offering means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505, or Rule 506 under the Securities Act of
1933
a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making the report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which it relates.
INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT
Access persons must disclose the following information to the Compliance Department within 10 calendar days of becoming an access person:
o The title, number of shares and principal amount of each reportable security in which the access person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership when the person became an access person; and
o The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the access person maintained an account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the access person as of the date the person became an access person.
Initial holdings reports must be submitted using the form provided by the Compliance Department, must be dated and must contain information that is current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days prior to becoming an access person.
For purposes of the Code, reportable security means a security as defined in section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act, except that it does not include:
o Direct obligations of the Government of the United States;
o Bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; and
o Shares issued by open-end Funds.
Reportable security generally includes any type of equity or debt security (such as common and preferred stocks, and corporate and government bonds or notes) and any instrument representing, or any rights relating to, a security (such as certificates of participation, depository receipts, put and call options, warrants, convertible securities and securities indices)
ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORT
Annually, access persons disclose the following information to the Compliance Department:
o The title, number of shares and principal amount of each reportable security in which the access person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership when the person became an access person; and
o The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the access person maintained an account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the access person as of the date the person became an access person..
Annual holdings reports must be submitted using the form provided by the Compliance Department, must be dated and must contain information that is current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days prior to becoming an access person.
QUARTERLY TRANSACTIONS REPORTS
Access persons must disclose the following information to the Compliance Department within 10 calendar days after the end of a calendar quarter with respect to any transaction during the quarter in a reportable security in which the access person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:
o The date of the transaction, the title, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each reportable security involved;
o The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
o The price of the reportable security at which the transaction was effected; and
o The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected
Access persons must disclose the following information to the Compliance Department within 10 days after the end of a calendar quarter with respect to any account established by the access person in which any securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the access person:
o The name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established the account; and
o The date the account was established,
Quarterly transaction reports must be submitted using the form provided by the Compliance Department and must be dated. Access persons are deemed to have complied with the transaction reporting requirements of this section if the Compliance Department receives duplicate statements and confirmations directly from your brokers.
EXCEPTIONS FROM REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Access persons do not need to report transactions effected for, and reportable securities held in, any account over which the person has no direct or indirect influence or control.(4)
A trustee of the Funds who is not an "interested person" of the Funds within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, and who would be required to make a report solely by reason of being a Fund trustee, need not make:
o An initial holdings report;
o An annual holdings report; or
o A quarterly transaction report, unless the trustee knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a trustee, should have known that during the 15-day period immediately before or after the trustee's transaction in a reportable security, a Fund purchased or sold the reportable security, or a Fund or its investment adviser or subadviser considered purchasing or selling the reportable security.
APPLICATION TO INVESTMENT ADVISERS AND PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS OF THE FUNDS
Each Fund's investment adviser and subadviser and each Fund's principal underwriter that is an affiliated person of the Fund's investment adviser or subadviser must adopt a code of ethics in compliance with the Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and provide the Compliance Department with a copy of the code of ethics and any subsequent amendments. Each such investment adviser, subadviser and principal underwriter is responsible for enforcing its code of ethics and reporting to the Compliance Department on a timely basis any violations of the code of ethics and resulting sanctions.
4 Control has the same meaning as in section 2(a)(9) of the Act.
In addition, each year, each investment adviser, subadviser and principal underwriter of the Funds must provide the Board with a written report that:
o Describes any issues arising under the its code of ethics or procedures since the last report to the Board, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code or procedures and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and
o Certifies that the investment adviser, subadviser or principal underwriter, as applicable, has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent access persons from violating the code.
ADMINISTRATION
Federal law requires that a code of ethics must not only be adopted but
must also be enforced with reasonable diligence. The Compliance Department
will keep records of any violation of the Code and of the actions taken as
a result of such violations.
The policies and procedures described in the Code do not create any obligations to any person or entity other than the Funds and their access persons. The Code is not a promise or contract, and it may be modified at any time. The Funds retain the discretion to decide whether the Code applies to a specific situation, and how it should be interpreted.
REVIEW
The Compliance Department will review on a regular basis the reports filed pursuant to the Code. In this regard, the Compliance Department will give special attention to evidence, if any, of potential violations of the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws or the procedural requirements or ethical standards set forth in the Code.
VIOLATIONS
When potential violations of the Code come to the attention of the Compliance Department, the Compliance Department will investigate the matter. Upon completion of the investigation, if necessary, the matter will be reviewed with the Board, and a determination will be made as to whether any sanction should be imposed as detailed below. The access person will be informed of any sanction determined to be appropriate.
SANCTIONS
Violations of this Code may result in the imposition of such sanctions as the Board deems appropriate under the circumstances, which may include, but are not limited to, removal from office.. The Board may take into account any factors that it determines to be appropriate in imposing sanctions. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, your history of compliance, the nature of the violation, whether the violation was intentional or inadvertent and any harm suffered by a client. Violations of this Code also may result in criminal prosecution or civil action.
APPEALS PROCEDURES
Access persons who believe they have been mistreated by any action rendered with respect to a violation of the Code or a waiver request may appeal the determination by providing the Compliance Department with a written explanation within 30 days of being informed of such determination. The Compliance Department will arrange for a review by the Board and will advise the access person whether the action will be imposed, modified or withdrawn.
ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE BOARD
Each year, the Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds will provide the Board with a written report that:
o Describes any issues arising under the Code since the last report to the Board, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and
o Certifies that the Funds have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent access persons from violating the code.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Normally, the Funds will keep all information obtained under this Code in strict confidence; however, violations will be reported to the Board and we may report information to third parties under certain circumstances. For example, the Funds may make reports of securities transactions and violations of this Code available to the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory or self-regulatory organization to the extent required by law or regulation, or to other civil or criminal authorities if we consider it to be necessary or advisable.
INTERPRETATION
The Board of may from time to time adopt such interpretations of this Code as it deems appropriate.
QUESTIONS
Access persons are encouraged to bring to the Compliance Department any questions they may have about interpreting or complying with this Code, about securities accounts or personal trading activities of themselves or their family or household members.
RECORDKEEPING
The Funds shall maintain and preserve in an easily accessible place:
o A copy of the Code (and any prior code of ethics that was in effect at any time during the past five years) for a period of not fewer than five years;
o A record of any violation of the Code and of any action taken as a result of such violation for a period of not fewer than five years following the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs;
o A copy of each report submitted under the Code, including periodic account statements and duplicate trade confirmations, by an access person for a period of not fewer than five years following the end of the fiscal year in which the pre-clearance request or report is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place;
o A record of all persons who are, or within the past five years were, required to make reports pursuant to the Code and who are or were responsible for reviewing such reports;
o A copy of each report submitted to the Board under the Code for a period of not fewer than five years following the end of the fiscal year in which such report is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place; and
o A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting such decision, to approve the acquisition by an advisory person of initial public offerings or private placements for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which such approvals are granted.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIONEER FUNDS
DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
POLICY
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. ("PIM") and its subsidiary Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. ("PFD") are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards. An important element of PFD's commitment is PFD's philosophy of always putting the interests of PIM's and PFD's clients' ahead of its own. Accordingly, as a person subject to this Code of Ethics for PFD (the "Code"), you must conduct yourself in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest with a client of PFD. The knowledge and/or opportunities you gain as a result of your position at PFD must be used in a manner that is consistent with PFD's and PIM's obligations to its clients. In addition, PFD expects you to comply at all times with the federal securities laws of the United States applicable to PFD's business and the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").
When making personal investment decisions, you must exercise extreme care to ensure that the prohibitions of this Code are not violated. Furthermore, you should conduct your personal investing in such a manner that will eliminate the possibility that your time and attention are devoted to your personal investments at the expense of time and attention that should be devoted to your duties at PFD.
It also bears emphasizing that technical compliance with the procedures, prohibitions and limitations of the Code will not automatically insulate you from scrutiny of, or sanctions for, securities transactions.
LAST REVISED FEBRUARY 1, 2005
APPLICABILITY
This Code applies to registered representatives of PFD who are not otherwise subject to the more rigorous requirements of the Code of Ethics of PIM. Such persons include officers or directors of PFD who, in the ordinary course of business, make, participate in or obtain information regarding, the purchase or sale of reportable securities by Funds for which PFD serves as principal underwriter (e.g. the Pioneer Funds), or whose functions or duties in the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to the Fund regarding the purchase or sale of reportable securities. Registered representatives who comply with PIM's Code of Ethics will be deemed to have satisfied their obligations under this Code.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with this Code initially and again if you change positions in the future.
Underlined terms contained in the Code have special meanings. You may review a definition of a term's meaning by referring to "Important Terms" or by simply clicking on the term.
PURPOSE
PFD has adopted this Code pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and to comply with the Rules 3050 of the NASD.
PROCEDURES
CERTIFICATIONS OF RECEIPT AND COMPLIANCE
INITIAL CERTIFICATION
You will be required to certify within 10 calendar days of commencement of employment that you have read and understand the Code and recognize that you are subject to the Code. You also will be required to re-certify that you have read and understand the provisions of the Code if the Code is amended. In addition, be aware that a change of your job function within PFD or PIM may subject you to the more rigorous requirements of PIM's Code of Ethics and require you to certify to that Code. Certifications must be submitted to the Compliance Department using the form or system provided by the Compliance Department.
ANNUAL CERTIFICATION
On an annual basis, you will be expected to certify that:
- You have received a copy of the then current Code;
- You have read and understand the Code and recognize that you are subject to the Code's requirements;
- You have reported all personal securities transactions and accounts required to be disclosed pursuant to the requirements of the Code; and
- You have complied with all applicable requirements of the Code.
This certification must be completed by January 31st of each year.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIONEER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC. 2
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
All registered representatives of PFD also are subject to the Code of Business Conduct contained in the Associate Handbook of Pioneer Investment Management USA Inc. The Code of Business Conduct sets out standards for associates dealing with potentially complex ethical decisions. The Code also provides basic information to associates regarding Pioneer's procedures for reporting conflicts of interest and raising other issues of concern. You should be aware that violations of the Code of Business Conduct that result in a violation of the federal securities laws of the United States or conflict with the PFD's obligations to its clients shall be deemed to be a violation of this Code.
INSIDER TRADING
In addition to the requirements of this Code, all associates of PFD are subject to PFD's policies and procedures regarding Insider Trading. PFD's Insider Trading policies and procedures prohibit associates from buying or selling any security while in possession of material nonpublic information about the issuer of the security. The policy also prohibits associates from communicating to third parties any material nonpublic information about any security or issuer of securities. Any violation of PFD's policies and procedures on Insider Trading that adversely affects a client of PIM or PFD shall be deemed to be a violation of this Code.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
You must report the information set forth below to the Compliance Department. Any report provided under this section may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making the report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which it relates.
HOLDINGS REPORTS
Initial holdings report
Within 10 calendar days of becoming a registered representative of PFD, you must disclose to the Compliance Department all of your employee-related accounts and all reportable securities beneficially owned by you, whether or not they are held in an employee-related account. If the 10th day falls on a weekend or a holiday, the report is due on the business day immediately preceding this deadline.
Initial holdings reports must be submitted using the form provided by the Compliance Department and must contain information that is current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days prior to becoming an access person.
If you become the beneficial owner of another person's securities (e.g., by marriage to the owner of the securities), then transactions in those securities also become subject to the reporting requirements of the Code. You must also report your beneficial ownership of these securities within 10 calendar days of your knowledge of their existence. Additionally, any changes to the registration of a security (i.e., transfers from one account into another) must be reported to the Compliance Department within 10 calendar days of your knowledge of the change.
Annual holdings report
On an annual basis, you are required to report to the Compliance Department all of your employee-related accounts and all reportable securities beneficially owned by you,
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIONEER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC. 3
whether or not they are held in an employee-related account. The annual holdings report must be submitted to the Compliance Department by January 31 of each year and must contain information that is current as of December 31 of the prior year. If January 31 falls on a weekend, the report is due by the close of business on the preceding Friday.
TRANSACTION REPORTS
You are required to direct your brokers to provide duplicate copies of confirmations of transactions in reportable securities and duplicate copies of all periodic statements related to your employee-related account(s) to the following address:
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. Compliance Department 60 State Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Such instructions must be made promptly upon becoming a registered representative and as new accounts are established, but no later than 10 calendar days after the end of a calendar quarter in which such account was established.
If you are unable to arrange for duplicate copies of confirmations and periodic account statements to be sent to the Compliance Department in a timely manner, you must immediately notify the Compliance Department and request an exemption from the requirement to provide confirmations and periodic account statements. If the Compliance Department grants the request, you must submit a report on the form provided by the Compliance Department within 30 calendar days following the end of a calendar quarter in which a transaction occurs.
You must report any securities transactions that would not be reported on a brokerage or other account statement within 30 calendar days of the end of a calendar quarter in which a transaction occurs using the form provided by the Compliance Department.
For shares of reportable funds held directly with the Funds or through PIM's Savings and Investment Plan, Retirement Benefit Plan, Mandatory Bonus Deferral Plan or Voluntary Bonus Deferral Plan, the Compliance Department will arrange for duplicate copies of all periodic statements to be provided to the Compliance Department. For shares of a reportable fund held in any other type of account, you must direct brokers to provide duplicate copies of confirmations and duplicate copies of all periodic statements related to your account to the address listed above.
EXCEPTIONS TO REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
You do not need to report:
- Transactions in securities or instruments that are not reportable securities;
- Transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan; and
- Securities held in accounts over which you have no influence or control, which includes an account managed for you on a discretionary basis by someone else.
To rely on the third exception listed above, you must arrange for your broker or adviser to submit a discretionary authorization letter to the Compliance Department.
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PERMITTED BROKERAGE ACCOUNTS If you became a registered representative of PFD after March 1, 2005, you will be required to hold your personal trading accounts with one of the |
following brokerage firms:
- Schwab Capital Markets
- Merrill Lynch
- Fidelity Brokerage
- TD Waterhouse Discount Brokerage
- E*Trade Financial
- Ameritrade, Inc.
- Smith Barney Citigroup
- UBS Financial Services, Inc.
- Morgan Stanley
New registered representatives will have 90 days from the date they become a registered representative of PFD to transfer their existing brokerage accounts to one of the above brokerage firms.
If you became a registered representative of PFD before March 1, 2005, you will be allowed to continue to hold your accounts with brokerage firms other than one of those named above. However, if you hold an account with a firm other than the above firms, and you seek to move your account(s) to another firm, then you must use one of the above firms.
The restriction on brokerage accounts does not apply to:
- Accounts over which you have no influence or control, which includes an account managed for you on a discretionary basis by someone else.
- Accounts that are not capable of holding reportable securities.
Upon opening an account, you are required to disclose the account to the Compliance Department. You must also agree to allow the broker-dealer to provide the Compliance Department with electronic reports of employee-related accounts and transactions executed therein and to allow the Compliance Department to access all account information.
You are required to receive approval from the Compliance Department to maintain an employee-related account with broker-dealers other than those on the list. Permission to open or maintain employee-related accounts with a broker-dealer other than those on the list of approved brokers will not be granted or may be revoked if transactions are not reported as described above.
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RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONAL INVESTMENTS ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES FOR PERSONAL BENEFIT You may not induce or cause a client to take action, or to fail to take action, when you intend for such action to benefit you personally rather than primarily the client. For example, you would violate this Code by causing a client to purchase or refrain from selling a security you owned for the purpose of supporting or increasing the price of that security. PROFIT FROM KNOWLEDGE OF CLIENT TRANSACTIONS You may not use your knowledge of client transactions to profit by the market effect of such transactions. This means that you may not purchase or sell a security when you knew, or should have known, that the security was being considered for any client. For example: - You may not front-run any trade of a client (i.e., you may not knowingly trade before a contemplated transaction by a client). You could be deemed to be front-running if you: - Purchase a security while knowing that PIM intended to purchase that security for a client; or - Sell a security while knowing that PIM intended to sell that security for a client. - You cannot purchase a security (or its economic equivalent) with the intention of recommending that the security be purchased for a client, or sell short a security (or its economic equivalent) with the intention of recommending that the security be sold for a client. INTENTIONALLY EVADE THE PROSPECTUS REQUIREMENTS OF REPORTABLE FUNDS All transactions in shares of a reportable fund must be consistent with the prospectus requirements applicable to the fund. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS You may not purchase securities in an initial public offering. EXCESSIVE TRADING |
You are discouraged from trading excessively. PFD strongly discourages high levels of personal trading activity and may monitor such activity. If it is determined that you have engaged in a pattern of excessive trading, PIM may place restrictions on your personal trading or take other disciplinary action.
III. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
The Compliance Department is charged with oversight and interpretation of the Code in a manner considered fair and equitable, in all cases placing PFD's clients' interests first.
The Compliance Department will inform you if you are subject to the Code. PFD shall use reasonable diligence and institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent violations of the Code.
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A copy of the Code is available on Navigator. Likewise, any amendments to the Code will be posted on Navigator promptly after they become available. You will be given notice of all changes to, or restatements of, the Code.
Acknowledgement of, and compliance with, the Code is a condition of employment with PFD. The Code does not create any obligations to any person or entity other than PFD. The Code is not a promise or contract, and it may be modified at any time. PFD retains the discretion to decide whether the Code applies to a specific situation, and how it should be interpreted.
REVIEW
The Compliance Department will review on a regular basis the reports filed pursuant to the Code. In this regard, the Compliance Department will give special attention to evidence, if any, of potential violations of the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws or the procedural requirements or ethical standards set forth in the Code.
REPORTING VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE
PFD relies upon you to report promptly any conduct you believe to be a violation of the Code. You must report violations or suspected violations of the Code to the CCO. All such reports or inquiries will be subject to investigation.
PFD will not tolerate any form of retaliation against an associate who lodges a good faith report of a violation or suspected violation or cooperates in an investigation. Where retaliation is found to have occurred, the offending party will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. PFD also reserves the right to take corrective action against an associate if, upon investigation, it determines that the associate was dishonest or malicious in making the report or providing information to investigators.
In conducting an investigation, PFD will attempt to keep the identities of the associate reporting the suspected violation and of witnesses confidential. Where this is not possible, information will be disclosed only as necessary to conduct the investigation and to permit members of management to ensure the efficiency and security of PIM's business activities. Where a report involves a violation of a law or regulation, PFD may also be obligated to make certain information available to clients or former clients, the Securities and Exchange Commission or to other authorities.
VIOLATIONS AND SANCTIONS
Compliance with the Code is expected and violations of its provisions are taken seriously. You must recognize that the Code is a condition of employment with PFD and a serious violation of the Code or related policies may result in termination of your employment. Since many provisions of the Code also reflect provisions of the U.S. securities laws, you should be aware that violations could also lead to regulatory enforcement action resulting in suspension or expulsion from the securities business, fines and penalties, and imprisonment.
Federal law requires that the Code must not only be adopted, but must be enforced with reasonable diligence. The Compliance Department will keep records of any violation of the Code and of the actions taken as a result of such violations.
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Sanctions
Violations of this Code may result in the imposition of the sanctions as published by the Compliance Department from time to time. These sanctions may include, but are not limited to: terminating or suspending your employment; suspending your personal trading privileges; issuing a letter of censure or warning; requiring you to pay a fine; requiring you to compensate the affected Fund for an amount equal to the advantage you gained by reason of such violation; and requiring you to reverse the trade(s) at issue and forfeit any profit or absorb any loss from the trade.
In deciding whether to impose sanctions, PFD may take into account any factors that it determines to be appropriate in imposing sanctions, which may include, but are not limited to, your history of compliance, the nature of the violation, whether the violation was intentional or inadvertent and any harm suffered by a client. Violations of this Code also may result in criminal prosecution or civil action. VIOLATIONS WILL BE REMOVED FROM YOUR RECORD AFTER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE VIOLATION.
HARDSHIP EXEMPTIONS
In cases of hardship, the CCO can grant exemptions from the restrictions in the Code. The decision will be based on a determination that a hardship exists and that the transaction for which an exemption is requested would not result in a conflict with PFD's clients' interests or violate any other policy embodied in this Code. Other factors that may be considered include: the size and holding period of your position in the security, the market capitalization of the issuer, the liquidity of the security, the amount and timing of client trading in the same or a related security, and other relevant factors.
If you are seeking an exemption you should submit a written request to the CCO, setting forth the nature of the hardship along with any pertinent facts and reasons why you believe the exemption should be granted. You are cautioned that exemptions are intended to be exceptions, and repetitive requests for exemptions are not likely to be granted.
Records of the approval of exemptions and the reasons for granting exemptions will be maintained by the Compliance Department.
APPEALS
If you believe you have been treated unfairly by any action rendered with respect to a violation of the Code or a waiver request, you may appeal the determination by providing the Compliance Department with a written explanation within 30 calendar days of being informed of such determination. If appropriate, the Compliance Department will arrange for a review by senior management of PFD and will advise you whether the action will be imposed, modified or withdrawn.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Normally, PFD will keep all information obtained under this Code in strict confidence; however, violations will be reported to senior management and PFD may report information to third parties under certain circumstances. For example, PFD may make reports of securities transactions and violations of this Code available to clients or former clients, the SEC or any other regulatory or self-regulatory organization to the extent required by law or regulation, or to other civil or criminal authorities if PFD considers it to be necessary or advisable.
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INTERPRETATION
PFD may, from time to time, adopt such interpretations of this Code as PFD deems appropriate.
QUESTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
You are encouraged to bring to the Compliance Department any questions you may have about interpreting or complying with this Code, about securities accounts or personal trading activities of associates or your family or household members, about your legal or ethical responsibilities, or about similar matters that may involve this Code. You should contact Libby Liebig or Leah Rumbaua with any questions.
The Compliance Department may from time to time circulate educational materials or bulletins designed to assist you in understanding and carrying out your duties under this Code.
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IMPORTANT TERMS
Term Definition ---- ---------- Automatic Automatic investment plan means a program in which investment plan regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An automatic investment plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan. Beneficial ownership Beneficial ownership is interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Generally, you have beneficial ownership in a security if you have the opportunity directly or indirectly to receive or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the security, whether or not the security or the relevant account is in your name or is held in an ordinary brokerage or retirement plan account. The ultimate determination of whether you have beneficial ownership in a security or an account depends on the facts of your particular case. Key factors you should consider are your ability to benefit from the proceeds of the security, and the degree to which you exercise control over the security. You are generally presumed to be the beneficial owner of: - Securities held by you, your spouse/domestic partner or members of your immediate family sharing your household; - Securities held by a trust, in which you have a direct or indirect pecuniary interest; - Your proportionate interest in securities held by a partnership, corporation or similar entity under your control; - Securities held by an unmarried person with whom you share your household and combine your financial resources in a manner similar to that of married persons; and - Securities you have a right to acquire through the exercise or conversion of a "derivative security." CCO Chief Compliance Officer of Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. Employee-related An employee-related account is an account in which account securities are held for your benefit. It includes, but is not limited to: - Your own accounts and accounts "beneficially owned" by you; |
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Term Definition ---- ---------- - Your spouse's/domestic partner's accounts and the accounts of any members of your immediate family sharing your household; and - Accounts in which you, your spouse/domestic partner, or members of your immediate family sharing your household have a beneficial interest. Immediate family Any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships. Reportable fund A reportable fund is any open-end US mutual fund advised or sub-advised by PIM or Oak Ridge Investments LLC ("Oak Ridge") or distributed by PFD (e.g., the Pioneer Funds). Such funds generally include the Pioneer Funds, Pioneer's VCT Portfolios, and any funds for which Pioneer serves as subadviser. Please contact the Compliance Department for a complete list of reportable funds. Reportable security Reportable security means a security as defined by section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The term "reportable security" is very broad and includes stocks, bonds, and other instruments you might not ordinarily think of as securities, such as: - All kinds of limited partnerships; - Private investment funds, hedge funds and investment clubs; - Foreign unit trusts and investment funds; - Options on securities; - Shares in reportable funds, which are registered investment companies advised or sub-advised by PIM or Oak Ridge or distributed by PFD (e.g., the Pioneer Funds); and - Closed-end funds. Reportable securities do not include: - Direct obligations of the government of the United States (note that securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government (e.g., GNMA obligations), municipal obligations and obligations of other governments are reportable securities); - Bankers' acceptances; |
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Term Definition ---- ---------- - Bank certificates of deposit; - Commercial paper; - High quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; and - Shares of open-end investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, other than reportable funds. |
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIONEER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC. 12
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIONEER INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT, INC.
POLICY
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. ("PIM") is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in connection with the management of its clients' assets. An important element of PIM's commitment is PIM's philosophy of always putting PIM's clients' interests ahead of its own. Accordingly, as a person subject to this Code of Ethics for PIM (the "Code"), you must conduct yourself in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest with a client of PIM. The knowledge and/or opportunities you gain as a result of your position at PIM must be used in a manner that is consistent with PIM's fiduciary obligations to its clients. In addition, PIM expects you to comply at all times with the federal securities laws of the United States applicable to PIM's business.
When making personal investment decisions, you must exercise extreme care to ensure that the prohibitions of this Code are not violated. Furthermore, you should conduct your personal investing in such a manner that will eliminate the possibility that your time and attention are devoted to your personal investments at the expense of time and attention that should be devoted to your duties at PIM.
It also bears emphasizing that technical compliance with the procedures, prohibitions and limitations of the Code will not automatically insulate you from scrutiny of, or sanctions for, securities transactions.
APPLICABILITY
This Code applies to supervised persons of PIM. Supervised persons of PIM are:
- All associates, officers and directors of PIM; and
LAST REVISED MARCH 3, 2005
- Individuals who provide investment advice on behalf of PIM and are subject to the supervision and control of PIM.
The procedures and restrictions outlined in the Code apply differently based on your position within PIM. To assist you in determining which provisions of the Code apply to you, the Code is divided into three parts:
- Part I, which contains provisions relating to certification and the standards of conduct expected of supervised persons and is applicable to all supervised persons;
- Part II, which relates to personal investing and is applicable only to access persons; and
- Part III, which relates to administration and enforcement and is applicable to all supervised persons.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with this Code initially and again if you change positions in the future.
Underlined terms contained in the Code have special meanings. You may review a definition of a term's meaning by referring to "Important Terms" or by simply clicking on the term.
PURPOSE
PIM has adopted this Code to establish standards of conduct expected of its associates and to address conflicts that arise from personal trading by associates. This Code has been adopted pursuant to the requirements of Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
I. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL SUPERVISED PERSONS
CERTIFICATIONS OF RECEIPT AND COMPLIANCE
INITIAL CERTIFICATION
You will be required to certify within 10 calendar days of commencement of employment that you have read and understand the Code and recognize that you are subject to the Code. In addition, you will be required to certify that you have read and understand the provisions of the Code if your position within PIM changes or if the Code is amended. Certifications must be submitted to the Compliance Department using the form or system provided by the Compliance Department.
ANNUAL CERTIFICATION
On an annual basis, you will be expected to certify that:
- You have received a copy of the then current Code;
- You have read and understand the Code and recognize that you are subject to the Code's requirements;
- You have complied with all applicable requirements of the Code.
This certification must be completed by January 31st of each year.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. 2
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
All supervised persons of PIM are subject to the Code of Business Conduct contained in the Associate Handbook of Pioneer Investment Management USA Inc. The Code of Business Conduct sets out standards for associates dealing with potentially complex ethical decisions. The Code also provides basic information to associates regarding Pioneer's procedures for reporting conflicts of interest and raising other issues of concern. You should be aware that violations of the Code of Business Conduct that result in a violation of the federal securities laws of the United States or conflict with PIM's fiduciary obligations to its clients shall be deemed to be a violation of this Code.
INSIDER TRADING
In addition to the requirements of this Code, all associates of PIM are subject to PIM's policies and procedures regarding Insider Trading. PIM's Insider Trading policies and procedures prohibit associates from buying or selling any security while in possession of material nonpublic information about the issuer of the security. The policy also prohibits associates from communicating to third parties any material nonpublic information about any security or issuer of securities. Any violation of PIM's policies and procedures on Insider Trading that adversely affect a client shall be deemed to be a violation of this Code.
II. PERSONAL INVESTING PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ACCESS PERSONS
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
You must report the information set forth below to the Compliance Department. Any report provided under this section may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making the report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which it relates.
HOLDINGS REPORTS
Initial holdings report
Within 10 calendar days of becoming an access person, you must disclose to the Compliance Department all of your employee-related accounts and all reportable securities beneficially owned by you, whether or not they are held in an employee-related account. If the 10th day falls on a weekend or a holiday, the report is due on the business day immediately preceding this deadline.
Initial holdings reports must be submitted using the form provided by the Compliance Department and must contain information that is current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days prior to becoming an access person.
If you become the beneficial owner of another person's securities (e.g., by marriage to the owner of the securities), then transactions in those securities also become subject to the reporting and pre-clearance requirements of the Code. You must also report your beneficial ownership of these securities within 10 calendar days of your knowledge of their existence. Additionally, any changes to the registration of a security (i.e., transfers from one account into another) must be reported to the Compliance Department within 10 calendar days of your knowledge of the change.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. 3
Annual holdings report
On an annual basis, you are required to report to the Compliance Department all of your employee-related accounts and all reportable securities beneficially owned by you, whether or not they are held in an employee-related account. The annual holdings report must be submitted to the Compliance Department by January 31 of each year and must contain information that is current as of December 31 of the prior year. If January 31 falls on a weekend, the report is due by the close of business on the preceding Friday.
TRANSACTION REPORTS
U.S. access persons
Access persons employed by PIM or one of its U.S.-based affiliates must direct their brokers to provide duplicate copies of confirmations of transactions in reportable securities and duplicate copies of all periodic statements related to their employee-related account(s) to the following address:
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. Compliance Department 60 State Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Such instructions must be made promptly upon becoming an and as new accounts are established, but no later than 10 calendar days after the end of a calendar quarter in which such account was established. You may arrange for a request to be sent directly to your brokerage firm from the Compliance Department by filing out the form located on Navigator under Business Units - Legal & Compliance - Forms - 407 Letter.
If you are unable to arrange for duplicate copies of confirmations and periodic account statements to be sent to PIM in a timely manner, you must immediately notify the Compliance Department and request an exemption from the requirement to provide confirmations and periodic account statements. If the Compliance Department grants the request, you must submit a report on the form provided by the Compliance Department within 30 calendar days following the end of a calendar quarter in which a transaction occurs.
You must report any securities transactions that would not be reported on a brokerage or other account statement within 30 calendar days of the end of a calendar quarter in which a transaction occurs using the form provided by the Compliance Department.
For shares of reportable funds held directly with the Funds or through PIM's Savings and Investment Plan, Retirement Benefit Plan, Mandatory Bonus Deferral Plan or Voluntary Bonus Deferral Plan, the Compliance Department will arrange for duplicate copies of all periodic statements to be provided to the Compliance Department. For shares of a reportable fund held in any other type of account, you must direct brokers to provide duplicate copies of confirmations and duplicate copies of all periodic statements related to your account to the address listed above.
Non-U.S. access persons
Access persons employed by a non-U.S. based affiliate of PIM must report their personal securities transactions to PIM's Compliance Department within 30 calendar days after the close of each calendar quarter using the form provided by the Compliance Department. Quarterly transaction reports must list all accounts opened and all transactions executed
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during the quarter. You must submit quarterly transaction reports even though you did not enter into any transactions or open any accounts during the quarter.
EXCEPTIONS TO REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
You do not need to report:
- Transactions in securities or instruments that are not reportable securities;
- Transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan; and
- Securities held in accounts over which the access person or investment person has no influence or control, which includes an account managed for an access person or investment person on a discretionary basis by someone else.
To rely on the third exception listed above, you must arrange for your broker or adviser to submit a discretionary authorization letter to the Compliance Department.
Note, you must report exchanges, transfers, or investment option changes within a retirement plan including a Pioneer retirement plan unless the Compliance Department has arranged to receive duplicate copies of such accounts.
PRE-CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
One of the most important objectives of this Code is to prevent you from making personal trades on the basis of information about securities transactions made for PIM's clients. Trading on such information for personal benefit constitutes a violation of this Code. To reduce the possibility of a conflict with a client transaction, except as otherwise permitted by this Code, access persons must pre-clear all personal transactions in reportable securities.
By seeking pre-clearance, you will be deemed to be advising PIM that you:
- Do not possess any material, nonpublic information relating to the security;
- Are not using knowledge of any proposed trade or investment program relating to PIM's clients for personal benefit;
- Believe the proposed trade is available to any market participant on the same terms; and
- Will provide any other relevant information requested by the Compliance Department.
Pre-clearance approvals are invalid if you discover that the information provided at the time the transaction was approved is no longer accurate. You may not seek to pre-clear any transaction which, if completed, would violate this Code.
PRE-APPROVED TRANSACTIONS
The Compliance Department has pre-approved the following transactions:
- Transactions in sovereign debt of foreign governments;
- Transactions in non-U.S. mutual funds or UCITS that are similar in structure to open-end U.S. mutual funds; and
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. 5
- Transactions in reportable securities involving the lesser of 100 shares or US$10,000 (or its non-U.S. equivalent) of an issuer with a market capitalization of US$3 billion or greater.
The third exemption is available only if you had no prior knowledge of activity in such security by any client. This exemption does not apply to transactions in shares of reportable funds for investment persons. Multiple transactions in a single day of a single security will be aggregated for purposes of this exemption.
Although the above-mentioned transactions will automatically be approved, you must still enter a pre-clearance request in iTrade(R) on trade date for record keeping purposes. Failure to submit a pre-clearance request for reporting purposes will be considered a violation of the Code.
EXCEPTIONS TO PRE-CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
The following transactions do not require pre-clearance and do not need to be reported on trade date:
- Transactions in a pre-approved non-discretionary account;
- Involuntary purchases or sales of securities (e.g., an in-the-money option that is automatically exercised by a broker or the issuer of the shares; a security that is called away as a result of an exercise of an option; or a security that is sold by a broker, without your consultation, to meet a margin call not met by you);
- Transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan;
- Rights offerings (i.e., purchases of securities effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer proportionately to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired by associates from the issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired);
- Tender offers (i.e., tenders of securities pursuant to tender offers that are expressly conditioned on the tender offeror's acquisition of all of the securities of the same class). This exemption does not apply to tenders of securities pursuant to any other tender offer;
- Transactions in securities that are not reportable securities;
- The acquisition of securities through inheritance; and
- The giving or receipt of a security as a gift.
ACCESS PERSONS, OTHER THAN INVESTMENT PERSONS, ARE EXEMPT FROM PRE-CLEARING TRANSACTIONS IN REPORTABLE FUNDS. Unless there is another exemption available, investment persons are required to pre-clear such transactions.
HOW DO I PRE-CLEAR TRANSACTIONS?
Procedures for obtaining pre-clearance for all securities transactions other than private placements
Requests for pre-clearance of securities transactions other than private placements must be made using iTrade(R), which is available on Navigator.
If iTrade is not available, requests may be made in writing, or by electronic mail. All requests must include the name of the security, a definitive security identifier (e.g.,
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. 6
CUSIP, ticker, or SEDOL), the number of shares or amount of bonds involved, and the nature of the transaction, i.e., whether the transaction is a purchase, sale, short sale, or buy to cover. Responses to all requests will be made by iTrade or the Compliance Department, documenting the request and whether or not pre-clearance has been granted. The Compliance Department maintains a record of all approval and denials.
Requests will normally be processed on the same day; however, additional time may be required to pre-clear certain securities transactions.
For U.S. access persons and investment persons, all approved transactions must be executed by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the day the approval is granted. For non-U.S. access persons and investment persons, all approved transactions must be executed by the end of the business day in your time zone on the day in which you RECEIVE the approval. If you decide not to execute the transaction during the pre-clearance period, or the entire trade is not executed, you must request pre-clearance again at such time as you decide to execute or complete the trade. You may not place any "good until canceled" or "limit" order with any broker other than a limit order that is good for that day only.
For pre-clearance purposes, derivative transactions are treated as transactions in the underlying security.
Procedures for obtaining pre-clearance for private placements
You must obtain prior written approval from the Compliance Department before purchasing or selling a security in a private placement. In considering whether to approve a transaction in a private placement, the Compliance Department will consult with the Director of Portfolio Management US and will take into account whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for a client and whether the opportunity is being offered to you by virtue of your position with, or relationship to, a client. If you are an investment person and have been authorized to acquire securities in a private placement, you should be aware that this information will be disclosed to the Director of Portfolio Management US. In such circumstances, a client's decision to purchase securities of the issuer will be subject to an independent review by appropriate personnel with no personal interest in the issuer.
PERMITTED BROKERAGE ACCOUNTS
Access persons who begin their employment with PIM after March 1, 2005, will be required to hold their personal trading accounts with one of the following brokerage firms:
- Schwab Capital Markets
- Merrill Lynch
- Fidelity Brokerage
- TD Waterhouse Discount Brokerage
- E*Trade Financial
- Ameritrade, Inc.
- Smith Barney Citigroup
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. 7
- UBS Financial Services, Inc.
- Morgan Stanley
New associates will have 90 days from their date of hire to transfer their existing accounts to a broker at one of the above brokerage firms.
If your employment with PIM began before March 1, 2005, you will be allowed to continue to hold your accounts with brokerage firms other than one of those named above. However, if you hold an account with a firm other than the above firm, and seek to move your account(s) to another firm, then you must use one of the above firms.
The restriction on brokerage accounts does not apply to non-discretionary accounts or accounts that are not capable of holding reportable securities.
Upon opening an account, you are required to disclose the account to the Compliance Department. You must also agree to allow the broker-dealer to provide the Compliance Department with electronic reports of employee-related accounts and transactions executed therein and to allow the Compliance Department to access all account information.
You are required to receive approval from the Compliance Department to maintain an employee-related account with broker-dealers other than those on the list. Permission to open or maintain employee-related accounts with a broker-dealer other than those on the list of approved brokers will not be granted or may be revoked if transactions are not reported as described above.
RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONAL INVESTMENTS
The restrictions in the Code apply equally to the covered transactions and to instruments related to the covered transaction. A related instrument is any security or instrument issued by the same entity as the issuer of the covered transaction, including options, rights, warrants, preferred stock, bonds and other obligations of that issuer or instruments otherwise convertible into securities of that issuer.
The restrictions and blackout periods listed below are designed to avoid conflict with our clients' interests. However, patterns of trading that meet the letter of the Code but are intended to circumvent the restrictions are prohibited. It is expected that you will comply with the restrictions below in good faith and conduct their personal securities transactions in keeping with the intended purpose of this code.
ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES FOR PERSONAL BENEFIT
You may not induce or cause a client to take action, or to fail to take action, when you intend for such action to benefit you personally rather than primarily the client. For example, you would violate this Code by causing a client to purchase or refrain from selling a security you owned for the purpose of supporting or increasing the price of that security.
PROFIT FROM KNOWLEDGE OF CLIENT TRANSACTIONS
You may not use your knowledge of client transactions to profit by the market effect of such transactions. This means that you may not purchase or sell a security when you knew, or should have known, that the security was being considered for any client. For example:
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- You may not front-run any trade of a client (i.e., you may not knowingly trade before a contemplated transaction by a client). You could be deemed to be front-running if you:
- Purchase a security while knowing that PIM intended to purchase that security for a client; or
- Sell a security while knowing that PIM intended to sell that security for a client.
- You cannot purchase a security (or its economic equivalent) with the intention of recommending that the security be purchased for a client, or sell short a security (or its economic equivalent) with the intention of recommending that the security be sold for a client.
- You cannot:
- Buy a security if you know that PIM is buying the same or a related security for a client at the same time;
- Sell a security if you know that PIM is selling the same or a related security for a client at the same time; or
- Transact in securities of any issuer for which you possess material nonpublic information.
INTENTIONALLY EVADE THE PROSPECTUS REQUIREMENTS OF REPORTABLE FUNDS
All transactions in shares of a reportable fund must be consistent with the prospectus requirements applicable to the fund.
TRADING RESTRICTIONS
Access persons may not:
- Transact in reportable securities without pre-clearance, with the exception of reportable funds.
- Purchase securities in an initial public offering.
- Sell short any security where a client holds a long position in the same security or where such client otherwise maintains a position in which the client would directly benefit from an increase in the value of the security. Subject to pre-clearance, you may engage in short sales, options and margin transactions; however, if you engage in such transactions, you should recognize the consequences of being "frozen" or subject to a forced close out because of the general restrictions that apply to personal transactions as noted above. These types of activities are risky not only because of the nature of the transactions, but also because action necessary to close out a position may become prohibited under the Code while the position remains open. For example, you may not be able to close out short sales and transactions in derivatives. In specific cases of hardship, an exception may be requested of the CCO with respect to an otherwise "frozen" transaction.
- Fail to disclose personal interests in recommended securities. You may not recommend any securities transaction for a client without disclosing in advance any interest that you or any member of your immediate family has in such security or the issuer thereof to the Director of Portfolio Management US or the person expected to act on such recommendation. You may not participate in the decision
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to purchase and sell securities of such issuer for a client. Factors that should be disclosed include, but are not limited to:
- Your beneficial ownership of any securities of such issuer;
- Any contemplated transaction by you in such securities;
- Any position with such issuer or its affiliates held by you or any member of your immediate family; and
- Any present or proposed business relationship (including employment) between such issuer or its affiliates and you or any member of your immediate family or any party in which you or any member of your immediate family have a significant interest.
- Participate in investment clubs.
- Profit from the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same (or equivalent) securities within 60 calendar days.
TRANSACTIONS IN REPORTABLE FUNDS
Investment persons may not transact in reportable funds without pre-clearance.
ACCOUNTS OF OTHER PEOPLE
Investment persons may not manage discretionary accounts of persons outside of your immediate family. You may not exercise investment discretion over accounts in which you have no beneficial interest. If you wish to apply for a waiver, you must contact the Compliance Department.
BLACKOUT DATES FOR TRADING
Investment persons may not buy or sell a security within seven calendar days before or after a client trades in that security. You will not be deemed to have violated this restriction if your trade occurs within the seven-day period prior to the client trade, you did not know and had no reason to believe that a trade for a client in such security was being considered and your transaction was pre-cleared.
Access persons may not buy or sell a security on the same day a client trades in that security except for pre-cleared transactions.
EXCESSIVE TRADING
You are discouraged from trading excessively. PIM strongly discourages high levels of personal trading activity and may monitor such activity. If it is determined that you have engaged in a pattern of excessive trading, PIM may place restrictions on your personal trading or take other disciplinary action.
III. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
The Compliance Department is charged with oversight and interpretation of the Code in a manner considered fair and equitable, in all cases placing PIM's clients' interests first.
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The Compliance Department will inform you if you are considered an access person under the Code. PIM shall use reasonable diligence and institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent violations of the Code.
A copy of the Code is available on Navigator. Likewise, any amendments to the Code will be posted on Navigator promptly after they become available. Associates will be given notice of all changes to, or restatements of, the Code.
Acknowledgement of, and compliance with, the Code is a condition of employment with PIM. The Code does not create any obligations to any person or entity other than PIM. The Code is not a promise or contract, and it may be modified at any time. PIM retains the discretion to decide whether the Code applies to a specific situation, and how it should be interpreted.
REVIEW
The Compliance Department will review on a regular basis the reports filed pursuant to the Code. In this regard, the Compliance Department will give special attention to evidence, if any, of potential violations of the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws or the procedural requirements or ethical standards set forth in the Code.
REPORTING VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE
PIM relies upon you to report promptly any conduct you believe to be a violation of the Code. You must report violations or suspected violations of the Code to the CCO. All such reports or inquiries will be subject to investigation.
PIM will not tolerate any form of retaliation against an associate who lodges a good faith report of a violation or suspected violation or cooperates in an investigation. Where retaliation is found to have occurred, the offending party will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. PIM also reserves the right to take corrective action against an associate if, upon investigation, it determines that the associate was dishonest or malicious in making the report or providing information to investigators.
In conducting an investigation, PIM will attempt to keep the identities of the associate reporting the suspected violation and of witnesses confidential. Where this is not possible, information will be disclosed only as necessary to conduct the investigation and to permit members of management to ensure the efficiency and security of PIM's business activities. Where a report involves a violation of a law or regulation, PIM may also be obligated to make certain information available to clients or former clients, the Securities and Exchange Commission or to other authorities.
VIOLATIONS AND SANCTIONS
Compliance with the Code is expected and violations of its provisions are taken seriously. You must recognize that the Code is a condition of employment with PIM and a serious violation of the Code or related policies may result in termination of your employment. Since many provisions of the Code also reflect provisions of the U.S. Securities laws, you should be aware that violations could also lead to regulatory enforcement action resulting in suspension or expulsion from the securities business, fines and penalties, and imprisonment.
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Federal law requires that the Code must not only be adopted, but must be enforced with reasonable diligence. The Compliance Department will keep records of any violation of the Code and of the actions taken as a result of such violations.
Sanctions
Violations of this Code may result in the imposition of the sanctions as published by the Compliance Department from time to time. These sanctions may include, but are not limited to: terminating or suspending your employment; suspending your personal trading privileges; issuing a letter of censure or warning; requiring you to pay a fine; requiring you to compensate the affected Fund for an amount equal to the advantage you gained by reason of such violation; and requiring you to reverse the trade(s) at issue and forfeit any profit or absorb any loss from the trade.
In deciding whether to impose sanctions, PIM may take into account any factors that it determines to be appropriate in imposing sanctions, which may include, but are not limited to, your history of compliance, the nature of the violation, whether the violation was intentional or inadvertent and any harm suffered by a client. Violations of this Code also may result in criminal prosecution or civil action. VIOLATIONS WILL BE REMOVED FROM YOUR RECORD AFTER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE VIOLATION.
HARDSHIP EXEMPTIONS
In cases of hardship, the CCO can grant exemptions from the restrictions in the Code. The decision will be based on a determination that a hardship exists and that the transaction for which an exemption is requested would not result in a conflict with PIM's clients' interests or violate any other policy embodied in this Code. Other factors that may be considered include: the size and holding period of your position in the security, the market capitalization of the issuer, the liquidity of the security, the amount and timing of client trading in the same or a related security, and other relevant factors.
If you are seeking an exemption you should submit a written request to the CCO, setting forth the nature of the hardship along with any pertinent facts and reasons why you believe the exemption should be granted. You are cautioned that exemptions are intended to be exceptions, and repetitive requests for exemptions are not likely to be granted.
Records of the approval of exemptions and the reasons for granting exemptions will be maintained by the Compliance Department.
APPEALS
If you believe you have been treated unfairly by any action rendered with respect to a violation of the Code or a waiver request, you may appeal the determination by providing the Compliance Department with a written explanation within 30 calendar days of being informed of such determination. If appropriate, the Compliance Department will arrange for a review by senior management of PIM and will advise you whether the action will be imposed, modified or withdrawn.
REPORTING TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Once a year, the CCO will prepare a report for the Board of Directors of PIM and the Management Committee of Pioneer Investment Management USA Inc. that will:
- Summarize current procedures under the Code and changes to those procedures since the prior report;
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- Describe any issues arising under the Code since the last report to the Board or the Management Committee, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and
- Discuss any recommended changes to the Code.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Normally, PIM will keep all information obtained under this Code in strict confidence; however, violations will be reported to senior management and PIM may report information to third parties under certain circumstances. For example, PIM may make reports of securities transactions and violations of this Code available to clients or former clients, the SEC or any other regulatory or self-regulatory organization to the extent required by law or regulation, or to other civil or criminal authorities if PIM considers it to be necessary or advisable.
INTERPRETATION
PIM may, from time to time, adopt such interpretations of this Code as PIM deems appropriate.
QUESTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
You are encouraged to bring to the Compliance Department any questions you may have about interpreting or complying with this Code, about securities accounts or personal trading activities of associates or your family or household members, about your legal or ethical responsibilities, or about similar matters that may involve this Code. U.S associates of PIM should contact Libby Liebig or Leah Rumbaua with any questions. Associates of Pioneer Investment Management Limited should contact Leo Coyne.
The Compliance Department may from time to time circulate educational materials or bulletins designed to assist you in understanding and carrying out your duties under this Code.
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IMPORTANT TERMS
Term Definition ---- ---------- Access person You are an "access person" if you: - Are an officer or director of PIM; - Have access to information concerning the purchase or sale of a security by PIM for its clients; - Have access to information regarding recommendations of securities to client; - Have access to information regarding the holdings of any reportable fund; or - Are an investment person. Examples of "access to information" would include having access to trading systems (e.g., CRD or PMA), portfolio accounting systems (e.g., MFact), research databases or settlement information. Access persons typically include associates in the following departments: - Fund accounting; - Investment operations; - Information services & technology; - Product management; and - Legal and compliance. Associate Associate means an employee. Automatic Automatic investment plan means a program in which investment plan regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An automatic investment plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan. Beneficial ownership Beneficial ownership is interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Generally, you have beneficial ownership in a security if you have the opportunity directly or indirectly to receive or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the security, whether or not the security or the relevant account is in your name or is held in an ordinary brokerage or retirement plan account. The ultimate determination of whether you have beneficial ownership in a security or an account depends on the facts of your particular case. Key factors you should consider are your |
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Term Definition ---- ---------- ability to benefit from the proceeds of the security, and the degree to which you exercise control over the security. You are generally presumed to be the beneficial owner of: - Securities held by you, your spouse/domestic partner or members of your immediate family sharing your household; - Securities held by a trust, in which you have a direct or indirect pecuniary interest; - Your proportionate interest in securities held by a partnership, corporation or similar entity under your control; - Securities held by an unmarried person with whom you share your household and combine your financial resources in a manner similar to that of married persons; and - Securities you have a right to acquire through the exercise or conversion of a "derivative security." CCO Chief Compliance Officer of Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. Employee-related An employee-related account is an account in which account securities are held for your benefit. It includes, but is not limited to: - Your own accounts and accounts "beneficially owned" by you; - Your spouse's/domestic partner's accounts and the accounts of any members of your immediate family sharing your household; and - Accounts in which you, your spouse/domestic partner, or members of your immediate family sharing your household have a beneficial interest. Immediate family Any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships. Investment persons You are an "investment person" if you: - Are involved in making securities recommendations to clients; or - Are a portfolio management, research or trading associate. |
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Term Definition ---- ---------- Private placement An offering of securities that is exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) or pursuant to Rules 504, 505 or 506 under the Securities Act of 1933 and other similar non-U.S. securities. Private placements include, but are not limited to, private equity partnerships, hedge funds, limited partnerships and venture capital funds. Reportable fund A reportable fund is any open-end US mutual fund advised or sub-advised by PIM or Oak Ridge Investments LLC ("Oak Ridge") or distributed by PFD (e.g., the Pioneer Funds). Such funds generally include the Pioneer Funds, Pioneer's VCT Portfolios, and any funds for which Pioneer serves as subadviser. Please contact the Compliance Department for a complete list of reportable funds. Reportable security Reportable security means a security as defined by section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The term "reportable security" is very broad and includes stocks, bonds, and other instruments you might not ordinarily think of as securities, such as: - All kinds of limited partnerships; - Private investment funds, hedge funds and investment clubs; - Foreign unit trusts and investment funds; - Options on securities; - Shares in reportable funds, which are registered investment companies advised or sub-advised by PIM or Oak Ridge or distributed by PFD (e.g., the Pioneer Funds); and - Closed-end funds. Reportable securities do not include: - Direct obligations of the government of the United States (note that securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government (e.g., GNMA obligations), municipal obligations and obligations of other governments are reportable securities); - Bankers' acceptances; - Bank certificates of deposit; - Commercial paper; - High quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; and - Shares of open-end investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, other than reportable funds. |
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CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT |
I hereby acknowledge that I have been informed that I am subject to the Code of Ethics for Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. (the "Code") dated March 3, 2005. I further certify that I have read and understand the Code and that I have complied, and will continue to comply, with the requirements of the Code.
----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Signature Date ----------------------------------- Print Name |
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